From John Adams to Pieter van Bleiswyck, 19 April 1781
To Pieter van Bleiswyck
Leyden April 19th. 17811
Sir
I have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency a Copy of a Memorial2 to their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces.
With the greatest Respect and Consideration, I have the Honour to be, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant.
John Adams
RC in John Thaxter’s hand (Adams Papers). LbC (Adams Papers)
1. Signed by JA, this is likely the copy of the letter he presented to van Bleiswyck, Grand Pensionary of Holland, on 4 May together with a copy of his memorial to the States General, below, both of which van Bleiswyck returned. For JA’s meeting with van Bleiswyck on the 4th, see his letter of 7 May to the president of Congress, below. For the dating of this letter and the memorial, see JA’s memorial to the States General, 19 April, note 1, below. JA wrote a virtually identical letter to Hendrik Fagel, secretary to the States General (Adams Papers), but after his conference with van Bleiswyck decided that a meeting with the secretary was pointless.
2. At this point in the Letterbook are the canceled passages: “<, which I had this day the Honour of presenting>, to <the President of>.”