John Quincy Adams to John Adams, May 1, 1801

1. May 1801.

My dear Sir.

I have received, and communicated to this Government, my recall
from the mission here— 1 I shall hasten my
departure as much as possible; but the situation of my wife who is still confined to her
bed, renders it uncertain when she will be able to travel at-all, and yet more when to
undertake the voyage. If a favourable opportunity from Hamburg for Boston occurs I shall
give it the preference— But I can scarcely flatter myself with the hope of seeing you
before the month of October.

Possibly some of my late letters to my mother, may lead you to the
apprehension that this recall has proved personally unwelcome and unexpected to me— 2 But I beg you to be assured that
considering it as a measure dictated by a sense of the public interest, your determination has not only my cheerful acquiescence, but my hearty approbation— It
has indeed appeared to me that from the peculiar situation of affairs in the North of
Europe, the expediency of having some public character from the United States upon the
spot, was stronger than it had been at any former period: but even if you should now
concur in that opinion, you might reasonably not have entertained it when you concluded
to recall me;—nor do I apprehend the public service will suffer, from my removal.

With respect to my own prospects, upon returning home, as they
involve the dependence of my family, (for in every other point of view I feel them to be
perfectly indifferent to me) it is natural I should not be without concern; but I have
no reason to distrust the bounties of Providence, and I hope my own exertions will never
be wanting, for the fulfilment of my duties— If I were capable of shrinking from a
measure of public benefit, because it is a private damage to myself, I should be
unworthy to bear the name of your son.

A. 3