Papers of John Adams, volume 11
1781-03-27
Since I had the Honour to communicate to you my Commission to their High mightiness, by which the general Affairs of America, in this Republick come under my direction, you may possibly be at some Uncertainty about your own Situation and the Continuance of that Small annual Sum which you have heretofore received from the Commissioners and the Minister at the Court of Versailles. In order to remove the Doubt as far as in my Power, I take this Method to inform you, that I have no am perswaded it is the Intention of Congress that you should continue your good services to their Cause if you have no Objection, and that you should have at least the Same allowance continued.1 I Suppose his Excellency Dr. Franklin will readyly continue to pay your Draughts as usual: but if he should not, and you choose to continue in the service of America under my direction2 I will undertake to do it, as long as I shall reside in the Republick3 at my own Expence and Risque, and untill the further order of Congress , or untill I Shall depart from the Republick.
Dumas was paid a total of 17,842.19.9 livres for the period from 20 April 1777 to 10 Nov. 1780. The next payment to Dumas would be on 14 Nov. 1781, when he received 2,700 livres from Ferdinand Grand as authorized by Benjamin Franklin. He received seven additional payments of 2,700 livres through 16 May 1785 (DNA: RG 39, Public Agents in Europe, 1776–1787 [Microfilm, Reel No. 1, f. 10]).
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