To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 8 May 1779
From Landais
LS: American Philosophical Society
aboard the alliance May 8th. 1779
Please your Excellency
Since I received your orders to Sail for Port L’Orient, I have been Waiting in this River for a boat Loaded with provisions, and fear wind; but now having all aboard and the Wind S E. I am getting under Sail and Expect to be to-morrow at Port-Louis. I have at présent theerten passengers beside the honble. John Adams, his Son and Servant. Please to Write me yours orders about them.4 I Received a Letter from monsieur De Ray De Chaumont by which he mention that I am to have for Six month vitals aboard, as there is Some goods aboard I Suppose belong to Some of the officers, as I Learned yesterday, I Want to Know What I am to do if I have not room Enough for to put the Said Vitals.
I Received your two Letters Concerning Mr. Herckiah Ford, and M: Wuibert, I have give them the Cabin as I thought your Letters required it.5
I am With Respect Your Excellency Most obedient most humble Servant
P: Landais
His Excellency B. franklin Minister-Plenipotentiary of the united States of america./.
Notation: P. Landais May 8. 79
4. BF had offered JA and his party passage aboard the Alliance to Lorient, but had failed to inform Landais; see Landais’ letter of May 1.
5. The letter concerning Ford is above, April 25. We know that the military engineer Antoine-Félix Wuybert hoped for passage on the Sensible to return to the American army: Le Roy to BF, after April 20. For JA’s description of his fellow passengers see Butterfield, John Adams Diary, II, 364.