2261To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 4 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
By a London Newspaper receivd this Day by the way of Margate (for the two last posts are not Arrivd) I find that Tarlton has been defeated by Genl. Morgan near 96. The Congress has published an Account of it, which I suppose the English Ministry will secrete, but it appears by private Letters, that a number of men have been Killed or taken Prisoners. That Tarletons own regiment is almost...
2262To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 4 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
The expection of the french Letters made it to late yesterday, so that oúr Letters reached to late even for the post, where for we múst begg Yoúr Excellencys pardon to have only forwarded the Same to day by the Way of Harlem, we receivd English Letters since, a great deal of good news seem to be in the papers both from the Continent and the East Indies. We think they make largely úpp for the...
2263John Thaxter to John Adams, 5 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Knowing that the Fever of your dear Charles is a Source of continual Anxiety to You, any thing tending to decrease or remove it cannot fail to be agreable. The Fit of this day was mild and only of an hour and an half or two hours duration. It came on at ten—he laid upon his Bed during the Fit, and rose up after it very gay and merry, dined with Us and has been in good Spirits all the...
2264To John Adams from John Bondfield, 6 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Letters from Cadiz inform us of the arrival of a Vessel at that port from Baltimore she left the Bay the 16 february. The Capt. reports more than we can well Credit, that Arnold had made great distruction in the circuit he had taken which had rouzed the Virginians that a Body of Six Thousand Men had got betwixt him and his Shiping and they were in dayly expectation of his being Burgoign’d. The...
2265To John Adams from “Boston”, 7 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Persuaded as I am that the mentioning the Observations I have lately heard made by many respectable men of this place, will be taken in a proper light, I should think it Treason to our States, to Conceal the most trifling Circumstance that the Communicating of to you, could either benefit or prejudice. As besides things that are Matter of Opinion, will never reflect on your private Character,...
2266To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 7 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Among the late intercepted Letters from London, is one from the Army Agent there to the Traitor Arnold, by which it appears that his Bribe was 5000 £ Sterling, in Bills drawn on Harley & Drummond, who are the Contractors for furnishing the Army with Money. Inclos’d I send you a Copy of that Letter, and shall send you others by next Post. The English Papers tell us, that you have succeeded in...
2267From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 7 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Among the late intercepted Letters from London, is one from the Army Agent there to the Traitor Arnold, by which it appears that his Bribe was 5000£ Sterling, in Bills drawn on Harley & Drummond, who are the Contractors for furnishing the Army with money. Inclos’d I send you a Copy of that Letter, and shall send you others by...
2268To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 11 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
May we thank yoúr Excellency for her obliging favoúr, which brought ús the Bills accepted, that which Yoúr Excellency refers to ús; we will write to Doctr. Franklin aboút as yoúr Excellency directs, supposing it to be agreable so as to keep the parties by themselfs; We shall have again to join some gazettes to this; and for the moment we are happy to see that every thing seems to go well...
2269To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 14 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Quoique je n’aie encore vu personne, je prends néanmoins la plume, pour avoir l’honneur de vous dire, qu’après y avoir bien murement pensé depuis que nous nous sommes quittés, il me semble que vous ne pourrez vous passer, pour éviter tout blâme et inimitié, lorsque vous viendrez ici pour la démarche en question, de faire votre premiere visite chez M. l’A—— de F—— afin de lui donner...
2270C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 14 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Although I have still not seen anyone, I am nevertheless taking up my pen to have the honor to tell you, after much deliberation since we left each other, that it seems to me that you cannot pass up, in order to avoid all blame and enmity in coming here for the démarche in question, an initial visit to the French ambassador in order to inform him verbally of your latest commission and letters...
2271To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 15 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Nous recumes, il y a quelques jours, les Gazettes Anglaises que j’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer. Comme elles ne peuvent être pour notre comptoir, j’ai présumé que c’était une partie de celles que nous avons demandés pour vous. Je vous supplie de ne pas trouver mauvais, si j’ai tardé si longtems de vous les envoyer; nous avons attendu que quelquun vînt les reclamer, et pensé que vous viendriez...
2272Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 15 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Several days ago we received the English gazettes which I have the honor to send to you. Since they could not be for our agency, I presumed that they were part of those that we ordered for you. Please forgive me for the delay in sending them to you. We waited for someone to claim them and thought that perhaps you would come to our city soon. I would be flattered to know what you think of the...
2273To John Adams from the Duc de La Vauguyon, 17 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ay recu Monsieur La Lettre par laquelle vous m’informez que le Congres des etats unis de l’amerique septentrionale vous a revetu du Caractere de Son ministre plenipotentiair auprès des etats generaux des provinces unies. J’ignore Si vous vous proposez de presenter vos Lettres de créance a Leurs hautes puissances dans ce moment mais si telle est votre intention je desirerois bien avoir...
2274The Duc de La Vauguyon to John Adams: A Translation, 17 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter, sir, informing me that the Congress of the United States of North America has bestowed upon you the character of minister plenipotentiary to the States General of the United Provinces. I do not know if you propose to present your credentials to their High Mightinesses at this moment, but if it is your intention to do so, I would like to speak with you about it and tell...
2275To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 17 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
We found out by the bring in that the Amsterdam Leyden and Utrecht Newspaper are all belonging to Your Excellency and have accordingly the honour to forward them; the English papers of yesterday went by the this morning having unfortunately come to late yesterday for which we are to make many apologies for our Clerk that was charged with them; We suppose however that the Leyden paper will be...
2276To John Adams from Francis Dana, 18 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I feel myself happy that Congress have made it my duty to consult your Excellency upon the Mission with which they have charged me for the Court of Petersburgh. To this end I have already laid before you, all the papers which I have received from Congress, any way relating to it, and also my correspondence with his Excellency the Comte De Vergennes, and Dr. Franklin upon the same subject, as...
2277To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je fus hier au Soir chez un ami de poids, qui, Sur ce que je lui témoignai ma surprise de ce que votre Mémoire avoit été remis au Greffe, c’est-à-dire, comme jeté ou rejeté , comme on me l’avoit fait entendre me dit, que l’expression étoit outrée, et que ce qui étoit remis là étoit considéré comme déposé jusqu’à nouvel ordre. On attend tous les jours des Dépêches de Petersbourg; et l’on est...
2278C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 18 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last evening I visited an influential friend who, upon learning my surprise that your memorial was back at the clerk’s office and, as I understood it, was considered thrown out or rejected , told me that the expression was exaggerated and that the memorial was left there for brand new consideration. Everyday we expect the dispatches from St. Petersburg. We were assured in advance that they...
2279To John Adams from Alvarez & Havart, 19 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
The known Caracter of Your Excellency dispenses us with making any apology for the liberty we take to Address your Excellency with the present, but the happy turn circumstances have lately taken in this Republicq must naturally make to great an impression upon every free born Man, especially upon such a one, who from the beginning of the American troubles with England has consider’d their...
2280To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 21 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Agreable to my Faith I have obtain’d a Promise of Money sufficient to pay the Bills you have accepted, and shall accordingly accept those you draw on me for that purpose. I request only that you would send me immediately a List of the Bills, and of the Times of their becoming due, that I may be always provided, and that as the Money will come gradually into my hands, you would not draw upon me...
2281From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 21 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Agreable to my Faith I have obtain’d a Promise of Money sufficient to pay the Bills you have accepted and shall accordingly accept those you draw on me for that purpose. I request only that you would send me immediately a List of the Bills, and of the Times of their becoming due, that I may be always provided, and that as the...
2282To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is so very long since I had the Honor of hearing from your Excellency, that I am fearful your Excellency is out of order. I take the Liberty of informing your Excellency, that I shall leave this place the Tenth of next Month, in order to Conduct my Nephew to Nantes, where He will embark about the first of June for America. Should your Excellency have any Commands I can Answer for Him, He...
2283To John Adams from James Searle, 22 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having recieved so many proofs of your Friendship and Civility to me personally, and being fully convinced as I am of your Ardent desire to be usefull to your Country and to render every Service in your power to each individual State, I beg leave as Agent for the State of Pennsylvania for the purpose of procuring a Loan of money in Holland for the use of that State to ask in this manner your...
2284Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
You will wonder I suppose to what part of the world all the Letters you have written since the 25 of Sepbr. are gone, that not a line of a later date has reachd me, even up to this 23 day of April. My Heart sickens at the recollection, and I most sensibly feel the sacrifice of my happiness from the Malignant Union of Mars with Belona. My two dear Boys cannot immagine how ardently I long to...
2285To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 26 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ai rien, pour le coup, de nouveau à vous marquer, Si ce n’est, que je viens d’apprendre qu un certain nombre de Marchands de la grande ville fera enfin la basse démarche auprès du Mre. Br. d’envoyer des Députés à L—— négocier la restitution de ce qui leur appartient des effets capturés à S. E. Quelques bons Patriotes, quoi, qu’ils y perdent aussi, ont refusé de souscrire à cette...
2286C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 26 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have nothing new to relate to you except that I just learned that several Amsterdam merchants will make a démarche to the British minister to send deputies to London to negotiate restitution for their belongings captured at St. Eustatius. Several good patriots, even though they also suffered losses, refused to participate in the deputation, headed by Mr. H——. Those from Rotterdam also...
2287To John Adams from John Laurens, 28 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency copies of a representation made to me by Commodore Gillon on the subject of the frigate South Carolina—and a memorandum of articles settled and agreed upon between us. My motives for engaging in this business are That the excellence of the conveyance enables me to transmit immediately a part of the Specie destined for the United States, which...
2288To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
L’orsque j’eus l’honneur de Vous voir dernierement a Amsterdam j’ai pris la liberté de Vous preter une Lettre et quelques papiers que Son Excell: le Gouverneur Trumbull m’avoit envoiés, et que Vous Souhaitiez de lire. Comme je Serois charmé de les avoir de retour Vous me fairiez plaisir de les remettre (quand Vous n’en aurez plus besoin) a Monsr. Tegelaar, de qui Vous apprendrez que mon role...
2289Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honor to see you last in Amsterdam, I took the liberty of lending you a letter and some papers that you wished to read that were sent to me by his Excellency Governor Trumbull. Since I would very much like to have them back, it would give me pleasure if you could return them (when you are finished with them) to Mr. Tegelaar, with whom I no longer have a role. Also my business...
2290To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter you honour’d me with of the 16th. Instant. I had written to you on the 21st. which I hope you have received, that I would accept and pay your Bills, only desiring you to furnish me a List of them with the Times of their becoming due, and that you would draw, not for the whole at once, but for the Sums as wanted, and thro’ the House of Fitzeaux & Grand. Since the receipt...
2291From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 29 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received the Letter you honour’d me with of the 16th. Inst. I had written to you on the 21st. which I hope you have received, that I would accept & pay your Bills, only desiring you to furnish me a List of them with the Times of their becoming due, & that you would draw, not for the whole at once, but for the Sums as...
2292From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 30 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Arriving this moment, I received your Favour of 26; and am happy to find that you continue in the Same Sentiments. I am Still of the Same mind too, and I Shall call on you, tomorrow, when we will arrange all Things. I wish you would loose no time, in getting a certain Paper, well translated into Dutch. Tr ( PCC , No. 101, II, f. 181). JA ’s memorial of 19 April , above, was translated into...
2293To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 30 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 27th. Instant, which afforded me the greatest pleasure, as it assured me of your Excellencys Health, which I was fearful was affected, and shewed at the same time that you were in Spirits. The natural and political Climate of the Country, where your Excellency now is, being foggy a Man must have a stout Heart and strong Body...
2294To John Adams from Jean de Neufville, 3 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
May I begg leave to inform yoúr Excellency of the invitation I have gott on a súdden to vizit Paris for a few days, where I had the honoúr to wait on His Excellency B Franklin, who did me the honoúr to receive and treat me with the utmost politeness. I have mentioned again the Bill which yoúr Excellency had projected that we should Accept, as belonging to the former parcell bútt Mr. Franklin...
2295To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 6 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
La même personne qui m’avoit donné l’avis, que vous m’aviez en partant laissé le maître de suivre, me dit hier matin qu’après y avoir bien pensé, il y trouvoit un si grand inconvenient qu’il me le déconseilloit très-sérieusement, comme une démarche incompatible avec le Caractere que vous venez de déployer; en un mot qu’il ne convient pas que vous vous abaissiez à faire parvenir ainsi...
2296C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 6 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
The same person who notified me that you left me in charge of forwarding the démarche, told me yesterday morning that, after much thought, he finds it contains a big drawback. He advised very seriously against submitting it because it is a démarche that is incompatible with your character. In a word, he does not believe that you should lower yourself by sending the piece in question...
2297To John Adams from William Jackson, 10 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Commodore Gillon has applied to me by letter requesting that I would furnish Captain Joyner with bills of exchange on Paris for Twenty thousand Guilders which sum he says is required to pay the ship accounts of the South Carolina frigate, and is necessary to fit her for sea. As this sum appears to be requisite for the purposes mentioned in Commodore Gillon’s letter to me, I have to request...
2298To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 11 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th. past, acquainting me with your Appointment as Minister Plenipotentiary to the States General, on which please to accept my Compliments and best Wishes for Success in your Negociations. We have just received Advice here, that M. la Motte Picquet, met with the English Convoy of Dutch Ships taken at St. Eustatia, and has retaken 21. of...
2299From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I am honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th. past, acquainting me with your Appointment as Minister Plenipotentiary to the States General, on which please to accept my Compliments and best Wishes for Success in your Negociations. We have just received Advice here, that M. la Motte Piquet, met with the English Convoy...
2300To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Vous aurez reçu par Mrs. De Neufville un paquet contenant 25 Exemplaires du Meme. dans les trois Langues. Aujourd’hui je vous envoie un autre paquet sous couvert de Mr. Van Arp, contenant une 15ne. de chacun. J’en ai encore 60 que j’ai mis à part pour vous, et que je vous enverrai quand je saurai si vous les voulez avoir tous à Amsterdam, ou si vous aimez mieux les trouver ici ou à Leide....
2301C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 12 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
You should have received a package from Messrs. de Neufville containing 25 copies of the memorial in three languages. Today I am sending another package under the name of Mr. van Arp containing 15 copies of each. I have 60 more that I am keeping for you and will send them to you when I know you want them in Amsterdam, or if you prefer, here or in Leyden. I myself have distributed and sent out...
2302To John Adams from Henry Greig, 12 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
By a vessel to my address from Philadelphia in 40 days I received with my own Letters, the Packet I have now the pleasure herewith to transmit you. There were also under my care, four Volumes of Congress Journals for 1778, for the Honble. Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, Mr. Dana and yourself, together with those for November and decemr. last Year. I shall be glad to know in what manner you would chuse...
2303John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 13 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
As you may possibly not come here before the 18th I write to know, if I must leave these lodgings at that time, as the month will then be up, and if I stay any longer I must begin another month. I have finish’d Phaedrus’s fables and the lives of Miltiades, Themistocles, Aristides, Pausanias, Cimon, and Lysander; and Am going next upon Alcibiades in Cornelius Nepos, I shall begin upon...
2304To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 13 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Après la Lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire hier, n’ayant plus rien à vous apprendre, pour le présent, des affaires publiques, mon intention étoit de vous écrire à loisir la semaine prochaine seulement, sur un arrangement à prendre quant à moi personnellement, en conséquence de ce que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de me dire la derniere fois qu’il en a été question entre nous,...
2305C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 13 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
After the letter that I had the honor to send to you yesterday, my intention was not to write again until next week since there is no news to relay. This exercise of personal reserve, a consequence of what you had the honor to tell me the last time this was a cause for concern, is an arrangement that I hope will please you, and will smooth out the difficulties which could oppose your good...
2306To John Adams from Henry Grand, 14 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I herewith take the Liberty to send you the State of your Account currt. by which you owe me 24742. 2.11. After you have examined it and found it right I shall be obliged to you to remitt me your draft on Dr. Franklin for the amount that we may be ballanced. I have wrote twice to Mr. Williams at Nantz but to no Effect to Know his disbursments to the 6 Cases of Wine you have in my cellar, in...
2307John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 17 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I reciev’d this morning your letter of the 14th. in which you speak of Poetry, and although I have not read much of it, yet I always admired it, very much. I take the Delft Dutch paper to learn to read the language. To day there is a report which I read in it that Admiral Kingsbergen had taken fourteen of the German Transports, but this is only a report. Inclosed is a letter which I reciev’d...
2308To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 18 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Depuis ma derniere du 13e. qui en renfermoit une de France pour vous, je Serois en peine de son sort, Si je ne savois que Mrs. De Neufville ont reçu le paquet qui la contenoit. Le Mémoire est présentement Suffisamment connu par toute la République, et par toute l’Europe, tant par les Envois du Libraire, que par les Gazettiers qui l’ont répété à l’envi l’un de l’autre. Le Courier du Bas-rhin a...
2309C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 18 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letter of the 13th, with the enclosure from France directed to you, I have been somewhat troubled because I did not know that Messrs. De Neufville received the packet that contained the enclosure. The memorial is sufficiently known throughout the republic and Europe at this time. This is due to the dispatches from the publishers as much as it is to the vying newspapers that have...
2310John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 19 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I reciev’d this morning your yesterday’s favour, in which you say, you want to hear of my beginning in Sallust; I have not begun yet but shall soon; but am for the present continuing in Cornelius Nepos. I have got a fair copy of Phaedrus bound, it is My Master’s Translation which if you desire to read, and have time for it, I will send to you. The Vacancy does not begin at the same time,...