51David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Revised Article, [14–18] June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives It is agreed, that the Citizens of the United States of America shall be permitted to import into and to export from any Port or Place of the Territories belonging to the Crown of Great Britain in American Ships, any Goods, Wares &...
52Elias Boudinot to the American Peace Commissioners, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives This letter from Elias Boudinot, president of Congress, not only announces the resignation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Robert R. Livingston, it also encloses a resolution of great importance to the peace commissioners. On February 5 John Adams had written to Congress that there no longer was a reason to...
53David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 14 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society; two incomplete copies and incomplete transcript: National Archives The American peace commissioners grew increasingly suspicious as they waited for Fox to respond to the article that Hartley had presented to them without prior approval on May 21. Hartley drafted another memorial for them on June 1, but...
54To John Adams from John Wheelock, 12 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Had I been influenced by my feelings, and by those sentiments, which I shall always retain, you would have had the burden of a letter, long before the date of this. But the truth is, that nothing in the benevolent object of my attention, has (till of late) appeared, which could give any pleasure to a liberal mind; & nothing has happened on the common theatre, which I could communicate, as...
55John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 6 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d last Tuesday your favour of the 29th of last month. As Mr. Dumas is so good as to read Virgil with me; 100 verses at a time is not too much at a Time. I have not Ainsworth’s Dictionnary, but I have Lyttleton’s, and several French one’s. I don’t think I shall be able to find Trapp’s translation of Virgil here; but I have enough with that of Dryden. I had already began to translate...
56To John Adams from Francis Dana, [6 June 1783] (Adams Papers)
I wrote you two letters by the last post, which I sent to Amsterdam upon the supposition that you might be at the Hague by the Time they will arrive there. They are dated the 21 st. & 23 d. inst:— I yesterday received a letter from your Son dated Hague May 12 th. containing some account of his Route from hence to Stockholme. The matter contained in my confidential letter which you will receive...
57To John Adams from the Comte de Sarsfield, 5 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
M de Sarsfield a lhonneur de faire bien des complimens a Monsieur Adams et de luy envoyer la lettre qu’il lui a demandée pour du vin. Elle explique tout ce que Monsieur Adams a besoin de Savoir. Il voudra bien Ecrire a M De Piffon Martoret pour lui indiquer Son Correspondant a Bordeaux et prendre tous les autres arrangemens qu’il Jugera apropos. tous ces vins ne Sont dans leur perfection qu’au...
58To John Adams from Francis Dana, [3 June 1783] (Adams Papers)
No answer as yet. There is another point touching the Treaty mentioned in my last, of much importance. That is to secure the same advantages for our proper productions when imported into the British Dominions in Europe, as is given upon the importation there of similar articles from their own Colonies on the Continent. At least secure the same advantages upon our proper productions, when...
59To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 3 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have had the very great Satisfaction of embracing M r Joshua Johnson after a long Separation, during trying & painful Times, the Sight of Him afforded me much Joy, which was not a little increased by his presenting to me your Excellencys Letters of the 18 & 21 April, having been for some time under much Uneasyness at not having had a Line from You, when I Know a fresh attack had been made on...
60To John Adams from Joseph Marie François de Lassone, 3. June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je me suis trouvé à la Séance de la Société Royale de Médecine lorsque M. Vicq Dazyr nous a fait part du désir que Vous Lui avez témoigné de voir établir une Correspondance entre le College de Médecine de Boston & cette compagnie. cette Proposition était trop flatteuse pour la Société pourqu’Elle ne s’empressât point de vous en témoigner sa reconnaissance par l’intermede de son Secretaire,...
61To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 2 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Vos desirs serons toujours des ordres pour moi. Vous verrez que je m’y suis conformé dans le N o. que j’e vous fais passer. J’espere pouvoir faire insérer le reste dans les deux suivans: vous m’obligeriez de me communiques ce que vous pensez de la traduction, si elle est exacte & fidele, vous ne verrez pas non plus sans interêt les détails & anecdotes que j’ai ôsé publier sur notre...
62Ferdinand Grand to the American Peace Commissioners, 2 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Quoique la lettre que vous m’aves fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 22e du mois passé, ne me flattat pas de recevoir les Secours dont les Finances du Congrès avoient besoin; Néantmoins, l’Espérance du Succès des Soins que j’étois bien assuré que vous donneriès, Messieurs, à un objet aussi intéressant, m’a fait parvenir à Satisfaire à tous les payemens qui se...
63To John Adams from Francis Dana, [1 June 1783] (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 24 th. of March which was mentioned as missing in my last, has this day come to hand together with that of the 1 st. inst: Since mine of the 16 th. of March, the receipt of which you acknowledge in your last, I have written three times to you viz: on the 28 th. of April, the 1 st. and 4 th. of May. enclosing Copies of my Memorial in the two first. By the last post I sent an...
64David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Memorial, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives The proposition which has been made for an universal & unlimited reciprocity of Intercourse & Commerce, between Great-Britain and the American United-States, requires a very serious Consideration on the part of Great-Britain, for the reasons already stated...
Congress were yesterday pleased to pass the enclosed Resolutions on the subject of the payment of British Debts— The language they speak requires no Comment— I complained in my last of your long Silence, or rather laid before you the Complaint of Congress. These I think receive additional force from Intelligence I have since had, that the Negotiations are still going on, and that important...
66Robert R. Livingston to the American Peace Commissioners, 31 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Congress were yesterday pleased to pass the enclosed Resolutions on the subject of the payment of British Debts— The language they speak requires no Comment— I complained in my last of your long Silence, or rather laid before you the Complaint of Congress. These I think receive...
67To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 30 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je viens d’avoir un Entretien avec un des premiers personnages de ce pays, dont ce qui suit me paroît de nature à devoir vous être com̃uniqué sur le champ: savoir, 1 0. que votre Emprunt à Amsterdam, de 5 millions de florins, seroit rempli depuis longtemps, si Mrs. W m. & J n. Willink l’avoient eu seuls entre les mains; non que les 2 autres Maisons co-Directrices eussent manqué de bonne...
68Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 … (Adams Papers)
We observe by the favour of your Excellencies most honour’d letter of 22 Inst. that M r. Grand has laid before your Exc s. a state of the Affairs of the United States under his Care; and that the Dispositions made upon him are Such, that therefore your Exc s. advise us to remit to M r. Grand on account of Said States a sum of half a Million Livres Tournois, if the Cash in our hands, compared...
69Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 … (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy and incomplete copy: Library of Congress We observe by the favour of your Excellencies most honour’d letter of 22 Inst. that Mr. Grand has laid before your Excs. a state of the Affairs of the United States under his Care; and that the Dispositions made upon him are Such, that therefore your Excs. advise us to remit to Mr. Grand on account of...
By the direction of Congress, contained in the enclosd resolutions, I have the honor to transmit you the Correspondence between General Washington & Sir Guy Carlton, together with minutes of their Conference, when, in pursuance of the invitation of the first, they met in Orange-County. Nothing can be a more direct violation of the 7 th: Article of the Provisional Treaty, than sending off the...
71Robert R. Livingston to the American Peace Commissioners, 28 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, South Carolina Historical Society; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives By the direction of Congress, contained in the enclosed resolutions, I have the honor to transmit you the Correspondence between General Washington & Sir Guy Carlton, together with minutes of their Conference, when, in pursuance of the invitation...
72To John Adams from Robert Montgomery, 27 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of Writing your Exc y: under the 26 ult o. Giving a Short Explaination of the Commerce of this place and its connections with the Northeren States. I also took the Liberty of Requesting a few lines of Introduction to Some of the Merchants your friends in Boston Marble Head Salem, &c, by which Means we May facillitate and Augment Very Much The fish Tread in that Quarter Being...
Tho’ little known to you, I hope you’ll not find it amiss I should make you the following request; The Marq s: de Castries being about sending a new Colony to resettle the Islands of S t: Pieere & Miquelon wants, for that purpose, Boards & Timber, Brick & Lime. One of the Vessells of that Convoy is bound to Boston with Money. The Articles to be purchased are to be carr d. to those Islands on...
74To John Adams from the Second Congregational Church of Newport, Rhode Island, 26 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Permit us the Comm̃ee of the Second Congregational Church in Newport to call your attention for a few moments from the weighty affairs of politics, in which you are so honorably and so usefully engaged to a matter which respects a religious society to whose constitution we consider you as a Friend. The early and active part which our congregation took in the opposition to the arbitrary and...
75John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 24 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Last Tuesday I went to pay a visit to Mr. van Berkel and when I return’d I receiv’d your favours of the 13 and 14th. instants in which you say, you expect not to be here so soon as you wish, on account of the Signature of the definitive Treaty. Unless you were present I could not be better plac’d than as I am at present; as Mr. Dumas is so good as to direct and assist me in my Studies. For an...
76To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 23 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Mardi dernier nous fumes dîner à Rotterdam chez Mr. Van Berckel, qui nous avoit invités avec Mr. Votre fils.— Le départ de ce Ministre est fixé vers le 15 du mois prochain, avec le Vaisseau tout neuf doublé en cuivre l’Overyssel de 68 p. de canon, com̃andé par le brave & patriotique Capitaine Riemersma. Si vous êtes sûr, Monsieur, de retourner en Amérique cette année, il est facheux que le...
77To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 22 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of yoúr Excellency’s Esteemed Letter of the 13 th. Inst t. a Credit of £2500—Sterl Will be given in favoúr of M r. Francis Dana at Petersbourg for accóunt of Congress. not doubting of their Approbation on yoúr Excellency’s proceedings. We Should be glad to Know if your Excell s. intentions are to be Shortly here again, than if yoúr Excellencys Occupations Shall make your Stay...
78Memorial from David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners (Adams Papers)
Paris, 21 May 1783. PRINTED: JA , D&A , 3:131–134 . LbC ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 109. LbC-Tr ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 103. This memorial was Hartley’s response to the article that the commissioners had proposed on 29 April to open American and British ports to virtually unrestricted free trade, to which Hartley had at least tentatively agreed ( calendared, above
79David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Memorial and Proposed Article, [19 May 1783] (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (four), William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, National Archives (four); press copy of copy: National Archives; (II) Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (four), Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, National Archives (four); press copy of copy: National Archives Formal...
80John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
You may well Suppose that I am not very easy when you are informed that We have no News from America, and that the definitive Treaty is neither Signed, or likely to be Signed very Soon. Mr. Hartley it is true is here and is well disposed to finish, with Liberality and with dispatch: but he must wait for orders at every Step, and his principals are either not firm in their Places or not decided...
81To John Adams from Francis Dana, 15 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 18 th. of April has this day come to hand, but that mentioned in it by which you had authorised me to draw upon your Bankers as I had proposed to you, has never reached me. This is the only letter of your’s which I know has ever failed coming safe to hand. I had wondered you had delayed so long to return me an answer to a matter which you had very strong reasons to suppose...
82To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 13 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je reçus Samedi au Soir, par la voie d’Amsterdam, deux paquets à Votre Adresse, dont voici le plus petit. L’autre, com̃e celui-ci, acheminé par Mr. André Petit de Baltimore, est in folio entre deux planches, com̃e celles que je vous ai fait faire pour le Traité du 7 octobre, & un couvert par dessus, cacheté d’un chiffre R. M., apparem̃ent Rob. Morris. Sans oser rompre les cachets, j’ai cru...
83John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 12 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
The fair ended last Saturday, and yesterday I began to translate Suetone’s life of Caligula; Mr. Dumas who is so good as to direct my studies, says you chose I should translate Suetone. I shall begin upon the Greek Testament directly. The 4th. of this Month a vessel from Philadelphia arrived in the Texel, and last saturday Mr. Dumas receiv’d two large packets one of which he forwards this day....
84To John Adams from Francis Dana, 12 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I sent to your Care by the last Post thrô this same Channel a Copy of the Memorial which I presented on the 27 th. ult: to the Vice Chancellor, and of my Letter to him accompanying it. I now send you fair and complete Copies of them. If you shou’d not have forwarded the first Copy of the Memorial when this second comes to your hands, you will be pleased not to send it on at all, not only...
85To John Adams from Robert Morris, 12 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Bills drawn by Congress in their necessities press very heavily upon me; and one of the greatest among many Evils attending them is the Confusion in which they have involved the Affairs of my Department— I have never yet been able to learn how many of these Bills have been paid nor how many remain due neither am I without my fears that some of them have received double Payment.— To bring...
Having yesterday conferred with Count de Vergennes upon some Public Concerns, He requested I would tell you what, instead of troubling you with the Demand of a meeting, I think better to mention in this Note. The several Powers said he, are going to make up their Treaties, and when ready to sign, they will of Course meet to do it alltogether. The Mediation of the Emperor and that of Russia...
87Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 12 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress Having Yesterday conferred with Count de Vergennes upon some Public Concerns, He requested I would tell you what, instead of troubling you with the Demand of a meeting, I think better to mention in this Note. The several Powers said he, are going to make up their Treaties, and when ready to sign, they will of Course meet to do it...
88Abigail Adams 2d to John Adams, 10 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
No opportunity of writing has pressented since I was so happy as to receive two excellnt letters from my Dear Pappa, neither of them of a date later than actober. Not a vessell has sailed for Europe these many months. All the return that it is in my power to make, is to indeavour to assure you Sir that I feel a greater degree of gratitude for all your favours, than it is possible for me to...
89To John Adams from William Gordon, 10 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
From what D r Holten writes me in his of the 16 th ult I suspect You will be upon your passage home: however there is a chance of the contrary, therefore venture sending by the present conveyance from Providence to London. You are to have other letters from Braintree &c &c by the same channel; & yet this possibly may be first rec d , for which reason I mention your family & friends being well;...
90Henry Grand to the American Peace Commissioners, 10 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
It is some Months ago since I had the honor to write you, & am well persuaded, altho I received no Answer thereto, that it will have engaged your attention. I earnestly wish it may have been productive of an Improvement to the Finances of Congress which I then foresaw would be short of our Wants & which is unfortunately too much the case at present. Last Month I remitted to the Honorable R t....
91Ferdinand Grand to the American Peace Commissioners, 10 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress; partial copy: Library of Congress It is some Months ago since I had the honor to write you, & am well persuaded, altho I received no Answer thereto, that it will have engaged your attention. I earnestly wish it may have been productive of an Improvement to the Finances of Congress which I then foresaw would be short of our Wants &...
92John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 9 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you last Tuesday by Mr. Hardouin who will arrive in Paris I suppose to morrow. I have not yet began to pursue my studies, on account of the fair; but intend to begin directly. I take a walk every day and, once or twice a week a ride on horse-back. Every thing here is full of Life at present on account of the Fair, which will be over to morrow evening. I am afraid I shall not see you...
93To John Adams from Francis Dana, 9 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
The post of the 21 st. inst: brôt M r: Thaxter’s Letters of the 31 st. of March, and 3 d. of April; by which I find you had received mine of the 24 th. of Feb y: informing you that I had that day communicated my Mission to the Vice Chanc r: and the reason why I did it. The Contents of this packet will therefore much surprise you. You will be ready to ask what has since taken place. I only...
94To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 9 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je viens de recevoir l’honorée vôtre du 1 er. cour t. & j’y répons sur le champ. Mr. Votre fils se comporte avec tout le sens & les manieres d’un hom̃e fait & bien élevé. Il est le favori de Mad e. Dumas, & nous témoigne que notre compagnie lui est aussi agréable, que la sienne l’est à nous. Il n’a point oublié sa Langue maternelle, parle fort bien le François, & peut se faire entendre en...
95Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Mr. Johonet waited upon me with your favour of Febry 4th. I am sorry you have sufferd so much anxiety with regard to a domestick occurrence, it has been wholy oweing to want of conveyance that you have not much sooner been informd that what you wish, has taken place, that is that it is done with—and that this determination took place soon after my last Letter to you which was in...
96Matthew Ridley to the American Peace Commissioners, [before 6 May? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my return from Versailles I found a Letter from my Friend Mr. Joshua Johnson at Nantes covering the Inclosed Extract of a Letter from Mr S Chase & sent him by his Brother the Governor of Maryland— Mr. J. Johnson desires me to communicate the Intelligence it contains to you & also to the Ministers of the French Court—it being probably the only authentic...
97John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 6 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
The bearer of this, is Mr. Hardouin a French young Gentleman whose company I had the pleasure of from Hamborough to Amsterdam, and who intends to go to Havre de Grâce to form an establishment in the commercial way. I receiv’d your favour of the 27th. of April, last friday and shall not fail writing as you enjoin me by every post: except this I shall pursue at present my Latin and Greek...
98To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 4 May 1783 (Adams Papers)
Did not the stronger motive of friendship Excite, I think the Gratitude due from Each individual of Your Country would be a stimulus sufficient to set the pen in motion. urged by such laudable principles an apology for calling asside your Attention from objects of greater Magnitude is unnecessary. And if I am the last to Congratulate you on the success of your Negotiations I will Venture to...
99To John Adams from Elkanah Watson Jr., 30 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
If a disinterested wish to contribute to the Glory & happiness of America will sufficiently plead my excuse, for the liberty I take in writing your Excellency, I claim no other advocate. Doubtless Sir you are not unacquainted with the spirit of Emigration that so generally prevails throughout England, Ireland & Scotland, but more particularly in this City; every Vessel is crouded with...
100To John Adams from the Société Bourgeoise of Leeuwarden, 29 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Nous avons enfin la Satisfaction de voir achevée la medaille qúe nous avions projettée et dediée aux nobles et puissants Seigneurs les Etats de Frise. Votre Excellence est instruite du but et du Contenu de cette medaille par notre Requete du 8 de mai de l année dernière, dont votre Excellence a eu la bonte d’inserer la traduction dans le Recueil de Pieces concernant l’Amerique Septentrionale,...