Papers of John Adams, volume 10
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honour to write me on the thirteenth is recieved, and I have accordingly accepted the Bills,1 and shall draw upon your Excellency about the Time they become payable, for Money, to enable me to discharge them, provided I should not succeed in my Endeavours to borrow it here.
I have hitherto no prospect at all. When I first arrived here, I had such Informations as made me believe that a Sum of Money might be had, upon the Credit of the United States: but the News from Carolina, and New York and the West Indies, but above all the Affair of the Burgomaster and Sir Joseph Yorke's Memorial have struck a Panic which must have Time to wear off. At present I meet with only one Gentleman,2 who thinks any thing can be done, and I fear that he decieves himself.
I hope by this Time, your Excellency's Health is restored, and have the Honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant
Franklin's letter of the 13th (above) probably arrived on the 23d, for on that date JA accepted bills valued at 16,220 guilders and by the end of 1780 had accepted bills totalling 57,446 guilders. These transactions are recorded in a folio volume, containing a full record of JA's transactions for the years 1780 through 1784. Its title, in JA's hand, is “An Account of Negotiations of Bills of Exchange in Holland in behalf of the United States by John Adams,” and beside the entries for 23 Nov. JA wrote “Amsterdam Nov. 23. 1780. In the Absence of Mr Laurens, and for the Honour of the United States accepted by John Adams” (Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 192, f. 4–11).
In 1809, when this letter was published in the Boston Patriot, JA identified this person as Jean de Neufville (JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot
, p. 278–279).
After the receit of the Letter you honoured Me with the 3rd of this Month I immediately wrote to Messrs. Ve. J. Fleury & Desmadieres at Orleans, to send up the Wine Mr. Williams had procured you; and following the Circumstances it shall be disposed of in the best Manner possible.1
Respecting the News Papers for America, they have till now been 370most regularly shipped. I have not been so fortunate in Opportunities for Amstrm. which I am very Sorry about.
We have no other News but that the Courrier de l'Europe has been pleased to give us, concerning André and Arnold. Count d'Estaing is not yet arrived.
Mr. Dana has wrote me2 that he was a coming and not to send on his Letters but Keep them, there is none. And I shant answer him expecting to do it by word of mouth. In case he be not yet gone you will oblige me particularly in giving him my best Respects, and several Compliments to Mr. Thaxter.
The family joins with me in assurances of true Attachment and great Consideration. I have the honour to be sir Your most obt hble sert
In his reply of 7 Dec. (LbC, Adams Papers), JA indicated that John Bondfield might also have sent wine and requested that if either Williams or Bondfield drew upon Grand for payment, he comply and charge it to JA.
Probably Francis Dana's letter of 10 Nov. (MHi: Francis Dana Letterbook). Dana left Amsterdam on 1 Dec. and arrived at Paris on the 28th (from Dana, 13 Dec., below; and 1 Jan. 1781, Adams Papers).