Papers of John Adams, volume 13
1782-05-30
Quoique nous ayons fait tout ce que nous avons pu pour Tacher de trouver quelqu'un qui voulut Se charger de la Maison, que nous eumes L'honneur de Louër a Votre Excellce.1 en notre qualité, il ne 88S'est trouvé personne, qu'apresent; Mais Comme l'on en Veut donner que f 1200. de Soyer par an, nous n'avons pas osé y Consentir Sans L'aveux de Votre Excellce. en egart a la perte qu'elle y auroit En consequence nous prions tres humblement Votre Excellce. de nous Honnoré d'un mot de reponce, pour nous Servir de Regle.2
Nous avons L'honneur d'etre avec la plus grande Concideration & le plus proffond respect. Monseigneur De Votre Excellence Les Tres Humb. & Tres Obeisants Serviteurs
1782-05-30
Although we have done everything possible to try to find someone who wants to take over the house that we, in our capacity, had the honor to rent to your excellency,1 we had not found anyone until now. But, since they only want to pay f 1,200 in rent per year, we have not dared to agree to it without your excellency's consent, considering the loss that will result from it. We very humbly ask that your excellency honor us with a short reply to guide us.2
We have the honor to be with the greatest consideration and the deepest respect, sir, your excellency's very humble and very obedient servants
This is the house “upon the Keysers Gragt . . . near the Spiegel Straat” that JA had rented in April 1781 and resided in until his move to The Hague in May 1782 (vol. 11:254, note 1).
For JA's reply of 31 May to Gerbrand Ravekes & J. G. Thin van Keulen, not found, in which he apparently agreed to their proposal, see the firm's letter of 29 June, below.