Papers of John Adams, volume 14

From Henry Grand, 15 December 1782 Grand, Henry Adams, John

From Henry Grand

Monsieur Paris ce 15e Decbre 1782

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

Grand 134

Translation

Sir Paris, 15 December 1782

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

Grand

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.

From Joshua Barney, 18 December 1782 Barney, Joshua Adams, John

From Joshua Barney

Dr Sir Lorient Decr, 18th. 1782

According to Your request I have to inform You, that the letters intrusted to my care to go by the Ships Cicero & Buccaneer I have Deliver'd to the Captns. Hill & Phearson, I should have wrote You before but the Captns. having both been at Nantz for Some time and not chusing to deliver them to any other Person, prevented me, their Sailing is still Very uncertain,— I am waiting with the Greatest Impatience for your final Dispatches, and hope to have them in a few days, what an amasing change Mr. Adams since I had the pleasure of Seeing You, And with what pleasure Shall I carry the News to America of freedom, Oh how I long to congratulate You in 135Person, on the Occasion for it is Owing to Your Wisdom, and a few others that this Mighty change has been Brought about—1 hoping Soon to hear from You I am Sir with / the Greatest Esteem / Your Most Obt. / Servt.

Joshua Barney

Two Days ago a Ship Arrived from Phila. but nothing New she left it the 20 Novr.—

My respectfull compliments to the Gentls

JB.

RC (Adams Papers).

Capt. Joshua Barney of the packet General Washington had been at Paris in mid-November. Among the original and/or copied letters to be carried to America by Barney or the Massachusetts privateers Cicero and Buccaneer, Capts. Hugh Hill and Jesse Fearson, respectively, were those of 6 Nov. to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 and 11 Nov. to Robert R. Livingston, 6 and 7 Nov. to Robert Morris, and 7 Nov. to Benjamin Rush (all above). Also carried was an 8 Nov. letter to AA . The Cicero may also have conveyed letters from John Thaxter to AA of 10 and 14 Nov. ( AFC , 5:28–30, 33–35, 40–41). See also the commissioners’ letter to Livingston, 14 Dec., note 1, above.