Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 17

II. The American Commissioners’ Heads of Enquiry for Thomas Barclay in Negotiations with Morocco

IV. The American Commissioners to William Carmichael
III. The American Commissioners’ Draft Letter to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, 12 September 1785 Adams, John American Commissioners Willink, Wilhem & Jan (business) Staphorst, Nicolaas & Jacob van (business)
III. The American Commissioners’ Draft Letter to Wilhem & Jan Willink and Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst
Gentlemen, Grosr: Square.– London. 12th. Sepr: 1785.—1

We have the honor to inform you that we have recd. fm. the U: States of America, in Congress, full power & instructions to form treaties with the Emperor of Morocco & the Regencies of Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli, and we enclose you a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14th. February 1785. impowering us to apply so much of the money borrowed in Holland to that use as we may deem necessary, not exceeding 80,000 Dollars.— We have appointed & sent Thos: Barclay Esqr: Consul General in France, & have authorised him to draw upon you for 20,000. Dollars, part of that sum, & you are desired to hold the remaining 60,000. Dollars ready to answer his further Drafts, whenever he shall be hereafter authorised by us to draw, or our drafts, if we should have occasion to draw in favor of any other person or persons.—

It is our desire that this may be considered by you as a 439Communication in Confidence, to be reserved in secrecy— We hope that this measure will enlarge the resources & raise the Credit of our Country.—

With much respect we have the honor to be, Gentlemen, / Your Most Obedt: humle: servants—

John Adams.—

LbC and enclosure in Charles Storer’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Messrs: Wilhem & Jan Willinks & / Nicholas & Jacob Van Staphorsts”; APM Reel 111. The enclosed congressional resolution immediately follows the letter in the Letterbook.

 1.

JA drafted this letter at the behest of Thomas Jefferson in his letter of 4 Sept., above, and presumably sent Jefferson a fair copy for his signature. It was not sent, however, and was returned to JA with Jefferson’s second letter of 24 Sept., below. This was because by the time it reached Paris, John Lamb’s arrival and his appointment to negotiate with Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis made new instructions to the loan consortium necessary. For the decision resulting in the new directive to the consortium, this time dated 6 Oct and only from JA, see Nos. XI and XII, and notes, both below.