John Adams autograph letter signed ("John Adams"). One page of a bifolium, 6.25" x 7.75", Amsterdam; January 18, 1781. Addressed to "M.A.H. Dohrman." Important letter from John Adams informing Arnold H. Dohrman of his Congressional Appointment to Agent of the United States in Portugal and referencing Henry Laurens' capture by the British. In a letter to Arnold Henry Dohrman (1749-1813), Adams apprises him that he will remain in Amsterdam for the foreseeable future due to Henry Laurens' recent capture and imprisonment in the Tower of London, and informs Dohrman of his appointment as agent for the United States in Portugal. Adams writes, in full: "I have the Honour, to transmit you, a Letter from the Honourable the Committee of Congress for foreign Affairs, with a Resolution of Congress of the 21. of June last, appointing you Agent for the United States of America, in the Kingdom of Portugal, for the Transaction of Such Affairs of the Said States as may be committed to your Direction. As I am, by the Misfortune of Mr. Laurens, at present fixed in this Place, I shall be particularly happy in your Correspondence, and have the Honour to be, with great Consideration, sir your most obedient and most humble servant." Signed, "John Adams". John Adams, future Vice President and President of the United States, was at the time of this letter representing the U.S. in the Netherlands, seeking recognition of U.S. independence and financial support from the Dutch Republic. A loan from the Dutch would increase American independence from France and pressure Britain to make peace. Adams' trip to Amsterdam was also precipitated by the capture of Henry Laurens (1724-1792), U.S. minister to the Netherlands, by the British. Congress named Laurens minister to the Netherlands in the fall of 1799, and in early 1780, he successfully negotiated a secret deal in which the Dutch would provide support for the war. Unfortunately, his ship was captured upon his return voyage, and the papers relating to this negotiation were ultimately seized by the British. The result of which was Laurens being charged with treason and Britain authorizing attacks upon Dutch shipping vessels. Laurens remained in the Tower of London until he was exchanged for British General Lord Cornwallis (1738-1805) on December 31, 1781. Fearing British retaliation and hearing of American defeats on the battlefield, Dutch officials initially refused to meet with Adams. It wasn't until April 19, 1781, months after this letter was written to Dohrman, that Adams finally was formally received by the Dutch as an ambassador from the U.S. It took Adams over a year after American troops defeated British forces at Yorktown, Virginia, to achieve Dutch recognition of U.S. independence and financial assistance. Arnold Henry Dohrman (1749-1813) was a Dutch-born merchant operating in New York and Lisbon. A strong supporter of American Independence, he provided assistance to captive American seamen in Portugal. His appointment by the Continental Congress in 1780 as a U.S. agent in Portugal was an unsalaried position, which ultimately led to significant financial difficulties. In 1787, he petitioned the Confederation Congress for payment; they agreed to recompense Dohrman for his services in a combination of currency and land. The letter is accompanied by a hand-colored steel engraving of Adams by Johnson, Fry & Publishers. Condition: Previous separations along vertical folds since repaired with rice paper. One minor open tear at upper right corner of first leaf recto that does not touch text with several additional open tears to blank second leaf; all damage has been reinforced with rice paper. Scattered dampstaining and soiling. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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