Papers of John Adams, volume 11

123 C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 7 February 1781 Dumas, Charles William Frederic JA

1781-02-07

C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 7 February 1781 Dumas, Charles William Frederic Adams, John

C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation

Sir ca. 7 February 1781 1

I have the honor of your letter of the 6th and will respond to it at my leisure another day. I will only say to you that I am angry that you do not have the powers you spoke about, and that it seems necessary to ask Congress for these powers immediately. It is not a question of making a treaty with only this republic, nor with it the first one, but rather signing one with Russia, and after that with the other allies. This is greatly connected to the powers that you showed to me in Amsterdam and it is because of these that it could come about. Let us not waste time therefore. Write to Congress so that it issues you new powers, beyond those that you already have and proper to produce the quadruple alliance.

I will explain myself in greater detail in two or three days.

I am, sir, with much respect, your very humble and very obedient servant

Dumas

Enclosed are the letters for Mr. Laurens. I do not believe that he will have his liberty soon. Besides, his plenipotentiary powers are at the bottom of the sea, and they only address this republic.

I write in much haste.

RC (Adams Papers). Filmed under the date ca. 10 Feb. 1780, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 354.

Dumas acknowledges JA's letter of 6 Feb., which he probably would have received on 7 or 8 February. Moreover, Dumas indicated in his letter of 3 Feb. that he intended to send the letters for Henry Laurens, mentioned in the postscript, by way of Alexander Gillon, but in his letter of 7 Feb., above, Dumas indicated his surprise that Gillon had not passed through on his way to Amsterdam.