Papers of John Adams, volume 14
r.15. 1782
This goes with the Preliminary Treaty between the Crown of G. Britain and the United States of America—it is not to be in force untill France and Great Britain Shall agree and sign. When this will be is not yet known, it is Supposed that the principal Points remaining are Spanish or Dutch.
The great Interests of our Country in the West and in the East are Secured as well as her Independence. St Croix is the Boundary against Nova Scotia. The Fisheries are very Safe. the Missisippi and Western Lands to the middle of the great Lakes, are as well secured to Us as they could be by England.— All these Advantages would not have been obtained if We had litterally pursued our Instructions, the Necessity of departing from which in some degree will I hope be our Excuse. The King of Sweeden is the first Power in Europe who has invited Us to an alliance— the Commissioners are Arrived here, and the Treaty will be soon made. The other neutral Powers may possibly acknowledge our Independence all together.— it is possible, that England herself may advise it, but this is no more than Conjecture. The K. of Sweeden has inserted in his Commission an handsome Compliment to Us. Says that he had a great desire to form a Connection with a People who had So well established their Independence, and by their Wisdom and Bravery So well deserved it.
England has been wise to be the third Power in Europe to acknowledge Us. Is it my Vanity which makes me believe that the Dutch Negotiation has wrought this mighty Reverse, and carried Us tryumphantly to the End of all our Wishes? without this, the War would have continued for years, and the House of Bourbon so pressed for Peace and We so dependent on them that We should have lost the Western Country and the Fisheries. and very probably been left in a Truce, in a state of Poverty and Weakness, which would have made Us long the miserable satellites of some great European Planet.
It is the Providence of God, not the good Will of England of France, nor yet the Wisdom and Firmness of Congress that has done this.— To that Providence let us with humble Gratitude and 133Adoration ascribe it.— Without making an ostentation of Piety upon the occasion however, let Us turn our Thoughts to what is future. The Union of the states, an Affectionate Respect and Attachment among all their Members, the Education of the rising Generation, the Formation of a national system of Œconomy Policy, and Manners are the great Concerns which still lye before us.— We must guard as much as Prudence will permit against the Contagion of European Manners, and that excessive Influx of Commerce Luxury and Inhabitants from abroad, which will soon embarrass Us.
with great Esteem, your Fnd.
RC (MHi:Warren-Adams Coll.); internal address: “Gen. Warren”; endorsed: “Mr J. Adams / Decr 82.”
eDec
bre1782
Messieurs Willem & Jan Willinck Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst & De La Lande & Fynje en me remettant Quatre cens mille Livres m’en faisoient espèrer autant, mais par une Suivante ces Espérances Se Sont évanouies:1 Je n’ai pas cru, Monsieur, devoir insister, mais seulement me borner à leur représenter que la privation de ces fonds pourroit gêner les opérations de Monsieur Morris.— En effet, j’ai fait dresser un nouvel Etat de Situation, Suivant lequel pour pouvoir accueillir les Traittes connues à ce jour, de Monsieur Morris Sur moi, il me faut plus d’un million & demi.— Je l’ai porte ce matin à Monsieur Franklin que j’ai prévenu depuis longtems de mes besoins: Il doit écrire aujourdhui à Monsieur De Vergennes en conséquence;2 mais dans l’incertitude de la réponse, & en l’attendant; Son Opinion étoit de faire servir à mes besoins les fonds qui peuvent rester de votre Emprunt en Hollande— Si vous pensés de même, Monsieur, il conviendroit d’écrire en conséquence à ces Messieurs de Hollande, qui sans cela continueront de garder les fonds, ou d’en disposer autrement,3 & dans ce cas, je me trouverai dans l’alternative cruelle, ou de manquer à mes propres Engagemens, ou à ceux de Monsieur Morris.—
Je vous prie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien me faire savoir vos Intentions, afin que j’écrire ce Soir en Hollande en conséquence.
Je Suis avec Respect / Monsieur / votre très humble & très / obéissant Serviteur
Translation
Messrs. Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, in remitting me 400,000 livres, led me to expect a further, equivalent sum, but by a subsequent letter these hopes have faded.1 I did not believe, sir, that I should insist, so I simply explained that the absence of these funds would hinder Mr. Morris in his dealings. Indeed, I had a new account of the situation drawn up, which shows that I shall need more than 1,500,000 if I am to honor Mr. Morris’ bills known to date. This morning I took it to Mr. Franklin, whom I had informed of my needs long ago, and in consequence he is to write to Mr. Vergennes today.2 In the meantime, as we await the uncertain reply, Mr. Franklin's opinion is that you should make available to me such funds as may remain from your Dutch loan. If you agree, it would be a good idea to write a letter to this effect to the Dutch bankers, who otherwise might continue to hold on to the funds, or find some other use for them,3 and in that case I would find myself faced with the cruel alternative of either failing to meet my own commitments or those of Mr. Morris.
I pray, sir, that you will inform me of your intentions so that I can write this evening to Holland in consequence.
I am with respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant
RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Mr Grand 15. Decr / 1782.”
For the dispatch of the 400,000 livres to Grand and the concurrent demands for funds from elsewhere, see the consortium's letter of 9 Dec., above.
No letter from Franklin to Vergennes specifically dealing with the banker's concerns has been found.
See JA's reply to Grand of 19 Dec. and his letter to the consortium of the same day, both below.