From John Adams to John Jay, 16 June 1787
To John Jay
Grosvenor Square, London June 16. 1787
Sir
Inclosed is a Copy of the Translation from the Dutch into English, of the Contract, entered into by me in behalf of the United States by Virtue of their Full Power for a Million of Guilders.1 This Measure became absolutely neccessary, to prevent the total Ruin of their Credit, and the greatest Injustice, to their former Creditors, who are possessed of their Obligations: for the failure in Payment of the Interest, but for one day, would in holland cause those Obligations to depreciate in their Value like Paper Money.
It is of great Importance that this Contract Should receive a prompt Ratification in Congress, and be retransmitted to Amsterdam as soon as possible. Whether this Loan may not enable Congress, or their Board of Treasury, to raise the Credit of their own Paper at home in some degree, is for them to consider. and whether the Board of Treasury may not purchase Produce to Advantage and contract to have it delivered free of all Risque & Charges at Amsterdam, and pay for it in Bills of Exchange I know not.— If they do this I Should Advise them to Send one Cargo to the House of Willinks, and another to the House of Vanstaphorsts, instead of consigning the whole jointly to both Houses. This would not only excite an Emulation between the two Houses, to make the most Advantage for the Interest of the United States: but would prevent delays and other Inconveniences, which must arise from two Houses meeting to consult and dispose of a Vessell and Cargo.
As the Brokers, or Money Lenders, were pleased to insist upon my Signature to all the Obligations, I was obliged to make a Tour to Amsterdam, for that Purpose, and happened to enter the City the Day after the First Riots, which continued two nights while I was there.—2 The Proceedings of the Prince of Orange, have at last brought on a Crisis, and the English are holding out an Appearance, as they thought it possible they might be obliged to take a Part in it.— if no foreign Power interferes, the Patriotic Party, is so much Stronger than the other, that I think the Prince must give Way, in the principal Points in Controversy. if any one foreign Power interferes, many others must follow the Example. This being well known and France and England, weary of War for the present, I hope the Dutch will be left alone to Settle their own Disputes.
With great Respect I have the Honour / to be, dear Sir your most obedient and / most humble servant
John Adams
RC (PCC, No. 84, VI, f. 501–504); internal address: “His Excy John Jay / Secretary of State for / foreign Affairs.”; endorsed: “J. Adams / June 16. 1787 / Recvd 28 Septr— / Sept 28 / Referred with the contract / to the Secy for foreign Affairs / to report.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 113.
1. JA enclosed a Tripl of the contract for the third Dutch loan of [1 June], above. Once Congress achieved a quorum, it turned to reviewing the Constitutional Convention’s final report and totaling requisitions of the past three years. Congress did not ratify the contract until 11 Oct., below (, 33:649).
2. Waves of violence shook the streets of Amsterdam during JA’s visit, part of the ongoing clash between Patriot mobs and stad-holderian forces. On 21 April 1787, following several fiery pamphlets and public denunciations, Patriot burghers managed to secure the city’s Dam Square and evict William V’s officials, a tactic quickly repeated by colleagues in Deventer and Rotterdam. Wealthy families fled to the countryside. Enraged by the Orangists’ resistance, Amsterdam’s Patriots rioted throughout the end of May, burning bridges to cut off any advance and looting private homes. Writing to AA on 1 June, JA reported that the “very Seditious” throngs were quelled by military force. “Dont be anxious for Us, nor believe half the Reports that will be circulated,” he wrote (, 8:73, 74; , p. 115–117). For the stadholderian supporters’ retaliation, see JA’s 15 Nov. letter to Jay, and note 1, below.