11From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have to thank you for your Favours of 28 and 29 which arrived untouched, by any hand too inquisitive. The extraordinary demand for Bread in England will be a great Advantage to America. It will raise the Price of it, by increasing the demand, in those Countries which trade directly or indirectly with America, and will raise the Price of it consequently there. We have always Said in America...
12From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 2 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Nulla Dies Sine Lineâ, said a great Geometician and you are so good an American, that you will agree with me, that We ought to let no day nor Hour pass in which We can do any Service to our Country, without embracing the opportunity. Such an Occasion as the present when the popular Affections and even the sentiments of Men in Power, Seem to be turning towards America. When I landed in Spain I...
13From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 6 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favours of the 3d. and 5th. with their Inclosures all in good order. I have but one Copy of the Treaty of Alliance, otherwise I would send you one with Pleasure. I am of your opinion that no Propositions should be yet made to the States General, as a Body, but Hints and Ideas may be suggested to Individuals, in order to prepare Mens Minds by familiarizing them with Such...
14From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Thus you See that I began the Mischief, and I assure you I am ready to finish it, if properly invited, and a very little Invitation will do. I am extreamly pleased with the Modesty of the Resolutions of Congress upon the subject, and not less so with the sublime Language in which a young poetical Genius, first expressed his Feelings in his Motion. This Motion and the Resolution set off, one...
15From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 12 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of the 9 and 10th. of this month. The Resolution of Congress is printed and published in the publick Journal of Congress and of Course in all the American News papers, and all the other Newspapers of the World. Congress have a Secret Journal, in which, they enter every Thing that they mean to keep Secret, and a publick Journal which is printed every day. Whatever is...
16From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Letters I received at Leyden, obliged me to leave you Sooner than I intended, but I did not know , I shall soon See you again, at the Hague. I have received, important Dispatches from Congress, upon which I want your Advice. I hope it is no bad News. You will Say nothing, reflect well upon the Times, and be prepared to answer me, serious Questions upon public Affairs—nothing personal—nor...
17From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 8 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I Send you the Letters. If any Thing is necessary to be added to the Memorial before the Signature, you will be So good as to add it. I should be obliged to you for a Line by the Bearer, in Return, and the News, if any. My first Demarch you See, is on the Princes Birth day, which is no doubt a good omen both to his Highness and your servant. You will please to put a Wafer under the Seals. LbC...
18From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 17 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received this Morning, your Favour of the 16. inclosing a polite Letter from the Duke de la Vauguyon. I hope to receive another from you this Evening, and that it will contain an Account of the Fate of my Memorial. Has it been laid before their high mightinesses or not? And what was done with it? Pray, has the president, by the Constitution of this Country, a right to pocket, Suppress, or...
19From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 19 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Extracts, are of So much Importance, that I send them to you, for your opinion whether it is prudent to communicate them to the Russian Minister, or not. The Intelligence is such that I can make no official Communication. If you think it will do any good, and no harm or at least more good than harm, you may communicate it in Confidence to Friends. Mr. Dana’s Commission, which...
20From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 27 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since I had the Honour to communicate to you my Commission to their High mightiness, by which the general Affairs of America, in this Republick come under my direction, you may possibly be at some Uncertainty about your own Situation and the Continuance of that Small annual Sum which you have heretofore received from the Commissioners and the Minister at the Court of Versailles. In order to...