I have received, sir, the letter that you did me the honor to write from Amsterdam on the 1st of this month. I am unable to answer it in the capacity of a minister of the King, not having any further instructions on the subject to which it relates, but as you have the goodness to request my private opinion, I will give it to you with the greatest sincerity. After having very seriously...
2La Vauguyon to Vergennes: A Translation, 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, M. le Comte, the dispatches that you did me the honor to send. Mr. Franklin’s letter arrived as I expected, but I convinced the emissary, in accordance with my promise to you, to suspend the démarche he had been prescribed without revealing my motive. I indicated to him that it seemed wiser to me to explore deeply again the dispositions of our friend from Amsterdam and ask for...
You have desired, sir, that as soon as I should be arrived at Versailles, I should communicate to the Comte de Vergennes the disposition you have to take a step that has been recommended by several well intentioned members of the States of Holland, and that I should give him to understand at the same time the resolution which you have taken to abstain from it, if he disapproves it. That...
4To John Adams from the Duc de La Vauguyon, 2 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Je me proposois Monsieur d’aller passer quelques jours a amsterdam a la fin de Cette Semaine, mais je suis absolument obligé de rester icy et j’aurai l’honneur de vous en dire Les raisons. Je Desirerois bien cependant m’entretenir avec vous; et je vous prierois de venir a La haye si vous n’etes pas indispensablement retenu a amsterdam.
I have received, sir, the letter which you did me the honor to write to me, and the enclosed copy of the resolution of the Congress of the United States of North America. You inform me that you have made an official communication thereof to the president of the assembly of the States General, and to the envoys of the courts of St. Petersburg, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, and request me to...
I received your letter, sir, informing me that the Congress of the United States of North America has bestowed upon you the character of minister plenipotentiary to the States General of the United Provinces. I do not know if you propose to present your credentials to their High Mightinesses at this moment, but if it is your intention to do so, I would like to speak with you about it and tell...
I was eager to convey the expressions of candor and loyalty you have given me to the Comte de Vergennes. The minister tells me that they more and more confirm his confidence in your unwavering attachment to the principles of the alliance, and that he is giving me the responsibility of communicating the very interesting details to you. I would have the honor of doing this very shortly if it is...
I have received, sir, the letter which you have done me the honor to write me, and the copy which you have been so good as to address to me, of the resolutions taken on the 16th of last August by the congress of the United States of North America. I flatter myself, sir, that you have no doubt of my earnestness to concert with you such ulterior measures as those resolutions may require, as soon...
9To John Adams from the Duc de La Vauguyon, 4 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ay recu Monsieur La Lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire d’amsterdame Le 1er. de ce mois. Je ne suis pas en mesure d’avoir celui d’y repondre comme ministre Du Roy, n’etant muni d’aucune instruction ulterieure sur L’obet qui y est developé; mais puisque vous voulez bien me demander Mon sentiment personel je vous L’exposerai avec La plus entiere sincerité. Après avoir tres...
10La Vauguyon to Vergennes, 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai receu, Mr. le Comte, les depesches que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’addresser. La lettre de Mr. Franklin est arrivée, comme Je m’y attendois; mais j’ai engagé son Emissaire, ainsi que je vous en avois assuré, à suspendre la demarche qui lui étoit prescrite, sans lui faire connoitre mon motif. Je lui ai temoigné qu’il me paroissoit prudent, de sonder encore les dispositions de notre ami...