Papers of John Adams, volume 16

David Humphreys to John Adams, 20 November 1784 Humphreys, David Adams, John

From David Humphreys

Sir Paris Novr 20th 1784

By the papers which I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency herewith you will be informed that I have received official Instructions to procure the several honorary presents which have been voted by Congress to different officers in their service during the late war, together with a Draft on M. Grand Banker at Paris for the amount of the expence1—but I must beg leave further to inform you, Sir, that as M. Grand has no monies of the United States in his 432 hands except what are already appropriated to particular uses, a delay must necessarily take place in carrying the pleasure of Congress into effect unless a sufficient sum can be drawn from some other fund. I have therefore earnestly to request that you will be pleased to give the necessary order for having to the amount of one thousand Louis d’ors of the Monies of the United States in Holland applyed to this purpose— This I am the rather emboldened to ask from an intimate knowledge of the sentiments of the late Ministers, (Genl Lincoln & Mr Morris,) in whose Departments the business was; and from a persuasion that any further delay would be disagreeable to the Supreme Power, who had so long since signified its pleasure on the premises—

I have the honor to be / With the most perfect respect / Your Excellency’s / Most obedt and / Most humble Servant

D Humphreys

RC and enclosures (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency / John Adams Esqr / &c. &c. &c.”; endorsed: “Col. Humphreys / Nov. 20. 1784 / Medals.”

Enclosed were Robert Morris’ 15 June letter to Humphreys and its enclosures. In his letter Morris instructed Humphreys to procure a number of “honorary Rewards” voted by Congress for various officers of the Continental Army to recognize their service during the Revolution. He enclosed another letter of the same date to Ferdinand Grand asking that Humphreys’ drafts for the cost of the awards be paid on the account of the United States. Morris also sent a list of awards outstanding as of 15 June and a memorandum describing certain medals approved by Congress. Humphreys was directed to consult the Journals of Congress for the designs of the other awards (Morris, Papers , 9:392, 395).

Charles Storer to John Adams, 22 November 1784 Storer, Charles Adams, John

From Charles Storer

Sir, London. 22d. Novemr: 1784.

I had the honor of forwarding your Excellency a letter, received from Mr: Dumas, by the Post before last.—1 It came to hand a day or two before; but, not being able to find a private hand so soon as I imagined, from Mr: Dumas’ letter to me, that it was necessary you should have it, I concluded it best & therefore forwarded it by the Post under cover to your Son— Mr: Dumas writes me that, (things being in an uneasy, unsettled State in the low Countries at present,) he shall continue to forward to me his dispatches to you, to which be assured, Sir, I shall give my best attention. In the mean time, Sir, I should be happy to know if you receive the above letter safe, & desired your Son to write me by return of Post.—

From the obligations I have to you, Sir, of which I am fully 433 sensible, I can only say that I shall always be happy to receive your Commands, when & where you may think proper to entrust me with them; and whatever mode of executing them you choose to point out, as best, shall be particularly attended to.—

I am, Sir, with best Compliments & respects to yourself & family, / Your Most obligd, humle: servt:

Charles Storer.

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency, John Adams Esqr:.”

Storer forwarded C. W. F. Dumas’ 7 Nov. letter to JA, above, under cover to JQA on the 16th. JQA received the letter on the 22d, apparently acknowledging its arrival by return post, as Storer had requested, and writing more fully to Storer on the 23d (Adams Papers). JA acknowledged receipt of Dumas’ letter when he wrote to Storer on 12 Dec. (LbC, APM Reel 107).