Papers of John Adams, volume 14
The Bearer of this, Dr. John Wheelock, is President of an Institution in America, which is founded upon good Principles and deserves Encouragement. If you will give him Leave he will explain to you his Errand to Europe, and if you think there is any Prospect of his Success, I should be obliged to you for any Advice you may give him.2
I am impatient to get back to Holland where I hope to have the pleasure of a little more Conversation upon the Times. remember me most respectfully and affectionately to our Friend in Overyssel, the Baron de Poll.
With much Esteem & Respect, / Your most obedient servant
RC (PHi:John Adams Letters); internal address: “Mr Van der Kemp.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 108.
For François Adriaan Van der Kemp, Mennonite minister, fervent Dutch patriot, and JA's longtime friend and correspondent, see JA, D&A
, 2:456.
For John Wheelock's mission to Europe to raise money and obtain materials for Dartmouth College, see the Sept. 1782 letter from the college's trustees (vol. 13:488–489). On 18 Feb., in addition to this letter to Van der Kemp, JA wrote letters of introduction to Jean Luzac (ICHi:Madlener U.S. Presidents Coll.), Daniel Crommelin & Sons, C. W. F. Dumas, Rev. Archibald MacLaine, Baron Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, and the loan consortium (all LbC's, APM Reel 108).