Papers of John Adams, volume 12

From C. W. F. Dumas, 15 December 1781 Dumas, Charles William Frederic JA From C. W. F. Dumas, 15 December 1781 Dumas, Charles William Frederic Adams, John

From C. W. F. Dumas

Lahaie 15e. Dec. 1781 Monsieur

Comme l’Assemblée d’Hollde. se séparera aujourd’hui en huit, je prends mes précautions domestiques, pour pouvoir aller passer le reste du mois, et une partie du suivant, à Amsterdam avec vous Monsieur, Si je ne vous incommode pas; et pour partir d’ici, pour cet effet, Samedi ou Dimanche 22 ou 23 du Courant. En attendant, je crois qu’il ne seroit pas mauvais Monsieur, que vous vinssiez pas-141ser la Semaine prochaine ici; outre que ce petit changement d’air, pourra, selon moi, être favorable à votre santé, je voudrois vous faire faire connoissance personnelle avec deux personnages du pays, afin que vous pussiez juger vous-même par leurs discours, de la marche qu’il Sera à propos de tenir, pour avoir enfin une réponse cathégorique. Nous irions alors ensemble à Amsterdam, Si vous pouviez rester jusqu’à Samedi ou Dimanche ici. Mais il faudroit venir ici Lundi ou Mardi prochain, afin que je pusse ménager l’entrevue chez moi avec ces Messieurs, qui ne sont pas sûrs d’avance du jour precis dont ils pourroient disposer.

Peut-être ne serez-vous pas faché, Monsieur, de faire aussi une visite à L’Ambr. de Frce., et d’avoir un entretien avec lui dans cet intervalle.1 Je ne l’ai point vu depuis huit jours au moins; et l’on ne sait Si son voyage pour Paris aura lieu ou non.

Voici une Drôlerie, dont la communication fera certainement plaisir à Mr. Cerisier.2 Je vous prie seulement, Monsieur, de ne point lâcher mon Ecriture mais de lui permettre seulement d’en prendre Copie, s’il veut.

Je suis toujours avec le plus sincere respect Monsieur Votre très humble & très obéissant serviteur Dumas C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 15 December 1781 Dumas, Charles William Frederic JA C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 15 December 1781 Dumas, Charles William Frederic Adams, John

C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation

The Hague, 15 December 1781 Sir

Since the assembly of Holland will adjourn in a week, I am taking my domestic precautions in order to spend the rest of this month, and part of the next, with you in Amsterdam. If it is agreeable to you, perhaps we could leave from here on Saturday the 22nd or Sunday the 23rd. Meantime, I believe that it would be good for you, sir, to spend next week here. In addition to it being a chance to take some fresh air that might be beneficial to your health, it would also give me the opportunity to introduce you personally to two countrymen. Then you can judge for yourself, through their discourse, just what steps they propose to make to obtain, at last, a categorical response. If you can stay here until Saturday or Sunday, we will be together in Amsterdam. But you must come here next Monday or Tuesday, so that I can arrange the meeting with these gentlemen at my house. They are not sure ahead of time which day will be suitable for them.

Perhaps you would be so kind, sir, also at this time, to pay a visit to the French ambassador for a meeting.1 I have not seen him for a week and I do not know if he is going to Paris or not.

I have enclosed something amusing which I am sure will please Mr. 142Cerisier.2 I only ask that you do not give it to him, but rather allow him make a copy of it, if he so chooses.

I am with the most sincere respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant Dumas

RC (Adams Papers).

Upon receiving this letter, JA decided to go to The Hague on 18 Dec. to consult with members of the government and the French ambassador about demanding a categorical response from the States General to his memorial of 19 April (vol. 11:272–282). Dumas, however, wrote to JA on the 16th (Adams Papers) to inform him that the Duc de La Vauguyon was going to Amsterdam and would meet with him there. As a result, JA postponed until the 19th his journey to The Hague (to the president of Congress, 18 Dec., below) where, in addition to meeting with the Dutch officials, he again met with the French ambassador (to La Vauguyon, 20 Dec., below). JA probably returned to Amsterdam on 22 or 23 Dec. in the company of Dumas, for in a letter of 7 Jan. 1782 to the president of Congress, Dumas indicated that he had been with JA over the “vacation time” and would accompany him to The Hague on the 8th to demand a categorical answer from the States General to JA’s memorial of 19 April 1781 (Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 5:86).

Not identified.