John Adams to Richard Benbury, October 19, 1798

Gentlemen

Quincy October 19. 1798

Your unanimous Address at Edenton of the fourth of September has been transmitted to me by < your > Richard Benbury Esqr your Brigadier General.

After a solemn Embassy of three Envoys had been denied an opportunity to negotiate, the miserable Attempt to divide them from each other, and carry on a delusive shew of negotiation, for the purpose of effecting Divisions in our Country, was too mean and contemptible to impose upon the Credulity of any true hearted American. I rejoice in the opportunity of congratulating on, you on the ill success of that wretched Artifice, both with the < envoys or > People of America and with the Envoys, who are now all happily returned to their Country.

John Adams