11C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last Saturday I had the honor to receive your letter of 10 October. It is exactly as it should be. The Grand Facteur is very satisfied with it. I went the same day to read it to our friend and gave him a copy, attested by my signature. He was extremely pleased and assured me, several times, that it would make a very good impression on the Burgomasters of his city, who were anxious to know your...
12C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Upon returning here, Tuesday evening, I went to see our friend. He told me that nothing had been decided yet, but that, in spite of all that might still happen tomorrow, things would end well. I knew what he meant. He also told me that Sir Joseph Yorke’s excessive influence on an important person manifested itself more and more, and that there was no doubt that the latter had made secret...
13C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I know that you received my letters of 2 and 8 December. Since then, I have had the honor of writing you three more, dated 18–24 December, 1–3 January, and 12–15 January. Yesterday, the 15th, in the evening, just as I was sending off my last, the French Ambassador sought me out in order to have me meet with our friend to confirm, on the Ambassador’s behalf, that this morning he will present a...
Although today is not post-day, I will begin by informing you that, after a long session yesterday, the Assembly of Holland has finally resolved that as long as France and Britain are at war and in addition to the squadron in the West Indies, it would increase the Republic’s forces by 32 ships of the line and frigates, and 8,000 crewmen, to serve in Europe, mainly in the Channel and the North...
15C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 9 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I met twice with the Grand Facteur and twice with our friend. Here is what happened in the Assembly of Holland yesterday morning. Amsterdam presented its proposal, to be inserted in the acts of the republic, opposing an increase in the size of the army, adding that since it would be printed for the use of each member who could then read it at leisure, it seemed unnecessary to try the...
16C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 27 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Finally I have the pleasure to inform you that things have turned out to Amsterdam’s liking. Yesterday the States of Holland resolved to annul the resolution of 18 November, which excepted ships timbers from the convoys, to protect their commerce to the fullest extent guaranteed by the treaties, and, moreover, to suspend any further deliberation on this matter until the Admiralties of all the...
17C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 4 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last was of yesterday. I have just returned from seeing our friend and, although this letter cannot be mailed today, take the opportunity to give you an account of our conversation while it is still fresh in my mind. The gentlemen from Amsterdam returned with strong instructions from their constituents. This perhaps will result in a third address, even more serious than the previous ones....
18C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 12 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
The States of Holland reassemble tomorrow. Our friend arrives tonight, and I will wish him great success. People here are more and more perplexed. Instead of agreeing to the response to the memorandum, which as I mentioned was sent to M. Berkenrode, the French Ambassador received an express from his court, the contents of which we will soon learn at the same time as the results of the...
19C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 20 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I returned here Wednesday morning and, after dinner, learned from our friend that the act of despotism, described in my last of 13 November, had been consummated in the Provincial Assembly after a three-hour session. Also, the preliminary advisory together with its concluding provision, described in my letter of the 10th, has been resolved by a plurality. The City of Amsterdam has inserted a...
20C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have seen our friend. There are two committees: one to work on the new British complaints; the other on the response to be given to the French Ambassador’s mémoire, of which I sent you a copy. We will not know the result until next week. The protest published by Amsterdam against the resolution of the 18th was sent to me so that I might send a copy to Congress. This important document is 20...