John Adams to John Quincy Adams, October 16, 1798

Quincy Oct. 16. 1798

My Dear sir

The inclosed Letter from the sec. of state will go by the Way of
England. In the paragraph quoted from me I wish you not to mistake. I dont mean that I
have any aversion to a Treaty with Prussia or sweeden, upon Terms consistent with your
Instructions. You may agree to such a Treaty as soon as you please. 1 But in the present State of Things, if the
Neutral Powers will not go to War with France and We are compelled to do so, I have no
Scruple to say I will not bind the United states to let French Dutch & spanish
Property pass, under Neutral Flaggs. I hope the Dutch & the Spaniards will not force Us into a War with them. But if they do
they must and shall take the Consequences. 2

Your Mother has been sick of a Complication of Disorders, a
chronic Diarrhea, an intermittent fever and almost a Diabetes sometimes for three
Months. she is still very weak, but We think better, and hope will get well. We are in
hopes of seeing your Brother in a few Weeks. Love to your best Friend and to your new
sec. I am / your affectionate

John Adams

Be pleased to make my best Compliments to M r De Thulemeyer and thank him for his kind Remembrance of me: I recollect with
great Pleasure his kind & polite and even friendly Treatment of me for some Years,
when We resided at the Hague. I would go a Great Way to have the Pleasure of a few
Hours Conversation with him.— What Effect upon the World does he think our old Country
of Holland, and the Austrian Low Countries will have in the Hands of France? 3