John Adams

Along with Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, John Adams signed the Treaty of Paris as a "Minister Plenitentory" of the US in Europe. Adams arrived in France for the first time in April of 1778. In 1784-85, he lived at 45, rue d'Auteuil:

The caption says, roughly:

IN THIS BUILDING LIVED
August 1784 - May 1785
JOHN ADAMS
2nd president of the United States 1797-1801
and his son
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
6th president of the United States, 1825-1829

Here is a larger picture of the building:

Adams documented his visit in his diaries. Here are some excerpts:

MAY 8.FRYDAY. [1778]

This Morning Dr. Franklin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Adams, went to Versailles, in Order that Mr. Adams might be presented to the King. -- Waited on the Count De Vergennes, at his office, and at the Hour of Eleven the Count conducted Us, into the Kings Bed Chamber where he was dressing -- one officer putting on his Sword, another his Coat &c.

The Count went up to the King, and his Majesty turned about, towards me, and smiled. Ce est il Monsieur Adams, said the King and then asked a Question, very quick, or rather made an Observation to me which I did not fully understand. The Purport of it was that I had not been long arrived. -- The Count Vergennes then conducted me to the Door of another Room, and desired me to stand there which I did untill the King passed. -- The Count told the King, that I did not yet take upon me to speak French. The King asked, whether I did not speak at all as yet and passed by me, into the other Room.

This Monarch is in the 24th. Year of his Age, having been born the 23d of Aug. 1754. He has the Appearances of a strong Constitution, capable of enduring to a great Age.

[... Hmmm... didn't quite get that one right...]

1778 May 20. Wednesday

I am wearied to death with gazing wherever I go, at a Profusion of unmeaning Wealth and Magnificence.

[...]

1778 JULY 25.

It is an Amusement among some People, here, who understand a little English, to give Samples of English Sentences, hard to be pronounced. -- "What think the chosen judges? Thrust this Thistle through this Thumb. An Apple in each Hand and a third in my Mouth."-- &c.

1778. NOVR: 26 JEUDI.

Went to see the Palace of Bourbon, belonging to the Prince of Conde. It is a City. The Apartements of the Prince, are very rich, and elegant. The Gallery has many fine Paintings. But I have no Taste for ringing the Changes of Mirrors, Gold, Silver, Marble, Glass, and Alabaster. -- For myself I had rather live in this Room at Passy than in that Palace, and in my Cottage at Braintree than in this Hotel at Passy.

[...]

1782. October 26. Saturday

[...]

The first Thing to be done, in Paris, is always to send for a Taylor, Peruke maker and Shoemaker, for this nation has established such a domination over the Fashion, that neither Cloaths, Wigs nor Shoes made in any other Place will do in Paris. This is one of the Ways, in which France taxes all Europe, and will tax America. It is a great Branch of the Policy of the Court, to preserve and increase this national Influence over the Mode, because it occasions an immense Commerce between France and all the other Parts of Europe. Paris furnishes the Materials and the manner, both to Men and Women,every where else.

[...]

NOV. 2 SATURDAY

[...]

Almost every Moment of this Week has been employed in Negotiation, with the English Gentlemen, concerning Peace. We have made two Propositions. One the Line of forty five degrees. The other a Line thro the Middles of the Lakes. And for the Bound between Mass. and Nova Scotia -- a Line from the Mouth of St. Croix to its Source, and from its Source to the high Lands.

1782.Novem. 3 Sunday

[...]

The present Conduct of England and America resembles that of the Eagle and Cat. An Eagle scaling over a Farmers Yard espied a Creature, that he thought an Hair. He pounced upon him and took him up. In the Air the Cat seized him by the Neck with her Teeth and round the Body with her fore and hind Claws. The Eagle finding Herself scratched and pressed, bids the Cat let go and fall down. No says the Cat: I wont let go and fall, you shall stoop and set me down.

NOVEMBER 5. TUESDAY.

Mr. Jay likes Frenchmen as little as Mr. Lee and Mr. Izard did.

He says they are not a Moral People. They know not what it is. He dont like any Frenchman. -- The Marquis de la Fayette is clever, but he is a Frenchman. -- Our Allies dont play fair, he told me. They were endeavouring to deprive Us of the Fishery, the Western Lands, and the Navigation of the Missisippi. They would even bargain with the English to deprive us of them. They want to play the Western Lands, Missisippi and whole Gulph of Mexico into the Hands of Spain.

[...]

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