Papers of John Adams, volume 14

From Francis Dana, 25 February 1783 Dana, Francis Adams, John
From Francis Dana
Dear Sir St: Petersbourg Feby: 14th 1783. OS. [25 February N.S.]

I received by the last post Copies of several Resolutions of Congress, from Mr: Thaxter. None of them seem to be of any present importance since the peace, except that of the 14th: of Septr. last, relative to our Loans in Europe.1 This must not occasion any change in the Credit you & the Dr: have engaged to me. I shall still rely upon it. There can be no doubt but that Congress will approve of our conduct whenever they shall be informed of the circumstances. I have written again by this days post to Mr: Livingston upon the subject; and I early informed him that I shou'd apply to you & the Dr: for the Money, and have since written to him that you had consented to advance it: So that they will expect it, and be prepared for it. I shall therefore rely upon it especially as the resolution came on without any intimations from you to the contrary2

Will it surprise you to learn that I am advised to remain in status quo, till the British Minister here has in form communicated to this Court the signature of the Preliminaries of Peace? This is the very Truth, and is the only good reason I can give for remaining so— I hope for the pleasure of seeing you at the Hotel des Etats-Unis at the Hague, in course of the summer on my route for America; when I shall bid an eternal Adieu to Europe

I shou'd be anxious about your Son of whom I have heard nothing since the 13th: of Decr: was it not that we have had no posts from Sweden since his last letter. However he might have written to me from Hamborô or some other station on his rout, as I desired him to do. Pray give my thanks to Mr: Thaxter for the trouble he has taken to copy and forward the abovementioned Resolutions of Congress. The originals I shall not want. He will always use his discretion in matters of that sort.

I am Dear Sir, with the greatest esteem / Your most obedient humble Servant,

FRA DANA

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “À Monsieur / Monsieur Adams / Ministre Plenipotentiaire des / Etats-Unis / À / la Haye”; internal address: “His Excelly: J: Adams / Minister Plenipotentiary &c”; endorsed: “M. Dana 14. Feb. / ansd 24 March.” Filmed at 14 February.

1.

For Congress’ 14 Sept. resolution ratifying the Dutch-American loans, see vol. 13:467, note 3.

2.

In his letter of this date Dana wrote Robert R. Livingston that he depended on Congress’ approval of the provision of funds 295by JA and Benjamin Franklin to finance his negotiations in Russia but would follow the Marquis de Vérac's advice and await the signing of the definitive treaty before presenting his credentials. The two other letters to Livingston mentioned by Dana were of [18 Nov.] 1782 and [31 Jan.] 1783 (Wharton, Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 6:54–56, 234–235, 263–264).

From Benjamin Vaughan, 25 February 1783 Vaughan, Benjamin Adams, John
From Benjamin Vaughan
Dear sir, London, Feby: 25th:, 1783.

I have to return you many thanks for your favor of the 14th:. The renewal of my acquaintance with Mr Storer, was a pleasure which I did not so soon expect; and you will find, upon his return, that we did not forget that you have expressed so much interest in him, as an additional motive for our attentions to him in every shape.

I have in return to ask the favor of a couple of letters in behalf of Mr Joshua Grigby Junr:, who is immediately going off to settle in North America. His father is a country gentleman of about £2000 a year in Suffolk, and in style enough to think once of being a county member. He himself, besides being the eldest child, has about £500 per annum in his own distinct right. His zeal had carried him into our militia, where he remained four years, and where I remember he struck me verry much by his manly air & manners, though he was then probably scarcely eighteen years of age.— In general I think very little more need be said in favor of a settler, than to state that he wishes to be a settler from the midst of high connections & some prospects, with a persuasion that the life is happy, innocent, & domestic. With this character, & reminding you that he is zealous, I leave him to your kindness.— The letters are requested for persons now in the middle colonies.1

Mr Laurens, whom you inquire after, I presume is just arrived in London; and Mr Oswald was about to return to Paris:—But what this distracted state of parties will produce, I cannot yet inform you.— The event of the peace, & the reception it meets in parliament, will tell you who were America's best friends. They were those who made least profession and had most understanding. It is unnecessary to hint more to you.— All ranks are satisfied with peace, but the great are not satisfied with a minister who had so few of them in his train: They therefore say we might have had a better peace. You are one of those that know, and I ask your opinion about the fact of a better peace being easy without more war, or even with it.

I mean to put you up some pamphlets of the worst sort; (for our better are only preparing.)— Hereafter the peace will probably be 296well understood, and then you shall have other pamphlets in another style.

Mr Storer upon his return will present you with some maps by De Barres of your American country.2 They are finely executed, and by authority, but chiefly relate to the Northern coast. I have the honor to be, with much respect, / Dear sir, / Your most obedient / & most humble servant,

Benjn: Vaughan

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “To his Excellency John Adams.”; endorsed: “Mr. B. Vaughan / 25. Feb. Ansd 12 March / 1783.”

1.

In his 12 March reply to Vaughan, below, JA enclosed letters of that date recommending Grigby to Elias Boudinot (NHi:Gilder Lehrman Coll., on deposit) and Benjamin Lincoln (LbC, APM Reel 108), but see also his letter to Samuel Adams of 5 April, below. Vaughan also wrote to Benjamin Franklin on 25 Feb. to request a letter for Grigby (PPAmP:Franklin Papers).

2.

Joseph F. W. Des Barres, The Atlantic Neptune, Published for the Use of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, 2 vols., London, with several editions between 1774 and 1783. Vaughan, in fact, did not send the volumes with Charles Storer. In his letter of 11 March, below, he indicated that the maps were finally on their way, but not until his letter to Vaughan of 12 May did JA indicate that he had received them (LbC, APM Reel 108).