From John Adams to Francis Dana, 2 September 1780
To Francis Dana
Amsterdam Septr. 2. 1780
Dear Sir
Yours of 27 Ultimo came to hand last night. Mr. Bradford informs me that he Sent to Paris by Post a Packet from Dr. Cooper to me.1 Have you heard nothing of it?
Upon my first Arrival I told Mr. De Neufville, that I had orders to pay him 60£ st. for you and offered to do it then; but he has put it off.
There are no Vessells here going to Massachusetts—but there is one going to Rhode Island, and one to Virginia. There is one also in which Mr. Cabot is interested. I thank you for accepting Mr. Gardoqui’s Bill. The News of the Captures made off St. Vincents by the combined Fleets has not yet gained full Credit here. There is neither Letter nor Newspaper from London later than the 18 of August.
I came this moment from paying Mr. De Neufville, and inclose you his Recipt for Sixty Louis D’ors. The News of the Captures off St. Vincents is confirmed in Abundance from London, and We have News at Same Time of an American Frigate and two Privateer Brigs taking most of the Quebec Fleet.
A Vessell has arrived from Virginia and another from Philadelphia. Mr. Robert Temple and his Family, are arrived at Bristol from Boston. All these Vessells agree in their Accounts that Things are very well. But no Letters.2 You will see G. Washingtons and Greens Accounts of Kniphausens Defeat and Retreat from the Jersies. There are Associations for forming Banks at Philadelphia and another talked of at Boston. The Mass Constitution is accepted by more than 2/3 of the People and is to take Place the first of October. My Loves to M. T[haxter]. and my dear Friends the Abbys Chalut and Arnoux. My Thanks also to Mr. Grand for his genteel Letters of Recommendation and Credit.3 With much affection your Friend
LbC (Adams Papers).
1. For Samuel Bradford and the packet, probably Samuel Cooper’s letter of 11 May (Adams Papers), see Cooper’s letter of 23 May, note 6 (above) and Francis Dana’s letter of 9 Sept. (below).
2. The recently arrived ships may not have carried any letters, but that from Philadelphia likely brought newspapers, namely the Pennsylvania Packet of 1 July and the Pennsylvania Journal for 5 and 12 July. These issues are referred to in the Gazette de Leyde of 8 Sept., and Jean Luzac’s letter of 7 Sept. (below) thanked JA for sending three American newspapers. The Pennsylvania Packet of 1 July contained the letters from Gens. Greene and Washington, dated 24 and 25 June respectively, the first reporting on the defeat of Lt. Gen. Knyphausen’s expedition into New Jersey and the second transmitting the report to Congress. The two issues of the Pennsylvania Journal contained the reports on efforts to establish banks at Philadelphia and Boston and on the Massachusetts Constitution.
3. An undated note by Ferdinand Grand, probably written on or about 1 Aug. (Adams Papers), served as a covering letter for four letters of credit and recommendation, of which only three are with Grand’s note in the Adams Papers. The three letters, each dated 28 July, are directed to Frederick Romberg & fils at Brussels, Pierre Cornabé & fils & Cie. at Leyden, and Henry Dusauzet at The Hague. The presence of the three letters in the Adams Papers probably indicates that they were not used and make it likely that the missing fourth letter was used and was directed to a firm in Amsterdam.