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Enclosure: An Anonymous Letter to Edward Bridgen
Docno: PJA13d071
Recipient: Bridgen, Edward
Date: 1782-05-03
[dateline] 3. May 1782
[salute] Sir
You have a friend who has suffer'd too much from the particular situation he was in lately, not to interest every honest man in his behalf to prevent his being the dupe of artifice, he has already been ill treated from a quarter unlookd for, and the same game is Continued to answr the end first proposed—Amcan. ministers in Europe have various politicks to pursue, and some of them understand best those that can serve their interest—Adams envious of every superior merit has much labour'd clandestinely in injuring Franklin and Laurens to secure his Situation and answer further ends, and by the means he has used, has perhaps succeeded better than in serving the interest of his country here, where his business has been done by others, for however great his abilities as a lawyer—they are the reverse as a Minister—be discreet in giving Mr. Laurens a Caution from that quarter, and at another time you shall be apprized of the secret of a Conduct which is every way base and dishonourable.
yours
[signed] XXX
RC
and enclosure
Adams Papers
; enclosure endorsed: “Receiv'd May 17: 1782 by the foreign Mail EB.”
The content of all or some notes that appeared on this page in the printed volume has been moved to the end of the preceding document.
From Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje
Docno: PJA13d072
Recipient: JA
Date: 1782-06-06
[dateline] Amsterdam the 6th June 1782
[salute] Sir
In consequence of Mr. van Staphorst's information, that your Excellency did intend to come in town Monday or Theusday, we got the translation of the bond performed in better English; whch. we now inclose to submit to your Excellency's approbation.1
We shall be glad to Learn the Same, and to have this translation returned to us, with your Excellency's advice of the day, you are pleased to fix for passing the bonds here, whch. requires all possible Speed, because we are desired by Several persons, who have their money ready to deliver the bonds, and that it'll much contribute moreover to engage other Subscribers.
We have the honour to remain most respectfully Sir Your Excellencys most Humble and most Obedient Servants
[signed] Wilhem & Jan Willink
[signed] Nics. & Jacob van Staphorst
[signed] de la Lande & fÿnje
1. The days given would have been 10 or 11 June, but JA actually went on 8 June (MHi: Matthew Ridley Journal). The enclosed bond has not been found.
To Edmund Jenings
Docno: PJA13d073
Recipient: Jenings, Edmund
Date: 1782-06-07
[dateline] 7. June. 1782
[salute] Sir
Yours of June 6. is just arrived, with its Inclosure. From the first day of my acquaintance with Mr Laurens to this moment, I know not that I ever Said a disrespectfull or unkind Word concerning him, or entertained an unkind or disrespectfull Thought. I have ever found him and ever represented him as a Man of Honour, Candour,
{p. 101}
Integrity and abilities, of great publick and private Merit. This however is not the only anonimous Letter that has come to my Knowledge. I dont Suspect these, however, to come from afar. They originate I fear within a few miles. They will do no harm. I suspect they originate from disappointment in the Loan.1 Say nothing of this.
1. See the letter from Monitor, 20 May, and note 1, above. JA's view that the letters originated with someone disappointed at not being involved in raising the American loan was shared by Matthew Ridley, who informed Benjamin Franklin that the handwriting resembled that of one of the clerks at de Neufville & Fils. Franklin informed Laurens of Ridley's contention in a letter of 6 Dec. 1783, but he indicated that he had his doubts (Laurens, Papers
, 16:358–359).
Cite web page as: Founding Families: Digital Editions of the Papers of the Winthrops and the Adamses, ed.C. James Taylor. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2007.
http://www.masshist.org/ff/
http://www.masshist.org/ff/