51From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
THE memorial promised in my last letter was in these words High and Mighty Lords , As soon as her Majesty the Empress, was informed of the sudden departure from the Hague, of the Ambassador of his Britannic Majesty to your High Mightinesses; guided by the sentiments of friendship and benevolence which she professes towards the two powers; she did not wait, for further explanations, concerning...
52From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 3 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
The black cloud that hung over the whole of the seven provinces; the solemn gloom that pervaded the whole nation; the universal uncertainty and timidity that had seized upon all minds, determined me to bring my own mission to a trial. If I should be rejected and ordered out of the country, our situation would not be worse. If I should be received, my object would be gained:—but if I should...
53From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 4 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
In my last letter I mentioned the following MEMORIAL To their High Mightinesses, the States General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries. High and Mighty Lords , The subscriber has the honour, to propose to your High Mightinesses, that the United States of America, in Congress assembled, have lately thought fit to send him a Commission (with full powers and instructions) to confer with...
54From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, May 8, 1781—wrote to Dr. Franklin: “I have the honor of your letter of the 29th of April, and according to your desire have inclosed a list of the bills accepted with the times of their becoming due; and shall draw for the money to discharge them, only as they become payable and through the house of Fizax & Grand. I sincerely congratulate you upon the noble aid obtained from the...
55From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 November 1809 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, May 23, 1781—wrote to Dr. Franklin: I have the honor of your letter of the 19th, with its enclosures and thank your excellency, for the pains you have taken to communicate the news from America: which can scarcely be called bad, though Gen. Green lost the field. I had before received and published in the Amsterdam Gazette, the same accounts.—The gazetteers are so earnest after...
56From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, May 27, 1781—wrote to Congress: “In the assembly of the States General, the following report has lately been made: Messrs. De Linden, De Hemmen, and other deputies of their High Mightinesses, for maritime affairs, have in consequence of the commissional resolution of the twenty seventh of last month, examined a letter of the directors named in commission by the respective chambers,...
57From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 20 December 1809 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, June 5, 1781, wrote to congress. “The deputies of Middleburg in the assembly of the states of the province of Zealand, on the 14th of May, consented to the petition, for granting larger bounties to those who shall engage in the service of the republic by sea. This advice has been given in this manner. The gentlemen, the deputies of Middleburg, have said, that they were authorized by...
58From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 1 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, June 12, 1781, wrote to Congress: “The States of Holland and Westfriesland are adjourned to the 27th. In their last session they consented to the augmentation of 17686 land forces, according to the plan which the council of state, in concert with the statholder, had formed on the 18th of April, and which had been carried on the 19th of the same month to the assembly of the states of...
59From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 3 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, June 15, 1781—wrote to Congress: “The long expected courier has at last arrived at the Hague from Petersburg. The Contents of his dispatches are not public, but all hopes of immediate assistance from the armed neutrality seem to be dissipated. The question now is what is to be done next? Some are for alliances with the House of Bourbon and America; but a thousand fears arise....
60From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 12 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, June 26, 1781—wrote to congress: “The Rubicon is passed! A step has been at last taken by the regency of Amsterdam, which must decide the fate of the Republic. The city of Amsterdam finding that their proposition of the 18th of last month was not sufficient to change the conduct of Administration, have ventured on another manœuvre. On the 8th of this month, as soon as the states of...
61From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 15 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, June 29, 1781—wrote to Congress: “On the 21st of this month, the field marshal, the duke Louis of Brunswick, presented to the States General, the following paper High and Mighty Lords, It is not without the greatest reluctance, that I see myself forced to interrupt the important deliberations of your High Mightinesses, and to have recourse to you, in an affair which indeed regards...
62From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
During my absence, which was nearly through the whole month of July, the following state papers were translated by the gentlemen of my family, whom I left in Holland, and transmitted to Congress, or to be kept for me to sign, according to my directions after my return. Amsterdam, 5th July, 1781—“The following is an extract from the registry of the Resolutions of their high Mightinesses the...
63From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 30 January 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, July 13, 1781—transmitted to congress; “The following is an extract from the registry of the resolutions of their high mightinesses the states general of the United Provinces: Thursday, June 28, 1781. Heard the report of Messrs. de Linden, de Hemmen and other deputies of their high mightinesses for maritime affairs, having in consequence, and to obey their commissorial resolution of...
64From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 February 1810 (Adams Papers)
This people must have their own way: They proceed like no other; there cannot be a more striking example of this, than the instructions given to privateers and letters of marque. The commander is ordered to bring his prizes into some port of the united provinces, or into the ports or roads of the allies and friends of this republic, especially France, Sweden, North America or Spain. And the...
65From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 17 February 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, August 16, 1781, wrote to congress—“Mr. Temple has held offices of such importance, and a bank so considerable in America before the revolution, that his return to his native country at this time cannot fail to cause much speculation, and it is to be feared, some diversity of sentiments concerning him. As he came from London to Amsterdam, and did me the honor of a visit, in which he...
66From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 1 March 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, August 25, 1781—wrote to Dr. Franklin: “Last evening I received your excellency’s letter of the 16th of this month, accompanied with a letter from the president of congress containing the commission you mention. (That is, the commission of the 15th of June, printed in my last letter.) You desire to know what steps have already been taken in this business. There has been no step...
67From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 10 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, October 17, 1781—wrote to congress: “There is at present a fermentation in this nation which may arise to violent extremities. Hundreds of pamphlets have appeared, some against the Court, some against the city and sovereign magistrates of Amsterdam, all of which must be adjudged to be seditious libels. At length a large pamphlet has appeared in Dutch; and having been distributed...
68From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 16 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, October 25, 1781—wrote to congress—“I see in the London Courant which arrived to day, an advertisement of a translation into English, of the address to the people of the Netherlands: so that this work is likely to be translated into all languages and read by all the world; notwithstanding the placards against it. I have before sent that of Utrecht: that of Holland is as follows. The...
69From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 19 April 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, December 1, 1781—wrote to Major Jackson: “Last night I received your letter of the 12th of November, and am very sorry to find that you were not likely to sail as you expected. My dear Mrs. Adams, who has heard that Charles is coming home in Gillon, has a thousand anxieties about him, which will increase every moment until his arrival. But when we trust ourselves to wind and waves...
70From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 May 1810 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Bristed, in his Hints, p. 389 to 413, has published some account of an affair which he says John Adams quashed. Whether this is a reproach or an honor, the public will judge from the Documents. On the 25th of August, 1798, I received at Quincy, the following Letter from the Secretary of State. (No. I.) Trenton, August 21, 1798. Sir—I enclose a letter which I received last evening, under...
71From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 10 May 1810 (Adams Papers)
(No VII.) Mr. President—Permit me to address to you, partriplicata, a copy of my despatch of the 24th of March 1798, which Mr. Caro, my compatriot, has had the honor of transmitting to your excellency from Falmouth, the 10th of May following. The object being of the highest importance, and the accidents of war having possibly prevented the arrival of the two former, it has appeared to me...
72From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 3 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, December 14, 1781—wrote to congress: “The first public body, which has proposed a connection with the United States of America, is the quarter of Oostergo, in the province of Friesland. The proposition is in these words. Every impartial patriot has a long time perceived, that in the direction of affairs, relative to this war with England, there has been manifested, an inconceivable...
73From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 9 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, December 25, 1781—wrote to congress: “There has appeared an ulterior declaration, in addition to the ordinances of the thirtieth of April and the third of November concerning the navigation and the maritime commerce of the subjects of Prussia, during the present war. The ordinances, which the king has caused to be published of the 30th of April and third of November of this year,...
74From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 12 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
In the latter end of December, 1781, I concluded to present myself a second time to the President of their high mightinesses, for an answer to my former memorial, and drew up a memorial in English and French; but as I had reason to believe the Duke De La Vauguion and the Comte De Vergennes would not now oppose me, but on the contrary would be pleased by being consulted, I communicated my...
75From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 18 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, January 16, 1782, wrote to congress—“The following verbal insinuation made by the baron de Nolken, Enjoy of Sweeden at London, to my lord Stormont, the 31st of August, 1781, is of importance to shew the intentions of the maritime confederacy. “The king has no occasion at this time to declare the principles which have determined his conduct from the time when he ascended the throne...
76From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 24 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, February 10, 1782, wrote again to Secretary Livingston—“On the 14th instant I had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your duplicate 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 entertains of conquering a country, so defended....
77From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 27 July 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, Feb. 21, 1782, wrote to the Hon. Robert R. Livingston, Secretary of State for foreign affairs. Secret and confidential.—Sir, 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...
78From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 2 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, Feb. 24, 1782—wrote to Mr. Dumas: “Your favor of the 23d is just come to hand. Thank you for your care and skill in the purchase of the house; and will do honour to your bills whenever they appear, by paying the cash. Madame La Comtesse de Wickrad, according to your relation, made me and our state a most elegant compliment, for which you will be so good if you please to make my...
79From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 7 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, March 1st, 1782.—wrote to the duke De La Vauguion “As Friesland has taken the provincial resolution to acknowledge the Independence of America, it seems to be high time for me to prepare for the execution of my instructions from Congress of the 16th of August, which I had the honor to communicate to your Excellency, on the 25th of November, and which had been previously communicated...
80From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, March 5, 1782—wrote to Mr. Bergsma: “Sir, I have received from the hand of Mr. Menkema, the resolution of the states of Friesland of the 26th of February. I beg you would accept of my best thanks for the honor you have done me, in communicating to me, so early, this important measure—a resolution which does so much honor to that spirit of liberty, which distinguishes your province;...
81From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the petition of Leyden, I transmitted to Congress the following address of thanks with a further petition. To the noble, great and venerable Lords, the great Counsel of the city of Leyden: The undersigned manufacturers, merchants and other traders interested in the manufactures and fabrics of this city, give respectfully to understand— That a number of the undersigned having taken,...
82From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 30 August 1810 (Adams Papers)
Amsterdam, March 19, 1782—Mr. Adams is very sensible of the honor done him in the polite card of Madam Van Berckel of this day’s date; but has the mortification to be conscious, that he is not the anonymous person alluded to, and therefore has no title to the genteel acknowledgments for the present or the billet. The happy auspices of a future connection between the two nations, which appear...
83From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 2 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Petition to the Burgomasters and Regents of Amsterdam . The subscribers, all merchants and manufacturers of this city, with all due respect, give to understand, that the difference arisen between the kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of America, has not only given occasion for a long and violent war, but that the arms of America have covered themselves with a success so happy,...
84From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 4 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
The resolution mentioned in my last of Holland and West Friesland, is as follows— Extract of the resolutions of the lords, the states of Holland and West Friesland, taken in the assembly of their noble and grand mightinesses, Thursday, March 28, 1782. Deliberated by resumption, upon the address and the ulterior address of Mr. Adams, made the fourth of May, 1781, and the ninth of January, 1782,...
85From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 6 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, April 7, 1782, wrote to Mr Dubbledemutz at Rotterdam: “I have received your favour of yesterday inclosing a Gazette with a new petition or address to the magistrates of the city of Rotterdam. While the people entertain such sentiments and hold such a language, their liberties and prosperity can never be essentially in danger. I should be very happy to see you at any time while I...
86From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 10 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
Extract from the Register of the resolution of the States General of the United provinces, Friday, the 19th of April, 1782. Deliberated by resumption, upon the address and the ulterior address, made by Mr. Adams, the 4th of May, 1781, and the 9th of January, the current year, to the President of the assembly of their high mightinesses, to present to their high mightinesses his letters of...
87From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 12 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
AMSTERDAM, 26th April, 1782—The following note to Mr. Hodshon, omitted in the order of its date must not be ordered here because it is connected with one of the most intricate and vexatious transactions that I ever found to puzzle me in all my life. Mr. Hodshon is desired to make the necessary inquiries, and as soon as he will give me under his hand his engagement to furnish congress with four...
88From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 24 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, June 15, 1782—Wrote to Secretary Livingston. “This morning, I made a visit to the grand pensionary of Holland, Mr Van Bleiswick, and had a long conference with him, concerning the plan of a treaty of commerce which is now under consideration, and endeavored to remove some of his objections; and to explain to him the grounds and reasons of certain articles which have been objected to...
89From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 26 September 1810 (Adams Papers)
July, 1792. It appeared to me of some importance that my countrymen should be informed of the constitution of the bank of Amsterdam, and to this end I made all the enquiries in my power, in times that could be spared from other more important occupations, and prepared for congress the following sketch, which with the notes upon it, contained, as I was informed, a correct account of it. A...
90From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 26 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
I had prepared a memorial to the states general according to my instructions, but as the French ambassador procrastinated and the prospect of a negociation for peace with England opened, I grew daily more and more indifferent about the triple or quadruple alliance, and said no more upon the subject. The project which was written but never presented, was in these words: High and mighty lords,...
91From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 31 October 1810 (Adams Papers)
The president De Thou introduces his history with “Pro veritate historiarum mearum deum ipsum obtestor.” Although I shall not follow the example of this great historian in this solemn appeal, in which perhaps he is singular, yet no man ought to commit any thing to writing as history, or as memorials to serve for history, without a strict regard to truth. I shall therefore designedly conceal...
92From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 November 1810 (Adams Papers)
Another original letter of the Count de Vergennes to Dr. Franklin or sending him Mr. Adam’s correspondence. A Versailles Le 31 Juillet, 1780. Le caractére dont vous étes révétu, Monsieur, votre sagesse et la confiance que je mêts dans vos principes et dans vos sentimens, m’engagent à vos communiquer la correspondance, que je viens je avoir avec Mr Adams. Vous trouverez, Je pense, dans les...
93From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 22 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, August 22, 1782—wrote tosSecretary Livingston—“Their high mightinesses have at length received their instructions from all the provinces, and I have this day been in conference with the grand committee, 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 received in state,...
94From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 25 January 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, Sept. 6, 1782—Wrote to Mr. Secretary Livingston, “In your letter of the 5th of 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 recaptures, which you must have seen in the papers. The East India Company have concerted operations with France...
95From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 28 February 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, September 12, 1782—wrote to Mr. Livingston: “Your letters express a desire that I should endeavor 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...
96From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 7 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, September 17, 1782—Wrote to secretary Livingston—“You will naturally inquire, whether the neutral powers will continue their neutrality? or whether the neutral confederacy will be broken? No certain answer can be given to those questions. We must content ourselves with probabilities, which are indeed strong for the continuance of the neutrality.—Who indeed should break it? The...
97From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 8 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, September 17, 1782—Wrote again to Mr. Secretary Livingston, “This morning I was in conference with Mr. secretary 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. Nothing now remains but to...
98From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 9 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, September 23, 1782—wrote to Mr. Secretary Livingston: “As this is a moment of great expectation; news of the greatest importance from the East Indies, the West Indies and North America, from Gibraltar, from Lord Howe’s fleet, and the combined fleets being hourly looked for, I take this opportunity to return to the Spanish Minister Comte Llano, a visit which I owed him. The Comte...
99From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 12 March 1811 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, October 8th; 1782—Wrote to Secretary Livingston—“At 12 o’clock to-day 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. 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...
100From John Adams to Boston Patriot, 21 April 1811 (Adams Papers)
In my first personal interview with Mr. Jay in private, between him and me alone, that minister opened and related to me in detail, the transactions which had passed after his arrival at Paris, from Madrid, and before my arrival on the 26th of October. Mr. Jay informed me, that after the arrival of Mr. Fitzherbert’s latin commission, which you have already published, the Comte de Vergennes...