Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 11

To the President of Congress

From Francis Dana
From the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 President of Congress Huntington, Samuel JA From the President of Congress, 1 January 1781 President of Congress Huntington, Samuel Adams, John
From the President of Congress
Sir Philadelphia January 1. 1781

You will receive herewith enclosed, a Commission as Minister Plenipotentiary to the United Provinces of the low Countries, with Instructions for your Government on that important Mission; as also a Plan of a Treaty with those States, and likewise a Resolve of Congress relative to the Declaration of the Empress of Russia respecting the Protection of neutral Ships &c.1

Proper Letters of Credence on the Subject of your Mission will be forwarded by the next Conveyance, but it is thought inexpedient to delay the present Despatches on that Account.

I have the Honor to be with the highest Respect & Esteem sir your most obedient & most humble Servant Sam. Huntington President

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

For the commission, instructions, and the treaty plan, all dated 29 Dec. 1780, see vol. 10:447–458; and for the resolution of 5 Oct. 1780, regarding the armed neutrality, see note 3 to the instructions (vol. 10:448). Note 1 to the instructions (vol. 10:448) erroneously states that JA received this letter and its enclosures on or about 19 March, the date of JA's letter to the president of Congress reporting their arrival, below. In fact, JA probably received the letter at Leyden on 25 Feb. (to Hendrik Bicker, 1 March, note 2, below).