51From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 56, 29 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 29 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 1–2). LbC ( Adams Papers ); marked: “56.” printed: Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:640. Congress received this letter on 16 October. Relying on newspaper accounts, John Adams reported on the number and...
Paris, 23 February 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 279; docketed: “No. 8 Feby. 23. 1780 Letter from J. Adams recd. Oct. 16. sends News Papers &c.” LbC Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15.”; by Thaxter: “No. 8.” and “In No. 8 were inclosed Triplicates of all the former Letters to Congress, and also a Copy of a Letter to the Marquiss de la Fayette, & his...
53From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 2, 22 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 22 Aug. 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 241–244). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:36–38. This letter, read by Congress on 20 Nov., began with France’s reply of 4 Aug. to the Swedish declaration of 30 July acceding to the armed neutrality, the text of...
54From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The long expected Courier has at last arrived at the Hague from Petersbourg. The Contents of his dispatches are not publick, but all hopes of immediate assistance from the armed Neutrality seem to be dissipated. The Question now is what is to be done next. Some are for Alliances with the House of Bourbon and America: but a thousand fears arise. France, the Emperor and the Republick have...
From the Time, of the Arrival of my Commission, I have been constantly employed in forming Acquaintances, making Inquiries and asking Advice; but am Sorry to be obliged to Say that I hitherto See no certain Prospect of borrowing any Money, at all. For Some Years past, all the Information I could obtain from this Country led me to think, that America had many Friends in this Republick, and that...
56From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 48, 18 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is my Duty to transmit to Congress, as soon as Prudence will admit, every Thing which deserves Consideration, as having either a direct or an indirect tendency to Peace, or even to Negotiation for that important Object. The inclosed Letter has been transmitted to Paris in such a Channel, that I have Reasons to believe it was particularly intended for my Inspection. It is from a Gentleman,...
The Province of Zealand having been opposed to the other Provinces in so many Instances and having lately protested against the Resolutions of the States General, which begin to be thought spirited, it may be useful to explain to Congress the Causes which influence that Province to a Conduct, which is generally thought to be opposite to the true Interest of the Republic in general. In the...
58From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 57, 2 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, In this letter, which Congress received on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams included an English translation of a memorial presented by the French ambassador to the States General on 26 April (given as 10 April in Wharton) that announced the repeal of the fifteen percent tariff levied by France on most Dutch goods by various decrees in 1778 and 1779, together with the return of all duties...
59From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 20, 18 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 18 March, 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 329–332). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:557–558. The first two-thirds of the letter, which was read in Congress on 22 July, was taken from the Gazette d’Amsterdam and included almost...
60From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 3, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Errand of Mr. Cumberland to Madrid, is a mere finesse of the British Ministry, intended to aid the Stockjobbers, keep up the Stocks, aid the Loan and the Canvas for an Election, and lull the belligerent Powers, while they prepare their measures for future Enterprizes and another Campaign. They have carried this Plot so far, that I see some paragraphs in the foreign Papers, which seem...
61From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 46, 17 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Late Letters from Dantzick, imply that Commerce was become very languishing there, for Some time, excepting for Ships timber, which bore a very good Price there, on Account of the English, which they carried away, as well in their own Vessells as those of Dantzick. The new face, which the Affairs of Europe, are about to take, from the Alliance formed between the Powers of the North, for the...
62From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 13, 5 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 5 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 281–282). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:82. In this letter, received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, John Adams indicated that he had no news regarding his commission to negotiate a Dutch...
63From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 81, 10 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 10 June 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 106–117). LbC ( Adams Papers ) notation by John Thaxter: “June 18th. 1780. This day delivered Mr. Hall of Virginia No. 81—to go by Way of Amsterdam.” This is the first letter in Lb/JA/12 ( Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 100). For this Letterbook, see part 2 of the Introduction: “John Adams and His Letterbooks” (above)....
64From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 35, 4 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 4 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 409–410). printed : various American newspapers, including the Pennsylvania Gazette of 12 July and the Boston Independent Chronicle of 3 Aug. 1780. In this letter, which was read in Congress on 10 July, John Adams provided the text of a resolution adopted by the City of London on 22 March concerning the maintenance of a...
It will scarcely be believed in Congress, that at a Time when there are the strongest Appearances of War, there has not been a Newspaper nor a Letter recieved in this City from London since the nineteenth or twentieth of the Month. There are Symptoms of a more general War. If Britain adheres to her Maxims, this Republick will demand the Aid of Russia, Sweeden, Denmark and Prussia, in pursuance...
66From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:177–178 . Replying to the president’s letter of 20 Oct. (above), John Adams acknowledged receiving his commissions and instructions and expressed his appreciation of the high honor done him. In regard to his mission, Adams declared that he was determined...
67From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 97, 19 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 19 July 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 207–209). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:869–870. In this letter, read in Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams repeated, in more detail, the reports on the Danish, Russian, and Swedish naval...
68From John Adams to the President of Congress, 1 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 1 February 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 244–254. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:244–248. In this letter, read in Congress on 19 Nov., John Adams provided an English translation of the Convention for an Armed...
69From John Adams to the President of Congress, 24 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 24 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 163–168. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:431–433. In this letter John Adams provided an English translation of Amsterdam’s address of 18 May to the States of Holland. The city’s deputies...
70From John Adams to the President of Congress, 23 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The answer from Petersbourg, as it is given to the Public, is this. Her Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, declares: That as much as She been satisfied with the Zeal with which their high mightinesses have accepted her mediation, so much and more has her compassionate Heart been affected with the difficulties formed by the Court of London, in referring the reconciliation with the...
71From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 66, 13 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 13 May 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 47–49). LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “NB. May 16th 1780. This day delivered to the Chevr. la Colombe Nos. 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, & 66—also three packets of News papers.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States ,...
72From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Zealand is still endeavouring to divert the Republick from its Interest and its Duty, to embarrass its Operations and involve it in disgrace and ruin. The Directors of the Company of Commerce, and that of Insurance, and a great Number of Merchants, established at Middlebourg in Zealand, have presented a Petition to the States General, to supplicate their high Mightinesses to try again the Way...
73From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 14, 6 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 6 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 285–287). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:83–84. Received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, this letter consisted of an English translation of the decree of 30 Aug. by Maria I, Queen of...
74From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is of Importance to the People of America to observe how much lighter their own Burthens are than those of their Enemies, and for this Reason, I have every Year since I have been in Europe taken Notice of the new Taxes laid annually in Perpetuity upon the People of Great Britain by Parliament, in Support of Tyranny, in addition to all former Debts and Taxes. One sixth Part of the new Taxes...
75From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 33, 3 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 3 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 387–394). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:588–592. John Adams began this letter, which was read in Congress on 10 July, by paraphrasing the first portion of William Lee’s letter of 30 March...
76From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 37, 6 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 6 April 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 417–423). In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams provided Congress with a substantial extract from Sir James Marriott’s decision in the case of La Sybellina Hillegonda , one of the Dutch vessels seized by Como. Charles Fielding from the convoy under the protection of Adm. van Bylandt. Marriott condemned the ship because...
The day before yesterday, Mr. Dana arrived here from Paris with the dispatches which came by Mr. Searle. I am very sensible of the Honour that is done me by this Appointment and yesterday morning I set myself seriously about discharging the Duties of it; and this day I have been some Leagues into the Country upon the same Service. There are good Reasons for concealing the Names of the...
78From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 83, 12 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 12 June 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 126–131). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:779–781. In this letter, read in Congress on 27 Nov., John Adams provided extracts from British newspapers, including the text of Thomas Pownall’s...
79From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 12, 3 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 3 March 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 299–300). LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation: “Delivered Mr Wharton 4th March 1780.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:528–529. In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams...
80From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 13, 4 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, March 4. 1780.. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 303–306). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:532–534; various American newspapers, including the Pennsylvania Gazette of 17 May and the Boston Independent Chronicle of 1 June. With this letter,...
It seems to be now certain, that Some of Mr. Laurens Papers were taken with him. There have been Sent to his most Serene Highness the Prince of orange, Copies of Letters from Mr. De Neufville, Mr. Gillon, Mr. Stockton and Col. Derrick, and a Copy of the Plan of a Treaty projected between the City of Amsterdam and Mr. W. Lee. The Prince was much affected, at the Sight of those Papers, and laid...
82From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 87, 26 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Resolutions of Congress of the 18th. of March respecting the paper bills, appeared first in Europe as recited in the Act of the Assembly of Pennsylvania. They were next published in the English News-Papers as taken from a Boston Paper published by the Council; at last the Resolutions appear’d in the Journals of Congress. A great clamour was raised and spread, that the United States had...
83From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 74, 28 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 28 May 1780. LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ). Although a letter from John Adams of 28 May was read in Congress on 11 Sept. ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 18:817), no letter of that date is in the PCC . Notations on the Letterbook copies of Adams’ letters of 1 and 5 June (Nos. 75...
84From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 90, 7 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 7 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 173–176). LbC with postscript in Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “Nos. 89 & 90 delivered to Mr. Gridley going to Amsterdam. July 8th. 1780.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States ,...
85From John Adams to the President of Congress, 25 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 25 May 1781. RC PCC , No. 84, III, f. 169–170. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:435–436. John Adams provided an English translation of a convention signed at Versailles on 1 May by the Comte de Vergennes and the Dutch ambassador, Lestevenon van...
86From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
The English, by the capture of St. Eustatia, seem to have committed the most compleat blunder of all. There was found in that Island a greater quantity of Property belonging to the Britons themselves, than to the French, Dutch, or Americans. They have broke up a Trade, which was more advantageous to them, than to any of their Enemies, as it was a Channel through which British Manufactures were...
The British Ministry, by the terrible Examples of the Rioters, have So intimidated the Nation, and by their Success in the late Elections have So great a Majority in Parliament, that they think themselves secure for Seven Years, and Seem determined to go on, with more Vigour than ever. The Letters from their Generals Clinton, Cornwallis &c. shew that they are now adopting a new system. These...
No. 10. There are so many Gentleman of Rank going out to America, that there can be no doubt Congress will be fully informed of the State of public Affairs. Mr. Lee, Mr. Izard, the Marquiss de la Fayette, Mr. Wharton, and many others, are going by different Vessels. Besides these Monsieur de L’Etombe, who is appointed Consul General of France for the Northern District of America, as Mr. Holker...
89From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 75, 1 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 1 June 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 86–88). LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “NB. Nos. 74 & 75 were delivered Como. J. P. Jones on the first of June 1780.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:750–751. In this letter,...
I am every day accepting the Bills of Exchange, which were drawn upon Mr. Laurens: but I have no prospect of obtaining Money to discharge them, from any other Person, than Dr. Franklin. For some Years before I came to Holland, every Person I saw from this Place assured me, that in his Opinion Money might be borrowed, provided Application was made, with proper Powers directly from Congress to...
91From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 85, 17 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Refugees in England are so great an obstacle to Peace, that it seems not improper for me to take Notice of them to Congress. Governor Hutchinson is dead. Whether the late popular Insurrections, or whether the Resolutions of Congress of the eighteenth of March respecting their Finances, by suddenly extinguishing the last Rays of his hopes, put a sudden End to his life, or whether it was...
92From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 14, 8 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I went to Court in Company with the American Minister Plenipotentiary, and had the Honor to be presented to the King, by the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs: after which, I had the Honor to go round with all the foreign Ambassadors, and make a Visit to the Queen, the King’s Brothers, Sister, Aunts, and Daughter, which are all the Branches of the Royal Family, and to be...
El Ferrol, Spain, 11 December 1779. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, 1, f. 227; docketed: “No. 1 J Adams Esqr original by Capt. Trask from Corunna to Newbury Port, Mass. Bay. Duplicate of Decemb 11th 1779 Original receivd. Recd. May 15. 1780 orig read March 27.” The “original” has not been found. LbC Adams Papers . LbC in JA ’s and in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in...
94From John Adams to the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam 1 January 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 204–211. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:219–222. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter contained the texts of Britain’s manifesto of 20 Dec. 1780, which constituted a...
95From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 23, 23 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose the English Papers of the eleventh thirteenth and fourteenth of March. The Courier de L’Europe and the Hague, Leiden and Amsterdam Gazettes. We are in hourly Expectation of great News from Holland, Ireland, England, Spain, and above all from America and the West Indies. I have not a Letter from America, since I left it, except one from my Family of the tenth of...
96From John Adams to the President of Congress, 26 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Rubicon is passed. A step has been at last taken by the Regency of Amsterdam, which must decide the fate of the Republick. The City of Amsterdam, finding that their proposition of the 18th. of last month was not sufficient to change the conduct of administration, have ventured on another maneuvre. On the 8th. of this month, as soon as the States of Holland were seperated, two Burgomasters...
97From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 29 June 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 246–251. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:525–527. This letter consists of an English translation of the letter presented to the States General on 21 June by Louis Ernst, Duke of...
Inclosed are Copies of former Letters to Congress, and I shall continue to transmit Copies until I learn that some have arrived; for which Reason I must request the Favour that his Excellency the President, or some Committee, may be desired to acknowledge the Receipt of Letters, so that I may know as soon as may be what Letters have arrived and which have been less fortunate. The Art of making...
99From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 84, 16 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have lately obtained a Sight of a Number of Pamphlets, published in London, which are given out as written by Mr. Galloway, but there are many Circumstances in them which convince me that they were written in Concert by the Refugees. I see many Traces, which appear unequivocal, of the hand of Governor Hutchinson in some of them. I have read them with pleasure and surprize, because it seems...
100From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 41, 10 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 10 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 441–442). In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams provided the text of the British ministry’s statement to the Dutch Ambassador, Comte de Welderen, that there would be no extension of the three week time limit given the States General to answer Sir Joseph Yorke’s memorial of 21 March. RC in John...