Papers of John Adams, volume 14

To C. W. F. Dumas, 19 December 1782 Adams, John Dumas, C. W. F.

To C. W. F. Dumas

Dear Sir, Paris Decr. 19th. 17821

The Preliminary Articles are only to take place, when France & G. Britain shall have agreed: but as they are not yet published by the British Ministry, it is not proper that We should publish them as yet— Your Dispatch to Mr Livingston, which I recd. Yesterday, I gave to Mr. Franklin who sends it off to day.2

I don't know what to say about Mr. Van Arp's Passport—it is not necessary, if the Vessel carries nothing improper. I will send him one however, depending upon it, that there is no design to send British Manufactures.3

There are curious Transactions passing at the Hague—but I hope they will go no further. If Peace should take place, I suppose they will stop. Whether we shall have Peace or not, I cannot say— By some Intimations that are given out, it looks probable—but one can never be certain of such an Event until it happens.

The King of Sweden has done himself the Honor to be the first Crowned Head, indeed the first Power, who has proposed to the United States a Treaty with them. This however must not be published nor communicated but in Confidence to Friends. You may make my Compliments to Mr. D’Asp, & tell him, that We shall take Care to remember, that his master has been the first to do Us this Honor.4

136

My best Respects to Mr. Van Berckel, Mr. Gyselaer & Mr. Vischer as well as to your good Family.—

LbC in John Thaxter's hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr. Dumas.”; APM Reel 108.

This letter is a reply to Dumas’ letters of 10 and 12 Dec., both above.

Probably Dumas’ letter to Livingston of 12 Dec. (Wharton, Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 6:128–130).

Although the passport promised by JA has not been found, in early Jan. 1783 Dumas wrote to J. W. van Arp to state that in consequence of the letter he had received from Van Arp the previous day assuring him that the vessel would carry no English manufactures, he would send the passport (Nationaal Archief:Dumas Papers, Microfilm, Reel 1, f. 479–480).

For Asp's reaction to JA's comments on the Swedish-American Treaty, see Dumas’ first letter of 31 Dec., below.

To Henry Grand, 19 December 1782 Adams, John Grand, Henry

To Henry Grand

Sir Paris Decr 19. 1782

In Answer to your Letter,1 give me Leave to inform you that I have written this day to Messrs Willinks, Van staphorsts and De la Lande and Fynje, my Advice to remit you the four hundred Thousand Livres more, as you desire. I run a Risque in this, because Mr Morris has informed them of Bills which he has drawn upon them, which there is danger that they will not have Funds to Satisfy. if it should happen that those Bills should arrive and the Gentlemen be out of Cash, they must call upon you again, or do worse.— God grant Us Peace, that We may no longer be plagued with so many Demands for Money.

With much Respect and Esteem I have the / Honour to be, Sir your most obedient and / most humble servant

J. Adams.

RC (NHi:Gilder Lehrman Coll.); internal address: “Mr Grand.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 108.

Of 15 Dec., above.

To Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 19 December 1782 Adams, John Staphorst, Nicolaas & Jacob van (business) Willink, Wilhem & Jan (business) La Lande & Fynje, de (business)

To Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje

Gentlemen, Paris Decr. 19th. 1782.

Your several Letters I have recd.— The protested Bill ought to be accepted for the Honor of the Drawer.1

Altho’ I have no Authority over the Money in your Hands as You know, yet considering the Circumstances, I should advise You to remit Mr. Grand four hundred thousands of french Livres Tournois, 137besides the four hundred thousands already remitted, for the Interest of the Loan in Holland.2

It would give me great pleasure to communicate to You any Intelligence which might be of use to You, but You know I am connected with several Colleagues, & all of Us with the Ministers of four other Nations, so that it would be improper for me to communicate any thing until others concur, because the Communication of Intelligence may have serious Consequences, which one cannot always foresee—

With great Esteem, I have the Honor to be, / Gentlemen, &c

LbC in John Thaxter's hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Messs. Wilhem & Jan Willink / Nicholas & Jacob Van Staphorst / & / De la Lande & Fynje”; APM Reel 108.

The reference to the protested bill in this paragraph indicates that JA had received the consortium's letter of 4 Dec., but he had probably also received those of 9 and 12 Dec., all above.

That is, for the interest on the loan guaranteed by France, not that raised by the consortium. See JA's letter to Grand of this date, above.