1To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 3 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je crois vous avoir fait connaitre que toute mon ambition se bornait à obtenir quelque place en France dans un Bureau. Une nouvelle attaque que je viens d’éprouver dans ma Santé me fait penser plus sérieusement que jamais au projet de revenir me fixer en France. Dans cette idée j’ai pris la liberté d’écrire directement à Mr le Comte de Vergennes; & j’ai ôsé lui marquer qu’il trouverait auprès...
2To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 29 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Hier au soir à 8 h es. Leurs H. P. s’assemblerent; & le résultat fut l’expédition d’un Courier à 10 heures, avec l’accession de la Rép. au Traité Définitif, que nous nous attendons ici d’apprendre avoir été signé mercredi prochain 3 e. Voilà donc la fin de toutes nos incertitudes. Je vous en félicite, Monsieur, de tout mon coeur, & je souhaite pareillement, que le navire le Washington, que...
3David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives As the day is now fixed for the signatures of the Definitive treaties between Great Britain France and Spain I beg leave to inform you that I am ready to sign the Definitive treaty between Great Britain and the united States of America...
4To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 26 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
En réponse à l’honorée vôtre du 18 e. , la clef de votre Secretaire S’est heureusement retrouvée sous des Livres; & je suis sûr que personne n’a pu en faire usage, parce que votre appartement n’a jamais été ouvert, depuis votre départ, que par l’un de nous toujours présent. J’ai remis avec les autres celle que vous m’aviez laissée. A l’heure où j’écris, les Etats d’holl de. sont à résoudre...
5Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
By Capt. Freeman who Sails on Sunday for England I embrace the opportunity of writing you a few lines. Mr. Goreham is gone to Portsmouth to embark from thence, impowerd by the Town of Charlstown to solicit Charity for them. I have not the best opinion of his errant; nor of his politeness, or I should have Supposed that as he means to apply to you for assistance; he would have Supposed imagined...
6Richard Cranch to John Adams, 20 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
This will be convey’d to you by the Honble. Natl. Gorham Esqr. our late Speaker, who return’d this Summer from Congress in which he has Serv’d this Commonwealth as a Delegate, with great Ability and Honour. I hope he will, if possible, have a personal Interview with you, as he can doubtless throw much Light on many of the Transactions of that Body. The special Purpose for which Mr. Gorham now...
7To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 19 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The polite Attention you were pleased to shew me at Paris, and the Civility I received, thro’ your Recommendation, in Holland, having afforded me the highest Satisfaction, will ever be remember’d with the most grateful Respect. I am happy to find by the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty that Peace is fully establish’d between Great Britain and America.— It now remains to improve this...
8To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, [ca. 19] August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Being without any of your Excellency’s most Esteemed favours, Shall these principalls Serve to acquaint yoúr Excelly. that by a Letter received from M r. Francis Dana of S t. Petersbourg dated 18 July O.S. that Gentleman advises ús that thro a change of Circumstances happen Since his last Letter to ús. The Credit of £2500.— given formerly in his favour becomes Wholly unnecessary, as he...
9To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
L’Assemblée d’Hollande, fort orageuse mercr[edi j]our de votre depart d’ici, [s’es]t separée jusqu’au 27 cour t. Il y a eu un tumulte à Arnhem en Gueldre, où la Garnison, qui S’étoit emparée de la maison de Ville, a du se soumettre, & délivrer l’hôtel à la Bourgeoisie, qui, sur son exemple, avoit chargé à balles. Le tout s’est passé Sans effusion de sang, mais à l’avantage de la Bourgeoisie,...
10To John Adams from John Thaxter, 12 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday last M r. W m. Smith (Son of I. Smith Esq r of Boston) arrived in Town— He left Boston 7 th. July, & all friends were then well— He has brought several Letters for you, which I think prudent to keep, ’till a private hand offers— The Letters from M rs. A. M r. Cranch & D r. T. of Weymouth, I have not opened, as I knew the hand writing— In opening a large packet, for you I found four...
11David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 12 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society August 12 and 13 were of far greater diplomatic consequence than this exchange of formal letters about the birth of an English princess (the present letter and the commissioners’ answer of the following day) would suggest. On Tuesday, August 12, at the weekly meeting of ministers at Versailles, Franklin and...
12To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 8 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing You from Boston, the 16 th Ult o , and endeavor’d to give a general State of our public Affairs. Having retired to my Country Estate since the Adjournment of the General Court, which was a little before the date of my last, I have not had opportunity to acquaint myself of the present Sentiments of the people at large on the several Matters that had agitated...
13To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 7 [August] 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am much Obliged to you for your Letter of the 26 th Ult. it was so long that I had heard from you, that I was fearful either mine or yours had Miscarried especially as I did not recive One from his Excellency until a Month after date. We Agree in the effect that the late Proclamation’s relative to the American Trade will have on the Temper of our Countrymen, who must besides at this Time be...
14To John Adams from John Thaxter, 7 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The affair of surrounding the State House at Philadelphia terminated very differently from the expectations of our Enemies of all denominations— The Troops employed in this contemptuous daring Attack on the Civil Power have humbly solicited the forgiveness of Congress, while two of their Officers, the Ringleaders, have fled for safety to the Asylum of two of our choice Friends , D. & A.— They...
15To John Adams from John Thaxter, 4 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here last Evening with M r. Laurens & Son, M r. Barclay, Storer & Champion— We came off Pool in Capt Barney, who left Havre de Grace on Friday last— Having luckily fell in with a Pilot Boat, & the Wind being good for Barney, we went on board the Pilot Boat & landed at Pool, M r. Laurens thinking it most adviseable that Capt. Barney should improve the good Wind—so that he may be said...
16To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 2 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Esteemd Letter of the 18 June, and find it out of your Line to Give Introductions in Affairs of Commerce With which I Rest Satisfied, but more So as Not any Business of Consequence can be done with the States from hence, before the Navi n: of the Medeterranian becomes Entirely free for thier Flag I find I have Commited an Error in writing to the Moroccan Minister, as...
17To John Adams from Herman Heyman’s Sons, 31 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
We are still greatly indebted to your Exelency for the Letters of Introduction your Exelency have been so Kind to favor us with for our Partner M r. Arnold Delius for Philadelphia & Boston Your Exelency will therefore permit to say you our most Humble thanks for this particular mark of attention for us, and we most Sincerly wish to have it in our power to Convince Your Exelency of our...
18To John Adams from John Thaxter, 31 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Laurens & Son arrived here last Evening from Paris— I waited upon them immediately, and learnt that they were going over to England as soon as M r. Barclay should arrive, which will be to day, in all probability, as he left Paris the 29 th. instant. Capt Barney, it seems, is directed to give M r. Laurens a Passage to Portsmouth, which is but a short run from hence— M r. Laurens will, upon...
19To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 31 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter for the Honourable R: Livingston Esq r. by want of Ships opportunity we recommanded this morning to the Care of M r. Brush, and having received with the french mail the inclosed, we forward it immediately. We have had a great deal of trouble with the Coachman, who made his acc t. that the hire agreed upon of 2ƒ a day till the return made already till now 290 days 2ƒ...
20To John Adams from Francis Dana, [29 July 1783] (Adams Papers)
’Tis done. The bolt of your Vulcan has hit its aim. The idea you mentioned to me some time since, relative to the use of the Credit I had asked for, and which in reply I told you was not new to me, that the same had been repeatedly thrown out here by persons, whom to suspect of sinister or interested views wou’d be deemed by some a most damnable political heresy, has crossed the Atlantic and...
21To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you a Letter received by yesterday’s Post from England— M Jay has already advised you of the arrival of M Laurens here. He returns tomorrow by the way of Havre— I do learn that anything is new is stirring— He thinks there will be a change in Ministry— If there is I imagine it will only be a change to strengthen the King’s Party.— They say little or nothing about the...
22To John Adams from John Thaxter, 27 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
M r. Storer and myself arrived here this morning, after a very fatiguing Journey; tho’ I am apprehensive much less so than your’s, considering the extreme heats— Normandy is, I believe unequalled in the Riches of its Soil— Grains of all kinds in vast abundance cover an extensive Country— We saw also charming fields of Clover and Honey Suckle, such as would have delighted your Eyes— But...
23To John Adams from John Jay, 26 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I hope I may by this Time congratulate You on your safe Arrival, and happy meeting with your Son at amsterdam. M r. Laurens is here, & in better Health than I have heretofore seen him since he left America— His Stay will probably be short, for his Permission to return creates Doubts in his Mind as to the Propriety of his continuing to act with us, unless by our particular Request; and M r...
24To John Adams from William Carmichael, 22 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days ago the Letter which you did me the honor to write me the 18 th Ult o. by Mr Barry— It will be a pleasure for me to show my respect for your Excellencys recommendation, by rendering every personal civility & service to that Gentleman, which the nature of my situation in this Country will permit— When the Ct. de Rechteren—Minister from Holland at this Court left Spain, I...
25To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 27 th of June; it surely ought to have arrived before.— I did myself the pleasure of sending to your Excellency about a fortnight ago several Peices cut out of News Papers. and in my Letter sent therewith informed you that the Treaty with Holland was printed with other Treaties at the End of a new Edition of the...
26Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 22 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Having Been Honoured With letters from Congress, it Becomes my duty to Consult You Upon a point Which they Have particularly Recommended— In the late preliminaries no time is Mentionned for the American Merchants paying their English debts— A Matter of Great Moment to our Merchants who Require at least three or four Years to Accomplish the Business— Upon...
27Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I last evening received a Letter from Mr. Thaxter dated in April, and Mr. Storer received Letters from his Son, but not a line has yet come to hand from you. I Know not what to think. I should feel more anxious, but Mr. Thaxter mentiond you as well. I fancy you must feel impatient at the delay of your return. I fear you will compleat the four years before you reach America. Do not think of a...
28Richard Cranch to John Adams, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Benjamin Austin is a Son of the Honble. Benjamin Austin Esqr. of this Town, and Brother to Mr. Jona. Loring Austin who was lately in Europe. He expects to see France and Holland before he returns, and wishes that he may have an Oportunity of being made personally known to your Excellency. I am not very particularly acquainted with this young Gentleman, but the great Esteem that...
29Richard Cranch to John Adams, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Pamphlets herewith inclosed, I send you by favour of Mr. Benjamin Austin, Merchant (Brother to Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin) by whome I have wrote you more at large. He proposes to sail tomorrow for London with Capt. Love. I wrote you also by Cousin William Smith who sailed for London the 7th. Instant with Capt. Callahan. Last Wednesday I attended at the old Seat of the Muses, having not...
30To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
La mienne du 11 e. étoit partie, lorsque Mr. Fitch me fit remettre l’honorée vôtre du 12 Juin. Nous lui avons tout de suite fait les honneurs de l’Hôtel & de Lahaie à Lui, à ses Dames, à Mrs. Boilston & Grierson; & à leur départ nous les avons accompagnés dans leur Yacht jusqu’à Delft. Nous som̃es grandement obligés à V. E. de nous avoir introduits en si digne & aimable Compagnie. Ils...