1001John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 11 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received a day or two agone the vocabulary which I desir’d you to send, for which I am much obliged to you. Last Thursday I went to hear the Rector Magnificus for last year speak an oration. The Rector for this year is professor Voorda. All the Professors of the university, the Burgomasters and the Schepens of the city were there. Professor Hollebeek (the last years rector) is Profesor in...
1002John Thaxter to John Adams, 11 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform You that Charles was matriculated the 29th. of last Month, by the Consent of the Curators, to whom the Matter was proposed. The Letter, that You was so good as to inclose, was from Mr. Williams of Nantes, who informs me that the Aurora Captain Porter had arrived at L’Orient to his Address. She mounts eighteen six pounders, and is to be dispatched as soon as possible...
1003To 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...
1004To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 10 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je suis encore inconsolable de la publication précipitée de la Résolution: car elle m’a fait manquer l’occasion d’une adresse toute belle et toute naturelle que j’aurois pu faire de votre part à certaine Cour par le moyen de son Ministre ici, et même de ménager une premiere entrevue entre vous et lui à cette occasion. L’A—— r de notre Allié pense comme moi. Il a approuvé la maniere dont j’ai...
1005C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 10 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am still disconsolate about the precipitous publication of the resolution. Because of it, I missed the opportunity to write, on your behalf, a fine and natural address to a certain court to be conveyed by its minister here, and beyond that to arrange an introductory meeting here between you and him on this occasion. The ambassador of our ally thinks as I do. He approved of the manner in...
1006To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Johonnot who sails in the Frigate Alliance, I expected would have tarried with us a day or two longer. His sudden and unexpected Call to go on Board this Ship which now lies at some Distance from the Town allows me but a Moment to write you. The Colonel can give you all the News. Colonel Laurens who goes in the same Vessel upon some secret and important Errand of Congress is capable of...
1007To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu et vu avec autant de satisfaction la belle et bonne Résolution du Congrès du 5 Octob., que j’ai eu de regret de voir cette Piece publiée trop précipitamment dans la Gazette d’Amsterdam. Sans cela je vous aurois conseillé de renvoyer cette publication de quelques ordinaires; et j’aurois fait avec plus de grace une démarche, qui vous auroit pu conduire tout d’un coup à une liaison...
1008C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received and have seen with much satisfaction Congress’ great and good resolution of 5 October. Unfortunately it was published precipitously in the Gazette d’Amsterdam . Otherwise, I would have advised you to postpone its publication so that I could have written a more graceful démarche that you could have sent at once to an important liaison. I must now prepare a less graceful démarche...
1009To John Adams from the Comte de Sarsfield, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je vous ai, Monsieur, une obligation infinie de m’avoir procuré la connoissance de Monsieur Searle. Je n’en ai encore gueres profité. Je n’ay eu Lhonneur De le voir qu’une fois; mais J’espere que mercredi nous boirons ensemble a votre Santé. Il m’a appris que vous restiez en Hollande dont Je ne vous cacherai pas que J’ay eté faché, apres quoy, par reflexion, J’ay pensé qu’il falloit Etre bien...
1010The Comte de Sarsfield to John Adams: A Translation, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have an infinite obligation to you, sir, for providing my introduction to Mr. Searle. I have hardly been able to profit from it since I have only had the honor of seeing him once. But I hope that we can share a drink together on Wednesday and toast to your health. He told me that you have been staying in Holland, a fact, which I will tell you openly, made me angry. But after some reflection...
1011To John Adams from John Thaxter, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of yours of Yesterday a few Moments past. I was happy to learn, that the News from our Country is agreable. The Extract from Charlestown furnishes another instance of English Barbarism—another Trait of Despair. The Resolution Thanks you mentioned were very justly deserved, and an Acknowledgment that ought not to have been omitted. There is another Correspondence, which has an...
1012To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Charles Jenkins of the Brig Sally arrived here this morning to my address, he left Rhode Island on the 12 Jan and reports that affairs were in the same State, the English Fleet in Gardiners Bay and the French in Rhode Island and both armies in Winter Quarters. By this Vessell I received the inclosed Letter which I take the earliest Opportunity to forward. Were I to attempt to make an...
1013To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 8 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
After the late conference yoúr Excellency honourd me with, we should have had the honoúr to answer her most Esteemd favoúr sooner, bútt I am confind to my room, and in want of some information aboút the form of the bonds. As to the terms Yoúr Excellency pleased to fixe on the Loan, relating to oúr Comission, we can have no objection, we wish chearfully to comply there with; as also, to leave...
1014To John Adams from William Lee, 8 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this, Mr. Brailsford a native of South Carolina, is now on his way to America with the laudable design of serving his Country in the Feild, and being desirous of the Honor of your acquaintance I have taken the Liberty of introducing him to your Civilities, as I am sure you will take pleasure in incouraging such praiseworthy motives as carry Mr. Brailsford to America. Since my...
1015To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ai qu’un instant avant le depart de la poste, pour vous faire parvenir le Poscrit ci joint pour le Congrès. Mr. Deane a repassé ici hier au Soir revenant d’Amsterdam; et il est reparti ce matin pour Paris. Je suis surpris de n’avoir pas vu revenir encore Mr. Gillon de Rotterdam. Avez-vous de ses nouvelles? Ou est-il de retour à Amsterdam? Je suis toujours avec les sentimens de respect et...
1016C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have only a moment before the mail departs, to send you the enclosed postscript for Congress. Mr. Deane passed through here yesterday coming back from Amsterdam. He left again this morning for Paris. I am surprised that I did not see Mr. Gillon again on his return from Rotterdam. Do you have any news of him? Or is he back in Amsterdam? I remain as always, with sentiments of respect and...
1017To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honorée vôtre du 6e. et j’y répondrai à loisir un autre jour. Je vous dirai seulement que je suis bien faché que vous n’ayiez pas les Pouvoirs dont vous parlez, et, qu’il me paroît nécessaire de demander ces Pouvoirs au C—— pour vous sans perte de temps. Il ne s’agit pas de traiter avec cette Rep. seule, ni avec elle la premiere mais avec la Russie, et par elle avec les autres Alliés....
1018C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 6th and will respond to it at my leisure another day. I will only say to you that I am angry that you do not have the powers you spoke about, and that it seems necessary to ask Congress for these powers immediately. It is not a question of making a treaty with only this republic, nor with it the first one, but rather signing one with Russia, and after...
1019To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have this day the Honor of receiving your Excellency Letter of the 5th. Instant: It mentions no particulars, but says in general all things are well in the North, and shews that your Excellency is well-satisfied, I am rejoiced at it. I inclose to your Excellency a Copy of the Translation &c. I Hope the Print thereof will meet with your Excellencys Approbation. I have three more of them,...
1020To John Adams from John Thaxter, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honor of your’s of the 4th. instant. I acquainted Mr. Luzac immediately with your Request respecting the Crisis, who informed me that it should be translated as soon as possible into the Language You have chosen. I am exceedingly sorry to learn that the Complaint in your Eyes has returned, and that your Health suffers. I should have been very happy to have taken off your...
1021To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 5 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
La Lettre ci-jointe au Congrès répond en grande partie aux honorées votre du 31e. Janv. et 2 fevr. Je pense avec vous que la disette de grains en Europe, et notamment en Angle., fera beaucoup de bien à plusieurs Egards à l’Amérique. J’ai déjà fait, et je ferai encore bon usage, de tout ce que vous me marquez dans ces Lettres. Je n’ai pas encore vu la vie privée de Louis XV. Mais je n’en sens...
1022C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 5 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letter to Congress is mainly a response to your letters of 31 January and 2 February. I agree with you that the grain shortage in Europe, and especially in England, will be advantageous to America in many ways. I have already made good use of the information you gave me in these letters and will continue to do so. I have not yet seen the Vie privée de Louis XV . But I do not...
1023To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 5 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving this Day your Excellencys Letter of the 31st. Ultimo. The deferring the Acknowledgment of our Independancy to the Turns which a Negociation for a general Peace may take is in my opinion a very weak and perhaps Unfriendly Plan. I am confident this Measure would tend most to bring England to a general Accomodation, for it would take from Her every resource and every...
1024To John Adams from William Tudor, 5 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of your Letter by Monsieur Jean Baptiste Petry about six Weeks since, and should before this Time have acknowleged the Receipt of it, had a favourable Opportunity presented but so many of our merchant Ships are captured that a Letter goes subjected to too much Hazard which is transmitted by a private Vessel; This goes by The Alliance and I hope will arrive safe, for the Loss...
1025To John Adams from Philippe André Joseph de Létombe, 4 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have answer’d, three days ago, at Paris the Letter I have been honour’d from your Excellency by the honourable James Searle Esqer. My heart is full of gratitude and desires nothing more than to deserve to be instructed with your Excellency’s absolute confidence. I shall be at Paris Saturday next. Will sett out for Brest at the End of the following week from whence I hope to sail towards...
1026John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 3 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday received your’s of the 31st of Jany. in whic you desir’d me to write you a few lines now and then to inform you of my progress in Literature. I have just finish’d Copying a Treatise upon Greek by Mr. Hemsterhuis which our master has been so good as to lend me. It is very rare and there are but very few exemples of it here, and I believe that you would be very much pleas’d with it....
1027To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 3 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai les honorées vôtres des 31e. Janvr. et 2e. fevr. reçues toutes les deux à la fois ce matin. Je suis bien charmé that all’s well in America . En revanche, je vous dirai, that all’s well at Pertersb . Car je sai de bonne part, qu’avanthier un Exprés est arrivé avanthier delà, au Mine. de cette Cour-là, en réponse à la notification du départ de S. J. Y., et que les dispositions de la dite...
1028C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 3 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letters of 31 January and 2 February together this morning. I am very delighted that all’s well in America . In response, I tell you, that all’s well at St. Petersburg , because I heard on good authority the day before yesterday, that an express post arrived the day before that from the minister of that Court in response to the departure of Sir Joseph Yorke, and that the...
1029John Thaxter to John Adams, 1 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have waited on Mr. Luzac with the Crisis, who is much obliged to You for it, and will either translate it into Dutch or French, as shall be most agreable to You, and as soon as possible. You will be so good as to acquaint me, which of the two Languages is your Choice. I waited a few days agone on the Rector Magnificus with Charley, and was informed by him, that his Matriculation was...
1030To John Adams from Francis Dana, 1 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed letters of our Friend, of the 12th. and 14th. of last Month, the Resolution of Congress of the 12th. together with the journals of Congress for Septr. and Octr. and a number of News papers down to the 19th. Decr. came to hand yesterday eveng. These, all together, wou’d make a large budget to no good purpose, I have cut out of the papers, every peice of intelligence of which, I...
1031To John Adams from Francis Dana, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I write you at present principally to communicate the following intellegence from Martinique. It is just given to me by our good Friends the two Abbés, who tell me it may be depended on, as they had it from Mr. Neckar’s Office. La derniere Convoi parti du Ferrol, est arrivé ici le 14. Xbre. il manque peu de batiments—Le 4 Vaisseaux venue de St. Doming. sous les ordres de Monsr. Le Chevr....
1032To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Four mails arrived yesterday, by them we find that Eleven East Indiamen are arrived at Brookhaven in Ireland. A Ship is arrived from N York, but no news transpires. The English Minister seems to be ready to pardon the Dutch on condition they submit. He treats them as He did the Americans, and will I Hope receive the same Treatment as from our Countrymen. One of the Court news papers says there...
1033To John Adams from William Lee, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you the 28th. but omitted answering your Quere about the Southern States determining to embody Ne groes as an Army. I never heard of such an Idea but in the letter forged, as from Genl. Clinton, nor do I immagine such a one will ever be entertain’d seriously in those States, for exclusive of many reasons against it that appear unanswerable, those who know the...
1034To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 29 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Dans ma Lettre d’hier il y a une erreur qui doit être redressée. Ce n’est point parce qu’on attend un Courier de Petersbourg, que le Manifeste n’a pas encore été publié, mais parce que les villes d’Amsterdam et de Dort ne sont point contentes de celui qui est dressé, ne le trouvent pas assez fort, et veulent qu’on en fasse un autre. Voilà la seule raison qui a retardé celui-ci; et l’on en fera...
1035C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 29 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
In yesterday’s letter I made an error which must be corrected. It is not the awaited arrival of the St. Petersburg courier that has delayed the publication of the manifesto, but rather that the cities of Amsterdam and Dordrecht are not satisfied with the current one. They find it too weak and want it redone. This is the only reason for its delay, and another one will be drafted. Your...
1036To John Adams from Henry Grand, 29 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
By order and for Account of M. Fr. Dana I am to credit your Account for 2658.16.10 which I have already done, and said Money will rest at your Disposal. Said Gentleman has likewise remitted me 4 Loan office Bills amounting to 2390. for your Account also, and for which you will have credit when in cash. No Body has yet drawn on me, Sir for the Madeira Wine I have in my Cellar belonging to you,...
1037Abigail Adams to John Adams, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening General Lincoln call’d here introducing to me a Gentleman by the Name of Col. Laurence the Son as I suppose, of your much esteemed Friend, the late president of congress who informed me that he expected to sail for France in a few days, and would take dispatches from me. Altho I closed Letters to you by way of Holland a few days ago, I would not omit so good an opportunity as the...
1038To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honorée vôtre du 25e., dont le contenu m’a fait grand plaisir, non seulement par l’approbation que vous donnez de vous adresser de temps en temps des Lettres pour le Congrès, mais aussi par l’entretien agréable que m’ont procuré les matieres interessantes dont elle est remplie. Il faudra attendre, que la prise des vaisseaux des Indes Anglois près du Cap de B. E., par l’Escadre...
1039C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 25th, the content of which gave me much pleasure, not only because you agreed to send my letters on to Congress from time to time, but also because it was filled with agreeable conversation about interesting matters. We must wait for confirmation about the taking of the British East Indiamen off the Cape of Good Hope by the French squadron, before it can be...
1040To John Adams from William Lee, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 20th. instant which disappointed me a good deal, for I had received much pleasure from being told by Mr. Searle that you were fully vested with the same powers that Mr. Laurens had, which occasion’d my writing what I did in my last. I must confess that I can’t be perfectly easy, however favorable things may appear, while the War continues and the Independence...
1041John Thaxter to John Adams, 25 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of yesterday was recieved this morning. I suspect it was opened before it came to my hands. The Seal appeared to have been good at first, but when delivered to me, it the Impression was very faint in many places—perhaps it may be accidental. The Hymn to Ceres was forgotten at the time that I inclosed the fundamenta Jurisprudentiae Nat:—I shall send it by this Opportunity. I shall...
1042To John Adams from Bidé de Chavagnes, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Le capitaine chavagnes est trop flatté de lhonneur de votre connoissance, et vous a voué des sentiments trop sinceres pour ne pas vous reiterer linterest quil prendra toujours a votre santé a celle de vos chers enfents et de monsieur dena, et vous souhaiter tout le bonheur que vous meritez, je desirerois bien après vous avoir vu travailler fructueusement pour votre nation qui ne peut pas estre...
1043Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Captain Chavagnes is very flattered by the honor of your acquaintance and promises to you the most sincere sentiments in reiterating the interest he has in your health and that of your dear children and Mr. Dana, and wishes you all the happiness you deserve. I would like it very much if, after having seen you work so fruitfully for your country, which could not be in better hands, I could...
1044To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Pour Satisfaire à ma promesse de vous informer de tout ce qui se passera d’essentiel, gagner du temps, et m’épargner la peine, souvent presque insupportable, de copier trop de fois les mêmes choses, je prends le parti de vous adresser ouverte ma Lettre au Congrès, afin que vous puissiez la lire, et avoir la bonté de la joindre à la premiere que vous écrirez vous même en Amérique. Si cet...
1045C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
In order to keep my promise of sending you all essential news, to save time, and to spare me the sometimes intolerable task of copying the same things too many times, I decided to send my letter to Congress to you, so that you can read it, and then be kind enough to enclose it with your next letter to America. If this arrangement meets your approval, I will continue to do it from time to time;...
1046To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 20th. Instant, I receivd it with the greatest pleasure for I think it marks, that your Excellency is in Spirits, may You ever continue so, it will be a good Sign to me, that our Country is well. I this day receivd a Letter from Madrid dated the 8th. There are complaints in it of not hearing from Holland or France; the Abbé...
1047John Thaxter to John Adams, 23 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of your Note and the inclosed Extracts yesterday Morning; I waited on Mr. Luzac immediately with the Paper and shewed him the Extracts, with which he was highly gratified. He sent them so late last Evening that I had only time to inclose them to You. The News cannot but be agreable to every one who loves his Country, and feels interested in every Event that affects it: but the...
1048To 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,...
1049To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 22 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Fidele à ma promesse, j’ai l’honneur de vous donner connoissance, que le Courier attendu est arrivé hier au Soir de Pétersbourg, avec la nouvelle de la signature a la Convention entre les Ministres de la Russie et ceux de la rep. le 3 de ce Mois. Ainsi tout est en ordre. Si vous avez quelque chose de nouveau, quant aux affaires de l’Amérique, faites m’en part, de grace: car il importe de...
1050C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 22 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
As promised, I have the honor to inform you that the expected courier arrived last night from St. Petersburg, with news of the signing of the convention between the Russian ministers and those of the republic on the third of this month. Therefore everything is in order. If you have any news regarding American affairs, please let me know, since it is necessary here to supply intelligence for...