When George Washington issued his farewell address in 1796 warning Americans against involvement in the affairs of Europe, that continent seemed far from American shores. A sailing vessel could require a month or two to traverse the Atlantic, and the return voyage was as long. A handful of back and forth messages might fill a year's time.
Brands writes about travel in the "old days": "a sailing vessel could require a month or two to traverse the Atlantic, and the return voyage was as long." This was really borne home a year or so ago when I read McCullough's classic biography of John Adams. (David McCullough is my fave historian next to Brands.) Before he became president, Adams went to France on an important mission. Abigail Adams followed later. McCullough talks about the primitive conditions on her ship. Her maid had to hold up a curtain so she could dress unobserved by the crew. The voyage took over a month, with bad food, seasickness, poor sanitation, etc. It was a far cry from a diplomat's spouse today flying first-class and joining his/her spouse in seven-eight hours.
Brands writes about travel in the "old days": "a sailing vessel could require a month or two to traverse the Atlantic, and the return voyage was as long." This was really borne home a year or so ago when I read McCullough's classic biography of John Adams. (David McCullough is my fave historian next to Brands.) Before he became president, Adams went to France on an important mission. Abigail Adams followed later. McCullough talks about the primitive conditions on her ship. Her maid had to hold up a curtain so she could dress unobserved by the crew. The voyage took over a month, with bad food, seasickness, poor sanitation, etc. It was a far cry from a diplomat's spouse today flying first-class and joining his/her spouse in seven-eight hours.