1From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The News that M r. Brantzen wrote to our Friends before I left the Hague was true The King of Great Britain under the Great Seal of his Kingdom has by Patent constituted Richard Oswal Esq r. his Minister Plenipo y. to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America. Who would have thought that G. B. would be the 3 d. Power in Europe to acknowledge the Independence of America— You may...
2From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 29 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your Favour of the 23 d. of May.— I regret extreamly that I must loose the opportunity of the Company of M r Vanberckel to America: but there is no appearance, that the definitive Treaty will be Signed in Time to allow me that Satisfaction and Advantage. The Treaty with Sweeden is now printing with a Collection of the Constitutions and Treaties, which is making under the...
3From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your Favour of 25. Ult. I can only say that I have no Information of the United States having acceeded to the armed Neutrality, on the Contrary I have Reasons to doubt it. My Son, I hope behaves to your Satisfaction and that of Madame Dumas, follows his Studies with Ardour and writes to me, every Post, takes a Walk in the Wood every day &c. Does he Speak the German? has he lost...
4From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 22 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of 13. is received, and I thank you, for the Trouble you have taken concerning my son, and I beg you to present my most hearty Thanks to the Duke de la Vauguion for the Compassion he had for me in my affliction and for the Trouble he has taken, in writing to the Minister of France at Hambourg, and to M r D’Asp for writing to Stockholm Elsineur and Copenhagen.— I have within a few...
5From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 23 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
In answer to the questions in your’s of 18 th , I beg leave to inform you, that in my opinion M r. Dana is the only proper person in Europe to treat with anybody in Europe about the Armed Neutrality and the Liberty of Navigation— It is true, our former Power is not expressly revoked, but I consider M r. Dana’s Commissions in form to be an implicit and tacit Revocation of ours—so that I dare...
6From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 26 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
It is Sometime Since I had a Line from you or my Son. I hope all is well. I can give you no News. There is a Species of Witchcraft governs in England which keeps them from knowing their own Minds.— and a similar malignant Spirit reigns in America and prevents Us from getting any Intelligence from thence.— I sometimes feel Wroth enough, to wish for the Revival of an old Spirit to hang these...
7From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 16 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to the Inquiry of M r Fagel you will please to inform him that the Letters of Credence of M r Van Berckell should be addressed “To the United States of America in Congress assembled” “Friends and Allies.” The King of France indeed has added the Word “great.” “great Friends and Allies.”— But I think it would be much better to leave out the Word great and all other Epithets.— Congress...
8From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 19 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your’s of the 11 th. You will please to accept of my thanks for the kind Care you have taken of my Son, who is I hope before this with you, and to repeat my humble thanks to the Duke for his goodness upon this Occasion. My Younker ought to think himself highly honoured; by the Notice that has been taken of him by so many respectable Personages. M r. D’Asps Letter I will send...
9From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 19 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have yet to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favours of the 26. 27. 30. & 31 of Dec r. and 2 of January. Your Dispatches are sent along as you desire.— I hope you are, quite recovered from your Indisposition. I can give you no Information concerning Peace. it is given out that the point will be decided here to day or Tomorrow: others Say that the Duke de la Vauguion is to make the Peace at...
10From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 16 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for yours of the 9 th. We remain here in the Same State of Indecision, which We have been in these Three Months, uninformed of every Thing in America uncertain of the System in England and unable to See one day before Us. My Situation is as pleasant as it has been for a long Course of Years Sure that whatever may be well done will be ascribed to other People, and that whatever...