1Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27[-29] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 27[–29], 1779, in French: Yesterday the States of Holland resolved to annul the resolution of November 18, which excepted ships’ timbers from convoy protection, and to protect their commerce to the fullest extent guaranteed by the treaties [with Britain]. Tomorrow the assembly will work on the response...
2Dumas to the American Commissioners, 19[-24] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 19[-24], 1779, in French: The only thing that happened at the Assembly of Holland was the reading of the ambassador’s latest memorandum. I met five times today with the French ambassador and as often with our friend. January 20: The pensionaries of Amsterdam have expressed to the ambassador their hope...
3Dumas to the American Commissioners, 16[-18] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 16[-18], 1779, in French: The French ambassador has informed a number of high officials that Dutch shipping except for that of Amsterdam henceforth will be excluded from French trade privileges. These officials expressed their displeasure, claiming it was unprecedented that France should treat with only...
4Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12[-14] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 12[-14], 1779: The States of Holland reassemble tomorrow. The French ambassador has received an express message from his court. January 13: I learn that Amsterdam will have permission to trade with the French West Indies, and I have been authorized to inform certain friendly merchant houses of this....
5Dumas to the American Commissioners, 1[-3] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives; transcript: Harvard University Library <The Hague, January 1[-3], 1779, in French: Our friend has no doubts that an important person [the stadholder] has been greatly influenced by Sir Joseph Yorke and has made secret arrangements with his cousin [King George III]. The French ambassador has...
6Dumas to the American Commissioners, 18[-28] December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives; transcript: Harvard University Library <The Hague, December 18[-28], 1778, in French: Committees have been established to work on the new British complaints and on the response to the French ambassador. I am translating Amsterdam’s protest and will have copies made for Congress. December 19, morning:...
7Dumas to the American Commissioners, 8 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft); Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, December 8, 1778, in French: English funds [government bonds] have fallen in value, and letters from England increase the qualms of those holding them. Amsterdam has printed and distributed copies of its protest against the resolution of November 18. This has shocked the English party. This morning the French...
8Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, December 2, 1778, in French: Enclosed is the resolution I promised, which deserves to be published in both English and French. I hope for good news from America before the Provincial States [of Holland] reassemble in ten to twelve days. The London Evening Post of November 26 reports Clinton has been roughly...
9Dumas to the American Commissioners, 20 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 20, 1778, in French: Returning here, I learned from our friend that the Provincial Assembly by majority vote has resolved against providing convoys and in favor of the Admiralty’s advisory. Amsterdam has inserted a formal protest, which it demands be published, because the...
10Dumas to the American Commissioners, 13 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <[The Hague], November 13, 1778, in French: Next Wednesday a resolution on refusing convoy for naval stores will be decided by plurality vote [of the states of the Province of Holland]. Amsterdam has protested that the constitution requires unanimous consent in this case. Mr. van Berckel and the...
11Dumas to the American Commissioners, 10 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 10, 1778, in French: Tomorrow the Admiralty will issue its advisory, refusing to negotiate with Sir Joseph Yorke and insisting on the restitution of the captured ships, but ruining everything by in effect suspending convoys. Our friend seems embarrassed. Another person says...
12Dumas to the American Commissioners, 4 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 4, 1778, in French: I have just seen our friend and take this opportunity to report our conversation. Amsterdam has sent strong instructions to its representatives and if the evasions continue will use other means, about which they did not wish to tell me. Sir Joseph Yorke has...
13Dumas to the American Commissioners, 3 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 3, 1778, in French: Our friend has warned Mr. Baker, the secretary of the Amsterdam Admiralty, that if the Admiralty’s preliminary advisory serves to weaken the protest to the English court he will communicate the action to the entire business community. Such an action would...
14Dumas to the American Commissioners, 30 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, October 30, 1778, in French: As a result of the merchants’ address the Assembly of Holland will reconvene next Wednesday, the corps of nobility of the province has withdrawn a counter-address and an important personage seems to be alarmed. The British party is also concerned. The Grand Pensionary is displeased...
15Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, October 27, 1778, in French: Last Saturday [Oct. 24] I received your letter of October 10. The Grand Facteur is very satisfied with it. Our friend [van Berckel] was pleased and assured me several times it would make a good impression on the burgomasters of Amsterdam. He strongly...
16Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, October 2, 1778, in French: Since my last letter I have spent ten days in Amsterdam in the service of the United States-one day with the Grand Facteur, two with our friend and seven writing 615 numbers, 2460 folios, 2255 times “A” and 2255 times “Passy 31. Aoust 1778” on your promissory notes. When I left...
17Dumas to the American Commissioners, 13[—18] September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, September 13[–18], 1778, in French: The Assembly of Holland has resolved to increase the republic’s naval forces in Europe by 32 ships of the line as well as frigates and 8,000 crewmen. The address of the bourse of Amsterdam has arrived as has one from a number of Rotterdam merchants. The merchants of Dort are...
18Dumas to the American Commissioners, 11 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <[The Hague], September 11, 1778, in French: Tomorrow the Amsterdam merchants as a body will present to the Assembly of Holland an address requesting protection from the British. All trade at Amsterdam is at a standstill because no one wants to give insurance. I still await what I requested on the 4th.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII .
19Dumas to the American Commissioners, 9 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, September 9, 1778, in French: The Assembly of Holland yesterday debated Amsterdam’s proposal opposing an increase in the size of the army. I will translate and send you a copy of the proposal. Mr. van Berckel criticized the Grand Pensionary and suggested I press him for an answer to your letter. I told him I could...
20Dumas to the American Commissioners, 4 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, September 4, 1778, in French: Mr. van Berckel and I propose an ambitious initiative for which we need supporting papers. Please send either a proposal for a general treaty of amity and commerce or a declaration that you desire the Netherlands to conclude with the United States a treaty similar to the American...
21Dumas to the American Commissioners, 18 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <The Hague, August 18, 1778, in French: Nothing worthy of writing has occurred since I last wrote. I visit the French ambassador daily and, through him, received the Gazette de Yorktown that Mr. Franklin had entrusted the Chevalier [Georges Grand] to forward to me. Today’s Gazette de Leide is filled with its contents. I’m enclosing a copy of a letter I sent...
22Dumas to the American Commissioners, 4 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <The Hague, August 4, 1778, in French: M. van Berckel has responded to my letter. The Grand Facteur strongly recommended I send you a copy. P.S.: Congratulations on d’Orvilliers’ victory over Keppel; a letter sent to the chevalier [Georges] Grand by his brother informed us of it.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 344–6. Dumas included a copy of van...
23Dumas to the American Commissioners, 31 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je viens de recevoir les doubles des deux Lettres du Committé des affaires étrangeres, que vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer. Voici quelques Extraits des Depêches ministériales pour ce qu’il y avoit de plus essentiel. Ici rien de nouveau, si ce n’est que la désertion est très forte parmi les troupes de la république. Pas moins de 1500 déserteurs pendant...
24Dumas to the American Commissioners, 28 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, July 28, 1778, in French: I enclose summaries of twelve pages of diplomatic correspondence. It is reliably reported that there will be a suspension of arms in Germany until August 1 and it is generally thought peace will follow. This morning I took a copy of the treaty, omitting articles 11 and 12, to the Grand...
25Dumas to the American Commissioners, 24 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, July 24, 1778, in French: It is reported that France has declared war on England, causing the British stocks to decline in Amsterdam. It is also reported the British have released the Dutch ships they captured. Thank you for forwarding me the packet from the committee of secret correspondence. I will continue to...
26Dumas to the American Commissioners, 21 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, July 21, 1778, in French: I have just received, translated and delivered a German letter to the Grand Facteur. The States General have adjourned and the Prince is leaving for Los in Overyssel. No new instructions were given Count Welderen concerning the British capture of two Dutch ships carrying tobacco for...
27Dumas to the American Commissioners, 17 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, July 17, 1778, in French: I have seen the Grand Facteur and our friend every day, but have waited to write until the States General adjourned. Increasing the army was the principal subject of debate; Amsterdam rejected the proposal, and it will not be adopted. Our friend differed on it with the Grand...
28Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the American Commissioners, 3 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, July 3, 1778, in French: What I said in my last about Amsterdam’s borrowing was much exaggerated; my informant was mistaken, and our friend van Berckel set me straight. Yesterday I communicated the treaty to him and to the Burgomaster of Amsterdam, and they were pleased with it; now we have only to let the peat...
29Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27[–30] June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, June 27[–30], in French: I have written the Grand Pensionary that the treaty has arrived, and the Grand Facteur has approved my letter. June 28: The Grand Pensionary has set our interview for tomorrow morning. Last night came your packet of the 22nd, which I devoured with interest. I could not avoid the...
30Dumas to the American Commissioners, 19[–26] June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, June 19[–26], 1778: On the 17th the local gazetteer published a statement that the article about Mr. [William] Lee did not come from the court of Vienna. On Tuesday there will be more in the Leyden paper. We are, you can see, waging a small war here. The Grand Facteur predicts that permission to present the treaty...