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John Adams ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
John Adams ALS
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
John Adams autograph letter signed as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, datelined Grosvenor Square, 5 September 1787. Adams writes to Charles W.F. Dumas, agent for the United States at The Hague, who had greatly aided the cause of the United States in Europe during the American Revolution. Most recently, Dumas had assisted in the treaty between Prussia and the U.S., outlawing privateering; his duty was to have Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson sign the treaty in Paris, carry it to London to be signed by John Adams, and, finally, to the Hague, for Prussian Minister Baron Thulemeyer's signature. For Dumas to be paid for these travel expenses, an order had to be issued by the U.S. Treasury, which Adams had little patience for. In full, ''Dear Sir, I am very much concerned that an absence in the Country should have so long delayed my answer to your Letter of the tenth of July. There is no Act of Congress which authorises me expressly, to order the Payment of your Salary: But the Representation in your Letter supported by the Extract from that of Mr. Jefferson to you of the 14. of June last, show such an absolute necessity of it that I have inclosed to you a Letter to Messrs Willniks and Van Haphorst, authorising them to pay your Salary once in Six Months, till further orders from Congress, the Board of Treasury or Sir, your most obedient, and most humble Servant John Adams.'' A wonderful letter by Adams to one of America's most loyal European supporters, whose debt America owed both literally and figuratively. Single page measures 10'' x 7'', in very good condition with a large, bold signature. Some uneven toning, a minor dampstain at top edge and a few edge splits at lower margin. Housed in a one-quarter-calf case with gilt lettering.