2951John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I suppose I must write every day, in order to keep or rather to restore good Humour, whether I have any thing to say or not. The Scaffold is cutt away, and I am left kicking and sprawling in the Mire, I think. It is hardly a state of Disgrace that I am in but rather of total Neglect and Contempt. The humane People about me, feel for my situation they say: But I feel for my Countrys situation....
2952John Adams to Abigail Adams, 28 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
This Day, the Chevalier D’Arcy, his Lady, and Niece, Mr. Le Roy and his Lady, dined here. These Gentlemen are two Members of the Academy of Sciences. Now are you the wiser for all this? Shall I enter into a Description of their Dress—of the Compliments—of the Turns of Conversation—and all that. For mercy Sake dont exact of me that I should be a Boy, till I am Seventy Years of Age. This Kind of...
2953From John Adams to Samuel Cooper, 28 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter by the Marquis de la Fayette I have received and it contained So handsome a Testimony to the Merit of that gallant young Nobleman, as well as so many judicious observations on other subjects that I have ventured to permit it to be translated and published. The Complaint against the Family of Lee’s, is a very extraordinary Thing indeed. I am no Idolater of that Family or any other:...
2954From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 1 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
My last Letter to Congress, was on the Twenty seventh of last Month Since which an Account of the new Loan is received from London, and as this may perhaps afford to Congress the clearest Proof, of the Weakness of their Ennemies, it is of importance that it should be transmitted to them. Some Accounts Say the Loan is to be seven Millions, others Eight. The Conditions of the Loan are in...
2955[March 1779] (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, in order to take Leave of the Ministry. Had a long Conversation, with the Comte De Vergennes, in french, which I found I could talk as fast as I pleased. I asked him what Effect the Peace of Germany would have upon our War. He said he believed none, because neither the Emperor nor King of Prussia were maritime Powers. I asked him, whether he thought that England would be...
29561779 March 3. (Adams Papers)
Went to Versailles, in order to take Leave of the Ministry. Had a long Conversation, with the Comte De Vergennes, in french, which I found I could talk as fast as I pleased. I asked him what Effect the Peace of Germany would have upon our War. He said he believed none, because neither the Emperor nor King of Prussia were maritime Powers. I asked him, whether he thought that England would be...
29571779. March 4. (Adams Papers)
Walked with Mr. Jennings to Calvare, with my son. Edmund Jenings (1731–1819) is an obscure but ubiquitous figure in the European scene during the American Revolution, and an important one in the history of JA ’s diplomatic missions. Born in Annapolis, he was named for his father, King’s attorney and secretary of Maryland, and his grandfather, acting governor of Virginia early in the century....
2958From John Adams to John Boylston, 5 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Billet of the 6. Feb. and altho I am much obliged by your Care to put me on my Guard, against dangerous Men: Yet I am extreamly Sorry to find, that Slander has been So successfull, as to impose upon you, who I know have no sinister Motive, nor any Thing to byass you; in this Case from the Truth and the Interest of a Country whose Welfare you wish. The “Freres” have been...
2959From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 7 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I should be obliged to you to let Mr. Franklin take a Copy of our Letter to the Comte De Vergennes, relative to sending a Naval Force to America. The original Draught you have, which I should be obliged to you to send to me at Nantes after Mr. Franklin has taken a Copy of it, as I have no Copy of it, at all. I am with great Respect, your humble servant RC ( MH-H : Lee Papers); docketed by...
29601779 March 12. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
About one O Clock arrived at Nantes at L’hotelle de la Comedie, Rue, after a Journey of near five days, having sett off from Passy Monday the 8th. This Journey, which was by Versailles, is thro the most barren and least cultivated Part of France. After Dinner, I had the Honour to be visited by the following American Gentlemen. Mr. Williams, Mr. Williams my Pupil, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Ridley, Mr....
2961From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 24 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of a Letter from, your Excellency at Nantes, but as I was setting off for this Place could not then acknowledge it. I Staid, no longer at Nantes, than just to look about me, before I determined to see Captain Landais, that I might know, the state and Prospects of his Frigate. As you was so good as to desire Mr. Schweighauser, to consult with me, and Mr. Schweighauser wrote to...
2962From John Adams to William Temple Franklin, 24 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have just received your favour of the 17. inclosing a Paper from M. Le Roy, for which I thank you and Mr. Le Roy, to whom be so good as to present my Compliments. The Alliance, will be ready to go to Nantes, in the opinion of C. Landais in 8 days. But he thinks she must stay there 3 or 4 Weeks. My Respects to his Excellency; from whom I received a line at Nantes which I will answer, as soon...
2963From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 24 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of yours of 18. I am perfectly of your Opinion that We have yet a hard Battle to fight. The Struggle will yet be long, and painfull, and the Difficulty of it will arise from nothing more than the weak Disposition both in our Country men, as well as our Allies to think it will be short. Long before, this War began I expected, a severe Tryal: but I never foresaw so...
2964To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 24 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of a Letter from, your Excellency at Nantes, but as I was setting off for this Place could not then acknowledge it. I Staid, no longer at Nantes, than just to look about me, before I determined to see Captain Landais, that I might know, the state and Prospects of his Frigate. As you was so good as to desire Mr schweighauser, to consult with...
2965From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
When I arrived at this place I found nothing done. Mr. Costentin, it is said waited for orders. And the officers of the Port, expected orders. But Since my Arrival, as Mr. Schweighauser wrote to Mr. Costentin to take my Advice, he readily engaged in the Business, and the officers of the Port have afforded Us every facility, consistent with the Kings service. Mr. Costentin and Captain Landais,...
2966To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 31 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I arrived at [this place] I found nothing done. Mr Costentin, it is said waited for orders.— And the officers of the Port, expected orders.— But Since my Arrival, as Mr Schweighauser wrote to Mr Costentin to take my Advice, he readily engaged in the Business, and the officers of the Port have afforded Us every facility, consistent with the Kings...
2967From John Adams to the Comte de Vergennes, 12 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform your Excellency, that I expect to imbarque and Sail for America, in fifteen days that if your Excellency or any of his Majestys other Ministers, have Occasion to Send any fresh Dispatches to any Part of the united States, So good an Opportunity may not be omitted. The season promisses a short Passage, and I shall be happy in this opportunity, and in every other, of...
2968From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 13 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday the Honour of yours of the third of this Month. C. Landais had So much diffidence in some of his Crew, that he could not think of carrying home any of the most culpable of the Conspirators, especially as he was so weak handed. The naval Code of the united States, has great Occasion for Amendments in many Particulars, without which there will be little Discipline subordination,...
2969From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 13 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
This Morning I had the Honour of yours of the 8th, and thank you for the order inclosed to Captain Landais, and for those you mention to M. Schweighausser. The true Springs of the Discontents on board appear to me to be, the Depreciation of Paper Pay, and the Extraction of the Captain. The Purser, may have increased them a little by too much of the Appearance of being a favourite of the...
2970From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 13 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to acknowledge that I received your kind Letter, in due time, and have not answered it before: My apology is that I was on the Point of Setting out for Brest when I received it and have been travelling ever since. I am much obliged to you for the Letter and very happy to find that one Gentleman is to be found in France whose sentiments will give some Countenance to my own. I have...
2971To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams: Two Letters, 13 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I had Yesterday the Honour of yours of the third of this Month. C. Landais had So much diffidence in Some of his Crew, that he could not think of carrying home any of the most culpable of the Conspirators, especially as he was so weak handed. The naval Code of the united States, has great occasion for Amendments in many Particulars, without...
2972[April 1779] (Adams Papers)
At Nantes, Hotel de la Comedie, Rue Bignonestar.... Walked, this Morning with my Son over all the Bridges. There are several Islands in the River and they have built Bridges from one to another, and Houses upon the Islands. There are fine Meadows on each Side, and the mixed Appearance of Houses, Meadows, Water and Bridges is very uncommon and amuzing. The first Island is built on with very...
29731779. April 14. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
At Nantes, Hotel de la Comedie, Rue Bignonestar.... Walked, this Morning with my Son over all the Bridges. There are several Islands in the River and they have built Bridges from one to another, and Houses upon the Islands. There are fine Meadows on each Side, and the mixed Appearance of Houses, Meadows, Water and Bridges is very uncommon and amuzing. The first Island is built on with very...
29741779. April 15. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at home.
297516. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Williams. Mr. Johnson there. Walked after dinner along the River, and about the Town.
297617. (Adams Papers)
Yesterday and to day in the forenoon, assisted my Son in translating Cicero’s first Phillippick against Cataline. Nantes is pleasantly situated on the River, and there are several agreable Prospects. The Views from the front Windows in the Row of Houses along the River is very beautiful. Mr. Schweighausser crauled up three Pair of Stairs to visit me this Morning.
2977Ap. 18. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Schweighaussers. About six O Clock in the Evening, Captain Landais came into my Chamber. The Alliance is safe arrived at St. Lazar, with her Prisoners. JA first wrote “Isle de Lazare” and then altered it to the present reading. But he certainly meant Saint Nazaire, at the mouth of the Loire.
29781779. April 22nd. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Morning, embarked at Nantes, with Mr. Hill, the first Lieutenant, and Mr. Parks, who is Captain of Marines, and my Son. We stopped and dined at Portlaunay, after Dinner crossed over to Pelerine Le Pellerin , where We went to the House of a Mr. Char-michael, a Scotch Man who lives by salting Beef and making Bacon for the Navigation of this River. This Man I suppose was a Jacobite who...
2979Ap. 23. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
A violent Wind, and Rain.
298024. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
The same.
2981From John Adams to Arthur Middleton, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour, of the 4 July 1778, I had not the Honour to receive, untill yesterday, which I very much lament because I fear I have lost an opportunity of rendering Some little service to the Commodore in his laudable Enterprise, at least of shewing every Respect in my Power to your Recommendation. In a Letter, which he did me the Honour to write me, I find he has made several able Propositions...
2982Ap. 25. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Fair Weather again. My Time has been employed since I have been on board, in writing Answers to my Letters from Paris, Bourdeaux, Passy &c. and in assisting my Son to translate into English which he does in writing Ciceros first Phillippic against Cataline—which we have gone more than half thro. He is also translating into English the french Preface of the Abbey D’olivet, to his Translation of...
2983Ap. 26. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Spent the Morning in translating with my Son the Carmen Seculare, and the Notes. There is a Feebleness and a Languor in my Nature. My Mind and Body both partake of this Weakness. By my Physical Constitution, I am but an ordinary Man. The Times alone have destined me to Fame —and even these have not been able to give me, much. When I look in the Glass, my Eye, my Forehead, my Brow, my Cheeks,...
29841779 Ap. 28. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Went up to Nantes from Minden or St. Nazare, before Wind and Tide in 4 Hours. This Morning by C aptain Landais who came on board I received a Letter from Dr. F. inclosing one from M. de Sartine, both expressing a Desire, that the Alliance might not sail for some Time, and that I would take my Passage home, with M. Le Chevalier de la Luzerne, the new Ambassador, in one of the Kings Frigates....
2985From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had, Yesterday, the Honour of yours of the 24th inclosing a Letter from his Excellency M. de Sartine, expressing his Majestys Desire that the Alliance Should be retained here a little longer. As my Baggage was on board, and every Appearance promised that We should be under Sail in three or four days for America, in a fine ship and the best Month in the Year, this Intelligence, I confess, is...
2986From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 29 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
There is a fatal spell set upon, all Intelligence between This Country and Ours. Two Vessells have arrived, from Virginia one at L’orient the other from at Morlaix, and no News. I have seen four or five News Papers which came by the latter, one of which is a Virginia Paper as late as 12 March. No News, excepting a Letter from G.W. to Congress containing a Letter from G.M. to him concerning the...
2987To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 29 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had, Yesterday, the Honour of yours of the 24th. inclosing a Letter from his Excellency M. de Sartine, expressing his Majestys Desire that the Alliance Should be retained here a little longer. As my Baggage was on board, and every Appearance promised that We should be under Sail in three or four days for America, in a fine ship and the best Month in the...
2988From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 4 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday your favour of 25 of April came to Hand, but my dear sir you flatter me too much when you tell me that the Part I have taken gives me a right to influence and direct. I claim no other Right than that of being heard and having what I have to say considered: but According to present Appearances, even this is not like to be conceded to me. Content, in Gods name, if Persons of greater...
2989[May 1779] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Odea of Paimbœuf, Coll. Wibirt and Mr. Ford, dined in the Cabin. O. speaks English perfectly, appears to have read much, is an Admirer of Rousseau and Buffon. W. is silent; has something little in his Face and Air: and makes no great Discovery of Skill or Science. F. talks as much as ever. Says, that the Americans at Paris, wished I had remained at Passy, instead of F ranklin —that Passy...
29901779. May 7th or 8th. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Odea of Paimbœuf, Coll. Wibirt and Mr. Ford, dined in the Cabin. O. speaks English perfectly, appears to have read much, is an Admirer of Rousseau and Buffon. W. is silent; has something little in his Face and Air: and makes no great Discovery of Skill or Science. F. talks as much as ever. Says, that the Americans at Paris, wished I had remained at Passy, instead of F ranklin —that Passy...
29911779. May 9. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
The Pilot came on Board this Morning from St. Nazare, and pronounced it unsafe to go out, with this Wind. F. this Morning, fell to talking.— “Above half the Gentlemen of Paris are Atheists, and the other half Deists. No Body goes to Church but the common People. I wish I could find one honest Man among their Merchants and Tradesmen” &c. &c. Mr. F., says I, let me be so free as to request of...
2992Monday May. 10. (Adams Papers)
This Morning the Wind at S.E. The Pilot came on board, the Alliance unmoored and set Sail, for L’orient. A gentle Breeze, fair Weather, and moderately warm. The I Lt. I have made by this War £120 of Prize Money, for which I got six Months Imprisonment, and spent the little that I had. This is all I have got by the War. The Sand Droguers and Chimney Sweepers in Boston have all turned Merchants...
29931779. Tuesday. May 11. (Adams Papers)
Sailing by Belisle, which the English took last War after a Defence of Six Weeks with about 900 Men. F. still on the Subject. He says that the Contract made by F ranklin and D eane with the farmers general, was for £40 Pr. Ct. whereas Tobacco was then at 90 and T. Morris made a Contract with them before for £70. F. and D. to be sure were duped by the Farmers General but F or d has nothing...
2994Wednesday May 12th. (Adams Papers)
L andais is jealous of every Thing. Jealous of every Body, of all his Officers, all his Passengers. He knows not how to treat his Officers, nor his Passengers nor any Body else.—Silence, Reserve, and a forbidding Air, will never gain the Hearts, neither by Affection nor by Veneration, of our Americans. There is in this Man an Inactivity and an Indecision that will ruin him. He is bewildered—an...
2995Thursday. May 13th. (Adams Papers)
Went on Shore and dined with Captain Jones at the Epèe Royal. Mr. Amiel, Mr. Dick, Dr. Brooke, officers of the Poor Richard, Captain Cazneau, Captain Young, Mr. Ingraham, Mr. Blodget, Mr. Glover, Mr. Conant, Messrs. Moylans, Mr. Maese, Mr. Nesbit, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Tayler, made the Company, with Captain Landais, myself and my Son. An elegant Dinner we had—and all very agreable. No very...
2996May 14. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
On Board all day, ill of a Cold. Many Gentlemen came on board to visit me. A Dr. Brooks, Surgeon to the Poor Richard, drank Tea with me. He seems to be well acquainted with Philosophical Experiments. I led him to talk upon this subject. He had much to say about Phlogiston, fixed Air, Gas &c. About absolute and sensible Heat, Experiments with the Thermometer, to shew the absolute and sensible...
2997John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
I left Paris on the Eighth of March, expecting to find the Alliance, at Nantes and embark immediately for home, but when I arrived there I found the Alliance was still at Brest. I went to Brest 200 Miles from Nantes, and after some Stay there the Alliance was ordered to Nantes. I returned to Nantes, and when every Thing was ready to sail for America, an order came from Court for the Alliance...
2998John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
When I left Paris, the 8 March, I expected to have been at Home before this Day and have done my Utmost to get to sea, but the Embarrassements and Disappointments I have met with, have been many, very many. I have however in the Course of them had a fine Opportunity of seeing Nantes, L’orient and Brest, as well as the intermediate Country. By the gracious Invitation of the King, I am now to...
2999John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am taking an Opportunity by every Vessell that is going to inform you, that I am coming home as soon as possible. In Six or Seven Weeks I hope to have the Pleasure to see you, and my other Friends. The new French Ambassador, who goes out to relieve Mr. Gerard, will go in the same Frigate. We can get no News from America of any Consequence, and not a syllable of any Kind from Congress. There...
3000From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 14 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Day before Yesterday, We arrived here, in two Days from Nantes, all well. There is a Frigate now turning into this Port, which is said to be Le Sensible, and if this is true, I hope, it will not be a long Time before We get to sea. The Chevalier de La Luzerne I hope is sensible of the Value of every Moment in the last half of the Month of May towards a Voyage to America. If We wait untill...