Papers of John Adams, volume 13
Yours of June 6. is just arrived, with its Inclosure. From the first day of my acquaintance with Mr Laurens to this moment, I know not that I ever Said a disrespectfull or unkind Word concerning him, or entertained an unkind or disrespectfull Thought. I have ever found him and ever represented him as a Man of Honour, Candour, 101Integrity and abilities, of great publick and private Merit. This however is not the only anonimous Letter that has come to my Knowledge. I dont Suspect these, however, to come from afar. They originate I fear within a few miles. They will do no harm. I suspect they originate from disappointment in the Loan.1 Say nothing of this.
See the letter from Monitor, 20 May, and note 1, above. JA's view that the letters originated with someone disappointed at not being involved in raising the American loan was shared by Matthew Ridley, who informed Benjamin Franklin that the handwriting resembled that of one of the clerks at de Neufville & Fils. Franklin informed Laurens of Ridley's contention in a letter of 6 Dec. 1783, but he indicated that he had his doubts (Laurens, Papers
, 16:358–359).