In 1776 the American War of Independence broke out. John Adams was involved from the beginning in a prominent role. The American colonists were supported by France in their war against Great Britain. It was of great importance to the young American republic to retain, and if possible increase, the support of the French. To this end a delegation of American diplomats was sent to Paris. John Adams arrived there in 1778.

In Paris he met with Benjamin Franklin who was also entrusted with the task of acquiring more support. Adams and Franklin disagreed on the form this support should take. Adams was of the opinion that the United States should not depend exclusively on French assistance. Such a position would give France too much influence on American policy. Adams was not the only one to hold these views. Some Congressmen had already proposed to investigate the option of doing business with the Dutch. Even before the French, the Dutch had been smuggling arms, ammunition and other goods to the rebels. Especially Dutch merchants made a good deal of money out of the American struggle. It was not unlikely that these merchants would be eager to provide a loan to the young nation. On the longer term this could make them even more money.

The American Congress decided after long consideration to entrust Henry Laurens with the negotiations with the Dutch. It would take a while, though, before he could reach Europe. In the meantime, in Paris, tensions were mounting between Franklin and Adams, who did not want to wait for Laurens's arrival. After a heavy argument Adams left for the Netherlands to investigate: "whether something might be done to render us less dependant on France".

He arrived with his two sons in the summer of 1780 in the most important town of the Republic.