1To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 25 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 25 May 1793 . We receive neither letters nor papers from France and hear from there and elsewhere only what they wish us to know or delude us about. In Germany, as in Poland, the big despots are overwhelming the little ones and seizing peoples like flocks of sheep. All around him, commerce overthrown, treasury exhausted, imminent vexations to refill it, hypocrisy on the throne and...
2To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 7 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 7 May 1793 . A fortnight ago he received TJ’s letter of 2 Feb. and a fortnight before that the plans of our beautiful Federal City, eight of which he sent to Amsterdam to be displayed in the counting houses of great merchants friendly to us and in patriotic clubs. He is preparing ten others for Dort, Rotterdam, Leyden, and Haarlem and has reserved five for North Holland and Utrecht...
3To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 1 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 1 May 1793 . Providence alone can foresee the final end of this unprecedented and almost general war. Correspondence with France is again interrupted, and he and many other good people in this country suffer because France pays neither incomes nor pensions abroad. People in this province suffer further from the forced imposition, which they must swear is not forced, of what is...
4To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 5 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 5 Apr. 1793 . The lifting of the embargo in the Dutch ports enables him to resume his dispatches. He encloses a statement of his disbursements for the last half of 1792, two copies of which he furnished to the bankers at Amsterdam when he drew on them for the sums of ƒ301.16 and ƒ204.15 mentioned in it. The poorly conceived French campaign strategy of maintaining separate corps...
5To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 3 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 3 Feb. 1793 . Since his last of 29 Jan. each day becomes more critical for France on one side and the dominant parties here and in London on the other. He is unable to give an account of some propositions with which Maulde, the former French minister plenipotentiary who had been recalled to Paris, is said to have returned here, and to which it is said the Grand Pensionary has...
6To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 29 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 29 Jan. 1793 . He regards the unfortunate fate of the last of the kings of France as a human tragedy but a political necessity, there being no middle ground between his ruin and the destruction of civil liberties. The discourse by Paine in the enclosed Journal des Débats shows that his ideas on natural law are infinitely superior to his politics. Louis would have given no cause for...
7To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 9 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 9 Jan. 1793 . The lessons offered by the quarrelsome Europeans can make the good American people thankful for the wisest and most virtuous government in the world and the constitutions which assure it. Behold the king of England, who seems determined to add to the disorder by joining with his hereditary Continental cousins and risks drowning with them like Pharoah, thus atoning for...
8To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 13 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 13 Nov. 1792. For several months we have seen that a king without a people is nothing. We shall see what a people without a king can be. Having driven the enemy from France and invaded Germany, the French are welcomed as liberators in the Low Countries. 15–20 Nov. All around him precautions are being taken, especially against those within the country, who are dreaded as much as...
9To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 20 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 20 Sep. 1792. Since the receipt of TJ’s letter of 3 June on 26 July, he has tried to write to him hundreds of times, but ill health and the horrible state of affairs in Europe prevented him. He cannot foresee the results and needs all his steadfastness to bear up against the anxiety he feels for the cause of humanity and for himself in the face of so many evils. He values the...
10To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 8 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 8 June 1792. Having deferred sending these packets until now, he forwards them without being able to add his opinions on the affairs of Europe. The French, who ought to do everything, do nothing; the Prussians march and do not arrive; the English and Dutch fortunately remain observers. Providence seems to control events that disturb courts and their diplomacy, such as the war Russia...
11To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 25 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 25 Apr. 1792 . Since his last of 21 Feb. his health and Europe’s have been poor.—He learned more than a month ago of Short’s appointment as minister but has heard nothing from Short himself.—His enemies and those of the U.S. have struck a deadly blow by offering one of his sons-in-law a court appointment on condition that he cease to communicate with Dumas. The young man’s...
12To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 21 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 21 Feb. 1792 . Illness compels him to be brief. The enclosed papers and those sent by way of England will inform TJ of the chaotic state of Europe, especially in France.—A new tax on butchers will go into effect on 1 May.—The high cost of maintaining the U.S. embassy here makes it imperative that it be sold as soon as possible in concert with your bankers in Amsterdam. Thus far he...
13To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 31 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 31 Dec. 1791 . The great powers of Europe are in chaos because of the impact of the French and Polish Revolutions. They fear and hate each other and dread “ l’exemple que la nation françoise a donné aux autres .” Lafayette goes from Paris to Metz to raise men and supplies from the emigrés, beginning with Ettenheim.—The embassy must be sold because its physical condition is...
14To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 25 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 25 Nov. 1791 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 30 Aug. 1791 and takes pleasure in the favorable news it contains of conditions in the U.S. He has published some of this news in a supplement to the Leyden Gazette of this date and plans to make similar use of the work by Mr. Coxe that TJ sent him.—He rejoices in the success of “ l’Expédition contre les Sauvages ” and hopes that it will...
15To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 26 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 26 Oct. 1791 . The Provincial States have passed a resolution opposing the Stadtholder’s decision to return the 5,000 German troops who had been used to help suppress the revolution. The Stadtholder has tried unsuccessfully to induce the Regents to overturn this resolution.—The States General is still considering East Indian affairs. The governor general of Batavia has resigned, and...
16To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 1 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ The Hague ], 1 Oct. 1791 . The King’s acceptance of “la Constitution des françois” has strengthened the monarchy and ensured the future happiness of France. The replacement of the Legislative by the Constituent Assembly also bodes well for the progress of the revolution in France.—The news from the Netherlands is of quite a different nature. The money for the forced loan of 25th last no...
17To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 17 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Amsterdam ], 17 Sep. 1791 . Has just received the happy and important news that on the 13th the king accepted the Constitution, without protest, as it was presented to him, and that he would go the next day before the Assembly to solemnly confirm his acceptance. Dumas has been at Amsterdam for a few days with friends and will remain here until the end of the month. He has delayed sending...
18To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 19 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 19 Aug. 1791 . While waiting for the National Assembly to act on all of the articles of the French constitution, he encloses documents concerning the pacification in the North. He will see in them the arguments of Britain and Prussia answered by the Empress of Russia, who has more spirit than the cabinets of those two powers combined. Her request for the bust of Fox, to be placed...
19To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 1 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 1 Aug. 1791 . A letter from Paris reports that the Constitution, reduced to essentials, will be presented this week to the King, not to be sanctioned but accepted. After that the King will no longer be uneasy. They will lose no time in finishing the elections already begun for a new Assembly, to which the present one will gloriously give way. If the news of this solemn event takes...
20To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 12 July 1791 . He acknowledges TJ’s of 13 May and has made good use of his account of the prosperity of the United States. If the volume of European quarrels allows space for this felicitous example set by the New World, it will be seen in the newspapers. He has written Luzac to continue sending the gazette by the English packet boats. As for the question of American packets, this...
21To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 22 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 22 June 1791 . He sends this by the Harmony, Captain Folger, for Baltimore, with duplicate by Amsterdam. Parliament adjourned without being able to learn the designs of the British court, their fleet ready to depart, the press of sailors continuing, the armistice between the Turks and Hungary expired—all indicate continuation and extension of war. [P.S.] 26 June . His dispatch by...
22To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 24 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 24 May 1791 . Cabinets of London and Berlin greatly embarrassed by the peace overtures of Empress of Russia and by the astonishing Polish revolution. Pitt is great in matters of internal finance and commerce, but below mediocrity in foreign affairs, having for more than three years been influenced by his kinsman, “le très-intriguant Grenville.” He long ago predicted what events have...
23To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 8 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 8 Apr. 1791 . The conferences at Reichenbach, The Hague, and Svishtov have placed the English and Prussians in a dilemma. He does not see how England can avoid bankruptcy or sustain Pitt, who is dominated by Grenville. He has just learned that the proposals by Denmark have been rejected. The Amsterdam regency is in bad humor. Some support it; others, their numbers growing, hope that...
24To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 11 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 11 Mch. 1791 . Nothing decisive has taken place since his last. The return of spring will tell whether there will be war between Russia and Prussia. The enemies of the latter desire it out of resentment; and the enemies of despotism in general desire it also, in the hope of seeing the two powers weaken themselves. He speaks of the public voice, not that of diplomacy which,...
25To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, [15 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Les Gazettes ci-jointes diront à V.E. tout ce que l’on sait ici parmi les mieux instruits des affaires générales de l’Europe. Je m’apperçois, depuis quelques jours, que le parti Pr[ussie]n ici commence à s’allarmer sur la tournure que les affaires prennent en Allemagne. Par contre, les autres, incomparablement plus nombreux, s’en réjouïssent, en conçoivent l’espoir de voir humilier enfin leurs...
26To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 23 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Depuis ma derniere du dernier Xbre, m’étant adressé au meilleur Banquier d’ici, il me donna les prix courants suivant des Obligations Amsterdamoises de notre Dette liquide, tels qu’il les procuroit, disoit-il, aux rentiers qui lui en demandoient, savoir de la négociation de Stadnitsky, valant 9 % d’intérêt annuel 128 p.%. plus recente de Staphorst, de même —118
27To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 31 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Je n’ai rien, pour le coup, à ajouter à ma dernière du 6 au 15 courant, que j’ai portée moi-même à Rotterdam, et remise en mains propres de Wm. Stuard, Capitaine de la Fregatte the Willink , parti de là pour Baltimore, sinon de relever une faute essentielle commise à la hâte d’après un Rentier au sujet du prix courant des Obligations de la Négotiation des fonds liquidés. Au lieu de ƒ1025,...
28To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 6 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Je commence cette Dépeche par la chûte, aujourd’hui avérée, des plats tyrans Van der Noot, Van Eupen, &c. Si leur regne ephémere ne s’est pas étendu jusqu’ici, ce n’est ni leur faute, ni celle de certains personnages qui n’osent plus les patroniser trop ouvertement, sans laisser néanmoins de nourrir encore quelque apparence de leur inclination pour eux. On cache mal le dépit qu’on a, de ce que...
29To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 23 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Depuis ma dernière du 19e. au 22 Octobre, l’évenement le plus interessant pour nous est l’accommodement signé entre l’Espagne et l’Angleterre. Il faudra voir comment le Ministère Britannique se tirera d’affaires chez eux, pour les 4 millions Sterling dépensés en Armemens. L’on y trouve déjà que les Cabanes de Nootka et une pêche limitée à 10 lieues marines des possessions Espagnoles sont un...
30To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 19 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Je commence la présente aujourd’hui pendant l’illumination ordonnée à l’occasion du mariage de la jeune Princesse d’Orange avec le Prince héréditaire de Brunswick. C’est la cloture des réjouissances bruyantes qui durent depuis 8 jours, pendant lesquels la populace s’est donnée carrière. Dans la nuit du 12 au 13, la valetaille mâle et femelle du Logement attenant des 3 villes de Gorcum,...