1From John Adams to Hendrik Bicker, 1 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letter at Leyden, inclosing the Copy I had the Honour to Send you, and thank you, for your candid Judgment of its Extent and Import. I have now the Honour to inform you, that on my Return to Amsterdam the 25 of Feb. I received a Letter from Congress inclosing another Commission in proper Form, containing full Powers to treat with their High Mightinesses, and to conclude and...
2From John Adams to Hendrik Bicker, 19 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Questions to me, today, have induced me to communicate to you, in Confidence a Copy of my Commission. You See, that I have not the Title of Ambassador, nor of Minister Plenipotentiary, by Virtue of this Commission, nor have I in express Words, Power to make a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, much less a Treaty of Alliance offensive and defensive. My Power is to negotiate a Loan: but it may...