Papers of John Adams, volume 12

From Robert R. Livingston, 9 January 1782 Livingston, Robert R. JA

1782-01-09

From Robert R. Livingston, 9 January 1782 Livingston, Robert R. Adams, John

From Robert R. Livingston

No 4 Philadelphia Jany 9. 1782 Dr Sir

I write merely to put you on your guard against any Falsehoods the Enemy may think it necessary to publish, about the time of opening their Budget. All is well here. There has been no action to the Southward. Many of the Tories in North Carolina, enraged at being deserted, have joined our army, and as is said, Executed some of their Leaders.

The Enemy have drawn all their Troops into Charleston and our advanced parties are as low down as Hadrials point.1

I congratulate you upon the Brilliant Expedition of the Marquis de Bouille,2 it does him the highest honor, and his subsequent conduct forms such a Contrast to that of the English, as must, I should suppose, have great influence upon the minds of the people with you and forward your negotiations. The one fighting to oppress and enslave a free people. The other to establish their rights, the one attempting to Tiranize over the Ocean, and fetter the Commerce of the Wor[l]d, the other resisting that Tyranny, and rendering Trade as free as nature made it. The one, insulting, plundering and abusing an old Friend and ally in the midst of profound Peace, the other extending in War Mercy to her bitterest Enemies; and Marching to conquest with domestic Peace in their Train. The one burning defenceless Towns and peaceful Villages where they have been hospitably entertained—the other guarding from violence with scrupulous attention the fire sides of their inveterate Foes. The one murdering in cold Blood, or more crully by Want and Missery in Prison Ships, those who speak the same Language, profess the same Religion, and spring from the same ancestors. The other forgetting difference of Religion, Language and heriditary enmity, spare the vanquished administer to their wants, offer consolation to their distress, and prove more by their conduct, than by their professions, that they are armed in the cause of humanity. The one without regard to truth or decency, boasts of victories they never gained, and ostentatiously exaggerating the little advantages which superior numbers have sometimes given them, while the other leaves the debility of their Enemy, to express the Brilliancy of their actions. The one—but I should never have done, if I were to make the points in which the British differ from a brave humane and polished nation. The recap-177ture of St Eustatia in all its circumstances, and the disgraceful defence of york Town, prove that they are no longer the people we once thought them; if ever they were brave and generous they have lost those virtues with the Spirit of freedom. Adieu my Dear Sir, may your exertions in the Cause of your Country be attended with all the success they merit.

I have the honor to be &c. &c

Tr (PCC, No. 79, I, f. 365–367). A second transcript (PCC, No. 118, f. 85–87) indicates that Livingston sent copies on three vessels bound to Europe, but the absence of a RC in the Adams Papers or any extant reply may mean that JA never received this letter.

Haddrell’s (Haddrel’s) Point is across the harbor from Charleston, approximately three miles east of the city.

On the night of 25 Nov. the Marquis de Bouillé, governor of Martinique, landed 500 troops on St. Eustatius and on the 26th surprised and defeated a much larger British garrison. Although the recapture of the Dutch islands of St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Martin was celebrated in America and the Netherlands, its effect was minimal, because the islands were no longer of commercial importance. The French held them as Dutch property to be returned at the end of the war (Ronald Hurst, The Golden Rock: An Episode of the American War of Independence, 1775–1783, London, 1996, p. 185–193; Edler, Dutch Republic and Amer. Rev. , p. 188–189).

From John van de Velde, 9 January 1782 Velde, John van de JA

1782-01-09

From John van de Velde, 9 January 1782 Velde, John van de Adams, John

From John van de Velde

Amstrm 9e Janry 1782 Honourable Sir

I have the honour of writing you these few Lines trusting on your natural Kindness, to Excuse the Liberty I make bold to take, to inquire from you, Iff y can Safely purchase on reasonable terms the Two Inclosed Congres bills on Nottes of 8 february 1779

No	2348 Letter L	}	due 8e february 1782, with 6 pC Intrest per
	2349 Letter M

annum each value Dollars one thousand payable to samuel Curson or bearer, to inable me to go safely in the business.1 I must hope you will do me the favour to give me your answer on the following points.

1e. The value of these dollars, or if these dollars are of the same value of such which the Congress when it draws on france pays at the rate of five Livres french money.

2e Iff these notes are reimbursed at Sight to the bearer when presented to the congres, or iff they must be Endorsed by him in whose favour they have been made.

3e Iff by Keeping them till quiet Times comes, the Intrest there of 178will be continued to be payd, altho’ the time of reimbursement is Expired.

Your Kind and Speedy answer on my request will be Confering a favour I Shall ever Esteem and highly Value, having the honour to be with deep regard Honorable sir Your most Obeid servant

John: van de Velde

RC (Adams Papers).

For Samuel Curson and Isaac Gouverneur Jr., continental agents at St. Eustatius who were captured and imprisoned by the British in 1781, see JA to the president of Congress, 6 Aug. 1781, 2d letter (vol. 11:440–442). The two notes presented by van de Velde were probably among those that Congress authorized to be paid to Curson on 3 Feb. 1779 ( JCC , 13:139–140).