6301Memorial to the States General, 19 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Subscriber has the Honour to propose to your High Mightinesses, that the United States of America, in Congress Assembled, have lately thought fit to send him a Commission (with full Powers and Instructions) to confer with your High Mightinesses, concerning a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, an authentic Copy of which he has the Honour to annex to this Memorial. At the Times, when the Treaties...
6302Memorial to William V, Prince of Orange, 19 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Subscriber has the Honour to inform your most Serene Highness, that the United States of America, in Congress assembled, impressed with a deep Sense of your Wisdom and Magnanimity, and being desirous of cultivating the Friendship of your Highness and of the Seven United Provinces of the Netherlands, who have ever distinguished themselves by an inviolable Attachment to Freedom and the...
6303From John Adams to Francis Dana, 18 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am at no Loss, what Advice to give you, in answer to the Questions in your letter of this day, because they relate to a Subject, on which I have long reflected, and have formed an opinion, as fully as my Understanding is capable of. I think then that it is necessary for you to prepare for a Journey to Petersbourg without Loss of Time, that you travel in the Character of a Gentleman, without...
6304From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 17 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams’s Compliments to Mr. Van der Kemp and asks the favour of his Company this Evening at the golden Lyon, to Spend the Evening and Sup with a chosen few of honest Americans. RC ( PHi : John Adams Letters). For François Adriaan Van der Kemp, a Mennonite minister and supporter of the U.S. and Patriot causes, see JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H....
6305From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 16 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday had the honour of your’s of the seventh. The letter inclosed is a bitter satire on the nation which produced it. Is it possible that Arnold should shew his Face among Men after such a Letter? If it is not a bribe it is robbery committed in the American Service: for it is well known, that Arnold had no such Sum when the War began. He is now employed in stealing Tobacco and Negroes—...
6306From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 16 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency, that I have received from Congress, full Powers and Instructions to treat with the States General, and to conclude a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, consistent with the Relations already formed between the United States and France. And, that I have also received a Letter of Credence, as a Minister Plenipotentiary to their High Mightinesses; and...
6307To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 16 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I yesterday had the honour of your’s of the seventh. The letter inclosed is a better satire on the nation which produced it. Is it possible that Arnold should shew his Face among Men after such a Letter? If it is not a bribe it is robbery committed in the American Service: for it is well known, that Arnold had no...
6308From John Adams to Sigourney, Ingraham, & Bromfield, 13 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
It will be necessary for me to have, Tea Geer and Coffee Geer and Knives and Forks and Table Linnen. I believe a dozen and half of Tea Cups and Saucers and as many Coffee Cups— as many Silver Tea Spoons, and an equal Number of larger Spoons —a Set of Table Cloths and Napkins—whether there is half a dozen Table Cloths or a Dozen I dont know in a set. Two dozens of Knives and Forks. I know not...
6309From John Adams to Sigourney, Ingraham, & Bromfield, 11 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with your’s of the 10th. and thank You for the readiness with which You have undertaken to get me House as soon as may be. I will add to the former Trouble if You please, that of procuring me a good Cook, male or female, I care not which, and two Men Servants: one that is capable of managing the Affairs of an House, and one for a Valet de Chambre and Footman: and also...
6310From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 10 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Relying on your Virtues of and Graces of Faith and Hope, I accepted SSix Bills to the Amount of ten thousand Pounds Sterling, drawn in favour of Mr. Tracy. I have recieved Advice from Congress of more Bills drawn upon me: when they arrive and are presented, I must write You concerning them and desire You to enable me to discharge them: for I am sorry to be obliged to say, that although I have...
6311To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Relying on your Virtues and Graces of Faith and Hope, I accepted the Bills to the Amount of ten thousand Pounds Sterling, drawn in favour of Mr. Tracy. I have recieved Advice from Congress of more Bills drawn upon me: when they arrive and are presented, I must write You concerning them and desire You to enable me...
6312From John Adams to Sigourney, Ingraham, & Bromfield, 9 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am engaged in some Affairs, which will oblige me to be absent from Amsterdam for some days if not for some Weeks, but when I return it will be necessary for me to have an House to put my Head in and Furniture, suitable for a Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to receive and entertain Company &c. not in the Style of Sir J. Y. of 80.000 Guilders a Year, but however decent enough...
6313From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I returned last night to Leyden, and would Set off this morning for the Hague, if particular Reasons did not oppose. Having Something, a little interesting to communicate to you, I should be very much obliged to you, if you could come here to morrow morning. I should be glad of your answer this Evening, because if any thing makes it inconvenient to you to come here, I will go to the Hague, and...
6314From John Adams to the President of Congress, 6 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
This Day the Skipper of a Trech Schuit, brought me, your Excellencys important Dispatches by Coll. Laurens. The Coll. delivered them to Mr. Dana at Paris, with perfect Propriety. Mr. Dana with equal Propriety delivered them to a Gentleman of Character, who undertook to deliver them at Amsterdam, but unfortunately forgot them at Valenciennes. From Valenciennes they travelled partly by Post,...
6315From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 6 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency, that I have received from Congress a Commission, to their High Mightinesses with full Powers and Instructions to treat with their high mightinesses, concerning to conclude a Treaty of Amity and Commerce. I have also received Letters of Credence as a Minister Plenipotentiary to their High Mightinesses , the states General, and to his Most Serene...
6316From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Leyden, 29 March 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 287–294. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:335–337. Read in Congress on 19 Nov., this letter consists of an English translation of the memorial that Baron de Lynden, the Dutch...
6317From John Adams to the President of Congress, 29 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is of Importance to the People of America to observe how much lighter their own Burthens are than those of their Enemies, and for this Reason, I have every Year since I have been in Europe taken Notice of the new Taxes laid annually in Perpetuity upon the People of Great Britain by Parliament, in Support of Tyranny, in addition to all former Debts and Taxes. One sixth Part of the new Taxes...
6318From John Adams to John Jay, 28 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect. I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to...
6319To John Jay from John Adams, 28 March 1781 (Jay Papers)
It is so long since I wrote You, that I am almost ashamed to recollect. I have been in the most curious Country, among the most incomprehensible People and under the most singular Constitution of Government in the World. I have not been able to write You, what could or would be done here, because I was not able to discover, nor did I ever yet find one Man in the Country, who would pretend to...
6320From John Adams to Thomas Digges, 27 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am very much obliged to you, for the Trouble you have kindly taken in Sending me Gazettes, Pamplets, and Books, but the alteration of Circumstances, has rendered the Communication So difficult and expensive that I am obliged to desist. Two or three Packets which you mentioned in Letter not long Since have not arrived, nor have I heard any Thing of them. The Gazettes cost me by the Post, at a...
6321From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 27 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since I had the Honour to communicate to you my Commission to their High mightiness, by which the general Affairs of America, in this Republick come under my direction, you may possibly be at some Uncertainty about your own Situation and the Continuance of that Small annual Sum which you have heretofore received from the Commissioners and the Minister at the Court of Versailles. In order to...
6322From John Adams to Jean de Neufville & Fils, 27 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have just received yours, inclosing the Lettres Hollandoise, and thank you for your Attention. You give me great Joy by your Account of the Arrival of a Vessell from Boston—hope We shall soon hear of more. As to the Loan, I am not indifferent about its Success. My own Reputation with Some People, in Europe and America will depend in Some measure upon it. But this has little Weight with me—it...
6323From John Adams to Jean de Neufville & Fils, 24 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favour of the 22d., inclosing three Bills of Exchange which I have accepted and return inclosed. I have also received another Letter on the Affair of St. Eustatia. I Sincerely condole with you, on the Loss of that Island both as it affects the publick and as it must probably more or less affect your private Interest. There is great Pains taken to represent this as a...
6324From John Adams to Francis Dana, 22 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved several Letters from You, but have been so busy signing my Name, that I could not answer. I give You Joy of Laurens’s Arrival—it is a great Event. I hope he brought You an important Paper, which Lovel mentions in his Letter to You, and Gerry in an excellent one to me. I rejoice Sir in your Honour, and in the public Good, but I feel myself weakened and grieved at the present...
6325From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 22 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
With great pleasure have I recieved yours of the 19th, with its Inclosures. I wish I could answer more at large, but in addition to a thousand other Objects crowding upon me at present, I have had to write my obscure Name nine and twenty thousand times to Obligations and Coupons, which I expect will give me before it is ended a great Name at least, if not a great deal of Money. I am...
6326From John Adams to Jean de Neufville & Fils, 21 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 19th. and will direct Mr. Thaxter to number your Bonds again in figures under your written Numbers and Sign them, and to make the other alterations, according to your Proposal. Alass poor Statia! But as Providence orders Us unpleasant Potions of Medicine to cure our distempers, So I hope this apparent Misfortune will open the Eyes of the blind; will convince...
6327From John Adams to the President of Congress, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your Excellency’s Letter of the first of January, with the Commission and Instructions inclosed. I am very sensible of this fresh Instance of the Confidence of Congress, and shall do every thing in my Power to discharge the Duties of this new Trust; but I am obliged to say, that no Commission that ever was given required more Patience, Fortitude and Circumspection than this:...
6328From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Extracts, are of So much Importance, that I send them to you, for your opinion whether it is prudent to communicate them to the Russian Minister, or not. The Intelligence is such that I can make no official Communication. If you think it will do any good, and no harm or at least more good than harm, you may communicate it in Confidence to Friends. Mr. Dana’s Commission, which...
6329From John Adams to the President of Congress, 18 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Leyden, 18 March 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 78–93. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:306–313. This letter was read in Congress on 19 Nov. and consisted of English translations of the States General’s countermanifesto of 12 March and...
6330From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received this Morning, your Favour of the 16. inclosing a polite Letter from the Duke de la Vauguyon. I hope to receive another from you this Evening, and that it will contain an Account of the Fate of my Memorial. Has it been laid before their high mightinesses or not? And what was done with it? Pray, has the president, by the Constitution of this Country, a right to pocket, Suppress, or...
6331From John Adams to Francis Dana, 12 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I dont know whether I have acknowledged yours of the 12th. Feby.: that of the 25th. came to me yesterday. The Letter inclosed was from Mr. I. Smith of 18 Decr. He says they were busily employed in raising their Quota for the Army during the War or for three Years, and that the other Provinces were doing the same. He says Mrs. Dana was well a few days before: that Davis had arrived after having...
6332From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 12 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of 5. You will honour and oblige me much sir, by your Thoughts upon the Subject of European Jealousy and Caprice, hinted at. You will see that the Empress has undertaken to mediate between E. and Holland, but she will not join the Emperors Mediation but on two Conditions Sine quibus non. These are 1. an Acknowledgment by England of American Independance. 2. An...
6333John Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
My Letters by Davis, Mr. Guild &c. are lost.—Pray did you get the Goods by Davis? This goes by Mr. De L’Etombe Consul of France, a worthy Man. He will do honour to his Country and good to ours. My Boys are both Students in the University of Leyden.—All well.—Write me by the Way of Spain, France, Holland, Sweeden and every other. Jones carried your Chest, Samson carried another.—Yours with more...
6334John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 18th. of Decr. reached me to day. I lament the Loss of my Letters by Davis, but I hope Mrs. Adams did not lose her Present, which I hear nothing of. I thank You, Sir, for the kind News of my Family. Mr. Guild is taken and all my Letters and other things sent by him lost. I wish I could give You any good News, especially of Peace, but alass there is no hopes of it. The...
6335From John Adams to Philippe André Joseph de Létombe, 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I recieved your favours of Feby. 4th. and 28th. but today. I am much obliged to You for giving me the Opportunity to send the inclosed Letters to You. I am much afraid my Letters will not reach Paris before your Departure. You will be able to tell my Countrymen more than I know of publick Affairs. I beg You to warn them against all Expectations of Peace. The Appearances of it are all...
6336From John Adams to Jean de Neufville & Fils, 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received this Morning your Favour of Yesterday with the Inclosures. You Seem to think that the Loan has been opened too Soon: but I am not of that opinion. Better too Soon than too late. If it had been too late, you See, the time would have been pass’d and could never be recalled. But if it is only too Soon, there is nothing wanting but a little patience, to wait, and the true Time will come...
6337From 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....
6338From John Adams to Alexander Gillon, 10 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter which you did me the Honour to write me on the Eighth of this Month, requesting of me to furnish you with fifty obligations of the United States, to enable you to discharge the Debts of the Ship of which you have the command, in the Service of the State of South Carolina. I have considered your Letter, Sir, and all the Arguments contained in it, with all that...
6339From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I Send you the Letters. If any Thing is necessary to be added to the Memorial before the Signature, you will be So good as to add it. I should be obliged to you for a Line by the Bearer, in Return, and the News, if any. My first Demarch you See, is on the Princes Birth day, which is no doubt a good omen both to his Highness and your servant. You will please to put a Wafer under the Seals. LbC...
6340From John Adams to Prince Dmitri A. Gallitzin, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have lately received from Congress, as one of their ministers plenipotentiary, their resolution of the fifth of October last, relative to the rights of neutral vessels, a Copy of which, I do myself the Honour, to inclose to your Excellency, as the Representative of one of the high contracting Parties, to the marine Treaty, lately concluded, concerning this Subject. As I am fixed by my duty...
6341From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose, a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of the fifth of October last, and to inform your Excellency, that I have this day communicated it, to their high Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, and to the Ministers of the Courts of Russia Sweeden and Denmark, at the Hague. Your Excellency will permit me to hope for your Concurrence in Support of this...
6342Memorial to the States General, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Subscriber, a minister plenipotentiary from the United States of America, has the Honour to lay before your high mightinesses, as one of the high contracting Parties to the Marine Treaty, lately concluded, relative to the rights of neutral Vessels, a Resolution of Congress of the fifth of October last, concerning the Same Subject. As the American Revolution, furnished the Occasion, of a...
6343Contract for a Loan with Jean de Neufville & Fils, 1 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I the Subscribed John Adams, of Braintree in the County of Suf folk, in the State of Massachusetts in North America Esquire and Minister plenipotentiary of the United States of North America And According an Copy Authenticq and Translation of my original Commission or power deponed by Me under the Notary Anthony Mylius Especially Named and Authorized by the said States of North America being...
6344From 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...
6345From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Letters I received at Leyden, obliged me to leave you Sooner than I intended, but I did not know , I shall soon See you again, at the Hague. I have received, important Dispatches from Congress, upon which I want your Advice. I hope it is no bad News. You will Say nothing, reflect well upon the Times, and be prepared to answer me, serious Questions upon public Affairs—nothing personal—nor...
6346[February 1781] (Adams Papers)
Went to the Hague, in the Trecht Schuit. At Leyden I have seen Mr. Vander Kemp, and Mr. and Mr. I also visited two large Manufactures, one of Cloth, another of Camblet. Canal boat or tow-boat. “... partly by the Trech Schuits, that is the Barks which ply in this Country in the Canals” ( JA to Huntington, 6 April 1781 , LbC , Adams Papers ). JA spells the word in a multitude of ways. Francois...
63471781 Feb. 28. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
At the Arms of Amsterdam. What can be the Ground of the Malice, of so many, against America? This implies that JA had given up his lodgings at Madame Schorn’s in the Agterburgwal. During the early months of 1781 he was much on the move between Amsterdam, Leyden, and The Hague, but on 27 April he wrote Edmund Jenings: “I have taken an House on the Keysers Gragt near the Spiegel Straat, and am...
6348Plan for the Negotiation of a Dutch Loan, 24 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Plan of a Negotiation to the Amoúnt of One Million Gilders. at the Charge of the United States of North America. His Excellency John Adams Esqr. Minister Plenipotentiary of the Said States of North America, &ca. &ca. &ca. Specially aúthorized to make this Loan, shall distribúe One Thoúsand obligations, each of Thoúsand Gilders, at the intrest of five per Cent per Annúm, to be paid on Coupons...
63491781. Feb 24 [i.e. 23]. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Went to the Hague, in the Trecht Schuit. At Leyden I have seen Mr. Vander Kemp, and Mr. and Mr. I also visited two large Manufactures, one of Cloth, another of Camblet. Canal boat or tow-boat. “... partly by the Trech Schuits, that is the Barks which ply in this Country in the Canals” ( JA to Huntington, 6 April 1781 , LbC , Adams Papers ). JA spells the word in a multitude of ways. Francois...
6350From 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...