Title: Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje to John Adams, 2 February 1785
From: Willink, Van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje
To: Adams, John

          Sir
          Amsterdam the 2d. Feb. 1785

        Last week we have received your much esteem’d Favour of 10 January, and observed with much pleasure your Satisfaction on the flourishing State of the Treasury of the United States into our Hands. Your Excellency desires our Opinion, whether the Prospect of making new Loans for the Congress would be favorable. In answer to this we heartily Wish that we may not very Soon be charged to try it, and that before it may become necessary, Congress may be put in the Situation, by a unanimous Consentment of all the American States of the Confoederation, to point out a Sufficient Fund for the punctual payment of the Capital and Intrest, which as you know has not been the Case with the two first Loans, and which at present would absolutely be required, because People in this Country knows that the States have not agreed upon this capital Point. a

Circumstance that certainly occasions that the Credit of the United States cannot be carried to the Point, which we believe it deserves in consequence of the inward Solidity, and promising Prospect of the Sources of her welfare. Besides this we are daily questioned about the Ratification of the last Loan, and we are at a loss what we shall Answer, having not received any Letters from the Office of Finance since the Time, when Mr. Morris resign’d.
        But Sir, whenever our wishes in these points Should be fullfilled, which certainly would Strenghen greatly the American Credit, we should not advise to try another Loan for some Time, because we know that a great Number of Bonds of both of the former remain still into the Hands of the Undertakers, which as you know is the Second Hand, and there is no great prospect that they’ll Sell their Shares so soon, on occasion that we have every day new Loans opened here, as for instance one of 7 Millions in favor of the East India Company, one of twelve hundred thousd. florins for the States of Zeeland, one of two Millions for Sweden, and we expect every day a Loan for our Province; added to this, large Sums are employed in the french Loan, and you’ll easily conclude that Money becomes very Scarce, which we hope will not be the Case next Year, and if then Congres might wish to pay off the Loans in France, and raise the Money in this Country, it would give us much Pleasure to give her again Satisfaction with our Endeavours, and at the Same Time to observe an unlimited Confidence with our Countrymen.
        We observe Sir, what you are pleased to mention about the Commission, which our Bankers charge upon the Sums, which they pay you on account of your Salary. It is our Opinion that properly this Commission should be bonified by Congress, and even that they indemnified your Excellency for the Trouble and Hardships you had on their behalf, would not be amiss. But it being out of our Line to decide any Thing of that kind, we’ll only Say that in case the Said Commission is Charged by Congress to your account, we will in future give such orders that you’ll have no reason to complain about it. We beg to return our Compliments to your worthy Family and remain most sincerely / Sir / Your most humble & Obedt. Servts.

          Wilhem & Jan WillinkNics. & Jacob van Staphorst.de la Lande & Fÿnje

          We had the honour of addressing us the 6 Jany., to your Excelly. with a full information of the Sums of money and of the Obligations

in the hands of each of the Houses, and continuing with your reply, we are in hope of receiving in Short your answer abt. it.


Title: The Conte Ponte di Scarnafigi to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1785
From: Ponte di Scarnafigi, Conte Filippo Maria Giuseppe Ottone
To: American Commissioners

          Messieurs
          a Paris ce 2. Fevrier 1785.

        Ayant donné connoissance dans son tems à ma Cour de la lettre, que vous m’avez, Messieurs, fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 22. 7.bre de l’année passée, pour me notifier que Vous étiez autorisés par les Etats Unis d’Amerique de traiter avec Sa Majesté le Roi de Sardaigne relativement à des Etablissements de commerces entre les deux Nations, j’aurai celui de vous dire, que le Roi verra avec grand plaisir que les Batiments des Etats Unis fréquentent le Port franc qu’il a à Nice, où ils seront toujours très bien reçus; et que si par la suite il se présente quelque occasion d’établir des liaisons de commerce, qui puissent etre d’une convenance et d’une utilité reciproque, il prendra avec les Etats Unis tous les arrangements qui seront necessaires pour en assurer la stabilité.
        J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec respect / Messieurs / Votre très humble / et très Obeïssant Serviteur

          De Scarnafis

        TRANSLATION

          Gentlemen
          Paris, 2 February 1785

        Having informed my court in due time of the letter that you, gentlemen, did me the honor of writing to me on 22 September of last year to notify me that you were authorized by the United States of America to negotiate a treaty with His Sardinian Majesty relative to the establishment of commerce between the two nations, I hereby inform you that the king will regard it with great pleasure if the ships of the United States would frequent the free port that he has at Nice, where they will always be very well received, and if subsequently an occasion presents itself to establish commercial relations that could be mutually convenient and useful, he will make all the arrangements with the United States that will be necessary to ensure stability.
        I have the honor of being with respect, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant

          De Scarnafis


Title: Eliphalet Brush to John Adams, 4 February 1785
From: Brush, Eliphalet
To: Adams, John

          Sir,
          Leghorn 4 Feby: 1785

        Count de Montauto Governor of this City has informed me of the Commissioners having made propositions to the Court of Tuscany respecting a Treaty of Commerce between this Country and America:
        The Governor requests me to inform the Commissioners, that he has lately received instructions from the Grand Duke relative thereto, which leaves him no doubt but a commercial Treaty may be formed to the satisfaction of both parties, particularly as it is exceeding Agreeable to the Sovereign, who has ordered that all American Vessels coming hither shall have the same protection &c as those of the Rep. of Holland.
        Perhaps your Excellency may conceive it officious in me to address you on a subject of a public natüre; however my only View in doing it, is to render service to my Country, being well persuaded that great advantages might accrue to America from mercantile connections with this Country.
        Leghorn is the emporium of every Species of merchandize coming from the Levant, as well as from Italy, Sicily & Barbary— the Oil made at Florence is better calculated for our market than any other— The Hemp that is exported from hence is good and cheap— Various Silk Stuffs proper for our market are made in the Neighbourhood Very Cheap— But what will make a trade here advantageous to us, is the Vending the principal products of our Country— Codfish, Spermecitie, wheat, flour Tobacco, & indigo will sell well in this City— Vessels from the East & every part of the Mediterranian Supply themselves here with those articles.—
        It is the opinion of the first men here, that there would be no dificulty in Settleing a treaty of Amity with the Algeriens &c, provided, application was made to them, by Congress or the Commisioners in Europe— It is clear to me that it is against the interest of France & Holland, for us to have a free & unmolested Navigation in the Medeterranian Sea, therefore their exertions in our favour cannot but be feeble.— I leave this Tomorrow for Florence, where I shall have an interview with the Grand Duke, and if I can give him any

information relative to our Commerce, which may aid Your Negociations, I shall do it wth peculiar pleasure.
        I beg to present my best Compliments to your Lady and Family, and am with Respect Your Excellency’s / Most Obt. Huml Sert—

          E. Brush


Title: John Adams to Richard Henry Lee, 8 February 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Lee, Richard Henry

          Private
          Dear Sir
          Auteuil near Paris Feb. 8. 1785

        It was with very great Pleasure, that I learn’d your Return to Congress, and Election to the Chair. indeed So many names that are familiar to me make me wish myself with you. a Congress So respectable as the present must have great Weight both at home and abroad. it is only by Sending to that Assembly, the best Men and most respectable Characters, that the People can expect to have their Union cemented, and Authority Supported as it ought to be
        Our joint Letter will inform Congress of the State of our Negotiations under our new Commissions, and whatever I may say Seperately Should pass for nothing. But I really dont expect that any of the great Powers will treat with Us, here. Spain and England, to be sure will not, and I dont believe the Empires will. Prussia will. Denmark and Portugal possibly may if the Gout or the Lethargy dont remain too long upon their Ministers.
        The Barbary Powers, I presume would make no difficulty, which their Eagerness for money would not Soon get over.— Will Congress order Us to advance Money enough? and may We use, what remains in my Bank at Amsterdam? Or has Mr Morris drawn for all of that? I expect every day the Ratification of my last Loan, and orders what to do with the Cash in Bank, and also orders whether I am to open a new Loan.
        Will you be so good as to convey the inclosed to your Brother, with my best Respects to Francis Lightfoot &c
        With the greatest Respect and Esteem / I am dear sir your most obedient / sert

          John Adams


Title: The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 9 February 1785
From: American Commissioners,Adams, John,Franklin, Benjamin,Jefferson, Thomas
To: President of Congress

          Sir
          Paris [9] Febry. 1785

        In our last of Decr. 15 we had the honour of communicating to Congress our letter to the Ambassador of Portugal which accompanied the draught of the treaty of Amity & Commerce proposed on our part. Since that date he addressed to us the letter No. 1. acknowledging the receipt of ours & informing us that he had forwarded it to his court.
        The Baron de Thulemeier also, the Prussian Minister at the Hague has given us similar information in his letter No. 2. herewith enclosed: he therein also desires as he had done in his letter of Octr. 8 that we would make choice of some port within the dominions of His Sovereign at which the commerce between the two countries might be carried on. We supposed that we had answered this by proposing in our draught of the treaty that all places in the dominions of either party should be open to the subjects or citizens of the other for the purposes of commerce. As he thought proper however to repeat the desire of the King that we would make choice of some place, we wrote him an answer of which No. 3. is a copy, and have now to ask of Congress their instructions as to the choice of a place for the purposes proposed.
        The Baron de Walterstorff who had been formerly appointed by the court of Denmark to negotiate a treaty with the United States of America, & to whom we had notified our full powers for that purpose, called on us separately a few days ago & informed us that he had obtained permission from his court to make a visit to Copenhagen where his private affairs required his presence, and that the Minister had at the same time instructed him to ask from us our propositions that they might be considered during his stay at Copenhagen, and the sentiments of his court thereon be fully made known to him. This he afterwards communicated more particularly in the letter No. 4. to which an answer was returned of which No. 5.

is a copy, inclosing a draught of a treaty similar to the one we had the honour to communicate to you in our letter of Decr. 15.
        We have also since our last received an answer from the court of Naples through their chargé des Affaires & from that of Turin through their Ambassador at this court: (the answer of Naples is accompanied by a printed ordinance establishing the privileges of Messina as a free port) which we now enclose, distinguished by the Nos. 6. &. 7. to these we do not propose to make any reply unless future overtures from them or other circumstances should render it necessary or proper.
        With great respect / We have the honour to be / Your Excellencys / Most obedient & / Most humble servants

          John AdamsB. FranklinT. Jefferson


Title: John Jay to John Adams, 11 February 1785
From: Jay, John
To: Adams, John

          Sir
          Office for foreign Affairs New York 11th: Feby: 1785

        I have now the Honor of transmitting to you herewith enclosed a Ratification made 1st Feby: instant of the contract or Engagement which you entered into as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to their High Mightinesses the Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, in Behalf of the said States, with Messrs. Wilhelm & Jan Willink & others for a Loan of two Millions of Guilders the 9th of March 1784.
        As the Letters received from you, between my Predecessors Resignation and my acceptance of this Office, are yet in the Hands of a Committee of Congress, I am not in Capacity to say any thing of their Dates or Contents.

        On the 14th Ult. I wrote a Short Letter to you Doctr. Franklin and Mr. Jefferson.
        Congress have Resolv’d to send a Minister to the Court of London, and I flatter myself with being soon enabled to write to you particularly on this Subject.
        It would give me great Pleasure to hear from you frequently, and to be favored not only with such Information as you may think interesting, but also with such Remarks and Opinions on Affairs in this Department, as may the better enable me to discharge the Duties of it.
        Mr. De Marbois in pursuance of the Orders of his Court, has demanded that Mr. Longchamps be delivered up. I wish that matter had not been pressed— I have laid the Requisition before Congress and shall inform you of the Result of their Deliberations on the Subject. It is in Contemplation to appoint a Minister for Spain, and we are informed that an Envoy from that Court may daily be expected here.
        I have the Honor to be with great Esteem & Regard / Dear Sir / Your most obt. & very hble Servt.

          John Jay


Title: Elbridge Gerry to John Adams, 14 February 1785
From: Gerry, Elbridge
To: Adams, John

          My dear sir
          New York 14th Feby 1785

        This will be delivered by Mr Jarvis lately of Boston, but formerly of this City, Son in Law to Mr Broom, whom You probably know.
        I have but two of your Letters unanswered; one of the 27th of June last, the Objects of which have I think been fully complied with, & the other of Novr 4, in which I find no Mention of a Letter I wrote You from philadelphia in July last.
        Congress met in November at Trenton, but the Legislature of New Jersey being there at the same Time, & the Members of Congress badly accomodated, the Struggle was renewed respecting an adjournment to Philadelphia, & finally terminated in an Ordnance to appoint Commissioners, Vizt General Schuyler Mr R Morris & General Dickinson, to purchase a District of two Miles square on the Banks of the Delaware not more than eight Miles above or below Trenton, for a fœderal Town, & to erect Buildings for the Use of Congress & their Executive officers: & New York is to be the temporary place, or rathar the place of temporary Residence for Congress, till the Buildings are erected— each State, it is supposed will provide Buildings for its Delegates—
        the Controversy between Massachusetts & New York respecting their western Claims, is to be determined by a fœderal Court, which is to hold it’s Session at Williamsburg, & by Agreement of the Agents to consist of Judge Smith & Mr patterson Attorney General of N Jersey, Mr Reed of Delaware, the late Governor Johnson, And Mr Harrison cheif Justice of Maryland, Mr Wythe, Colonel Grayson & Colo Monroe of Virginia & Mr John Rutledge of So Carolina— June is the appointed Time for holding the Court—
        Mr Jay has taken the Oaths of Secretary of foreign Affairs, & Mr osgood of Massachusetts Mr Walter Levingston of this City & Mr Gervais of Charlestown So Carolina are elected Commissioners of the Treasury. & General Knox or Colo pickering will probably be at the Head of the War Department—
        With Respect to foreign Affairs, a Report is before Congress, for

accepting agreable to his repeated Request, Doctor Franklins Resignation. Mr Jefferson will I think be his Successor, You & Governor Rutledge are in Nomination for the Court of London, & I presume the prospect is not in Favour of the Election of the latter. Who will be sent to Madrid I know not, possibly Mr Rutledge.— the last Loan of Holland is ratified & I presume You will receive by this Conveyance official Information thereof— how far it it possible to seperate foreign from domestic Debts so as to give a preference to the paymt— of the Interest of the former, I know not, but an Attempt of the Kind would produce a great Clamor. the States to the Southard of Delaware would gladly adopt the Measure & perhaps would then avoid Contributions to pay the domestic Interest, because they have very little in the fœderal Funds; but the Citizens of the other States would probably be so dissatisfied as to withhold Taxes or apply them to the payment of the Interest due to themselves— We are greatly embarrassed with the Conduct of Spain & Great Britain but our Ministers to those Courts, with the Instructions of Congress on the interesting Subjects of their respective Measures will I hope disperse the Clouds which at present surround Us— I am not of your Opinion respecting either the policy or Necessity of having Ministers perpetually at any of the Courts of Europe. I cannot be of that Opinion because, the Reason of it is not within my perception. I never Wish to see Congress surrounded by foreign Ministers. I never shall I hope see the vicious policy of foreign Courts introduced to ours, nor the latter, distracted in their Councils & Duped by the artful Representatives of foreign powers, instead of being the wise & united Representatives of united States. the Subject is copious, I wish not, in a Letter to my Friend, to discuss a Matter that I find is disagreable to him, & therefore shall let it rest for the present—
        The question respecting Salaries was agitated in Congress upon a Remonstranc from Massachusetts, respecting their Keep, & they were reduced on the principle that Articles of Subsistence, since the peace were also reduced. how far the proportion is just I cannot determine, but think it would not be easy to enhance them at present.
        Pray give my Regards to Mr Jefferson & inform him that I wrote him a Letter from Boston in July last by the Way of London—
        Governor Hancock has resigned, Thanks be to —
        our Friend Mr Reed late Governor of Penñ is dangerously ill—
        My Respects to the Ladies & be assured I / am on every occasion your Friend / sincerely

          E Gerry


Title: Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams, 15 February 1785
From: Chavagnes, Bidé de
To: Adams, John

          Mon cher monsieur
          a nantes ce 15e. fevrier 1785

        Depuis bien du temps jay fait des recherches inutiles sur la partie de la terre que vous habitiez, on m’avoit même dit que vous etiez retourné a boston, mais mon beaufrere qui est a paris depuis un mois et que javois chargé de prendre des informations en consequence vient de me mander que nous avions le bonheur de vous posseder encor en france et que vous habitiez auteuil, je mempresse D’avoir lhonneur de vous y ecrire pour vous reiterer mon souvenir lattachement que vous, votre aimable famille et vos compatriottes avez si bien sceus m’inspirer, les voeux enfin que je forme pour votre conservation et parfait bonheur, tous ces sentiments loin destre alterez chez moy par le temps et leloignement ne peuvent que s’accroitre par la decoration flatteuse que je nay receu qu’au mois de decembre, quoy que la lettre de mr. le comte Destaing qui mannoncoit la faveur destre associé a lordre de cincinnatus, fut du mois D’aout: je vous prie destre bien persuadé du prix que jy mets, jeus eté d’autant plus mortifié de navoir pas eu ainsi que bien Dautres cette grace dont je fais plus de cas que quique ce soit, et si je ne suis plus dans le cas de rendre des services militaires a votre patrie je me croirois bien heureux destre a même de deployer un cœur qui vous est devoué en pouvant un jour vous estre utile ou a vos chers enfants ou a vos compatriottes en quelquechose mde. De chavagnes

qui ainsi que moy se porte tres bien partage ces sentiments, nous menons une vie douce et tranquille, ayants besoin lun et lautre de bien du menagement pour vous, mon cher monsieur vous estes un heros de sacrifices votre patrie doit vous en scavoir grand gré car ayant le bonheur de connoitre les thresors que vous avez laissé a boston il seroit bien doux pour vous de les aller rejoindre quand vous leur ecrirez je vous prieray de leur presenter mes respects, hommages et vœux. jen fais de bien sinceres pour que vous mettiez une fin prompte et heureuse a vos grandes et belles entreprises, pour votre conservation et parfaite santé, je vous demande la continuation de votre souvenir et amitié en vous priant de ne point douter des sentiments du sincere et respectueux attachement avec lesquels jauray toutte ma vie lhonneur d’estre / Mon cher monsieur / Votre tres humble et tres / obeissant serviteur

          Bidé de chavagnes,ancien capne. des vaux. Du roy de france

          Si vous aviez occasion de faire passer mes respects et mon souvenir a mr. dena joserois presenter ces lers. a mr. franklin.

        TRANSLATION

          My dear sir
          Nantes, 15 February 1785

        For quite some time I have made fruitless inquiries to find out what part of the world you inhabit. I was even told that you had returned to Boston, but my brother-in-law, who has been at Paris for a month and whom I accordingly charged with making inquiries, just sent me word that we have the good fortune to have you still in France and that you are living at Auteuil. I hurry to write to you there in order to relive my memories with you. The affection that you, your kind family, and your countrymen so deeply inspired in me, the wishes that I at length make for your preservation and perfect happiness, all these feelings, far from being altered in me by time and distance, can only increase with the flattering decoration that I received only this past December, though the letter from the Comte d’Estaing that informed me of the honor of admission to the Society of the Cincinnati was from the month of August. Please be fully convinced of the value that I place on it. I would have been so much the more mortified not to have had, the same as many others, this honor, which I prize more than anyone. Even if I am no longer in a position to render military service to your country, I would consider myself very fortunate to be able to deploy a heart that is devoted to you, to have it in my power some day to be useful to you or your dear children or your countrymen in some way. Madame de

Chavagnes, who is very well, just as I am, shares these feelings. We lead a sweet and tranquil life, both of us needing much solicitude. For your part, my dear sir, you are a hero of sacrifice. Your country must be extremely grateful to you. Having the good fortune to be acquainted with the treasures that you left at Boston, I know that it would be very pleasant for you to go and rejoin them. When you write to them, I beg you to give them my respects, compliments, and prayers. I offer very sincere ones for a quick and happy end to your great and noble enterprises and for your preservation and perfect health. I ask you to keep me in your memory and friendship and not to doubt at all the feelings of sincere and respectful affection with which I will have the honor my entire life of being, my dear sir, your very humble and very obedient servant

          Bidé de chavagnes,late post captain of the king of France

          If you have an opportunity, pass along my respects and my regards to Mr. Dana. I would be so bold as to present the former to Mr. Franklin.


Title: John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 16 February 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Willink, Van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje

          Gentlemen.
          Auteuil near Paris Feby: 16. 1785.

        I have received your favour of the 6th: of January and that of the second of February and am much obliged to you for the particular Account of the State of the Cash and Obligations in your Hands. By all that I have learnt from your Letters, as well as by Enquiry in Conversation it seems to be so possible and indeed so probable, that the United States might be exposed to a loss of several hundred Thousand Guilders, by a sudden fall of the Agio, that I have not been able to resolve upon giving you Directions to put the Cash on

Hand into the Bank, especially as I have every Day expected, and still expect, not only the Ratification of the last Loan, but Orders from Congress, or their Commissioners of the Treasury what to do with the whole Sum.
        I still expect every moment, to receive the Orders of Congress, and therefore shall not venture as yet to give orders for putting the Money into the Bank. But as you are on the Spot, and are better informed, than I am, I must leave it to your Judgments to do what you shall think most for the Interest of the United States, either by putting the whole, or a Part, or none of the Money into the Bank.
        But, Gentlemen, let me above all Things recommend it to you, to keep the Congress constantly informed of the State of their Affairs in your Hands. You may address your Letters either to the President, his Excellency, Richard Henry Lee Esqr, or to the Office, of Finance; Perhaps it would be best to address Duplicates, one to the President and the other to the Commissioners of the Treasury.
        I thank you, Gentlemen, for what you say about my Salary: But would it not be a saving for me, to draw Bills upon you and sell them here? as to an Indemnification to my for “my Troubles and Hardships” I have no Idea of asking, or even wishing for such a Thing. exclusive of all these, it would require a larger Sum, perhaps, than you imagine to indemnify me for my Losses. This too I neither expect nor desire. indeed while the War continued and all was at Stake, I never thought about Trouble, Hardships, Losses, or savings. But as Peace is made and Danger to the Public is no more, I should think myself bound to Oeconomy for the sake of my Family if I were not necessitated to it, in order to pay, my daily Expences, as at present I am literally.
        With much Esteem &c—


Title: John Adams to Charles Sigourney, 17 February 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Sigourney, Charles

          Sir
          Auteuil Feb 17 1785

        I have received your favour of 21 Decr. and congratulate you on your arrival, My health which you are so obliging as to inquire after is so much better than it has generally been for the four last years, that I begin to hope I Shall get the better of those obstinate

Disorders with which you saw me tormented in Holland. My family, is I thank God in perfect Health
        we have no commercial Treaty with England nor do I see any Prospect of any. the Court of London declines Treating in any other place than at home—or Perhaps in America, and Probably will decline sending an Ambassador to Congress, untill that August Assembly Shall send one to them, and there are reasons which have hitherto discouraged Congress from sending; how long these reasons will continue I know not, much too long I fear for the good of either Country, I wish that too nice notions of Etiquette or the little Feelings of ill humour may not on both sides prevail over considerations of lasting Interest and Prosperity.
        The British Ministry Should know that we cannot continue to Trade, but in proportion as we are able to pay, and that by excluding our articles of Remittance, they will soon exclude our Purchasers if our Oil cannot be allowed the Honour of Enlightening London we must endeavour to procure it an opportunity of illuminating Paris, and other Cities.
        My regards to Mr Rogers and his family & / Mr Bromfeild,
        With much esteem I am sir your most / obedient. &c


Title: John Adams’ Commission as Minister to Great Britain, 24 February 1785
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Adams, John

          [24 February 1785]

        The United States of America in Congress assembled.
        To our trusty and well beloved John Adams Esquire Send Greeting
        We reposing special trust and confidence in your Integrity Prudence and Ability have nominated constituted and appointed and by these Presents do nominate constitute and appoint you the said John Adams our Minister Plenipotentiary to reside at the Court of His britannic Majesty and do give you full Power and Authority there to Represent us, and to do and perform all such Matters and Things as to the said Place or Office doth appertain, or as may by our Instructions be given unto you in charge. This Commission to continue in Force for the space of three Years from this Day unless sooner Revoked.
        In Testimony whereof We have caused the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed Witness His Excellency Richard Henry Lee our President at the City of New York this Twenty fourth Day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five, and of our Sovereignty and Independence the Ninth.

          Richard Henry Lee. P.Cha Thomson SecyJohn Jay—Secretary for the Departmt. of foreign Affairs—


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 25 February 1785
From: Dumas, C. W. F.
To: Adams, John

          Monsieur
          Lahaie 25e. fevr. 1785.

        La copie ci-jointe de la réponse de Mr. le Conseiller Fiscal de l’Amirauté van der Hoop, aux questions que j’avois proposées de la part de l’honble. Com̃ission par une note, étoit faite dès Samedi dernier; & je l’aurois envoyée Mardi à V. E. avec une Lettre pour le Congrès, très intéressante sur les affaires internes de cette Rep., si l’état de mon Epouse, déjà fort indisposée depuis plusieurs jours, n’avoit pas empiré de maniere à nous allarmer extrêmement. Actuellement encore nous ne som̃es pas rassurés. Sa maladie est une fievre bilieuse. Nous présentons nos respects à Mesdames Adams. Dieu veuille qu’un changement favorable, me laisse la liberté d’esprit nécessaire, pour vous écrire plus en détail la semaine prochaine. Mes respects, S’il vous plait, à Messieurs Vos Collegues, De Votre Excellence le très-humble & très-obéissant serviteur

          Cwf Dumas

        ENCLOSURE

            Copie
            Fait à La Haie ce 19 Fevrier 1785

          Le Soussigné, Conseiller Fiscal du College de l’Amirauté d’Amsterdam, ayant conféré avec Monsieur Bisdom, Conseiller Fiscal de l’Amirauté de la Meuse, sur le contenu de la Note de Mr. Dumas, en date du 31 Décembre dernier, qui leur fut conjointement remise,—a l’honneur de remettre ci-joint à Mr. Dumas la réponse aux questions, qui font l’objet de la dite note, pour l’Information de la Com̃ission Plénipotentiaire des Etats-Unis à Paris; pendant qu’il peut l’assurer, tant en son nom, qu’en celui de Mr. Bisdom, qu’ils ont l’un & l’autre saisi avec empressement cette occasion de pouvoir lui être de quelque utilité /signé

            J. C. Van der Hoop.

              Questions.
              Réponse à la 1e. Question

              1. Quels présens L. H. P. donnerent l’hiver dernier à l’Empereur de Maroc, & à Son Ambassadeur?
              L. H. P. ont donné à cette occasion tout l’Equippement pour deux Frégattes de guerre; dix Pieces de canon de bronze, de 24 Livres de balle, & dix de 18 Livres: & ont en outre fait remettre à l’Ambassadeur de Sa Maj. Impe. deux Montres, quelques Pieces de Drap de différentes couleurs, de la Mousseline, du Thé, du Sucre, de la Porcelaine, &c. à la disposition de Mr. l’Ambassadeur; pour avoir de quoi se rendre plus agréable à son retour auprès de l’Empereur.

              R. à la seconde Q.

              2. Qu’ont-Elles été dans l’usage de donner?
              L. H. P. ont envoyé de temps à autre une Montre richement montée. Il y a quelque temps qu’Elles ont fait remettre un présent d’un Poignard, enrichi de Diamants, de la valeur de 45,000 florins; & en dernier lieu deux-mille fusils, qui avoient coûté environ 18,000 florins.

              à la troisieme.

              3. Quelles sont les som̃es que la République donne annuellement à Alger, à Maroc, à Tunis, à Tripoli, à tout autre Etat pareil?
              Il n’y a rien de fixé à cet égard par rapport au Maroc, à Tunis, Tripoli, & d’autres Etats pareils. On y envoie de temps en temps quelques présents pour les obliger.— Quant à Alger, L. H. P. sont dans l’usage d’y envoyer chaque année pour la valeur de cinquante à soixante mille florins en Agrets & en Poudre à Canon.— C’est ce qu’on appelle les Présents ordinaires.— Les présents extraordinaires s’y envoient outre cela tous les deux ans, & consistent en étoffes, Draps, Porcelaines, Sucre, & montent chaque fois à environ 17,000 florins d’Hollande.

              R. à la quatrieme Q.

              4. Quelle est la maniere de traiter avec ces Etats-là?
              Toutes les Négociations avec les Etats susdits se font par les Consuls que la République envoie à ces différentes Puissances, & qui y résident constamment: ou bien aussi par les dits Consuls, assistés par quelque Capitaine de Vaisseau de la République: ou bien aussi, en cas de guerre & d’absence des Consuls, par le Com̃andant d’Escadre ou de Vaisseau, qui sont toujours munis dans ce cas-là de Lettres de L. H. P.

          Copié, & collationné avec les Originaux, qui sont entre mes mains, par moi-même. A La Haie le 22 Fevrier 1785.

            C.w.f. Dumas

        TRANSLATION

          Sir
          The Hague, 25 February 1785

        The enclosed copy of the response of Mr. Van der Hoop, comptroller of the admiralty, to the questions that I posed in a note on behalf of the honorable commission has been in hand since last Saturday, and I would have sent it to your excellency on Tuesday with a very interesting letter for Congress concerning the internal affairs of this republic, if the condition of my spouse, who had already been very indisposed for several days, had not worsened in a way that alarmed us in the extreme. Even now we are still not reassured. Her illness is a bilious fever. We send our respects to the Adams ladies. May God grant that a change for the better will give me the peace of mind necessary to write to you in greater detail next week. My respects, please, to your esteemed colleagues. Your excellency’s very humble and very obedient servant

          Cwf Dumas

        ENCLOSURE

            Copy
            Done at The Hague, 19 February 1785

          The undersigned comptroller of the College of the Admiralty of Amsterdam, having conferred with Mr. Bisdom, comptroller of the Admiralty of

the Meuse, on the contents of Mr. Dumas’ note, dated 31 December last and referred to them jointly, has the honor of herewith remitting to Mr. Dumas, for the information of the plenipotentiary commission of the United States at Paris, their response to the questions that are the object of the said note, assuring Mr. Dumas, not only in his own name but also on behalf of Mr. Bisdom, that both of them eagerly seized this occasion to be useful to him. Signed

            J. C. Van der Hoop.

              Questions
              Response to the first question:

              1. What presents did Their High Mightinesses give last winter to the emperor of Morocco and to his ambassador?
              Their High Mightinesses gave on this occasion all the equipment for two frigates of war, ten bronze twenty-four pound cannon and ten eighteen pounders, and in addition gave to the ambassador of his imperial majesty two watches, several pieces of cloth of different colors, muslin, tea, sugar, porcelain, etc., placed at the ambassador’s disposal so that he might have the means of making his return to the emperor more pleasant.

              Response to the second question:

              2. What are they in the habit of giving?
              Their High Mightinesses have sent from time to time a richly appointed watch. Some time ago they made a present of a dagger adorned with diamonds, valued at 45,000 florins, and most recently two thousand rifles, at a cost of approximately 18,000 florins.

              To the third:

              3. How much does the republic give annually to Algiers, Morocco, Tunis, Tripoli, and all other similar states?
              There is nothing fixed in this respect regarding Morocco, Tunis, Tripoli, and other similar states. From time to time they send presents to oblige them. As for Algiers, Their High Mightinesses are in the habit of sending there each year from 50,000 to 60,000 florins worth of cannon tackle and powder. That is what they call ordinary presents. Extraordinary presents are sent as well every other year, consisting of fabric, cloth, porcelain, sugar, and they amount each time to about 17,000 Dutch florins.

              Response to the fourth question:

              4. How do they negotiate with those states?
              All negotiations with the above-mentioned states are done by consuls that the republic sends to the various powers and who reside there all the time, or by the said consuls assisted by some captain of a ship of the line, or in case of war where consuls are not present, by a commodore of the squadron or senior captain, who for this reason are always provided with letters from Their High Mightinesses.

          Copied and collated with the originals, which are in my possession, by myself. At The Hague, 22 February 1785.

            C.w.f. Dumas


Title: Abbé Gabriel Bonnot de Mably to John Adams, 25 February 1785
From: Mably, Abbé Gabriel Bonnot de
To: Adams, John

          paris ce 25 fevrier 1785

        je réponds bien tard, Monsieur, à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 14 de ce mois; c’est que j’esperois de vous porter moi même ma réponse. je me suis flatté de cette douce esperance, mais de jour en jour la fortune à rompu nos projets. Tantot le temps a été trop détestable pour oser se mettre en route, et tantot Mrs les Abbes de Chalut, arnoux et moi nous avons été condamnes par quelque indisposition à garder la chambre. j’espere qu’à l’avenir nous serons moins contraries, mais je ne veux plus me confier à des esperances qui pourroient encore me tromper. rien n’est plus

glorieux pour Moi, Monsieur que l’invitation que vous avez la bonté de me faire. je ne balancerois point à entreprendre la Catéchisme moral et politique dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler dans les lettres qui vous sont adressées; si je croyois que ce nouvel ouvrage fût de quelque utilité à votre pays, si le premier ne produit aucun fruit, le second auroit le même sort; et ce n’est pas la peine de travailler de chercher, d’arranger et de disposer des vérites qu’on ne voudra pas entendre. quand j’ai invité le Congrès cet ouvrage, je n’ai point prétendu que tous les membres de cet illustre Corps y travaillassent à la fois; c’est une chose tres impossible. mais j’aurois voulu qu’après avoir chargé un de ses membres de cette besoigne, il en eût fait l’examen, et après l’avoir approuvé l’eut fait paroitre sous son nom. c’est ainsi qu’en usent nos parlamens et les autres cours souveraines quand elles ordonnent des remontrances. vous conviendrez qu’une catéchisme fait et presenté de cette maniere au public, ouvroit un beaucoup plus grand poids, et produiroit sans doute un grand bien. je suis occupé actuellement à corriger un ancien ouvrage que je veux faire imprimer. je ne vous fatiguerai pas par un plus long griffonnage, et je me reserve le plaisir de vous parler de tout cela la première fois que j’aurai l’honneur de vous voir. j’attends ce moment avec impatience, et je vous prie d’agréer d’avance les assurances du tendre et respectueux attachement avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d’être, / Monsieur, / votre tres humble et tres / obeissant serviteur

          Mably

        TRANSLATION

          Paris, 25 February 1785

        I am responding quite late, sir, to the letter that you did me the honor of writing to me on the 14th of this month; it is because I was hoping to deliver my response to you myself. I deluded myself with this sweet hope, but day-by-day fate shattered our plans. Sometimes the weather was too wretched to venture setting out, and sometimes the Abbés Chalut, Arnoux, and I were compelled by some indisposition to keep to our rooms. I hope that in the future we will be less vexed, but I do not want to rely on hopes that could again betray me. Nothing is more glorious to me, sir, than the invitation that you were so good as to extend to me. I would not hesitate at all to undertake the moral and political catechism that I had the honor of telling you about in the letters that I addressed to you, if I believed that this new work would be of some use to your country. But if the first bears no fruit, the second would share the same fate, and it is not worth the trouble to find, arrange, and set out truths that people do not want to hear.

When I urged this project on Congress, I did not pretend that all the members of that illustrious body would take it up together; that is a completely impossible thing. But I would have liked it to charge one of its members with this task, to examine and approve the work, and to publish it under its own name. That is how our parliaments and other sovereign courts operate when they draft remonstrances. You would agree that a catechism drawn and presented to the public in this manner would have much greater weight and would no doubt produce great good. I am currently busy correcting an old work that I want to have printed. I will not fatigue you with more scribbling, and I am saving for myself the pleasure of speaking to you about all this the next time that I have the honor of seeing you. I await that moment impatiently, and I pray you to accept in advance my assurances of the tender and respectful attachment with which I have the honor of being, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant

          Mably


Title: The Baron von Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, 4 March 1785
From: Thulemeier, Friedrich Wilhelm, Baron von
To: American Commissioners

          Messieurs,
          à la Haye le 4. Mars 1785.

        Les Ordres du Roi dont je me trouve actuellement muni, me mettent à même de répondre plus amplement à la lettre dont Vous m’avez. honoré, Messieurs, en dernier lieu, et dont je Vous ai accusé l’entrée par la mienne du 11. Fevrier. Sa Majesté Se persuade que l’établissement d’un ou de deux ports francs seroit absolument inutile, d’après la réflexion très juste que Messieurs les Plénipotentiaires Américains ont faite, que les Articles 2. et 3. du Contre-Projet accordent réciproquement aux deux Nations, dans tous les ports où ils voudront faire le commerce, les avantages dont jouissent les nations les plus favorisées. Cette observation épuise la question, d’autant plus que les intentions du Roi ne sont aucunement de borner le commerce des Citoyens de l’Amérique Confédérée à l’un ou l’autre de Ses ports. Dans le cas où l’établissement d’un port franc paroîtroit cependant de quelque utilité, on s’y prêteroit sans beaucoup de difficulté quant à Emden, mais plusieurs raisons s’opposeroient à une pareille concession à l’égard du port de Stettin. La lettre

de Messieurs les Plénipotentiaires ayant été écrite avant l’entrée des Observations sur le dernier Contre-Projet dont la mienne du 24. Janvier de l’année courante étoit accompagnée, il est à présumer que des éclaircissemens ultérieurs paroîtroient plus ou moins inutiles. Je me flatte que la première lettre que j’aurai l’honneur, Messieurs, de recevoir de Votre part, me facilitera les moyens de donner de concert avec Vous à la négociation qui a fait l’objet de nos soins communs, la consistance désirée. Le succès de cette transaction répondra, tant à mes voeux, qu’à l’intérêt commun de nos deux Nations.
        J’ai l’honneur d’être avec la considération la plus distinguée, / Messieurs, / Vôtre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur

          de Thulemeier

        TRANSLATION

          Gentlemen
          The Hague, 4 March 1785

        The orders of the king with which I am now supplied enable me to respond more amply to the last letter with which you honored me, gentlemen, and the receipt of which I acknowledged in my letter of 11 February. His Majesty is convinced that the establishment of one or two free ports would be absolutely useless, after the very cogent remark made by the American plenipotentiaries that Articles 2 and 3 of the counterproject reciprocally grant to the two nations, in all the ports where they would like to engage in trade, all the advantages enjoyed by the most favored nations. This observation exhausts the question, all the more as the intentions of the king are not in the least to limit the commerce of the citizens of the American confederation to one or the other of his ports. In case the establishment of a free port would seem, however, to be of some use, the one that would lend itself to that without much difficulty would be Emden, but several reasons would prevent a similar concession with regard to the port of Stettin. The letter of the plenipotentiaries having been written before the arrival of the observations on the last counterproject, which accompanied my letter of 24 January, it is supposed that the latest clarifications would appear more or less useless. I flatter myself that the first letter that I have the honor of receiving from you, gentlemen, will make it easy for me to work with you to give the treaty, which has been the object of our common care, the desired coherence. The success of this transaction will fulfill my own wishes as well as the common interest of the two nations.
        I have the honor of being with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant

          de Thulemeier


Title: John Adams to Tristram Dalton, 5 March 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Dalton, Tristram

          Dear Sir
          Auteuil near Paris March 5. 1785.

        I had last night the Pleasure of your Letter of Decr: 21. I cannot, indeed Sir flatter myself at present that the Nation will receive, “the greatest Benefits” from any of my Labours in a public Line. It is a Consolation to me under all discouragements, to reflect upon services, which I have now & then had Opportunities of rendering. But such Occasions rarely occur: public Life is like a long Journey, in which we have immense Tracks of waste Countries to pass through, for a very few grand and beautiful Prospects. at present, I scarcely see a possibility of doing any thing for the public worth the Expence of maintaining me in Europe.
        England and Spain seem determined, not to treat at all with us in France. The former proposes that we should send a Minister to London to treat there. such a Minister decently supported, would be a Protection to our Countrymen there: would keep up the Countenances of our Friends, and would hold in some degree of awe, our Enemies— Such are the habits of European Minds, that the bare presentaion to the King, and the mere Appearance at Court and among the Diplomatic Body of an american Minister would have a great Effect upon the Sentiments of the Nation. He would be a Center of Union, & would form acquaintances with foreign Ministers, which would have weight at Court, in the City, and in the Country. He would be able to contradict and discredit a Thousand lies with which the public Papers are filled, which prejudice and sour the Minds of the People. In short it appears to me, that we ought to try this Experiment, and if it does not succeed, we cannot be worse. America will probably then unite in measures to do herself Justice; We have the means in our Power. Duties sufficiently

high upon even “Gew gaws and Luxuries” would probably answer the end.
        At present we hear but one side of the Question. The foreign Ministers at the Court of Versailles, who represent sovereigns, friendly to the House of Bourbon, are the only ones who are in any degree unreserved to the American Ministers. The Ambassadors from all the Courts which are jealous of that House are totally on the Reserve.— The Ambassadors from Sweeden, Prussia, Holland will be sociable but those from the two Empires, and from the most of the States of Germany, are buttoned up. They are afraid of our observing a Look or a Word and communicating it to the French Ministers. An American Minister in London would be in a contrary predicament. and it is there if any where that the other half of Europe would be laid open to Congress. We should preserve our friendship with France, but we may depend upon it, that while we maintain our neutrality, the better Terms, we appear to be upon with the other Powers of Europe, the more friendly to us will both the French and English be.
        Congress however are the best Judges of this Measure and they may have reasons against it, that I am not aware of.
        I think your apprehensions of the English compleating their Settlements in Nova Scotia so far as to supply their Islands with Fish and Lumber, and themselves with Oil, can never be realized. I have heretofore, and lately had several Conversations with the Marquis and with several other Noblemen on the subject of our Oil, and Pot ash, and Fish, and I doubt not that our Merchants might find a Market here for large Quantities of those Articles if they would open Correspondences. But while the English give Credit, our Merchants look no further. Mr Tracey and Mr: Jackson I believe collected some Information upon these subjects. We are much less in the Power of the English than either they or we imagine, as a little time will show. Why dont our Merchants speculate in Italy, every Port of which would be glad to see them? are they terrified by the Lies told in the English Papers of the Vessels taken by the Algerines?
        yours affectionately.


Title: Elbridge Gerry to John Adams, 5 March 1785
From: Gerry, Elbridge
To: Adams, John

          My dear Mr Adams
          New York 5th March 1785

        Since my last, informing You of the Circumstances of your Appointment to the Court of London, Congress have elected Colo Smith of this State, Secretary to the Legation. several Candidates were presented to Congress, & my Friend & Collegue, Mr King of Newbury port (whom I shall hereafter speak of, & whom I wish to introduce to your Confidence & Friendship) was of Opinion with myself, that it was indispensibly necessary to support such a person only, as might be relied on for supporting the Dignity & preserving (by an Attachment to & Respect for the principal) the Tranquility of the Embassy. We therefore previous to the Appointment, conferred with Colo Smith on the Subject, & candidly informed him, that confiding in his Integrity & Honor, & on his prudence in avoiding every Thing that might savour of Intrigue against the Minister of the Legation, as well as on his firm Determination to discharge his Trust in fulfilling the reasonable Desires & supporting the Dignity of his superior in office, We should use our Endeavours to promote the Appointment mentioned; and should likewise continue our Endeavrs. to Support the Secretary, whilst he continued to evince the good Disposition We expected— And We further informed him, We should certainly be firmly opposed to him, should he ever contrary to our present Expectations evince a different Disposition. Colo Smith was so far from being displeased at this frank Conduct, that he appeared to be much satisfied with it, & gave such Assurances as from a Man of Honor are to be relied on, And as leave Us no Apprehensions of the Want of Your highest Approbation of his Appointt.— The military Character of Colo Smith stands high, insomuch that no officer of his Rank in the American Army stood fairer I believe with the General, than this Gentleman. he has had a liberal Education, is a sensible Man & a polite one, & I cannot doubt that You will find him a Man of Honor, a good Companion, & one that merits your fullest Confidence.
        My Friend Mr Rufus King studied under Mr parsons of Newbury port, is at the Age of about thirty eminent in the Law, has in a Year or two as a Member of the General Court of our State, so established his Reputation as to be appointed a Member of Congress, & in this Character, by a well informed firm & sensible Mind, an agreable person, & an elegant Address has already made progress in

establishing a considerable Influence.— he is a true Republican in principles & is in a System of politics that I have no Doubt Will in all essential points correspond with your own. I think You will be much pleased in opening a Correspondence with him, & that he will be very happy in continuing it. adieu I am yours sincerely

          E Gerry


Title: John Adams’ Instructions as Minister to Great Britain, 7 March 1785
From:
To: Adams, John

          March 7th: 1785

        Instructions for the Minister Plenipotentiary appointed to represent the United States of America at the Court of Great Britain
        Sir
        You will in a respectful but firm Manner insist that the United States be put without further Delay into Possession of all the Posts and Territories within their Limits which are now held by british Garrisons; and you will take the earliest Opportunity of transmitting the Answer you may receive to this Question.
        You will remonstrate against the Infraction of the Treaty of Peace by the Exportation of Negroes and other american Property contrary to the Stipulations on that Subject in the seventh Article of it. Upon this Head you will be supplied with various authentic Papers and Documents particularly the Correspondence between General Washington and others on the one Part, and Sir Guy Carleton on the other.—
        You will represent to the british Ministry the strong and necessary Tendency of their Restrictions on our Trade to incapacitate our Merchants in a certain Degree to make Remittances to theirs.—
        You will represent in strong Terms the Losses which many of our and also of their Merchants will sustain, if the former be unseasonably and immoderately pressed for the Payment of Debts contracted before the War. On this Subject you will be furnished with Papers in which it is amply discussed.—

          Chas Thomson secy..


Title: John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 9 March 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Gerry, Elbridge

          My dear Sir
          Auteuil near Paris March 9. 1785

        You will See, by our joint Dispatches, that The Pope, Sardinia and Naples, by their Answers, have politely invited our Vessells into their Ports, but have not accepted the Proposition of Treaties of Commerce. His Holiness has gone as far I believe, in his Complaisance to Us as his Maxims will allow, there being as I believe no Example of a Treaty, between his Court and any Protestant Power. Naples probably waits for Spain. The Motives of Sardinia, who has two Daughters near the Throne of France, although he has ancient Attachments to England, are not So obvious.
        Prussia will probably agree with Us, or We Shall agree with him as the Points in discussion, are not essential, although some of them are of Some importance. from Portugal, Denmark and the Emperor We have no decisive Answers, nor from Russia any Answer at all.— Spain and England, will continue, I Suppose to refuse treating here. Mr Hales, the British Charge des Affairs told me, that his Court were determined never to treat here, and this Declaration agrees with every Information and all the Circumstances, that have come to our Knowledge. I think the Invitation to send a Minister to London should be accepted, as it is undoubtedly our Place, to Send first, and as the Neglect of exchanging Ambassadors, will forever be regarded as a Proof of Coldness and Jealousies, by the People of England, the People of America, and by all the Courts and Nations of Europe. it is in vain to expect of Us Treaties of Commerce with England, While She will not treat here and Congress will not treat there. We cannot force them to treat: and it is not expected We should petition them. Petitions, would be neglected now as much as ever. We can do nothing with the Barbary States, without Money and orders to apply it.— You know best whether it is worth while to give fifty or Sixty Thousand Guilders a Year to Algiers, besides occasional Presents to the others.
        France Holland and Sweeden, I Suppose will act in concert, and neither agree to Terms more favourable than the others. Such is the

opposition in France to the “Arrêt du Conseil D’Etat du Roi concernant le Commerce étranger dans les Isles Francoises de L’Amerique, du 30 Août 1784,” that I despair of perswading the Ministry to venture farther in our favour. There is a general Cry of the Merchants against that Ordonance. The Commerce of Marseilles, Bourdeaux, Nantes, Rochelle, St Maloes and Havre de Grace, have remonstrated against it in Strong and warm Terms. The Parliament of Bourdeaux too has joined in the Clamour, and the States of Bretagne, came very near it. The Minister will Stand firm to this Ordonnance, it is Said, but I fear will be discouraged from extending his Liberal Sentiments Still further.
        We have my Friend a delicate and difficult Part to Act towards the Powers of Europe. Our Safest Course lies in a perfect Impartiality to all. Predilections and Attachments to any, will be narrowly watched, will be perceived, and will endanger our Tranquility and Neutrality. Spain France and England, will interest Us and endanger Us the most.— I wish that no Means of Settling all disputes, with the first and last may be neglected, and therefore I advise the sending a Minister to each. if he Succeeds, well, if not, We Shall have nothing to reproach to Ourselves. We Shall have done our Duty, and all that was in our Power.
        I wait with Impatience, for the Ratification of my last Loan in Holland, and for Orders what to do with near a Million of Guilders, in the Hands of your Bankers at Amsterdam. You will remember, I have run you in debt, near Seven hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling, that you have received in Dollars, or drawn Bills for it at an advantageous Exchange. I hope you have Spent it wisely. But whether you have or not, you ought to take Measures to pay the Interest. My Dutch Friends will throw me into one of their Canals if you dont fullfill my Engagements.
        My Respects to your Colleagues, and believe me / your faithfull Friend & very humble / servant

          John Adams


Title: John Adams to John Jay, 9 March 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

          Sir
          Auteuil near Paris 9. March 1785

        Permit me to congratulate the United States, upon the Acquisition of a Minister of foreign Affairs, whose long Services have So justly acquired their Confidence and whose Experience as well as his Talents, so fully qualify him for this important Trust.
        The joint Dispatches of their Ministers here will inform Congress of the Slow Progress of the Negotiations entrusted to their Care. These delays are owing to the ordinary Character of the Deliberations of Courts, and are in no measure occasioned by any Inattention or Inactivity on our Part, and as they are irremediable must be Submitted to with Patience.
        I must beg Leave to repeat a request mentioned in Several of my late Letters, that Congress would be pleased to transmit the Ratification of my last Loan which I opened a Year ago in Holland and is long Since full. The Delay of the Ratification has an ill Effect.— Congress will be pleased too to give Orders if it is not yet done as I hope it has been, concerning near a Million of Guilders, which remain in the Hands of their Bankers at Amsterdam, as appears by Some Extracts of Letters inclosed
        I have lately enquired of the Baron de Stael, the Sweedish Ambassador, and of Mr D’Asp, the Sweedish Chargé des Affairs, an old Acquaintance at the Hague who has been lately removed to this Court, concerning the Presents given by their Court to the Barbary Powers. Both very obligingly promised to write to Stockholm for full Information, upon this Subject. I have written to Mr Dumas, to apply to Mr Bisdom and Mr Van der Hope, to learn the Sums given by the Republick. The Answers of those Gentlemen I have

communicated to my Colleagues, and Copies of them will be transmitted to Congress by, Mr Humphreys in the joint Dispatches. If We can avoid, this humiliating Tribute, I Should wish it with all my Heart, but am afraid We must Sooner or later Submit to it. I cant find it in my Heart, to wish ill Success to the two Empires, if they really have, as they are Suspected to have, the Project of driving wholly out of Europe, the Turkish Empire, because the Barbary Powers and their hatefull Piracies would probably come to an End at the sametime. We wait for Orders relative to these States, thinking it dangerous Saying a Word to Morocco, before We are ready to treat with all.
        There is at this Time So intimate a Connection, between France Sweeden and Holland, that I fancy, We Shall Scarcely perswade either of the latter to agree to any Supplementary Treaties unless the former Should Set the Example, which We cannot expect, considering the Opposition the Ministry meets with from the Merchants of the Sea Port Towns and even from Some Souvereign Courts. The ordonnance of 30 of August 1784, which moderates the rigour of the Letters Patents of October 1727 and admits Foreigners to the Commerce of the Colonies under certain Restrictions, has excited Remonstrances from the Merchants of Marseilles, Bourdeaux Rochelle, Nantes, St. Maloes and Havre de Grace, and the Parliament of Bordeaux, has remonstrated, and that of Bretagne, was very near it. The Marshall de Castries, is yet unmoved, but this Opposition will I fear discourage him from going further.—
        These Remonstrances attack, every Part of the first Article[;] They oppose the Free Ports, or “Entrepots,” They oppose the Liberty, to Strangers to import, Timber Coal, even Live Stock, but especially Salt Beef, Salt Fish, Rice, Indian Corn, Vegetables, Leather tanned or in the Hair, Pitch Tar, Turpentine. they are eager for reviving, the Regulation of 1727, and totally excluding all Foreigners from their Islands. in Short I see that french Merchants, consider their Colon[ies] and Colonists as English Merchants considered Us twenty Years ago. it is true that all have not been equally extravagant. Some have gone in their Remonstrances no farther, than against Salt Beef and Fish.
        Merchants whether French, English or Dutch are very bad Rulers of Colonies at a Distance, and their Mistakes if not firmly corrected by their Governments will make a Serious common Cause, between Americans northern and Western.
        The French Fisheries, in Consequence of the Extension of their

Limits by the Treaty of Peace, upon the Island of Newfoundland, and the free Communication between the United States and St. Peters and Miquelon, have Succeeded the last Year, in a remarkable manner. Marseilles, Bourdeaux & Rochelle, and many other Places have engaged in the Newfoundland Fishery with a new Ardour, and uncommon Profit. This is one Striking Advantage, arising wholly from their Alliance with Us, and they ought to be too Sensible of it, to wish So Soon, to exclude Us wholly from their Islands. The Government and more enlightened Part of the Nation are so, and will not give Way to the interested Clamours of those who see no further than their own private Profit.
        Nothing is more extravagant than the confident Pretensions of French and English Merchants, that they can Supply their own Islands. It is whimsical, but it is true, that the mercantile Spirit, Should be the most hostile to the Freedom of Commerce. Governments the most disposed to favour it, are continually Solicited by Bodies of Merchants, from partial Views and private Interests to restrain and Shackle it.
        England it is plain will never treat with Us here. and it is for Congress to determine, whether they will accept the Proposition of the Court of St. James and Send a Minister there, or renounce all Thoughts of treating with it, upon any Thing.
        Spain Seems equally averse to treating here. But if Mr Guardoqui has arrived, who has full Powers, Congress may treat with him at New York.
        The general State of Europe is critical, but the Claims of the Emperor, are so directly against Treaties, which interest so essentially all Europe, that I dont believe he will urge on a War, that must embroil all the World, and end not at all to his Advantage or Honour
        With very great Esteem and Respect / I have the Honour to be, Sir your / most obedient and most / humble servant

          John Adams


Title: John Adams to James Sullivan, 11 March 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Sullivan, James

          Dear Sir
          Auteuil near Paris March 11. 1785.

        I have received within a few days your obliging Favour of Nov: 22. The Removal of Congress to New York, where their residence will probably be uninterrupted for sometime will I hope have a good Effect, towards raising the Respect to that august Assembly, and reconciling the People, to such general Measures as are indispensable. The People will be less jealous, if Mr: Gerry’s aversion to an Establishment for Troops, in time of Peace, prevails, but there will never be a cordial Union while there are military Establishments in time of Peace. I wish that all Disputes may be decided, and terminated between Mass: & New York. the Harmony of the States depends much upon this.
        It is probable the Duty upon Oil might be taken off, if Congress should send a Minister to London, but the British Ministry will not treat here upon any Thing The aversion of the United States to send a Minister to St: James’s is considered by the People of England, as a proof of our Dislike of them, of our Reluctance to binding ourselves to any Regulations of Trade with them, and of our being under French Influence, and of our Disinclination to have a British Minister in America— I think the best way to manage them is to shew that we have no fear of them, and they have gained no Advantage of us, in war or Politicks which need to make us dread to meet them either on the field of Battle or Negotiation: at least I think we ought to make ourselves certain that they will not treat with us upon Terms of Reciprocity, before we proceed to Retalliation, even though all the States were united in this measure.— We should not be surprized that the Ministry will not treat here, because it would be so unpopular a Measure, that they could hardly stand the Clamour, and they are most certainly, diplomatically in the Right to refuse to treat in France. I begin to doubt whether any Power will treat here excepting those which are so intimately in Friendship with this Court, as to be willing to make them a great Compliment.
        I have been endeavouring to introduce the use of our Oil, Sperma Ceti Candles, Potash &c into this Country and I believe, that our Merchants if they would turn their attention this Way, and their Correspondences to these Objects, might do a good deal. There are many difficulties in the Way, one of which is a vain Dream of Mr: de Calonne, who as I am told means to found the Glory of his

Administration, on the Introduction of the Whale Fishery into France. The great Advantages obtained by the French, by the last War, have exalted the Imaginations of the Nation, and animated their spirit of Enterprize, but, their Merchants have no Faculty of discerning the true means of augmenting their Prosperity, which would be by favouring in every way the Trade between us and them. They on the contrary see no farther than themselves, like the English Merchants, and are obstructing the wiser Views of the Minister, Mr: de Castries. In my Opinion, an American Minister in London, and a british one at New York, nay even the very Report of their appointment, would have a good effect not only here but in all Europe, upon our affairs. The Opinions and Conduct of all the Nations of Europe, are determined by little Circumstances of Etiquette, and diplomatick Ceremonies which we in America have no Idea of. Courts, and consequently Nations, never reason directly upon publick Affairs. They draw their Inferences, wholly from Ceremonies, Coats of Arms, the salutations of Flaggs, the Motions and steps & Bows & smiles of Ministers & Ambassadors; in short from a most complicated system of Nonsense, in which they are entangled and enslaved. the Essences of Affairs are involved in deep and impenetrable Mystery: and judging by this System, they see so many Things, which they think unequivocal Marks of Coldness between us & England, that all those who have any affection for England, or hopes from her, which is half Europe are as much afraid of us as ever.
        In our affairs with Europe, we must conform to this order of Things in some degree. We can change the Constitution of Nature, as easily as we can change this. it is so wrought into every scene of human Life, that there is hardly a Man in Europe whose bread does not depend upon it.
        I am Sir with great Regard. &c.


Title: John Jay to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1785
From: Jay, John
To: American Commissioners

          Gentlemen
          Office of foreign Affairs March 11th. 1785

        On the 7th of May 1784 Congress were pleased to resolve “that Treaties of Amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli, to continue for the term of ten years or for a term as much longer as can be procured”
        They also resolved “that their Ministers to be commissioned for treating with foreign nations, make known to the Emperor of Morocco the great satisfaction which Congress feel from the amicable disposition he has shewn for these States, and his readiness to enter into alliance with them: that the occupations of the War and the distance of our situation have prevented their meeting his friendship so early as they wished. But that powers are now delegated to them for entering into Treaty with him; in the execution of which they are ready to proceed. That as to the expences of his Minister they do therein what is for the honor of the United States”
        They farther resolved that a Commission be issued to “Mr J. Adams, Mr B. Franklin, and Mr T. Jefferson giving power to them or the greater part of them to make & receive propositions for such Treaties of Amity & Commerce, and to negotiate & sign the same, transmitting them to Congress for their final ratification. And that such Commission be in force for a term not exceeding two years”
        I presume, Gentlemen, that you have received copies of the above Resolutions as well as of a number of others respecting your Department before my coming into this Office; and that you have taken such measures in pursuance of them as were best calculated to promote the design & objects of them.
        On the 14th Febry Ulto. Congress resolved “that the Ministers of the United States who are directed to form Treaties with the Emperor of Morocco, and the Regencies of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, be empowered to apply so much of the Money borrowed in Holland, or any other Money in Europe belonging to the United States, to that use as they may deem necessary, not exceeding eighty thousand Dollars.”
        “That they be further empowered, if the situation of Affairs should render it inexpedient for either of them to proceed to the

above court, to appoint such persons as they may deem qualified to execute this trust.”
        “That the Secretary of foreign Affairs be directed to write to the above Ministers, pressing upon them the necessity of prosecuting this important business, and forwarding to them Commissions & Letters of Credence, with a blank for the name of such person as may be directed to conclude the said Treaties”
        The Secretary of Congress informs me that you have already been furnished with Commisisons to treat with these African Powers, so that nothing now remains to be done to enable you to commence your negotiations with them, for Letters of Credence and a Commission to enable you to appoint an Agent or Substitute in the business are herewith transmitted to you.—
        It also appears to me expedient to send you copies of such papers in this Office on this subject as may be necessary to give you accurate information of what has heretofore been done respecting it—a list of which will be sbjoined to this letter.
        You will probably meet with difficulties and embarrassments of various kinds in the prosecution of this business, but difficulies & embarrassments are not new to you, and experience has taught us that there are very few which talents, assiduity & perseverance cannot overcome.
        It is the desire and expectation of Congress, and of the People at large that this business be immediately, earnestly & vigorously undertaken and pursued; and considering to whom the execution of it is committed the most sanguine expectations of its being speedily & properly accomplished are entertained. Peace with those States is a most desirable object, as well on account of its importance to our commerce, as because the continuance of their hostilities must constantly expose our free Citizens to captivity & slavery. The interests therefore of humanity as well as commerce urge Congress & the Public to provide and to desire that no time or pains may be spared to bring this matter to an advantageous and happy conclusion.
        The readiness which the court of France has expressed to aid our negotiations in this affair, will render it proper that these transactions be communicated to them, and (if circumstances should render it necessary) that their assistance be requested; for although the trouble they have already had with our affairs should render us delicate & modest in our applications, yet reserve should not be carried so far as to be imputable either to pride or want of confidence.

        On the 4th. inst. Congress received a letter dated at Cadiz the 16th day of Novr 1784 from Giacomo Francisco Crocco, whom the Emperor of Morocco had sent to Spain to treat on the subject of propositions which Mr Robert Montgomery had it seems taken the unwarrantable liberty of making to His Majesty on the part of the United States. This letter enclosed copies of two others which he had written on the 15th day of July & the 25 day of Novr last to the Honble Doctr. Franklin. A Copy of this letter and of the answer I am directed to return to it, are herewith enclosed for your information.
        At courts where favoritism as well as corruption prevails, it is necessary that attention be paid even to men who may have no other recommendation than their influence with their superiors; what the real character of Mr Crocco or Mr Caille may be, I am not informed; but I think you will find it expedient to purchase the influence of those whom you may find so circumstanced, as to be able to impede or forward your views;—perhaps gratuities before the work is done, might tempt them to delay it, in hopes of exacting dispatch money. Would it not therefore be prudent to promise payment on the completion of the Treaties? These are delicate subjects which your greater experience well enables you to manage, and on which I should not venture any hints, if this letter was not to be delivered to you by a private and I believe a careful & confidential hand, viz, by Captn. Lamb of Connecticut. This gentleman was recommended by the Governor of Connecticut as a proper person to be employed in this business. The testimonials he has from that State contain the only information I possess respecting his character—they are certainly greatly in his favour. In this matter Congress have not thought proper to interfere, and Captn. Lamb has no encouragement either from them or from me to expect that he will be employed, it being intended to leave you in the full and uninfluenced exercise of your discretion in appointing the Agent in question. But as Capn Lamb informs me that he means to go to Paris, I have concluded to commit this letter to his care, because I am persuaded he will be as faithful a bearer of it as any other person.
        I have the honor to be / With great respect & esteem / Gentlemen / Your Most obdt. and / Very hble. Servant

          John Jay


Title: Joint Commission to Negotiate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Morocco, 11 March 1785
From: Lee, Richard Henry,Jay, John
To: Adams, John

          Duplicate.

        The United States in Congress Assembled.

          [11 March 1785]

        To all to whom these Presents shall come or be made known send Greeting:
        Whereas We, reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Integrity, Prudence and Ability of our trusty and well beloved The Honorable John Adams, late one of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress from the State of Massachusetts, and Chief Justice of the said State, The Honorable Doctor Benjamin Franklin our Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, and late another of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and The Honorable Thomas Jefferson a Delegate in Congress from the State of Virginia and late Governor of the said State, did by our Commission under the Seal of the United States, and the Signature of our then President bearing date the twelfth Day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four, constitute and appoint them the said John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson our Ministers Plenipotentiary giving to them or a Majority of them full Power and Authority for Us and in our name to confer treat and negotiate with the Ambassador, Minister, or Commissioner of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Morocco, vested with full and sufficient Powers, of and concerning a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, (as the Case may be) to make and receive Propositions for such Treaty, and to conclude and sign the same, transmitting it to the United States in Congress assembled for their final Ratification.

And whereas it may so happen that the other great and various Affairs which we have committed to the Care and Management of our said Ministers Plenipotentiary, may not admit of their meeting the Minister or Commissioners which his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Morocco may appoint to treat with them of and concerning such Treaty, at a Time and Place that might otherwise be most convenient; Therefore Know Ye, That we do hereby authorize and empower our said three Ministers Plenipotentiary, and the Majority of them, by writing under their Hands and Seals, to appoint and employ, and at pleasure to remove, such Agent in the said Business as they or the Majority of them may think proper; which said Agent shall have Authority under the Directions and Instructions of our said Ministers, to commence and prosecute negotiations and Conferences for the said Treaty, with such Person or Persons on the Part of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Morocco, as to our said Ministers or the Majority of them shall appear proper. Provided always That the Treaty in Question shall be signed by our said Ministers, but that preliminary Articles thereto, may, if previously approved of by our said Ministers or a Majority of them, be signed by the said Agent.—
        In Testimony whereof We have caused the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Witness His Excellency Richard Henry Lee our President this eleventh Day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the Ninth.—

          Richard Henry Lee. P.John JayAttest Chas Thomson secy.


Title: The American Commissioners’ Letter of Credence to the Emperor of Morocco, 11 March 1785
From: Lee, Richard Henry,Jay, John
To: Sidi Mohammed (Muhammed)

          Duplicate
          [11 March 1785]

        To the Great, Noble and Imperial Sovereign, the Emperor of Morocco.—
        We the United States of America in Congress Assembled, being desirous of cultivating and establishing Peace and Harmony between your Majesty and our Nation, have appointed the Honorable John Adams late one of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress from the State of Massachusetts, and Chief Justice of the said State; The Honorable Doctor Benjamin Franklin our Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, and late another of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace, and the Honorable Thomas Jefferson a Delegate in Congress from the State of Virginia, and late Governor of the said State, our Ministers Plenipotentiary, giving to them or a Majority of them full Power in our Name to negotiate and conclude a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with your Majesty; and we have also authorised them or the Majority of them to appoint such Agent in the said Business as Circumstances may in their Judgement render expedient.—
        We desire your Majesty to give full Credit to whatever shall be delivered to you by or from our said Ministers; and we hope you will readily concur with us in forming such a Treaty as may be permanent and mutually beneficial.
        We wish You Health and Prosperity.—
        Done in Congress at their Chamber in the City of New York on the eleventh Day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, and signed by their Unanimous Order.—

          Richard Henry Lee. P.John JayChas Thomson secy.


Title: John Jay to John Adams, 15 March 1785
From: Jay, John
To: Adams, John

          Dear Sir
          New York 15th: March 1785

        The enclosed Extracts from the Journal of Congress will inform you of your Appointment to go as Minister to the Court of London, and of Mr. Smith’s being elected Secretary to the Legation. I congratulate you on this Event. It argues the Confidence reposed in you by the United States, and I am persuaded will redound to their Advantage as well as to your Reputation.—
        The necessary Papers are preparing, and Mr. Smith will carry them to you by the next Packet.—
        With great Respect and Esteem / I am Dear Sir / Your most obt. & very humble Servt:

          John Jay


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams, 18 March 1785
From: Dumas, C. W. F.
To: Adams, John

          Monsieur,
          Lahaie 18 Mars 1785

        Depuis quelques jours mon Epouse, un peu mieux, me laisseroit sans peine pour elle, si l’extrême foiblesse qui lui reste, ne m’inquiettoit encore.
        Les projets sur la Baviere dérangés, paroissent avoir fait prendre le parti de vouloir s’en dédom̃ager aux dépens de la Rep., qui ne peut se rèsoudre à souscrire aux nouvelles propositions qu’on lui fait; & par conséquent je crains que nous n’ayions enfin la guerre.
        Com̃e j’ignore la résidence actuelle du Congrès, je la laisse en blanc sur l’adresse de l’une des deux incluses, priant V. E. de vouloir bien y suppléer.
        Made. Van Berckel, dont la fille ainée va partir pour aller auprès de Mr. son pere, m’ayant demandé si elle ne risquoit rien des Barbaresques, dans un Vaisseau Américain prêt à partir d’Amsterdam, en prenant par le Nord. Mon opinion, que je lui ai fait connoître, est, qu’il n’y a rien à craindre par cette voie, & dans cette saison. Si je me trompois, un prompt avertissement de la part de V. E. me mettroit à même de me retracter, & de préserver Madle. Van Berckel du malheur d’être prise. Bien nos respects à Mesdames Adams, De Votre Excellence le très humble & très obeissant Serviteur

          Cwf Dumas

        TRANSLATION

          Sir
          The Hague, 18 March 1785

        For several days my spouse has been a bit better, which would have alleviated my concern for her if the extreme weakness that persists did not keep me worrying still.
        The schemes for Bavaria being upset seems to have occasioned a determination to try to make up for it at the expense of the republic, which cannot bring itself to sign the new proposals that are made to it, and consequently I fear that we will in the end have a war.

        As I do not know where Congress currently resides, I am leaving blank the address on one of the two enclosures, asking your excellency to be so kind as to supply it.
        Mrs. Van Berckel, whose elder daughter is leaving to go to her father, asked me if she risked anything from the Barbaries in an American vessel, one of which is ready to depart from Amsterdam, taking the northern route. My opinion, which I let her know, is that there is nothing to fear along that route in this season. If I am mistaken, a prompt warning from your excellency would enable me to recant and to save Miss Van Berckel from the misfortune of being captured. Our respects to the Adams ladies. Your excellency’s very humble and very obedient servant

          Cwf Dumas


Title: John Jay to John Adams, 18 March 1785
From: Jay, John
To: Adams, John

          Dear Sir
          Office for foreign Affairs 18 March 1785

        The Packet not sailing until to morrow has put in my Power to get your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence completed. I also send You in another Parcel, of which Mr. Randall is also to take Charge, the Journals printed since those with which I understand you have already been furnished.—
        With great Esteem & Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your most obt. & hble. Servt:

          John Jay


Title: John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Jefferson, Thomas

          Gentlemen
          Auteuil March 20. 1785.

        According to your desire, I went early this Morning to Versailles, and finding the Count de Vergennes unembarassed with Company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the Honour of a Conference, in which I told him that my Colleagues were very sorry, that Indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in Person, & obliged them to request me alone to wait on him, and ask his Advice upon a thorny Question, we had with the Barbary Powers. He asked what it was, and I put into his Hand, all the Letters upon the Subject, in French, Spanish, Italian & English, all of which he read very attentively, and observed that it was obvious what was wanted, and what had piqued the Emperor of Morocco, viz that Congress had not written to him, nor sent him a Consul, with the Customary Presents, for that he was the most interested Man in the World, and the most greedy of Money. He asked whether we had written to Congress and obtained their Instructions. I answered that we had full Powers, to treat with Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli and the rest, but that it was impossible for us to go there, and that we had not a Power of Substitution. He said then we should write to the Emperor. I asked if he would do us the favour to convey a Letter for us, through the french Consul? he said he could not do this himself, because it was not in his Department, but if we would make an office of it, he would communicate it to the Marquis de Castries and return us his answer.
        I told him, that in looking over the Treaties between the several Christian Powers and the Barbary States, we found that the Treaty between the Crown of France, and Algiers of the 25. April 1684, was expired, or near expiring, and we were desirous of knowing, if the Question were not indiscreet, whether it had been renewed. He smiled upon this, and said, it was true that their Treaty was upon the point of expiring, but he could not tell me, whether it were renewed, as it was not in his Department, but if we would insert this Inquiry in our office, he would endeavour to obtain the Marshall de Castries’s Answer.
        I told him, that in order to lay before Congress, all the Information we could, and to enable them to judge the better what orders to give us, or what other Course to take we had obtained authentic Information from Mr: Bisdom and Mr: Van der hope, concerning the

Presents, annually given by their High Mightinesses and that we should be very glad to know, if it was not improper, what was the annual Amount of the Presents made by his Majesty to each of those States, and in what Articles they consisted. He said the King never sent them any naval or military Stores, but he sent them glasses and other Things of Value: but that as it was not in his Department, he could not give me particular Information but that we might put this into our office, with the other Things.
        I asked if there was not a considerable Trade, and frequent Intercourse, between some Ports of this Kingdom, and the Coast of Barbary. He said there was, from Marseilles and the other Ports upon the Mediterranean: but he thought if we had Presents to send it would be more convenient to send them from Cadiz.
        I then asked the favour of his Advice, whether in our Letter to the Emperor of Morocco, we should leave it to his option to send a Minister here to treat with us, or to wait untill we could write to Congress and recommend it to them, to send a Consul. He said he would by no means advise us to invite the Emperor to send a Minister here to treat with us, because we must maintain him here and bear all the Expences of his Voyages and Journeys which would be much more costly than for Congress to send a consul.
        But the Comte concluded the whole Conference by observing that every Thing relative to this Business was out of his Department, and that we must state to him in writing all we desired to know, or to have done, and he would convey it to the Minister of the Marine, and communicate to us, his answer, and that we might depend upon it, that whenever we thought proper to make any office to him, it should be carefully attended to.
        He added very particular Inquiries concerning the Health of Dr: Franklin and Mr: Jefferson, which I answered to the best of my Knowledge. & took my Leave.
        With great Respect, I have the Honour to be &c


Title: Charles Storer to John Adams, 22 March 1785
From: Storer, Charles
To: Adams, John

          Dear Sir,
          London. [22] March. 1785.

        Pardon me if I again trouble you with a letter. I plead for my apology that the occasion does not relate entirely to myself—but in a degree concerns you.—
        Yesterday, upon the Exchange, Mr: Burgess, of whom I have made mention before, desired Mr: Atkinson, my Brother-in-law, to acquaint me that a Mr: Petree, one of the Committee of Merchants respecting American Affairs, wished to have some Conversation with me upon the Subject of a Treaty of Commerce with the United-States.— In the evening I called upon Mr: Jackson, acquainted him with the matter & enquired if he knew either of the above Gentlemen— Mr: Petree had had a Conversation upon the same subject with him, but a few days before, and had given him to understand that the reason of a Treaty Commerce’s not bing made was owing to a disinclination to treat on the part of the American Commissioners: at least that Government had so given it out to the Merchants here; and that in consequence of this information they wished to know where was the obstacle to treating, that, if possible, it might be removed.— This morning Mr: Petree called upon me— He asked me if the American Commissr: were not authorised to make a Treaty with this Country—& if so why they did not come over here— a: I told him that I was not authorised to talk with him upon these matters, &

that therefore he must take what came from me, as originating with me: that so far as I knew anything it should be at his service— I told him then, that you were authorised to treat with this Country, & that I was surprised he should put the question to me—since the Ministry had been well acquainted with it ever since last Fall—and that, so far the disinclination to treat being upon your side, I believed it laid entirely here— I told him that Mr: Hartley had been recalled just when you were empowered to treat—and that you had been since amused with having an invitation from this Court, to come here—but that you had never had any— He hoped you wd. not stand upon any etiquette, & ceremony when the business was so important— I told him I was sure you would never suffer any unnecessary etiquette to be any obstacle to you—nor that you would act either unless upon an equal footing & with proper formality: that, however, I knew of no particular objection you had to treat—except the not having an invitation from this Court— He told me that he had waited upon Ld. Carmarthen, the last week, who told him that the only difficulty rested with you, as he had sent the American Commissioners an invitation abt: a month ago, thru’ the D. of Dorset, which you did not incline to accept of: he wondered that you had not been here before this, & said he really wished you would come.— I told him I equally wondered at this intelligence being given by Ld. Carmarthen—since he knew that, if he sent a proper invitation, you would come here— I asked Mr: Petree if there was any person to treat with you here, if you came. He said that Ld. Carmarthen he believed was authorised—but asked, in his turn, if Congress had power to treat, was this Court inclined to meet them— I told him that other Treaties had been made—but that this wd. be known when the full powers of each should be exchanged— Upon parting, Mr: Petree said he was glad to hear that the difficulty did not rest with you—and, being convinced of this, the Merchants would immediately remonstrance to the Ministry that a proper invitation should be sent to you, in order that Business should be begun— Mr: P. said the Merchts: had been alarmed at the appointment of a Consul General, supposing that some Convention had been made— Upon their application to Ld. C. he told them there was no Convention made, & that why a Consul had been appointed he did not know— The Merchants have objected to the man—
        It seems the Ministry have industriously given it about that the American Commissrs: were averse to treating with this Country—wishing to throw all the blame upon them— Whether from a fear of

engaging upon an unpopular business, as they must make some concessions—whether from a wish to proffit from the monopoly of our carrying Trade to the W. Indies, or whether to give time to strengthen the Adventurers in the Whale-fishery, is not for me to say—perhaps they each have weight with them—
        What I have said, Sir, I wish you may not disapprove, as I hope I have not exceeded the bounds of discretion— If you can make use of me any way here, I shall not only be very happy, but think myself highly honored & flattered by your Confidence— You may say I am too young—to wh: I can only say, that I wish I was older & more steady— If you shd. chuse to write me in answer to this, for safety, you had better enclose your letter to Mr: Jno: Appleton, No: 11. Spring-Gardens, or to Mr: John Harwood, No: 18. Cullum street—
        Excuse my troubling you with this long letter: the occasion I hope will be a sufficient apology—and I would beg your advice upon it.—
        With best respects to the family, I have the honor to be, with much esteem, / dear Sir, / Yr: Most oblig’d, humle: servt:

          Chas: Storer.