Papers of John Adams, volume 16
I have recd a Letter from Mr Gerry, at Phila. 23 Nov. Thaxter arrived there the night before. I presume he has written by Mr Reed, and that his Letter is gone to You, as he probably addressed his Letter to Us all.2
Mr Morris has drawn afresh by this Vessell.3 Let me beg of you and the Dr, to advise him to Stop his Hand. If I can possibly, save those already drawn, which however I still despair of, it will be upon Terms so enormously avaricious, that it will raise a tremendous Clamour in America. It is ruinous to borrow money in Europe upon such Terms but it will be more ruinous, to let the Bills go back. my Situation is very disagreable. It is not for me to judge of the Propriety of the draughts. I am only in a ministerial Capacity, and ought to procure the Money if possible, upon any Terms within my Instructions, but to be obliged to go to the Utmost Extent of them, when I know that Such Numbers will blame me for it, because they wont believe the necessity of it, is unpleasant.
There is a Despotism in this Country in the Government of Loans as absolute as that of the grand Senior. five or Six People have all the Money under their Command, and they are as avaricious as any Jews in Jews Quarter. This Country revenges itself in this Way, upon the Powers of Europe for the Insults it receives from them in Wars & Negotiations. I think I could not justify going to Paris, while the Fate of these Bills is depending. You will be so good as to go on with the Dr, in Execution of the last Instructions. if there is any Point, upon which you wish for my Opinion, I will give it you, with Pleasure, at any time, by Letter.— Has Mr Laurens declined acting? How is the Drs Health? and how is Mrs Ridley? if a Commission Should come, to us all to treat with England, as it will be a thorny Work
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and likely to produce Discontents and Clamours, it is not my Intention to withdraw my Shoulders from any Part of the Burthen. You will pardon me for suggesting, that We ought to obtain if We can from every Power We treat with, an Article that American Produce imported into their Ports in American Bottoms, Shall pay no more duties than if imported in Vessells of the subjects of those Powers. Mr Gerry desires his Respects And Affection to you, in very strong and high terms. thinks the Removal of Congress has strengthened the Union, and that the British Proclamations, have had the Same Effect.—
My Respects to your good Family, and believe me / Yours most Sincerely
Will Denmark stipulate, that both her Islands in the W. Indies shall be free Ports to us?4
RC (NNC:John Jay Papers); internal address: “Mr Jay”; endorsed: “Mr Adams / 13 Feb. 1784.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 107.
This letter was likely sent under JQA’s brief covering note of 13 Feb. to his friend Peter Jay Munro at Paris (NNMus). The younger Adams wrote, “my father desires me, to send you the enclosed Letter, begging you would deliver it to Your Uncle; and at the same time present, my best Respects to him.” JA may have reasoned that a letter from JQA to Munro would receive less official scrutiny from French or Dutch authorities than one from himself to John Jay.
For Gerry’s letter, see vol. 15:369–376. JA apparently assumed that John Thaxter had written to the commissioners regarding his arrival in America, but no such letter has been found. Thaxter did not write to JA until 19 Jan. (vol. 15:462–465).
See the consortium’s letter of 11 Feb., above.
In a 13 Aug. 1783 letter to Robert R. Livingston, JA raised the question of free ports in the Danish islands in connection with a draft Danish-American treaty negotiated by Benjamin Franklin and Ernst Frederik von Walterstorff, chamberlain to the king of Denmark. There JA indicated that Walterstorff had told him that the islands of St. Thomas and St. John would be free ports, but that St. Croix, more important than the others, would not be (vol. 15:224–225). In any event, the treaty was never concluded.
Last Evening, after mine to you of Yesterdays date, was gone to the Post office, yours of the Sixth, was sent me from thence.
If I were to pray to Neptune, for Liberty of passing thro his Realm, again I should be tempted to Use the Form of a new converted American Indian, at Cape Cod, who went off in a fishing Vessell further to sea than he had ever been before, & was over taken by a storm. He had been taught he must pray, but had not been provided with a Form, so he addressed himself to his Divinity in these 35 Words “Let me ashore once again on that there Sandy Beach, (pointing to it with his Finger,) and if ever you catch me here again, I give you leave to drown me.”
Ever Since my Arrival in Holland, I have been employed in endeavours to find out if it is possible to obtain Money for Mr Morris Bills—in the first Place by the Aid or Warranty of the Public that is the Regency of Amsterdam, and upon reasonable moderate Terms. This our best Friends now agree is altogether desperate.— in the next Place to see if any Means could be found to induce Individuals to lend us Money Upon my old Obligations.— This is also agreed to be absolutely impossible for So many other Powers give higher Interest and Premiums, and So many doubts are entertained about our States agreeing upon Funds to pay them, their Interest, that nobody will hear a Word, of venturing farther in the old Loan. The last Resource is to see if by any new Plan of a Loan, We can induce the Undertakers to furnish the Money. They decline and delay, And insist upon extravagant Terms, but will not as yet tottally refuse, nor Say what will be their lowest Terms.— So that I cannot come to you, untill this matter is determined, because, if they will finally agree to any Thing, I must be here, to agree upon the Conditions and Sign the Obligations.
Dr Franklin and you, if Mr Laurens does not attend will be so good as to proceed, without waiting for me. I will readily answer any Question, according to the best of my Judgment, by Letter, and if you find any difficulty, and desire me to attend I will come as soon as I can.
LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 107.