2931From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 12 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your two Letters containing the Anecdote and the Preliminaries have been recd., and You have seen the use of them. I have at length a friendly Letter from Mr. Jay, who tells me some good News, which I must not communicate. I have Letters too from Petersbourg with other News. Upon the whole they are consulting upon Preliminaries at Paris, and concerting Plans elsewhere for a Congress. If the...
2932From John Adams to John Paul Jones, 12 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Pleasure of receiving your Favour of the 10th of December last, and am much obliged to you for your Care of the Articles which Mr Moylan, at my desire Sent to my Family. The Command of the America could not have been more judiciously bestowed, and it is with Impatience that I wish her at Sea, where She will do honour to her Name. Nothing gives me So much Surprize, or so...
2933From John Adams to Philip Mazzei, 12 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your favours of 28 of June and 30 July, I have recd. I have not transmitted to Congress, the first, because I would not give an allarm unnecessarily. The Intelligence contained in it is wholly groundless, according to the best Information I can obtain and the best Judgment I can form. I am well assured that neither of the Imperial Courts have ever made any declaration, or expressed any Opinion...
2934Memorandum Concerning an Invitation from the Neutral Maritime Confederacy to the United States of America, 12 August … (Adams Papers)
The Project in Some of the foreign Gazettes, of an Invitation from the neutral maritime Confederacy, to the United States of America, to acceed to the Principles of their Treaty, is founded in evident Justice, Humanity and Utility. The Case of America is a new one. It has no Example in History, and therefore no Reasonings can be drawn from Example to decide it. All the World agrees that the...
2935From John Adams to John Jay, 13 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Comission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Marattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, vizt. Sa Majesté Britannique...
2936To John Jay from John Adams, 13 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
The public Papers announce Fitzherbert’s Commission to be, to treat “With the four Powers at War with Great-Britain” But whether they mean Hyder Aly, or the Mahrattas, is uncertain. I have obtained Intelligence of a Paper addressed lately from the Court of St. James’s to the Courts of Vienna and Petersbourg, as well as that of Paris, in which are the following words, viz t . Sa Majesté...
2937John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Thaxter is getting better and Mr. Charles Storer is now with me, and We may be all now said to be pretty well. Our northern Friends are well too. You will hear a great deal about Peace, but dont trust to it. Remember what I have often said “We shall not be able to obtain Peace, while our Ennemies have New York and Charlestown or either of them.” I know the Character and Sentiments of the...
2938From John Adams to Herman van Bracht, 15 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I yesterday recd. the polite Letter You did me the honor to write me on the 12th. of this Month, together with a very acceptable Present from Mr. Wanner of the second Volume of the Translations of the American Constitutions into the Dutch Language. The Dedication does me great honor in many Respects, but in none more than in placing me in Company with those illustrious Assertors of the Rights...
2939From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 15 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
By a certain anonimous Letter you have had a Specimen of the infernal Arts which have been and are practised, to create Misunderstandings among American Ministers. There has been an uninterupted succession of them ever since I have been in Europe. Whether they are to be attributed to Inventions of Our Ennemies or to Still baser Intrigues of pretended Friends, or to impudent Schemes of...
2940John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of June 17. arrived this Day and gave me, all the tender and melancholly Feelings of which my Heart is susceptible. How shall I express my solicitude for my amiable, my venerable Friend and Brother? This World contains not a wiser or a more virtuous Man. Just now placed in a situation, too where all his great Talents and excellent Virtues might have their full Effect!—But it is but...
2941John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Situation of my dear Brother, at the date of yours 17. June, has allarmed me so much that I dread to hear any further News of him. An Affection for him has grown old with me as it commenced very early in Life and has constantly increased. Mr. Smiths Letter of 6 of May did not surprise me so much because I had often known him in great distress in the Lungs but these disorders are new. The...
2942From John Adams to John Jay, 17 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The States General have chosen Mr Brantzen Minister to negotiate for Peace. Yesterday he did me the honour to dine with me. He is represented to me to be a good Man and well fixed in the true System. I have very authentic Information that his Instructions will be such as France and America as well as his own Country ought to wish them. I have Letters from Boston 17 June —grand Rejoicings on...
2943John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is with Pleasure that I enclose this amiable Letter from your Sister, which breaths a very commendable affection for You and solicitude for your Welfare. There is nothing more tender than these Correspondences between Families, as there is nothing more sacred than the Relations of Brother and sister, except that of Parent and Child. It is your duty to answer her. I say again, it is a moral...
2944From John Adams to Henry Laurens, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the inclosed Letter open for me to read. It appears to be from one, who had a remarkable kind of Benevolence towards the U. S. Such as has memorably appeared through the whole War, in almost all Countries, I mean the benign Inclination to be American Agents Jobbers, Officers, Ambassadors, Generals and Kings. Inclosed is a Copy of Fitzherberts Commission. Pray inclose it to...
2945From 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...
2946Memorial to the States General, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Hague, ca. 18 August 1782. LbC ( Adams Papers ). printed : Boston Patriot , 8 May 1811. The memorial’s date is derived from its position in the Letterbook preceding the 18 Aug. letter to Robert R. Livingston, above, and also from the presence of two French translations of the memorial in the Koninklijk Huisarchief at The Hague. Both are headed by the notation “Ajouté á la Depéche de Vn du...
2947From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 19 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The present Minister, Shelburne I remember disgusted me by an unintelligible, misterious and Equivocal Letter or Number of Letters and in general by the Conduct he held, fifteen or Twenty years ago, and I recollect some disputes I had with Mr Otis upon his Lordships subject at that time. His Lordship appears to be the Same Character at this day. He is a good Proof of personal Identity. His...
2948From John Adams to Antoine Marie Cerisier, 19 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I dare not venture to send the Comte’s Manuscript. If You will come here, You shall have the use of it as long as You please, and all the Accomodations You can desire. Pray quote the Reflections You mention from the Courier de Bas Rhin. I shall be glad to see yours in addition—there is ample Room for many. The Treaty of Commerce is not yet arranged. I have recd. a Card from the G. Pensionary,...
2949From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to let Mr Guild go without a long Letter to you—but you must pardon me. Mr Guild calls upon me for my Dispatches. There are Conferences begun about Preliminaries at Paris and Things are tending to a Congress, but I fancy they would have gone on much better, if Congriss had adhered to your their first Plan. Never did the Neccessity of a clear and firm Conduct appear more plainly to...
2950From John Adams to James Warren, 19 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
There is now an Harmony so entire between France America and Holland, that I think Affairs must come to a good Conclusion, if they do not it will I am perswaded be our Fault. But I am determined it shall not be mine, and I dont believe it will be Mr Jays. Spain is now inclined to make a Treaty with us, as I am informed, and the Comte d’Aranda is authorised to treat with him at Paris, this...
2951John Adams’ Second Reply to the Dutch Remarks on and Suggested Changes to His Draft Treat of Amity and Commerce, 22 – 27 … (Adams Papers)
(1) Is a just Amendment, and it is readily agreed to Substitute the Words “Der vereenigde Nederlanden” in the Place of the Words “Van de Zeven vereenigde Provincien.” and in English “of the United Netherlands” instead of “of the Seven United Provinces of the Low Countries.” (2). The only legal Style and Title is “The United States of America,” as appears by the Declaration of Independance, the...
2952I. 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...
2953IV. Proposed Article in Place of Articles 22 and 23, 22 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
It is agreed between the two contracting Parties that no Clause, Article, matter or Thing, herein contained Shall be taken or understood, contrary or derogatory to the Ninth, Tenth, Seventeenth and twenty Second Articles of the Treaty of Commerce between the United States and the Crown of France, or to prevent the Said United States from Admitting his Catholick Majesty the King of Spain to...
2954John Adams to Norton Quincy, 28 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I Sigh every day, in whatever Scaene I am in for a walk down to your House and a Day by your Fireside. —I hope the Time will come, but not so soon as I wish. It would amuze you, as it does me to wander about in scaenes once frequented by the great Princes of Orange, by Brederode, Barnevelt, Grotius, De Witts, Erasmus, Boerhave, Van Trump, De Ruyter and a thousand others, and I can assure you,...
2955From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 28 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your Favour with the Slip from the Gen Adr I dread the Sight of the Thing it was so slovenly dressed, but I dont much care about dress you know. I have also recd your favour with the Extract from our Friend at Nantes, and I confess it puzzles me Somewhat. I really Scarcly know what to conclude from it—whether he has an Inclination to come here or not, if you candidly, between you...
2956From John Adams to Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 28 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I recd in due Time your Favour of the 13. The inclosed Account of 13f.14s. I return with my Request that you would be So good as to pay and charge it to my private Acct with your Society, which I will pay when I come to Amsterdam. Inclosed also is another little Account of f.7.16s due to a Copper Smith, which I pray you to pay and charge it in the Same manner. Inclosed also is a third Account...
2957From John Adams to Samuel Adams, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The King of England has Sent Mr Fitzherbert to Paris with a Commission to treat of Peace, with his dear Brother the King of France and with the Ministers of the states General, and of all other Principum et Statuum quorum interesse poterit. The States General have appointed Mr Brantzen to make Peace too but in concert with France and the other belligerent Powers. Mr Brantzen is not yet gone...
2958From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have a great Mind to envy your Situation or to wish myself with you in Congress where I Should have less Anxiety and more health, if not an opportunity to do more good. The Mynheers have overcome most of their Terrors and are now well fixed, in the good System. They will hearken to no Seperate Proposals, and therefore will make an important Diversion in our favour although they Should not...
2959From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 30 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Copies will shew you, the State of Matters. Besides these I have a Letter of Credence to their H. M. which has been presented accepted and recorded, long since; this Letter of Credence is as Minister Plenipotentiary. I have also recd another Commission for other Purposes not yet public. But Mr L. is named in none but that for borrowing Money, but so named in that that he can do...
2960John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
All well.—You will send these Papers to some Printer when you have done with them. We have found that the only Way of guarding against Fevers is to ride. We accordingly mount our Horses every day. But the Weather through the whole Spring and most of the Summer has been very dull, damp, cold, very disagreable and dangerous. But shaking on Horseback guards pretty well against it. I am going to...
2961From John Adams to John Jay, 2 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you on the 10th. 13th. and 17th. of August, but have no Answer as yet to either Letter. All is well here, and will not only remain so but grow better and better. Since it is from Bows and Smiles and Invitations to Dinner and Such kind of Indications that We are to collect the deep Politicks of Courts, I Suppose I may augur well for your Negotiations with Spain, because I have lately...
2962From 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...
2963VIII. Final Text of the Dutch-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce: A Translation, 6 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Treaty of Amity and Commerce, between their High Mightinesses, the States General of the united Netherlands, and the United States of America, to wit New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York New Jersey, Pensilvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Their High Mightinesses, the States General of the...
Conventie tusschen de Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden, en Vereenigde Staten van America, rakende de hernomen Scheepen. De Heeren Staten Generaal der vereenigde Nederlanden, en vereenigde Staten van America, geneegen synde, eenige gelykvormige grondbeginselen vast te stellen, omtrent het opbrengen van Prÿsen, door de Oorlog Scheepen en Commissievaarders van Weedersyds...
Convention between the Lords the states general of the united Netherlands, and the United States of America concerning Vessells recaptured. The Lords the States General of the United Netherlands, and the united States of America, being inclined to establish some uniform Principles, with Relation, to Prizes made, by Vessells of War and commissioned by the two contracting Powers, upon their...
2966From 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...
2967From John Adams to James Sullivan, 6 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Letter of the 24. of July and feel myself under Obligations to you for it, So much the greater as it contains freer Sentiments than most of my Friends ever write me, and as it is almost the only Letter, I received by that Conveyance, except from my Family. My Friends Sir have almost forgotten me, by Way of Retaliation I Suppose for my Apparent Neglect of them. I have...
2968From John Adams to James Warren, 6 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I thank You for the Papers and your Card of 22d July. The Letters inclosed I shall send along. My Friends have all become as tender of me as You are; and to save me trouble send me no Letters: so I know nothing about You. I hope You have not been all sick as I have. I hope You have not all quite so much Business as I have to do; at least I hope it is to better effect, and to more profit, both...
2969From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd, your Letter with other Slips for which I thank you and another Since. I take constantly the Morning Post, Morning Chronicle London Courant and have taken the Evening Post, but Shall change it Soon for the General Advertiser. The Couriers de L’Europe and du Bas Rhin, the French Gazettes of Hague Leyden and Amsterdam and all the Dutch Gazettes. Is this to be a News Monger? I take em...
2970From 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,...
2971Enclosure: Account of John Adams’ Salary, 1779–1782 (Adams Papers)
Account stated to be transmitted to Congress, in answer to Secretary Livingston’s Letter of 22d. May 1782. The United States to John Adams. Dr: To two Years & an half’s Salary, commencing, the 13th. November. 1779. & ending the 13th. May. 1782—p 2500 £. pr: Ann: £6250— Cr: By Cash &c: recd. of the United-States, from the House of Mr: Ferdinando Grand, at Paris, and the House of Fizeau, Grand &...
2972Enclosure: Account for Purchase of House in Amsterdam, 7 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Further Acco’t: stated to be transmitted to Congress, in answer to Secretary Livingston’s Letter of 22d May. 1782. The United States to John Adams Dr: To an House on the Flewelle Burgwal, at the Hague: The Deed taken in the name of the United-States of America, according to Mr: Dumas’s Acco’t: settled . . . fifteen thousand, two hundred & seven Florins, and seven stivers & eight Duits . . . ....
2973Enclosure: Account for John Adams’ Sundry Expenses, 1781 (Adams Papers)
The United States to John Adams Dr: To four hundred Dollars, stolen out of my Chest at Dr: Franklin’s at Passy. The bottom of the Box was broke out & the money taken away. . . . 1781. July To Expences of a Journey fm. Amsterdam to Paris began the 2d. July & returned to Amsterdam the 27th. Went thro’ Utrecht, Gorcum, Breda, Antwerp, Brussells, Valenciennes &c. The whole expense of Coach &...
2974From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 8 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have been informed, that a Motion has been made in the Regency of Amsterdam, that a Sum should be subscribed in Behalf of the City to a Loan which is to be opened for the State of Mary land. I wish well to the state of Maryland and wish for the Persperity of her Loan: but I am apprehensive that you and I shall be all censured by Congress, if this Motion takes Place and We neglect to apply...
2975From John Adams to Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 10 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd. your Letter of the Seventh of this Month, and after reflecting upon it, I cannot See that the Subject of it will injure, or interfere with the Loan of the United States, and as it will be So beneficial, both to Mary land and Amsterdam, I will make no opposition or Objection to your Request to the Magistrates of that City to take a Share in the Loan of Mary land on Account of the...
2976From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 10 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since my Letter of the Eighth I have, recd a Letter from Mrs Vanstaphorsts and have conversed with one of those Gentlemen, and am after further Reflection, of opinion that the Loan of Mary land even if the Regency of Amsterdam Should Subscribe to it, will not injure the Loan of the United States and therefore, I shall make no opposition or objection to it. As to your applying publickly or...
2977From John Adams to Adriaan Pieterszoon Loosjes, 11 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Evening of the Second, I had the Pleasure of receiving from you, a most elegant Present in a Volume intitled “Gedenkzuil ter Gelegenheid der Vry—Verklaaring Van Noord America.” It is indeed “Monumentum aere perennius.” The Connection formed between your Country, Sir and mine is an Event of So much Importance to both Nations, and will have Consequences So extensive in the political System...
2978From 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....
2979From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, 13 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your two Letters for which I am obliged to you. This is an affair of Some Delicacy and Difficulty, but all Things considered I have concluded not to make any opposition to the Application of Messrs Van Staphorsts. Upon the whole, I hope the United States will be benefited rather than injured as you have found in my Letter to the society of the 10th. I would not advise an...
2980[September 1782] (Adams Papers)
Supped last Night at Court in the Maison du Bois. M. Boreel told me he had been to Paris which he quitted 8 days ago. That M. Franklin had been sick. It was at first reported that he had been struck with an Apoplexity. Then it was said he had a billious Cholick, and afterwards a Retention of Urine. But that he had got well before he left Paris. Fell into Conversation naturally with Don Joas...