John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams

I received your letter of yesterday, with the papers it contained, this afternoon in the street, as I was going on board the Ship, which was then under sail for so far has the farce been carried. When we got on board, the pilot as I wrote you last evening, had determined that it was too late to go out this evening and I returned on shore.

This conduct is so extraordinary, together with all the other circumstances that have occurred, that if the wind continues fair tomorrow morning, and these scandalous subterfuges for delay are still used, I shall return to the Hague, and seek for another opportunity of conveyance. In that case I shall probably be the bearer of this letter. Should the wind in the morning be contrary, I shall send you my letter, and use a little more patience

If I do not return, I wish you to request Mr: Dumas to go with you to Mr: Paulus, and state to him all the circumstances contained in Captain Barney’s letter, respecting Cowing, and inform him that they are given by Captain Barney, formerly a naval officer in the service of the United States, and now in that of France. I have no doubt, but that this will be sufficient to obtain either the liberation of the man, or the regular justice of the Country in his behalf. The case as represented will certainly attract the attention of the Marine Committee, and if further measures on your part should be necessary or suggested to you by Mr: Paulus, you will take them, observing as the principle for your regulation, that the object of your duty, is to relieve and protect our Countrymen, without interfering in the internal administration of the laws in this Republic

Send an extract of Barney’s letter, so far as relates to the appointment of a Consul at Flushing to Mr: Bourne, and recommend the subject to his attention. As to the person named, and indeed, as to the whole matter, he will act as he thinks proper. But you will do well to mention the circumstance also in your letters to the Secretary of State.

There will be no necessity for your sending to Mr: Parish a copy of the papers, the purport of which is to inculpate him, nor for doing any thing upon the subject, further than to acknowledge the receipt of the papers.

Dr Welsh’s letter, mentions that he had sent newspapers, by the same vessel, have you received them? I wish I could have seen more of the polemical publications concerning the Treaty. But the newspapers would have made too large a packet for the post, and I shall probably have an opportunity to see them else where.

Your punctuality in forwarding the letters & papers hitherto received, has my thanks, and you have as usual, the sincerest affection of / your Brother.

October 29. A.M.

The wind is directly contrary again. But I have determined, if we do not sail when it next becomes fair, to look for another occasion, I have written accordingly to Mr Beeldemaker to enquire if any American vessels are going soon from Rotterdam. You will Will you make enquiry also of Mr: Reuterswerd, to whom Count Lowenhielm applied for the flag which he sent some time since, and what was the expence? If you see Mr: Paulus tomorrow morning upon the other business, you can suggest to him a question, whether a flag could be given me without inconvenience, and mention that as I find difficulties in embarking any other way I shall perhaps have occasion to request one, if it should be entirely agreeable.