Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 14

Translation

From Francis Dana
From Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 9 January 1783 Staphorst, Nicolaas & Jacob van (business) Willink, Wilhem & Jan (business) La Lande & Fynje, de (business) Adams, John
From Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje
Sir Amsterdam the 9th. Jannr. 1783.

We had the honour to write yoúr Excellency the 30th. December past. advising that in Consequence of your Opinion we had already Remitted part of the £[₶]400/m. to Mr. Grand. we also notified to yoúr Excellency a Bill of Bco. ƒ 1100 which we had paid drawn on Mr. Laurens and accepted by yoúr Excellency the 24th. June at 6/m Sight.

This we have the Pleasure to Confirm your Excellency. and being deprived Since of yoúr Esteemed favoúrs. we have to acquaint Yoúr Excellency that the Sum of 400/m. desired by Mr. Grand is Since Compleated by Our further Remittances.

We have again paid four Bills drawn On Mr. Laurens, and accepted by Yoúr Excellency. vizt. 1

Bo ƒ 550.— } On the 4th. July at 6/mo. sight
“ 550.—
“ 550.— } On the 8th. July. at 6/m Sight
“ 550.—
which will be carried to the account of the united States—.

As we are Writing to his Excellency Robert Morris Esqr., we acquaint him that during the month of December past, the Obligations by ús distribúted Amounts to a Sum of ƒ 24000.—2

186

We have the honoúr to Remain with the Sincerest Regard. / Sir / Yoúr Excellency's most obedt. / most humble Servants

Wilhem & Jan Willink Nics. & Jacob van Staphorst de la Lande & fynje

Sir

We have received the Pacquet with the duplicates of the obligations ratifyed in Congress, with the Letter to Mr. dane whch. Mr Fynje 'll forward, So as we have done that to Mr. Dumas.3

We shall forward by Frazier Capn. of the Firebrand the Letter to MiLady Adams, bound for boston to Sail in a few days,4 we remain always / Your Excellency's Most Humb Servant

 W & J Wlk

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “To his Excellency. John Adams Esqr. / at Paris”; endorsed by John Thaxter: “Mess Willinks & Co. / 9. Jany. 1783.”

 1.

For these bills, presented by the Amsterdam bankers John Hodshon on 4 July 1782 and Jean de Neufville & Fils on the 8th of the same month, see M/JA/18, p. 72, APM Reel 192.

 2.

The consortium's letter to Robert Morris of 9 Jan. has not been found, but Morris acknowledged it in his letter of 8 May (Morris, Papers , 8:17–18).

 3.

The letter to Francis Dana was likely Livingston's of 18 Sept. 1782 (Wharton, Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 5:741–742). For the letter or letters to Dumas, see JA's 5 Nov. 1782 letter to the consortium, note 2, above.

 4.

This letter cannot be identified with certainty, but since AA replied to JA's letters of 4 Dec. 1782 and 29 Jan. on 7 April, this is likely his letter of 28 Dec., with which he enclosed a copy of his “Peace Journal.” The Firebrand sailed on or about 7 March, the Boston Evening Post of 12 April reporting its arrival on the 9th, 34 days out of Amsterdam. AA refers to the journal in her letter to JA of 28 April ( AFC , 5:60, 116–119, 141–145).