Papers of John Adams, volume 14
th.1783
I take the liberty to acquaint your Excellency of my arrival in this place the 15th Ulto. from Havana, in the Ship, Commerce, belonging to Mess Codman & Smith of Boston.— The very unexpected peace which has taken place, will very much injure our Voige, our Cargo of Sugars Still Remaining unsold, and no offers at present made.— I am notwithstanding getting the Ship ready for sea, and shall be able to dispatch her in all this Mo., and as I expect she will arrive in the American Seas before hostilities will cease I have to request of your Excellency, to procure (if possible) of the English Commissioner at Paris, a passport for my Ship against any English Cruizer, and to put her upon the footing of a peaceable Vessell.— The Ship is called the Commerce, is abt: 200 Tons, navigated by abt: 30 men, did mount 14. 6lb. Cannon (but if we procure this passport shall not mount them) the Captains name Ignatius Webber,1 her Cargo will consist principally of Brandy & Cordage, she will proceed from hence direcly for Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire— Your Excellency will please to excuse my freedom in this Request. I was induced to make it, from a knowledge of your readiness at all times to assist a countryman, and from your connection in Mr Smiths family.— I sailed from Boston last July at which time that family was well, doubtless you have much later accos from thence—should your Excellency have any Commands for Boston, by this Ship you will please to give orders, and they shall with pleasure be executed— As my Ship will be kept waiting for an answer, your Excellency will please to forward this matter (if to be obtained,) by the first post,— after the dispatch of the Ship, I intend to take a tour thro’ France in my way to England and will do myself the honour of waiting upon your Excellency.— I congratulate your Excellency upon the peace, (which as I [am in]formed) is so honourable for our Country—
I have the honour to be / with Respect & Esteem / Your Excellencys / Most Obedient Servant
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “His Excellency / John Adams Esq / Commissioner for the United / States of America. / att—Paris—”; internal address: “His Excellency / John Adams Esq:”; endorsed: “Stephen Codman / Feb. 8. ans 22. 1783”; notation: “Bilbao.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.
This was not the first time that the Massachusetts privateer Commerce or its captain visited Bilbao. In May 1781, Bilbao merchants Joseph Gardoqui & Sons sent goods to AA on the vessel (
AFC
, 4:110).
Stephen Codman (1758–1844) was a son 253of John Codman Sr. of Boston. His older brother, John Jr., was in partnership with William Smith, Isaac Smith Sr.'s son and AA's first cousin (Cora Codman Wolcott, The Codmans of Charlestown and Boston, 1637–1929, Brookline, Mass., 1930, p. 13, 63–65). JA's reply of 22 Feb. has not been found.
9–11 February 1783]1
We are honoured with your Excellency's letter of 5 Inst: by whch. you desire us to advertise in Some Gazette, for all persons in Amstm., who have any demand on your Excellency to bring the acct: to us, to hand the Same to you, for examination, we shall perform it and stipulate the time for it till 1st. March.
We observe your Excellency desires to have charged to the acct. of the United States the ballances of your acct. but as Messrs Van Staphorst & de La Lande & fynje ‘d not look upon this order en debita forma as directed to us alone, we beg to get the enclosed returned to us signed by your Excellency.2
We hope not by the before mentioned motion your Excellency may Leave Europe without before returning in Holland, as we Wish to be happy enough to see you again before it, if otherwise by your passage thro’ other places any letters of our House can be serviciable to your Excellency, please to call upon us.
the solidity of the bonds of Danemarch is so much declined in the opinion of publicq that the same are offered at 90% without buyers.
Mr. Thaxter writes us about the Coach whch. stands in needs of many repairs to the Amount even of 25 a 30 guineas, but if the man doth not incline to this, it maybe Sold for 50 a 60 Guineas, we let him be informed of, and prefers to have it sold at said price or higher if possible so he humbly prays your Excellency to order the disposal of the same on said terms or better's.
we beg our Compliments to Mr Thaxter and have the honour to be with respectfull regard / Sir / Your Excellency's Most Humble / and most Obedient Servants
Pray Sir remember us to Mr J: Jay.3
The pacquet is handed to Mr Cerisier, such Pacquets costs a good deal of postage by the mails.
RC and enclosure (Adams Papers); internal address: “To his Excellency John Adams Esqr / Paris”; endorsed: “Messs Willinks.” Filmed at [February 1783].
This date is derived from the Willinks’ mention of JA's letter of 5 Feb., above, and the estimate that it would have taken from four to six days for a letter to travel from 254Paris to Amsterdam. This seems plausible because JA also wrote to Dumas on 5 and 7 Feb., both above, and in his reply of 13 Feb., below, Dumas indicated that the letter of the 5th was received by way of Amsterdam on the 13th, while that of the 7th was received directly from Paris on Tuesday the 11th.
The enclosure was a receipt indicating that the loan consortium was to charge to the account of the United States 7,107.06.08 guilders, received by JA.
This is likely Sir James Jay, for which see the Willinks’ letter of 9 Nov. 1782, above. The firm had had no known contact with his brother John to date.