501To John Adams from Archibald Campbell, 18 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Heman Allen of Salisbury has transmitted to me the inclosed Copy of a letter from Mr. Bowdinot Commissary General of Prisoners for the American Army; wherein he is pleased to signify that he is willing to accede to my being immediately exchanged for Colol. Ethen Allen, incase the matter could be accomplished by my writing to Newyork. The experience I have already had of the inefficacy of...
502Du Cange to John Adams: A Translation, 23 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Allow me to thank you for receiving me this morning even though I was a stranger to you. As a writer for a public journal, it is very important for my career to gain the esteem of prominent people, and your excellency’s esteem is something that I would like to have. How many times, sir, has your estimable friend Mr. Jenings praised you with the honesty that is characteristic of your nation! I...
503To John Adams from M. Du Cange, 23 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Permettez moi de vous remercier d’une maniere plus particuliere de la façon obligeante avec laquelle vous m’avez reçu ce matin, quoique je n’eusse pas l’honneur de vous être connu. Comme Ecrivain d’une feuille Publique, j’entre dans une Carriere où il m’importe extrêmement de me concilier l’estime des Personnes en place, et Celle de Votre Excellence est du nombre de celles dont je suis le plus...
J’étois Sur le point de Vous écrire lorsque je me vis honoré de votre Lettre du 20 du Courant. Je Vous ai beaucoup d’obligation de la brochure Francoise, que Vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoier. Elle ne manquera pas de guerir bien de prejugés; mais aussi, a ce que j’ai deja remarqué, elle allarmera les Peuples Commerçans, qui craigneront quils ne Seront pas en etat de Soutenir la Concurrence...
505Capellen tot den Pol, Joan Derk, Baron van der, 6 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai la Satisfaction de communiquer à Votre Excell: que les Etats d’Overÿssel ont resolu hier nemine contradicente, de reconnoitre Votre Excell: comme Ministre des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale. Dieu en Soit beni!
Votre Excellence Saura de Monsr. de Neufville que j’ai l’intention de placer encore 12 mille florins dans les fonds de l’Amerique. Peut etre que je Serai en etat dÿ ajouter encore 5 mille; mais cecÿ n’est pas encore decidé. Je prefere l’Emprunt, d’ont votre Excell: est chargé, a celui qui Se fait Sous la garantie de la France et de cette Republique, parce que je ne pretends pas etre Si...
507Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 24 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I should already have had the pleasure of replying in person to your esteemed letter of the 9th of this month had the cold weather allowed me to embark this past Tuesday, as I had planned. I shall take the liberty of pursuing the thread of your letter in this one. If governor Pownall intended to alarm this republic and possibly other nations, it would have been more prudent not to publish the...
508To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 5 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai écrit amplement au Bourguemaitre Hooft touchant la Situation des affaires dans cette Province, avec priere de Vous en donner Communication. Les Villes ont pris de bonnes Resolutions. Mais je Suis encore incertain au Sujet des Nobles. Mecredi, a eu juger par les apparences et quelques informations, ils etoient peu disposés a reconnoitre L’independance. Mais il ÿ eu qui croient quils ont...
Aiant appris que le Congress vous a muni des memes pouvoirs qu’Il avoit confié au Collonel Laurens, dont la facheuse catastrophe me desole, et qu’entre autres votre mission a pour but une negociation pour L’Amerique Unie, je prens la liberté de Vous prier de m’en envoier le plustot possible les Conditions; un Parent m’aiant temoigné de l’inclination d’y placer 20,000 florins de Hollande. Si...
I received your letter of the 6th of April. The reasons cited by your excellency have convinced me that it would be impossible toemploy, in this country, my friend Valck in the service of Congress. Because of this, he decided to emigrate, and I can assure your excellency that we are losing an enlightened and worthy citizen. I will greatly miss him. Mr. Jan Hendrick Christiaan Heineken, son of...
511Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 6 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
It has been some time since one of my closest relations wrote me to ask if one of his nephews could be enlisted in the American army. He served as captain for the republic but was obligated to sell his company because of overspending. Moreover, he is respectable and from a good family. At first I responded that I believed it was impossible, given the number of officers in the American army, in...
512To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Les Magistrats de Deventer ont pris Jeudi au Soir une Resolution dans les formes pour recevoir Votre Excellence en qualité de Ministre plenipotentiaire des 13 Etats Unis de L’Amerique. Vendredi au matin la requete des Citoiens de cette Ville a été presentée et les Magistrats ÿ ont repondus qu’ils avoient deja pris la Resolution mentionnée. La ville de Campen, a ce que j’ai été informé, est...
513Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honor to see you last in Amsterdam, I took the liberty of lending you a letter and some papers that you wished to read that were sent to me by his Excellency Governor Trumbull. Since I would very much like to have them back, it would give me pleasure if you could return them (when you are finished with them) to Mr. Tegelaar, with whom I no longer have a role. Also my business...
514Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 28 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was on the verge of writing you when I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th instant. I am much obliged to you for the French pamphlet that you were good enough to send me. It will not fail to heal many prejudices; but, as I have previously remarked, it will alarm the commercial nations, which may fear that they may not be in a condition to withstand the competition of the...
J’aurois deja eu le plaisir de repondre de bouche a votre honnorée du 9 de ce mois Si la gelée m’avoit permis de m’embarquer Mardi passé, comme je l’avoir projetté. Je prendrai la liberté d’en Suivre le fil dans celle cÿ. Si Gouverneur Pownall peut avoir eu dessein d’allarmer cette Republique et peut etre d’autres Nations il eût été plus prudent de ne pas publier La brochure en François Sans...
I have the satisfaction to communicate to Your Excellency that the States of Overijssel resolved yesterday, nemine contradicente, to recognize Your Excellency as minister of the United States of North America. Blessed be God. RC ( Adams Papers ). Without opposition.
517Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 6 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will know, through Mr. de Neufville, that I intend to place 12 thousand florins in the American funds. Perhaps I will be in a position to add an additional 5 thousand, but we will see. I prefer a loan, made chargeable to your Excellency, rather than a loan made under the guarantee of France and of this republic. I say this because I will not pretend to be as ridiculous as my...
I wrote to Burgomaster Hooft, fully explaining the situation here in this province, and asked him to write to you. The cities made good resolutions. But I am still uncertain about the nobility. Wednesday, by all appearances and some information, they were hardly disposed to recognize independence. But some believed that they received orders from The Hague on Wednesday evening, and at the very...
519To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 2 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recu votre honorée du 6 Avril. Les raisons alleguées par votre Excell: me convainquent de l’impossibilité d’emploier mon Ami Valk, dans ce Païs, au Service du Congress. Il a resolu en consequence de transmigrer, et je puis assurer Votre Excell: que nous perdons en Lui un tres digne et tres éclairé Citoien. Je le regrette beaucoup. Monsr. Jan Hendr: Ch: Heineken, fils d’un brave...
Il ÿ quelque tems qu’un de mes plus proches parens S’addressa a moi pour me consulter, S’il n’ÿ auroit pas moien de placer dans l’armée Americaine un de Ses Neveux, qui a Servi la Republique en qualité de Capitaine, mais qui pour avoir depensé un peu trop d’argent, a été obligé de vendre Sa Compagnie, du reste, de bonne conduite et d’une famille tres distinguée. J’ai dabord repondu que je...
521Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Having learned that Congress has given you the same powers it had given Colonel Laurens, whose sad fate grieves me, and that one of your mission’s objectives is to raise a loan for the United States, I take the liberty of asking you to please send me its terms as soon as possible; a relative of mine having voiced interest in investing 20,000 Dutch florins in the project. If you seek a...
522To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
L’orsque j’eus l’honneur de Vous voir dernierement a Amsterdam j’ai pris la liberté de Vous preter une Lettre et quelques papiers que Son Excell: le Gouverneur Trumbull m’avoit envoiés, et que Vous Souhaitiez de lire. Comme je Serois charmé de les avoir de retour Vous me fairiez plaisir de les remettre (quand Vous n’en aurez plus besoin) a Monsr. Tegelaar, de qui Vous apprendrez que mon role...
523Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
On Thursday evening, the Deventer magistrates passed the resolution necessary for your Excellency’s recognition as minister plenipotentiary of the thirteen United States of America. The citizens of this city presented their petition Friday morning and the magistrates responded that they had already passed the resolution. Kampen, I was informed, was very well disposed. It was linking its...
524Domenico Caracciolo, Marchese di Villamaina, to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Je suis persuadé, qu’il est deja a votre Connoissance, que le Roy des Deux Siciles mon Maitre á ordonné de tenir ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente...
525Domenico Caracciolo to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je Suis persuadé, qu’il est dèja a Votre Connoissance, que le Roi de Deux Siciles mon Maitre à Ordonnée de tenir Ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente Nations, et aussi des Pirates, je vous prie de me faire Savoir les Couleurs du...
526Domenico Caracciolo to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am persuaded that you already know that the King of the two Sicilies my master, has ordered the ports of all his dominions to be kept open to the Flag of the United States of America, for which reason, to avoid every possible mistake at this time, when the Seas are covered with the privateers of different Nations, and likewise with Pirates, I request you to inform me of the Colours of the...
527To John Adams from William Carmichael, 22 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received with much pleasure your obliging letter of the 8th. Instant and take the earliest opportunity of thanking you for the information it contained. I should have certainly commenced my correspondence with you earlier, had I thought Mr. Jay would have been constrained by various circumstances to reside so long at Cadiz. Your Observations with respect to the conduct which France and Spain...
528William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have this day renderd an account to Mr. Deane of the Sums disbursd by me on the Public service; I would have given it in sooner, but that I wishd and hopd to have had it in my power to have reimbursd the Whole. I render it to Mr. Deane because the money was cheifly expended under his orders and directions. I offer to become accountable to the Honorable the...
529William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I arrivd at this place last night in forty four hours from Paris. The Vessels which it was intended I should stop saild eight days ago, and it is most probable that the court knew of that circumstance because it is confidently asserted a french Frigate convoyd them as far as Ushant. Mr. Williams immediately took the proper steps to profit by your advices had...
530To John Adams from William Carmichael, 26 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honor of writing to you last Post in answer to yours of the 8th of April, at that time I had suspicions that a Sir John Dalrymple who has now been here near three weeks, was imployed by G. Britain to sound the Disposition of this Court and in the mean time to work under Ground for the interests of his own Country. I have been hitherto able to trace most of his motions, which...
531To John Adams from William Carmichael, 22 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I received a few days ago the Letter which you did me the honor to write me the 18 th Ult o. by Mr Barry— It will be a pleasure for me to show my respect for your Excellencys recommendation, by rendering every personal civility & service to that Gentleman, which the nature of my situation in this Country will permit— When the Ct. de Rechteren—Minister from Holland at this Court left Spain, I...
532Joy Castle to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This May Inform you That I have got My Ship Which I ham Much Obliged to you all for and Shall Sail for the Contanent Verey Soon. If there is aney thing In My power to Sarve you In I Should be glad To have the honner to Execute your Comand. I Shall Mack for the Caps. of Virginia if Posable. I Should a Sailed Before this But My Whife has Been Verey Bad I...
533Joy Castle to the Commissioners, 22 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your petitioner is Come from Irland to Bordeaux to procure American papers to procead with a Cargo to America; But the Embargo having taken place on English Vessells a few days before I arrived, I am Sized by the french as Coming In under English Coulours, and expect to be Confisticated if Your Honours does not take it Into Consideration and Lay my Case before the Ministerry; the Vessell is...
534Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 15 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since you know the ardor and sincerity of my feelings for the cause of liberty, you can understand my gratitude at receiving the honor of your trust in the letter of 23 October. I regret only that I cannot devote all my powers and abilities to the defense of this noble cause. The duties with which I am burdened at present leave me scarcely a free moment. This did not prevent me, however, from...
535To 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...
536Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
It has been a long time since I broached the important subject of the admission of the United States of America to the neutrality, but I feel that I do not have arguments strong enough to discuss this issue. And as you know, it is better to say nothing at all in such cases than not to say enough. Indeed, I am perplexed as to how to demonstrate that this démarche would not derogate from the...
537To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 17 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was an ardent partisan of the noble cause of America, only on account of my great love for liberty. But, since I have the honour of Knowing you, I have another motive of loving America, seeing that it produces so worthy and so brave Gentlemen. When occasion has occurred, I have never been backward in serving it with my pen, the feeble but the only help which I could bring. And when this...
538To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 14 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Vous savez à quel point les interêts de l’Amerique me sont chers. Un enthousiasme fanatique ne m’a pas guidé; j’ai regardé sa cause comme celle de l’humanité; et j’y suis d’autant plus attaché que j’ai cru suivre les vrais principes. Ainsi vous ne serez pas étonné Si je n’ai pas été indifférent sur ce qui pouvait affecter son crédit. Vous sentez déjà que je veux parler du mauvais succés du...
539To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 15 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Nous recumes, il y a quelques jours, les Gazettes Anglaises que j’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer. Comme elles ne peuvent être pour notre comptoir, j’ai présumé que c’était une partie de celles que nous avons demandés pour vous. Je vous supplie de ne pas trouver mauvais, si j’ai tardé si longtems de vous les envoyer; nous avons attendu que quelquun vînt les reclamer, et pensé que vous viendriez...
540To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 27 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
Peut-être aurai-je l’honneur de répondre demain à l’invitation que vous m’avez faite avec tant d’affabilité, d’aller vous vois à la Haye. Je Sens que j’ai besoin d’aller puiser dans votre conversation; c’est dans cette source féconde que j’irai chercher à réparer la sécheresse de mes faibles lumieres. Si je n’arrivai pas demain a la Haye, ce serait certainement samedi de la semaine prochaine....
541To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai vu ici Mr le Comte de Sharsfield qui m’a fait l’honneur de me rendre visite; il m’a parlé du manuscrit qu’il vous avait communiqué et m’a paru même desirer que j’en eusse aussi communication; il m’a renvoyé au tens où il aurait terminé son voyage qu’il ne fait disait-il, que pour mettre la derniére main à cet ouvrage; je ne doute cependant que, s’il était à la Haye, il fit la moindre...
542To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 15 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
Comme vous connaissiez l’ardeur et la Sincérité de mes sentimens pour la cause de la liberté, jugez avec quelle reconnaissance j’ai reçu l’honneur de votre confiance par Votre lettre du 23 octobre. Je regrette Seulement de ne pouvoir consacrer toutes mes forces et tous mes talens à la défense de cette noble cause. Les occupations dont je suis a présent accablé, me laissent à peine un instant...
543To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 3 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je crois vous avoir fait connaitre que toute mon ambition se bornait à obtenir quelque place en France dans un Bureau. Une nouvelle attaque que je viens d’éprouver dans ma Santé me fait penser plus sérieusement que jamais au projet de revenir me fixer en France. Dans cette idée j’ai pris la liberté d’écrire directement à Mr le Comte de Vergennes; & j’ai ôsé lui marquer qu’il trouverait auprès...
544To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
Il y a longtems que j’aurai entamé le sujet important de l’admission des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique dans la Neutralité; mais je ne Sentais pas avoir des argumens assez forts pour traiter cette matiere; et vous savez que dans ces sortes de cas il vaut mieux ne rien dire que de ne pas dire assez. Je Suis effectivement embarassé pour montrer comment cette démarche ne Serait pas une dérogation aux...
545Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 14 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
You know how important American interests are to me. Fanatical enthusiasm has not guided me. I regard America’s cause as a cause for all humanity. And I am all the more attached since I am faithful to the true principles. So, you will not be surprised if I was not indifferent about that which would effect its credit. You already know that I want to talk about the failure of Mr. Hodshon’s loan...
546Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 15 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Several days ago we received the English gazettes which I have the honor to send to you. Since they could not be for our agency, I presumed that they were part of those that we ordered for you. Please forgive me for the delay in sending them to you. We waited for someone to claim them and thought that perhaps you would come to our city soon. I would be flattered to know what you think of the...
547Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 27 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
May I please have the honor of responding tomorrow to your affable invitation to visit you at The Hague? I sense that I need to converse with you; it is from this deep well that I will seek to refresh my parched ideas. If I do not arrive at The Hague tomorrow, it certainly will be Saturday of next week. Since no one knows me at this residence, I would be delighted to hear their conversations,...
548Antoine Marie Cerisier to John Adams: A Translation, 18 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of a visit from Mr. Sarsfield here. He spoke to me about a manuscript that he sent to you, and he seemed to want me to see a copy of it also. He deferred giving me a copy until after his trip, which, he said, he was only making to put final touches on this work. I doubt that he had the least bit of difficulty in getting it for me for a few days while he was at The Hague. There...
549To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 26 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
Toutes les pieces que vous m’avez fait l’amitié de m’envoyer ont paru Successivement dans le politique-Hollandais , ainsi que vous l’aurez vu Si vous perdez quelque moment à la lecture de cette feuille, à paris. J’étais trop charmé de vous montrer combien j’étais Sensible au Souvenir & à la confiance que vous daignez me continuer, pour négliger l’usage de pieces aussi intéressantes. Il m’a été...
550To John Adams from Mme. V. Chabanel, 31 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Cet Avec Empressement, que Je Solisitte Monsieur Le Baron de, Brederode, Chanbellan Actuels de Sa Majeste Imperià le et Roÿale et Colonel au Service de LEtat, de vouloir Se Charger de La presente, pour Minformer de LEtat de Senté, de Votre Excelence, Lequel Jespere Sera parfaitte, cequi mefera plaisir dEntendre, Comme Aussi de LEstimable Monsieur Thaxter, on Ma dit quil Ettoit fort Malade ades...