Papers of John Adams, volume 10

From Francis Dana, 13 December 1780 Dana, Francis JA

1780-12-13

From Francis Dana, 13 December 1780 Dana, Francis Adams, John
From Francis Dana
Dear Sir Breda Decr: 13th. 1780

As Mr. Brush on his way to Amsterdam has just come into this Inn, I shall attempt to give you a short account of the course of my travels hitherto, not of any matters and things which have occurred in it. I left you at Amsterdam at about two o Clock of the first of this month, and reached Harlem after dark. I set off from thence on the third at 1/2 past 12°. and got into Leyden about 4°. On the 6th. arrived at the Hague about the same hour. On the 9th. passed thro Delft and went to Rotterdam. On the 11th. sent my baggage for Antwerp, and took boat for Dort—next day crossed from that Island over the new Ferry to Lage Swaluwe where I lodged, and this forenoon between 10 and 11. found myself in this City. How I shall shape my course next is 410uncertain. I have Burgen op Zoom in my eye. If I do not go there I shall proceed directly for Antwerp, where I fear, as the wind has been contrary, I shall be detained waiting for my baggage. At Brussels I propose tarrying one or two Days. You may not expect to be acquainted of my arrival at Paris till the close of the year.1 By the way Mr. Brush tells me he brot a letter for me and put it into the Office at Bordeaux together with Mrs. Adams's to you.2 Mine has never come to hand. Possibly it may be in the Office, at Sr. G. Grands, thro whom I have received some letters from Paris. Pray request Mr. Thaxter to enquire diligently about it. My regards to each of the family, and to Mr. Searle, and any of my acquaintance who enquire after me. I am dear Sir, with much respect & esteem your obliged Friend & obedt. humble Servant

FRA Dana

P.S. My particular thanks to the Commodore for his Letter, and good introductions.

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

Dana reached Paris on the evening of 28 Dec. and informed JA of his arrival in a letter of 1 Jan. 1781 (Adams Papers).

2.

The letter to Dana has not been identified, but that from AA was probably that of 3 Sept. (from John Bondfield, 28 Oct., note 1, above).

To the President of Congress, No. 26, 14 December 1780 JA President of Congress Huntington, Samuel

1780-12-14

To the President of Congress, No. 26, 14 December 1780 Adams, John President of Congress Huntington, Samuel
To the President of Congress, No. 26
Duplicate Sir Amsterdam December 14th. 1780

I am every day accepting the Bills of Exchange, which were drawn upon Mr. Laurens: but I have no prospect of obtaining Money to discharge them, from any other Person, than Dr. Franklin.

For some Years before I came to Holland, every Person I saw from this Place assured me, that in his Opinion Money might be borrowed, provided Application was made, with proper Powers directly from Congress to solid Dutch Houses. After my Arrival here, those Assurances were repeated to me, by Persons whose Names I could mention, and who I thought could not be decieved themselves, nor decieve me. But now that Powers have arrived, and Application has been made to Dutch Houses undoubtedly solid, those Houses will not accept the Business. In short, I cannot refrain from saying that almost all the professions of Friendship to America, which have been made, turn out upon Trial to have been nothing more than little Adulations to procure a Share in our Trade. Truth demands of me 411this Observation. Americans find here the Politeness of the Table, and a Readiness to enter into their Trade, but the Publick finds no Disposition to afford any Assistance, political or pecuniary. They impute this to a Change in Sentiments: to the loss of Charlestown—the Defeat of General Gates—to Arnold's Desertion—to the Inactivity of the French and Spaniards &c. &c. &c.—but I know better. It is not Love of the English, although there is a great deal more of that than is deserved, but it is Fear of the English and the Stadhouderian Party.

I must therefore intreat Congress to make no more Draughts upon Holland, until they hear from me that their Bills can be accepted, of which at present I have no Hopes.

People of the first Character have been and are still constantly advising, that Congress should send a Minister Plenipotentiary here, and insist upon it, that this would promote a Loan. It is possible it may: but I can see no Certainty that it will. Sending a few Cargoes of Produce, would do something.

The Dutch are now felicitating themselves, upon the Depth and the Felicity of their Politicks. They have joined the Neutrality and have disavowed Amsterdam, and this has appeased the Wrath of the English, the Appearance of which in Sir Joseph Yorke's Memorial terrified them more, than I ever saw any Part of America intimidated in the worst Crises of her Affairs. The late News We have of Advantages gained by our Armies in several Skirmishes in Carolina contributes a little to allay the Panick. But all in Europe depends upon our Successes. I say

Careat Successibus opto Quisquis ab Eventu, facta notanda putat.1

I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant

Dupl in John Thaxter's hand (PCC, No. 84, II, f. 325–327); endorsed: “Letter Decr. 14. 1780 John Adams Read Novr. 19. 1781.”

1.

Whoever thinks deeds should be condemned for their outcome, I hope he may meet with failure (Ovid, Heroides, 2. 85–86).