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The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution novel. A total of 580 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution.Vol. I.by Various.VOL. I.THE CO
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution.Vol. I.by Various.VOL. I.THE CORRESPONDENCE OF SILAS DEANE, COMMISSIONER FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE COURT OF FRANCE.Silas Deane was born in the town of Groton, Connecticut, and graduated at Yale
- 201 I have the honor to be, &c.JOHN ADAMS.TO B. FRANKLIN.Amsterdam, November 24th, 1780.Sir, The letter which your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the 13th is received, and I have accordingly accepted the bills, and shall draw upon your Excellency
- 202 I must, therefore, entreat Congress to make no more drafts upon Holland, until they hear from me that their bills can be accepted, of which, at present, I have no hopes.People of the first character have been, and are still constantly advising, that Congr
- 203 The English mail, which had been interrupted by contrary winds for three posts, arrived on Sat.u.r.day. The English gazettes of the 19th announced, that Sir Joseph Yorke was recalled, and a Dutch war was inevitable. Private letters informed, that the Coun
- 204 THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO JOHN ADAMS.Philadelphia, January 1st, 1781.Sir, You will receive herewith enclosed, a commission as Minister Plenipotentiary to the United Provinces of the Low Countries, with instructions for your government on that important
- 205 On the 10th of November, 1780, the Memorial of Sir Joseph Yorke to the States-General was presented, for a disavowal, satisfaction proportioned to the offence, and punishment of the guilty.November 28th. A formal disapprobation of the States-General of th
- 206 TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Amsterdam, January 16th, 1781.Sir, The Prince, on the 26th of December, made a proposition to the States-General, viz. in substance, "That His Most Serene Highness had already communicated the last year to the respective
- 207 One of the most brilliant events, which has yet been produced by the American Revolution, is the following Treaty of Marine, concluded at Copenhagen, the 28th of June, 1780, old style, between her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, and his Majesty, the King
- 208 I should be very much obliged to you for a copy of the replication of the two Imperial Courts, and of the new proposition of the Court of London, of which I have only had a confused intimation.I have the honor to be, &c.JOHN ADAMS.TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYO
- 209 Hague, March 14th, 1781.Sir, I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write to me, as also the copy of the resolution of Congress of the United States of North America, thereto annexed. You announce to me, that you have made an official c
- 210 I have been advised to do nothing, in consequence of my commission, to the States at present, for fear of throwing before the people new objects of division and dissension. I have, however, communicated to their High Mightinesses, and to the Ministers of
- 211 It is true, that when the British administration, renouncing the ancient character of Englishmen, for generosity, justice, and humanity, conceived the design of subverting the political systems of the Colonies; depriving them of the rights and liberties o
- 212 I have the honor to be, &c.JOHN ADAMS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Leyden, May 3d, 1781.Sir, On the 1st of May I went to the Hague, and wrote to his Excellency, Peter Van Bleiswick, Grand Pensionary of Holland, that having something of importance to commu
- 213 The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution.Volume VI.by Various.THE CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN ADAMS.CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Amsterdam, May 16th, 1781.Sir, There has been much said in the public papers concerning co
- 214 TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Amsterdam, May 29th, 1781.Sir, The English, by the capture of St Eustatia, seem to have committed the most complete blunder of all. There was found in that Island a greater quant.i.ty of property belonging to the Britons thems
- 215 TO M. BERENGER, SECRETARY OF THE FRENCH EMBa.s.sY AT THE HAGUE.Amsterdam, June 8th, 1781.Sir, I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me, on the 5th of this month, informing me, that you have received a letter from the Count de Ver
- 216 "To this effect, the pet.i.tioners refer to the estimate annexed, containing the quant.i.ty of productions, which for some years have been transported from the Colony into the ports of the country. That these productions, after having been transporte
- 217 JOHN ADAMS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Amsterdam, June 26th, 1781.Sir, The Emperor appears to be more intent at present upon taking a fair advantage of the present circ.u.mstances, to introduce a flouris.h.i.+ng commerce into the Austrian Flanders, than
- 218 "In effect, High and Mighty Lords, after having seen myself in public, the object of accusations and calumnies the most atrocious, (but which I have always despised as such, and of which I shall never take notice, while no one presents himself to sup
- 219 TO M. DE RAYNEVAL.Paris, July 9th, 1781.Sir, I have this moment the honor of your billet of this day's date, and will do myself the honor to wait on his Excellency the Count de Vergennes at his office, on Wednesday next, at nine of the clock in the m
- 220 ARTICLE I.The re-establishment of peace in America shall be negotiated between Great Britain and the American Colonies, but without the intervention of any of the other belligerent parties, nor even with that of the two Imperial Courts, unless their media
- 221 JOHN ADAMS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Amsterdam, July 17th, 1781.Sir, Since my letter of the 26th of June last, the Memorial of the Deputies of the City of Amsterdam, of the 8th of June, has appeared entire, and is conceived in the following terms."
- 222 The two Imperial Courts have proposed, that there should be an American Representative at the Congress. This is not merely by implication, but expressly acknowledging, that there is a belligerent power in America, of sufficient importance to be taken noti
- 223 "While I lament the continuance of the present troubles, and the extension of the war, I have the conscious satisfaction to reflect, that the constant aim of all my counsels has been to bring back my deluded subjects in America to the happiness and l
- 224 TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.A msterdam, August 16th, 1781.Sir, Mr Temple has held offices of such importance, and a rank so considerable in America, before the revolution, that his return to his native country at this time, cannot fail to cause much spec
- 225 Sir, The const.i.tution of this country is such, that it is difficult to discover the general sense. There have been all along circ.u.mstances in which it might be discerned, but these were so feeble, and so susceptible of contradiction and disguise, that
- 226 I have the honor to be, &c.JOHN ADAMS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Amsterdam, October 15th, 1781.Sir, I am very sorry to learn, that Congress have received no letters from me from October to June. It is not that I wrote less than usual in that period, but
- 227 This pet.i.tion, accepted by the Province of Holland, has been rendered commissorial, and sent to the colleges of the Admiralty respectively.ANOTHER PEt.i.tION, _From divers Merchants, Bookkeepers, and Owners of s.h.i.+ps of Amsterdam, containing in subst
- 228 JOHN ADAMS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Amsterdam, November 1st, 1781.Sir, It is still as problematical as ever, what is the political system of this Republic, and indeed whether it has any system at all. They talk much, and deliberate long, but execute n
- 229 TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON, Amsterdam, November 25th, 1781.Sir, I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a copy of the fresh instructions of Congress of the 16th of August last, which I received by the post on the 23d instant. I have also received a
- 230 This nation is not blind; it is bound and cannot get loose. There is great reason to fear, that they will be held inactive, until they are wholly ruined. Cornwallis' fate, however, has somewhat emboldened them, and I have received unexpected visits o
- 231 The English papers, which I forward by this opportunity, will inform Congress of the state of things and parties in England. The Ministry talk of a new system. Perhaps they may attempt Rhode Island once more in exchange for Charleston, and try their skill
- 232 JOHN ADAMS.ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.Philadelphia, December 26th, 1781.Sir, It is very long since we had the pleasure of hearing from you. Before this you will probably have received two letters of mine; a duplicate of the last goes with this.Not
- 233 Translation.Versailles, December 30th, 1781.Sir, You desired that on my arrival at Versailles, I should communicate to the Count de Vergennes your disposition to adopt the measure you have been advised to pursue by several well disposed members of the Sta
- 234 Amsterdam, January 16th, 1782.Sir, The following verbal insinuation made by the Baron de Noleken, Envoy of Sweden at London, to my Lord Stormont, the 31st of August, 1781, is of importance to show the intentions of the maritime confederacy."The King
- 235 I have the honor to be, &c.JOHN ADAMS.TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Amsterdam, February 21st, 1782.Sir, I know very well the name of the family where I spent the evening with my worthy friend Mr ---- before we set off, and have made my alphabet accordingly; but
- 236 The Hague, March 4th, 1782.Sir, I have received the letter you did me the honor to address to me from Amsterdam, the 1st instant. I cannot answer it officially, in the capacity of King's Minister, not having any ulterior instructions on the subject t
- 237 The public in general, however, expect that the example of the Friesians will be followed. Wherever I go, everybody, almost, congratulates me upon the prospect of my being soon received at the Hague. The French gazettes all give their opinions very decide
- 238 "That, for these reasons and many others, the pet.i.tioners had flattered themselves, that we should long ago have opened negotiations, and a closer correspondence with the United States of America; but that this important work appeared to meet with
- 239 "But as every apprehension of a similar dissension among the members of the confederation appears at present absolutely unseasonable, the pet.i.tioners will confine themselves rather to another request, to wit, that after the formation of connexions
- 240 "Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the Lords the States of Zealand. April 4th, 1782."It has been thought fit and ordered, that the gentlemen, the ordinary Deputies of this Province at the Generality, shall be convoked and authorise
- 241 JOHN ADAMS.TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.The Hague, April 23d, 1782.Sir, On the 23d of April I had the honor of a conference with M. Van Citters, President of their High Mightinesses, to whom I presented the following Memorial."High and Mighty Lords;--The
- 242 The treaty of commerce is under consideration, and will not, that I foresee, meet with any obstacle.I have the honor to be, &c.JOHN ADAMS.ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.Philadelphia, May 22d, 1782.Dear Sir, It is so important to let you know that the
- 243 TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.The Hague, June 14th, 1782.Sir, The Court of Petersburg, is very industrious in its endeavors to accomplish a separate peace between England and Holland. Her Minister at Versailles has made an insinuation to the French Court, that
- 244 JOHN ADAMS.ADDRESS, Of the merchants of the town of Schiedam in Holland, to his Excellency John Adams, after their High Mightinesses the Lords, the States-General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, had acknowledged the freedom and Independency of
- 245 Their High Mightinesses have at length received their instructions from all the Provinces, and I have this day been in conference with the Grand Committee, who communicated to me the remarks and propositions on their part. To this, I shall very soon give
- 246 The Spanish Minister, D. Llano, Count de Sanafee, has at last got over all his punctilios, and I had the honor to dine with him, in company with all the foreign Ministers and four or five officers of rank in the Russian service, on Tuesday last. He and hi
- 247 Philadelphia, September 15th, 1782.Dear Sir, I have been favored with your letters from the 19th of April to the 5th of July, by the _Heer Adams_. How impatiently they have been expected, you will be able to judge, by mine of the 29th ult. which you will
- 248 The Count de Mirabel, the Sardinian Minister, said to me, upon another occasion, "your country, Sir, will be obliged in the vicisitudes of things, to wheel round, and take part with England, and such allies, as she may obtain, in order to form a prop
- 249 TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.The Hague, September 29th, 1782.My Dear General, I should have written you since the 29th of May, when I wrote you a letter, that I hope you received, if it had not been reported sometimes that you were gone, and at other times, that yo
- 250 I waited forthwith on Mr Jay, and from him learned the state of the conferences. It is not possible, at present, to enter into details.All I can say is in general, that I had the utmost satisfaction in finding, that he had been all along acting here upon
- 251 TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, November 8th, 1782.Sir, In one of your letters you suppose, that I have an open avowed contempt of all rank. Give me leave to say, you are much mistaken in my sentiments. There are times, and I have often seen such, when a m
- 252 The instructions from Congress, which direct us to pay so strict an attention to the French Ministry, and to follow their advice, are conceived in terms so universal and unlimited, as to give a great deal of anxiety to my mind.There is no man more impress
- 253 The Count probably knows, that we are instructed against it, that Congress are instructed against it, or rather have not const.i.tutional authority to do it; that we can only write about it to Congress, and they to the States, who may, and probably will,
- 254 Upon this, I recounted the history of General Gage's agreement with the inhabitants of Boston, that they should remove with their effects, upon condition, that they would surrender their arms; but as soon as the arms were secured, the goods were forb
- 255 The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution.VOL VII.by Various.THE CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN ADAMS.CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED.TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, December 14th, 1782.Sir, There is more matter than time to write at present. The King of S
- 256 We are now happily arrived, through many tremendous tempests, at that period. Great Britain respects us as sovereign States, and respects all our political engagements with foreign nations, and as long as she continues in this temper of wisdom, it is our
- 257 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, April 14th, 1783.Sir, You may easily imagine our anxiety to hear from America, when you know that we have no news to this hour, either of your reception of the news of peace, or that of the treaty with H
- 258 I have the honor to be, &c.JOHN ADAMS.FOOTNOTE: [5] The particulars of the ratification will be seen in M. Dumas's Correspondence.TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, June 9th, 1783.Sir, The enclosed, No. 121 of the _Politique Hollandais_ having translated
- 259 JOHN ADAMS.TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, June 24th, 1783.Sir, The gazettes of Europe still continue to be employed, as the great engines of fraud and imposture to the good people of America.Stockjobbers are not the only people, who employ a set of scribb
- 260 Whether these men, if now called to power, would pursue their former ideas, I know not. The Bible teaches us not to put our trust in Princes, and _a fortiori_ in Ministers of State.The West India commerce now gives us most anxiety. If the former British M
- 261 JOHN ADAMS.TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, July 10th, 1783.Sir, In the present violent heat of the weather, and feverish state of my health, I cannot pretend to sit long at my pen, and must pray you to accept of a few short hints only.To talk in a general
- 262 TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, July 12th, 1783.Sir, Reports have been spread, that the Regency of Algiers has been employed in fitting out s.h.i.+ps to cruise for American vessels. There are reports too, that Spain has an armament prepared to attack their
- 263 TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON Paris. July 14th, 1783.Sir, The United States of America have propagated far and wide in Europe the ideas of the liberty of navigation and commerce. The powers of Europe, however, cannot agree, as yet, in adopting them in their ful
- 264 I am quite of Mr Hartley's mind, that the Dutch will profit by all the English blunders in regulating the West India trade, and am happy that M. Van Berckel will be soon with Congress, when its members and Ministers may communicate through him anythi
- 265 TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.The Hague, July 25th, 1783.Sir, It is the general opinion here both among the members of the States, and at the _Hotel de France_, that the delays of the definitive pacification are contrived by the Court of London, in order to set
- 266 The Count said, that his advice to Congress would be to write a circular letter to every power in Europe, as soon as the definitive treaty should be signed, and transmit with it a printed copy of the treaty. In the letter, Congress should announce, that o
- 267 TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Paris, August 10th, 1783.Sir, On the 6th I left the Hague, and last night arrived here. I had several interviews, on some of the last days at the Hague, which I had not time to give you an account of, as a great part of my time was
- 268 It is not from the vain wish of seeing my poor name upon a treaty, that I write this. If the business is well done, it is not of much importance in itself who does it.But my duty to my country obliges me to say, that I seriously believe this clandestine m
- 269 FOOTNOTE: [13] "Ordered, That a commission be prepared to John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, authorising them, or either of them in the absence of the others, to enter into a treaty of commerce between the United States of America and Great
- 270 The distressed state of our finances, and the great depreciation of our paper money, inclined Congress to hope that his Catholic Majesty, if he shall conclude a treaty with these States, will be induced to lend them money; you are, therefore, to represent
- 271 Thus circ.u.mstanced, I found myself in a very unpleasant situation, without any way of extricating myself, but by agreeing to a sort of middle proposal; viz. to order the Captain to land us on one of the Western Islands, and then leave the s.h.i.+p to s.
- 272 Cadiz, January 26th, 1780.Sir, As a knowledge of the measures you may have taken and the information you may have acquired, relative to the objects of your commission from the United States of America to conclude treaties with his Catholic Majesty, would
- 273 INSTRUCTIONS TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.Cadiz, January 27th, 1780.You will proceed to Madrid with convenient expedition, and, if M.Gerard, with whom you set out, should travel too deliberately, I advise you to go on before him. The propriety of this, however,
- 274 His Majesty thinks, that until these points are settled, as he hopes they will be, it is not proper for your Excellency to a.s.sume a formal character, which must depend on a public acknowledgment and future treaty. But your Excellency may be a.s.sured of
- 275 FOOTNOTE: [17] See this letter above, dated February 24th, p. 210.DE NEUFVILLE & SON TO JOHN JAY.Amsterdam, April 6th, 1780.Sir, We beg leave to congratulate your Excellency on your safe arrival in Europe. By principle warmly attached to the American caus
- 276 "I should not have thus long delayed the pleasure of replying to it, if I could have prevailed upon myself to have given your Excellency complimentary professions, instead of sincere a.s.surances. Unreserved confidence in an Amba.s.sador of our great
- 277 "The inquiries in question are numerous and important. They do honor to the sagacity which suggested them, and, if fully answered, would produce a very interesting history of the present condition of the American States. On some of the subjects propo
- 278 "As to the possibility of supporting their credit in the cases mentioned, there is no doubt it is very _possible_. How far it is _probable_, is a question less easy to answer. If the taxes called for by Congress last fall be duly paid, all will be sa
- 279 He observed that he intended to speak on two points. The first related to the letter Mr Jay had written to him, on the subject of bills of exchange drawn on him by Congress, that being an affair the most pressing and more immediately necessary to enter up
- 280 The naval force of Spain at Lima will not have it in their power to hinder them, for the same south wind, which will push the Americans forward, will prevent the fleets of Spain going to meet them. From the Bay of Panama they will return by the great wind
- 281 JOHN JAY.TO JAMES LOVELL.Madrid, May 27th, 1780.Sir, Eight days ago I had the pleasure of receiving a packet containing journals and newspapers.From an endors.e.m.e.nt I conjecture that I am indebted to you for it.There was no letter enclosed in it. I am
- 282 DE NEUFVILLE & SON TO JOHN JAY.Amsterdam, June 1st, 1780.Sir, Craving reference to our last, we have now the honor to propose to your Excellency on what terms we think all difficulty on account of the absence of Henry Laurens, as Commissioner from Congres
- 283 Never letter could have been more welcome than the favor your Excellency honored us with of the 25th of the past month, since it expressed a true concern about the bills drawn on Mr Laurens, and your approbation of our conduct. As we from the beginning ac
- 284 On the report of a committee to whom were referred certain instructions to the delegates of Virginia by their const.i.tuents, and a letter of the 26th of May, from the Honorable John Jay, Congress unanimously agreed to the following instructions to the Ho
- 285 Aranjues, June 7th, 1780."His Catholic Majesty would be very glad to be able to furnish, at the present crisis, funds for the payment of the one hundred thousand pounds sterling, proposed to be addressed to Mr Jay, in order to evince the concern whic
- 286 "I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.JOHN JAY."As this letter was, among other things, designed to establish the expectations and encouragement given me by the Minister, as to money, in the last conference, by obliging him either to deny them agains
- 287 Translation."In answer to the note the Count de Florida Blanca has just received from Mr Jay, dated yesterday, he has the honor to acquaint him, that he intends writing to Bilboa on the subject of the bills in the hands of Messrs Joyce, and which are
- 288 "I fear your Excellency thinks I am too solicitous, too importunate. But when it is considered, that the holders of these bills are not under my control, and that they require an answer from me, I flatter myself that the trouble I give your Excellenc
- 289 "The following answer has been dictated to me in his Excellency's name by Don Bernardo del Campo, to be delivered to the honorable John Jay."That it is not his Majesty's intention to stop a.s.sisting the States, whenever means can be f
- 290 Mr Jay desired to be informed, whether any steps were necessary for him to take for forwarding the clothing at Cadiz to America. The Count answered, that he waited the French Amba.s.sador's answer on the subject, and that he had as yet no inventory o
- 291 TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Madrid, November 30th, 1780.Sir, Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed certain papers from Morocco, viz._No. 1._ Containing a letter of the 21st of April last, to me from Audibert Caille, who styles himself the "
- 292 Copy of a French translation of a writing in Arabic, the most authentic of those that are written at the Court of his Majesty the Emperor of Morocco."Let the name of the only G.o.d be praised; there is neither wisdom nor power but what proceeds from
- 293 I must request your attention to the necessity of putting your correspondence with the public servants in Europe on a better footing. I am now at the expense of sending Colonel Livingston to the sea side with my despatches, with orders to wait for America
- 294 "Gentlemen, "I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 4th ult. together with the one referred to in it."England has, it seems, declared war against the United Provinces, and that in a style of such eminent superiority, as I am
- 295 On the 18th instant I received from Mr Lovell three letters written on one sheet, viz. 20th of February, 9th and 31st of March last. No other copies of these letters ever reached me. They arrived at Cadiz in the Virginia; but the papers and journals said
- 296 In every point of view, therefore, that we can consider the subject, the advance I have mentioned must appear alike beneficial. If the Governor of Cuba, or any other person, were duly authorised, stipulations might even now be entered into for furnis.h.i.
- 297 7. That there be a meeting of the directors quarterly, for the purpose of regulating the affairs of the bank; any seven of the directors to make a board, and that the board have power to adjourn from time to time.8. That the board of directors determine t
- 298 I must, nevertheless, take the liberty of observing, that however our situation may in the opinion of Congress render it necessary to relax their demands on every side, and even to direct their Commissioners ultimately to concur (if nothing better could b
- 299 "Your Excellency will oblige me exceedingly, by putting it in my power to give Congress early, explicit, and, let me add, agreeable information of his Majesty's pleasure and intentions on the subject of this letter."I have the honor to be,
- 300 The Amba.s.sador of France having a.s.sured me that the Minister had really been a good deal indisposed, I thought it would be best to write him a letter in a style somewhat adapted to his situation. He certainly appears to be fatigued, and worn down by b