From Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 29 December 1791
From Wilhem & Jan Willink
Amsterdam 29 dec 1791
Sir
since our last of 5 July, we are without any of your esteemed favors, we take now the Liberty to recall ourselves to your friendly remembrance, and to make you the Compliments of the season, wishing you many happy years.1
You’ll be acquainted that Mr. Short effectuated thro’ our hands with Messrs: VSt. a Loan of 5 per C: of Six Mills. […] & that he afterwards caused one to be made of 3 Mn. at 4 1/2 per C: at Antwerp, this Circumstance affected & displeased our money Lenders greatly, who furnished Loans when elsewere they could not be obtained, & expected that the U S should not borrow but in Holland, because the Credit can be better Supported than if a State borrows every where, when the extents of Loans cannot be ascertained so well, Mr Short authorised us in Nov: to open at Said Rate a Loan, but tho’ our money Lenders were much displeased at the measure of Antwerp & could in Justice pretend an equal intrest, we got the flattering hope of reducing the interest of 4 per C: & in consequence we did not propose the Loan but informed Mr. short of our Opinion, whch. by our Local knowledge we grounded, on the Rise of the English Stocks & the high Exche. by whch. we calculated many people would sell out, whch. should produce a considerable flux of money, whch. with some rembursm. of forcing Loans should reduce the intrest by raising the 5 per C: obligs. above par, as people should not be disposed to place money in france at the actual circumstances, but rather withdraw from it, the event has verified our opinions, & tho’ with great trouble to effectuate such a great reduction and to reconcile the indisposed spirits abt. the Antw: Loan, we have the pleasure with VSt. to have obtained a 3 Mn. Loan at 4 per ct whch. we flatter ourselves will be a pleasing intelligence to your governmt & prove our assiduity and Zeal for the intrest and confidence to our care.2
We hope however that no further Loans will be made on other places, whch. in times of Speed Might hinder a Success here, the more as our place can furnish any Sums Wanted, when properly managed, We hint this to you, that you’ll consider of it, as realy convenient to the Credit & intrest of the U S: but we are only free with you as a friend, and Speak not abt. the matter to you in your Quality, neither do we intend to blame Mr. Short, as he is Zealous for the intrest of his Principals, and that we are sure his direction is only motivated by a desire to Serve the State to his best Judgment; but as we are more proper to judge the Local Situation & the impressions it makes on the Money Lenders, we would not forbear to Submit it to your Judicious Reflection as our Friend. & in this aspect you’ll indulge our Liberty.
We beg Leave to offer our best Respects to your Lady and have the honor to be with great esteem / Sir / Your most Obedt. servants
Wilhem & Jan Willink
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To / the Hoñble John Adams Esqr: / Vice President of the United-States / Philadelphia.”; internal address: “V Hon John / Adams Esqr.”; endorsed: “M. M. Willincks / 29. Decr. 1791.”; docketed by JQA: “W. &. J. Willink 29. Decr: 1791.”; notation: “per British Pkt.” and: “Forwarded by […] most hum Servts: / [C] & R Puller / London 4 Jany 1792.” Some loss of text due to a torn manuscript.
1. In its letter of 5 July, the consortium acknowledged receipt of JA’s 126 coupons and reported his account balance of ƒ7204.3. The consortium offered to make loans with individual states, at the same favorable terms as its previous Dutch-American loans (Adams Papers).
2. William Short negotiated a new U.S. loan for 6 million florins with the consortium in September, soon followed by another loan for 3 million florins in 1792. Seeking more favorable terms, Short also contracted a loan for 3 million florins with Antwerp banker Charles John Michael de Wolf on 30 Nov. 1791, a move that angered the Amsterdam consortium (, 9:479–482, 499–500).