John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

28. Mr Montreal came again this Morning, with some further information concerning the vessels arrived at Revel, and spoke to me of a publication which he had heard was in an English newspaper, and with which my name was said to be connected— I did not know to what he referred, but Mr Harris afterwards in the course of the day sent me the London Courier of 30. July, containing the publication. It is a stupid forgery, purporting to be a Memoir, signed by the Duke de Cadore 30. October 1810. addressed to the Russian Ambassador Prince Kurakin, to be laid before the Emperor of Russia— It contains a clumsy imitation of the general accusations of France against Britain and British policy, and asserts the necessity of changing the English Constitution or the Dynasty on the throne— But for the rest it speaks in language suited only to the sentiments of George Rose or any other ministerial tool. Its venom against the United States would be sufficient to betray its English origin— This miserable thing the Courier, a Ministerial Paper, announces with complete solemnity as perhaps the most important State Paper, ever laid before the English Nation; asserts repeatedly that it is of unquestionable authenticity, and gives what it calls a history of its publication— That it was sent by Prince Kurakin to St. Petersburg, where not producing upon the mind of the Emperor Alexander the intended effect, it was communicated by the Russian Government to me— That I sent a copy of it to my Government and to my father, through whom it was first published— This is lie, from beginning to end.— I sent back to Mr Harris as he requested the Paper, and also the Aurora that he had lent me yesterday, with three bills of Exchange, signed for Messrs: Meyer and Brüxner— Catherine and myself only dined together— I walked after dinner in Count Stroganoff’s garden— Met the Empress several times, riding in her Coach— Also the french Ambassador, who told me they had the wedding, meaning I suppose that of Rayneval and Miss Alexandrine Vlodek, yesterday. After I returned home we had visits, first from Commodore Bainbridge, Mr: Calhoun, 284Mr Roberts, and Mr Saltus, and afterwards from Captain Boit and Mr Fisher.— The day being fine and the weather warm Mrs Adams rode out, the first time since her confinement.