Title: To John Adams from James Grubb, 23 May 1785
From: Grubb, James
To: Adams, John

          L’orient 23 May 1785

          I beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that I Yesterday received advice that the Pilot Cutter, Commanded by Lieut. Seymor Lynn in the Service of the King of Great Britain, had Seized & detain’d the Brigantine Nancy Capt. John Limeburner, under American Colours, & expedited by me, from this Port, bound to Amsterdam— The property on board belongs to French Merchants of this Town— The Vessel having all her Papers in due form & proper Clearance from the Admiralty here, the Only Reason alledged for Seizing Same is because She was found within 4 Leagues of the Land, which even is a false Assertion: I herewith transmit to Your Excellency, the Accounts I have received of the Whole Affair & beg leave to Solicit Your protection in demanding from the Court of Great Britain that the Ship & Cargo be given up, with damages for the Detention of Same after having been Unjustly plundered from a Subject of the United States of America.

          I transmit the Papers with the present thro’ the Hands of Mr. Barclay, least Your Excellency should have left Paris. The Packet with your Son on board Saild from hence Saturday Evening last.
          I have the honor to be / Your Excellence’s / Most obedient & / very humble Servant

            J: Grubb


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1785
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir
            Paris May 25. 1785.

          Your letter of the 22d from Montreuil sur mer is put into my hands this moment, and having received information of your son and two American gentlemen being to set out for London tomorrow morning I seize a moment to inform you that he had arrived well at l’Orient & was well on the 20th. when the packet was still detained by contrary winds. mr̃ Barclay, who is arrived, had also seen him. be so good as to inform the ladies that mr̃s Hayes is arrived. I have not yet seen her, but am this moment going to perform that duty. I fear the ladies have had a more triste journey than we had calculated on. the poverty of the country & distress of the drought would of course produce this effect. I am the more convinced of this as you say they have found amusement in my notes. they presented themselves to their notice under fortunate circumstances. I am happy if you find any thing in them worthy your approbation. but my country will probably estimate them differently. a foreknowlege of this has retarded my communicating them to my friends two years.— but enough of them.— the departure of your family has left me in the dumps. my afternoons hang heavily on me. I go sometimes to Passy & Mont Parnasse. when they are gone too I shall be ready for the dark & narrow house of Ossian. we attended the Queen’s entrance yesterday, but lost the sight of her. you can calculate, and without many figures, the extent of this mortification to me. to render it more complete I had placed myself & my daughter in my carriage very finely before the Palais Bourbon to see the illuminations of the Garde meubles which are to cost the king of Spain two or three thousand guineas. but they sent a parcel of souldiers to drive us all away. we submitted without making battle; I carried my daughter to the Abbaye & came home to bed myself. I have now given you all the news of Paris as far as I know it & after recommending myself to the friendly recollection of the ladies I conclude with assurances of the esteem with which I have the honour to be dear Sir / your affectionate friend / & servt.

            Th: Jefferson

            P.S. send me your address au plutot.


Title: From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 26 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Carmarthen, the Marquis of

            Bath Hotel May 26. 1785

          Mr Adams has the Honour to acquaint the Right Honourable the Marquis of Caermarthen, that he is just arrived in Town with Credentials from the United States of America, and desires to be informed at what Hour, he may have the Honour of paying his Respects to his Lordship.


Title: John Adams’ Memorandum of a Meeting with the Marquis of Carmarthen, 27 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To:

            London—Fryday May 27th. 1785

          Agreable to appointment Mr: Adams and Mr: Smith waited on the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen at oneo Clock at his House in Grosvenors Square, and were immediately received Mr. Adams presented his original Commission which is as follows—
          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 britanic 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.

            Chas. Thomson secry John Jay
            Secretary for the Department of foreign Affairs—

          Which His Lordship having read returned— Mr. Adams gave him an Authenticated Copy— Mr. Smith presented his Lordship with his original Commission as Secretary to the Legation—which is as follows.—
          The United States of America in Congress assembled—
          To our trusty and beloved William S. Smith 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 William S. Smith Secretary to our Legation to His britanic Majesty. 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 first Day of March 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 Secry John Jay
          Secretary for the Department of foreign Affairs—
            Which His Lordship having read & returned Mr. Smith presented him with an Authenticated Copy. His Lordship appointed Wednesday next oneo Clock to introduce Mr. Adams at the Royal Levee, at the conclusion of which he should be introduced to His Majesty in his Closet for the purpose of presenting his Letter of Credence, and that on the next Levee Day Mr: Smith should be presented to His Majesty as Secretary to the Legation—


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

            Dear Sir
            London May 27. 1785

          I arrived Yesterday and have made my Visit to day, and been very politely recd, by the Marquis, but of this more hereafter. this is devoted to a smaller Subject.

          Upon Enquiry I find, that I cannot, be exempted from paying duties upon my Wines, because no foreign Minister is. except for a less quantity than I have of the best qualities in my Cellar at the Hague.— so that I must stop all that I have in France if I can. to pay Six or Eight shillings sterling a Bottle upon the Small Wines I packed at Auteuil would be folly.— I must beg you then if possible to stop it all, except one Case of Madeira & Frontenac together. let me beg you too to write to Mr Garvey & stop the order for five hundred Bottles of Bourdeaux. all my other Things may be sent on to me, as proposed.
          Coll Smith, has Letters for you, but waits a private Hand.— He sends his Respects to you & Coll Humphreys. if my Things are gone & cannot be stopped I must pay the Impost, heavy as it is. I am sorry to give you this Trouble but I beg you to take the Wine, at any Price you please let your own Maitre D’Hotel judge, or accept it as a present or sell it at Vendue, i.e let Petit dispose of it as he will give you an Acct of proceeds and give me Credit. and then order me to pay stockdale or any Body here for you to the Amount.
          My Esteem, & Regards as due / yours affectionately

            John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 27 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

            Dear Sir
            Bath Hotel London May 27. 1785

          I found that either the Duke of Dorsetts Letter to the Premier, had produced an order at Dover or that his Graces Letter to the Custom House Office had as good an Effect, for I was allowed to pass without Molestation, and indeed received Marks of particular Respect.
          We arrived Yesterday 26. in the Afternoon, and as Fortune would have it Coll Smith arrived the Night before 25.— We Soon met.— I wrote a Card to the Marquis of Carmarthen, at Nine at Night, acquainting his Lordship of my Arrival and desiring an Hour to wait on him. This Morning, I had an Answer, that his Lordship would be glad to See me at one at his House, or at four at his Office, as I chose. I replyed, that I would have the Honour to wait on him at one.
          Coll Smith went with me, we were admitted in an Instant, and politely received.— I laid before him my Commission, and left him a Copy.— Coll Smith did the same with his. I consulted his Lordship about the Ettiquette of my Letter of Credence, and he gave me the Same Answers as the Comte de Vergennes gave you. His Lordship then said that on Wednesday next after the Levee, I should be presented to his Majesty in his Closett, and there deliver my Letter of Credence, and that on the next Levee Day Coll smith would be presented. This he Said was according to the Usage.
          I have Since Seen the Dutch Minister, who enquired of every particular step by step, and then Said that I was received precisely upon the Same Footing with all the other Ministers. I learn’d from the Dutch Minister too another Particular which gave me Pleasure, vizt that the Usage here is directly contrary to that in Holland and France. Here the new Minister receives the first Visit, from all the foreign Ministers, whereas in France & Holland the new Minister makes the first Visit to all the foreign Ministers and notifies formally to them his Reception. This Saves me from an Embarrassment, and We shall now see, who will and who will not. We Shall See what will be done by Imperial Ministers. &c
          With the most cordial Esteem I have the Honour to / be, sir, your most obedient and most humble / servant

            John Adams


Title: To John Adams from the Marquis of Carmarthen, 27 May 1785
From: Carmarthen, the Marquis of
To: Adams, John

            Sir,
            St Jamess. May 27. 1785.

          I forgot to mention to you today when you did me the honour to call upon me in Grosvenor Square, that it is customary for every Foreign Minister to send the Secretary of State a Copy of the Credential Letters they are directed by their Sovereigns to present to His Majesty or to The Queen. with regard to the superscription I find the credentials of the Ministers from the States General of the United Provinces are only addressed—“Au Roi de la Grande Bretagne.” I believe I did mention to you Sir that The Credential Letters are always delivred sealed into His Majestys Hands.
          I am Sir / your most Obedient / & most humble Servant

            Carmarthen.


Title: From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 28 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Carmarthen, the Marquis of

            My Lord
            London May 28. 1785

          I have received the Letter your Lordship did me the Honour to write me Yesterday, and have here inclosed a Copy of the Letter of Credence which I am directed by my Sovereign to present to his Majesty. I am So unfortunate as not to have any to the Queen: But I know the Sentiments of my Country and of Congress So well as to be Sure that this is not owing to any want of Respect to her Majesty. probably it was merely the Want of Information that there had ever been a Precident of it.
          I beg leave to propose to your Lordship, that the Superscription Should be “To his Majesty, George the third, King of Great Britain France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith &c.” if your Lordship Should not disapprove of this, I Should prefer it to the Address, of the United Provinces, as being more respectfull.
          With great Respect, I have the Honour / to be, my Lord, your Lordships / most obedient and most / humble Servant

            John Adams.—


Title: To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 28 May 1785
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir,
            New York May the 28th. 1785

          I had the honor of writing to you by Colo. Smith, which letter I doubt not but that you have, or will in due time, safely receive.
          My hopes are great, that your wisdom, and the good sense of the British Administration; will extinguish the mischievous discord that has been so artfully and industriously fomented by the enemies of both countries to the essential injury of both, and in violation of the best principles of humanity. A set of acrimonious disappointed people, who meaning the gratification of their own malice and self interest, are poisoning the minds of men with plausibilities, and theoretic reasonings, that are opposed to the true state of things; and whose counsels if pursued, will tend only to plant dissention and distress, where mutual good & common happiness should be cultivated, and will flourish. The enclosed ordinance will shew you the measures that we are taking to dispose of western lands for the extinguishment of the public debt. It seems probable that this will have very powerful operation in effecting the end designed by the System. For the country is fine beyond description, both in soil and climate—Abounding with all those primary and essential materials for human industry to work upon, in order to produce the comfort and happiness of mankind.
          Don Diego de Gardoque has just announced to me his arrival at Philadelphia in quality of Plenepotentiary from his Catholic Majesty, & that he will pay his respects in a few days. The enterprise of America is well marked by the successful voyage made by a ship from this port, that has returned after a voyage of 14 months from Canton in China with a valuable eastern Cargo. Our people met with great civility from the Chinese. And the Europeans at Canton, altho civil to the Stripes, were not a little surprised to see them there so soon, and at the celerity with which their voyages were effected. The gentleman who writes the letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, is a near relation of mine by marriage, and my Godson also. Added to this, I am his friend because of his real worth and deserts. He is the youngest son but one of a numerous family— Possessing talents, industry, and enterprise; he determined very early to shake off that indolence too common with youths of his rank in Virginia— In quest of fortune, after having finished his education, he went 15 years ago to Sea, and pursued his system to the East Indies some years before the late war commenced, and he remained in the East engaged with the country trade there.
          His letter will inform you of his misfortunes, of his present situation, and his future views. My acquaintance has ceased with all who might have promoted his interest in the East Indies. Under these circumstances I venture to beg the favor of you to assist him to the utmost of your power in the way of procuring for him the appointment that he desires in the Company’s service. I know that it has not been uncommon in England for foreign Ministers to interest themselves in favor of Individuals, by which means the latter have been essentially served.
          I am sure that you will in this case oblige a worthy able man, and a greatful mind. That your friend, the writer of this letter, requests this favor of you, will I am very sure be a motive of strong inducement with you to exert yourself. The letter that I have enclosed for him under your cover be so kind as to get forwarded by some of the India Ships bound to, or near to Calcutta. It may go with any letter in his favor that you are so good as to procure for him. It seems probable, at present, that Congress will not adjourn this year—if they should, it will not be sooner than the middle of August— Your letters for me will be in a good way when they are deliverd to the care of Messrs: Wallace Johnson & Muir Merchants in London
          I heartily wish you health and happiness being very sincerely your affectionate friend

            Richard Henry Lee.


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 29 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Jefferson, Thomas

            Gentlemen
            Bath Hotel May 29. 1785. Westminster

          Our Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties We are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers.
          inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. Feb. 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter.— I know nothing of Capt Lambs Arrival or of the Dispatches by him.
          On the 26. I communicated to Lord Carmarthen my Credentials, and left him Copies, as We have done upon former Occasions in France, and am to have my Audience of the King in his Closet as the Secretary of State informs me, next Wednesday. I have the Honour to be, very respectfully, / Gentlemen your most obedient and most / humble servant

            John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 29 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

            Dear Sir
            Bath Hotel Westminster May 29. 1785

          I was obliged to a Letter from the Duke of Dorsett, to the Custom House at Dover, as I Suppose for the respect with which my Baggage was allowed to pass without a Visit, and arrived in Westminster on the 25, at Evening. I wrote, late at night to the Marquis of Carmarthen, that I was arrived and desired to be informed at what hour I should call upon his Lordship. the next Morning I had an Answer, that his Lordship would be glad to See me, at one at his House or at four at his Office.— I went accordingly at one, with Coll Smith, who very lukily arrived, the Evening before me We were received without loss of Time, and treated with great Politeness. I Shewed his Lordship my Original Commission and left him a Copy. Coll Smith Shewed his Commission and left a Copy.

          His Lordship then desired me to call upon him at his office on Wednesday next, and he would introduce me to his Majesty in his private Closett, after the Levee, where I Should present my Letter of Credence, and that, on the next Levee Day, according to the Usage, Coll Smith would also be presented to his Majesty. I asked his Lordships Advice, whether my Letter to the King Should be under Seal and what Should be the Superscription. He Said he would make a minute of it for me. He has Since written to me that it must be under Seal, and mentioned the Super Scription of the States General, and added that it w[as c]ustomary for all foreign Ministers to leave with the Secretary of State a Copy of their Credentials to the King or Queen.— I Sent a Copy accordingly by the Secretary of Legation, who was admitted to his Lordship, delivered the Letter, and received a verbal Approbation of the proposed Superscription.
          I have the Honour to inclose Copies of all the Letters which have passed, between the Secretary of State and me, numbered 1 2 3 4 5, and am sorry I have not time to write more fully by Mr Curson.— But the Distraction of Such occasions is excuse enough. The Puzzle of finding Lodgings, a House Servants, Liveries, Carriage, Horses, making and receiving Visits, getting my Effects from Auteuil and the Hague, are Such as no Man can form an Idea of, who has not pass’d thro it.
          With great and Sincere Esteem, I have / the Honour to be, Sir your most / obedient & most humble sert

            John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 30 May 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

            Dear Sir
            London May 30. 1785

          I have redeemed a Moment, from a Multitude of Avocations, at this critical Time, to acknowledge the Receipt by Coll Smith of your Letters of 31 of March, with the Resolution of Congress inclosed of the 21. of March. As Mr De St. Saphorin is many Months ago, recalled from the Hague I Shall make Enquiry after him, and if I cannot find where he is, I Shall communicate a Copy of the Resolution, to the Danish Minister here by whom it will be transmitted to his Court which I Suppose will be an Execution of my Instructions as near the Spirit of them as is now practicable. The liberal Decision of his Danish Majesty respecting the ordination of American Candidates for holy orders in the Episcopal Church, called the Church of England, as soon as it was known in England, produced a more liberal Spirit and decision here, than had prevailed before, So that I hope that respectable Body of our Fellow Citizens who are interested in it, have derived a Benefit from, it. I am much obliged to Congress for this Instance of their Approbation, and for the Honour they have done me, in transmitting an Account of it, to the Executives of the States.

          I have recd too, your Letter of 13 of April 1785 with the Resolve of Congress of 14. Feb. 1785, impowering your Ministers to apply a Sum not exceeding Eighty Thousand Dollars, to the Use of treating with Morocco &c But I have heard nothing of Capt Lamb or the Papers by him. What my Colleagues will judge proper, to do I cant Say, but the Advice of the French Court was conformable to the opinion of Us all, that it will be indispensible for Congress to Send a Consull with Full Powers.
          I recd at Auteuil my Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence to the Court of Great Britain and have now recd by Coll Smith the Papers Sent by him. I recd at Auteuil, the Ratification of the last Loan in Holland, which I transmitted immediately to Amsterdam, where it has been recd registered and communicated to the Lenders of the Money, and has given them Satisfaction. Since which I have recd from you, sir, Duplicate and Triplicate of the Same Ratification. The Cypher is recd, and Shall be attended to.
          Your Ministers, have written, Monthly, an Account of their Proceedings. not one Packett has been missed, but when I left Auteuil, We had no certain Evidence that any one of our Letters had been recd. We Supposed that this was because Congress had not compleated their Instructions upon any of them. But I must beg the Favour of you sir, barely to mention the Receipts of my Letters & their Dates, altho you may not be prepared to Answer them. Without this one looses the Chain of Correspondence.
          I have been visited by Some Gentlemen who I Suppose, had Seen Ministers, and learned from them what to Say to me.— They Said, that the Ministry and the King considered the Appointment of a Minister as a Proof of a conciliating Disposition, that it was a Relief to them from an Anxiety &c and that they were fully determined, to receive me in all respects like all the other foreign Ministers. This, I believe is true. But We must be cautious what Consequences We draw from it. it by no means follows, that they are determined to do, what their Honour and their Publick Faith, obliges them to do according to our Ideas of their Obligations. it by no means follows that they will Surrender the Posts, restore the Negroes, relieve the Debtors, or make an equitable Treaty of Commerce.— I hope they will do all these Things, but I can ascertain nothing untill my Character is acknowledged by a public Reception and Audience of his Majesty, made my Visits to his Ministers and had Time to enter into a candid discussion of these Questions. You shall be punctually informed, from Step to step. With great Esteem / and Respect your most humble servant

            John Adams

            P.S. This Morning Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer, Master of the Ceremonies called upon me to inform me, that he was ordered to attend me to Court on Wednesday, as he did on all foreign Ministers, at their first Presentation, to Shew them the Way through the appartements &c.


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 1 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

            Dear Sir.
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 1st. 1785.

          In my Letter of the 29th. Ulto. I inclosed Copies of the Letters which had passed between the secretary of State and myself—wherin this Day was fixed upon for my introduction to His Majesty—agreable to that arrangement the Master of Ceremonies waited on me at one and accompanied me to the secretary’s Office, from whence Lord Carmarthen accompanied me to the Palace— I was in a very short time introduced to the Kings Closet where with the usual Ceremony I presented my Letter of Credence to His Majesty, and after a few minutes Conversation retired— I have only time to Observe, Sir, that I was introduced with every necessary formallity, and received with some marks of attention.
          The Door being now opened I may perhaps soon have it in my power to form some opinion respecting the general Disposition of the King and his Ministers relative to the Objects of my mission, of which you may expect the earliest communication
          I am Sir / Your friend and / Humble servt.

            John Adams.—


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 2 June 1785
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir
            Paris June 2. 1785.

          Your favours of May 23. and the two of May 27. came safely to hand, the first being open. that of the 22d. from Montreuil sur mer had been received and answered on the 25th.
          The day before the receipt of the letters of the 27th. we had had your cases brought to the barrier of Paris in order to get the proper officer to go that far to plumb them. From there they were put on board the boat for Rouen & their portage paid. in the instant of receiving your letter I sent Petit off to try to stop them if not gone. the boat was just departing and they declared it impossible to reland them: and that could it be done, a new passport from the C. de Vergennes would be necessary for the part not landed. I now forward your letter to mr̃ Garvey, countermanding your order of the wine from him, and praying him to retain all the cases of wine now sent except that which has the Madeira & Frontignac, till he shall receive your orders. these therefore you will be so good as to send him as soon as convenient. I was very sorry we could not stop the wine. it would have suited me perfectly to have taken it either at the prices it cost you if known to Petit, or if not known, then at such prices as he & Marc should have estimated it at: & this would have saved you trouble, I inclose you Petit’s note of disbursements which I immediately repaid him. you will know the exchange between London & Paris, which is considerably in favor of the former. make the allowance for that & either retain the money in your own hands or put it into Stockdale’s as most convenient. can you take the trouble of ordering me the two best of the London papers (that is to say one of each party) and by any channel which will save me postage & the search of government?
          The inclosed letter to Miss Adams is from a young gentleman of her acquaintance who has a very sincere and high affection for her. When you transferred to her the commission of Secretary, I well hoped the pleasure of her being the intermediate of our communications: but I did not flatter myself with the further one of becoming the confident between herself & persons of the foregoing description. the following paragraphs are for her eye only. be so good therefore here as to deliver over the letter to her. the cypher I suppose to be in her custody.
          {By a dutch Courier which went yesterday we sent an answer to Baron Thulemyer. It contained what we had agreed on when you were here.} that is to say, {we closed and expressing our doubts that it might not suit him to come here,} {we propose that every one should sign separately puting the date and place} of {his Signature. We mean to sign here, send it by some confidential Person} to {you & that he shall carry it on to the Baron deliver it to him} and receive in {exchange the copy signd by him.}
          {Our answer} to {Tuscany} is {copying.} it is {precisly what we had agreed when you were with us.}
          Be so good as to present my highest esteem to the ladies & to be / assured of the sincerity with which I am Dear Sir / Your friend & servt.

            Th: Jefferson

            P.S. {My visits have been all returned save by the Portuguese [ambassador] who I imagine has [neglect]ed [others ?].}


Title: From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Jefferson, Thomas

            Gentlemen—
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 3d. 1785—

          I have now the honour to inform you that having shewn my Commission to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen, and left an Authenticated Copy together with a Copy of my Letter of Credence to the King according to the usage. I had the Honour on the first of this month to be introduced by his Lordship to His Majesty, in his Closet with all the Ceremonies, and formalities, practised on such occasions, with other foreign Ministers, where I deliverd to His Majesty my Letter of Credence from the United States of America as their Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Great Britain
          The Mission was treated by His Majesty with all the respect, and the Person with all the Kindness, which could have been expected or reasonably desired, and with much more, I confess than was in fact expected by me.
          Colo. Smith, has also shewn his Commission as Secretary of Legation, to the Secretary of State and left an Authenticated Copy, and is to be presented to the King on the next Levee Day
          The time is not yet fixed for my Introduction to the Queen but having received an invitation to dine with the secretary of State, on Saturday the fourth of this Month, being the Anniversary of His Majesty’s Birth, I must go to Court again on that Day— With great respect I have the honor to be— / Gentlemen / Your most Obedient / Humble servant

            John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to the Marquis de Lafayette, 3 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

            Dear Sir.
            Bath Hotel June 3. 1785. Westminster

          I took the Journey leisurely, and arrived here on Thursday and had the pleasure to learn that Colonel Smith had arrived the evening before, which relieved me from an anxiety, as I wished to have him with me at the Commencement of operations as well as to have all the Papers before me.
          I have found this Gentleman possessed of all the good Qualities which you and Colo. Humphrys, who knew him best ascribed to him. He seems to be much respected here by the British officers, who knew him in America, and by all others. Congress have made in him if one may Judge from a short acquaintance a wise Choice, and I am very happy to have such a Co-adjutor. The Missin is more respectable, for having an official secretary, and it takes a great Burthen off, from me.
          We shall not be ennuiees (I don’t know whether I spell the Word right. The English have not any to answer it) for want of Business. We shall have more than both of us can do, for there are continual applications for me to intermeddle with private affairs, and altho’ I must not compromise the public in such things, they must be all patiently attended to, and the people must be informed how far I can and how far I cannot consistantly assist them
          On the first of June I was introduced to the King all the previous Ceremonies having been adjusted With the secretary of state. all has been precisely upon the same footing with other foreign Powers, as I have learned not only from the Minister and Master of Ceremonies, but from comparing notes with some of the foreign Ministers— I dread the Birth-Day, because as I shall be the focus of so many Eye-Balls I am afraid of being Scorched.
          The infatuation of the Refugees is astonishing I have certain information, that they flattered themselves to the last moment, that I should not be received— they affirmed with the utmost Confidence, in private Conversation, and even at the Coffee Houses, that I should never be presented to the King, nor seen at Court, not even admitted to the Ministers of State.
          Heaven has been pleased to send along with me other Blessings, which were as Much, at least wanted in this Kingdom. The Day after my arrival the Rains began, which have continued every day since. I hope they have been equally abundant in France where the terrible Effects which I saw on my Journey of the Drouth affected me very much.
          Mrs: & Miss A. join with me in most respectfull and affectionate Compliments to Madame la Marquise and to our very good friends George and Anastasie— With great regard I have the / honour to be, Sir, / Your most Obedient and / most humble servant

            John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Jeremiah Allen, 3 June 1785
From: Allen, Jeremiah
To: Adams, John

            Sir
            Boston June 3d 1785

          I have bought a Bill Drawn by the Honble Mr Dana, on your Excellency for Three Hundred fifty seven pounds sixteen shillings & Nine pence Sterg which no doubt will be duly Honord, I have endorsed & enclosed it, to my friends Messrs Cazalet & sons of London, presuming from information you must be in London, to which Court, I understand you are appointed, also that you and His Excellency Mr Jefferson are appointed joint Commissioners for Negociating a Commercial Treaty with Her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias— when last I had the Honor of paying my Respects to you, I was on my way to that Country and at that time formed a small Commercial connection with my friends Messrs Cramp & Cazalet of St Petersburg and have Obtain’d considerable Bussiness from hence to that Capital Viz seven Ships last year and as many this, many more would have engaged, if a Treaty had been made, or that if remittances could be devised, to go direct to that Country, as it is apparent all the Europeans Wish to put a Stop to the Trade therefore I am as an individual shall Embark for Russia in three Days, to endeavour to find remittances that will Answer both Countrys, and if your Excellency will condecend to Write me, if a Treaty is made, or likely to be made, and can aid me in any way I shall Esteem it a very particular favor, please to direct for me at Cramp & Cazalet St Petersburg I flatter myself, I shall be there by the time any letters may arrive for me— The Honble Mr Dana shew me, a part of your letter of the 8th of March requestg some account of the fishery & foreign Trade— I do myself the Honor to Enclose some account, relative to that matter, I rely upon your former friendship to Excuse the before mentioned requests—
          I am with great / Esteem & Respect your / Excellency Humble servant

            Jeremiah Allen


Title: To John Adams from Christian Lotter, 3 June 1785
From: Lotter, Christian
To: Adams, John

            May it please Your Excellency!
            Hague, June 3d: 1785.

          Your Excellency’s good opinion and Satisfaction of my Conduct, and the gracious favour Your Excellency is pleased to bestow upon me, by Your own recommendation to Your Successor, are favours due of my Sincerest and most-dutiful thanks, with an impression of ever remembering Your goodness; I have done no more on my part, in consideration of trust and faithfulness, but which my duty required to perform, answerable to God and Men, which ought to be every faithful Servants duty Sacred, and I don’t doubt, flattering meself, but Your Excellency will find by the receiving of all Your Effects how Small or the least thread Soever, with the books of account, that I have managed and acted every thing to conscience, So that nothing can incumber the tranquility of my mind, but the loss of a good and generous Master.

          I have every thing ready, and had it ready for Some Time past, not to be removed from here, but for enjoying the happiness of Seeing You again in Short, So that whenever Messrs: Willinks are pleased to receive every article from my hands, they need not to wait for it, and if Your Excellency chuses that I Should embark with the baggage to See it Safe transported to London, I am very willing and gladly wait Your orders, as I do not Scruple in the least of getting permission to go for Some weeks or longer.
          I Shall have the honor to Sent to Your Excellency a List of all the books, as also of those already Sent to Boston, and of all Your wearing Apparel, with the general List of all Your Effects.
          Recommending meself into Your Excellency’s most gracious Favours and Protections, always praying for the continual Health and Happines of Your Excellency, I have the honor / to Subscribe meself / Your Excellency’s / most devoted and humble / Servant

            C: Lotter.


Title: To John Adams from Patience Lovell Wright, 5 June 1785
From: Wright, Patience Lovell
To: Adams, John

          London at the Wax work Sunday Mornng June 5th: 1785

          Mrs Wrights Most Respectfull Complints to her Friend—Adams Esqr. &c.—and has the pleasur to deliver to him those papers—from Major Labilleere presented by him to Mr̃ Adams Esqr. as a Worthy Charatckr on whos Condoct and sentements much Depends toward bringing Justic and good goverment to a Ingured people— the Eyes of the World is on the present Moments— The house of Ahab Must not be forgiven blood
          Much Truths and Meny Freends to Virtue are Ready to assist in the glorious work of Establishing peace and traid liberty and all its train of Hapiness to this Contry—
          Note the Consells have been apointed by this Gunto this 5 months past with the names of the Bishops &c letters are Sent out by Reverd Mr English Mr Comby doct Cooper the Bishop of Cantabury Wm Smith and others [. . .] doct Chandlor to Mr Livengston Govenr: of New Jersy [. . .]aying as formerly pray Read XX Chap 1 Kings there? Ben-hadad Made War with Isreal: Read the whole Chapter and See how he fled and he Come into a Innr Chambr— The King of England is now acting the Same part— what was is now and Eve will be amongst Men dont Suffer your Selves to be deceve’d
          doctr Jebb and other worthy tryd Freends to America Can testife how active a part Major Labilleere has taken in the Cause of that Contry and the Extrordaney pains to Set truth before the Solders— “Not to fight against their Concience the Cause of America was the Cause of God” with love to Mrs Adams I am with the higst Esteem you / and my Contrys faithful friend and very humbl Servt

            Patience Wright


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 6 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

            Dear Sir
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 6. 1785

          Colonel Smith, on the third of this Month informed me, that Col Forrest, had been with him, in behalf of two Gentlemen of Glascow, Mr Calquhoun Provost of that City and Mr Alexander Brown, who were deputed by the Merchants of that Place who had Debts in America to confer with the Creditors in London concerning an Application to Ministry and Parliament to obtain their Interposition for the recovery of their Claims but that having heard of the Appointment of a Minister to this Court and of my Arrival, they were desirous of Seeing me. I desired Coll Smith to inform them that I Should be glad to See them, the next Morning. Accordingly, on the fourth, they came, and Mr Calquhoun informed me of his Errand, and Said that he was very glad that Congress had appointed a Minister, because he hoped that the Article of Debts would now be accommodated, to mutual Satisfaction, without any Application on their Part and he Should be glad to return to Scotland without making any, provided he could be furnished with a reasonable Account to give of himself to his Constituents.
          I told him, I was obliged to him, for having given me an Opportunity to See him. That the Merchants of Glasgow must be Sensible, We were but just emerged from an impoverishing War, in which there had been a great Interruption of Agriculture and Commerce and a Still greater Destruction of Property, which rendered it difficult for any Debtor and impossible for many to discharge their Debts forthwith. that I was perswaded there was a general Disposition to discharge the Debts, as fast as it could be done. but that time, and Patience were as much for the Interest of the Creditors as the Debtors. that if there had been any Interpositions of the Governments in America they had been as I presumed Solely with a View of giving Time to negotiate an Explication of the Article of the Treaty and to prevent the imprudence of hasty Creditors from hurting themselves as well as the Debtors, to no good End. That one principal Object of my Mission was to negotiate this Affair with the Minister and although I was not authorised by the Debtors and could not be empowed by Congress to treat with the Merchants of London and Glascow, they might depend upon my devoting a full Proportion of my Time to this subject with the Ministry, and should be always ready to hear any Proposals, Explanations or Arguments even from Individuals and to transmit them to Congress if they were Such as merited Attention. That it was thought very hard and unreasonable in America that Interest Should be insisted on during the War, and that if the Creditors could be brought to consent to relinquish it and that a reasonable time should be allowed, I thought the whole might be arranged to mutual Benefit and Satisfaction. That Creditors Should consider that there was a great Demand for Cloathing, Stock and Utensils, to repair the Waste of War, and to put Estates into a Condition to produce, and to set commerce in motion. That this together with the Zeal to pay as much of their Debts as possible, had already raised the Interest of Money, even to an Alarming hight. That it must be better to allow the Debtor time to turn himself, that he might pay all, rather than press him Suddenly so that he might not be able to pay more than a Part. that if property were Seized upon now, it might not produce half its Value, whereas left in the Hands of the present Possessor it would enable him to employ it to Such Advantage as to pay his Debts in time.
          Mr Calquhoun made no particular reply to the Subject of Interest, but Said the Merchants of Glascow were fully Sensible of the Circumstances I had mentioned, and were very willing to wait, and they were desirous of entering into Some Agreement that the Debts Should be paid in five Years by Installments, one fifth in a Year, but they were allarmed at the Spirit of Migration into the Wilderness in America. They thought it wrong to be restrained from arresting the Person or Attaching Property of a Debtor whom they Saw about to remove to Kentucky & other Places, where they could never be come at.— I told him, that this was new to me, but that Kentucky, and all other new Settlements were under the Laws and Jurisdiction of some State as I Supposed, and therefore the Debtor and his Property would be within the reach of the Creditor, as much as if he remained in the Cities and Old Settlements, and as those Removals commonly Advanced the Fortune of the Emigrant, it might be rather a Benefit to his Creditors, by increasing the Ability to pay. I Subjoined that there were, two Things, which fell very hard upon the Debtors in the State of Virginia And New York (for he had mentioned these particularly) one Was, the great Number of Negroes, which had been carried away. if these Negroes had been restored according to the Treaty, they would have been at Work to earn Money to pay their Masters Debts, but the carrying them off was a double Loss to the owner. and the holding Possession of the Posts upon the Frontiers, had kept out of our hands a valuable Trade, which would have gone a great Way to enable Us to pay our Debts.
          He Said he thought it a very foolish Thing to hold Possession of the Posts. &c— That he would venture to return to Scotland, and would take no more Measures about applying to Parliament which he was sensible must excite a Clamour and he hoped the Merchants of Glasgow would be contented to wait. He Seemed to be well pleased with the Conversation, and took his Leave in good humour So that I think it very lucky that so noisy a Business as a Petition to Parliament, should be so easily diverted at this critical Moment.
          But I am unfortunate in another respect, as my Lord Carmarthen is ill of a Fever, So that I shall not I fear be able to commence Conferences with him upon Business so soon as I hoped. No Time Shall be lost by me.
          With great and Sincere Esteem / I have the Honour to be, sir / Your most obedient and / humble Servant

            John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 7 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Barclay, Thomas

            Dear Sir—
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 7th. 1785—

          I have received your favour of 24th. May, by Mr. Chew, and am very Sorry to hear of your ill Health, You must come to my remedy a Walk of four or five Miles every day; As we advance in Years Exercise becomes more and more necessary to us. The News from my son is very refreshing to us all. He Speaks warmly of your kindness to him at L’Orient. Rec’d. at the same time your Letter of 26. May with the papers enclosed, relative to the seizure of the Brigantine Nancy, John Limeburner Master. You are very sensible, that we cannot interpose officially in any private Case, without the special Instructions of Congress who probably would not think it justifiable to interpose untill the decision of Law should be known, and appear to wrong— This however, will not prevent us from rendering any service to our Countrymen, which may be in our power in our private Capacities, and Mr. Grubb may depend upon every thing which I can do for him, as an Individual. There is no Remmedy for him however, but by defending his property in a Course of Law. it is not in my power to demand of the Court of Great Britain, that the Ship and Cargo be given up with Damages for the detention, without the express Commands of Congress. This would be committing the United States much farther than my Authority extends. Mr. Oxley and Mr. Hancock when they call upon me shall have all the attention and assistance which I can give them in my private Capacity— I suppose the Cause will turn upon the Evidence of the distance she was from Shore, if she was within the Limits forbidden by act of Parliment, I presume Mr. Grubb will loose his Cause. Her being at Anchor, I suppose excited a suspicion that she was a smuggler.
          I have received last night your Letter concerning my accounts and as soon as I can possibly attend to it, I will send you my other Accounts: but at present, I am so engrossed by the Ceremonies and the Business of my mission here that I can attend to nothing else. Regards to all friends, and believe me to be, with great esteem— / Your friend & Humble Serv.

            John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to James Grubb, 7 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Grubb, James

            Sir.
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 7th. 1785.—

          I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the 23 of May, relative to the seizure of the Brigantine Nancy, Capt. John Limeburner, by the Pilot Cutter Commanded by Leiut. Seymor Lynn.
          You desire me, Sir, to demand from the Court of Great Britain, that the Ship and Cargo be given up, with Damages for the detention, but this is not in my power. The Laws of every Country must decide such Cases in the first Instance, and the Sovereign of a complaining subject or even of an injured Citizen, rarely if ever interposes, untill Justice is refused by the Laws. I cannot therefore, ministerially interfere in this affair, unless Congress should send me their express Instructions so to do. This however will not prevent me from doing you any Service in my Power in my private Capacity, and whenever Messrs: Oackley and Hancock or any Person in your Behalf shall call upon me, they shall have all the attention and assistance I can give them as an Individual. It is indispensable that you and the French Merchants interested, apply to Council and Defend your property in a Course of Law. I suppose the Vessel being at Anchor, excited the Suspicion, but if you can prove, as I suppose you can that she was not within the Limit, forbidden by act of Parliment, I should think you would find no Difficulty in gaining your Cause
          I have the honour to be very respectfully / Sir. Your most Obedient / Humble serv.

            John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 7 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jefferson, Thomas

            Dear Sir
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 7. 1785.

          I have recd yours of 25. May. and thank you for the News of my son, and for the News of Paris. I wished to have Seen the Queens Entrance into Paris. but I Saw the Queen of England on Saturday, the Kings Birth day, in all her Glory. it is paying very dear to be a King or Queen to pass One Such a day in a Year. To be obliged to enter into Conversation with four or five hundred, or four or five Thousand People of both sexes, in one day and to find Small Talk, enough for the Purpose adapted to the Taste and Character of every one, is a Task which would be out of all Proportion to my Forces of Mind or Body.— The K and Q. Speak to every Body. I stood next to the Spanish Minister, with whom his Majesty conversed, in good French, for half a Quarter of an Hour, and I did not loose any Part of the discourse. and he Said Several, clever Things enough. one was Je suis convaincu que le plus grand Ennemy du Bien, est le mieux. You would have applied it as I did, to the Croud of Gentn present who had advised his Majesty, to renounce the Bien for the Mieux in America. and I believe he too had that Instance in his mind. Thursday I must be presented to the Queen, who I hope will say as many pretty Things to me, as the K. did.—
          You would die of Ennui here, for these Ceremonies are more numerous and continue much longer here than at Versailles.
          I find I shall be accablé with Business and Ceremony together, and I miss my fine Walks and pure Air at Auteuil The Smoke and Damp of this City is ominous to me. London boasts of its Trottois. but there is a Space between it and the Houses through which all the Air from Kitchens, Cellars stables and servants Appartements ascends into the Street and pours directly on the Passenger on Foot.— such Whifs and puffs assault you every few Steps as are enough to breed the Plague if they do not Suffocate you on the spot.
          for Mercy Sake stop, all my Wine but the Bourdeaux and Madeira, and Frontenac. and stop my order to Rouen for 500 Additional Bottles. I shall be ruined, for each Minister is not permitted to import more than 5 or 600 Bottles which will not more than cover what I have at the Hague. which is very rich Wine & my Madeira Frontenac & Bourdeaux at Autueil. Petit will do the Business.
          Regards to Coll Humphreys & Mr Williamos. / Adieu

            John Adams


Title: To John Adams from Christian Lotter, 7 June 1785
From: Lotter, Christian
To: Adams, John

            May it please Your Excellence!
            Hague the 7. June 1785.

          Your Excellency has been pleased to inform me in Your honored of the 29th: of last month, that You have been pleased to appoint Messrs: Willink & Comp. or any person they Should chuse, to be delivered into their hands all Your Effects, remaining under my Care, of this Your order I have immediately acquainted Messrs: Willinks & Com: begging of them to dispatch the business as Soon as they thought proper, that every thing on my part was ready.
          This morning Mr: Dùmas, with his Spouse, another lady, and a Carpenter of her own choice, came all here to the hotel with a Letter from Messrs: Willinks that they have appointed Mr: and Made: Dùmas to execute the bussines for them, I am Satisfied and very willing with their choice of Mr: Dùmas, but I hope and most humbly beg Your Excellency won’t be angry with me for not accepting of Made: Dùmas, Since I have the honor to assure Your Excelce:, and can prove it, by and with the Carpenter’s bill, that She is the worst person fit to be chosen to Such a business of trust and fidelity, Since She is daring enough, to have wrote, and to bring in charge to the States 12 Guilders for which not a Strook of work is done to the hotel.
          Hond: Sir, I am persuaded that Your Excely: never had the least mistrust in my Employment, and Service, I have been faithful in every respect, as I can prove it in every instance, and have done everything out of love and Affection to Your Person and Service, and if any person is able to charge me with the least infidelity, I willingly Submit to the rigour of the law, and therefore does it fall hard to my lot, to be Set under the direction of a person, whose character is chargeable of fraud; altho I Know that it is not Your Excels: order, because Messrs: Willinks & Comp: have been charged with Your orders; and not Made: Dùmas.
          To be used likewise with brutality, indifference and Scorn, as Made: Dùmas Serv’d me at her entrance of the hotel, before two Strangers, is likewise very far from Your Intentions, to ask in a Scornful tune, who ordered the Court of Arms of America to be brought here, is it your orders, who tolds You that, go quick open the doors and windows, and give me the Key of every thing, ringing the bell and Such like to her far too unbecoming usage, as if I and my wife were her meanest Servants, of which usage I am convinced that Your Excelce: would not allow that the least of Your dependencies Should be Serv’d in Such a manner.
          I most humbly beg and intreat Your Excelcy: not to take amiss of my addressing meself farther to Messrs: Willinks to be dispensed of Made: Dùmas, and that they may be pleased to make choice of any other person; as I cannot trust to her of receiving the Effects belonging to Your Excellency.

          I flatter meself Your Excle: will find by the reception of Your Effects that every thing has been kept clean, neat, and that not a thread is wanting, having always exerted the greatest Care, and Sometimes anxiety for its preservation, and therefore hope Your Excellency will generously excuse my not obeying the person of Made: Dùmas
          I remain with the greatest respect and Veneration / Your Excellency’s / most devoted and humble Servant

            C: Lotter.


Title: To John Adams from James Sullivan, 7 June 1785
From: Sullivan, James
To: Adams, John

            Dear Sir
            Newyork June 7th—1785

          I had the honor on the 2d Instant of receiving your much Esteemed favour of the 11th of March. you have I hope, already received an Act of Congress which may serve as an answer to your reasoning on the necessity of our having A minister at the Court of London. before this can reach you, the accounts of a sad agitation in the Commercial Circle of your Country, but more Especially in your native State, will have been handed to you by Some of your Correspondents. The Merchants in Boston in the Last fall sent their orders for Goods upon Credit, according to their usual mode of Trade with the Merchants of London, many of their orders were not executed, and some were by the Merchants of London executed to their own benefit, by sending out the Goods ordered under the direction of their own factors. this threw many Gentlemen into the uneasy bed of disappointment, and Some out of business. our Merchants have applied to Congress for a remedy; and have proposed a general regulation of trade as the only one. When I mention the above, as the Cause of the application to Congress, I do not mean to Suggest that an application is made for a remedy against the evils arising from a want of Credit, for the application States the System of Trade now adopted by the Court of London as the foundation of many growing evils, unless Congress Should pass a navigation Act which may effectually oppose itself to the Acts of Parliment of that Country.

          But here arises a question, whether Congress as they are not, ought to be Vested with powers adequate to that important purpose? it is objected that a general Session of power to Regulate trade will carry with it so many incidental powers, and give So much by clear implication, that all the Commercial property of the union, would be under the dominion of one Government consolided of the thirteen States, and that new duties may be raised, and navies, and Armies employed to coerce the People into Obedience to the Ordinanies. in answer to this it has been said, that we Shall never be happy at home, or respectable abroad, untill we are united by a Corporeal relation, and under one System of Government. yet many leading men are very Sanguine for preserving our feoderal relation & for Supporting the Seperate Sovereignty of the States. from this conversation a great Jealosy is Excited, and I beleive that Congress will not receive powers very soon Sufficient for the regulation of Trade—as Congress have located thirteen new States on the Southern and Western frontier. the Northern States are affraid that their System of Politicks, Should we ever Consolidate our Governments, will reduce the union to a vile aristocracy, or disunite the feoderated powers. in this veiw of the matter it may be readily foreseen that more depends upon your Negotiation, than upon our union; perhaps a little more Calamity may drive us into the necessity of entertaining more National Ideas.
          upon my word Sir, I am every day, more, & more convinced of the difficulty of Governing mankind So as to make them happy. you will have before this arrives the news of Mr Bowdoins being Governor, which is the only novelty that recollect within our State. although a few Scurrilous Scriblers have indulged themselves in our papers, yet we have no considerable parties within the States.
          I am Sir with great regard & Sincere / Friendship your Most Hble Servt

            James Sullivan


Title: To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 8 June 1785
From: Dumas, C. W. F.
To: Adams, John

            Monsieur,
            Lahaie 8e. Juin 1785

          J’ai la satisfaction de pouvoir vous annoncer que tout est à peu près raccom̃odé. Je dis à peu près: car il faudra toujours écrire, le plutôt le mieux, à L. H. P. la Lettre en question, où vous leur exposerez le cas. La Résolution avoit passé hier, com̃e j’ai eu l’hoñeur de vous le mander. Mais com̃e la résomption devoit s’en faire aujourd’hui avant d’être arrêtée, on revint un peu à la proposition des modérés, d’avoir une explication avec moi. En conséquence Mr. Fagel m’a envoyé prier ce matin de passer chez lui à 10 heures: ce qu’ayant fait, il m’a exposé la sensibilité de L. h. P., & demandé si Mr. Adams accrédité & admis tout récem̃ent auprès de Sa M. Brit., étoit le même qui étoit accrédité auprès d’eux— Je l’ai prié de me dire, s’il me faisoit la question com̃e Mr. Fagel, ou com̃e Mr. le Greffier.— Il m’a dit: j’ai ordre de vous le demander de la part de L. H. P.— J’ai donc, lui ai-je dit, un double & triple motif de vous dire la vérité; la voici en trois mots: c’est le même— J’ai poursuivi, qu’il m’étoit aisé de vous justifier provisionnellement, en attendant que vous le fissiez vous-même par Lettre à L. H. P.; & làdessus je lui ai lu ce que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de me dire sur ce sujet dans vos Lettres de Paris du 11 & du 18 May.— Il a été très-content de la maniere dont vous exprimez votre embarras dans les deux passages, en ajoutant: “J’ai bien dit que Mr. Adams étoit honnête, & incapable de manquer à L. H. P. Je vous prie de lui faire mes complimens, & de l’assurer de mes sentimens d’estime & d’amitié pour lui.”— Je lui ai lu ensuite ce qu’il convenoit de la Minute de mon susdit postcrit, qu’il a approuvé. Il m’a dit alors, qu’il avoit écrit hier provisionnellement à Mr. De Linde, de s’informer; mais que L. h. p. avoient trouvé bon, au lieu d’arrêter une Résolution, de prendre la chose ad notam, en d’autres termes, de la rendre Commissoriale, si les explications que je pourrois donner se trouvoient satisfaisantes; ce dont il ne doutoit pas, si je voulois lui donner Extrait de ces Lettres, pour le produire im̃édiatement à l’Assemblée. Com̃e le temps étoit court, & qu’il n’y avoit rien d’ailleurs dans les deux Lettres qui ne pût être vu d’un chacun, j’ai pris le parti de lui confier les Originaux (ce que Mr. De Verac, à qui je l’ai raconté, a approuvé). Il me les renverra.— J’ai couru delà à un autre bout de la Ville, instruire l’ami d’hier, qui alloit sortir pour se rendre à l’Assemblée. Mon attention lui a fait plaisir. Après dîner j’ai appris, que la prise ad notam a eu lieu. Mr. Fagel m’a dit aussi, que le Roi de Suede en question étoit celui d’aujourd’hui; le Ministre dont il se croyoit offensé, Mr. De Linde actuellement à Londres; & celui qui cita ce trait hier à l’Assemblée, Mr. son frere de Blitterswick.— Il m’a dit aussi, que quelques têtes chaudes avoient opiné de rappeller Mr. van Berckel.
          La proposition d’Amsterdam, dont je vous ai parlé, & un terrible Mémoire de Mr. le Cte. De Maillebois, qui l’a suivie de près, vont, selon toute apparence, produire l’Etablissement d’un Département Militaire, qui diminuera prodigieusement certaine influence.
          La crise en Allemagne continue de mûrir. Je viens de déchiffrer une Lettre interessante là-dessus. Mais ceci fort entre nous.
          P.S. du 10e. Juin
          Mr. le Greffier Fagel, en me rendant ce matin les deux Lettres susdites, m’a dit, que l’Eponge est passée sur toute cette affaire, & que L. H. P ont ordonné de la rayer même des notes. Cela vous rendra, Monsieur, la Lettre de politesse, qu’il est toujours & d’autant plus à propos d’écrire, encore plus aisée.— Je lui ai demandé en même temps, à la requisition de Mess. Willink &c. un passeport pour vos 2 Caisses qu’ils ont en main. Il me l’a fait expédier tout de suite, en me réitérant de vous transmettre les témoignages de son estime & amitié: il m’en a promis un semblable pour vos effets ici, quand ils seront prets à partir: ce dont on com̃encera Lundi prochain à s’occuper.
          Permettez que Mesdames Adams trouvent ici les assurances de nos respects pour Elles & pour Vous Monsieur, De Votre Exce. le très-humble & très-obéissant serviteur

            Cwf Dumas

          TRANSLATION

            Sir
            The Hague, 8 June 1785

          I have the satisfaction of announcing to you that everything is more or less mended. I say more or less, for it will still be necessary—and the sooner the better—to write the letter in question to Their High Mightinesses where you would present the case. The resolution passed yesterday, as I had the honor to report to you. But today when discussion resumed before it was drawn up, the moderates’ proposition, that an explanation be arranged with me, was revisited. Consequently Mr. Fagel sent for me to request that I pay him a visit at 10 o’clock, which being done, he presented the opinion of Their High Mightinesses, and asked if Mr. Adams, recently accredited to, and granted an audience with, His Britannic Majesty, was the same person accredited to them. I entreated him to tell me if he was asking me the question as Mr. Fagel or as the secretary. He said to me: I have orders to ask you on behalf of Their High Mightinesses. So, I said to him: I therefore have a double and triple motive to tell you the truth; here it is in three words: He’s the same. I continued, saying that it was easy for me to vouch for you provisionally, before you did so yourself by a letter to Their High Mightinesses; and thereupon I read to him what you did me the honor to tell me on the subject in your letters from Paris of 11 and 18 May. He was very satisfied with the manner in which you expressed your embarrassment in the two passages, adding: “I did say that Mr. Adams was honest and incapable of breaking with Their High Mightinesses. I pray you extend to him my compliments and assure him of my sentiments of esteem and friendship.” I then read to him the pertinent parts of the memorandum of my earlier postscript, which he approved. He said to me then that yesterday he had provisionally written to Mr. Van Lynden to inform him; but that Their High Mightinesses had found it agreeable, instead of drawing up a resolution, to consider the affair ad notam, or in other words, to make it commissorial, if the explanations that I could give them were to be found satisfactory. He did not doubt that they would, if I would provide him with an excerpt of the letters to produce immediately before the assembly. As time was short, and because in any event there was nothing in the two letters which might not be seen by anyone, I chose to entrust the originals to him (of which Mr. Vérac, to whom I related the story, approved). He will return them to me. I ran from there to the other end of town in order to apprise the friend from yesterday who was about to leave to appear at the assembly. The consideration pleased him. After dinner, I learned that the settlement ad notam had taken place. Mr. Fagel also told me that the king of Sweden in question was today’s king; the minister by whom he felt offended, Mr. Van Lynden currently in London; and the one who cited the anecdote yesterday in the assembly, his brother Mr. Van Blitterswick. He also told me that several hotheads had suggested recalling Mr. Van Berckel.
          The proposition from Amsterdam which I told you about, and the terrible memoir of the Comte de Maillebois which came soon afterward, will produce, by all appearances, the establishment of a military department, which will prodigiously diminish certain influences.
          The crisis in Germany continues to come to a head. I have just deciphered an interesting letter pertaining to it, but that is strictly between us.
          P.S. of 10 June
          The secretary, Mr. Fagel, upon returning this morning the two aforementioned letters, told me that the whole affair has been expunged, and that Their High Mightinesses ordered it stricken from the notes. This will render, sir, the letter of civility, which remains appropriate to write, even easier. At the same time, I asked him at the behest of Messrs. Willink, etc., for a passport for your two crates, which they have on hand. He is having it sent to me right away, wishing again that I communicate the tokens of his esteem and friendship. He promised me a similar one for your effects here, when they are ready to go, to which we will attend next Monday.
          Grant that the Adams ladies herein find the assurances of the respect for them and for you, sir, of your excellency’s most humble and most obedient servant

            Cwf Dumas


Title: John Adams’ Lease for the American Legation at No. 8 Grosvenor Square, 9 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To:

            [9 June 1785]

          Memorandum It is hereby agreed Between Thomas Like and Henry Turner of Frith Street Soho in the County of Middlesex Upholders on behalf of the Honourable John Byron of Purbright in the County of Hants of the One part and his Excellency John Adams Esqr. Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America of the other part as follows the said Thomas Like & Henry Turner on behalf of the said John Byron agree to let to the said John Adams and the said John Adams agrees to Rent and take all that Messuage or Tenement with the Appurtenance situate in the North East Angle of Grosvenor Square in the Parish of Saint George Hanover Square in the said County of Middlesex heretofore in the Tenure or Occupation of Lord Newborough since of the said John Byron now untenanted To hold the said Messuage with the Appurtenances from the 24th. day of June instant for the term of one year and 3 Quarters of a year wanting ten days At and under the yearly Rent of One hundred and Sixty pounds payable quarterly clear of all Taxes and deductions whatsoever except the Land Tax the first quarterly payment of the said Rent to be made the twenty ninth day of September next And the said Thos. Like and Henry Turner do hereby agree on behalf and at the expence of the said John Byron forthwith to paint the front parlour the drawing room over it and the shoot door and to make good all broken pains in the windows throughout the Premes and also all damaged parts of the Plaister work And the said John Adams agrees to keep the said Messuage and premises in good repair during the said term and to surrender up the same in such repair together with the fixtures and things mentioned in the Schedule hereunder written and hereto annexed and all other fixtures to the said Premises to the said John Byron his Executors Administrators or Assigns or to the said Thomas Like and Henry Turner on his behalf at the end of the said term in as good condition as the same are now in reasonable use and wear thereof and Casualties by fire only excepted In Witness whereof the Parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands the ninth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Eighty five
          Witness John Bartel.

            John Adams.Like & TurnerN 47. Frith St. Soho

            Rec’d—1—Guinea for the Atty., who drew out the Stampt agreemt. which is with of the Honble. Mr. Adams—

              T: Like


Title: From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 10 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Dumas, C. W. F.

            Dear sir
            Bath Hotel June 10. 1785. Westminster

          I have recd your Letter, and am very Sorry that I ever thought of giving you any Trouble about my Books and Secretaries. it must be a great deal of Vexation to you and Madam Dumas, from which you will both be glad to be relieved. I have written to Lotter before to come with the Things, and therefore I beg you would give yourself no Trouble about them.— I want them all as soon as possible.
          But the most Serious Thing is the offence taken by any Member of the States. This really hurts me, for nothing was ever farther from the Thoughts either of me or my Masters than the least disrespect or Failure of positive Respect. As long as my Heart beats it will beat with the sentiments of Esteem and Affection for that Country, and with Respect for their H. Mightinesses.— My Successor is not arrived nor my Letter of Recal, and therefore I could not take Leave, and yet my orders were so express and the Business here so Serious, I assure you, that I was obliged to come here. My Regards as usual.

            John Adams


Title: From John Adams to Hendrik Fagel, 10 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Fagel, Hendrik

            Sir
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 10. 1785

          I have the Honour to inform you, that I have recd from Congress a Letter of Credence to his Britannic Majesty as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, and that I have had the Honour of presenting that Letter to his Majesty and of being received in that Character.
          I have received too authentic Information that Congress have resolved that it is expedient to appoint a Minister to Succeed me at the Hague. But I have not received my Letter of Recall nor of the actual Appointment of a successor.
          This, sir is the only Reason why I did not and could not come to the Hague and take a formal Leave of their High Mightinesses and of his most Serene Highness as I wished.
          It is Still my Intention to come, or to take Leave by a respectfull Letter, whenever my Letter of Recall Shall arrive, or a successor.
          My being appointed to other Service upon this Occasion, is no new Thing. I was last August received, at the Court of Versailles, as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to his most Christian Majesty, which was never considered any more than intended as any failure of Respect to the Republick.
          For myself and for my Country, I know that Respect Esteem and Affection to the Republick is engraven on all our Hearts.
          I beg then the favour of your Advice, if you think it proper and necessary for me to take any farther Steps upon this Occasion, before my Letter of Recall or my successor shall arrive?
          With great Respect I have the Honour / to be, Sir, your most obedient and / most humble Servant

            John Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Jay, 10 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Jay, John

            Duplicate
            Sir
            Bath Hotel Westminster June 10. 1785

          Yesterday the ninth of the Month, I was presented to the Queen by my Lord Aylesbury, her Lord Chamberlain, having been attended to his Lordship and introduced to him by the Master of the Ceremonies. The Queen was attended by her Ladies, and I made my Compliment to her Majesty in the following Words.
          Madam
          Among the many Circumstances which have rendered my Mission to his Majesty, desireable to me, I have ever considered it as a principal one, that I Should have an Opportunity of making my Court to a great Queen whose Royal Virtues and Talents have ever been acknowledged and admired in America, as well as in all the Nations of Europe, as an Example to Princesses and the Glory of her Sex.
          Permit me, Madam, to recommend to your Majesty’s Royal Goodness, a rising Empire, and an Infant Virgin World. Another Europe, Madam, is rising in America. To a Philosophical Mind like your Majestys, there cannot be a more pleasing Contemplation, than this Prospect of doubling the Human Species, and augmenting at the same time their Prosperity and Happiness. it will in future Ages be the Glory of these Kingdoms to have peopled that Country and to have Sown there, those Seeds of Science, of Liberty, of Virtue, and permit me, Madam to add of Piety, which alone constitute the Prosperity of Nations and the Happiness of the Human Race.
          After venturing upon such high Insinuations to your Majesty, it seems to be descending too far, to ask as I do, your Majestys Royal Indulgence to a Person, who is indeed unqualified for Courts, and who owes his Elevation to this distinguished Honor, of Standing before your Majesty not to any Circumstances of illustrious Birth, Fortune or Abilities, but merely to an ardent Devotion to his native Country, and Some little Industry and Perseverance in her Service.
          The Queen answered me, in these Words
          I thank you, Sir, for your Civilities to me and my Family; and am glad to See you in this Country.
          The Queen, then asked me, if I had provided myself with a House? I answered, I have agreed for one, Madam this Morning. She then made her Curtesy and I made my Reverence and retired, into the Drawing Room where the King, Queen, Princess Royal and the younger Princess her Sister, all spoke to me, very obligingly. I attended untill the Drawing Room was over, and then returned home.
          It has been necessary, in Order to guard against false Reports and malicious Fictions, to reduce to writing what was Said in my Audiences of the King and Queen, And it is the Custom of all Ministers, to transmit these Compliments to their Courts.— I transmit them to you in Cypher that they may be exposed to as little Criticism as possible. As the Court knew very well that the Eyes of all Nations were fixed upon these Audiences, it may be fairly concluded from them, that it is the Intention of the Royal Family and of the Ministry to treat America, that is the United States and their Ministers upon the Footing of other foreign Powers.— But our Inferences can go no farther. We cannot infer from this that they will relax their Navigation Act for Us any more than for France. We are Sure of one Thing, that a Navigation Act, is in our Power as well as in theirs. and that ours would be more hurtfull to them than theirs to Us. in Short it is Scarcely possible to calculate, to what an height of naval Power a Navigation Act, would raise the United States in a very few Years.
          With great Esteem I have the Honor to be / dear Sir, your most obedient and humble / Servant

            John Adams.


Title: From John Adams to Christian Lotter, 10 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Lotter, Christian

            Sir,
            Bath. Hotel. Westminster. 10th. June. 1785.

          I am sorry to have given Mr: or Made: Dumas any trouble about my little affairs at the Hotel. Their friendship for me would have induced them to take the trouble upon them; but, as it is not necessary, I am sorry I ever hinted to Mr: Dumas any thing about overseeing the packing of my books &c: &c:— But I have written to him & Mr: Willinks that you are to come over with the things. Mr. Willinks will employ Packers to assist you in the business, and I hope for my things as soon as possible, being in great want of them—
          I am in haste, / yrs:

            J: A.


Title: From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 13 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Dumas, C. W. F.

            Sir
            Bath Hotel Westminster, June 13. 1785

          I am honoured with yours of the 7. and 8 of June.
          I have been introduced here, to Sir James Harris, who Seems to be a Sensible and agreable Man. I Should think it most adviseable, for you and for myself if I were at the Hague, to behave Towards him as the Minister of a Sovereign in Amity with the United States, not discovering any Aversion or Jealousy, on one side more than common, nor more Confidence or Attachment on the other.
          I have been received here by the King and Queen, with decided Marks of Respect, Such demonstrate the determination of their Majestys to treat the United States compleatly on a footing with other Souvereign Powers: but I am far from concluding from thence, that the Ministry will do what We think they ought to do. Time alone can discover, and perhaps not a Short time, neither.
          I am much obliged to you, for communicating my Letters to Mr Fagel and for your Care of the Passports. I have written fully to Mr Fagel, acording to the Advice of our Friend the Baron De Linden, whom I always esteemed and in whom I have found Since I have been here, more estimable Qualities than ever. Sensible, judicious and attentive, as a publick Minister, and friendly and obliging as a private Gentleman.
          Do you think there ever was in any Country a Phænominon more rare, that I am in this. You will not wonder that the Telescopes of all the Astronomers are lifted up to make their Observations. You will See by the Gazettes that I have Still the Honour of meriting the Hatred of our old Boston Tories, whose Malice has constantly born Testimony in my Favour these five and twenty years. it is a comfort to me that it Still continues Steady. my Conscience would misgive me, if they Should become my Friends. I have never found in Life any other Men, So gifted in the Art of Lying, as they.
          My Regards to Madam and Miss. / adieu

            John Adams

            P.S. Let me pray you, Sir, to make my most respectfull Compliments to Mr Fagel and to render him my Thanks for his Kindness and obliging Politeness to me upon this and all other Occasions.


Title: Memorial to the States General, 13 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To:

            High and mighty Lords.
            Westminster in England June 13. 1785.

          The Subscriber, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the Honour to inform your High Mightinesses, that on the twenty fourth day of February last, the said United States in Congress assembled were pleased to appoint him their Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Great Britain: that he has Since received his Letter of Credence, and has had the Honour of an Audience of the King, in which, he presented it, to his Majesty.
          That the said United States in Congress assembled, on the Seventh day of March last resolved “that it is expedient to appoint a Minister Plenipotentiary to Succeed Mr J. Adams, at the Court of the United Netherlands, and that monday next be assigned for the Election of Such Minister.” that the Subscriber has never yet received any Letter of Recall, to their High Mightinesses, which was the Reason of his not going to the Hague in order to take Leave of their High Mightinesses before he came to England. That the United States have never considered the Appointment of a Person, to a new Mission as Superseeding any former Appointment, untill he received a formal Revocation, or a Letter of Recall. an Instance of which took place, last Summer, in the Subscribers Appointment with two others Messieurs Franklin & Jefferson to be a Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Versailles where he was received and resided in that Character for the last Nine Months, and to which Court he Still continues accredited. That he has expected and Still expects the Arrival of the News of the Appointment of another Minister to reside constantly near their High Mightinesses, and that his Letter of Recall will be brought by the new Minister, in which Case it is Still his Intention to make a Journey to the Hague in order to pay his Respects to their High Mightiness and take Leave, provided it Shall then be, in his Power: But if the Service of the United States at this Court Should render it impossible for him to make the Journey Upon the Arrival of his Successor, or his Letter of Recall it is his Determination to pay his Respects to their High Mightiness by a Letter expressive of all that Regard which is due from the United States to the Lords the states General and of all that Respect and Gratitude which is due from him, and of which he never, while he lives can loose the Impression. That he is not yet permitted to consider his Relation to their High Mightinesses as dissolved but must consider it as continuing, untill the Arrival of his Successor, or of his Letter of Recall. That he hopes there is nothing in this irregular, and if there is any Thing unusual he hopes their High Mightinesses will impute it to the great Distance and peculiar Circumstances of the United States, and not to any Want of Respect Since he can with the Utmost Truth and Certainty assure their High Mightinesses of the high Respect and Consideration, entertained by the United States both in and out of Congress as well as by him Self, both for them and for their Republick.

            John Adams.


Title: To John Adams from Hendrik Fagel, 14 June 1785
From: Fagel, Hendrik
To: Adams, John

            Monsieur.
            a la Haye ce 14 Juin 1785

          Je viens de recevoir la lettre, dont Vous m’avés honoré le 10 de ce mois. Je considere, comme úne marqúe particúliere de l’estime, qúe Vos merites voús ont acqúis, qúe le Congres Voús a nommé, poúr leúr Ministre Plenipotentiaire auprés de Sa Majesté Brittanniqúe, et se súis faché, qúe noús perdons parla la Residence d’úne Personne, qúi s’est rendú tres agreable chez noús, et qui par Ses manieres honetes se seroit rendú de plús en plús estimable. Il faut esperer, qúe celúi, qúi Voús Succedera aúra les memes bonnes qualités. Je ne Scaurois Voús degúiser, qu’on a fait quelqúes reflexions ici, Súr ce qúe Voús aviés remis vos lettres de Creance aú Roi d’Angleterre, avant qúe d’avoir presenté Vos lettres de Rappel aúx Etats generaúx. J’ai même eté chargé, d’en entretenir Monsieur Du Mas, Votre Secretaire, qui m’en a donné telle explication, que sur le Rapport, qúe j’en ai fait à l’assemblée, on a crú, devoir, s’en contenter. Lorsqúe Voús recevrés Vos lettres de Rappel, ce ne pourra etre, qúe tres agreable a leúrs H H P: P qúe voús les presentiés en personne. Si les circonstances de Vos affaires ne le permettent point, il Suffira de le faire par un Memoire, addréssé aúx Etats generaúx. Voús poúvés etre persuadé, Monsieúr, qúe la responce, qúe leurs H: H: P: P: ÿ feront, ne Servira, qu’a temoigner leur egard poúr le Congres, et leúr desir, de cimenter de plús en plús, l’Union, et la bonne intelligence dans laquelle Elles ont le bonheur de Vivre avec Eúx. J’ai l’honneúr d’etre avec la consideration la plús respectueuse / Monsieur / Votre tres humble et / tres obeissant Serviteur

            H Fagel.

          TRANSLATION

            Sir
            The Hague, 14 June 1785

          I have just received your letter you honored me with on the 10th of this month. I consider it a particular mark of esteem, which your merits have earned you, that Congress has named you their minister plenipotentiary to His Britannic Majesty, and I am saddened that we are thereby losing the presence of a person who presented himself most agreeably to us, and who through his honest manner would have rendered himself more and more estimable. It is to be hoped that your successor will possess the same good qualities. I cannot hide from you that certain remarks were made here regarding your addressing your letters of credence to the king of England before having presented your letters of recall to the States General. I was even instructed to discuss the matter with Mr. Dumas, your secretary, who gave me an explanation of the matter in terms that upon presentation to the assembly were deemed satisfactory. When you receive your letters of recall it would be most agreeable to Their High Mightinesses that you present them in person. If the circumstances of your affairs do not permit it, it will suffice to have them presented by a memorial addressed to the States General. You may be convinced, sir, that the reply which Their High Mightinesses shall make to it will serve only to affirm their regard for Congress and their desire to cement the growing union and good understanding in which they have the happiness to live with them. I have the honor to be with the most respectful consideration, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant

            H Fagel.


Title: To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1785
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, John

            Sir
            Passy June 15. 1785.

          Among the instructions given to the Ministers of the United states for treating with foreign powers, was one of the 11th. of May 1784. relative to an individual of the name of John Baptist Pecquet. it contains an acknowlegement on the part of Congress of his merits and sufferings by friendly services rendered to great numbers of American seamen carried prisoners into Lisbon, and refers to us the delivering him these acknowlegements in honourable terms and the making him such gratification as may indemnify his losses and properly reward his zeal. this person is now in Paris and asks whatever return is intended for him. being in immediate want of money he has been furnished with ten guineas; he expressed desires of some appointment either for himself or son at Lisbon, but has been told that none such are in our gift, and that nothing more could be done for him in that line than to mention to Congress that his services will merit their recollection if they should make any appointment there analogous to his talents. he sais his expences in the relief of our prisoners have been upwards of fifty Moidores. supposing that, as he is poor, a pecuniary gratification will be most useful to him, we propose, in addition to what he has received, to give him a hundred and fifty guineas or perhaps 4000. livres, and to write a joint letter to him expressing the sense Congress entertain of his services. we pray you to give us your sentiments on this subject by return of the first post, as he is waiting here, and we wish the aid of your counsels therein.
          We are to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of June 3. 1785. informing us of your reception at the court of London.
          We have the honour to be with the highest respect Sir / Your most obedient / and most humble servants

            B. FranklinTh: Jefferson


Title: To John Adams from Hendrik Fagel, 17 June 1785
From: Fagel, Hendrik
To: Adams, John

            Monsieur
            a la Haye ce 17 Juin 1785.

          J’espere, qúe ma lettre, qúe j’ai eú l’honneúr de Voús ecrire mardi passé, voús Sera bien parvenúe. Voús ÿ aures Vú, Monsieúr, qu’en consequence des eclaircissements, qúe Monsieúr Dú Mas m’a donné, des raisons, qúi Voús ont empesché de remettre Votre Lettre de Rappel, avant qúe de remettre Votre Lettre de Creance aú Roi d’Angleterre, leúrs Haútes Púissances Se trouvoient Satisfaites, et qu’il ne Seroit plús question de cette affaire. Je Viens de recevoir ce matin úne nouvelle Lettre, dont Voús m’avés honoré avec ún Memoire addressé aúx Etats generaúx, dont je pourrois faire úsage en cas de besoin. Comme je regarde cette affaire finie, sans qu’il en reste la moindre trace dans nos Registres, je Súis convenú avec Monsieúr le Conseiller Pensionaire, de ne montrer ce Memoire a personne. Il estoit natúrel, qúe d’abord on fit quelqúe reflexion, súr Votre reception en Angleterre, avant qúe de remettre ici úne lettre de Rappel, mais comme on a bien Voúlú deferer a mon avis, et a mes assurances, qu’il n’ÿ a pas eú la moindre manqúe de Votre part, il faút considerer tout ceci, comme n’etant pas arrivé. J’ose en meme temps Voús assúrer des egards et de la Consideration, qúe leúrs Hautes Puissances ont poúr les Etats Unis de l’Ameriqúe, et de l’estime particúliere, avec laquelle j’ai l’honneur d’etre / Monsieúr / Votre tres humble et / tres obeissant Serviteúr

            H Fagel.

          TRANSLATION

            Sir
            The Hague, 17 June 1785

          I hope that the letter which I had the honor to write to you last Tuesday has reached you. You will see in it, sir, that due to the clarifications which Mr. Dumas has given me pertaining to the reasons that prevented you from presenting your letter of recall before presenting your letter of credence to the king of Great Britain, Their High Mightinesses were satisfied and that there are no further questions regarding the affair. I have just received a new letter this morning in which you have honored me with a memorial addressed to the States General, of which I can make use if the need arises. As I consider this affair concluded, without having left the least trace in our register, I have agreed with the grand pensionary to show this memorial to no one. It was natural that some observations were made initially upon your reception in England before having presented a letter of recall here, but as my opinion and assurances were considered worthy of deferring to, namely that there was not the least default on your part, all of this is to be considered as having never happened. Let me be bold enough to assure you of the high regard and consideration in which Their High Mightinesses hold the United States of America, and of the special esteem with which I have the honor to be, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant

            H Fagel.


Title: To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 17 June 1785
From: Willink, Wilhem & Jan (business),Staphorst, Nicolaas & Jacob van (business),La Lande & Fynje, de (business)
To: Adams, John

            Sir!
            Amsterdam the 17th: June 1785.

          We had the honour to write your Excellencÿ the 3th: instant, in consequence of which Mr: de la Lande hath been at the Hague to see everÿ thing in the Hotel of the United States properlÿ packed to be forwarded to Rotterdam; We since received your Excellencÿ’s favour of the 10th: and have according to your orders to send everÿ thing bÿ Mr: Lotter, forwarded the two Trunks to Rotterdam to the care of Mr: Lotter, who is to go from thence with all the goods under his Care; Mr: Dumas hath taken upon him to provide the necessarÿ passports, and if the goods can be time enough at Rotterdam, as we suppose theÿ will, theÿ are all to be shipped on board the Brittannia Captain John Coxon, who is to sail from thence to morrow the goods are addressed to the care of Messrs: C. & R. Puller in London, and we hope theÿ will all come safe and in good order to hands.
          We have the honour to be with profound respect / Your Excellencÿ’s / Most obedient humble Servants

            Wilhem & Jan WillinkNichs. & Jacob van Staphorstde la Lande & fÿnje

            Mr. C. Lotter applied to us for payment of ƒ839.5.2 being ƒ300.— for his Salary ƒ34.6.— for bills he had paid and ƒ504.7.2 due to him for discharged expences of your Excy’s. household, about which we’ll be glad to have your Excellency’s directions to pay it to him.


Title: From John Adams to the Marquis of Carmarthen, 20 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Carmarthen, the Marquis of

            My Lord
            Bath Hotel June 20. 1785:

          By the Seventh Article of the provisional Treaty of Peace, signed on the thirtieth of November, One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty two, confirmed by the definitive Treaty of September one thousand, Seven hundred and Eighty three, it was Stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty should, with all convenient Speed withdraw all his Armies and Garrisons from the United States of America and from every Port and Place, within the same. But, although a Space of near two Years, has elapsed, Since the Signature of the definitive Treaty, there is a number of Posts and a considerable Territory Still held by British Garrisons. as this is an Object in every Point of View, very interresting to the United States and concerning which I have particular Instructions I must ask the favour of your Lordship to inform me, whether any Orders are gone to the Governor of Canada or to the Commanding Officer of his Majestys Forces in America, to withdraw his Garrisons from all the Posts and Places in the United States and if Such Orders are not yet gone, whether his Majestys Ministers have come to any Resolution, or have fixed any time, for Such Evacuation.
          I hope for the Honour of your Lordships Answer, as soon as may be convenient, that I may be able to transmit it to Congress.
          With great Respect, I have the Honour to be, / my Lord, your Lordships most / obedient and most humble / Servant

            John Adams.—


Title: From John Adams to Hendrik Fagel, 20 June 1785
From: Adams, John
To: Fagel, Hendrik

            Sir
            Westminster June 20. 1785

          After my Letter to you of the tenth, I thought it might be more respectfull to the Lords the States General, to write to them and accordingly I drew a Memorial to their High Mightinesses and inclosed it, in a Letter which I did myself the Honour of writing to you, on the thirteenth. On the Eighteenth I received the Letter which you did me the Honour to write me on the fourteenth which expresses in the most obliging manner, your Approbation and informs me of the Satisfaction of their High Mightinesses upon your Report of the Explication of my Conduct by Mr Dumas. I am much obliged to Mr Dumas, to the Baron de Lynden and especially to you, Sir for your friendly Representations, and am above all penetrated with a Sense of the Candour of the Lords the States General, which has probably rendered the Memorial which I transmitted to you, unnecessary. This however I Still Submit to your Judgment to do with it, what you Shall judge most respectfull to their High Mightinesses, & most for the Honour of the United States.
          I Shall pursue your Advice, Sir upon the Arrival of the Revocation of my Credentials to their High Mightinesses, and Shall ever be disposed, upon all Occasions to render every Respect in my Power to their High Mightinesses, and every Demonstration of Attachment to the Honour and Interests of the Republick, especially by extending the Intercourse between their Country and mine, and by Strengthening every friendly Tye, of Pollicy and Commerce.
          With great Respect I have the Honour to be, Sir, / your most obliged and obedient / humble Servant

            John Adams.

            P.S. I have this Moment recd your Favour of the 17th and have the time only to Say that I am perfectly of Opinion with you and the Grand Pensionary concerning the Memorial and to beg of you both to accept of my Thanks

              John Adams