Papers of John Adams, volume 17

From William Greene, 25 July 1785 Greene, William Adams, John
From William Greene
Sir Warwick State of Rhode-Island. &c. July 25th. AD 1785

I have to address your Excy. concerning the Liberation of a Subject of this State from English Service.

Richard Low of a respectable Family in this State having commenced a Voyage on board of an American Merchantman AD 1776. 269was captured by the Niger, an English Frigate, and by Compulsion served on board her and a Variety of other Vessels in his Brittanic Majesty’s Service till the Year 1780 when he was dispatched in the same Employment to the East Indies as known by a Letter from Madrass dated in January AD 1784.1

The Tenderness of Paternal Fondness with the Satisfaction attending our Duty in the Releif of an unfortunate Subject which are the Motives which induce me to urge this Request, I am sensible will contribute to merit your Attention in demanding his Enlargement with a Passport which may return him to his Country and a proper Reward for his Services

With the most perfect Attachment / I have the Honor to be / Your Excy.’s most obt. / vry. hbl. Sevt.

W. Greene Govr.

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Excy. John Adams Esqr—”

1.

For JA’s 9 Sept. reply to Greene, see his letter of 8 Sept. to Jabez Bowen, note 1, below.

From Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 26 July 1785 Willink, Wilhem & Jan (business) Staphorst, Nicolaas & Jacob van (business) Adams, John
From Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst
Sir Amsterdam 26 July 1785

We have before us the honour of your Excelly’s esteemed favour of 16 July, whch. only is arrived with us the 24 inst, in conformity of your desire we shall endeavour to take care for the Hotel with all œconomy possible, as far as our position in Amstd will admit.

We Shall procure ourselves a copy of the Contract of de La Lande & fynje with Geyer to transmit it to you, if possible next mail with the fullest information in our power, we donot Suspect fraudes by de La Lande & fynje, but the employing of congress & other money in their hands can only be apologized by the necessity, as consequences of their imprudent dealings, & want of returns from America.

We donot mean however that this Should authorise them to employ publicq money, whch. as a Sacred deposit, must remain at the disposal of congress at every moment.

The arrangement of the Creditors in London of their Copartnership of Geyer de La Lande & fynje QQ is made by Geyer without their knowledge, who thought himself as active partner by their fatal Contract of association with him, in faculty to make similar arrangements.

270

since Mr. Parker offers to take over the concerns of the partnership of G: de La L & f. QQ and to give the mentioned american funds for security, we had esteemed ourself happy if by your Excellency’s information abt. the Solidity & validity of the Same; we had been encouraged to hold some Conferences with Mr. Parker on the Subject, who perhaps might be disposed, if an agreement can be Concluded to pay the whole or part of Congress debts, as he says to have an acct. in his favour by Congress, by whch. or by paying of the mentioned funds it might be performed, in consequence we request your Excellency to inform us, whether we may take a Similar proposal into consideration, & if your Excellency Should accept & approve of Such an agreement, if it could be made at the Conveniency of the interressed Parties?

We have the honour to be With Respect full Regard / Sir / Your most Humb & most / Obedient servants

Wilhem & Jan Willink Nics. & Jacob van Staphorst.

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “To his Excellency / John Adams Esqr. / Grosvenor Square Westminster / in / London.”