Papers of John Adams, volume 16
The Packet not sailing until to morrow has put in my Power to get your Commission, Instructions and Letter of Credence completed.1 I also send You in another Parcel, of which Mr. Randall is also to take Charge, the Journals printed since those with which I understand you have already been furnished.—2
With great Esteem & Regard / I am Dear Sir / Your most obt. & hble. Servt:
RC and enclosure (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Honorable / John Adams Esquire.” For the enclosure, see note 1.
The enclosed commission is printed at [24 Feb.] and was filmed at that date; the enclosed instructions of 7 March, which were filmed with this letter, are printed at that date, both above. The endorsement on the instructions and JA’s 4 May reply to Jay (
Dipl. Corr., 1783–1789
, 1:485–487) indicate that this letter and its enclosures were received on 2 May. The enclosed letter of credence, presumably of 24 Feb., has not been found.
Presumably Paul R. Randall, a New York attorney for whom Jay had written letters of introduction dated 8 March to JA (Adams Papers) and Benjamin Franklin (PPAmP: Franklin Papers). Randall reached Paris on or about 2 May, and later served as John Lamb’s secretary during Lamb’s unsuccessful mission to negotiate a treaty with Algiers (from Franklin, 2 May, Adams Papers; Roberts and Roberts, Thomas Barclay
, p. 169).