Papers of John Adams, volume 13
1782-06-14
We take the liberty to pray your Excellency to inform us, if Autruchian, Danish, prussian Ships shall be received in America, and permitted to unLoad and Load again for their return, we beg pardon of troubling your Excellency with this question because we'd not Load in Such Colours if we are not assured they'll be admitted in America to unLoad.1
We have the honour to remain with respectfull Consideration Sir Your Excellency's most Humble & Obedt Servants
We receive together just now, your Excellency's favours,2 both together, to the contents of whch. we Shall pay due Respect.
In his reply of 15 June, JA stated, “You may be assured, that Austrian, Danish, Prussian Ships and all other Ships and Flaggs in the World, except English will be readily admitted, into any Port of the United States and to Unload and load again for their Return, provided they dont carry any Thing of the Growth, Production or Manufacture of the British Dominions” (Adams Papers).