1To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 7 [August] 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am much Obliged to you for your Letter of the 26 th Ult. it was so long that I had heard from you, that I was fearful either mine or yours had Miscarried especially as I did not recive One from his Excellency until a Month after date. We Agree in the effect that the late Proclamation’s relative to the American Trade will have on the Temper of our Countrymen, who must besides at this Time be...
2To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 27 th of June; it surely ought to have arrived before.— I did myself the pleasure of sending to your Excellency about a fortnight ago several Peices cut out of News Papers. and in my Letter sent therewith informed you that the Treaty with Holland was printed with other Treaties at the End of a new Edition of the...
3To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, [ca. 8 July 1783] (Adams Papers)
I have reciv’d your Excellencys Letters of the 16 th of May & the 9 th of June— I had written to your Excellency oftener if I had not my Doubts whether you were at Paris, imagining that when M r Laurens left that Place, all business had been at an End, & that you had returned too. on my Arrival here I begged the Gentleman who had caused certain writings to be published to return me the...
4To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 3 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have had the very great Satisfaction of embracing M r Joshua Johnson after a long Separation, during trying & painful Times, the Sight of Him afforded me much Joy, which was not a little increased by his presenting to me your Excellencys Letters of the 18 & 21 April, having been for some time under much Uneasyness at not having had a Line from You, when I Know a fresh attack had been made on...
5To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 15 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to your Excellency, and sending several inclosures by the last Post. I send herewith another, which ought to have preceeded in publication one, which your Excellency has received. I suppose M r Hartly is or will be soon, with you. He says He shall settle matters at Paris in a little while. and M r Fox has said the same thing. the Bill which the Latter...
6To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 11 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have received Letters from your Excellency of the 24 th & 28 th Ult. what accompanied the last will be published with other Matters of a like Nature & altogether will make an handsome & interesting Collection. The mischiefs, that might have ensued from the intended American Trade Bill are at length guessed at by many, and the Difficulty of drawing it up, to the Content of Selfishness, (which...
7To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to Your Excellency about a Week Ago. I have now only to enclose the last bill introduced into the House of Commons for the purpose of opening an Intercourse with the United States. and what passed thereupon Yesterday in the House, where I was, & where I observed as much embaressement arising from Ignorance or Selfishness, as can be imagined. Your Excellency...
8To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 14 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have been now three weeks in this City, mixing with men of various characters & Parties in order to find out their Desposition towards our Country, the result of my Observations is that the people at large tho by no means having any real Friendship for the United States, are willing to Acquiesce in the present Situation of Things, & to serve themselves of the commerce, which America holds...
9To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 23 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty to inform your Excellency that I arrivd here Safe last Friday after having had a tolerable good Journey. I have seen a Gentleman in this Town twice since my Arrival— He has said nothing in particular to me, but his Reception has been somewhat Cool.— if He Continues his Silence, I propose to go, where your Excellency recommended to me. but I do it with some Anxiety, being...
10To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 16 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on having Compleated the work of which you have been the Sole Author. This being finished will not your Excellency Show yourself openly in an Affair, which must Stand in need of your inate Stubborness, in order to Check anothers Pliancy. In short Shall I not have the Pleasure of seeing your Excellency Soon in your way to Paris? Are not things ripe for you? By...
11To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 25 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did not receive any Slips by the two last Posts. I am particularly obliged to your Excellency for your Favor of the 16th. Instant. The Dutchman Compliment was really polite the Sentiments of certain public Characters relative to the American Independance lead to something Substantial. I find it is the wish of some to see the letters now publishing in the news papers collected in a Pamphlet....
12To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I inclose herewith some Slips which came to Hand by the last Mail. A Letter from Mr L of the 7th Instant has the following Paragraph. I have had the Honour of corresponding with Mr Adams, All is well, it could not be otherwise it cannot be otherwise, when Men are not determined to be Knaves or Fools. I am Happy to find Mr L satisfied with your Excellencys Conduct towards Him. I have sent the...
13To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 12 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 7th Instant, the Shrewed Man mentioned therein is now in this Town. He talks I am told of residing here. I have a Letter from my Freind at Paris. He seems to be much satisfied with Mr J Firmness, who has declared He will treat with no Powers where Our Independance becomes a Question and is disputed. “He has no great Confidence in...
14To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 5 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd Your Excellencys Letter of the 30th Ult., together with three Papers inclosed therewith. The last shall be sent as directed, and I trust they will give full Satisfaction. I informed your Excellency in my last, that Mr L. Proposed to return to America by the way of England, having Sollicitd a Passport for that purpose, which has been granted at the request of Lord Cornwallis. I...
15To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have not heard from Mr Lawrens since He sent me the Letter of a part of which I have sent your Excellency a Copy but Mr Lee tells me that He has written to London demanding a Passport to go from thence to America as He finds a difficulty in getting a safe Passage there from France. My Friend in London writes me that the Passport is granted at the request of Lord Cornwallis. I Know not...
16To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Am honoured with the Receipt of your Excellencys Letter of the last Post. The Letter of which I gave your Excellency an Extract about a fortnight Ago made me very Uneasy, as it shewed me there was a misunderstanding somewhere—I could wish your Excellency would clear it up by a Letter to our Friend at Nantes. I fancy He imagines that His name is joined with yours in the Different Commissions,...
17To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Have received your Excellencys Letter of the 12th Instant. I am rejoiced that your Excellency has Got Satisfactory news from Paris and Petersbourgh. I shall Know what it is in good Time, in the mean while confiding myself on your Excellencys Contentment, I am Easy. I wish the measure recommended in the Leiden Papers was adopted the Effect upon England and other Powers would be Obvious....
18To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 11 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I obeyed your Excellencys Commands most Litterally when I wrote to Mr L. to which I have this day receivd the following Answer. “When you write next to my good Friend Mr Adams I beg you would assure Him from the moment I receivd Intelligence of that Anonymous Scrip, I treated it with the Utmost Contempt and Abhorrence, I replied to the Gentleman, who transmitted it to me in the following words...
19To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 1 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Supposing your Excellency ignorant of what is true, I take the Liberty of sending you what may be false, but it comes from England, that Land of Insidiousness. Preliminaries of a Peace, said to be formed by the Rockingham Party, but if formed by any one I think Ld Shelburne is the Man. 1st That the british Troops shall be withdrawn from the 13 Provinces of N America and a Truce made between G...
20To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured by the receipt of your Excellencys Letters of the 17th and 20th Instant. Considering the former Conduct of Mr Fox in the Early part of Life one cannot but be astonished at what He is now doing. His Ideas are vast and his Fortitude wonderful in these Times; but to tell your Excellency truly I can never trust a Man entirely, whose principles and course of Life were once so loose...
21To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 14 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured by the Receipt of your Excellencys Letters of the 5th and 9th Instant. The Letter to Mr Boylston is sent. Your Excellencys Enquiry of me of the news about Peace, under a Presumption, that I Know the whole History and that you Know nothing of it, makes me smile, and at the same Time gives me Concerns; Surely you ought to be acquainted with every thing, and I cannot have any...
22To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 20 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of having recived your Excellencys Letters of the 1st and 7th Instant. My Friend B cannot tell me any thing more of the Anonymous Letter, but that He receivd it by the foreign post, and that it cost 10 d. The post mark does not appear on it. B had sent a Copy of it to Mr L. It was therefore the Subject of a Conversation between us. Wherein He declared his Disbeliff, and...
23To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 6 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I recievd yesterday your Excellencys Letter of the 1st Instant. I am sorry to hear that your Excellency is sick in Body your Heart is am sure not so, I see that is sound by all your Actions. I sent your Excellency a Receipt from one of our unfortunate Countryman in prison; If I remember right Mr Sawrey wrote on it, recommending to your Charity 7 of those, who were releivd in March last: Their...
24To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 29 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will permit me to Congratulate you on you having before This embraced the noble Sufferer Mr Lawrens. I wish I had been a witness of the mutual pleasure you had in meeting one Another in a free Republick. I doubt not that your Excellency has recievd the Pamphlets, which I sent by Mr Myers, and Mr Hollis Memoirs, conveyed to you by my Friend Mr Ridley. The Copy which Mr B Hollis...
25To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 16 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd a Letter from Mr B of the 3d, wherein He says; that He has every reason in the World to Think, that what He had said to me in the preceeding Letter, (Extracts from which I took the Liberty of sending to your Excellency) was Justly founded, that Mr L is doubtful, whether He shall Act in Character , and that He is well receivd. I doubt not of this Gentleman Acting rightly, but I...
26To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 16 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I take the Liberty of writing to your Excellency this Letter, expresly to recommend my Friend Mr Ridley to your Excellencys Notice. I Knew Him long in England and Ever found Him warm, Active and Affectionate to the Cause of America, we left the Ennemys Country together. He has since been in America where He signalized Himself, in being very instrumental in providing Vessels for transporting...
27To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 6 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have receivd your Excellencys Letter of the 28th of April, informing me of the Receipt of mine of the 18th and 24th of the same Month. Your Excellency will give me leave to thank you for Accepting my Congratulations on your being acknowledged minister of the United States which I Know you would not have done, if you had not Thought, they were sincere. I am pleased with the Compliment paid by...
28To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Assure myself, that your Excellency will permit me to offer my Congratulations to you on your Excellencys being publickly Acknowledged Minister of the United States. I am rejoiced at this Event for your Excellencys Honor, as well as for the Interest of our Country—you will believe me, I am Confident, when I say I feel for both, and both are in good Hands. Go on in your Noble Career; I Know...
29To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 18 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 3d Instant at Paris, where I had gone in Company with Mr De Neufville. I paid my respects to his Excellency at Passy, and was invited to dine with Him on Sunday last, after He Was informed that I proposed quitting Paris on that Day. I have long paid a particular Attention to your Excellencys Movements in Holland, and it is with the...
30To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Congratulate your Excellency on the Confusion in England. A Letter from thence received this day says, that the King sent on Saturday night (ie, Saturday sennight), for the Chanceller conversed with Him, and deffered—so parted, and about 4 o Clock on Sunday Morning sent again for Him to come immediately; the Chancellor sent him Word, that He was too ill, but would come as soon as He arose,...
31To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 15 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I think your Excellency must have been greatly surprized at the Vote, which the House of Commons came to on General Conways Motion agst the Advisers for subduing America by Force; but how much soever One may be surprized to see such a measure taken at this Time, it is perhaps more Amazing that it was not taken before; it ought to have been the Declaration of Parliament at the beginning of the...
32To John Adams from Edmund Jenings , 7 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Congratulate your Excellency on the Confusion that the English ministry is in; besides That, I see but very little that our Country has reason to rejoice in from the late Triumph of the minority, which appears to me to have as perverse a disposition as its Enemies, the former majority. I doubt not that your Excellency has seen the Speech which the attorney General made the day preceding his...
33To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 4 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 21st ultimo and by the next post to England executed your Excellencys Command with respect to our unhappy Countrymen, who I doubt not will soon receive the relief, your Excellency has sent them. I wrote at the same time what I had in Command from your Excellency about Mr Lawrens. A Letter lately come to hand from my Friend tells me...
34To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I beg your Excellency would Accept my Thanks for the publications, which I have lately had the Honor of receiving from you; and for your Letter to the Abbé Raynal, who receivd me in Consequence thereof with the utmost Politeness and Attention. He spoke of your Excellency with the Greatest Cordiallity and respect, and seemed concerned, that you was not quite satisfied with the facts, as laid...
35To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 2 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 26th Ult. An american Gentleman passing through this Town had deliverd to me before the 1st volume du politique Hollandois, for which I humbly thank your Excellency, as I must do for your Intention to send me the second Vol. but as I have taken in all the numbers thereof and shall continue to have them as they come out, I must beg...
36To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 24 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I receivd your Excellencys Letters of the 29th ultm. and 1st Instant yesterday and (not before) to my great Surprize and Yesterday was out of the Course of the Dutch post which arrivd to day. I was fearful that your Excellency had not quite recovered of your Illness in the Summer, the Nature of which is to Continue some time without great care. That your Excellency has been very busy I can...
37To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 28 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Altho I am fearful, that my Correspondance has lately been Troublesome to your Excellency, yet I cannot help sending the inclosed Letter from a Friend, whose Heart is sensible to every Impression of public and private Virtue. He has been a long Time acquainted with his Excellency Mr Lawrens, and therefore esteems Him. He is touched, your Excellency will see at his present Situation, I must...
38To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to Congratulate your Excellency on the late Glorious News received from Virginia and Carolina. It seems to be of the last Importance. The English here are Confounded by it, and I should think the Court of London will not be less so, when it receives it, altho it has had for some Time reason to expect it. The English Minister here sent a Messenger immediately on the receipt...
39To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 14 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I trouble your Excellency at this Time to transcribe the following Letter “sent by Person of some Distinction at Paris to a Man not less so in London” the Copy of which I have just now receivd. “Nous ne donnons pas á Monsieur Ad: une Confiance bien aveuglé; et ce n’est pas sans cause quils ont mis autour de lui des Hommes, qui l’Observent, on le croit honnête; on le scait ardent; inflex ible...
40To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 28 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I trouble your Excellency with This to inform your Excellency, that I receved this Day the Bill of £10. on London to be applied to the Relief of five poor American Citizens. I shall write to my Friend for that purpose by the next Post. But shall not send the Bill yet, as I see that it appears on the face of it, that the value of it was paid by your Excellency, whose Name, however honored by...
41To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 20 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of having received your Excellencys Letter of the 9th Instant, which afforded me the utmost Joy, as it gave me reason to think your Excellencys Health was somewhat reestablished, I wish it may be soon perfectly so, for your Excellencys Sake and that of the Public. When I wrote to your Excellency last, I apprehended, that a certain Gentleman was the only one added to your...
42To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 17 September 1781 (Adams Papers)
I Hope this will find Your Excellency’s Health well established, and that your Disorder has not left the Remains usually attendant on it, but that your wonted Spirit and Fortitude are continud, for indeed, they are necessary to you at this Juncture, if I am rightly informed of a late transaction in America, which has grievd and Confounded me above Measure. The Hints given me of it are...
43To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter, of the 18th. Instant, This Day. Indeed, Sir, the Dutch have Acted Nobly. They have astonished their Friends and confounded their Ennemies and have shewn that the contempt, in which they have hitherto been held, did not result from the Body of the people. But whilst this Engagement in the old stile may serve as an Hint to the English ought...
44To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 11 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
On my return to this Town I found a Letter from London informing me that the 20£ was paid according to order. The Gentleman, who executed this Commission is named Bridgen and his address is Bridgen & Waller London, putting a little, b thus under the Seal, which prevents his Partner opening the Letter. He sent me the inclosed Copies of an Ode. I find in his letter the following Paragraph: “I...
45To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
I think your Excellency will not be Surprized to find that I am stil at Amsterdam. Mr. Dana is so well Accompanied on his Route, that it was quite Unnecessary any one Else should attend him; and the Difficulties daily arising in the Dispatch of the South Carolina take from me any certainty of leaving this Place yet awhile. Tis true we are told that she will go on such a day and such a day. But...
46To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 30 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had yesterday the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 27th. Instant, which afforded me the greatest pleasure, as it assured me of your Excellencys Health, which I was fearful was affected, and shewed at the same time that you were in Spirits. The natural and political Climate of the Country, where your Excellency now is, being foggy a Man must have a stout Heart and strong Body...
47To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 22 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is so very long since I had the Honor of hearing from your Excellency, that I am fearful your Excellency is out of order. I take the Liberty of informing your Excellency, that I shall leave this place the Tenth of next Month, in order to Conduct my Nephew to Nantes, where He will embark about the first of June for America. Should your Excellency have any Commands I can Answer for Him, He...
48To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 4 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
By a London Newspaper receivd this Day by the way of Margate (for the two last posts are not Arrivd) I find that Tarlton has been defeated by Genl. Morgan near 96. The Congress has published an Account of it, which I suppose the English Ministry will secrete, but it appears by private Letters, that a number of men have been Killed or taken Prisoners. That Tarletons own regiment is almost...
49To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Capture of St. Eustache, which was to be expected, and the immense Acquisition of Property in the Ships taken will surely rouse the antient Spirit of the Dutch, which was always greatest in Times of the greatest Calamity. Or will this Misfortune be wickedly turned against the Friends of the Independance of the States? I am anxious to hear how this News will be recievd in Holland. Your...
50To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have recived your Excellencys Letter of the 12th. Instant. It afforded me much Consolation being much depressed at the possible ill turn affairs might have taken if the Empress had in the least Started aside from Her noble System. But I find, she is Steady, and by consequence our Malicious Enemy may be brought to Submit to what is reasonable and Just. I Hope however, that Holland will not be...