Papers of John Adams, volume 11
J'ai bien reçu vos ordres d'avanthier; et je ne manquerai pas de les exécuter Mardi prochain au Matin, ne le pouvant plutôt à cause des Fêtes. Un Ami très-entendu que j'ai consulté, ma conseillé de porter les Lettres moi-même; que cela est plus poli et plus décent pour les 352uns comme pour les autres, et qu'on ne pourra pas les refuser. J'aurai l'honneur en son temps de vous rendre compte de mes visites.1 En attendant, je suis toujours avec un très grand respect et le plus sincere attachement Monsieur Votre très-humble & très Obeissant serviteur
I received your orders of the day before yesterday, and I will not fail in executing them next Tuesday morning, not being able to do so earlier because of the holidays. I consulted a well-connected friend who advised me to carry the letters personally since this would be more polite and decent for everyone, and this way they could not be refused. I will have the honor at that time to give you an account of my visits.1 In the meantime, I remain with very great respect and the most sincere attachment, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant
For JA's orders to Dumas, see his letter of 1 June to the president of the States General,note 4, above. For Dumas' account of his efforts to deliver letters to the Baron de Larrey and the president of the States General that announced the ratification of the Articles of Confederation, see Dumas' letter of 6 June, below.