Papers of John Adams, volume 11
1781-02-22
May it please Yoúr Excellency! that we remove the doúbts which are laying on oúr mind for two letters we received for her from France, and which we have send for again yesterday to enclose them by a letter we had prepared bútt on which we gott only an answer today, that they were directed to yoúr Excellency, oúr Clarck had made the first mistake in sending them as usuall for which we begg yoúr pardon.1
The Notary Myliús mean while is preparing the form of the Bonds2 with a proper translation which will be ready for Yoúr Excellencys perúsal and a great many of the plans are already running aboút, bútt in Conseqúence of them enqúiries begin to be made for the translated power, which we all forgott before Yoúr Excellency left the town, we do not suppose this can do any harm as yett bútt both Myliús and we are of opinion that it would be best if we could be enabled to have it deposited there on monnday next,3 we should be sorry this should prove any way inconvenient to yoúr Excellency in her intended Joúrney; what Success we may further flatter oúr Selfs with, we will better judge off at the beginning of next month.
With all regard we have the honoúr to be most respectfully Honourd Sir Yoúr Excellencys most devoted and most obedient humble servant
The letters that the Neufvilles' clerk mishandled and enclosed with this letter were likely those of 1 Jan. from the president of Congress and 6 Jan. from James Lovell, both above. When he later published his correspondence JA indicated that he received Congress' letter, and presumably this one from the Neufvilles, on 25 Feb. (JA, Corr. in the Boston Patriot
, p. 390–391).
See the Contract for a Loan with Jean de Neufville & Fils,
26 February. Receipt of this request probably initiated JA's abrupt departure from Leyden on 25 Feb. (to C. W. F. Dumas, 1 March, below).
1781-02-24
Since my last to you before you left Paris, I have been favored with no Letters from you except a few Lines sent me by Mr. Montgomery of Alicante, recommending that Gentleman as friendly to our Country.1
The enclosed is a Copy of an Act of Congress adopting the Regu-159lations proposed by the Empress of Russia,2 and of which I was desired to transmit Copies to you and Doctr. Franklin.
Agreable to the Directions of Congress I have communicated to this Court your appointment to execute the Business committed to Mr. Laurens, and requested their friendly Influence to promote your Operations. I have also desired my Friends the Messrs. De Neufville to afford you all the Aid in their power,3 and if on any Occasion it may be in my power to be useful, I beg that you will without Hesitation command my Services.
Jay's last letter was dated 17 July 1780 (vol. 10:6–8). No letter of recommendation for Robert Montgomery by JA has been found. See Montgomery's letter of 19 Feb. 1780 requesting that JA write him a letter of introduction to John Jay (vol. 8:341).
Congress' resolution of 5 Oct. 1780 (
JCC
, 18:905).
See Jay's letter to Jean de Neufville & Fils of 8 Jan. (Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev.
, 4:385–386).