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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Adams to Thomas Mifflin
Adams, John, 1735-1826
April 22, 1784
Volume 17, Pages 41-42

HON. JOHN ADAMS TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THOS. MIFFLIN ESQR., PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

The Hague, 22d April, 1784.

Sir:

I received some time since a Letter from an American Gentleman now in London, a Candidate for Orders, desiring to know if American Candidates might have Orders from Protestant Bishops on the Continent, and complaining that he had been refused by the Bishop of London and the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, unless he would take the Oaths of Allegiance, &c.

Meeting soon after the Danish Minister, I had the curiosity to inquire of him whether ordination might be had in Denmark. He

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answered me, that he knew not, but would soon inform himself. I heard no more of it untill to-day, when the Secretary of his Embassy, Mr. De Rosembrantz made me a visit, and delivered me the papers, Copies of which are enclosed.

Thus it seems what I meant as current conversation only, has been made the subject of Deliberation of the Government of Denmark, and their Faculty of Theology, which makes it necessary for me to Transmit it to Congress. I am happy to find the Decision so liberal.

I have the honor to be, &c.,
(Signed) JOHN ADAMS.