Papers of John Adams, volume 18
d:Xber 1785
We have before ús Your Excells. most Esteemed favour of the 13h. Instt., and have taken Duely Notice of the Acceptances made by Yoúr Excelly. to Whom all honoúr Will be done by Messs. Puller.
We observe What yoúr Excelly. is pleased to Say aboút the Credit of £1000 Stg. in favoúr of Mr. Jefferson, of Which We made mention in Our last letter, Messs. Van den Yver freres & Co. of Paris. Wrote ús in date 18t Novembr. the Following. r. Jefferson vient de noús Remettre une Lettre de Credit que Son Excelle. Monsr. Adams lui a laissé ici a la Veille de Son depart pour londres, De mille Livres Sterlings, a Compte des quels il a fourni Sur noús au Colonel Humphrys un mandat que Voici de
que noús lui avons payé, & dont noús Vous debittons avec La Commrs. Ordinaire a 1 per Ct.
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65.—.— |
| £6565.₶— |
dont nous disposerons par Occasion, la Lettre de Monsieúr Adams porte que voús de vés porter les dittes mille Livres Sterlings, Si on en dispose au Compte du Congres”1
It is not impossible Sir that thro yoúr many Transactions, This is Escaped yoúr Memory. as The Bill of £.6500.₶ drawned by Mr. Ths. Jefferson, in dte. of 16 novr. and Signed by Mr. D Humphrys, Reposes into Our hands—
As the Time for advertising the Payment of the Intrest of the 2 Mns. is drawing near, and we have not Received any orders there about from the Commissioners we Shall be Very glad to Receive yoúrs, thereon, to proceed in Consequence.2
We have the Honour to Remain With dúe Respect / Sir / Your Excells. most Obedt. / humble Servants
Nich
s.& Jacob van Staphorst
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “To his Excelly. John Adams Esqr. / London—”
Mr. Jefferson has remitted to us a letter of credit for £1,000 sterling that his excellency Mr. Adams gave him here before his departure for London which amounts to, as furnished to Col. Humphreys upon demand, ₶6,500, that we have paid and from which we have debited the usual commission of 1 percent, ₶65–₶6,565. We have, according to the letter from Mr. Adams, charged the £1,000 sterling to Congress’ account.
For an explanation of this transaction, which the consortium first raised in its [1]8 Nov. 1785 letter, see vol. 17:586–587; and
JA’s reply of 10 Jan. 1786, below.
JA gave the loan consortium permission to advertise in his 10 Jan. letter, below.