Papers of John Adams, volume 11
1781-03-10
This morning I delivered your various packets, as you ordered, beginning with the president of their High Mightinesses.2 He asked some questions such as “where did this come from?” “What are its contents?” etc. I named you, as well as your current location, and your capacity as minister plenipotentiary of the United States in Europe. I told him the substance of what 192the packet contained and left him a card with my name and residence. As for the three northern ministers, it was their mail day so I could only gain entry to see the Danish minister. He asked me to assure you, sir, that he will forward your letter to his court. I left the packets with a card for the two other ministers. The Duc de La Vauguyon told me he would respond to you. This evening I will send our friend his packet.3 I have the honor to be with sincere respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant
JA wrote a brief note to Dumas on 10 March (LbC, Adams Papers), enclosing copies of Congress' resolution of 5 October.
The president of the States General the week of 3–10 March 1781, was apparently a Mr. van Wadenoyen (Schulte Nordholt, Dutch Republic and Amer. Independence
, p. 160), although a letter of 14 March from Jean de Neufville & Fils names a Mr. Lohman as the president, below. On 28 April the London Courant reported that JA “had caused a memorial to be presented to their High Mightinesses by the Sieur Dumas, offering a negociation of a particular nature; but is said that no answer will be given, as the independency of the said States has not yet been acknowledged by the Republic.” For a similar report, see the London Chronicle of 26–28 April.
For the letter of 8 March to Engelbert François van Berckel (LbC, Adams Papers), see JA's letter to La Vauguyon of that date, and note 1, above.