2301To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 20 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
The present Letter is on a Subject, which, tho’ in itself little interesting to others, is, to me, as desiring to retain your good opinion, much so. The Subject I allude to, is that of the Loan negotiated by me in Holland for the state of Maryland. I should be sorry, after the repeated proofs I received of confidence and politeness from you, that you should conceive me reserved and close—yet...
2302To John Adams from Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 21 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
The 13th. Instt. we had the honour of waiting on your Excellency last, which we do confirm, and have now to acquaint your Excellency that our Petition to the Regency of this Town, relative to the Maryland Loan, notwithstanding the favourable Report of the Committee, has been declined by the majority of a few Voices in the Council, who unhappily has not been very numerous. Your Excellency will...
2303To John Adams from the Trustees of Dartmouth College, 24 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Though we have not the honor to be personally acquainted with you, yet, from your extensive character, we have the happiness to know your Excellency to be a friend to knowledge, as well as freedom. Your abelities being so adequate to the gratefication of your benevolence, is a consideration attended with a very sensable pleasure, while we address you on a subject, that comprehends much of the...
2304To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive any Slips by the two last Posts. I am particularly obliged to your Excellency for your Favor of the 16th. Instant. The Dutchman Compliment was really polite the Sentiments of certain public Characters relative to the American Independance lead to something Substantial. I find it is the wish of some to see the letters now publishing in the news papers collected in a Pamphlet....
2305To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Congress, a few days since, received your letter of the 19 of April last which announced to them that you had been received by the States General of the United provinces in the quality of Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America—an event interesting and important—besides a participation in the general joy occasioned hereby my private feelings are perfectly gratified that...
2306To John Adams from Robert Morris, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Honor to enclose for your Perusal Acts of Congress of the twenty seventh of November and third of December 1781, and the fourteenth and twenty third Instant. In Consequence I have to request that all Bills hitherto drawn by Authority of Congress be paid, and the Accounts of those Transactions closed. After this is done, and I hope and beleive that while I am writing this Letter...
2307To John Adams from Robert Morris, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 22nd April has been delivered to me by Mr. Peter Paulus to whom I shall most chearfully Afford such advice or countenance as he may stand in need of. But it seems this Gentlemans wants are not confined to those Points, he applies to me for a Supply of Money to set up his Trade, I have explained that your desires in his favor do not extend to the advance of Money, and I am...
2308To John Adams from Rodolph Valltravers, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Just returned from a Tour through Hungaria, I have the Satisfaction of recieving your very Kind Favor of Augt. the 18th. inclosed in Mr. Bosset’s Letter, the Resident of two german Courts at the Hague, whose ill-grounded Scruples have been the Cause of the long Detention of mÿ preceding application to Your Excellency, of april 11th. from Münich. I am happy to hear from your own honored Self,...
2309To John Adams from Thomas Barclay, 27 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you from Paris inclosing you a packet of great Consequence which I received from Mr Livingston, but for want of a Conveyance to please me, I put it into the hands of Mr. Jay who will take proper Care of it. I wish you had it, and if Mr. Jay had, when I was at Paris, any thing of much Consequence that he wou’d put on paper, I wou’d have sent the whole by Express. I am anxious about it,...
2310To John Adams from Robert Morris, 27 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the Pleasure to congratulate you on the Success of your patriotic Labors in Holland. The general Tribute paid to your Abilities on this Occasion will so well dispense with the Addition of my feeble Voice that I shall spare your Delicacy the Pain of expressing my Sentiments. The enclosed Resolutions and Copies of Letters will convey to you so fully the Views of Congress, and explain...
2311To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 28 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Accept of my congratulations upon the Success of your negociations at the Hague. Your countrymen are not insensible of your Zeal and industry in effecting the important event of a connection with the States of Holland. Our hearts vibrate with the hearts of those honest republicans whose petitions and memorials opened the eyes of their rulers to acknowledge our independance. The tories...
2312To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing you a few Posts since. I now inclose you a Letter which will communicate something agreeable. The Grand difficulty being removed I have now some hopes of seeing you in this part of the World. Personal motives engage me strongly to wish it but public ones which are of more weight seem to require it. By the Vessels, arrived at L’Orient are Letters as late as the...
2313To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Il y a longtems que j’aurai entamé le sujet important de l’admission des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique dans la Neutralité; mais je ne Sentais pas avoir des argumens assez forts pour traiter cette matiere; et vous savez que dans ces sortes de cas il vaut mieux ne rien dire que de ne pas dire assez. Je Suis effectivement embarassé pour montrer comment cette démarche ne Serait pas une dérogation aux...
2314Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
It has been a long time since I broached the important subject of the admission of the United States of America to the neutrality, but I feel that I do not have arguments strong enough to discuss this issue. And as you know, it is better to say nothing at all in such cases than not to say enough. Indeed, I am perplexed as to how to demonstrate that this démarche would not derogate from the...
2315To John Adams from Francis Dana, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have no time to write you by this post. Your Son is in good health, but I fear he will not find an opportunity to leave this terrestial paradise before the first snows. Mr: Thaxter’s letter of the 21.7 and 31st. of Augt: has come to hand, but no tidings yet of the picture. Pray by whom did you send it? Nothing of importance stirring here. How goes on your negotiation for Peace? Do our...
2316To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you some late proceedings by which you will perceive that Mr. Laurens is to be made a victim if possible to the system of throwing every thing into one man’s hands. By these votes you will judge pretty accurately who are Devotees to this unjust, unwise, and irrepublican system. Except that of N. Y. where one of the ays was from policy given against the motion of which he was probably...
2317To John Adams from Francis Dana, 4 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Please to forward the enclosed letters three in number, by the earliest different opportunities. Do not send either in the same enclosures with any others you have already received from me or shall receive hereafter. If you have the same Cypher sent to you, and you have patience to do it, decypher one of them. They contain a matter I have hinted to you long since as presenting a clue to a...
2318To John Adams from Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 4 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
The opportunity, by which we take the Liberty to write your Excellency these few lines, is, that we’ve seen a Letter from London by the last mail, where in the writer assures that it was decided the 23 Septr. in the Kings Councel, by a unamity of all the Ministers, to declare the Independency of the United States in America, and that the Act, passed under the great Seal, should immediately be...
2319To John Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, 6 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 29h last Has Safely Come to Hand, for Which I am the More Obliged to you, as I See the Greater Value By the Honor of your Correspondance. I Have Been long waïting for a Safe Opportunity to write, and will Endeavour this May Stir Clear of the Post Offices, As the itching fingers of Clarks do not Permit Any Secret to Pass Unnoticed. I Am Happy to Hear you Have walked on with...
2320To John Adams from Alexander Hope, 7 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
That I dare presume to address You and at the same Time to acquaint You that I am a Native of the Province Newyork have for the last three Years sail’d amongst the West India Islands in the Capac ity as Master of a Vessel (for which I have sufficient Papers to produce) untill my Health was impair’d with the Fever was then advis’d by the Doctors to seek a Northern Climate and having an...
2321To John Adams from James Warren, 7 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of the 17th. June and 2d. of July have given me great pleasure, perhaps more because they were Unexpected. A Spirit of Jealousy founded on a long Intermission had made me suppose you had totally forgot me? and never Intended again to write a Single Line. I hope the reasons you give for so long silence are by the fine Air of the Hague, and by Exercise removed and that I shall again...
2322To John Adams from Isaac Smith Sr., 9 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you by Via france, lately, but beleive the Ship is not saild (cald the Marquis Fayetta) on Account of Our Coast being very much infested with Cruzers, the brige. Capt Hales who came from Holland with the bearer Capt Grinnel was taken in Our bay and Carrd. to Bermudas, att which place great many Vessells are carried. The french fleet are here fiting, and will leave considerable of money...
2323To John Adams from M. Addenet, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Il y a quelques mois qu’un de nos Ambassadeurs me demande Si j’avois vu un ecrit dont il ne Connoissoit que Le titre et dont il desiroit faire lecture. C’étoit celui qui Contient Les Pensées sur la révolution de L’Amérique. Sans lui dire de qui je le tenois je le lui prêtai, et, en lui rendant Ce service, je Crus entrer dans vos vues. Il est parti sans m’avoir rendu cet ouvrage que je serois...
2324M. Addenet to John Adams: A Translation, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
A few months ago, one of our ambassadors asked me if I had seen a document that he knew only by title and that he wanted to read. It was the one containing Pensées sur la révolution de l’Amérique-Unie . Without telling him from whom I obtained it, I lent it to him, and in doing him this favor, I believe I did as you would have wished. He left without returning it to me. I would have liked to...
2325To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of your Excellency’s commands of the 8th. inst:, we have sent to day one thausand obligations; and we Shall as soon as possible send the other thousand, which we get printed. These thousand being Signed by your Excellency, we pray to have them handed together to Mr. Van der Beets on the Stamp Chamber; whch. being the disposal of Mr. Zweerts of this City, we pray your Excellency...
2326To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 14 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your most esteemed favoúr of 12 Curr. we shall have tomorrow morning a conversation with M. Charles Storer to be ac quainted with the articles, he chuses to fill up the trunck which we have received bÿ your Excellency’s order, and we shall take the utmost Care to procure the best goods at the lowest rate and sent it, if possible by Cap: Coffin to the Address of Isaac Smith Esqr....
2327To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 15 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
A long and painful Illness has prevented my corresponding with your Excellency regularly, but I paid the Bill you drew upon me and advised me of in your last Letter. Mr Jay has I believe acquainted you with the Obstructions our Peace Negociations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By the next Courier expected from London, we may be able perhaps to form some Judgment of the...
2328To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 16 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on having Compleated the work of which you have been the Sole Author. This being finished will not your Excellency Show yourself openly in an Affair, which must Stand in need of your inate Stubborness, in order to Check anothers Pliancy. In short Shall I not have the Pleasure of seeing your Excellency Soon in your way to Paris? Are not things ripe for you? By...
2329To John Adams from Francis Dana, 18 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received your Letters of the 17th. and 29th. of Septr: and after assuring you that they have given me much pleasure because they acquaint me your health and spirits are in a tolerable good state. I shall endeavour to make the best returns for them I am able to do, in my feeble state. My heart is obliged to ask leave of my head whenever it wishes to pay a proper attention to...
2330To John Adams from Jean George Holtzhey, 20 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
L’Independance de Votre Nation, m’a fait inspirer l’idée de immortaliser ce grand et digne Evenement par úne Medaille que j’ai fait súr Leúr Liberté et dont J’ai l’honneúr de Vous envoÿer la premiere épreuve; dans L’Esperance qu’il fera tant de plaisir a Votre Excellence: que d’Honneur pour ma personne de me dire que je reste avec un profond respect Monsieur! Votre tres humble et tres...
2331Jean George Holtzhey to John Adams: A Translation, 20 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your nation’s independence has inspired me to immortalize this great and noteworthy event in a medal commemorating its liberty, and of which I have the honor of sending you the first proof in the hope that it will bring great pleasure to your excellency: and it is a personal honor for me to say that I remain with a profound respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant RC ( Adams...
2332To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 21 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I was honored with your favors covering Letters for Mr Jay which I delivered. My Papers are packd up as I am moving from my present Hotel. This is the Reason I cannot mark the dates: but the last was the 8h. Currt: I have delayed writing in Answer, being continually buoyed up with Hopes of seeing you here: and this is the Reason Mr Jay has not wrote. He desires me however to remember him to...
2333To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 21 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
We shall be glad to hear your Excellencys happy arrival in paris, at my being in the Hague Mr Dumas informed me of the receipt of the 1000 Obligations, whch. I recommended to his care till further disposal. Said Gentleman informed me he could want some money one time or another whch. he’d be glad to dispose on us together whch. Should be approuved by your Excellency. We beg therefore to know...
2334To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 25 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Many Months have Elapsed, and many Great Events have taken place since I took up my pen to address you, among which few are more important to this Country than the Dutch Negotiation, and perhaps None have been attended with Greater Difficulties, and none more Replete with Honour to the prime actors than this. Yet I should not have Ventured to pass my Censure on Its opposers, or to Give...
2335To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 26 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I esteem myself greatly honor’d by the receipt of your Favor’s of the 18th August last—and much obliged by the attention paid to my request respecting Capt Armstrong who, soon after my writing, returned from a severe confinement, having made his escape—of which I immediately advised to prevent any further trouble in that affair. You express yourself at a loss, Sir, to know, to what...
2336To John Adams from Francis Dana, 26 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Soon after my arrival here I intimated to you that I had discovered something which I thought a clew to account for the advice given me by a certain person, and which you and I then were of opinion, was calculated to throw an obstruction in my way, and of course that I ought not to follow it. I told you I wou’d communicate it to you by the first good opportunity. None has offered till now....
2337To John Adams from Sir James Jay, 27 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
It was with not a little chagrin that I found on my arrival here, you had set out to Paris but a few days before. The restriction I was laid under by Parole—not to go to France, determined me not even to write to any one in that kingdom until my exchange should be effected. For this reason, and thinking that You, as well as Doct r. Franklin, had authority to exchange prisoners; and that, in my...
2338To John Adams from Francis Dana, 31 October – 1 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you yesterday by a different course: You will receive that letter a few days after this comes to your hands. You will be pleased to see that immediate attention is paid to a particular part of it, as requested. I then advised you that your Son wou’d set off the same day (which he did about noon) for Stockholm, where he proposed to remain 8. or 10. days, and then to pursue his journey...
2339To John Adams from James Warren, 1 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I made my Acknowlegdments of the rec t. of your favours of June 17. & July the 2 d. by Cap t. Grinnall who sailed for Amsterdam about a fortnight ago, since which I have the pleasure of yours of Aug t. 19 th. with the Inclosed Pamphlet. Conveying a State of the origin & progress of the Treaty with Holland, an Event which will make a figure in History in Proportion to its Importance, when...
2340To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 2 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I rec d. the honour of your Excellency’s last Letter of 12. August in Florence while I was preparing for my journey. Various impediments have retarded me so long, that I have been unfortunate enough as not to find you here. Two have been the principal objects of my coming to pay a visit to your Excell y. Remembering that you often complained in Paris about the difficulty of sending a Letter...
2341Richard Oswald to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
You may remember, that from the very beginning of our Negociation for settling a Peace between Great Britain and America, I insisted that you should positively stipulate for a Restoration of the property of all those Persons, under the Denomination of Loyalists or Refugees, who have taken part with Great Britain in the present War. Or if the said property had been resold, and passed into such...
2342Henry Strachey to the American Peace Commissioners, 5 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Knowing the expectations of the Kings ministers that a full Indemnity shall be provided for the whole Body of Refugees, either by a restitution of their property, or by some stipulated compensation for their lossess, & being confident, as I have repeatedly assured you, that your refusal upon this point will be the great obstacle to a Conclusion and Ratification of that Peace which is meant as...
2343To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The scene of Action is so entirely transfered to your side of the Atlantick that scarce any occurance among us at present is sufficiently interesting to furnish matter for a publick Letter. The Resolutions which have from time to time evinced the steady Determination of Congress in no event to Relinquish the great Object of the War or to think of Peace but in Connection with their Allies have...
2344To John Adams from Lewis R. Morris, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since January last Bills drawn Quarterly for the amount of your Salary have been transmitted to Doctor Franklin by every Conveyance— I have now the honor of sending one drawn for the amount of the sum due you—from the United States from the first of July 1782. to the 30 th: Sept r: following, the amount of which draft is sixteen thousand, six hundred and sixty six Livres thirteen sols...
2345To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai été charmé de recevoir enfin la nouvelle de votre heureuse arrivée.— Je com̃ence par vous obéir, en rendant compte à V. Exc e. de ce qui se passe ici. Pour cet effet, je crois ne pouvoir mieux faire que de soumettre à votre inspection ma Lettre ci-jointe N o. 7 à Mr. Livingston, laquelle vous voudrez bien, après l’avoir lue, & accompagnée des correctifs que vous paroîtront nécessaires,...
2346To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 9 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
We beg Leave to acknowledge gratefully your Excellency’s marks of Friendship, and thank you in the best manner for your confidence your Excellency’ll permit us to Lay down before him that we’d be able to make a better employ of a news of such an importance, if we were acquainted with it before it was generally known, this makes us take the Liberty to pray you, if an important news happen’d...
2347To John Adams from Henry Laurens, 12 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
An untoward Circumstance had hurried me from Bath, where I had been about a Month in the progress of health; I was waiting the Determination of this Court, whether I might, upon terms consistent with my honor, return & continue in the same pursuit during the Winter Months, or be obliged at all hazards to withdraw immediately from the Kingdom. In this dilemma, I had this afternoon the honor of...
2348To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, 14 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
We have before us your Excellency’s esteem’d favour of 2 inst, we shall when M r Dumas furnishes the acc ts. you are pleased to mention of, pay and charge the same in conformity of your order and write the amount to your Excellency. We have received with pleasure the dispatches from Congress, we are but sorry not to be so much advanced as his Excellency M r. Morris Seems to Suppose, and as...
2349To John Adams from Edward Bridgen, 15 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The last post I had the honour to forward to your Excellency a letter from our very distressed Friend who desires I would inform you that he hopes to be able to attend his Duty soon and to set out for that purpose next week. His health was somewhat better for Bath but the loss of his son has been a most severe stroke indeed and I fear much that his proposed Journey to Paris will not assist in...
2350To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 15 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
We duly received the honour of your Excellencies favour dated the 5 th. of this Month, with the Ratification of the bonds by Congres. We immediately have given it to the Interpreter, to procure us a Translation in Dutch, and will then show it to the Undertakers for their approbation. By which means we will be able to pay out the money. Your Excellency desire to know what Sum is now in cash? We...