John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

4. V:30. Swam an hour with John and Antoine in the Potowmack. Visit from General Brown who has been at the Springs in Virginia, and intends returning there with his family— Linnaeus Smith was at the Office again, returned from Richmond— At one O’Clock I presented to the President the Baron Durand de Mareuil, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from France— He delivered to the President his own Letter of Credence. The Letter of Notification of the Recall of the Baron Hyde de Neuville; and the Letter of Recredence for Mr Gallatin— The Baron made a very short Address to the President, assuring him of the friendly dispositions of the King of France towards the United States, and of his own earnest desire to promote the good understanding between the two Nations; which the President answered by assurances of reciprocal dispositions. He spoke also very kindly to the Count de Menou, who said he expected shortly to return to France, but hoped to pay his respects again to the President before his Departure. The Count was much affected by the President’s obliging expressions and warmly manifested his gratitude. The Cabinet Meeting was not held— Mr Crawford came in to the City, and was about an hour of the morning at the President’s, and then returned home. He told the President he had postponed departure for some days— I received this morning from Antonio Jose Cañaz, Envoy Extraordinary from the United Provinces of the Centre of America, a notification of his arrival, and as the President was extremely anxious to return to-morrow to Loudoun, he desired me, if possible, to get through the presentation of Mr Cañaz this day— Returning to the Office of the Department, I sent and requested him to call there immediately— It was so long before his lodgings were found that when he came it was past four O’Clock— He was accompanied by his Secretary of Legation, Mr Valero— Neither of them speaks English; and Mr Valero only very little French— They shewed me their Commission, of which I asked them to furnish me copies— I went with them immediately to the President, and presented them— Mr Cañaz delivered his Credential Letter but made no speech— The President assured him of the friendly feeling of the United States towards his Country— After an early dinner I attended at the President’s, where the deputations of Indians had their second conference— They were now all dressed in the clothing furnished them here. Short speeches were made again to them by the President, and by him to them in return. Medal’s were distributed to all the Chiefs. Several of them earnestly pressed their wishes to be dismissed, and to return home. Mrs Adams229and John were there— Also Mr Wirt’s family— Old Mrs Calhoun, and two of his children— The French Minister and Consul and their families— And some others— The President gave the medals, suspending them over the necks of the Chiefs— Presents were also made to the Squaws and children— One of the Piankeshaws who acted as interpreter from one Dialect, to another was very ill, with a high fever— Between 8 and 9 it was over— I asked the President’s directions upon various points; but he was not prepared to give them. On returning home I found Laborie at my house— He comes out as Secretary of Legation to the Baron de Mareuil— Judge Woodward and Dr Watkins were afterwards here— Mr R. Cutts, second Comptroller had been here last Evening; complaining of an interference by Mr Calhoun with an official decision of his in favor of the claim of D. Parker upon the grant of Congress to the Estate of J. H. Piatt. I advised him to see the President.