Papers of John Adams, volume 16

John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 24 March 1784 Adams, John Willink, Van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje
To Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje
Gentlemen The Hague March 24: 1784.

I have received your favour of the 19: and congratulate you on the Success of the Loan. It gives me great Pleasure to find that American Credit is not quite exhausted, and I flatter myself that every 96 Day will contribute something, towards removing the Prejudices, and Jealousies, and towards confuting the Calumnies, which have hitherto obstructed you and me, in our Endeavours to serve the United States in this way

The Coupons, paid by Mr: De Neufville, must in Justice be paid by you in Behalf of the United States; But I wish you to examine the account which you paid to Mr: De Neufville, heretofore, and see if these Coupons are not contained in that, and already paid, as I supposed they were. / I am &c.

LbC in JQA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Messrs: Willem & Jan Willink / Nicholas & Jacob van Staphorst / & / De la Lande & Fynje”; APM Reel 107.

Daniel Crommelin & Sons to John Adams, 24 March 1784 Daniel Crommelin & Sons Adams, John
From Daniel Crommelin & Sons
Honorable Sir! Amsterdam 24th March 1784

The occasion of our addressing you the present is to inform you, that we have to our Consignment a Vessel from New York, named the New York, Thomas Smith Master, which Vessel arrived here in October last, when he discharged some of his hands, & being now, on departure, stands in need of others; which he can get, but as our States at the beginning of the late War published an Ordonance, that no Foreign Vessels should take any other Sailors back, but those with which they came in, or present previously a petition to the Lords of the Admirality, for taking such other hands on board, as they should stand in need off; which occasions a great Charge to the Masters of Vessels, not only for obtaining this permission, but also for Sundry Fees; & as we find it clearly expressed in the Twenty eighth Article of the Treaty between their Heigh Mightinesses & the United States of America, that all American Vessels have liberty to take on board Sailors, or any other persons, without incurring any penalty.1 We think Captn. Smith is thereby fully exempted of presenting said Petition, or be at these Charges, but as this might bring him in to trouble when at the Texel, we have thought necessary to acquaint you thereof, that on a Representation of this Matter, such orders may be given, that the American Vessels may enjoy the benefit of the Treaty.—

As Captn. Smith is on his departure, your speedy advice will be very Acceptable to those who are with all due Respect / Honble. Sir! / Your most Obedient & / most Hb̃le. Servts.

Daniel Crommelin & Sons2
97

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

As JA indicates in his 26 March reply, below, this reference should be to Art. 27 of the 1782 Dutch-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, the substance of which the firm summarizes accurately (vol. 13:374–375).

2.

Daniel Crommelin & Sons was a leading Amsterdam banking house and one of the firms approached by JA in 1782 for the Dutch loan ultimately undertaken by the consortium (vol. 12:471–472).