2561Marquis de Lafayette to John Adams, 25 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
At the Very instant of Sailing for America, I stop to Send You the New Modelled Regulations of the Cincinnati— My principles Ever Have Been Against Heredity, and While I was in Europe disputing about it with a few friends, My letters to the Assembly, and still more Particularly to the president, Made them Sensible of My Opinion Upon that Matter— Untill Heredity Was Given Up, I forbeared...
2562William Bingham to John Adams, 26–27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I had last the pleasure of Seeing you, I was not altogether determined what Route I Should take— I rather inclined to the Idea of returning by the Hague— From a Desire of introducing more Variety & Novelty in my Excursion thro this Country, I have now resolved on passing thro’ Utrecht, for which place I Shall take my Departure in a few Days— If you Should have no further occasion for the...
2563John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favours by M r Reed and by Coll Herman, and am much obliged to you for your friendly Sentiments and instructive Communications. Your Plan of a Commission to treat with the maritime Powers, has not it Seems been adopted, and the departure of M r Jay for New York, has now rendered it, impracticable. Congress We are told is adjourned. M r Jay, and Mr Laurens as well as M r Dana...
2564Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour of sending to your Excellency Copies of Papers contain’d in a Dispatch just receiv’d from Congress. The Affair of the Free-Ports recommended to us, has been someTime settled: They are Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne & Marseilles.— I wonder much that we hear nothing from Congress of their foreign Arrangements. This short Line from the President is the only one I have...
2565John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Baron de Reishack, has several times said to me that his Court expected that Congress would announce formally their Independence, and asked me, if any Step of that Sort had been taken. that I may be able to give him an Answer, I must request of your Excellency to inform me whether you have made the Annunciation directed in the first Article of the Instructions of the 29 of October 1783 and...
2566James Warren to John Adams, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
M rs. Adams. & Miss Nabby left us last Sunday was a week ago. with a very fine Wind. which has Continued here ever since & promises her a fine passage. if good Wishes in great Abundance Contribute any thing to the shortness or pleasure of the Voyage. it must be propitious. M r. Jeffeson will I hope hand you this. & be as agreable a Colleague as his Predecessor. you will from him & M rs. Adams...
2567Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
We receive this night a letter of the Express with advice of his arrival with 3 truncks in brussel, but to his great Surprise as well as ours the Same are arrested there, and complains much there ab t. of M r. Barclay, whom he had requested several time to enquire if he could take and transport the same with Safety, who assured him not to anxious ab t. it, and in consequence he had reposed on...
2568John Adams to Samuel Osgood, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letters with great Pleasure. They let me into many Misteries before impenetrable. The Journal which caused Such Wonder, was intended to be sent to M r Jackson. But recollecting the frequent Injunctions of your Secretary, to be minute: to Send him even the Looks of Ministers to be Sure, Conversations, and considering that in the Conferences for the Peace, I had been very free,...
2569John Adams to Baron Franz von Reischach, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose in Confidence Copy of the Resolution of Congress of the 29 Day of October last, which I take it for granted has been communicated by M r Franklin and M r Jay. I am just now informed, that an Express which I lately Sent to Paris, on his Return, has been arrested at Brussells, and is detained there. He has with him, three Trunks containing my Manuscript Books and...
2570Baron Franz von Reischach to John Adams, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Cest bien malgré moi, que je n’ay pu repondre tout de Suitte à Votre lettre de ce matin, mais mon peu de Coñoissance de la langue Angloise m’at obligé d’attendre à cet effet la rentré d’un de mes Secretaires pour en Coñoitre la Substance; et Satisfaire à vos intentions. Il apert par la traduction qu’on m’a faite que vous Suposés et vous doutés que c’est à Bruxelles, que l’Exprès qui vous...
2571John Adams to Baron Franz von Reischach, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of your obliging Favour of this Days Date, and I beg of you to accept of my Thanks for your prompt and polite Answer to mine of this Morning. It was the House of Wilhem and Jan Willink of Amsterdam who sent off this Express for me and I am not certain of his Name, but I believe it is Egberts. It is only within a few Days that he was arrested. He may have a...
2572John Adams to James Warren, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your amiable Son, has done me the favour of his Company, here, for a Day or two, and this Morning goes to Amsterdam, intending to return to England at the End of the Week. From London He embarks Soon for Lisbon. My Son returned with him from London where I sent him to meet his Mother and Sister. But He was dissappointed as well as I.— I Still expect M rs Adams every day: but her last Letters,...
2573John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received your Favour of Yesterday and am very Sorry to find by it that my Express is arrested at Brussells. This Express was Sent to Paris Solely upon Affairs of the United States of America and my private Affairs. In the three Trunks he has with him there is nothing but my Manuscript Books and Papers, Cloaths of myself, Son & servants and Ninety Six Spoons and Forks larger and...
2574John Adams to Hendrik Fagel, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I was in London last November & December I amused myself often, by running into Booksellers Shops, and purchasing now and then a Book, which I had occasion for. My Son who was lately in London had them embarked for Rotterdam, where, I was last night informed they are arrived. It was said that they must be entered at the Custom House, and that a Value must be set upon them by the owner,...
2575Hendrik Fagel to John Adams, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Je crois, qu’il ÿ a ún droit, qu’on paÿe a l’entree des livres, qúi viennent des païs etrangers, mais les Ministres públics en Sont exempts. Si Voús aviés presenté ún Memoire, poúr avoir un passeport, poúr les Caisses qúe voús attendés de l’Angleterre, il n’ÿ aúroit eú aúcúne difficulté; Aú defaút de ce Passeport, je suppose, qúe les Commis de la Douane ont exigé le payement des droits. Poúr y...
2576Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
We are favoured with your esteemed letter of 30 th: June, we had wrote upon the same Subject to our M r. Van Berckel, and he has been so obliging as to send us directly a letter for our minister in Bruxelles, to whom we Send the same, with your letter, in order to make the required use of the Same, so we hope may Soon be released and return hither, the advice we receive we shall not fail to...
2577John Adams to States General of the Netherlands, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Le Sousigné Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de L’Amerique, a l’honneur de prier Vos Hauts Puissances, de vouloir faire depêcher, ou de lui accorder Un Passeport pour L’Entree libre, ou bien un Ordre a L’Amirauté de laisser passer librement, et Sans payer des Droits, deux malles ou Coffres et une Caisse marquèes I. A. contenans des Livres appartenans au Sousigné, et venus de Londres à...
2578John Adams to States General of the Netherlands, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Le Sousigne Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de L’Amerique, a l’honneur de proposer, qu’il laissa l’année passée, a Paris, quelques Effets, en Habillemens, Papiers, Livres, Argenterie &c dont il S’etoit Servi pendant Son Sejour dans cette Ville—qu’il envoya, il y a quelque tems, un Exprès, nommé Egberts D’Amsterdam, pour transporter ces Effets a la Haye; que le dit Expres est...
2579Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
We receive Notice of th’ Express, that a friend of his in Brussel, known by the Gouvernor remained Caution for him, that the trunks and Goods belonged to your Excellency; whereupon it has been released under payment of the charges, and duties. it is owing all to the Carelessness of M r. Barclay, who had promised to hand him a certificate, that it is your property, and the Clercq of him, who...
2580John Adams to the president of Congress, 3 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the Signature of the Preliminary Articles of Peace, I requested, of Congress, their Permission to return to America. This Request they did not at that time judge proper to grant, me, but on the contrary resolved that a Commission should be sent to me, M r: Franklin & M r: Jay, to make a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. But as no such Commission has arrived in Europe, the...
2581Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter your Excell y. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past. The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper, to the Imperial Minister at the Hague;...
2582John Adams to the president of Congress, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Having been obliged to come to Holland, the Beginning of this Year to obtain Money, to prevent M r Morriss Bills from being protested, I have remained here untill this Time, in Expectation of receiving the further Commands of Congress. From the Resolution of the 1. of May 1783 and from many private Letters, I expected that a Commission would have arrived to the late Ministers at the Peace, to...
2583Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I intended to have written to you some posts ago, But I found that a few of your things had been lock’d up in a Chamber at Auteuil, and left there with some matters belonging to M rs. Barclay, and that they had Escaped her Memory and My knowledge. There are Two Coat’s and 2 laced hats belonging to your servants—1 lamp to write by with 2 Ink stands, a Coat of Arms in a Frame, 2 wooden stands...
2584James Lovell to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I did not omit to write by the Conveyance of one of the most amiable Women I ever knew. I only omitted to send my written Congratulations to you upon that Felicity which her Presence must afford after so long a Seperation. Capital Sacrifice to your Country thus pleasingly in part rewarded! The Consul Gen l. of France, my Neighbour, then informed me that M rs. Adams had sailed while I slept,...
2585Elkanah Watson Jr. to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
In leaving the Hague, I fully intended returning the same way and acknowledging personally my gratitude for the polite reception I mett at Amsterdam in consequence of your Excellencys letters of introduction. I was hurried back from Holland in consequence of my affairs haveing advanc’d to a close more rapidly than I had reason to expect. I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that I am...
2586Baron Franz von Reischach to John Adams, 6 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Empressé à vous faire plaisir en toutes occasions, je n’ai point tardé a faire envers le Gouvernement General des Pais Bas de la domination de S. M té l’Empereur Roi, les demarches requises pour que non Seulement l’expres chargé de vos effets detenus à Bruxelles Soit imediatement remis en pleine liberté, mais aussi à ce que avantageat vos effets autant que faire se pouvoit quant aux droits de...
2587Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 9 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last post since which I was Informed your things were stop’d at Brussells, This must have been Intirely through the Ignorence of the person who had them under his Care He had nothing to do but to Open the Trunks, shew there was nothing Contraband in them and so pass on— and this Idea I impressd as much on him by means of a person who spoke Dutch, as was in my power— But He to avoid...
2588Committee of the States (Continental Congress) to John Adams, 9 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of 27 th. of last March, & the 10 th of April together with a Copy of the plan of a Treaty proposed by his Prussian Majesty, and Copies of the letters 1 without [date], & one of the [14 th ] and another of the 25 th. [of] March last from the Prussian Minister at the Hague to yourself, relative to that subject, and also a Note from the same Minister respecting the Estate of one...
2589John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 11 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Is there no News from Egberts our Express? What can have happened to him? or become of him? Is he dead, or Sick? I Sent you a Passport for him a Week ago, I hope you rec d it. I am really very anxious about my Papers. To have Papers of Such Importance to the Publick and to myself, So long in coming, and no News or Account about them, is very distressing. I beg you Gentlemen to let me know what...
2590John Adams to J. F. Rosart & Co., 18 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Letter of Yesterday with seven Copies of the English Translation of the Abby de Mably’s Letters. I have read part of the Translation and it seems to be well done: But I have read the whole of the Translator’s preface, and can find no other fault in it, than that it is not so long as I wish it. His observations are so good, that I wish he had treated more at large a...
2591John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your Letters of the fifth and ninth, and at last my Trunks are arrived, so that I am now collected into one Spot. I shall. be much obliged to you, to settle my Account, according to your own Judgment as soon as possible. I would not charge any Thing wrong, nor willingly any thing that shall appear to be so. Yet I ought in Justice to charge what is right. As to my coming to Paris,...
2592John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Letters of the 27 of June and 4. July, and Should advise your Excellency to present the C. de Mercy, a Copy of the Instruction as you propose. By the Length of Time, We have been left without Information respecting foreign Affairs, and by other Circumstances, there are greater Divisions among our Countrymen, respecting these as well as their Finances, than are...
2593John Adams to William Smith, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your’s of the 13 th and 16 th: the last contains the most agreeable News I have heard a long time.— If M rs: Adams should arrive, I believe it will be the most prudent thing she can do, to purchase as strong and decent a Coach of four Places, as can be had for 150 Guineas, in this she may come to the Hague, and go in it with me to Paris if I should have occasion to go there—I...
2594John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 20 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your Favour of Yesterday, I have to inform you, that I have received my Trunks, brought by the Express, and approve of your paying him the Sum of an hundred Ducats for all Charges and charging the Same to the United States of america. You will please to mention in your Article of Charge that it is for an Express Sent to Paris to carry a Quantity of Bills of Exchange to M r Barclay...
2595Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I did myself the honor of writing you on the 19 th. Ult. it was my expectation that I should take my passage in the French packet which was to sail the 15 th. of this month, and of course that I should not be in Paris till the middle or last of August. it had not then been suggested to me, & being no seaman it did not occur to myself, that even from a London-bound vessel I might get...
2596John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 27 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have a Letter from M r: Jefferson of 19. June by which it appears, that he will be at Paris by the Latter end of August, where I am to join him and D r: Franklin in the Execution of orders which he brings with him. Will you be so good as to give me, the Earliest Notice, of his Arrival, and that of Col l: Humphreys who may be expected before him. My Friends have arrived in London, will come...
2597John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 27 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the opportunity, by M r: Bingham, to enclose to your Excellency, Copy of a Letter from M r: Jefferson, by which it appears that we are joined in some affairs which will give me the Occasion to visit Paris once more, and reside there for some little time at least. As M r: Jefferson will not probably arrive before the latter End of August, and nothing can be done before he comes, I...
2598Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am fav d. with your letter of the 19 th. of last Month, and am Extremely glad to find your things have at length reach’d you— The few Articles that still remain shall Continue here untill you Come, as I do not think it will be right to put you to the Expence of Carriage— Doctor Bancroft arrived from Philadelphia a few days ago. M r. Jefferson is Certainly Joined in a Commission with you and...
2599William Temple Franklin to John Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency a Copy of the Communication made by my Grandfather to the Count de Mercy of that Part of the Instructions of Congress relative to his Imperial Majesty, & also that Ministers answer. We are daily in expectation of the Arrival of M r. Jefferson who was to have sailed from N. York the beginning of last Month. Tho’ several Vessels have arrived lately...
2600John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 3 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have accepted two Bills drawn by my Wife to be paid at the House of Mess rs Willinks and Shall accept two more to be paid by Mess rs Fullers in London. Please to charge these and all the Monies I Shall draw in London at the Same House to the United States as part of my Salary Tomorrow I go to London, and thence directly to Paris with my Family, to meet M r Jefferson who is joined with M r...
2601Christian Lotter’s Inventory of Silverware, 3 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
A List of Silver belonging to His Excel ce: . Mr: Adams and Send to Mr: Willink at Amsterdam the 3 d: . of August 1784. 5 large Silver Soop Spoons. 2 Silver Sugar boxes. 2 Dozen and a half of Silver Tea Spoons. 6 Dozen of large Silver table Spoons. 5 Dozen of large Silver Forks. } 2 Dozen of Silver dessert-Forks. French work. 2 Dozen of Silver dessert-Spoons 2 Dozen of large Silver handled...
2602Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 6 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
M r Bingham sent me last Night from Paris, your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th past, inclosing a Copy of one from M r Jefferson. I had before sent you a Copy of one from the same to me, which I hope you receiv’d. I enclose herewith Copies of a Letter from M r Thomson, some new Instructions, and one of the Commissions; the other two are in the Same Words, except that instead of the Words [ the...
2603Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 9 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter by M r. Bingham and heartily Congratulate you on the happy arrival in England. M r. Jefferson is here, but I have Not heard any thing of M r. Humphries, nor did I know of the arrival M r. Jefferson untill late last Night, and therefore have Not Yet seen him— I shall Endeavor to take Auteuil for you this day, by the Month, as possibly you may Not Chuse to pass the Winter...
2604Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 10 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
We receive this morning of M r. Lotter the honour of your esteemed favour of 3 d. aug. with the key of the Small trunck, this Small trunk with a large one was brought to the house of Mess rs. Willink Friday night and they will keep the same in good Custody at the disposal of your Excellency. We also take notice you have accepted at their house Two Bills drawn by M rs. Adams, which shall duely...
2605Arthur Lee to John Adams, 12 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th of April found me here two days ago, waiting for the necessary preparatives to a definitive treaty of peace & boundary, which in conjunction with some other gentlemen I have undertaken to negociate with the indian nations. To œconomize, by saving the expence of a monthly bounty to which the troops of Massachusetts & N. Hampshire, were entitled, A Majority of Congress...
2606Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
In pursuance of the orders of the Com ee of the States I have the honor to transmit to you the Copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan dated London the 19 feb y 1784 with the copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at Anchor near Staten Island on the 30 Nov r 1783. to be made use of in any negotiations you may have with the Court of Great Britain agreeably to the...
2607Thomas Cushing to John Adams, 16 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Favor of the 7 th of May last; am oblidged to you for the Intelligence it contained— I Perceive you are somewhat uneasy about the Line between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia, The Provisional Articles make the River S t Croix the Boundary, There are three Rivers of the same name that Empty themselves into the Bay of Passamaquaddy & although they are not very far distant...
2608John Adams to Matthew Clarkson, 18 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I wish well enough to the University of New York, to give you every Letter of Recommendation to Gentlemen in Holland which I can give with Decency, if you should determine to go there: But I have already tryed Such an Experiment, in favour of D r Wheelock, the President of Dartmouth Colledge, with so little Success, that I cannot advise you to make an Attempt. It is unnecessary to enter into...
2609John 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,...
2610John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 25 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am at length, Sit down once more to Business, at Auteuil, a Village near Paris, where I have taken a convenient House, with a pleasant Garden in a fine Situation near the Forrest of Boulogne, Sufficiently elevated above the River Seine and the low Grounds as well as far enough distant from the putrid Streets of Paris, to afford me a reasonable Hope of preserving my Health, during the Time...