374 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From John Adams. 1781. May 23. Amsterdam. 



The news from America not at all bad; has communicated it to all 

 the newspapers. Concerning certain bills ordered by Congress to be 

 drawn upon him. Begs that the enclosed letter, received from Gotten- 

 berg, be forwarded to Mr. Jay, with great care as to secrecy and 

 despatch ; hopes it will remove all difficulties with Spain, whose ac- 

 cession to the treaty would be of great value to the cause in every part 

 of Europe. Importance to America of obtaining an acknowledgment 

 of their independence from as many Sovereigns as possible before con- 

 ferences for peace shall be opened. Suggests acting upon the loth 

 Article of the Treaty of Alliance. Encloses a memorial of their High 

 Mightinesses. His mission now a subject of deliberation. Discusses 

 Holland's ultimate action. All ideas of peace with England false and 

 delusive. Agrees with Franklin respecting duties. L. S. 3 p. 



XXII, 27. 

 From [Baron Otto] de Blome. 1781. May 23. 



Recommends an armorer who wishes to emigrate to America. L. 

 S. I p. (In French.) LXX, 28a. 



From J. Ingen Housz. 1781. May 23. Vienna, 



No answers received to his letters of December 2d, February 7th, 

 and April 7th; thinks Franklin's letter was suspected by the authorities 

 and detained in Paris ; letters from Dr. Le Begue de Presle tampered 

 with ; directions as to their correspondence in future. His paper upon 

 the theory of the electrophore much enlarged and preceded by an 

 introduction of Franklin's theory of electricity, published in German. 

 Copies of his book sent to Sir John Pringle, Dr. Priestley and other 

 friends. His visit from the Emperor [of Austria] who expressed his 

 regret at not having seen Franklin in Paris. A. L. S. 2 p. XXII, 28. 



From Philip Mazzei. 1781. May 24. Florence. 



Understood that there was a letter for him from America which 

 Franklin kindly promised to forward; gives address. A. L. S. i p. 



XXII, 29. 



From [C. W. F.] Dumas. 1781. May 25. The Hague. 



Sends translation of Amsterdam's proposal. His intention to write 

 to Congress concerning the difficulties in which his faithful services 

 to the United States have involved him. A. L. S. I p. (Partly in 

 French.) XXXIX, 211. 



