Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 19

From Thomas Jefferson

Memorial to the States General
From John Adams to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 October 1787 Adams, John Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To C. W. F. Dumas
Sir. Grosvenor Square Octr 1st 1787—

Col. Forrest, informed me last Night that he delivered you the Letter I wrote by him.1 in which were orders upon the Bankers of Amsterdam to pay you your Salery, till then I was anxous about it, as you make no mention of it in yours of the 25th of Sepr

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I am extreamly Sorry to hear of your unfortunate Situation, at the date of that Letter. but hope before this time there is some change for the better

Inclosed is a Letter to Messrs Willink and Vanstaphorsts directing the necessary Repairs of the Hotel des Etats: But While it is my Wish that the House Should be put into tenantable and decent Repair, let me recommend both to you and to them all the Œconomy consistant with that End for the Sake of that Public we have the Honour to serve

I have done myself the Honour to write to the President of their High Mightinesses and to Mr Secretary Fagel upon the Subject and have inclosed the Letters to you for Delivering or at least for Conveyance2

be pleased, Sir to present the Compliments of my family to yours and beleive me to be with much Esteem / yours &c &c—

LbC in AAz’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr Dumas.”; APM Reel 113.

 1.

Col. Uriah Forrest delivered JA’s 5 Sept. letter to Dumas, above, in which JA enclosed a separate letter of the same date to the loan consortium, authorizing Dumas’ salary to be paid. JA wrote again to the loan consortium on 1 Oct., outlining Congress’ 24 July resolution permitting Dumas to reside in the Hôtel des États-Unís at The Hague, until a new American minister arrived or Congress sent further instructions. In addition, Dumas was to supervise the derelict building’s repairs, with “all Possible Economy” (LbC’s, APM Reel 113).

 2.

JA enclosed a brief note to Hendrik Fagel (Nationaal Archief:Fagel Archive, Letters from Foreign Ministers) with his 1 Oct. memorial to the States General supporting Dumas’ continued residency at the U.S. legation, below. Dumas forwarded both enclosures, but his political affiliation complicated the request, for which see Fagel’s 18 Oct. reply to JA , below.