2301Abbé Chalut to John Adams: A Translation, 6 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Searle delivered to us, our dear and estimable friend, the letter that you put in his charge for us. He should have written to you that we have been very eager to do whatever we can for him and that he had a long discussion with one of the heads of the farmers general. It seems to us that he was satisfied with this farmers general. We know that the latter was satisfied with him. You know...
2302To John Adams from Francis Dana, 6 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I desired Mr. Searle when he wrote you a few days since, to present my best regards to you, and to acquaint you that I wou’d write in a few days. I have consulted D.D. Benjamin Franklin upon the resolution of AZ Congress , agreable to your desire, and he says, he thinks, it might be adviseable to communicate it to her Minister near you—that there is none now here to whom he cou’d communicate...
2303To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 7 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous communiquer ci-joint, dans une Lettre au Congrès, ce que je vous avois lu ici de ma petite note. Après avoir bien réflechi sur ce qui a fait ici le sujet de notre entretien, je persiste dans l’idée qu’il vaut mieux ne faire pas usage de l’idée of the armed neutrality being a consequence of the American revolution , pas même dans votre Lettre à ceux d’ici. Ils le savent...
2304C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 7 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to communicate to you, through the enclosed letter to Congress, what I read to you from my short note. After much reflection on our conversation, I persist in the idea of not using the phrase of the armed neutrality being a consequence of the American revolution , even in your letter to those here. They are well aware of it and their anglomanes will think it a crime. It is...
2305To John Adams from Jean de Neufville, 7 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May we begg leave to address yoúr Excellency again, as yesterday we chose to do it by the scoot for Safety; and now we may be something more explicit, as oúr Letter may go intirely Safe by Mr. Taxton, who we heard just now from yoúr Sr. John to be in town. If we had known this we Certainly would have shown them the required notice. Then what we had the Honoúr to mention, was the oúvertúre of a...
2306To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It has been some Weeks since I have heard from you and indeed near a month since I wrote myself. You may easily suppose the cause, and that I had nothing material to communicate. In a former letter you mentiond to me your willingness to help Captains M——y or C——m to some pecuniary aid should they need it. The long confinement of these brave and unfortunate men makes every small donation...
2307To John Adams from Alexander Gillon, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since I have been Honoured with Your Excellency’s Reply of 12th November to my Application to You the same day in behalf of the State of South Carolina, fresh disappointments have arisen that Caused unavoidable delays, and thereby Accumulating Expences. These disappointments could not be foreseen nor expected, and were, the delay of 280 Men, all the Ammunition, and Cloathing I had paid for...
2308To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 10 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai porté ce matin vos divers paquets, en commençant, selon vos ordres, par le Pt. de L. h. P——. Sur les questions qu’il m’a faites, d’où elle venoit? Quel en étoit le contenu? &c. Je vous ai nommé, ainsi que le lieu actuel de votre séjour, et votre qualité de Minre. Plénipe. des Etats-Unis en Europe: J’ai dit le contenu en substance: et je lui ai laissé mon nom sur une Carte, et ma demeure....
2309C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 10 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
This morning I delivered your various packets, as you ordered, beginning with the president of their High Mightinesses. He asked some questions such as “where did this come from?” “What are its contents?” etc. I named you, as well as your current location, and your capacity as minister plenipotentiary of the United States in Europe. I told him the substance of what the packet contained and...
2310To John Adams from Charles Guillaume de Woedteke, 10 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Votre Excellence pardonnerés l’hardiesse de Vous incommoder de mon Ecriture. Un certain Colonel Americain, qui a servi au Roi de Prusse comme Volontaire dans la derniere Guerre contre les Autrichiens a assuré a mon Frere le Major Prussien de Woedteke, que notre frere Frederic Guillaume de Woedteke ci-devant Capitain et Brigade Major au Services prussiennes étant mouru comme Colonel Americain a...
2311Charles Guillaume de Woedteke to John Adams: A Translation, 10 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will please excuse the boldness of this inconvenience in my writing to you. A certain American colonel, who served as a volunteer for the Prussian king in the last war against the Austrians, has assured my brother, Prussian major de Woedteke, that our brother Frederic Guillaume de Woedteke, formerly captain and brigade major in the Prussian Army has died with the rank of...
2312To John Adams from Henry Grand, 11 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I do presume from my repeated Aplications to Dr. franklin, and your Silence, that your former misunderstanding concerning the sum you requested me to pay to Mr. Dana is cleared up, by an equal Allowance made you in reimbursmt thereof. The Doctor having requested me to inform messrs. fizeaux Grand &c. that you would draw on him for your Appointments, I accordingly returned them your last...
2313To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 12 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it please Yoúr Excellency to receive by this Conveyance pro visionally two hundred of the bonds or obligations with the coupons there to belonging. If it could be convenient, we should look úpon it as a favoúr if yoúr Excellency was so kind as to retúrn ús a very small part of them with her Sanction, we wish we may want before the Month of Aprill a greater qúantity then as yett we are...
2314To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 13 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
With infinite pleasúre we always obey Yoúr Excellencys commands, and are preparing fifty bonds provisionally with their coupons, to be send tomorrow. As soon as it may be required we will take care to have a greater quantity ready. We will join these to a sufficient provisionall quantity of blancs of the Coupons, which Yoúr Excellency promisd to retúrn ús with the bonds when Sign’d. May we...
2315To John Adams from Francis Dana, 14 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is just to acquaint you that Colo. Lawrens arrived at L’Orient on the 8th. instant in our Frigate the Alliance from Boston, and was to set off on the 10th. for this City; so that he may be hourly expected. If he has any Letters or Dispatches for us, he will doubtless bring them himself. No News of Colo. Palfrey. We fear the Shelalah is lost at Sea. I enclose a Philadelphia Newspaper of...
2316To John Adams from the Duc de La Vauguyon, 14 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ay recu Monsieur la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire aussi que la Copie de la Resolution du Congres des etats unis de l’amerique septentrionale qui y etoit jointe; vous m’annoncez que vous en avez donné une communication ministerielle au President de l’assemblée des etats generaux aussi qu’aux envoyés des cours de Petersbourg Stokholm et Coppenhagen et vous me priez...
2317The Duc de La Vauguyon to John Adams: A Translation, 14 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received, sir, the letter which you did me the honor to write to me, and the enclosed copy of the resolution of the Congress of the United States of North America. You inform me that you have made an official communication thereof to the president of the assembly of the States General, and to the envoys of the courts of St. Petersburg, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, and request me to...
2318To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 14 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May we begg leave to offer to Yoúr Excellency annexed to this present fifty bonds or obligations with the thereto belonging Coupons to which nothing is wanted butt to be signd by Yoúr Excellency; they are numberd from Númber 21 to 30, and from Number 131 to 170. It will make ús easy if we may be acquainted they are in Yoúr Excellencys possession, and if we may know there are more wanted we...
2319To John Adams from James Lovell, 15 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a few days ago the Impromptú . I send much the same Papers now as then. Beg if the others have not arrived before this reaches you, that you will order Copies of the Resolves to be taken for your own and Mr. Danas Information. For really, Sir I cannot attend in Congress and on Committees, and have my Chamber continually full of Petitioners or Idlers, and yet without even a...
2320To John Adams from William McCarty, 15 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Having been taken the 25th. January last, in the Brig Active, on my passage from Philadelphia to L’Orient and Carry’d into England, The British took from me, all my private paper’s and Bills of Exchange, among which were several setts, drawn by Congress, on Holland; Colo. Palfrey in the Shelaly, who had the Seconds, not being arrived, leaves me without any to Present untill I can receive the...
2321To John Adams from Francis Dana, 16 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The dispatches you will receive with this, were sent to me by Colo. Lawrens, last evening, some of them he brought from America, the others came in the Duke of Leinster directly from Philadelphia. If I have not a good oportunity before, I will send them on, next week, by Mr. Searle, who will then certainly set off for Amsterdam, unless he shou’d be too sick to travel. His indisposition has...
2322To John Adams from John Bondfield, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
As we doubt not of your having Letters by the Alliance our advices of course will serve only as repetition to relate. I shall therefore inlieu of giving request from you information. The Honble. J. L——s is he to superceed the D——r or Is his Buissness confined to a perticular object. His bringing with him Mr. Jackson as secretary would give room to suppose him a residence. In that case the D...
2323To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je n’eus le temps hier au soir que de vous envoyer la Lettre que S. E. Mr. l’Ambr. de France m’avoit fait remettre pour vous en réponse de celle du 8e. courant que je lui avois remise de votre part. Mrs. les P—— d’A—— D—— et H—— m’ont tous chargé de vous témoigner leur reconnoissance de la bonté que vous avez eue de leur communiquer la Résolution du Congrès; et ceux d’A—— en particulier leur...
2324C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I did not have the time last evening to forward to you the letter that His Excellency the French Ambassador gave me in response to your letter to him of the 8th instant. The Pensionaries of Amsterdam, Dordrecht, and Haarlem have all asked me to thank you for your kindness in sending them Congress’ resolution. Those from Amsterdam, in particular, regret that the present circumstances did not...
2325To John Adams from La Corbiere, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Je viens de lire dans la Gazette de Berne No. 20 en datte du 10 mars article de la haye que V. Ex. est actüellement occupée en hollande de la levée d’un Emprunt d’un Million de florins pour les Etats unis de L’Amerique; Je m’etais bien doutté quils devaient étre dans le cas de faire une operation à peu près de ce genre, puisque jai eú l’honneur decrire à Mr. Le Docteur Franklin le 7e. du...
2326La Corbiere to John Adams: A Translation, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I just read in the Gazette de Berne , No. 20, dated the 10th of March from The Hague, that your Excellency is currently in Holland occupied in raising a loan of 1 million florins for the United States of America. I suspected that such an operation was taking place so I had the honor to write to Doctor Franklin on the 7th of this month, a copy of which I take the liberty of enclosing here, in...
2327To John Adams from Jean Luzac, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The reason, why I have not called on Your Excellency for seeing together the House I had spoken of, is that it is doubtful, as I have been informed, whether it is yet to be let or not, a Lady being at present in treaty about it with the Proprietary. If they do not agree, I will hear further of it, and have the honor of informing Your Excellency instantly. This time at least I have proved a...
2328To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it not displease Yoúr Excellency; that forwarding the inclosed Letters, we repeat again oúr reqúest, that we may be favoured with the rettúrn of a few bonds, as to be in the possibility to deliver them when asked for; we were obliged to promise two of them for Wednesday next; so we begg to receive them before that time and some more as soon as convenient; we have seen by the publicq papers...
2329Abigail Adams to John Adams, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
It was only an hour ago that I was informd of a vessel just ready to sail for Amsterdam; by forgetfullness in the Messenger I have so short warning as to be able to write you only a few lines, yet a few is more than have come to my hand for six months, in all which space only a few lines written last May have reachd me. The Mars arrived the beginning of this Month after a very long passage,...
2330To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have recived your Excellencys Letter of the 12th. Instant. It afforded me much Consolation being much depressed at the possible ill turn affairs might have taken if the Empress had in the least Started aside from Her noble System. But I find, she is Steady, and by consequence our Malicious Enemy may be brought to Submit to what is reasonable and Just. I Hope however, that Holland will not be...
2331To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May we thank Yoúr Excellency for the Obligations she was so kind as to retúrn ús by Mr. Thaxter. The best way we foúnd to remedy the doúble númbers we have send to yoúr ExcellencŸ, would be that Mr. Thaxter númberd oúrs again conformably in Cifer under oúr written númbers, and signd them. We had the honoúr to forward yoúr Excellency; No. 21 to 30, those may easily be Alterd in the Cifers we...
2332To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 20 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honeur de la vôtre du 17; et celui d’y répondre, que par la Constitution le Présidt. n’a point le Droit de Supprimer les Papiers adressés à L. H. P., ni de les remettre à un autre. Mais L. H. P. mêmes, peuvent, Si elles le jugent à propos, se dispenser, ou différer, de répondre à de telles Pieces. Or vous vous souvenez sans doute, Monsieur, que je vous ai prévenu, que tel pourroit bien...
2333C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 20 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of your letter of the 17th and respond to it here. According to the Constitution the president has neither the right to suppress papers addressed to Their High Mightinesses nor the right to deliver them to anyone else. But Their High Mightinesses themselves can, if they deem it appropriate, refrain from, or delay responding to such papers. Now you no doubt remember, sir, that...
2334To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 21 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Capture of St. Eustache, which was to be expected, and the immense Acquisition of Property in the Ships taken will surely rouse the antient Spirit of the Dutch, which was always greatest in Times of the greatest Calamity. Or will this Misfortune be wickedly turned against the Friends of the Independance of the States? I am anxious to hear how this News will be recievd in Holland. Your...
2335To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 21 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it not displease yoúr Excellency that by this present we tútch upon the unhappy afair of St. Eústacia, we do realy pity them who will be loosers thereby, as it will be a terrible stroke and rúin many people, thank heaven oúr own loss and that of oúr frinds can not be by farr so great in this moment then it could have been; and we would willingly have sacrificd a múch larger Súmm in Case we...
2336To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 22 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it please Yoúr Excellency. That we acknowledge the receipt of her most esteemd favoúr, the sentiments expressd there in are most liberall, we are in hopes they may prevaill with oúr people, bútt nationally considered, we confess, we are mostly to slow in oúr motions, the generall, feel the English injury, they are sensible of its soúrce, bútt seem to múch abashd by the loss, to move as...
2337To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 26 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it please yoúr Excellency that we thank her for the most kind reception I had the honoúr to meet with. I am sorry my time is so múch taken úp in this moment that I could not make my visit longer and accept of the honoúr offerd me; there is no news aboút the loan; I am very much pleased Yoúr Excellency is so indifferent aboút it for the present, as I can scarcely doúbt it will do in good...
2338To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 27 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
May we begg leave to mention to Yoúr Excellency that nothing materiall hath happend Since oúrs of Yesterday. The greatest news we now múst expect from the Hagúe as oúr States will be Assembled, for we múst not mind for false reports, Súch as that which had been spread to day that Vlissingen was taken by the English, by and by I hope we will learn not to be intimidated, and then see the Spirits...
2339To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 28 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your much esteemed letter of the 18. of January, which on account of my late journeys was sent after me from Florence to Pisa, Leghorn, and Genoa, and from Genoa to Florence again, Pisa, and Leghorn, has at last found me here. I had imagined, that in consequence of Mr. Laurens’s misfortune you would of your own accord continue in Holland longer than you at first intended, and am glad to hear...
2340To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 28 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
We begg leave to thank yoúr Excellency for her most obliging favoúr of Yesterday, with the inclosed bills Accepted, may we begg the same favoúr for 7 Others since received and here annexed. We shall not troúble Yoúr Excellency with any new proposalls respecting the Loan, observing she wishes not to exceed the terms already proposed; we had the honoúr to acquaint yoúr Excellency that we should...
2341C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 29 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Copy of the Resolution of their noble and most powerful lords of the states of Holland and West Friesland. Is goed gevonden en verstaen, dat de zaak van wegens hun Edele Groot Mog. ter Generaliteit daarheen zal worden gedirigeerd, en daarop ten Sterksten geinsteerd, dat de Heer Adams als Afgezant van de Vereenigde Staten van America ten spoedigsten by hun Hoog-Mog: moge worden geadmitteerd en...
2342To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 30 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
J’ai bien reçu l’honneur de votre Lettre du 27e. et vous suis trèsredevable de l’obligeante intention qui vous a engagé à me l’écrire. Je n’ai pu voir encore personne pour savoir ce qui se passe, n’ayant pas trouvé les gens chez eux, et aussi parce que j’ai été indisposé depuis deux jours. Je sortirai ce soir pour tâcher de m’instruire. Si vous allez à Amsterdam, ayez la bonté, Monsieur, de...
2343C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 30 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the honor of your letter of the 27th and am indebted to you for your obliging intentions which prompted you to write me. I have not been able to see anyone to find out what is going on because no one has been in and also because I have been indisposed for the past two days. I will go out this evening to try to learn something. If you go to Amsterdam, have the kindness, sir, to...
2344To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 30 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Copie de Ma Lettre a notre Ami “Selon vos desirs, Monsieur, je vous rends compte de ce qui s’est passé il y a un moment. On m’a reçu très poliment, et tout s’est passé de-même. On m’a prié affectueusement de faire la notification, comme un service que je rendrois. J’ai témoigné le grand regret que j’avois, de ne pouvoir, faute de qualification requise pour le cas, exécuter une commission si...
2345C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 30 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Copy of my letter to our friend “According to your wishes, sir, I will give you an account of what just passed. I was received very politely and everything proceeded in the same manner. They kindly asked me to provide the service of making the notification. I expressed my great regret of not being qualified in this case to execute such a commission, a commission that would hardly be any...
2346To John Adams from James Lovell, 31 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I send you a few Prints and the last monthly Journals yet from the Press. The Enemy will give you one of the most candid accounts of the naval Engagement on the 16th. that I have at any time seen in Rivington’s royal Gazette. Our Allies have conducted most gallantly: a Fog which seperated their Ships a few days before the Engagement deprived them of the Opportunity of giving an immense Turn to...
2347To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 2 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Vous voudrez bien avoir la bonté de joindre le Postcrit ci joint à ma derniere Lettre pour le Congrès. Deux personnages, sur lesquels je puis me fier, m’ont promis de s’informer touchant le sort de votre Meme. à L. H. P. Mr. Visser croit qu’il a été remis par le Président au Committé secret de L. H. P., qui est toujours compose des premiers Députés des provinces respectives. Si vous êtes à...
2348C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 2 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Could you kindly attach the enclosed postscript to my last letter for Congress. Two people, whom I can trust, have promised to keep me informed of the fate of your memorial to the High Mightinesses. Mr. Visscher believes that it was given by the president to the secret committee of the High Mightinesses, which is always composed of the first deputies of each province. If you are at Leyden, I...
2349To John Adams from Jean de Neufville & Fils, 3 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
May it please Yoúr Excellency; to receive with the assúrance of oúr most respectfúll regard, the compliments of Mr. Ch. H Themmen of Groninqúe, who charged ús there with in a Letter; and promises to procúre ús by his frend a packet for Yoúr Excellency, which Mr. Francis Dana from Paris charged ús to forward; whe shall comply there with the moment we receive it; it hath been left as Mr. Themmen...
2350To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 4 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
By a London Newspaper receivd this Day by the way of Margate (for the two last posts are not Arrivd) I find that Tarlton has been defeated by Genl. Morgan near 96. The Congress has published an Account of it, which I suppose the English Ministry will secrete, but it appears by private Letters, that a number of men have been Killed or taken Prisoners. That Tarletons own regiment is almost...