991From John Adams to William Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 29th. Ultimo is before me. Arnold’s Apostacy shews the Necessity of nipping Dishonesty in the Bud. Congress must assume a more decided Authority, and must punish Crimes, and in other Ways do Justice to the Public. If Arnold had been sued at Common Law for the Money or Goods of the Public that he had defrauded the Public of, he would never have had another Command. Juries are the...
992From John Adams to Stephen Sayre, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter, which you did me the Honour to write me on the 21 of October, but a few days ago. I am much obliged to you, for the Information it contains; altho I have neither Instructions, nor Powers by which I can improve it, in any other Way than in Speculation. I am, however, extreamly pleased with the Idea of opening a Trade between Russia and North America. It may be done,...
993To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 6 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I congratulate you, on the Return of your Health and thank you for the Extract from Dr Styles, which I have communicated to Mr Searle and Mr Dumas as you desired.— Shall be happy to See, the detail of Arnolds Conduct. As long, as Congress and Courts Martial, inflict So gentle Punishments upon flagrant Criminals, and...
994From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 1 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I thank You for your favour of the 20th. of November. I am really weary of reading such Follies as Motions to address the King for Peace. They are only delusions to the People of England, the People of America, and all the other Nations of the Earth. The Case of Mr. Laurens, and those of Mr. Trumbull and Tyler, among Millions of other Incidents shew, with whom We have to do. The States General...
995From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 25, 1 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 1 Dec. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 321–324). LbC almost entirely in JQA ’s hand ( Adams Papers ). printed: Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:176–177. This letter, received by Congress on 19 Nov. 1781, contained the order of battle of...
996From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have already accepted Bills drawn upon Mr. Laurens, to the Amount of Thirty four Thousand three hundred and fifty Eight Guilders. How many more will arrive I know not. I shall inform your Excellency from Time to Time, as they appear, and I accept them. This Republick is in a violent Crisis. If a certain Party prevails, We Shall raise no Money here. If they do not We shall raise very little....
997From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was duly honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the eighth of October by Mr. Searle. I thank You, Sir, for inclosing the Resolution of Congress respecting my Salary and Mr. Dana’s. I wish I could see a prospect of relieving You from this Burthen, as well as that of the Bills of Exchange drawn upon Mr. Laurens, but at present there is not a prospect of obtaining a Shilling. What Turn...
998From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 24, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The State of Parties in this Republick is still critical. Many anonymous Pamphlets appear on both Sides. Those which proceed from the English Party, are virulent against Mr. Van Berkel. The Republick itself wavers, according to Events and Causes which are impenetrable. A few days ago, the Plan appeared to be to acceed to the armed Neutrality, in order to satisfy one Party, and to disavow the...
999From John Adams to Jean Luzac, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Favour of the 24 with the two elegant Copies of the Pensees I have received, with Gratitude. The Republick appears to be, at this Time, in a violent Crisis. It is to be hoped, that the effect of the Fermentation will be Salutary. If it is indeed true, that the Republick has acceeded to the armed Neutrality, and the Nations engaged in that Confederation, are in earnest to make a...
1000To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams: Two Letters, 30 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I was duly honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the eighth of October by Mr. Searle. I thank You, Sir, for inclosing the Resolution of Congress respecting my Salary and Mr Dana’s. I wish I could see a prospect of relieving You from this Burthen, as well as that of...
1001From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 27 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of the 17. with its Inclosure and that of the 22d.—and thank you for both. Things are coming to an Extremity, that Philanthropy would wish to avoid: but thus it ever was, in Similar Cases. A free Nation corrupted, becomes an Hell, a Society of Devils. Angells fallen, retain nothing but immortal Hate. Come out of her, my People! Says a good old Book. This Republick has...
1002From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 22, 25 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is now certain that the States General, have by a Plurality of five Provinces determined to acceed to the armed Neutrality. Zealand and Guelderland, have agreed to it likewise, but upon Condition of a Warranty of the Possessions of the Republick. If the Intention of Sir J. Yorks Memorial, was to intimidate their high mightinesses from this measure, he has missed his aim. Nor will the...
1003From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 23, 25 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Prince was ill advised, when he undertook, what he was not obliged to do, in producing Mr. Laurens’s Papers, which he did too in a manner justly offensive to the United States. It was the part of Sir Joseph Yorke, to have produced them, not to the Prince, but to their High Mightinesses. His Serene Highness, therefore, in this Work of Supererogation, gave himself the Air of an Instrument of...
1004From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honour to write me on the thirteenth is recieved, and I have accordingly accepted the Bills, and shall draw upon your Excellency about the Time they become payable, for Money, to enable me to discharge them, provided I should not succeed in my Endeavours to borrow it here. I have hitherto no prospect at all. When I first arrived here, I had such...
1005To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 24 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honour to write me on the thirteenth is recieved, and I have accordingly accepted the Bills, and shall draw upon your Excellency about the Time they become payable, for Money, to enable me to discharge them, provided I should not succeed in my Endeavours to borrow it here. I...
1006From John Adams to Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 20 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose, a Smal Pamphlet lately published, which in this critical Moment may do Some good. The Hour draws nigh, when this Republick is to determine, whether it will acceed to the armed Neutrality: but let their determination of that question be as it will, if they do not disavow the Conduct of Amsterdam, and punish Mr. Van berkel and the Burgomasters, the King of Great...
1007From John Adams to Jean Luzac, 20 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Letter and a dozen Copies of the “Pensees.” I am much obliged to you Sir, for these Copies, and for an excellent Preface, which is worth more than the Book. I Should be glad to pay for a Couple of Dozens more of these Pamphlets. They come out, in the critical Moment to do good, if ever. If the Impression they make now should not be deep, it will sink deeper e’er...
1008From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 19 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Bundle by Mr. B romfield I received, and one or two Parcells since. Yesterday I received the N. Papers and yours of the 14th. I wish to know, how Sir. J. Y. Mem. is considered among you. Will they declare this Republick in Rebellion, or not? Whenever my Lord H—h has charged Faction and Cabal, it has been followed Soon by outlawry, and Charges of Rebellion and War. Poor Arnold! Where are...
1009From John Adams to William Lee, 19 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 15 and congratulate you on your Recovery, and that of your Family, mine have all luckily escaped hitherto. The Relaxation of Mr. L.s Confinement is owing intirely to the Ministry getting Information that the opposition intended to make a Motion about him. This would have made so much Noise and excited so many Speculations, that they had reason to dread it. Ten...
1010From John Adams to Antoine Marie Cerisier, 18 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved the letter which You were so good as to write me on the 15th. of this Month. The Translation of the Narrative of Genl. Howe cannot fail to have a good Effect at this critical Moment. The final Independence of America is as certain, as a decree of the Destinies. The only Question is, how much Blood shall be shed and how long Mankind shall be unnecessarily embroiled in the...
1011From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 21, 17 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
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...
1012From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 20, 16 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
On the 10th of this month, Sir Joseph York, presented to the States General, the following Memorial. The King, my Master, has discovered, during the whole Course of his Reign, the most Sincere desire, to maintain the Union, which has Subsisted for more than a Century, between his Crown and this Republick. This Union rests, upon the immoveable Basis, of reciprocal Interest, and as it has...
1013From John Adams to Jonathan Loring Austin, 13 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, and very Sorry you have found So little Success in your affair for the Massachusetts. You have this Consolation, however that you have had as good Luck as any one else. The Series of Events for the last twelve months, which the English represent so favourable to them, and so unfortunate for Us, Seems to have extinguished the little Remains of Credit that We had...
1014From John Adams to Alexander Gillon, 12 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter which you did me the Honour to write me the 12 of Novr. It would give me great Pleasure to do any thing in my Power consistant with the duty I owe to my Constituents to assist you. But the Advices you allude to are as great an Obstruction to you as to me. I have left no Measure unattempted, that Prudence could justify: but have neither procured any Money nor obtained...
1015John Adams to Rector Verheyk, 10 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment received, with Surprise and Grief, your Billet. I pray you Sir, to send my Children to me this Evening and your Account, together with their Chests and Effects tomorrow. I have the Honour to be, with great Respect, Sir, your humble servant, FC ( Adams Papers ); in JA ’s hand, written on verso of Verheyk’s note, q.v. preceding; at foot of text: “M. H. Verheyk, Rector Gymn....
1016From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 9 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of yours of the 7. Inclosed are a few more Extracts, concerning the Treatment of Mr. Laurens. You will publish Such Parts as you judge proper. This Event will have more Serious and lasting Consequences than are immagined. It is therefore proper that the facts should be preserved. It may be prudent to observe a delicacy concerning White Eyes. But Europe in general is much...
1017From John Adams to Daniël Jan Bouwens, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I waited on Mr. Blomberg yesterday, but found him to ill to speak upon Business: I must therefore request You to recommend to me another Broker for the present, one who speaks French or English if possible. I dont mean to quit Mr. Blomberg, whom I esteem very much, but I suppose it will not be amiss to have two. Messrs. Mortier and Merckemaer have been mentioned to me. Mean time I will venture...
1018From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 24. 27 and 31. Ultimo came altogether last night. The Note in that of 27 is of much Use much Importance to me. I wrote, Sometime ago, to see if any Thing could be done by Way of Exchange. If a certain Sett, are governed wholly by Passion, it must be confessed they have as constant a gale of it, as a Tempest so furious, will in the ordinary course of Nature admit of. C’en est...
1019From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 7 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved yours of the first. Will You be so good as to explain to me, what is meant by “Instructions to endeavour to inspire American Agents at Madrid, with Distrust and Jealousy of one another, at present employed in Europe?” What the armed Neutrality will come to, I know not. I believe it would have been much easier to have negotiated all the Maritime Powers of Europe into an...
1020From John Adams to Hendrik Bicker, 6 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Blomberg is so ill, that he cannot Speak, upon Business, which obliges me, to beg the Favour of your Advise, whether I ought to give more than according to the following Plan. A Interest 5 Pr. Cent Pr. Annum for 10 years. To the House for negotiating the Capital 1 Pr. Cent. To the Undertakers to furnish the Capital 1 Pr. Cent Brokerage ½ Pr. Cent. And for the Yearly paying off of 10 Pr...