2611John Adams to Joseph Palmer, 26 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received with great Pleasure your friendly Letter of the 16. of June by my dear M rs: Adams, who with our daughter and eldest Son, are happily settled with me at this Place, about three miles from the City, and very near the great Forrest of Boulogne, which is my Park without any Expence I am very sorry to learn from your Letter that your private affairs have been embarassed and I wish you...
2612John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 27 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d your Favour of the Second of June by M r Tracy. as I Stopped in London only a few Hours, I had not an Oppertunity to see him: but I flatter myself with the Hope of Seeing him and M r Jackson here, where at length I am happily established with my Family. M r Jefferson and M r Humphreys are arrived, and Shall Soon begin our Work. I am So near D r Franklin, that it is but a pleasant...
2613John Adams to James Warren, 27 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 29 of June, by M r Jefferson, whose appointment gives me great Pleasure. He is an old Friend with whom I have often had Occasion to labour at many a knotty Problem, and in whose Abilities and Steadiness I always found great Cause to confide. The Appointment of this Gentleman, and that of M r Jay and M r: Dana are excellent Symptoms. I am now settled with my Family at a...
2614Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 2 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
By the honour of your Excellencies favour we observe, that our letter, of wh ch. we annex the Copy must not have reached you, wh ch. acknowledged the receipt of your Truncks. since your Excellency has not taken the Last acc t. with you, we inclose also the copy of it, together with the account of the sums we payed for you till this date, and wh ch. we have now charged in acc t. to the United...
2615C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 3 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
La besogne que vous trouverez, ci-joint, c’est à dire la copie & traduction d’une Résolution aussi importante, m’empeche encore de répondre cet ordinaire en détail à votre faveur du 25 du passé, com̃e je me l’etois proposé. Je crois qu’il importe autant que V. E. & Mess. vos Collegues voient cela en passant que le Congrès, pour votre governe. Mes respects à Auteuil & à Passy. Je suis avec...
2616John Adams to Benjamin Waterhouse, 8 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received your friendly Letter of the 19. June, by my dear M rs Adams, with great Pleasure and Shall ever be obliged to you for a Line when you have Leisure.— I am very glad our University has so able a Professor of Physick, and I doubt not you will soon Silence all Opposition. I should be obliged to you for your two orations. All Paris, and indeed all Europe, is at present amused with a Kind...
2617John Adams to Joseph Willard, 8 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received, by M rs Adams, the Letter you did me, the Honour to write me on the eighth of June last, together with a Vote of the President and Fellows of Harvard College of the first of April 1783, and a Diploma for a Doctorate of Laws elegantly engrossed and the Seal inclosed in a Silver Box. This Mark of the approbation of So respectable a University does me great Honour and is more...
2618John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 9 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 15 of June and am happy to inform you, that M r Jefferson and M r Humphrey are Arrived, as well as my Family with whom I am once more Settled. The Appointment of M r Jefferson is a very happy one. He is as active in Business as he is able, and has nothing So much at Heart as the real Service of his Country. I have known him of old. We have acted together...
2619The American Commissioners to the Baron von Thulemeier, 9 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled judging that an intercourse between the Subjects of His Prussian Majesty and the Citizens of the said States founded on the principles of equality reciprocity and friendship, may be of mutual advantage to both nations, on the twelfth day of May last, issued their Commission under the Seal of the said States to the Subscribers as their...
2620C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 10 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Quoique malade depuis 8 jours, je fais cependant des efforts, non seulement pour vous acheminer l’incluse pour le Congrès dont le contenu Vous mettra au fait de la suite des affaires ici, mais aussi pour ré[ pon ]dre à votre faveur du 25 Août un peu plus en détail que je n’ai pu faire dans mes deux précédentes, la 1 e. sous couvert de Mr. Th s. Barclay, la suivante directement à V. E. selon...
2621Christian Lotter to John Adams, 10 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellence’s of the 25 th: of last Month, wherewith I have been favoured, did give me very great Satisfaction and Joy of the perfect State of health of Your Excellence and honor ble: Family, and their Safe arrival at Auteuil; I immediately after perusing the Letter, communicated Your Excellence Compliments to Mr: Maclaine, who was very much delighted at Your Kind remembrance of him,...
2622The American Commissioners’ Memorandum of a Conversation with the Comte de Vergennes, 15 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
The American Ministers plenipotentiary exhibited officially to the Count de Vergennes Minister and Secretary of State having the Department of foreign Affairs, the Commission of the United States in Congress assembled authorizing them to negotiate & conclude a supplementary Treaty between the United States and His Most Christian Majesty—a Copy whereof was left with the Count, who informed...
2623John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 16 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your obliging Letter of the 2 d of this Month, with the Papers enclosed I have heard nothing from Congress nor from M r Morris respecting the last Loan, excepting a few Lines from that Superintendant of Finance, of Thanks for the Assistance given him. The Adjournment of Congress is I Suppose the Reason. In the latter End of October, Gentlemen you will be so good as to draw the...
2624C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 16 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Rien de nouveau ici depuis ma derniere. On attend la réponse de Vienne à celle de L. H. P. En attendant les antirépublicains ici, & les pusillanimes & indolens, font des Com̃entaires sur le dernier Mem e. de Mr. De B— r . Selon eux c’est une défaite de la part de la f ce. , pour ne pas dire tout cru. “Nous ne nous soucions pas de nous mêler de vos affaires; démêlez votre fusée com̃e vous...
2625David Hartley’s Memorandum to the American Commissioners, 16 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
You may with great Truth assure the American Ministers of our ready and friendly disposition to receive any proposals from the United States for the forming such regulations as may tend to the mutual and reciprocal advantage of both Countries.— That his Majesty’s govern t w d at all times be ready to concur in the forming such a System as may fully answer every purpose of commercial as well as...
2626John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 18 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 10 th. as well as the two former, with their Inclosures. The first I Sent by M r Tracy a Sure hand, by the Way of London, and the two Latter, I shall Send the Same Way by another private Hand, so that all three will go safe and as soon or sooner than by the Way of L’orient The two Abbys who continue their freindly and brotherly Course of Life, very often...
2627C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 24 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Com̃e le contenu de l’incluse ne m’a été confié que sous le Sceau du secret, vous voudrez bien, ainsi que Mess. vos Collegues, ne témoigner à personne, hollandois ou françois de l’avoir vu. Du reste, quand vous l’aurez cacheté, vous aurez la bonté de le faire acheminer par l’Orient sous couvert de Mr. Barclay. Mes respects S.v.p. à Mad e. Adams & à Mess. Franklin & Jepherson. Vous avez bien...
2628Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 27 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
We are favoured with your Excellency’s esteemed favour of the 16 th. Instant, Nothwithstanding four Vessells arrived from America last week, we remain Still without any writings of M r. Morris, We are of your opinion bussiness of greater Consequence is the Cause of his Silence, but it Should not be less agreable to have his approbation on our behaviour. Your directions about the lottery of...
2629The Conde de Aranda to the American Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 27 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Antes de ayer recibi la carta de V. S as. del 22 por mano del S r. Humphreys Secretarío de la comission, en la qual me comunican la íntencion de los Estados unidos de America de establecer con el Rey Catolico una correspondencia conveniente ã los dos Dominíos, y fundada en los principios de igualdad, reciprocidad, y amistad, que mutuamente sea ventajosa ã las dos Naciones. Que para este efecto...
2630Daniel Boinod to John Adams, 28 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Si je n’ai point pris jusqu’ici la liberté de remercier votre Excellence de la grace qu’elle me fit l’année passée de me donner des lettres de recommandation, c’est que j’ai craint de l’importuner & de la distraire d’occupations importantes—Je n’en ai pas moins senti tout ce que je devois à vos bontés, & j’ose prendre la liberté de vous en témoigner ici toute ma reconnoissance— Monsieur...
2631Baron von Thulemeier to John Adams, 1 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recû par la dernière poste la lettre dont Vous m’avés honoré, Monsieur, en date du 18. de Septembre. Celle que Vous m’avés adressée conjointement avec Messieurs Francklin, et Jefferson, touchant la conclusion du Traité de Commerce que j’ai eû l’avantage de negocier avec Vous, a été transmise au Roi. Dès que les Ordres ultérieurs de S. M. me seront connûs, je m’empresserai a Vous en faire...
2632The Baron von Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ai point différé de porter à la connoissance du Roi mon Maître les dispositions des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique pour la conclusion d’un Traité d’Amitié et de Commerce, que Vous m’avez fait connoître, Messieurs, par la lettre dont Vous m’avez honoré en date du 9. de Septembre Dernier. Sa Majesté ayant jugé à propos de me munir des Pleinpouvoirs requis pour donner au dit Traité toute la...
2633The American Commissioners’ Memorandum of a Conversation with Per Olof von Asp, 8 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
The objects of the supplementary Treaty proposed on the part of the United States with His Sweedish Majesty are in substance these: MS in David Humphreys’ hand ( PCC , No. 116, f. 46–47). At the head of the MS , David Humphreys wrote, “in consequence of the preceding letter the subsequent verbal information was remitted to his Excellency the Ambassador by the hand of M r d’Asp Secretary to the...
2634John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 10 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
My Colleague M r Jefferson, has orders from Congress to receive a sum of Money in Europe for his necessary accommodation, and not readily finding it, I have ventured to draw upon you in his favour for Six Thousand Florins which I request you to honour. I am requested also to draw upon you for about a Thousand Pounds sterling in favour of Coll Humphreys Secretary of our Legation to enable him...
2635C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 12 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
En adressant la présente à Votre Excellence, je dois vous prévenir, qu’il ne me sera ni permis, ni par conséquent possible de vous faire parvenir des Dépeches par la voie usitée. Cependant, com̃e je crois qu’il importe & convient à la Com̃ission autant qu’au Congrèsmême de voir le contenu de la plupart de ces Dépeches, je continuerai volontiers, si V. E. veut avoir la bonté de m’indiquer...
2636Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mr̃ Jefferson’s compliments to M r. Adams & D r. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles. he also sends one on the general subject & in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with mr̃ Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we...
2637Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 18 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter which I received Yesterday under Cover from M r. Dumas, I suppose the old Gentleman sent it to Me, as you are wholly Unknown in and about Paris— I hope the security of the Conveyance will make You amends for the Delay— I have purchased for M rs. Adams some Hyson, and other Teas, which will be left at Pichinies at Passy Near the Barrier au Conferance, who keeps a Pension,...
2638John Adams to the president of Congress, 20 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letters from M r Dumas will communicate to Congress, the present State of affairs, between their High Mightinesses and the Government general of the Austrian Low Countries. Those, who have negotiated for the Emperor, appear to have presumed too much upon the Fears and Divisions of the Dutch, and to have compromised too hastely his Authority and Dignity. The Dutch, neither...
2639C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 21 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mardi 19 au soir Leurs H. P. dépecherent un Exprès à Paris, avec l’acceptation unanime de la part des 7 provinces des points réservés en blanc dans le Traité défensif adopté de part & d’autre; & pouvoir à leurs plénipo: de signer ce Traité &c. J’attends l’adresse demandée à Londres, non seulement pour les Lettres que je pourrai écrire à V. E. par cette route, com̃e la plus sure dorénavant pour...
2640John Adams to Thomas Cushing, 25 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Within a few days I have rec d your Favour of the 16 of August, with the Resolve of the General Court of the 6 and 7 of July. The Line between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia gave me much Uneasiness at the Time of the Negotiation of the Provisional Articles, and Still continues to distress me. I knew that the French in former Times, had a Practice of erecting an holy Cross of Wood upon every...
2641C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 26 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Depuis quelque temps, & plus les apparences de guerre se fortifient, plus je me trouve obséde, tant par des Americains que par des Hollandois, pour leur procurer des Lettres de mer Américaines. Il m’est aisé de me défaire de ces derniers, quoiqu’ils reviennent toujours à la charge, en leur disant que cela n’est pas en mon pouvoir, & en leur promettant d’en écrire à V. E. Mais il n’en est pas...
2642John van Heukelom & Zoon to John Adams, 27 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
We take the liberty to inclose a letter for M r. Cranch: Which we beg Your Excellencÿ maÿ read and then forward to him the Sooner the better; We are afraid that oúr Connexion with this Gentleman or with M r. Aústin, will be of no Consequence & that it will come to Nothing in â Short time; the reason is that we verÿ seldom receive á letter from them & nó information whether it be time or not to...
2643The American Commissioners to the Conde de Aranda, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 27 th day of Sept r last, and we thank you for your care in transmitting to your Court, the information of our appointment to treat with it. You desire to be informed if one or more of us can repair to Madrid for the purpose of conducting & concluding the negotiation, because that it is the system of your Court in matters...
2644The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
The United States of america in Congress assembled judging that an intercourse between the Subjects of his Britannic Majesty & the Citizens of the Said States founded on the Principles of equality, reciprocity & friendship may be of mutual advantage to both nations, on the 12 th. day of may last, issued their Commission under the Seal of the Said States to the Subscribers as their Ministers...
2645The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
While M. hartley was here as Minister from the Court of Great Britain, we had the honour of mentioning to him that we were instructed by the Congress to treat on Some points distinct from any regulations of Commerce He Communicated this to his Court & the very Satisfactory answer which he received & made to us of its good disposition & willingness to receive & consider any propositions that...
2646Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 28 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received your Excellency’s most Esteemed Favoúr of the 10 th. Inst t. which advice ús that M r. Jefferson having Orders from Congress to receive a Súm of Money in Europe, your Excell y. had furnish’d a draft upon ús in his favoúr of ƒ6000:—:— to which due honoúr is paid—. The Same reception will meet your Excell ys. draft on ús of £1000.— in favoúr of Coll o. Humphriys Secretary as there is...
2647David Humphreys’ Memorandum to the American Commissioners, 30 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Commission by appointment waited on the Duke of Dorset & delivered to him two Letters from the American Ministers dated the 28 th instant: whereupon the British Ambassador desired M r Humphreys to inform the Ministers of the United States, “that being entirely unacquainted with the negotiations proposed through M r Hartley to the Court of London, he could say nothing on...
2648John Adams to the president of Congress, 3 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
D r Franklin has lately communicated to M r Jefferson and me a Letter he has received from the Comte de Vergennes and another from M r Grand. The first informs that M r Marbois had informed him, that upon his application to the Superintendant of Finances, he had received an Answer by M r Governieur Morris, that Letters Should be written both to Amsterdam and Paris to provide for the Payment of...
2649John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 3 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of the 26. Oct r: with the seven Questions inclosed. I have answered these Questions to the best of my Judgment, believing it to be my Duty to give to my enquiring Countrymen, all the satisfaction in my Power upon such occasions. I should wish too to gratify the Dutch merchants, and all others as far as I can in Character. But we must above all Things have the...
2650John Adams to Francis Dana, 4 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I presume this will meet you in Congress where No Doubt it is less irksome to Serve than heretofore, but not yet So agreable as it ought to be, and must be made.— The States will find themselves obliged to make their Delegates more comfortable & more honourable, if they do not See a Necessity of giving more Power to that assembly.— Many Gentlemen in Europe think the Powers in the Confederation...
2651John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 4 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
We are going on, with as much dispatch as the Nature of our Business will admit of, and We proceed with wonderful Harmony, good Humour and Unanimity. The D r , is confined to his House and Garden by the Stone as he thinks. He has not been farther from Home, than my House at Auteuil which is within a mile of his, for these twelve months. He cannot ride in a Carriage, because the motion of that...
2652C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 7 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
En vain je donne la torture à mon esprit pour me former une idée de celui de l’Emp r. , & de son caractere. Tout ce que j’en comprends, est que cet Etre singulier, à force de vouloir devenir un roi des rois, & ressembler tout à la fois à Alexandre, à Charles XII, à Pierre I & à Frederic, est parvenu à ne ressembler à rien, pas même à lui même. Je sais de très-bonne part qu’il a un systeme &...
2653I. The American Commissioners to the Baron von Thulemeier, 10 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received the Letter your Excellency did us the honour of writing to us the 8 th Ult o. together with the copy of your full powers to treat with us. M r Adams had as you suppose, preserved a copy of the project of a Treaty that had been concerted between your Excellency & him; but having by instruction from the Congress our Sovereign certain new articles to propose in all our Treaties with...
2654II. Draft Prussian-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, with a Contemporary French Translation, 10 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
[ 10 November 1784 ] [ 24 January 1785 ] Draught of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce between His Majesty the King of Prussia and the United States of America. Projet. d’un Traité d’Amitié et de Commerce entre Sa Majesté le Roi de Prusse et les Etats-Unis de l’Amérique. The parties being willing to fix in a permanent & equitable manner the rules to be observed in the commerce they desire to...
2655III. The American Commissioners’ Memorandum in Support of Article 23 of the Draft Prussian-American Treaty of Amity and … (Adams Papers)
By the original Law of Nations war and extirpation was the punishment of injury—humanizing by degrees, it admitted slavery instead of death. A farther step was, the exchange of prisoners instead of slavery. Another, to respect more the property of private persons under conquest, and be content with acquired dominion. Why should not this Law of Nations go on improving? Ages have intervened...
2656IV. The Baron von Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, 10 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
La lettre dont Vous m’avez honoré, Messieurs, en date du 10 de Novembre ne m’est parvenue que le 26 du même mois, par la voye d’un courier Hollandois. J’ai transmis au Roi une traduction françoise du Projet d’un Traité de Commerce à conclure pour l’avantage réciproque des Sujets de Sa Majesté et des Citoyens des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, auquel les instructions récentes du Congrès Vous ont...
2657V. From the Baron von Thulemeier, 24 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
Vous recevrés, Monsieur, par un Courier Hollandois adressé a Messieurs de Berckenrode, et Brantzen un paquet sous Votre enveloppe et celle de Messieurs Francklin et Jefferson. Il renferme les observations du Roi sur le Contre-Projet du Traité de Commerce, qui m’a été remis de Vôtre part, au mois de Novembre de l’année dernière. Agréez qu’en qualité de Vôtre ancien Collègue, toujours...
2658VI. The Baron von Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, with the Prussian Observations on the Draft … (Adams Papers)
Le Roi mon Maître ayant trouvé bon de m’autoriser à faire passer en Vos mains, Messieurs, quelques Observations sur le Contre-Projet du Traité de Commerce à conclure pour l’avantage réciproque de Ses Sujets, et celui des Citoyens de l’Amérique, tel que Vous m’avez fait l’honneur de me l’adresser en date du 10. de Novembre dèrnier, et entré à la Haye par un Courier Hollandois le 26. du même...
2659VII. To the Baron von Thulemeier, 13 February 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 24 th: of Jan y. did not reach me, untill two Days ago. I communicated the Observations, inclosed in it, immediately to my Colleagues, who will transmit you our Answers, as soon as Health, and other Circumstances will admit. I have communicated to them also, your personal and confidential observations to me. They will have great Weight as they ought to have. I am weary of...
2660VIII. The American Commissioners to the Baron von Thulemeier, 14 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
We had the honour of receiving your Letter of Jan ry: 24. covering a translation into French of the Draught of a treaty proposed between His Majesty the King of Prussia & the United States of America, together with answers to the several articles. We have considered them with attention, & with all those dispositions to accomodate them to the wishes of His Majesty which a respect for his...