151From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 16 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the twelfth of this month, I removed into the Hôtel des Etats Unies de l’Amerique, situated upon the Canal called the Fleweele Burgwal at the Hague, where I hope the Air will relieve my Health in some degree from that weak state to which the tainted atmosphere of Amsterdam has reduced it. The American Cause has gained a signal Triumph in this Country. It has not persuaded an ancient Rival...
152From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 14 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
There is more matter than time to write at present. The King of Sweden has done the United-States great honor, in his Commission to his Minister here to treat with them, by inserting, that he had a great desire to form a Connexion with States, which had so fully established their Independence, and, by the wise & gallant Conduct, so well deserved it; and his Minister desired it might be...
153From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 14 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
You may easily imagine our Anxiety to hear from America, when You know that We have no News to this Hour, either of your Reception of the News of Peace, nor of that of the Treaty with Holland, four Copies of which I put on board four different Vessels at Amsterdam in October. We have been in equal Uncertainty about the Turn, which Affairs might take in England. But by Letters from M r. Laurens...
154From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 13 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Coll o: Ogden arrived with the originals, of what we had before received in Duplicates by Cap n: Barney. The Ratification of the Dutch Treaty had been before rec d. & exchanged. The Ratification of Their High-Mightinesses is in the safe Custody of M r: Dumas at present, at the Hague.— I believe we shall accept of the mediation of the two Imperial Courts at the Definitive Treaty, as...
155From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 5[–14] December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives I am honoured by your several Letters No 16. 17. 18. & 19. dated Sept. 5. 13. 13. & 18. I believe the Complaints you make in some of them of my not Writing, may ere now have appear’d less necessary, as many of my Letters written before those Complaints must have since come to hand: I will nevertheless mention some of the Difficulties your Ministers meet...
156From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 17 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
This morning I was in Conference with Mr: Fagel in order to make the last Corrections in the Language of the Treaty which is to be executed in English and Dutch as that with the Crown of France was in English and French. We have now, I hope, agreed upon every word if not every point, and nothing remains but to make five fair Copies of it for signature, which, however, is no little labour. The...
157From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Promise, which was made me by Mr. Bergsma, that I should have an Answer from the Province of Friesland in three Weeks, has been literally fulfilled. This Gentleman, who as well as his Province deserves to be remembered in America, sent me a Copy of the Resolution in Dutch as soon as it passed. It is now public in all the Gazettes, and is concieved in these Terms. “The Requisition of Mr....
158From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 14 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives I have but just received Information of this Opportunity, and have only time allow’d to write a few Lines. In my last of the 26th. past I mentioned that the Negociation for Peace had been obstructed by the Want of due Form in the English Commissions appointing their Plenipotentiaries. In that for treating with us, the Mentioning our States by their public...
159From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 14 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
A Jealousy of American Ships, Seamen, Carrying Trade, and naval Power, appears every day more & more conspicuous. This Jealousy, which has been all along discovered by the French Minister, is at length communicated to the English. The following Proclamation, which will not increase British Ships and Seamen, in any proportion as it will diminish those of the United States, will contribute...
160From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 16 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday we waited on the Comte de Vergennes at Versailles, and shew him the Project of a Letter to the Ministers of the two Imperial Courts, which he read and approved. We told him, that we were at a loss what might be the effect of the Mediation—possibly we might be involved in difficulties by it—possibly the British Ministers might persuade the Mediators to offer Us their Advice upon some...
161From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 13 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I went to Court with D r: Franklin, and presented to the Comte de Vergennes, our Project of a definitive Treaty, who told us he would examine it, and give us his sentiments upon it. It was Ambassadors day, and I had Conversation with a Number of Ministers, of which it is proper I should give you an Account. The Dutch Ambassador Berkenrode, told me, that last Saturday the Comte de...
162From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 30 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress In mine of the 9th Inst. I acknowledg’d the receipt of yours of Jany. 7. & I have not since received any of later Date. The Newspapers which I send you by this Conveyance will acquaint you with what has since my last passed in Parliament. You will there see a Copy of the Bill brought in by the Attorney Genl: for impowering...
163From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
The British Ministry, and Nation are in a very unsettled State. They find themselves in a new Situation and have not digested any Plan. Ireland is in a new Situation. She is independent of Parliament. And the English know not how to manage her.— To what an Extent She will claim a Right of trading with the United States is unknown. Canada too and Nova Scotia are in a new Situation. the former...
164From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 5 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose Copies in Dutch and English of the Negotiation, which I have entered into, for a Loan of Money. My Commission for borrowing Money, promises to ratify what I should do; and the Money Lenders, require Such a Ratification, which Messrs Willinks, Van Staphorsts, and De La Lande and Fynje, have engaged Shall be transmitted. Authentic Copies of the original Contracts, in...
165From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 10 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
By the Address of the House of Commons to the King, his Majesty’s Answer, and the Resolution of the House in Consequence of it, “that he would be highly criminal and an Enemy to his Country who should attempt to carry on an offensive War in America against the Sense of the House”: by the surrender of Minorca and the disastrous face of British Affairs in Ireland, as well as in the East and West...
166From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston: Two Letters, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS , press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress; (II) LS : New-York Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Since my last an extraordinary Revolution has taken place in the Court of England. All the old Ministers are out and the Chiefs of the Opposition are in their Places. The News Papers that I send will give you the Names as correctly as we yet...
167From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 12 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should have answered your favor of the 14th January before this time, had I not have been daily in hopes that I should have been able to have given you a satisfactory account of a change of Men and Measures in the North River department. It has not been an easy matter to find a just pretence for removing an Officer from his command, where his misconduct rather appears to result from want of...
168From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last evening M r. Hartley spent two hours with me, and appeared much chagrined at the Proclamation, which had never been communicated to him by his Principals. He has too much contempt of the commercial abilities of the French—and consequently said that the French could derive but little benefit from this step of his Court, but thought the Dutch would make a great advantage by it. I...
169From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 28 June 1782 (Jay Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to You on the 25 th . Instant— As the Express which is to carry that Letter, will not depart ’till To morrow Morning, I have a good Opportunity of making this Addition to my Dispatches. Agreeable to the Desire of Congress, as well as my own Wishes, I have had the Satisfaction of conferring with the Marquis de la Fayette, on several interesting Subjects. He is as...
170From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 13 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Question before the French Cabinet, whether they shall involve themselves in a War against two Christian Empires, in order to support a Turkish one is of a Serious Nature on many Accounts—If the Turks should be driven out of Europe, France would lose some of the Levant Trade and some of the coasting Trade of Italy: and these commercial and Naval Considerations are reinforced by others...
Your Letter of the 26 Instant was this Evening delivered to me. When I was called last from Convention, a Clause in the Report of the form of Government had been by a [ illegible ] very great Majority agreed to, instituting a Council for the appointm t of military and many civil Officers, including Clerks of Courts ; and tho’ I publicly advocated and voted for that Clause, you express much...
172From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
There is cause to be solicitous about the State of things in England. The present Ministry swerve more & more from the true System for the prosperity of their Country & ours. M r: Hartley, whose Sentiments are at bottom just, is probably kept here, (if he was not sent at first) merely to amuse us, & to keep him out of the way of embarrassing the Coalition, in Parliament We need not fear that...
173From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 25 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your Letter of the 15 th : Inst. informs me that you continue indisposed and that you are nursing yourself at Home—I am sorry for both—The first alarms me, & second on acc t of your Health & the second forebodes your being long sick. Amusement & Exercise are ought to be your Objects—At Home you can have little of either, Domestic Concerns, Variety of Business & twenty things going wrong for...
174From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 25 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
I scarcely ever address you in the familiar Stile, but I am insensibly led to reflect on what Clermont & we were fifteen or sixteen Years ago—nature seems to have given me a Propensity to Reverie, and I have long found pleasure in endulging it. past Scenes recalled to view in this Species of perspective appear much softned—the lesser asperities are lost in the Distance, and the more pleasing...
175From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the 14th. instant I had the honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your Duplicate of the 23d. of October. To day Major Porter brought me your favor of the 20th. of November, and the original of that of the 23d. of October. I congratulate You, Sir, on the glorious News contained in these Dispatches; but I cannot be of your Opinion, that great as it is, it will defeat every Hope that Britain...
176From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, 19 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
our Dispatches by Barney must be ready the Day after Tomorrow. The many Letters I have written, and have still to write, together with Conferences, Company &c a . keep me fully employed. You will therefore excuse my not descending so much to particulars, as both of us indeed might wish— As little that passes in Congress is kept entirely secret, we think it prudent at least to postpone giving...
177From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 27 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday D r: Franklin, M r: Jay, & myself met to prepare the Definitive Treaty, and made so much progress in it, that tomorrow we shall be ready to communicate to M r: Hartley the result: But I have small hopes of obtaining any thing more by the Definitive Treaty.— The Duke of Manchester & the Comte d’Aranda have arranged every thing between England & Spain, and are ready to finish for their...
178From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago arrived, by Cap n: Barney, the letters you did me the honor to write me, the 22 d. 29 th. 30, Triplicate of May, 4 th. July, 29 th. Aug st: & 15 th. Septem r: — I was unconditionally rec d. in Holland & promised, upon record, Conferences and Audiences whenever I sh
179From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23–24 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday last, I left Paris, and arrived here last night. This Morning, I sent M r: Dumas to M r. Van Berckel and M r Gyselaer to inform them of my arrival and to desire a Conversation with them upon the Subject of the Commerce, between the United States and the Dutch Establishments in the West Indies. M r: Van Berckel told M r Dumas “That S t: Eustatius and Curacao were open to the Vessels...
180American Peace Commissioners to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 14 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
We have the honour to congratulate Congress on the Signature of the Preliminaries of a Peace between the Crown of Great Britain & the United States of America, to be inserted in a definitive Treaty so soon as the Terms between the Crowns of France & Great Britain shall be agreed on. A Copy of the Articles is here inclosed, and we cannot but flatter ourselves, that they will appear to Congress...
181The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay...
182From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 4 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Triplicate of March 5. No: 5. Triplicate 22d. May. No. 6 Duplicate. 29th. May No: 7 and Duplicate of 30th May No: 8. together with the dispatches for Mr: Dana came to hand yesterday. The judicious enquiries in that of March. 5th. are chiefly answd. in the enclosd: pamphlett, wh: I have caused to be printed, in order to be sent into England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as America. You...
183From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 22[–26] July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS , press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress You have complained sometimes with reason of not hearing often from your foreign Ministers; we have had cause to make the same Complaint, six full Months having intervened between the latest Date of your preceeding Letters, and the receipt of those per Capt. Barney. During all this Time we were ignorant...
184From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 28 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
My Letter to his Excellency the President of Congress of 3 d . of October last, of which a Copy has ^ also ^ been since sent, contained a full and accurate account of their Affairs here. Many minute, and not very interesting details of little difficulties were omitted, and among others those which arose from my having no funds for the Bills payable in October and November &c. &c. The...
185From John Jay to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 17 November 1782 (Jay Papers)
Although it is uncertain when I shall have an opportunity either of finishing or transmitting the long particular ^ Letter ^ which I am now undertaking to write, I think the matter it will contain is too interesting to rest only in my Memory, or in short Notes, which nobody but myself can well unfold the meaning of. I shall therefore write on as my health will permit, and when finished shall...
186La Luzerne to Robert Livingston, 29 November 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai reçu la lettre par laquelle Vous m’apprenés le renouvellement de la Commission de M. Jepherson et la resolution du Congrès dont elle etoit accompagnée; c’est avec peine que j’avois vû ce Ministre decliner de prendre part à la négotiation pour la paix et j’apprends avec un grand plaisir qu’il se dispose à joindre les autres Ministres que le Congrés en a chargés. L’habileté de M. Jepherson...