Papers of John Adams, volume 19
and Nassauw Hereditary Stadtholder and Governor
of the United Provinces of the Netherlands—
A Memorial—
25 January 1788
The subscriber, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United states of America has the Honour to acquaint his Most serene Highness, that the said United states in Congress assembled have given him, their permission to return to America, after the 24th. day of February 1788. & have resolved that his Mission to the Republick of the United Netherlands, should then determine, It is to him a Mortifying Circumstance, that it is not in his power to go, in Person to the Hague in order to take leave of their High Mightinesses and of your most serene Highness— But as he had the Honour, to be originally accredited by Congress to Your Most serene Highness, it is his duty, in taking leave of the Republick, to pay his respects to your most serene Highness in Writing.
He asks leave to express his thanks for all the Civilities, he has from time to time, received at your Most serene Highnesses Court: and his sincere wishes for the universal felicity of the Republick in General; of your Most serene Highness of your Royal Consort; and illustrious Family—
Done at Grosvenor square / in London this 25th. day of Janry 1788.
LbC in WSS’s hand (Adams Papers); APM Reel 112.
I have the Honour to inclose to your Lordship an original Letter from Governor Smallwood of Maryland; and a Petition from Mr Forrest relative to the Same Subject. The Petition, I have the Honour to request your Lordship to lay before his Majesty, if the Prayer of it, cannot otherwise be obtained.1
With great Respect I have the / Honour to be, My Lord your / Lordships most obedient and most / humble Servant
RC and enclosure (PRO:FO 4, State Papers, vol. 6, f. 61–66); internal address: “The Right Honourable / The Marquis of Carmarthen / His Britannic Majestys Principal / Secretary of State for foreign Affairs.”; endorsed: “Mr. Adams, Jany. 26 / 1788.”; notation: “Inclosing Govr. Smallwoods, / Letter and Mr. Forrest’s Memorial / representing that an Act &c / passed by the State of / Maryland for the Execution / of the Treaty with England, / and the Recovery of British / Debts— and requesting that / a Suit in England for the / Recovery of Bank Stock / may be allowed to proceed.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 112.
For Maryland’s quest to recover stock held in the Bank of England, which was not resolved until 1806, see vol. 17:73–74.