2551Elbridge Gerry to John Adams, 16 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Here I am after a six Months Session at Annapolis, on my Way to Massachusetts, & altho my Opposition to the same System in America, which you have opposed in Europe, has perhaps rendered me equally obnoxious here to the aristocratic Party, yet I assure You the Pleasure resulting from a Reflection on the Measures adopted by Congress, overballances every trifling Consideration of the loss of...
2552Robert Morris to John Adams, 16 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have not any Letters from your Excellency which are unanswered except those of the twenty first of May and fourteenth of September in the last Year both of which arrived very long after their Dates. I have learnt from the Gentlemen to whom the Management of the Loan in Holland was committed the various good and ill Success which they have met with. And now that I am about to leave this...
2553Joseph Palmer to John Adams, 16 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I heartily give you joy of your meeting your M rs Adams & her amiable Daughter, as you will receive them before you See this— They are to Sail from Boston about 3 or 4 days hence. We Sincerely mourn our loss in their departure, & as Sincerely rejoice at the foreseen happy meeting of Such dear Friends after Such a long absence— may you all return in Safety, & bless your native Country, after...
2554Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by M r Jefferson, [and] a duplicate of the instructions he carried with him. I [also] enclose a copy of the Journal of the last session of Congr[ess] as far as printed and a news paper containing the Ordinance for putting the treasury into commission and an Act defining the powers of the committee of the...
2555Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Supposing that you would receive from Congress a direct communication of the powers given to yourself, Doct r. Franklin & myself, I have deferred from day to day writing to you, in hopes that every day would open to me a certainty of the time & place of my departure for the other side of the Atlantic. Paris being my destination I have thought it best to enquire for a passage to France...
2556John Adams to the president of Congress, 22 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
If my Memory does not deceive me, I have heretofore transmitted to Congress, the Advice of some of the foreign Ministers here, that the United States in Congress assembled, Should write a Letter to each of the Sovereigns of Europe, informing them of the compleat Establishment of their Independance. Lately in seperate Conversations, with the Ministers of the two Empires, and the King of...
Account of Bills of Exchange drawn by the Comm rs. of Loans in America on Henry Laurence & John Adams Esq rs. at Amsterdam.— 1780 Feb y. 25 In whose favor Charles Harady N o. 5 . . . . 1100 . . . . . . . . 1.100 July 6 th. Joseph Carlton from T Smith 137 Bills of 550 Guilders N o. 32 @ 41— 44 @ 61— 65 @ 75 77 @ 79— 82 & 83— 86 @ 103 105 @ 139— 144 @ 152— 167 @ 190 192 & 193 . . . . . say...
2558Edmund Jenings to John Adams, 23 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
There are several Arrivals from America one of which has, I am told, brought a Packet addressed to your Excellency & to D r Franklin. I have received some Letters which contain Nothing worth your Excellencys Knowledge—but the inclosed Paper, which I take the Liberty of sending, least it should be omitted by your Correspondants. you will Know, by the writing, from whom it came, it was sent me...
2559John Adams to Samuel Adams, 25 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have this morning received your Favours of the 16 & 17 of April, and am fully with you in Sentiment, that “the Sooner a commercial Treaty is settled with the English, the better,” but you must be Sensible that no Treaty can be made untill Somebody or other, one or more, are authorized by Congress. While every British Minister is dancing on a slack Rope and afraid of every popular Wind, least...
2560Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 25 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter by the Post and Express almost at the same time. Your things went away last Night at Eleven o’Clock, and Inclosed I send you an Account of them. It shou’d have gone by the Express but it was Very late before the affair was finish’d, and he will shew you a Duplicate of it— I Packed your Two Trunks Myself, and if they do not meet with any Interuption at the Barriers they...
2561Marquis de Lafayette to John Adams, 25 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
At the Very instant of Sailing for America, I stop to Send You the New Modelled Regulations of the Cincinnati— My principles Ever Have Been Against Heredity, and While I was in Europe disputing about it with a few friends, My letters to the Assembly, and still more Particularly to the president, Made them Sensible of My Opinion Upon that Matter— Untill Heredity Was Given Up, I forbeared...
2562William Bingham to John Adams, 26–27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I had last the pleasure of Seeing you, I was not altogether determined what Route I Should take— I rather inclined to the Idea of returning by the Hague— From a Desire of introducing more Variety & Novelty in my Excursion thro this Country, I have now resolved on passing thro’ Utrecht, for which place I Shall take my Departure in a few Days— If you Should have no further occasion for the...
2563John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Favours by M r Reed and by Coll Herman, and am much obliged to you for your friendly Sentiments and instructive Communications. Your Plan of a Commission to treat with the maritime Powers, has not it Seems been adopted, and the departure of M r Jay for New York, has now rendered it, impracticable. Congress We are told is adjourned. M r Jay, and Mr Laurens as well as M r Dana...
2564Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour of sending to your Excellency Copies of Papers contain’d in a Dispatch just receiv’d from Congress. The Affair of the Free-Ports recommended to us, has been someTime settled: They are Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne & Marseilles.— I wonder much that we hear nothing from Congress of their foreign Arrangements. This short Line from the President is the only one I have...
2565John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Baron de Reishack, has several times said to me that his Court expected that Congress would announce formally their Independence, and asked me, if any Step of that Sort had been taken. that I may be able to give him an Answer, I must request of your Excellency to inform me whether you have made the Annunciation directed in the first Article of the Instructions of the 29 of October 1783 and...
2566James Warren to John Adams, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
M rs. Adams. & Miss Nabby left us last Sunday was a week ago. with a very fine Wind. which has Continued here ever since & promises her a fine passage. if good Wishes in great Abundance Contribute any thing to the shortness or pleasure of the Voyage. it must be propitious. M r. Jeffeson will I hope hand you this. & be as agreable a Colleague as his Predecessor. you will from him & M rs. Adams...
2567Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
We receive this night a letter of the Express with advice of his arrival with 3 truncks in brussel, but to his great Surprise as well as ours the Same are arrested there, and complains much there ab t. of M r. Barclay, whom he had requested several time to enquire if he could take and transport the same with Safety, who assured him not to anxious ab t. it, and in consequence he had reposed on...
2568John Adams to Samuel Osgood, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your Letters with great Pleasure. They let me into many Misteries before impenetrable. The Journal which caused Such Wonder, was intended to be sent to M r Jackson. But recollecting the frequent Injunctions of your Secretary, to be minute: to Send him even the Looks of Ministers to be Sure, Conversations, and considering that in the Conferences for the Peace, I had been very free,...
2569John Adams to Baron Franz von Reischach, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose in Confidence Copy of the Resolution of Congress of the 29 Day of October last, which I take it for granted has been communicated by M r Franklin and M r Jay. I am just now informed, that an Express which I lately Sent to Paris, on his Return, has been arrested at Brussells, and is detained there. He has with him, three Trunks containing my Manuscript Books and...
2570Baron Franz von Reischach to John Adams, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Cest bien malgré moi, que je n’ay pu repondre tout de Suitte à Votre lettre de ce matin, mais mon peu de Coñoissance de la langue Angloise m’at obligé d’attendre à cet effet la rentré d’un de mes Secretaires pour en Coñoitre la Substance; et Satisfaire à vos intentions. Il apert par la traduction qu’on m’a faite que vous Suposés et vous doutés que c’est à Bruxelles, que l’Exprès qui vous...
2571John Adams to Baron Franz von Reischach, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of your obliging Favour of this Days Date, and I beg of you to accept of my Thanks for your prompt and polite Answer to mine of this Morning. It was the House of Wilhem and Jan Willink of Amsterdam who sent off this Express for me and I am not certain of his Name, but I believe it is Egberts. It is only within a few Days that he was arrested. He may have a...
2572John Adams to James Warren, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your amiable Son, has done me the favour of his Company, here, for a Day or two, and this Morning goes to Amsterdam, intending to return to England at the End of the Week. From London He embarks Soon for Lisbon. My Son returned with him from London where I sent him to meet his Mother and Sister. But He was dissappointed as well as I.— I Still expect M rs Adams every day: but her last Letters,...
2573John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 30 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received your Favour of Yesterday and am very Sorry to find by it that my Express is arrested at Brussells. This Express was Sent to Paris Solely upon Affairs of the United States of America and my private Affairs. In the three Trunks he has with him there is nothing but my Manuscript Books and Papers, Cloaths of myself, Son & servants and Ninety Six Spoons and Forks larger and...
2574John Adams to Hendrik Fagel, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I was in London last November & December I amused myself often, by running into Booksellers Shops, and purchasing now and then a Book, which I had occasion for. My Son who was lately in London had them embarked for Rotterdam, where, I was last night informed they are arrived. It was said that they must be entered at the Custom House, and that a Value must be set upon them by the owner,...
2575Hendrik Fagel to John Adams, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Je crois, qu’il ÿ a ún droit, qu’on paÿe a l’entree des livres, qúi viennent des païs etrangers, mais les Ministres públics en Sont exempts. Si Voús aviés presenté ún Memoire, poúr avoir un passeport, poúr les Caisses qúe voús attendés de l’Angleterre, il n’ÿ aúroit eú aúcúne difficulté; Aú defaút de ce Passeport, je suppose, qúe les Commis de la Douane ont exigé le payement des droits. Poúr y...
2576Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 1 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
We are favoured with your esteemed letter of 30 th: June, we had wrote upon the same Subject to our M r. Van Berckel, and he has been so obliging as to send us directly a letter for our minister in Bruxelles, to whom we Send the same, with your letter, in order to make the required use of the Same, so we hope may Soon be released and return hither, the advice we receive we shall not fail to...
2577John Adams to States General of the Netherlands, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Le Sousigné Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de L’Amerique, a l’honneur de prier Vos Hauts Puissances, de vouloir faire depêcher, ou de lui accorder Un Passeport pour L’Entree libre, ou bien un Ordre a L’Amirauté de laisser passer librement, et Sans payer des Droits, deux malles ou Coffres et une Caisse marquèes I. A. contenans des Livres appartenans au Sousigné, et venus de Londres à...
2578John Adams to States General of the Netherlands, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Le Sousigne Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de L’Amerique, a l’honneur de proposer, qu’il laissa l’année passée, a Paris, quelques Effets, en Habillemens, Papiers, Livres, Argenterie &c dont il S’etoit Servi pendant Son Sejour dans cette Ville—qu’il envoya, il y a quelque tems, un Exprès, nommé Egberts D’Amsterdam, pour transporter ces Effets a la Haye; que le dit Expres est...
2579Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 2 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
We receive Notice of th’ Express, that a friend of his in Brussel, known by the Gouvernor remained Caution for him, that the trunks and Goods belonged to your Excellency; whereupon it has been released under payment of the charges, and duties. it is owing all to the Carelessness of M r. Barclay, who had promised to hand him a certificate, that it is your property, and the Clercq of him, who...
2580John Adams to the president of Congress, 3 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the Signature of the Preliminary Articles of Peace, I requested, of Congress, their Permission to return to America. This Request they did not at that time judge proper to grant, me, but on the contrary resolved that a Commission should be sent to me, M r: Franklin & M r: Jay, to make a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. But as no such Commission has arrived in Europe, the...
2581Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter your Excell y. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past. The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper, to the Imperial Minister at the Hague;...
2582John Adams to the president of Congress, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Having been obliged to come to Holland, the Beginning of this Year to obtain Money, to prevent M r Morriss Bills from being protested, I have remained here untill this Time, in Expectation of receiving the further Commands of Congress. From the Resolution of the 1. of May 1783 and from many private Letters, I expected that a Commission would have arrived to the late Ministers at the Peace, to...
2583Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I intended to have written to you some posts ago, But I found that a few of your things had been lock’d up in a Chamber at Auteuil, and left there with some matters belonging to M rs. Barclay, and that they had Escaped her Memory and My knowledge. There are Two Coat’s and 2 laced hats belonging to your servants—1 lamp to write by with 2 Ink stands, a Coat of Arms in a Frame, 2 wooden stands...
2584James Lovell to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I did not omit to write by the Conveyance of one of the most amiable Women I ever knew. I only omitted to send my written Congratulations to you upon that Felicity which her Presence must afford after so long a Seperation. Capital Sacrifice to your Country thus pleasingly in part rewarded! The Consul Gen l. of France, my Neighbour, then informed me that M rs. Adams had sailed while I slept,...
2585Elkanah Watson Jr. to John Adams, 5 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
In leaving the Hague, I fully intended returning the same way and acknowledging personally my gratitude for the polite reception I mett at Amsterdam in consequence of your Excellencys letters of introduction. I was hurried back from Holland in consequence of my affairs haveing advanc’d to a close more rapidly than I had reason to expect. I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that I am...
2586Baron Franz von Reischach to John Adams, 6 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Empressé à vous faire plaisir en toutes occasions, je n’ai point tardé a faire envers le Gouvernement General des Pais Bas de la domination de S. M té l’Empereur Roi, les demarches requises pour que non Seulement l’expres chargé de vos effets detenus à Bruxelles Soit imediatement remis en pleine liberté, mais aussi à ce que avantageat vos effets autant que faire se pouvoit quant aux droits de...
2587Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 9 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last post since which I was Informed your things were stop’d at Brussells, This must have been Intirely through the Ignorence of the person who had them under his Care He had nothing to do but to Open the Trunks, shew there was nothing Contraband in them and so pass on— and this Idea I impressd as much on him by means of a person who spoke Dutch, as was in my power— But He to avoid...
2588Committee of the States (Continental Congress) to John Adams, 9 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Letters of 27 th. of last March, & the 10 th of April together with a Copy of the plan of a Treaty proposed by his Prussian Majesty, and Copies of the letters 1 without [date], & one of the [14 th ] and another of the 25 th. [of] March last from the Prussian Minister at the Hague to yourself, relative to that subject, and also a Note from the same Minister respecting the Estate of one...
2589John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 11 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
Is there no News from Egberts our Express? What can have happened to him? or become of him? Is he dead, or Sick? I Sent you a Passport for him a Week ago, I hope you rec d it. I am really very anxious about my Papers. To have Papers of Such Importance to the Publick and to myself, So long in coming, and no News or Account about them, is very distressing. I beg you Gentlemen to let me know what...
2590John Adams to J. F. Rosart & Co., 18 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your Letter of Yesterday with seven Copies of the English Translation of the Abby de Mably’s Letters. I have read part of the Translation and it seems to be well done: But I have read the whole of the Translator’s preface, and can find no other fault in it, than that it is not so long as I wish it. His observations are so good, that I wish he had treated more at large a...
2591John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your Letters of the fifth and ninth, and at last my Trunks are arrived, so that I am now collected into one Spot. I shall. be much obliged to you, to settle my Account, according to your own Judgment as soon as possible. I would not charge any Thing wrong, nor willingly any thing that shall appear to be so. Yet I ought in Justice to charge what is right. As to my coming to Paris,...
2592John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Letters of the 27 of June and 4. July, and Should advise your Excellency to present the C. de Mercy, a Copy of the Instruction as you propose. By the Length of Time, We have been left without Information respecting foreign Affairs, and by other Circumstances, there are greater Divisions among our Countrymen, respecting these as well as their Finances, than are...
2593John Adams to William Smith, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec’d your’s of the 13 th and 16 th: the last contains the most agreeable News I have heard a long time.— If M rs: Adams should arrive, I believe it will be the most prudent thing she can do, to purchase as strong and decent a Coach of four Places, as can be had for 150 Guineas, in this she may come to the Hague, and go in it with me to Paris if I should have occasion to go there—I...
2594John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 20 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your Favour of Yesterday, I have to inform you, that I have received my Trunks, brought by the Express, and approve of your paying him the Sum of an hundred Ducats for all Charges and charging the Same to the United States of america. You will please to mention in your Article of Charge that it is for an Express Sent to Paris to carry a Quantity of Bills of Exchange to M r Barclay...
2595Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I did myself the honor of writing you on the 19 th. Ult. it was my expectation that I should take my passage in the French packet which was to sail the 15 th. of this month, and of course that I should not be in Paris till the middle or last of August. it had not then been suggested to me, & being no seaman it did not occur to myself, that even from a London-bound vessel I might get...
2596John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 27 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have a Letter from M r: Jefferson of 19. June by which it appears, that he will be at Paris by the Latter end of August, where I am to join him and D r: Franklin in the Execution of orders which he brings with him. Will you be so good as to give me, the Earliest Notice, of his Arrival, and that of Col l: Humphreys who may be expected before him. My Friends have arrived in London, will come...
2597John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 27 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the opportunity, by M r: Bingham, to enclose to your Excellency, Copy of a Letter from M r: Jefferson, by which it appears that we are joined in some affairs which will give me the Occasion to visit Paris once more, and reside there for some little time at least. As M r: Jefferson will not probably arrive before the latter End of August, and nothing can be done before he comes, I...
2598Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I am fav d. with your letter of the 19 th. of last Month, and am Extremely glad to find your things have at length reach’d you— The few Articles that still remain shall Continue here untill you Come, as I do not think it will be right to put you to the Expence of Carriage— Doctor Bancroft arrived from Philadelphia a few days ago. M r. Jefferson is Certainly Joined in a Commission with you and...
2599William Temple Franklin to John Adams, 1 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency a Copy of the Communication made by my Grandfather to the Count de Mercy of that Part of the Instructions of Congress relative to his Imperial Majesty, & also that Ministers answer. We are daily in expectation of the Arrival of M r. Jefferson who was to have sailed from N. York the beginning of last Month. Tho’ several Vessels have arrived lately...
2600John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 3 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have accepted two Bills drawn by my Wife to be paid at the House of Mess rs Willinks and Shall accept two more to be paid by Mess rs Fullers in London. Please to charge these and all the Monies I Shall draw in London at the Same House to the United States as part of my Salary Tomorrow I go to London, and thence directly to Paris with my Family, to meet M r Jefferson who is joined with M r...