Papers of John Adams, volume 8

To Robert Montgomery, 31 January 1780 JA Montgomery, Robert

1780-01-31

To Robert Montgomery, 31 January 1780 Adams, John Montgomery, Robert
To Robert Montgomery
Dear sir Bourdeaux January 31. 1778 1780

Since my Arrival at this Place, which was the day before Yesterday, I had the Honour Pleasure of receiving a Letter from you, dated Alicante January 8. 1780,1 informing me that you had desired your Bankers D. Pedro Casamayor & Co, to wait on me at Madrid, and make me a Tender of what Money I might have Occasion for. At the same Time I received a Letter from the House of D. Pedro Casamayor 315& Co, offering me every Assistance in their Power, particularly as much Money as I should have Occasion for, either on the Account of your House or another, which had done me the favour to write a Similar Letter to the same Banker.2

You will be pleased to accept of my Thanks which are the only return I can make you, for this Instance of your Politeness to me, and your generous Attachment to the Honour of the united states. I had the strongest Inclination to go to Madrid, for the Pleasure of seeing that fine noble City, but it would have delayed my Journey to Paris by 15 or 20 days at least, for which Reason as well as Some others, I did not know how it might be taken by Congress or by the Court of Spain: I therefore concluded it, Safest to pursue my Route to Paris. I have not had Occasion, to make Use of the Credit, you was so kind as to offer me: but am not the less obliged to you, for the offer. I am with great Respect, Sir, your most obedient, and obliged, humble servant

LbC (Adams Papers).

1.

Not found.

2.

The letter from Pedro Casamayor & Co. has not been found, but for that from “another” house, see Lagoanere to JA, 26 Dec. 1779, and note 8 (above).

From Jonathan Williams, 1 February 1780 Williams, Jonathan JA

1780-02-01

From Jonathan Williams, 1 February 1780 Williams, Jonathan Adams, John
From Jonathan Williams
Dear sir Nantes Feb. 1. 1780

I heartily congratulate you on your safe Return to Europe and thank you for your obliging Care of my Letters from my Friends, which I received last Post from Bilboa.

I shall be greatly obliged to you if you will employ a leisure half Hour in giving me a little Sketch of our public Affairs in America, so far only as is prudent for you to communicate, and proper for me to know. Please to let me know if anything has passed in Congress relative to my Accounts and public Conduct; I am extreemly sensible in whatever concerns my Reputation, and I should be very unhappy if any Stain was on it in the Opinion of that respectable Body. Doctor Franklin will inform you that I have passed through a very rigid Examination, and he will show you my Accounts as they have been re-stated and the Award of my Arbitrators on them. I hope no Testimony is neccessary to fix your Opinion of me, but notwithstanding this I beg you to cast your Eye on my Accounts and the Award.1

Now my Reputation is restored I have no Enmity to any person, nor will I ever be concerned in any Party. I shall be always ready to serve 316 image my Country whenever it is in my Power to do so, but as my Object in this is more her welfare than my own Emolument I never can solicit any public Employ, and I shall always wish the Good of America may be the only point considered in the Choice of all her Officers.

I hope you will allow me to consider you in the same familiar Friendly Light you have hitherto allowed me to do and believe me to be with sincere Respect Dear Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant

Jona Williams

RC (Adams Papers); docketed: “Mr. Jona. Williams of Nantes Feb. 1. 177980”; and by John Thaxter: “Answd. 15th. Feby. 1780.” Partially lost by the tearing of the letter's fold is a computation, the purpose of which is unknown:

2400
25
12000
4800 
60000
1.

For the questions raised by the Commissioners, particularly Arthur Lee, about Williams' accounts and his reimbursement from them without furnishing proper vouchers, see the indexes in vols. 6 and 8 under Williams, Jonathan (1750–1815).