Papers of John Adams, volume 13
1782-06-05
It was with concern we foúnd by the letter Yoúr Excellency honord ús with in date of the 1st. instant yoúr and Mr. Thaxters indisposition, we sincerely wish a speedy restablishment of yoúr healths, that yoú may vizit as soon as yoú wish this Capital, which however we do not súppose will be hastend on Accoúnt of the small 96Ballance to be payd us, as we wish yoú to make it perfectly Convenient to yoúr self. We shall transfer agreable to yoúr orders the article of f 105. payd Mr. Dúmas from Yoúr Excellencys Accoúnt to that of Congress, it being for publick búsiness.
We are múch obliged to yoú for yoúr attention in retúrning ús Mr. Tyarinks
It would have given ús pleasúre, to have been able to reply more Satisfactorily to that part of yoúr Letter concerning the obligations which yoú know were first produced, when it was impossible to do any thing with them, and what we attempted aboút them, was Con-97trary to oúr judgement, in mere Complyance to Your Excys. persuasion.4 Hear, and at the acknowledgement of the American Independence, when we could have disposed of them, we were not at Liberty; it is now evident that then, it became immaterial to the Success of the Loan, in whose hands it was placed; provided it was not in those of an obnoxioús Caracter to the frinds of America, and Liberty.5 Congress indeed might have been saved the expence of the last 500 Obligations had it not been necessary, (had they been used), which we could not but think they would; that they should all be of the Same year: now indeed we join yoúr Excy. in opinion that they may be doomd to the flames for any Service they may be of.
If we múst be forced as complainants or petitioners before Congress to demand oúr dúe, we shall be glad as soon as may be, to have the objections to oúr Accoúnts Yr. Excy. shall be pleased to make, (which have been Chiefly reserved in silence,) that we may be able to state fúlly the whole matter; which will be an Ircksome task to me, who Wished only to enjoy in retirement the reflexions which will arise from the súccess of my last Years laboúrs, in the Common Caúse; being not less Ambitioús to preserve my own Independence then I have been earnest for that of others.
I have the honor to be with all dúe Respect. Sir. Yoúr Excellencys most obedient and most húmble Servant
A reference to the material JA returned to de Neufville & Fils in his 1 June letter, above.
See JA to de Neufville & Fils, 6 June, note 1, below.
De Neufville is referring here to the still unresolved controversy regarding the disposition of war-related goods that Alexander Gillon was supposed to have taken to America in 1781. Efforts to settle the affair resulted in an extensive correspondence between JA, Franklin, the de Neufvilles, and others, for which see vols. 11 and 12, passim.
In this paragraph, de Neufville refers to his and JA's unsuccessful effort to raise a Dutch loan for the United States in 1781, which was superseded in 1782 by that undertaken by the consortium of Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje.
Presumably John Hodshon.