27001From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 23 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this Place the latter end of March, and undertook the Office, to which the President had been pleased to appoint me, of Secretary of State, which comprehends that of the foreign Affairs. Before I had got through the most pressing Matters which had been accumulating, a long Illness came upon me, and put it out of my Power for many Weeks to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters. I...
27002From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas and William Short, 1 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been duly honoured with the receipt of your separate letters of Aug. 23. and should sooner have returned an answer, but that as you had written also to Mr. Adams I thought it possible I might receive his sentiments on the subject in time for the post. Not thinking it proper to lose the occasion of the post, I have concluded to communicate to you my separate sentiments, which you will of...
27003From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 12 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having at length received my leave of absence, I have sent off my baggage, and shall follow it myself within a week or ten days. I am as yet incertain whether I shall sail from Havre or Lorient. My last information from America is of the 25th. of July. Our new government was then going on with great harmony, and all opposition to it expired, except in the state of Rhode island. I do not know...
27004From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 25 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by the two Mr. Morrises, and Mr. Basseville; the former are sons of our late financier which will be a sufficient voucher to you of their condition and that they are objects of just respect and attention. The latter is their tutor, a gentleman of letters, of reputation and of merit. I take the liberty of introducing them to your notice, and of asking your attentions...
27005From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 10 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 5th. instant and will forward the letter to Mr. Jay by the packet boat which sails the 25th. of this month. I am sorry for the situation in which Mr. Grand’s refusal to make further advances has placed you. I know it’s pain, because I participate of it. The aspect of your public affairs has also been discouraging. Perhaps the war kindled between Russia and...
27006From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 3 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors of the 10th. and 23d. of Octob. and sincerely sympathize with you on your sufferings, without being able to relieve them. Nor can I even conjecture what Congress will decide as to the Brussels proposition. I should be puzzled myself to suggest any thing better at this moment. You have doubtless heard that N. Carolina has thought it best to propose amendments to...
27007From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 9 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated Dec. 25. since which I have been honoured with your several favors of Dec. 29. Jan. 5. 9. and 23. I thought that your affairs could not be more interesting than they have been for a considerable time. Yet in the present moment they are become more so by the apparent withdrawing of so considerable a personage in the drama as the K. of P. To increase this interest...
27008From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have not written you Since you inclosed me a Letter for M r Gardoqui from the Comte de Sanefe. I pray you to present that Nobleman with my Sincere Respects and let him know that I Sent his Letters with my first Dispatches. My Son arrived, at New York after a Passage of fifty five days, and was received by his Countrymen with great joy Cordiality. I have no Letters or News from him after he...
27009John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 25 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I had a tedious Passage of two Days from Helvoet and was at last obliged to Land at Leostoff a dozen Leagues from Harwich, and ride from thence twenty four miles in a Cart before I could find a Post Chaise; but on Saturday noon, I had the Satisfaction of meeting my friends in perfect Health at the Adelphi Buildings in London, I never set my Foot in any other House, till next Morning at ten,...
27010From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The News that M r. Brantzen wrote to our Friends before I left the Hague was true The King of Great Britain under the Great Seal of his Kingdom has by Patent constituted Richard Oswal Esq r. his Minister Plenipo y. to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America. Who would have thought that G. B. would be the 3 d. Power in Europe to acknowledge the Independence of America— You may...
27011From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 28 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Letter for Philadelphia, inclosed in your’s of the 18 th , I have caused to be inclosed to M r. Morris, unsealed as it is, desiring his Attention to its Contents— But I should think M r. Van Berckel had better see for himself first— As he goes in a Frigate, he may carry every thing he wants, and perhaps he may please himself better at home than in America, in the Articles of Furniture & ca...
27012John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 3 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 26. Oct r: with the seven Questions inclosed. I have answered these Questions to the best of my Judgment, believing it to be my Duty to give to my enquiring Countrymen, all the satisfaction in my Power upon such occasions. I should wish too to gratify the Dutch merchants, and all others as far as I can in Character. But we must above all Things have the...
27013From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 28 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been So taken up with Royal Societies and Royal Accademies, with British Musæums and Sir Ashton Levers Musæum with Wedgwoods Manufactory of Earthen Ware and Parkers of Glass, &c that I have not had time to write you a Line. You Observe I say nothing of Politicks for although I have been introduced to the great Politicians at their Desire I have not found them Sufficiently well disposed...
27014From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 4 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your favour of the 28 th Nov r: and hope in future to hear often from you, although I dont expect to be informed of the Politicks of the Country, so particularly as heretofore, yet you may write freely under the Same Cover. I should be glad, however to know, truly what has happened upon the Frontiers; I hope the Comte de Linden will be appointed notwithstanding the...
27015John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 22 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Capture of one or two of our Vessells by the Barbary Rovers, obliges Us to think Seriously of treating with the Port, Morocco, Algiers Tunis Tripoli, and the rest. But We wish to be informed as nearly as We can, how much the Expences of every Kind will amount to. let me beg the Favour of you then, to apply to M r Bisdom and M r Vanderhope and inquire of those Gentlemen, what Presents they...
27016From John Jay to C. W. F. Dumas, 9 March 1789 (Jay Papers)
Among other Letters w h . I have had the pleasure of rec g . from you, there is one of the 27 th Aug t . Aug last, in which at the Request of the Chargé des affaires of the Court palatine and of Bavaria, you inclosed a Memorial & Contract to be conveyed to Congress, & thro’ them to the Governm t . of Pennsylvania, in order to obtain Justice for a palatine Subject from a Person settled at...
27017From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 29 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your Favour of the 23 d. of May.— I regret extreamly that I must loose the opportunity of the Company of M r Vanberckel to America: but there is no appearance, that the definitive Treaty will be Signed in Time to allow me that Satisfaction and Advantage. The Treaty with Sweeden is now printing with a Collection of the Constitutions and Treaties, which is making under the...
27018From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your Favour of 25. Ult. I can only say that I have no Information of the United States having acceeded to the armed Neutrality, on the Contrary I have Reasons to doubt it. My Son, I hope behaves to your Satisfaction and that of Madame Dumas, follows his Studies with Ardour and writes to me, every Post, takes a Walk in the Wood every day &c. Does he Speak the German? has he lost...
27019John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 18 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 10 th. as well as the two former, with their Inclosures. The first I Sent by M r Tracy a Sure hand, by the Way of London, and the two Latter, I shall Send the Same Way by another private Hand, so that all three will go safe and as soon or sooner than by the Way of L’orient The two Abbys who continue their freindly and brotherly Course of Life, very often...
27020From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
It has ever been my intention to come in Person to the Hague, and take Leave of their High Mightinesses, with all the Respect in my Power, before my departure for America. it is still my design. If it is the usage of their High Mightinesses, as you Say it is, to make a Present of a Chain upon the occasion, it will be very agreable to me to accept it, and in the Language of my Countrymen I hope...
27021From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 22 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 13. is received, and I thank you, for the Trouble you have taken concerning my son, and I beg you to present my most hearty Thanks to the Duke de la Vauguion for the Compassion he had for me in my affliction and for the Trouble he has taken, in writing to the Minister of France at Hambourg, and to M r D’Asp for writing to Stockholm Elsineur and Copenhagen.— I have within a few...
27022From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 23 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
In answer to the questions in your’s of 18 th , I beg leave to inform you, that in my opinion M r. Dana is the only proper person in Europe to treat with anybody in Europe about the Armed Neutrality and the Liberty of Navigation— It is true, our former Power is not expressly revoked, but I consider M r. Dana’s Commissions in form to be an implicit and tacit Revocation of ours—so that I dare...
27023From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 26 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
It is Sometime Since I had a Line from you or my Son. I hope all is well. I can give you no News. There is a Species of Witchcraft governs in England which keeps them from knowing their own Minds.— and a similar malignant Spirit reigns in America and prevents Us from getting any Intelligence from thence.— I sometimes feel Wroth enough, to wish for the Revival of an old Spirit to hang these...
27024From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 13 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 7. and 8 of June. I have been introduced here, to Sir James Harris, who Seems to be a Sensible and agreable Man. I Should think it most adviseable, for you and for myself if I were at the Hague, to behave Towards him as the Minister of a Sovereign in Amity with the United States, not discovering any Aversion or Jealousy, on one side more than common, nor more...
27025From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 16 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to the Inquiry of M r Fagel you will please to inform him that the Letters of Credence of M r Van Berckell should be addressed “To the United States of America in Congress assembled” “Friends and Allies.” The King of France indeed has added the Word “great.” “great Friends and Allies.”— But I think it would be much better to leave out the Word great and all other Epithets.— Congress...
27026From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 19 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your’s of the 11 th. You will please to accept of my thanks for the kind Care you have taken of my Son, who is I hope before this with you, and to repeat my humble thanks to the Duke for his goodness upon this Occasion. My Younker ought to think himself highly honoured; by the Notice that has been taken of him by so many respectable Personages. M r. D’Asps Letter I will send...
27027From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 19 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have yet to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favours of the 26. 27. 30. & 31 of Dec r. and 2 of January. Your Dispatches are sent along as you desire.— I hope you are, quite recovered from your Indisposition. I can give you no Information concerning Peace. it is given out that the point will be decided here to day or Tomorrow: others Say that the Duke de la Vauguion is to make the Peace at...
27028From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 16 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for yours of the 9 th. We remain here in the Same State of Indecision, which We have been in these Three Months, uninformed of every Thing in America uncertain of the System in England and unable to See one day before Us. My Situation is as pleasant as it has been for a long Course of Years Sure that whatever may be well done will be ascribed to other People, and that whatever...
27029John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 29 [30] March 1785 (Adams Papers)
last night on my return from Versailles and the Sight of the gallant young Duke of Normandy. I found your Favour of the eighteenth with its Enclosures which I delivered as soon as I had read it to our Secretary M r Humphreys as I propose to do all of your future letters to be by him transmitted regularly every Month, with our Dispatches to Congress, who are now Sitting at New york with his...
27030From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 5 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d. your favor of 30. ult o. — I am very apprehensive that the Gentleman you conversed with concerning the Loan is decieved, as his worthy Brother was on a former occasion, by whose Advice chiefly I was led to open the Loan with those three Houses. He was then of opinion, that even ten Millions might be obtained; whereas the three Houses have not been able to obtain in a year, so...