Paris, 23 April 1780. LbC ( Adams Papers ). Although a note to the Letterbook copy of Adams’letter of 3 May to the president of Congress (No. 58, calendared, below) indicates that this letter was sent and the Journal of Congress shows it to have been received on 19 Feb. 1781 ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , Washington, 1904–1937; 34...
Paris, 8 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 433–435). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:602. In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams provided a list of forty-six British naval vessels lost for a variety of reasons...
Duplicate The Memoire of the Prince Gallitzin, Envoy Extraordinary of all the Russias to the States General, presented the third of this Month, is of too much Importance to the United States of America, and their Allies, to be omitted to be sent to Congress. It is of the following Tenor. High and Mighty Lords., “The Undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary of her Majesty the Empress of all the...
The Writer on the Consequences of American Independence, Subjoins a Comparison between the United States, and the West Indies. He says the Exports from England was in 1771 £ s d To North America 4,586,882: 15: 5 £ To Dominica 170,623: 19: 3 To St Vincents 36,839: 10: 7 To Grenada 123,919:
Paris, 8 March 1780.. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 311). LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation in Thaxter’s hand: “March 10th. Delivered the above to Mr Brown of Charlestown S. Carolina.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:539. In this letter, read by...
Paris, 1 June 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 90–95). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:752–758. This letter, read in Congress on 5 Sept., contains John Adams’ analysis of Lord George Germain’s speech of 5 May opposing Gen. Conway’s bill to end the American war,...
War is to a Dutchman the greatest of Evils. Sir Joseph Yorke is so sensible of this, that he keeps alive a continual Fear of it by Memorials after Memorials, each more affronting to any Sovereignty of delicate Notions of Dignity, than the former. By this means he keeps up the Panick and while this Panick continues, I shall certainly have no Success at all. No Man dares engage for me—very few...
8From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
On the fourth of May I did myself the Honour to wait on Peter Van Bleiswick Esqr., Grand Pensionary of Holland, and presented him a Letter containing a Copy of my Memorial to the States General &c. His Excellency said that it was necessary for me to go to the President and Secretary of their High Mightinesses, and that it was not customary for foreign Ministers to communicate any thing to the...
Amsterdam, 11 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 289–304). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:88–95. The copy cited here was received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, but the original (not found) was received and read on 27 Dec. ( JCC...
10From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 52, 25 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 25 April 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 500–503). In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams included long newspaper accounts from Dublin of events in Ireland, particularly the progress of the volunteer movement, and from London of the efforts of the British ministry to bring about a resolution of the Irish problem. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 500–503.)
La Coruña, Spain, 16 December 1779. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 231.; docketed: “No. 2 Letter from J. Adams Corunna Decr. 16. 1779 Read March 27. 1780.” LbC Adams Papers . LbC in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No. 2.” and “NB. Nos. 1 & 2 were sent by Captain Trask bound to Newbury Port from Corunna.” For a...
The Prince was ill advised, when he undertook, what he was not obliged to do, in producing Mr. Laurens’s Papers, which he did too in a manner justly offensive to the United States. It was the part of Sir Joseph Yorke, to have produced them, not to the Prince, but to their High Mightinesses. His Serene Highness, therefore, in this Work of Supererogation, gave himself the Air of an Instrument of...
13From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the Tenth Article of the Treaty of Alliance with France “The most Christian King and the united States agree, to invite or admit other Powers, who may have received Injuries from England, to make common Cause with them and to acceed to that Alliance, under Such Conditions as shall be freely agreed to and Settled between all the Parties.” According to present Appearances, in a few Weeks...
RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 295; docketed: “No. 11 J. Adams Esqr Feby. 29th. 1780 the Gazette mentioned, not inclosd. Read May 15th. requests the Constitutions of each State particularly Georgia & North Carolina.” LbC Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No. 11.” Responding to a request from Edmé Jacques Genet, John Adams asked for...
There are Persons, in this Republick, who have been Attentive to this War, and who know somewhat of the History of the Rise and Progress, of the united States of America: but it is Surprizing that the Number Should be So Small. Even in the City of Amsterdam, which is the most Attentive to our Affairs, and the best inclined towards Us there are few, who do not consider the American Resistance,...
16From 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...
17From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 60, 8 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 8 May 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 27–30). LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:660–663; extracts in various American newspapers, including the Pennsylvania Gazette of 27 Dec. 1780 and the Boston Gazette
18From John Adams to the President of Congress, 5 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
On the 10 of Nov. 1780 The Memorial of Sir Joseph York to the States General, was presented for a Disavowal, Satisfaction proportioned to the Offence, and Punishment of the Guilty. The 28 Nov. a formal Disapprobation of the States General, of the Conduct of the Regency of Amsterdam. 12. December: Second Memorial of Sir J. York, for a Satisfaction proportioned to the Offence, and the Punishment...
19From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 27, 27 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 27 March 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 361–364). In this letter, received by Congress on 31 July and read on 1 Aug., John Adams wrote that war “is now generally considered as a Contest of Finances; so that the Nation which can the longest find Money to carry on the War, can generally hold out the longest.” Adams believed that Great Britain, because of its heavy taxation since 1774, had...
20From John Adams to the President of Congress, 7 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 7 July 1781. RC and signature in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 264–265. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:549. John Thaxter wrote this letter during John Adams’ absence at Paris. It contains an English translation of a resolution that the...
21From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 1, 14 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
On the twenty seventh of July. I set out from Paris on a Journey to Amsterdam. I left Mr. Dana and Mr. Thaxter at Paris, who will regularly transmit to Congress whatever shall occur of Importance to the United States to know—they will also inclose all the English, French and Dutch Gazettes. They are exerting themselves in this Republick, to mann their Ships of War, in which they have great...
Affairs are Still in Suspence. This Day being Chrismas and Yesterday a sunday, there was no publick Exchange held, on either. But Business, and especially, Stock Jobbing goes on, without ceasing, being done at the Coffee houses, on Sundays and holy days, when it cannot be held upon Change. The English Mail which had been interrupted by contrary Winds, for three Posts, arrived on Saturday. The...
23From John Adams to the President of Congress, 16 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Copies of the Memorials, which I had the honor to present on the fourth instant to the President of their High Mightinesses, and to the Secretary of his most Serene High ness. The former has been published in English, French and Dutch; and has been favourably recieved by the Public: but the public Voice has not that Influence upon Government in any part of Europe,...
24From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 93, 15 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris,15 July 1780. Dupl , both text and signature in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 185–188) printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:859–860. In this letter, read in Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams provided an account from St. Petersburg, probably from a...
25From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 19, 14 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 14 March 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 321–324). LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “NB. Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 were delivered to Mr. Brown of S. Carolina. No. 15th on the tenth of March, the rest on the 15th. of March 1780.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United...
Bilbao, Spain, 16 January 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC No. 84, I, f. 234; docketed: “No. 3 Letter from John Adams Bilbao Jany 16 1780 Read April 7.” LbC Adams Papers . LbC in Thaxter’s hand Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15. Triplicate.”; by Thaxter: “No.3.” For a discussion of the presence of two Letterbook copies, see part 2 of the Introduction: “John Adams and his...
Amsterdam, 28 Sept. 1780. Dupl ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 273–276). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:72. Received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, this letter contained the statements exchanged by Baron Willem van Wassenaer-Starrenburg and Catherine II, when...
The Dispute between Great Britain and the United Provinces is now wrought up to a Crisis. Things must take a new Turn, in the Course of a few Days; but whether they will end in a War, or, in the Retractation of one Party or the other, Time alone can determine. I have before transmitted to Congress, the two Memorials of Sir Joseph York, against Mr. Van Berkel and the Burgomasters of Amsterdam....
29From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 95, 15 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 15 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 197–199). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:859. In this letter, read by Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams sent a comparison of the strength, in ships of the line, of...
30From John Adams to the President of Congress, 21 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 21 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 151–157. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:424–427. This letter contained an English translation of Frederick II’s ordinance of 30 April regarding navigation and commerce. The preamble to the...
Paris, 23 February 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, I, f. 279; docketed: “No. 8 Feby. 23. 1780 Letter from J. Adams recd. Oct. 16. sends News Papers &c.” LbC Adams Papers ; notations: “Recd in Congress Oct. 15.”; by Thaxter: “No. 8.” and “In No. 8 were inclosed Triplicates of all the former Letters to Congress, and also a Copy of a Letter to the Marquiss de la Fayette, & his...
32From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 2, 22 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 22 Aug. 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 241–244). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:36–38. This letter, read by Congress on 20 Nov., began with France’s reply of 4 Aug. to the Swedish declaration of 30 July acceding to the armed neutrality, the text of...
From the Time, of the Arrival of my Commission, I have been constantly employed in forming Acquaintances, making Inquiries and asking Advice; but am Sorry to be obliged to Say that I hitherto See no certain Prospect of borrowing any Money, at all. For Some Years past, all the Information I could obtain from this Country led me to think, that America had many Friends in this Republick, and that...
34From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 48, 18 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is my Duty to transmit to Congress, as soon as Prudence will admit, every Thing which deserves Consideration, as having either a direct or an indirect tendency to Peace, or even to Negotiation for that important Object. The inclosed Letter has been transmitted to Paris in such a Channel, that I have Reasons to believe it was particularly intended for my Inspection. It is from a Gentleman,...
The Province of Zealand having been opposed to the other Provinces in so many Instances and having lately protested against the Resolutions of the States General, which begin to be thought spirited, it may be useful to explain to Congress the Causes which influence that Province to a Conduct, which is generally thought to be opposite to the true Interest of the Republic in general. In the...
36From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 57, 2 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, In this letter, which Congress received on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams included an English translation of a memorial presented by the French ambassador to the States General on 26 April (given as 10 April in Wharton) that announced the repeal of the fifteen percent tariff levied by France on most Dutch goods by various decrees in 1778 and 1779, together with the return of all duties...
37From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 46, 17 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Late Letters from Dantzick, imply that Commerce was become very languishing there, for Some time, excepting for Ships timber, which bore a very good Price there, on Account of the English, which they carried away, as well in their own Vessells as those of Dantzick. The new face, which the Affairs of Europe, are about to take, from the Alliance formed between the Powers of the North, for the...
38From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 13, 5 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 5 Oct. 1780. Dupl in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 281–282). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:82. In this letter, received by Congress on 29 Jan. 1781, John Adams indicated that he had no news regarding his commission to negotiate a Dutch...
39From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 81, 10 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 10 June 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 106–117). LbC ( Adams Papers ) notation by John Thaxter: “June 18th. 1780. This day delivered Mr. Hall of Virginia No. 81—to go by Way of Amsterdam.” This is the first letter in Lb/JA/12 ( Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 100). For this Letterbook, see part 2 of the Introduction: “John Adams and His Letterbooks” (above)....
40From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 35, 4 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 4 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 409–410). printed : various American newspapers, including the Pennsylvania Gazette of 12 July and the Boston Independent Chronicle of 3 Aug. 1780. In this letter, which was read in Congress on 10 July, John Adams provided the text of a resolution adopted by the City of London on 22 March concerning the maintenance of a...
41From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 4 November 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:177–178 . Replying to the president’s letter of 20 Oct. (above), John Adams acknowledged receiving his commissions and instructions and expressed his appreciation of the high honor done him. In regard to his mission, Adams declared that he was determined...
42From John Adams to the President of Congress, 1 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 1 February 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC, Misc. Papers , Reel No. 1, f. 244–254. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:244–248. In this letter, read in Congress on 19 Nov., John Adams provided an English translation of the Convention for an Armed...
43From John Adams to the President of Congress, 24 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 24 May 1781. RC in John Thaxter’s hand PCC , No. 84, III, f. 163–168. printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 4:431–433. In this letter John Adams provided an English translation of Amsterdam’s address of 18 May to the States of Holland. The city’s deputies...
44From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 66, 13 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 13 May 1780. RC ( PCC , No. 84, II, f. 47–49). LbC in John Thaxter’s hand ( Adams Papers ); notation by Thaxter: “NB. May 16th 1780. This day delivered to the Chevr. la Colombe Nos. 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, & 66—also three packets of News papers.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States ,...
45From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 33, 3 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 3 April 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 387–394). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:588–592. John Adams began this letter, which was read in Congress on 10 July, by paraphrasing the first portion of William Lee’s letter of 30 March...
The day before yesterday, Mr. Dana arrived here from Paris with the dispatches which came by Mr. Searle. I am very sensible of the Honour that is done me by this Appointment and yesterday morning I set myself seriously about discharging the Duties of it; and this day I have been some Leagues into the Country upon the same Service. There are good Reasons for concealing the Names of the...
47From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 12, 3 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 3 March 1780. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 299–300). LbC ( Adams Papers ); notation: “Delivered Mr Wharton 4th March 1780.” printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:528–529. In this letter, received by Congress on 19 Feb. 1781, John Adams...
48From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 13, 4 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Paris, March 4. 1780.. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, I, f. 303–306). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 3:532–534; various American newspapers, including the Pennsylvania Gazette of 17 May and the Boston Independent Chronicle of 1 June. With this letter,...
It seems to be now certain, that Some of Mr. Laurens Papers were taken with him. There have been Sent to his most Serene Highness the Prince of orange, Copies of Letters from Mr. De Neufville, Mr. Gillon, Mr. Stockton and Col. Derrick, and a Copy of the Plan of a Treaty projected between the City of Amsterdam and Mr. W. Lee. The Prince was much affected, at the Sight of those Papers, and laid...
50From John Adams to the President of Congress, No. 87, 26 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Resolutions of Congress of the 18th. of March respecting the paper bills, appeared first in Europe as recited in the Act of the Assembly of Pennsylvania. They were next published in the English News-Papers as taken from a Boston Paper published by the Council; at last the Resolutions appear’d in the Journals of Congress. A great clamour was raised and spread, that the United States had...