From Wilhem & Jan Willink to John Adams, 10 May 1793
From Wilhem & Jan Willink
Amsterdam 10 May 1793
Sir
We had the pleasure to address you the 22 Ulto: advising the purchase of an Obligation of 4 PCt: for the premium drawn on yr. obligation,1 we have now before us your esteemed favor of 1 March by whch. You desire to have the Amount forwarded in gold or Spanish dolls to Boston, with the amount of the Coupons you enclose 22 instead of 21 as you mention of 50.ƒ and 20 of 40ƒ each.
we Shall credit you for the Coups: and Remit by a Ship sailing in Short for Boston the ballance of y/a: as we Cannot Suppose as the money is invested in that oblign. you Should Wish to Resell it. if this is yr. intention on your mentioning it we shall effectuate it.
You’ll Remember that the first instalment of the Loan of 1782 Was to be discharged the 1t. of June and among the Numbers drawn for it have been twenty of yours viz N. 3003 to 5, 3009 & 20, 3021 to 24, 3028 & 30 No 3048 to 48 but as the million is prolongated (whch. we Were happy to bring abt. by those times) for 10 yrs: at the same intrest with faculty to the Uñ: St: to discharge it every year after previous notice is given in the time by news papers we have also prolongued yours in order to secure you the continuance of intrest, but as the discharges follow now every year, we Leave You to consider, whether it would not be proper to send us your Oblig̃: & orders when drawn out & discharged abt. the Money.
We are much obliged for yr. friendly behaviour, and have Learnt the appointment of Consul of Mr Greenleaf with pleasure, as we thought one was necessary, for the benifit of yr Country for whch. prosperity we entertain the best wishes, we are Sorry the application for Mr Lake came too Late.
it is not likely the prussians will easilÿ carry Mayence and the french defend their frontiers very well some times with advantage some times With disadvantage, it is killing Many Men, and much Bitterness on each side, if they Should succeed to drive the Austrians from braband, we Should again be exposed, and before this quarrel is decided our trade will be in Stagnation, if we are not mistaken we have Reason to beleeve french by a separate peace would draw England & us from the Ligue, but we suppose it will not succeed at present,2 we Wish your flag may be vigorously supported by any attempt of france or England, […] In declaration of such an intention […] prove very proper to preserve the confe[…] in its neutrality, since it is Spread some times of some Risks it will Run by one or other of Said powers.
if what we cannot Suppose probable your Country Should take some party you’ll inform us.
We salute You and Remain Most sincerily / Sir Your most Obed servants
Wilhem & Jan Willink
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “The Hoñble John Adams Esqr / Vice president of Congress / Philadelphia Boston”; internal address: “The Honl: John Adams / Esqr: Phila.”; docketed: “C Williams 1793”; notation: “per Capt / Whitesell.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.
1. The consortium wrote to JA on 22 April explaining that it had provided Thomas Jefferson with details of payments made on accounts held with the United States. The Amsterdam bankers reminded JA that he had won a lottery prize and listed his personal account balance of ƒ986.13.0 (Adams Papers).
2. The Austrian Army defeated the French at the Battle of Neerwinden on 18 March. The Prussian Army besieged the city of Mainz in the Rhineland from 14 April to 23 July, forcing a French surrender ( , 8:421, 423).