1[September 1783] (Adams Papers)
Dined at Auteuil. French Comedy: le Joueur et le Retour imprévu. Jean François Regnard, Le joueur, Paris, 1697, and Le retour imprévu, Paris, 1700 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ; Cioranescu, Bibliographic du dix-septième siècle Alexandre Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature...
23. (Adams Papers)
Signature of the Definitive Treaty. Unable to make any appreciable progress with their negotiations since the signing of the Preliminary Treaty on 30 Nov. 1782, the British ministry and American commissioners finally accepted those preliminary articles, with some changes, at Hartley’s lodgings in the Hôtel d’York on this day ( JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams ,...
3From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 3 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
The third of September, will be more remarkable for the Signature of the definitive Treaties than for the Battle of Naseby or Worcester or the Death of Oliver Cromwell.— We could obtain no Alteration from the Provisional Articles. We could Obtain no explanation of the Articles respecting the Tories nor any Limitation respecting Interest or Execution for Debts. I am however less anxious about...
4To John Adams from Antoine Marie Cerisier, 3 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
Je crois vous avoir fait connaitre que toute mon ambition se bornait à obtenir quelque place en France dans un Bureau. Une nouvelle attaque que je viens d’éprouver dans ma Santé me fait penser plus sérieusement que jamais au projet de revenir me fixer en France. Dans cette idée j’ai pris la liberté d’écrire directement à Mr le Comte de Vergennes; & j’ai ôsé lui marquer qu’il trouverait auprès...
5Definitive Peace Treaty between the United States and Great Britain, [3 September 1783] (Adams Papers)
In the Name of the most Holy & undivided Trinity. It having pleased the divine Providence to dispose the Hearts of the most Serene & most Potent Prince George the third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France & Ireland Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick & Lunebourg, Arch-Treasurer, and Prince Elector of the holy Roman Empire & ca: and of the United States of America to forget...
6September. 2d. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Auteuil. French Comedy: le Joueur et le Retour imprévu. Jean François Regnard, Le joueur, Paris, 1697, and Le retour imprévu, Paris, 1700 ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ; Cioranescu, Bibliographic du dix-septième siècle Alexandre Cioranescu, Bibliographie de la littérature...
7John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have not received my Letters of Recall from Holland and therefore must disappoint you and my self. I have requested them anew and Suppose I shall receive them about Christmas, but whether I do or not, I shall come home, at latest in the first Spring ships, unless I should receive Some new Commission in Europe, which is not likely. I am unalterably determined not to stay in Holland where I...
8From John Adams to the President of Congress, 1 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
Wednesday the third of this Month is appointed for the Signature of the Definitive Treaties of Peace. Unable to obtain, any addition or Explanation, We have been obliged to agree to sign the Provisional Articles over again with only a Preamble, making them a Definitive Treaty. No Regulation of Commerce is agreed upon, and indeed we have no Commission or Authority to make any.— We have thus...
The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great Britain, present their Compliments to M r. Hartley. They regret that M r. Hartley’s Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America, at the Place appointed for the Signature of the others. They will nevertheless have the Honour of waiting upon Mr. Hartley at his Lodgings at Paris, for the...
10[August 1783] (Adams Papers)
This morning, I set out from the Hague, in Company with my Father; at about half past 4. o’clock in the morning. At 7. we arrived at Rotterdam; passed the Maes Meuse , and rode as far as Moerdyk, where we arrived at about 12. We were obliged to stay till 4. o’clock, because the wind, and tide were both contrary. We arrived at about 11. o’clock at night at the last Post before Antwerp, and...
11Abigail Adams 2d to Elizabeth Cranch, 20 August 1783; 29 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Why my Dear Eliza have I not had the pleasure of hearing from you but once in an absence of two months. Is this right Betsy? I have been half of a mind to believe that you had ceaced to wish to hear from me—the idea has given me pain. Surely you received a letter by Mr. Shaw at commencement, and I have wrote you since. I cannot say that you have certainly received that but methinks you might...
12Aug 29th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
The Journal de Paris of this day, speaks as follows of the flying globe. “Nous venons d’apprendre que le Ballon, aprés avoir voyagé pendant trois quarts d’heure dans les regions de l’air et hors de la vue, est tombé à Gonesse, distant de Paris de quatres lieues; l’on y a reconnu une ouverture produite par l’explosion qui a dû se faire, lorsque ce Globe a atteint un air qui, lui opposant moins...
13To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 29 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Hier au soir à 8 h es. Leurs H. P. s’assemblerent; & le résultat fut l’expédition d’un Courier à 10 heures, avec l’accession de la Rép. au Traité Définitif, que nous nous attendons ici d’apprendre avoir été signé mercredi prochain 3 e. Voilà donc la fin de toutes nos incertitudes. Je vous en félicite, Monsieur, de tout mon coeur, & je souhaite pareillement, que le navire le Washington, que...
14David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As the Day is now fixed for the signatures of the Definitive Treaties between Great Britain, France & Spain, I beg leave to inform your Excellencies that I am ready to sign the Definitive Treaty between Great Britain & the United States of America, whenever it shall be convenient to you. I beg the Favour therefore of you to fix the Day. My Instructions confine me to Paris as the Place...
15Aug. 28th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
The Journal de Paris of this day, says a great deal about the flying globe. It speaks of it as follows. “L’experience ingenieuse que M. M. de Montgolfier ont fait à Annonay interesse assés pour qu’on ne soit pas surpris de l’empressement qu’on a mis à la repeter. A peine la souscription qui devoit en faciliter les moyens fut elle ouverte par M. Faujas de Saint Fond et deux ou trois de ses...
16Aug. 27th. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon I went to see the Pictures which are exposed to view in the Gallery of the Louvre; there are some good paintings there amongst a great number of indifferent ones. After dinner I went to see the experiment, of the flying globe. A Mr. Montgolfier of late has discovered that, if one fills a ball with inflammable air, much lighter than common air, the ball of itself will go up to an...
17From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed To Congress. By what Vessell it will be proper to Send it, deserves to be considered as soon as possible,...
18To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 26 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
En réponse à l’honorée vôtre du 18 e. , la clef de votre Secretaire S’est heureusement retrouvée sous des Livres; & je suis sûr que personne n’a pu en faire usage, parce que votre appartement n’a jamais été ouvert, depuis votre départ, que par l’un de nous toujours présent. J’ai remis avec les autres celle que vous m’aviez laissée. A l’heure où j’écris, les Etats d’holl de. sont à résoudre...
1925. (Adams Papers)
Comédie Italienne le bon ménage, et Blaise et Babet. Mr. T——r returned. Jean Pierre Claris de Florian, Le Bon ménage, ou, la suite des deux billets, Paris, 1783; Blaise et Babet, ou, la suite des trois fermiers, Paris, 1783, by Jacques Marie Boutet de Monvel, with music by Nicolas Dezède ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French...
2024. (Adams Papers)
Comédie Italienne voyage de Rosine et Felix ou l’enfant trouvé. Pierre Antoine Augustin de Piis and Pierre Yves Barré, Les voyages de Rosine, Paris, 1783; Felix, ou l’enfant trouvé, Paris, 1777, by Michel Jean Sedaine, with music by Pierre Alexandre de Monsigny ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley,...
21Abigail Adams to John Adams, 24 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
By Capt. Freeman who Sails on Sunday for England I embrace the opportunity of writing you a few lines. Mr. Goreham is gone to Portsmouth to embark from thence, impowerd by the Town of Charlstown to solicit Charity for them. I have not the best opinion of his errant; nor of his politeness, or I should have Supposed that as he means to apply to you for assistance; he would have Supposed imagined...
22Aug 23d. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This morning I went and paid a visit to the Baron de la Houze the Minister of France at the Court of Denmark, who is here at present by Congé, and whom I had the honour of seeing at Copenhagen. He talked to me a great deal about America. He said he believed that France, England and Holland would carry on the greatest part of our Commerce; that the Nations of the North wanted a number of our...
23From John Adams to Thomas Barclay, 23 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
In Pursuance of the Instructions of Congress, Signified by M r Morris their Superintendant of Finances, I have the Honour to inclose to you, an Account of the Bills of Exchange, accepted by me, in Holland in the Years 1780. 1781. 1782. & 1783. The Account of the Purchase of the Hotel des Etats Unis at the Hague, and of the Sums of Money, I have received, on Account of my Salary, which are all...
24Aug. 22d. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This forenoon at 11 o’clock, I went, in Company with My Lord Ancram, Mr. Stewart and my father to see the Academy of the Abbe L’epée, who has undertaken to teach, people born deaf and dumb, not only to converse with one another very fluently, but also, to read and write, and he has succeeded entirely. It is astonishing to see how fast and how easily they make themselves understood, to one...
25Aug. 21st. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This day My Father had a great Company to dine with him. The occasion for the dinner party is not known.
26Aug. 20th. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Passy with the Abbé de Chalut.
27Richard Cranch to John Adams, 20 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
This will be convey’d to you by the Honble. Natl. Gorham Esqr. our late Speaker, who return’d this Summer from Congress in which he has Serv’d this Commonwealth as a Delegate, with great Ability and Honour. I hope he will, if possible, have a personal Interview with you, as he can doubtless throw much Light on many of the Transactions of that Body. The special Purpose for which Mr. Gorham now...
28To John Adams from Eliphalet Fitch, 19 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The polite Attention you were pleased to shew me at Paris, and the Civility I received, thro’ your Recommendation, in Holland, having afforded me the highest Satisfaction, will ever be remember’d with the most grateful Respect. I am happy to find by the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty that Peace is fully establish’d between Great Britain and America.— It now remains to improve this...
29To John Adams from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, [ca. 19] August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Being without any of your Excellency’s most Esteemed favours, Shall these principalls Serve to acquaint yoúr Excelly. that by a Letter received from M r. Francis Dana of S t. Petersbourg dated 18 July O.S. that Gentleman advises ús that thro a change of Circumstances happen Since his last Letter to ús. The Credit of £2500.— given formerly in his favour becomes Wholly unnecessary, as he...
30Aug. 16th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Brantsen’s; the Dutch Ambassadors, with a great deal of Company. In the evening I went to the French Comedy; the pieces represented were Rhadamiste et Zenobie a Tragedy by Crebillon and Le Français a Londres. The author of the Tragedy is regarded as one of the best dramatick poets of France. His Tragedies are all very deep, indeed, they are so much so, that several of them...
31From John Adams to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 16 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am about Settling my Accounts with M r Barclay who is impowered by Congress to settle them, I must beg the favour of you, Gentlemen, to Send me, an exact Account, in detail of every order I have drawn upon you, and of every Sum of Money you have paid upon my order, from the Beginning, and of all the Money I have received of you, jointly or Seperately, whether directly or by the Way of M r...
32Aug. 15th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This day I dined at Passy at Dr. Franklin’s with a numerous Company. In the evening I went to the Comedy at the Bois de Boulogne. Beverlei and le Français a Londres were the plays represented. Beverlei is what the French call a Tragedie bourgeoise , as Barnwell in English. The Subject of it is, a Man addicted to gaming, who ruins himself by it, or rather is ruined by a villain who pretends to...
33From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 15 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have heard no News with more Pleasure than that of your design to go again to Congress, and nothing I hope has happened to divert you from your Purpose. I have lost all my Correspondents in Congress and know little what passes there. The Journals are not sent us, as I think they ought to be, regularly. By a letter from M r: A. Lee to my Wife, I am informed that the Committee had reported in...
34From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 15 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
France England Spain and America are all agreed, but M r: Hartley is Sanguine that the Treaty will not be signed, because he says the Comte de Vergennes dont mean to sign it. His Reasons for his opinion I know not. and I think he is mistaken. It is very certain however, that the French Minister is embarass’d and would not perhaps be sorry to find good Reasons for postponing the Signature for...
35John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two favours of 7 May and 20 June. I had received no Letter from you for so long an Interval that these were really inestimable. I always learn more of Politicks from your Letters, than any others. I have lost all my Correspondents in Congress. I wrote to Mr. Jackson and Gen. Warren Supposing they were Members. Mr. Gerry is there now, to my Great Joy. Beg of him to write to...
36John Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 14 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have received your affectionate letter of the 10th of May, with great pleasure, and another from your mother of the 28th and 29th of April, which by mistake I omitted to mention in my letter to her to-day. Your education and your welfare, my dear child, are very near my heart; and nothing in this life would contribute so much to my happiness, next to the company of your mother, as yours. I...
37From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 13 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday, I went to Court with D r: Franklin, and presented to the Comte de Vergennes, our Project of a definitive Treaty, who told us he would examine it, and give us his sentiments upon it. It was Ambassadors day, and I had Conversation with a Number of Ministers, of which it is proper I should give you an Account. The Dutch Ambassador Berkenrode, told me, that last Saturday the Comte de...
38From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 13 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday at Versailles the Baron de Waltersdorff came to me and told me, he had delivered to M r: Franklin, a Project of a Treaty between the Court of Denmark, and the United States, and asked me, if M r: Franklin had shewn it to me? I answered him, that I knew nothing of it.— He said he wondered at that, he presumed it was because of my Absence at the Hague, for that it had been shewn to M...
39From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 13 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Question before the French Cabinet, whether they shall involve themselves in a War against two Christian Empires, in order to support a Turkish one is of a Serious Nature on many Accounts—If the Turks should be driven out of Europe, France would lose some of the Levant Trade and some of the coasting Trade of Italy: and these commercial and Naval Considerations are reinforced by others...
40Aug. 12th. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
This morning my Father went to Versailles. At half past 12. I met the Abbé Arnaud at the Thuileries, and we walk’d together to Passy. I dined at the Abbé Chalut’s there, in Company with the Abbé de Mably and some other Gentlemen. The Abbé has travelled thro’ Poland, and talk’d a good deal about that Country. For the Climate he says that for the first fortnight in November it commonly snows...
41To John Adams from C. W. F. Dumas, 12 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
L’Assemblée d’Hollande, fort orageuse mercr[edi j]our de votre depart d’ici, [s’es]t separée jusqu’au 27 cour t. Il y a eu un tumulte à Arnhem en Gueldre, où la Garnison, qui S’étoit emparée de la maison de Ville, a du se soumettre, & délivrer l’hôtel à la Bourgeoisie, qui, sur son exemple, avoit chargé à balles. Le tout s’est passé Sans effusion de sang, mais à l’avantage de la Bourgeoisie,...
42To John Adams from John Thaxter, 12 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday last M r. W m. Smith (Son of I. Smith Esq r of Boston) arrived in Town— He left Boston 7 th. July, & all friends were then well— He has brought several Letters for you, which I think prudent to keep, ’till a private hand offers— The Letters from M rs. A. M r. Cranch & D r. T. of Weymouth, I have not opened, as I knew the hand writing— In opening a large packet, for you I found four...
43Aug. 11th. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Hartley the British Minister for making Peace, came to pay a visit to my Father, but as he was out he desired to see me. I had some Conversation with him. He says he hopes the Peace will be soon signed. In the afternoon I went with my Father to Passy, and saw there Dr. Franklin and Mr. and Mrs. Jay. I also renewed my acquaintance with young Mr. Bache. We went at the same time...
44Aug. 10th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This morning, at about 10 o’clock, I accompanied my Father to Passy, to see Dr. Franklin whom I knew already, and Mr. Jay, the american Minister at Madrid, whom I had never seen before; they were at breakfast and had a great deal of Company. Mr. Jay and my Father took a walk in the Garden and had a Conversation upon politicks, which, is of no Necessity here. From thence we went to Auteuil; to...
45From John Adams to Robert R. Livingston, 10 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
On the sixth 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 taken up with visits, to take Leave of the Court, the President, the Grand Pensionary, Greffier &c. Ceremonies which must be repeated at every coming and going, and upon many other Occasions,...
46Aug. 9th. Saturday (Adams Papers)
We Left Roye this morning about 5. o’clock and rode as far as Chantilly without Interruption. We dined at Chantilly, and I went to see the Gardens and Stables of the Prince de Condé to whom this Place belongs. The Stables are a fine Piece of Architecture, and every thing is in order. There are 240. horses in them, and each horse has his own manger; with his name over it. Inside of the building...
47Henry Laurens to the American Peace Commissioners, 9 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
Availing my self of your consent & recommendation I embarked at le Havre on board the Washington & Sailed from thence the 1 st Inst. On the 2 d. at 9 o’Clõ. AM. we were within six Leagues of Poole in Dorsetshire. The Wind being very favorable, I quitted the Ship, went on board a small Hoy bound to Poole & urged Capt. Barney to proceed on his Voyage, leaving my excellent Post Carriage to take...
48Aug. 8th. Friday. (Adams Papers)
This morning we set out from Halle at about 3 o’clock, and rode without interruption untill we arrived at Cambray at about 2 1/2 afternoon. We dined at Cambray, and after dinner we went to the Cathedral Church, and saw the tomb of François de Salignac de la Mothe, Fenelon; Archbishop, of Cambray, and author of Telemachus. At 4. we left Cambray and rode till 10, when we arrived at Roye where we...
49To John Adams from Tristram Dalton, 8 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing You from Boston, the 16 th Ult o , and endeavor’d to give a general State of our public Affairs. Having retired to my Country Estate since the Adjournment of the General Court, which was a little before the date of my last, I have not had opportunity to acquaint myself of the present Sentiments of the people at large on the several Matters that had agitated...
50Aug. 7th. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
We were going this morning at about 3. We arrived at 7. at Antwerp. After breakfast we went to the cathedral Church, to see the Paintings. The most remarkable of them are. The descent from the Cross, regarded as the master Piece of Rubens. It is indeed most admirable: every Figure looks alive except the capital one and that equally accurately represents nature. On one side of the Picture is,...