From John Adams to Daniël Jan Bouwens, 7 November 1780
To Daniël Jan Bouwens
Amsterdam Novr. 7th 1780
Sir
I waited on Mr. Blomberg yesterday, but found him to ill to speak upon Business: I must therefore request You to recommend to me another Broker for the present, one who speaks French or English if possible. I dont mean to quit Mr. Blomberg, whom I esteem very much, but I suppose it will not be amiss to have two. Messrs. Mortier and Merckemaer have been mentioned to me.
Mean time I will venture to propose to Mr. [Bouwens’]1 Consideration the following Plan.
| Interest | 5 Per Cent pr. Annum for ten Years. |
| To the House for negotiating the Capital} | 1. Per Cent. |
| To the Undertakers to furnish the Capital} | 1. Per Cent. |
| Brokerage | ½ Per Cent. |
| For the Yearly paying off of 10 per Cent. | |
| To the House of the Loan | 1. Per Cent. |
| To the same for paying off the annual Interest} | 1. per Cent of the Interest. |
I should be glad of your Sentiments, as soon as may be convenient. I am with great Respect, Sir, your very humble Servant
John Adams
RC in John Thaxter’s hand (Adams Papers); endorsed: “My Letter to Mr. Bowens.”; and “Novr. 10. 1780 returned to me, on the 10th. of November at one O Clock by Mr. Bowens’s Book keeper, with an Answer that he had made Some Enquiries, and could not see any hopes of Success, and therefore declined the Trust.”; notation in an unknown hand: “Christian Tenkate Mrs. Van Vlooten.” Those two names were the recommendations of either Bouwens or his bookkeeper to act as JA’s broker in place of van Blomberg and appear on a slip of paper accompanying this letter in the Adams Papers. Immediately upon the return of this letter on 10 Nov., JA wrote to Bicker (Adams Papers), informing him of Bouwens’ decision and asking his opinion of Ten Kate and van Vlooten. Bicker replied on the 11th (below).