251II. Joint Commission to Negotiate a Peace Treaty, 15 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled. To all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting. Whereas these United States from a sincere desire of putting an end to the hostilities between his most Christian Majesty and these United States on the one part, and his Britannic Majesty on the other, and of terminating the same by a peace founded on such solid and equitable principles...
252Commission to Conclude a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Netherlands, 29 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Whereas an Intercourse between the Citizens of the United Provinces of the Low Countries and the Citizens of these United States founded on the principles of Equality and Reciprocity may be of mutual Advantage to both Nations, Know Ye therefore that We confiding in the Integrity, Prudence and Ability of the Honourable John Adams late Commissioner of the United States of America at the Court of...
The United States of North America in Congress Assembled impressed with a high sense of the wisdom and magnanimity of your high Mightinesses and of your inviolable attachment to the rights and liberties of mankind and being desirous of cultivating the friendship of a Nation eminent for its wisdom Justice and moderation have appointed the honble. John Adams late a Delegate in Congress from the...
254John Adams’ Instructions Respecting a Peace Treaty with Great Britain, 16 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 October 1779. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:181–183 . Although dated 16 October, the instructions had been adopted on 14 August ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 14:956–960)....
255Commission as Lieutenant Colonel, [25 October 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The United States of America In Congress Assembled To Alexander Hamilton Esq. Greeting. We, Reposing especial trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you, to a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the first day of March A. D. 1777. You are therefore carefully and diligently to...
256Commissions of the Continental Congress to the Ministers Plenipotentiary to Accede to the Mediation of the Empress of … (Jay Papers)
The united States of America. To all to whom these Presents shall come send Greeting. Whereas his most Christian Majesty our great and beloved Friend and Ally hath informed us by his Minister plenipotentiary whom he hath appointed to reside near us, that their imperial Majesties the Empress of Russia and the Emperor of Germany actuated by Sentiments of Humanity and a desire to put a Stop to...
257Instructions of the Continental Congress to the Ministers Plenipotentiary to Negotiate a Treaty of Peace, 15 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
Instructions to the honourable John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson, Ministers Plenipotentiary, in Behalf of the United States, to negociate a Treaty of Peace. Gentlemen, You are hereby authorized and instructed to concur in behalf of these United States with his most christian Majesty, in accepting the Mediation proposed by the Empress of Russia and the...
The united States of America, To all to whom these Presents shall come send Greeting. Whereas his most Christian Majesty our great and beloved Friend and Ally hath informed us by his Minister Plenipotentiary whom he hath appointed to reside near us, that their Imperial Majesties the Empress of Russia and the Emperor of Germany actuated by Sentiments of Humanity and a desire to put a Stop to...
259To John Adams from the President of Congress, 9 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed are two letters of Credence, mentioned in my other Letter of this Date; the one addressed to the Stadtholder; the other to their high Mightinesses the States General &c. You will please to observe the Cover of each is unsealed, that you may take them off and superscribe the Address on each of the enclosed Letters that are sealed, in the proper Stile and Titles on each of them...
260III. Instructions to the Joint Commission to Negotiate a Peace Treaty, 15 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Instructions to the Honble. John Adams Benjamin Franklin John Jay Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson ministers plenipotentiary in behalf of the United States to negotiate a Treaty of Peace Gentlemen You are hereby authorized and instructed to concur in behalf of these United States with his most Christian Majesty in accepting the Mediation proposed by the Empress of Russia and the Emperor of...
261To John Adams from the President of Congress, 20 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
You will receive herewith enclosed a letter addressed to his most Christian Majesty; with a Copy of the Same for your information. Also a Commission constituting the four gentlemen therein named in addition to yourself our Ministers for negotiating peace. Also another commission and duplicate Authorizing them to accept the Mediation of the Emperor of Germany and Empress of Russia, in one of...
262Instructions Respecting a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Netherlands, 29 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
You will herewith receive a commission authorising you to negotiate a treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United Provinces of the low countries. You will also receive a plan, in articles which you are to adopt in whole or without any essential alteration, being always cautious not to admit anything inconsistent with the treaties already concluded between these United States and France, and...
The Delegates of the united States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia In congress assembled— To all who shall see these Presents send Greeting— Whereas an intercourse between the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty, and the Citizens...
264Letter of Credence to William V, Prince of Orange, 1 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled impressed with a deep sense of your wisdom and magnanimity and being desirous of cultivating the friendship of your Highness and of the seven United Provinces of the Netherlands who have ever distinguished themselves by an Inviolable attachment to freedom and the rights of Nations, have appointed the honorable John Adams late a delegate in...