“Do n’t distress yourself about any malicious attempts to injure me in the estimation of my countrymen.  Let them take their course, and go the length of their tether.  They will never hurt your husband, whose character is fortified with a shield of innocence and honor, ten thousand-fold stronger than brass or iron.  The contemptible essays, made by you know whom, will only tend to their own confusion.  My letters have shown them their own ignorance, a sight they could not bear.  Say as little about it as I do.  I laugh, and will laugh before all posterity, at their impotent rage and envy.”

In July, 1781, Francis Dana, who had attended John Adams as Secretary of Legation, was appointed Minister to Russia.  John Quincy Adams, then fourteen years old, was appointed Private Secretary of this mission.  He remained at that post fourteen months, performing its duties with entire satisfaction to the minister.  The singular ripeness of the youthful secretary was shown in his travelling alone, on his return from St. Petersburgh, by a journey leisurely made, and filled with observations of Sweden, Denmark, Hamburgh, and Bremen.  On arriving in Holland, he resumed his studies at the Hague.

John Adams, having completed his mission in Holland, was soon charged, together with Dr. Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, with the duty of negotiating a definitive treaty of peace with Great Britain.  The treaty was executed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1783, and was ratified January 14th, 1784.  The younger Adams enjoyed the satisfaction of being present at the conclusion of the treaty; and while it was under process of negotiation, he was constantly favored with opportunities of listening to the instructive conversation of Franklin and Jefferson.

The negotiation of the treaty was dilatory in the extreme.  It was embarrassed with French intrigues, great carelessness at home, and greater reluctance on the part of England.  The wearied Minister wrote to Mrs. Adams on the 30th of May, 1783:  “Our son is at the Hague, pursuing his studies with great ardor.  They give him a good character wherever he has been, and I hope he will make a good man.”  On the 9th of June he wrote in these homely, but manly words:  “I am weary, worn, and disgusted to death.  I had rather chop wood, dig ditches, and make fence upon my poor little farm.  Alas, poor farm! and poorer family! what have you lost that your country might be free! and that others might catch fish and hunt deer and bears at their ease!

“There will be as few of the tears of gratitude, or the smiles of admiration, or the sighs of pity for us, as for the army.  But all this should not hinder me from going over the same scenes again, upon the same occasions—­scenes which I would not encounter for all the wealth, pomp, and power of the world.  Boys! if you ever say one word, or utter one complaint, I will disinherit you.  Work! you rogues, and be free.  You will never have so hard work to do as papa has had.  Daughter! get you an honest man for a husband, and keep him honest.  No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent.  Regard the honor and the moral character of the man, more than all circumstances.  Think of no other greatness but that of the soul, no other riches but those of the heart.”