1From 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...
2From 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...