Papers of John Adams, volume 13

From Samuel Saportas, 5 May 1782 Saportas, Samuel JA From Samuel Saportas, 5 May 1782 Saportas, Samuel Adams, John
From Samuel Saportas
Amsterdam the 5: of May 1782 Sir

The departure of your Excellencÿ was unknown to me having heard it from Mr. Texter I take the Liberty to put your Excellency in mind of the inclosed note regarding the Sale here to morrow of 4 Obligation at the charge of the Province of South Carolina and the Purchase of which Shall be Expecting your Excellency's order under Cover of Mr. Texter with the night post of with the Postwaggon which leave your Place early to morrow morning.1

I cannot let Slip this opportunity of recommending my Self anew in Your Excellency's favour and in case of agreement or opening of the Loan in question, that Mr. van Vloten2 jointly with me may be named on the part of your Excellency, in order to asuch in procúring of the Contracts and other necessarys which may be required.3

The Liberty which I take to remind your Excellency is founded that I have allready been honoured with this Commission from your Excellency and in Consequence of your orders having had a Conference, with Sundry Gentlemen, respecting this Loan to engage them there in notwithstanding our best endeavour has not been attended with the desired Succes.

I have the Honour to Subscribe my Self Your Excellency's most obedient & most humble Servant

Samüel Saportas

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

The enclosed note has not been found, and there is nothing in the Adams Papers to indicate that either JA, who had gone to The Hague, or John Thaxter responded to Saportas' request for an order regarding the purchase of the South Carolina obligations.

2.

“Mr. van Vloten” (or Vlooten) is otherwise unidentified, but he was involved with John Hodshon's unsuccessful effort to raise a loan, for which see the letter of 11 May 11from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, and JA's reply of the 13th, both below.

3.

Hendrik Bicker recommended Samuel Saportas to JA in his letter of 22 April (vol. 12:446).

From Edmund Jenings, 6 May 1782 Jenings, Edmund JA From Edmund Jenings, 6 May 1782 Jenings, Edmund Adams, John
From Edmund Jenings
Brussels May 6th. 1782 Sir

I have receivd your Excellencys Letter of the 28th of April, informing me of the Receipt of mine of the 18th and 24th of the same Month.1 Your Excellency will give me leave to thank you for Accepting my Congratulations on your being acknowledged minister of the United States which I Know you would not have done, if you had not Thought, they were sincere.

I am pleased with the Compliment paid by a certain foreign minister, altho, I think, the Latter part thereof rather too outrée, but at the same time I wish that a Coadjutor of your Excellencys could do the same thing with respect to the nation of that minister, and then there being a mixture of Madness with a Grave Dulness a kind of Common Sense would result to the Benefit of the Common Cause.2

He, who would direct the world and make Events, is but a foolish Politician, for six to one his machinations fall on his own Pate, the fate of the Politicians of England is proof of this. A wise Man, either in publick or private life takes things as they are, and makes the best use of them, your Excellency has done so. You have seized the moment of Stepping forward and have suceeded to your own Honor and the public Benefit to the Confusion of public and personal Ennemies.

Altho, I had much pleasure in reading your Excellencys Letter, yet I must Confess, I had much Uneasyness too. I had that Uneasyness, which resentment gives to a Mind, which wishes, that Mankind was less Envious and Jealous that it is. I admire your Excellencys Moderation, perhaps I might have shewed the same in your Situation, and yet when our Country may suffer by not blasting an imposing vilain before He has run his Career, surely Something3 ought to be done.4

Your Excellency concludes your Letter with saying, There “is One thing, you should be glad to do, if it were in your power, which however it never will be.” I am Sorry for it, for I am sure than our Country will lose by any Inability of your Power, the Use of which being allways directed to her Interest and Honour.

I receivd by the last Post a Letter from which are the following Extracts.5

12

“That wretched D has told so many bold lies about his Embassy, that you would be astonished; as foolish as some men have been his mission was not theirs.” Qu. what Has He said.

“I can now with the utmost pleasure and Satisfaction assure you that owing to the noble Spirit and Dignity of my worthy Friend, the great men of this Country have receivd more than a glemmering of true political Light. He would suffer no nibbling. He told them, in few Words and plain Terms, if we meant to do the business, we must do it fully and Gracefully that if we did not proceed in some other way it was wasting Time to continue nibbling. He is not to be duped—upon the whole you my dear Friend will have, I Hope, soon to honor Him and rejoice, He is here. He was released from his Bond last Saturday,6 and is now at full Liberty, and has made Himself attended to and respect'd by those, who have Power”—ought not one to ask why He stays in an Enemys Country, if He is free to quit it and whether by so doing He will not give suspicions to Friends, and give a handle to the malevolent to injure His Character?

My Friend says “that if there is not a general Peace soon, it will be owing to the Northern Powers demanding a free Navigation.” He seems to say this from some Authority. If He does, it is evident, that a pretended reason is given for what will not take place. For surely these Powers will insist on the Principles of the armed Neutrallity, and of which England is most interested in the Establishment if she ceases to be a dominant and dominearing Power at Sea.

I am with the greatest Consideration Sir your Excellencys most Faithful & Obedient Humble Servant

Edm: Jenings

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Mr Jenning 6. May 1782.”

1.

Vol. 12:468–469, 417–418, 459.

2.

A reference to John Jay's efforts to win Spanish recognition of the United States.

3.

This word is written in letters that are larger and more distinct than the rest of the letter.

4.

Jenings' meaning here and in the following paragraph is unclear and mirrors JA's vague references in his letter of 28 April (vol. 12:468–469).

5.

The letter was likely from Edward Bridgen, referred to by Jenings in his letter of 16 May, below. The first paragraph concerns Thomas Digges; the second, Henry Laurens.

6.

Lord Shelburne notified Laurens of his formal release from custody in a note dated 26 April, to which Laurens replied on Saturday the 27th (Laurens, Papers , 15:494–495).