1To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 23 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Enclosed resolution will advise you that Congress have thought it adviseable to new model their Department of foreign Affairs, by the Appointmt. of a Secretary, thro’ whose hands the Communications with their Ministers abroad are to pass. Tho’ they did me the honor to Elect me So long Since as August last, I but lately determined to accept, and did not Enter upon Business till Two days...
2To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 20 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since my last of the 23d of October nothing material has happened here, unless it be the return of Digby to New York, where he has relanded great part of his Troops, and as is said, proceeded to the West Indies with the Fleet, tho’ this is not fully ascertained, nor have we any authentick Accounts that the Count de Grasse sailed from Chesapeake on the 4th inst. It gives me pleasure however to...
3To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 26 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
It is very long since we have had the pleasure of hearing from you. Before this you will probably have received two Letters of mine and a duplicate of the last goes with this. Nothing material has happened since the date of that, except the Evacuation of Wilmington, which was, as you know, a very important port, as it checked the trade of North Carolina, and kept up a dangerous connection with...
4To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 9 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
I write merely to put you on your guard against any Falsehoods the Enemy may think it necessary to publish, about the time of opening their Budget. All is well here. There has been no action to the Southward. Many of the Tories in North Carolina, enraged at being deserted, have joined our army, and as is said, Executed some of their Leaders. The Enemy have drawn all their Troops into...
5From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 14 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Duplicate of your Letter of the 23d. of October was brought to me, the Original not yet arrived. It is with great pleasure I learn that a Minister is appointed for foreign Affairs, who is so capable of introducing into that Department an Order, a Constancy and an Activity, which could never be expected from a Committee of Congress so often changing and so much engaged in other...
6From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the 14th. instant I had the honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your Duplicate of the 23d. of October. To day Major Porter brought me your favor of the 20th. of November, and the original of that of the 23d. of October. I congratulate You, Sir, on the glorious News contained in these Dispatches; but I cannot be of your Opinion, that great as it is, it will defeat every Hope that Britain...
7From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 21 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I know very well the Name of the Family where I spent the Evening with my worthy Friend Mr. — before We set off, and have made my Alphabet accordingly: but I am on this occasion as on all others hitherto utterly unable to comprehend the sense of the Passages in Cypher. The Cypher is certainly not taken regularly under the two first Letters of that Name. I have been able sometimes to decypher...
8From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 27 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Friesland has at last taken the Provincial Resolution to acknowledge the Independence, of which United America is in full Possession. It is thought that several Cities of Holland will soon follow their Example, and some say it will be followed forthwith by the whole Republick. The first Burgomaster of this City has said within a few days past, that in six Weeks at furthest, the Independence of...
9To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 5 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have now before me your letters of the 15th, 17th and 18th of October last. I am sorry to find that your Health has suffered by the climate, but hope that the setting in of the winter has e’er this reestablished it—I am not directed to return any answer to your request to come home, should I obtain the sense of Congress upon it before this is closed, it will be transmitted by this...
10From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 10 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
By the Address of the House of Commons to the King, his Majesty’s Answer, and the Resolution of the House in Consequence of it, “that he would be highly criminal and an Enemy to his Country who should attempt to carry on an offensive War in America against the Sense of the House”: by the surrender of Minorca and the disastrous face of British Affairs in Ireland, as well as in the East and West...
11From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Promise, which was made me by Mr. Bergsma, that I should have an Answer from the Province of Friesland in three Weeks, has been literally fulfilled. This Gentleman, who as well as his Province deserves to be remembered in America, sent me a Copy of the Resolution in Dutch as soon as it passed. It is now public in all the Gazettes, and is concieved in these Terms. “The Requisition of Mr....
12From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, 19 March 1782. RC in John Thaxter’s hand ( PCC , No. 84, IV, f. 25–60). printed : Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 5:246–265. LbC in both JA ’s and John Thaxter’s hands ( Adams Papers ). The Letterbook text is divided between two Letterbooks, Lb/JA/16 and Lb/JA/18...
13From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 19 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit, the following Resolutions of the respective Provinces, relative to my Admission in Quality of Minister Plenipotentiary, together with two Resolutions of their High Mightinesses upon the Same Subject, all in the order in which they were taken. Extract from the Register Book of the Lords the States of Friesland. “The Requisition of Mr Adams, for presenting his...
14From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the twenty second day of April I was introduced by the Chamberlain to his most Serene Highness the Prince of Orange. Knowing that his Highness spoke English, I asked his Permission to speak to him in that Language, to which he answered smiling, “if You please Sir.” Altho’ French is the Language of the Court, he seemed to be pleased and to recieve as a Compliment my Request to speak to him...
15From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the 23d. of April I had the Honor of a Conference with Mr. Van Citters, President of their High Mightinesses, to whom I presented the following Memorial. Le Soussigné, Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis d’Amerique a l’honneur d’informer Vos Hautes Puissances, qu’il est chargé par les Instructions de son Souverain, de proposer aux Etats Généraux des Provinces Unies des Pays Bas, un...
16From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to omit to inform Congress, that on the 23d. of April the French Ambassador made an Entertainment for the whole Corps Diplomatick, in Honor of the United States, at which he introduced their Minister to all the foreign Ministers at this Court. There is nothing I suppose in the whole voluminous Ceremonial, nor in the idle Farce of Etiquette, which should hinder a Minister from...
17From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 24 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the 24th. day of April I had the Honor to be introduced to the Princess, from whom I met a very gracious Reception. As it is necessary to say something upon these Occasions, I could think of nothing better than what follows: Je suis ravi d’avoir l’honneur de presenter une Republique Vierge, un Monde Enfant à la Bienveillance et à la Protection de votre Altesse Royale; d’une Princesse aussi...
18From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 16 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the twelfth of this month, I removed into the Hôtel des Etats Unies de l’Amerique, situated upon the Canal called the Fleweele Burgwal at the Hague, where I hope the Air will relieve my Health in some degree from that weak state to which the tainted atmosphere of Amsterdam has reduced it. The American Cause has gained a signal Triumph in this Country. It has not persuaded an ancient Rival...
19To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 22 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is so important to let you know that the late change in the British Ministry and the conciliating measures they propose have occasioned no alteration in the sentiments of people here, that tho’ I am too much hurried, (this conveyance going sooner than was intended,) to take particular notice of the letters we have received from you, and which remain unanswered, yet I cannot but avail myself...
20To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 29 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is with equal Surprize and concern that I find not the least attention paid to the several Letters I have written you since I have had the honor to be in Office. I attributed this to their not having reached you, till I saw an extract of a letter which I had written to Mr Dumas, and which went by the Same conveyance with one to you published in the Courier de l’Europe, from which...
21To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 30 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
After I had wrote the letter of yesterday and sent it off, I recieved your favours of the 4th. 21. 27 of Feby, 10. &c. 11 of March; the three last I laid before Congress this morning, that of the 21st. I have kept by me for further consideration, tho’ I think upon the whole, as you have submitted them to my discretion, that I shall lay it also before Congress. I know they have been very...
22From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 9 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Admiralty have reported to their High Mightinesses their Remarks upon the Plan of a Treaty of Commerce, which I had the Honour to lay before them; together with Such Additions and Alterations as they propose. This Report has been taken ad Referendum by all the Provinces, except Overyssel, which has determined to vote as Holland Shall vote, this being the principal maritime Province, and...
23From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 14 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, 14 June 1782. RC ( PCC , No. 84, IV, f. 89–93). LbC ( Adams Papers ). printed : Wharton, Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , ed. Francis Wharton, Washington, D.C., 1889; 6 vols. , 5:493–494. Livingston received this letter on 11 Sept. ( PCC , No. 185, III, f. 41). In it, JA
24From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 15 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
This Morning, I made a Visit to the Grand Pensionary Mr Van Bleiswick, and had a long Conference with him concerning the Plan of a Treaty of Commerce, which is now under Consideration, and endeavoured to remove some of his objections, and to explain to him the Grounds and Reasons of certain Articles which have been objected to by others—particularly the Article which respects France and that...
25To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 4 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
By every late advice from Holland we learn their disposition to enter into a Treaty with us and tho’ we have no intelligence from you since the 11th: of March, we Still presume that you have ere this been received in your public Character—no wise governmt: constituted as that of the United Provinces is, will venture long to oppose the wishes of the people. I am very Solicitous to know how you...
26From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 5 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Soon after my publick Reception by their High Mightinesses The Body of Merchants of the City of Schiedam, were pleased to send a very respectable Deputation from among their Members, to the Hague, to pay their Respects to Congress and to me as their Representative, with a very polite Invitation to a publick Entertainment in their City, to be made upon the occasion. As I had Several other...
27From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 5 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose Copies in Dutch and English of the Negotiation, which I have entered into, for a Loan of Money. My Commission for borrowing Money, promises to ratify what I should do; and the Money Lenders, require Such a Ratification, which Messrs Willinks, Van Staphorsts, and De La Lande and Fynje, have engaged Shall be transmitted. Authentic Copies of the original Contracts, in...
28From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inclose, for the information of Congress a Copy of Mr: Fitzherbert’s Commission. Georgius Rex Georgious tertius, Dei gratiâ, magnae Britanniae, Franciae, et Hiberniae Rex, Fidei defensor, Dux Brunsvicensis et Luneburgensis, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi Thesaurarius et Princeps Elector &ca Omnibus et Singulis, ad quos praesentes hae literae, pervenerint, salutem. Cum belli...
29I. To Robert R. Livingston, 22 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Their High Mightinesses have at length recieved their Instructions from all the Provinces, and I have this day been in Conference with the Grand Committe, who communicated to me the Remarks and Propositions on their Part. To this I shall very soon give my Replication; and I hope the Affair will be soon ended. I was recieved in state by two of the Lords at the Head of the Stairs, and by them...
30XI. To Robert R. Livingston, 8 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
At 12. oClock today I proceeded, according to appointment, to the State-House, where I was received, with the usual formalities, at the head of the Stairs, by Mr: Van Santheuvel, a Deputy from the Province of Holland, and Mr: Van Linden, the first Noble of Zealand and a Deputy from that Province; and by them conducted into the Chamber of Business (Chambre de besogne,) an apartment adjoining to...
31To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Near five months have elapsed since I have been favoured with a line from you. Your letter of the 4th. of March is the last that has as yet found its way to America. Let me entreat you, Sir, to reflect on the disgrace and discredit it brings upon this department to be kept thus in the dark relative to matters of the utmost moment, and how impossible it is without better information to declare...
32From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 4 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Triplicate of March 5. No: 5. Triplicate 22d. May. No. 6 Duplicate. 29th. May No: 7 and Duplicate of 30th May No: 8. together with the dispatches for Mr: Dana came to hand yesterday. The judicious enquiries in that of March. 5th. are chiefly answd. in the enclosd: pamphlett, wh: I have caused to be printed, in order to be sent into England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as America. You...
33From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 6 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
In your Letter of 5th. March, You ask “whether this Power has entered into any Treaty with France since the War, and whether any such thing is in Contemplation?” They have made no Treaty; but a Convention concerning Re-captures, which You must have seen in the Papers. The East India Company have concerted Operations with France in the East Indies; and the Prince, by the Resolution of the...
34From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
In answer to your letters demanding my Accots. I have the honor to enclose the three Numbers: 1. 2. 3. No. 1 is an Account of my Salary for two years and an half, and the payment of it by Dr: Franklin, in obedience to the orders of Congress, the whole amounting to £ 6250 . sterling. No. 2 is the account for the purchase of the Hotel des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique, wh. amounts to 15207 . florins,...
35From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 12 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters express a Desire that I Should endeavour to form an Acquaintance with the Representatives of Crowned Heads, and you Seem to be of opinion that much may be learned from their Conversation. It is very true that Hints may be dropped, Sometimes which deserve to be attended to, and I Shall not fail to avail myself of every oppertunity of learning any Thing from them, that may occur....
36To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 15 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letters from the 19th: April to the 5th: July, by the Heer Adams. How impatiently they have been expected you will be able to judge by mine of the 29th: Ulto: which you will receive with this. The events they announce are considered as of the utmost importance here, and have been directed to be officially communicated to the different States. Your loan is...
37From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 17 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
This morning I was in Conference with Mr: Fagel in order to make the last Corrections in the Language of the Treaty which is to be executed in English and Dutch as that with the Crown of France was in English and French. We have now, I hope, agreed upon every word if not every point, and nothing remains but to make five fair Copies of it for signature, which, however, is no little labour. The...
38From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 17 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
You will naturally enquire, whether the Neutral Powers will continue their Neutrality, or whether the Neutral Confederacy will be broken? No certain Answer can be given to these Questions. We must content ourselves with probabilities, which are strong for the Continuance of the Neutrality. Who indeed should break it? The Emperor was thought to be the most unlikely Potentate to accede to it;...
39From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 23 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
As this is a moment of great Expectation, News, of the greatest Importance from the East-Indies, from the West-Indies and North-America fm. Gibralter, from Lord Howe’s Fleet and the combined Fleet, being hourly looked for, I took this opportunity, to return to the Spanish minister a visit which I owed him. He told me that he trembled for the news, we should have from Gibralter. I asked him if...
40From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 5 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
On the third day of this Month, about ten O Clock a Solemn Deputation, in three Coaches preceeded by twelve Messengers of State, went in Procession to the House in the Wood to enter into Conference, with the Statholder concerning the past Administration of the Marine, in Consequence of a Resolution of the States of Holland and West Friesland upon the Proposition of the City of Leyden. Military...
41From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 12 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, afternoon Mr Van der Burg, Van Spieringshaek the Agent of their High Mightinesses brought me the inclosed Resolution, relative to a Vessell of Mr Dubbledemuts. I promised to inclose it to Congress. I would have it translated here but I have not time. I presume Congress has or will have an Interpreter for the Low Dutch. It is much to be desired that Congress would take Some Measures...
42From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 31 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Having executed the Treaty of Commerce, at the Hague and dispatched four Copies of it, by four different Vessells bound to America from the Texel, and having Signed a Sufficient Number of Obligations to leave in the Hands of Messrs Willinks, Vanstaphorst and De La Lande and Fynje, and having received Information from Mr Jay, that Mr Oswald had rec d a Commission from the King his Master under...
43From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Two days ago arrived, by Cap n: Barney, the letters you did me the honor to write me, the 22 d. 29 th. 30, Triplicate of May, 4 th. July, 29 th. Aug st: & 15 th. Septem r: — I was unconditionally rec d. in Holland & promised, upon record, Conferences and Audiences whenever I sh
44To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 6 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The scene of Action is so entirely transfered to your side of the Atlantick that scarce any occurance among us at present is sufficiently interesting to furnish matter for a publick Letter. The Resolutions which have from time to time evinced the steady Determination of Congress in no event to Relinquish the great Object of the War or to think of Peace but in Connection with their Allies have...
45From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 11 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
On my first arrival at Paris I found my Colleagues engaged in Conferences with M r: Oswald. They had been before chiefly conducted by M r: Jay, M r: Franklin having been mostly confined for 3. m o. by a long & painful illness: At this time, however, he was so much better, altho’ still weak & lame, as to join us in most of the subsequent Conferences; and we were so constantly engaged, forenoon,...
46From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 18 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Instruction from Congress, which directs Us to pay So Strict an Attention to the French Ministry, and to follow their Advice is conceived in Terms So universall and unlimited, as to give a great deal of Anxiety to My Mind. There is no Man more impressed with the Obligation of Obedience to Instructions. But in ordinary Cases, the Principal is so near the Deputy, as to be able to attend to...
47To John Adams from Robert R. Livingston, 18 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the 6 th , Congress have been pleased to appoint M r Jefferson, one of their Ministers plenipotentiary for negociating peace— I have not yet received an answer to my Letter informing him of this event, tho’ I have some reason to believe he will accept the appointment— I believe I mentioned to you that Congress had refused to accept M r Laurens’s resignation— Many members...
48From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 21 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
We live in critical Moments. Parliament is to meet and the Kings Speech will be delivered on the 26.— if the Speech announces M r Oswalds Commission, and the two Houses in their Answers, thank him for issuing it, and there Should be no Change in the Ministry, the Prospect of Peace will be flattering. Or if there Should be a Change in the Ministry, and the Duke of Portland with M r Fox and M r...
49From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 4 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is with much pleasure that I transmit to you the Preliminary Treaty, between the King of Great-Britain and the United-States of America. The Mississippi, the Western Lands, Sagadahoc, & the Fisheries are secured, as well as we could, and I hope what is done for the Refugees will be pardoned— As the Objects, for which I ever abandoned my family & Country, are thus far accomplished. I now beg...
50From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 14 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
There is more matter than time to write at present. The King of Sweden has done the United-States great honor, in his Commission to his Minister here to treat with them, by inserting, that he had a great desire to form a Connexion with States, which had so fully established their Independence, and, by the wise & gallant Conduct, so well deserved it; and his Minister desired it might be...