Papers of John Adams, volume 14
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th.1782.
The News that Mr. Brantzen wrote to our Friends before I left the Hague was true The King of Great Britain under the Great Seal of his Kingdom has by Patent constituted Richard Oswal Esqr. his Minister Plenipoy. to treat with the Ministers of the United States of America. Who would have thought that G. B. would be the 3d. Power in Europe to acknowledge the Independence of America— You may write this to Manson, but conceal me.1
G. Britain can no longer pretend that it is a Breach of the 43Neutrality or an Hostility against her, to acknowledge the Independence of America or make Treaties with them.
I am directed by an Order of Congress, signified to me by their Secretary at War Genl. Lincoln, to procure them a State of the Pay, Rations and Subsistence of the Troops of the States General, of Prussia, Russia & all the northern Powers.2 Will You be so good as to procure that of the Republick & any other that You can & send it to me.
Respects to Made. & Mademoille. Dumas, & to all friends, particularly Mr. Gyselaer & Mr. Fisher—3
Yours sincerely.
LbC in John Thaxter's hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr. Dumas.”; APM Reel 108.
Jean Manzon edited the Courier du Bas Rhin. Whether JA's announcement was published in Manzon's paper is unknown, but the Gazette d’Amsterdam for 26 Nov. contained the following item: “Le Cour d’Angleterre ne cache plus ses dispositions à reconnaître l’Independence de l’Amérique. Par des Lettres-Patentes, passées sous le Sceau de la Grande-Bretagne, Mr. Richal Oswald, Ecuyer, aû nommé par S. M. Britannique, son Ministre-Plénipotentiaire, pour traiter avec les Ministres des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique. Ainsi l’Angleterre est la troisseme Puissance qui reconnaître l’Independence Américaine.” The same passage, in English, appeared in the London Chronicle of 26–28 November.
See JA's letter to Francis Dana of this date, above.
Carel Wouter Visscher, pensionary of Amsterdam.