1To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 23 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since the sailing of Adml Barrington there has been much surprise and speculation as to His destination, and an express just arrivd from Plymouth announces that a few days ago and not many leagues off Brest one of His look out frigates the Artois Cap McBride fell in with an outward Bound India Fleet of 4 line of Battle ships (two armed en flute) and about 20 sail of Transports, four of which...
2To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 16 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since my last there has been no material occurrence but what will be announced in the Papers save the arrival in Scotland of two vessels one from N York the 5 mar and the other from Chas Town the 24th Feby. the letters by the latter is not yet out nor is there any particular accots given out but those of the old kind that the Garrison were chearful healthy and in no fears &ca. &ca. Those...
3To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 9 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet been able to see Mr L, he having left Town just before my return to it and not having got back till yesterday. Without my urging to Lord S–ne the propriety of immediately speaking to Mr L on the matter of my message to You and for releasing him from every tye here, I found His Lordship had concluded to make his approaches to that quarter, for most assuredly it is the right one,...
4To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 2 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote You from Ostend the 27th Ulo and stated what I had done with Dr. F. I arrivd here the last mail day but too late to look about me and to write so fully as I could have wishd. I found the intire kick up of the great ones to make much noise and to give universal pleasure. As the Parliament is not setting no fixd measure of the new people is yet talkd of and the reports are various and...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 22[–26] March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 290–3. I left England a few days back, and until my conversation and some consultations with Mr. Adams on a matter which will be mentioned to you by him, and more particularly explained in this letter, my determination was to have seen you, as well on that...
6To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 26 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I got here this day and am nearly about the hour to Embark. I find I passd Mr Laurens Jnr at Rotterdam, as some questions were askd in the Hotel Where I put up for a person answering my description, from one who was at another Hotel who did not leave His name, but answered the description of Mr Laurens. I stopt at the Hotel Angleterre at the Hague and found that P. Wentworth had gone from...
7To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am just arrivd here from London, and instead of personally waiting upon You I make so free as to send a messenger with this and its inclosure together with a few late News Papers. I have a matter of publick moment to mention to You; As well as to speak to a private affair of consequence to myself which will I think lead me in a very few days to Dr. F at Paris. My present purpose is to beg...
8To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It has been some Weeks since I have heard from you and indeed near a month since I wrote myself. You may easily suppose the cause, and that I had nothing material to communicate. In a former letter you mentiond to me your willingness to help Captains M——y or C——m to some pecuniary aid should they need it. The long confinement of these brave and unfortunate men makes every small donation...
9To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 11 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
My long silence has not been owing to any want of regard or attention to you, but has been solely occasiond by the imprudence and folly of some young men, whose conduct has produced a general hunt after Amns., the stoppage of letters, seizure of baggage &c. &c.—and it seems as if it would never have an end. The last who went from here Mr. W arren may have explaind in part what has happend. I...
10To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 23 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am without any of your favours for some time. Not a word of news to write about that concerns your country. We English yet think that the Mynheers will trukle to, and we are even so idle as to suppose Russia will be with us. Four mails are due from Holland, and we are extreemly anxious for the Answer to our memorial. If it is possible to get it before it comes out in the foreign news papers,...
11To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 9 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
London 9 January 1781. RC Adams Papers . printed : Digges, Letters Letters of Thomas Attwood Digges , ed. Robert H. Elias and Eugene D. Finch, Columbia, S.C., 1982. , p. 348–349. This letter, written “Tuesday night late,” quoted verbatim an account of the French attack of 6 Jan. on the Island of Jersey that appeared in the London Gazette Extraordinary of Tuesday, 9 Jan., but see also a report...
12To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 5 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Altho hostilities, and seemingly rigourous ones, have commencd between your Country and mine, I see no reason why our former freindships may not be kept up and you and I communicate by letter as we were used to do. I got your favor of the 18th. and hope eer this the two parcells of Books which were then missing have got to hand. There were Receipts taken for them but as I have not been able...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I communicated what you desird in a letter of Octor. 18th. to the friend who has of late been often the subject of my letters. His reply was abundance of thanks to you, desiring His best wishes & respects &ca &ca. I have been out of the line of communicating with Him since about the 25th of last month, but I often hear from him by message of a Friend....
14To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 26 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had a sight of yours of the 15th, 17, and 18th Instant and am thankful for their inclosures. Whenever any publications worth notice, come to Your hands, send them in like manner and they will find immediate insertion here. The Courant being now the most generally read paper for early American intelligence, I constantly give the American papers to the publisher of that paper, and at any...
15To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 22 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am thankful for your favor and its inclosure of the 15th Instant. I hope my parcells go regularly for I never omit to put them in the common conveyance. Let me know if the present rupture will make any alteration. When you write Mr. W.S.C. you are requested not to direct but only mark the letter thus X on the seal part, and put it under a Cover directed to Mr. Stockdale Bookseller Piccadilly...
16To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 12 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
All your favours to the 27 ultimo and particularly that with a disagreeable inclosure came safe to hand, and I should be glad to know the parcells I forward get safe. I have attended regularly to your order, and they go by every post. I have no news to relate to you. Were I to attempt to describe the present dispositions and folly of us Englishmen it would fill pages. The opinion that America...
17To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 8 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 17 with an inclosure to JT, as well as one of the 27th both got safe which was particularly satisfactory, as a friend who is now a fellow Citizen of yours and who left me about the 24th Ultimo may have before now explaind. He could explain to You every thing that I for the present wish explaind. Things are not worse, but insults and aggravation increase. Nothing can exceed the...
18To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 22 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I understood from seeing a letter lately from Paris there had appeard at a Dutch Bankers in that City sundry seconds of Bills for acceptance the first of which had been paid by regular indorsements to Vieve Babet and Co., Nantes, which seconds of Bills appeard to have been taken among Mr. L—s papers and forwarded to Paris unindorsd for acceptance. This causd some uneasiness at Paris; the Bills...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 21 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Your suspicions relative to some Bills mentiond in Yr. last were well founded from the then appearances. I was satisfyd the Transaction was a fraudulent one till I had it cleard up by the only person who coud clear it up ie the friend of the man whose property they were. They were slipt into his hand at a first & watchd interview by our friend,...
20To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 17 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I acknowlegd the Receipt of yours the 28th Octo. and 7th Instant in my last letter of the 14th. Since that day no material move with regard to our friend; but I am in consultations now and then to fix upon some mode by a motion in Parliament to have him put on parole or releasd by Bail. By the inclosd letter you will discover as much as I have yet been able to discover of the writer who...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote You by a frd the 14th Inst. which I suppose will reach you before or abot the same time with [ this ]. I mentiond the defection & going over of Genl Arnold to the British. For this noble action He has found many advocates here, & the ministry are mightily elated therewith; putting it upon defection in the American Army, strong discontents &ca...
22To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 14 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 28th ultimo and 7th Instant came both to hand since mine of the 10th and I began from yesterday to forward the two news papers as directed. You need not apologise for any trouble given me of this sort, for I shall be always glad to serve You. The Books you request in both these last letters will be forwarded by a Ship to Amsterdam to sail in a few days; there are other...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges: Two Letters, 13 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer of this, Capn. Benjamin Joy, waits upon Your Excellency on a matter of Business which will be explaind by Himself to You. He is so well recommended and His attatchment & active services for the cause of His Country are so well known to me, that I cannot but back His solicitation to Your Excellency with my strongest wishes that...
24To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 10 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Nothing material occurring, I did not write you on the last post day. Things were then in a train for other communications and I am in hopes to add something to this letter in the Evening before I seal it, from our friend. Mr. S ear les letter and some late ones from home via Nantes got to Him. Mr. L——ns treatment remaind with usual and unabated rigour till the 8th Instant. His Son and Mr....
25To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have seen Miss Georgiana & sympathisd with Her for the present appearance of the picture She sent you in June or July last being stopt somewhere between Ostend & Paris. It was carryd safely by my frd. Mr. Champion of Bristol and lodgd with Mr F Bowens at Ostend for forwardance to You; that Gentn. was then in the habits of sending parcells of Pamphlets...
26To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 3 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your line with an inclosure the 24th. ultimo, wrote to the partys, and am now busey in putting forward four of the Horses requird by my new Correspondant. By the time limited, I hope to send Him a set that will compleat His Carriage. As 17 or 18 have been sent from me since the 6th of last mo., I hope a considerable part of them will answer and give a good temporary lift. A...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 3 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I hope e’er this that the picture of your valuable friend, has reachd you. I have been very uneasy abot. it & wrote to Mr Bowens (who long ago acknowlegd the Rect of it in safety & that it shoud be forwarded) to clear up to you where the stoppage was occasiond. I am almost afraid to pay your valuable frd. a visit till I hear it is in safety for the...
28To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 31 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
We have not the least news from the Westward more than the publick papers will announce, but in hourly expectations of some from N York. Our grand fleet passd Plymo. the 27th. and these winds have probly put them on their intendd station for Cruizing. A small fleet has saild to N York—a frigate or so with 10 or a doz store Ships and Merchantmen, but no troops or any thing like any. Four Ships...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [31 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; copy: Library of Congress The rigorous Confinement of Mr L yet Continues. I did hope eer this there would have been some abatement in it. There is no telling upon what principle it is they confine Him a close Prisoner of State after so many precedents have been set. Sullivan, Sterling, Lee, Lovell, & many others. But why should we expect these folks to act upon any...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [on or before 27 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Public Record Office, London I wrote you lately that Jones was not to be found here consequently the Bill irrecoverable from Him. He is at Am——m. playing his tricks so I understand. The person who accepted the Bill & acknowleges the acceptance, may be obligd by Law to pay what has been advancd on it. I hear our sick frd is better— His disorder...
31To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 27 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your last is of the 25 Sepr. Mr. W.S.C. lately got the annexd note —it is Sent for your government. No news but what you will read in the papers as soon as this Letter—A great portion of the people here are hurt and as much astonishd as You can be at the treatment Mr. L—— has met with—the rigour is no ways abated. This, with Lord Cornwallis’s military Executions and cool butchery of...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The letter of Sepr. 18 with an inclosd Bill reachd me but a very few days ago, & I immedeately made the necessary enquirys about Mr Jones. This Genn. [Gentleman] is not in England but I hear He is coming this way, & is at present in Amsterdam, where (I suppose) he is playing similar tricks to those He has imposd upon You. The good old Doctor of whom I...
33To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The close confinement of our friend and the denyal of all visits, the use of pen, ink and Paper, as well as all newspapers, still continues with unabated rigour. No person but His Son accompanyd by Mr. Manning has yet found way to Him, and these have been peremptorily refusd a second visit. It now appears that Government find him nothing but His furnishd appartments, Mr. L ordering his own...
34To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
It was not until the 14th Instant that any person Whatever was permitted to see Mr. Laurens in the Tower. On that day after repeated applications for admission, Mr. Manning, and Mr. Laurens Jur. (a youth of 16 or 18 who has been some years at Warrington school) was permitted to see Him. An order went signd from the 3 Secretarys of State Hillsborough, Stormont, and Germain, to the Govr. of the...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Public Record Office, London It was not until the 14th. inst that any person whatever was permitted to see Mr Laurens in the Tower— Then after repeated applications for admission Mr. Manning and Mr L——ns’s Son, a Youth of 17 or 18 who has been some years at Warrington School, got admission to Him. A permit was given them, signd by the Lds....
36To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of the 6th there has been no material incident relative to Mr. H. L——s Commitment; nor is the rigour of his confinement abated. No person whatever can speak to Him but in hearing and sight of the two attending Messengers. It is said the Secy. of States order will produce admittance to his room, but nothing else. Some of his torey relations, and a Mr. Manning a Merchant of the...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since I wrote you the 6th. Int. no alteration has taken place with regard to Mr Laurens confinement & treatment. No person whatever has been permitted to speak to Him, but it is said any person may who will apply for a Secy of States order to do so.— I hear of none of his friends who have made any attempts to do so; I suppose from thinking any stir made...
38To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 6 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am thankful for your late favor and shall send you the Books desird by first opportunity. Mr. Henr. Laurens was brought to Town last night, rather in better health. He was lodgd that night in the Messengers House in Scotland Yard, and denyd all sort of communication with his friends—or those who wishd to speak to Him. He was Examined at noon at Lord G. Germains and committed by a Warrant of...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 6 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr Laurens has been so ill as to retard his journy up to London very much. He arrivd in rather better health on Thursday night, & was this day examind at Lord G Germaines office & committed to the Tower— The first night he was kept at the Messengers House in Scotland Yard, & taken from thence to Lord Go Gs office about noon. He was watchd & kept very...
40To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 3 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to inform You that Mr. Heny. Lawrens and two other Amn. Gentlemen Prisoners in England. They were taken in a small packet on the banks of New foundland about 24 days ago and sent to St. Johns, where Admiral Edwards thought the capture so important as to immediately dispatch the Vestal Frigate Capt. Keppell with them, and the mail which was also taken, to England. Mr. Adams Laurens...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 3 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am very sorry to inform you that Capt. Keppel of the vestal frigate arrivd here on Saty Eveng with an accot. of his having taken abot: 28 days ago on the Banks of New foundland a Packet calld the Congress bound from Philaa to Holland on board wch. was Mr Heny Laurens, His Secy, and another American genn [gentleman]. It appears that the Man of Wars...
42To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 29 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I hope my letter of the 26 By Mr. H——y B——m——d and a parcell of Books will get safe to your hands. Since that period, the arrival of news from N York by the Virginia Packet, which Saild the 1st Instant has depressd the spirits of the people and put them deeper into the dumps than they were ever before Elated. Every thing hare is in extreem. Nothing could exceed the folly of Exultation about...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [29 September 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania You have intimated in a late letter to me, in answer to one wherein I attempted to describe the folly & infatuation of these people in their extraordinary exultations ever since the taking of Charles Town, “That the second ‘hour of their Insolence’ might be of as short duration as the first ”. This has been strictly veryfyd, & the whole City is as much...
44To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 26 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
My Friend Mr. B—— will give you the news by the Cartel I some time ago mentiond to you to have arrivd from Boston at Bristol, as well as the proceedings here relative to that Cartel. I send you also by Him a Book and seven lately publishd Pamphlets. There has been a dearth of these sort of publications during the summer, but probably by the meeting of Parliament several political writers will...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 26 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My friend Mr Bromfield can best explain to You the business He is going upon as well as give you every accot. of the proceedings relative to the Brigantine Temple (the Cartel) in which He came from Boston. As I forwarded five Seamen from among our frds. to that vessel this day, I hope it will not be many days before She sails. There being nine Seamen,...
46To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 20 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
A Servant of the De Neufvilles going to Amsterdam early in the morning gives me an opportunity of sending a letter to you for Mr. Ridley in Maryland which I beg you to give to the first safe hand bound to America. We are still without any authentic accounts from N. York or the quarters of the British Army tho the general Town report is that Ministry have been some days in possession of bad...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 20 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Inclosd will inform you fully of some applications made Mr H for the release of some Prisoners now at St. Omers which seem to have passd your notice. They are American—Capturd & have lately petitiond the admiralty to procure their release. The Capt Scott mentiond also in the inclosd Letter, will I hope stand against Capt Manley; The Board of Sick &...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 18 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania As the bearer Mr Jones is known to you as well as his companion Mr Paradise I need not ask your usual civility to be extended to them. They are two excellent men & of the right sort to fix themselves in our Country where I am not without hopes of seeing them settled in a year or two. They will wait upon you immediately on arrival at Paris & return...
49To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 15 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
We are all so very busy in Election bustles that hardly anything political is talked of. The Ministry seem to be going on swimingly in getting in Creatures of their own so that their majority in the next will be more decided than in the last Parliament. The Poll has ended for the City and the members are Hayley, Kirkman, Bull, and Newnham. The last tho a Torey beat Sawbridge by 79 Votes....
50To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 8 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In Consequence of this passport Mr Robt Temple Charterd The Brig Temple 120 Tonns, no Guns, Capt. Jno Fletcher, 11 Seamen From Mr Tracey at Newbury Port, & binds Himself to Tracey that the Vessel shall be put in safety into a French or Spanish Port—which Mr Temple thought could be effected as a Flag of Truce. This has been refusd Him by Lord G. Germain,...