Papers of John Adams, volume 18
y.7
th.1786.
On the 8th. of October last Mr. Jefferson wrote me a Letter approving of a proposition I had made to him that I should deputize Dr. Bancroft to sollicit the Court of Denmark, through the Danish Minister at London, for the Compensation due for the Prizes made by the Squadron I commanded in Europe and given up to the British by the Danish Government, in the year 1779 in the Port of Bergen in Norway. Mr. Jefferson was also so obliging as to undertake to write to you on the subject, and to pray you to support Dr. Bancroft’s application.1
In consequence of this arrangement I wrote to Dr. Bancroft the 11th. of October, and inclosed the Papers that I thought necessary to give effect to the Application, all which he has of course communicated to you.
I had two Reasons for proposing the application in this manner. 1st. I intend to return myself to America in the Spring, to render an account of the Business I have concluded with the Court of Versailles. And 2dly. there is no Danish Minister here nor expected here, ’till the Summer. I shall esteem myself personally and particularly obliged by the kind support you are pleased to give Dr. Bancroft’s application.2
I am, with sentiments of great esteem & respect, / Sir / your most obedient / and most humble Servant
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency / John Adams Esqr. Minister Plenipo. of the United-States at the Court of London.”
For an account of Denmark’s 1779 return of the frigate Alliance’s prizes to Britain and Congress’ instructions on obtaining restitution, see vol. 15:331–332, 333–334. In his 8 Oct. 1785 letter to Thomas Jefferson, Jones indicated that since he had been unable to raise the issue of the Alliance’s prizes with Danish diplomats in Paris, he intended to deputize Dr. Edward Bancroft in London to undertake negotiations on the matter with the Danish minister there and asked Jefferson to write JA concerning it (Jefferson, Papers
, 8:597). On 11 Oct. Jefferson wrote JA, requesting him to assist Bancroft by opening negotiations with the Danish minister. In his 4 Nov. reply, JA indicated that Congress’ instructions placed responsibility for resolving the issue “wholly” in the hands of the American minister to France, so he and Bancroft thought it best for Jefferson to initiate discussions with the Danish chargé d’affaires at Paris (vol. 17:504, 566–568).
Jones’ 11 Oct. letter to Bancroft (Adams Papers) authorized Bancroft to act in his place with regard to the Alliance’s prizes. With it were enclosed Congress’ 1 Nov. 1783 resolution appointing Jones its agent, under the direction of the U.S. minister at Paris, for the recovery of the prize money (
JCC
, 25:787–788); Robert Morris’ 6 Nov. 1783 certificate that Jones had executed bonds for his mission (Morris, Papers
, 8:741); Benjamin
90
Franklin’s 17 Dec. 1783 authorization of Jones to act with regard to the prizes (Franklin, Papers
, 41:298); and a copy of Franklin’s 21 July 1785 letter to Jones describing his negotiations with Denmark and rejection of the Danish offer of £10,000 as a settlement (PCC, No. 168, II, f. 385).
JA wrote to Jones on 21 Jan. 1786 that he would support Bancroft’s representations to the Danish minister at London but thought it would be best to apply to the Baron von Walterstorff, the chamberlain to the king of Denmark who had been at Paris and in 1783 negotiated with Franklin concerning a commercial treaty with Denmark. JA indicated that he would write to Walterstorff immediately and did so on 21 Jan. 1786 (vol. 15:225–226; both LbC’s, APM Reel 113). In his 7 Feb. reply (Adams Papers) Jones indicated that the London option remained the best solution because Walterstorff was no longer available, having been appointed governor of the Danish West Indies. See also Jones’ 10 July letter, below.
Depuis mon Arrivée icy Jay etè occupé Comme vous Savez qu’on l’est toujours apres une longue Absence. Je commence a me reconnoitre un peu Et Je profite du premier moment pour vous dire que votre Serviteur Se porte fort bien, a passé la mer en 3 heures et demie, a fait Entrer Sa Voiture heureusement sans payer de droits parce quil est arrivé a Calais avant que l’ordonnance commençât a S’executer, qu’il Est fort content de ce Succes, qu’il l’est fort d’avoir deja dîné deux fois en Amerique, la premiere Chez le Chv de la Luzerne, la Seconde avant hier Chez Mr Jefferson Il Seroit Encore plus content Si vous aviez pu en etre car Il vous aimeroit bien mieux icy que là ou vous etes
Vous avez Si bien fait que Je vous ai promis des copies de toute les Rhapsodies que Vous Avez eu la conplaisance de lire, pourriez vous m’envoyer la note du titre de toutes celles que vous avez actuellement, afin que Je ne fasse point de copie inutiles? vous me ferez en verité grand plaisir. Je Sens que Cest vous donner bien de la peine au milieu des occupations que vous avez, mais vous ne Sauriez Croire a quel point Je Suis embarassè pour des Copistes.1
Dans Les deux dîners dont Je viens de Vous parler Jay vu Mr Et Madm Bingham qui Vont vous trouver incessamment.2 Je voudrois bien me trouver au premer diner que vous leur donnerez
Adieu my dear friend Voilà une lettre bien Courte pour passer la Mer mais Je n’ay aucune nouvelle a vous aprendre. Jay trouvé tous les gens de Votre connaissance icy en tres bonne Santé. Jassure, Si Vous le permettez Madame et Mademoiselle Adams de mon respect et vous my dear friend d’une attachement qui ne finira qu’avec ma vie.
Since my arrival I have been busy, as you know one always is after a long absence. I am starting to return to my usual self and avail myself of my first free moment to tell you that your servant is quite well, that he traversed the sea in three and a half hours, and happily brought in his carriage without paying duties because it arrived in Calais before the regulation went into effect, that he is very pleased with this success, that he is faring well having dined twice in America, the first time at the home of Chevalier de la Luzerne, the second the day before yesterday at Mr. Jefferson’s. He would be even happier if you would have been present for he would like you better here than where you are.
You did so well that I have promised you copies of all the rhapsodies which you have had the kindness of reading. Could you send me the titles of all those you have presently, so that I make no unnecessary copies? You would do me in truth a great pleasure. I sense that this gives you quite a burden in the midst of all of the responsibilities which you have, but you cannot conceive how much I am in want of copyists.1
At the two dinners I just mentioned to you I saw Mr. and Mrs. Bingham who will find you very shortly.2 I should like to find myself at the first dinner that you will give them.
Adieu my dear friend. Here is quite a short letter after having crossed the sea but I have no news to tell you. I have found all of your acquaintances here in good health. I assure, if you will, Mrs. and Miss Adams of my respect and you my dear friend of an attachment that will end only with my life.
RC (Adams Papers); notation by CFA: “Count Sarsfield.”
Beginning in 1782, aspiring philosophe Guy Claude, the Comte de Sarsfield, sent JA a total of 280 manuscript pages consisting of essays on topics ranging from Dutch constitutionalism and banking to the history of slavery and the rights of women, for which see vol. 13:252. Sarsfield apparently sent JA the missing work, “Constitution du Gouvernement Du Paix De Drenthe,” for a copy is in the Adams Papers (filmed at [ca. 1782–1783]).
Philadelphia banker William Bingham and his wife, Anne Willing Bingham, were frequent visitors to Grosvenor Square. JA arranged for their presentation at the British court in Feb. 1786 shortly before they departed for America (
AFC
, 7:14, 15, 24, 26, 44, 66).