2711Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 6 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ay recu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 30 Aout derniere. J’ai envoyé a M. de Vergennes le Passeport necessaire au navire Angloise chargé de l’Echange des Prisonniers de l’Angleterre et des Etats-Unis, et je vais donner les ordres necessaires pour que vos Prisonniers Soient mieux Surveillés à Brest, jusqu’au Moment de l’Echange. J’ai l’honneur d’etre, avec...
2712James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 1 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, August 1, 1778: The Boston and her three prizes sailed this morning. Captain Tucker accidentally mentioned to me your orders to load some goods, but as the wind was fair he decided not to wait for them. I can freight them for you at reasonable terms on a French ship I am sending to America next month. I am much obliged to Mr. Franklin for...
2713Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 22 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honour to lay my Accounts before you, I left the general one unfooted intending to compleat it after Examination. I now send it properly closed and settled to the 30th May 1778. You have also inclosed the account of the Magazine, Invoice of Arms repaired, and your general Account since that Period, all settled to the 10th September 1778, Balance in your Favour seven thousand...
2714Conrad-Alexandre Gérard to the American Commissioners, 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress Once the news of Saratoga arrived, the French government lost no time. This polite note arranged a meeting the next day, which revealed that a turning point had come in Franco-American relations. Gérard began the interview by telling the commissioners that Maurepas and Vergennes had sent him to congratulate them and to ask for any...
2715James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 4 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, May 4, 1778: A schooner arrived today from Virginia with news that the state levies were leaving at the end of March to join Washington’s army. Spirits were good and the army well clothed, but all the ports were blockaded.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 80–1.
2716John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform you that from Paris I reached this place in 56 hours. As I have in my possession repeated Orders from Congress to Afford Aid and protection to the American Commerce, I conceive it to be my duty to give my best protection and safe conduct to the Squadron with Supplies now nearly in readiness to sail from hence, until they are at...
2717Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12[-14] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 12[-14], 1779: The States of Holland reassemble tomorrow. The French ambassador has received an express message from his court. January 13: I learn that Amsterdam will have permission to trade with the French West Indies, and I have been authorized to inform certain friendly merchant houses of this....
2718John Adams’ Reconstructed Draft and Translation of the Dutch Proposals, 23 April 1782; 22 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
A Treaty of Amity and Commerce between their High Mightinesses, the States General (1) of the Seven United Provinces of the Netherlands and the United States (2) of America, to wit, New Hampshire , (3) Massachusetts, Rhode Island , Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania , (4) Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia . Their High Mightinesses, the...
2719General Court to John Adams and Robert Treat Paine, 3 January 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider a Letter from General Washington to the President of the Council dated Decr: 18th: beg leave to report that we think it expedient that the honorable John Adams, and Robt. Treat Paine Esqrs: two of the Delegates to the Continental Congress now in this State be desired to attend this Court, that from them we may learn the general State of...
2720Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
Watertown, 11 November 1775. (Misc. Papers of the Continental Congress, Reel No. 8). Although the credentials as passed by the house bear the date 10 November, the Journal of the House of Representatives Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts [1715- ], Boston, reprinted by the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1919- . (For the years for which reprints are not yet available,...
2721To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 22 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I understood from seeing a letter lately from Paris there had appeard at a Dutch Bankers in that City sundry seconds of Bills for acceptance the first of which had been paid by regular indorsements to Vieve Babet and Co., Nantes, which seconds of Bills appeard to have been taken among Mr. L—s papers and forwarded to Paris unindorsd for acceptance. This causd some uneasiness at Paris; the Bills...
2722To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 31 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
We have not the least news from the Westward more than the publick papers will announce, but in hourly expectations of some from N York. Our grand fleet passd Plymo. the 27th. and these winds have probly put them on their intendd station for Cruizing. A small fleet has saild to N York—a frigate or so with 10 or a doz store Ships and Merchantmen, but no troops or any thing like any. Four Ships...
2723Elbridge Gerry to Samuel and John Adams, 3 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote You from New York, I have spent most of my Time in endeavouring to get Information of the true State of Things in the eastern Colonies. With Respect to the Levies for New York and the northern Department they are nearly compleated. I have wrote to the president giving an Account of them and proposing an order of Congress for reinforcing the Army at New York with one of the...
2724George Washington to the Board of War, 29 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
At length I have been able to comply with the first part of a Resolution of Congress of the 27 Ultimo relative to a return of the vacancies in the Several Regiments composing that part of the Army under my immediate command. I thought to have made this Return much sooner, but the dispersed situation of our Troops—the constant duty they are upon—the difficulty of getting returns when this is...
2725The General Court to the Massachusetts Delegates, 24 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
The General Court of the Colony which you represent in Congress, now incloses you an application, made to your Honorable Assembly for a Grant of the sum therein mentioned: which application you will lay before said Congress or not, as you shall judge prudent. The frequent calls this Colony has been obliged to attend to in support of the Army, together with those daily made for that purpose,...
2726Massachusetts Council to John Adams and Francis Dana, 13 January 1780 (Adams Papers)
The General Assembly having for many Reasons, and for purposes appearing to Them advantagious, taken the Resolution to negociate a Loan of One hundred and fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling in Europe, to be conducted agreeable to the enclosed Instructions given to the Agent Jonathan Loring Austin Esqr. appointed for that purpose. The Success of this undertaking is important to This State, and We...
2727Committee of the Massachusetts General Court to John Adams and Francis Dana, 22 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
This Government the last Winter appointed Jonathan Loring Austin Esq. their Agent to repair to Europe and procure the Loan of One hundred and fifty Thousand Pounds Sterling, part of which he was impowered and directed to invest in Goods for the use of the Officers and Soldiers belonging to the Army, as the Papers herewith inclosed will more fully inform you. Mr. Austin sailed the 22d day of...
2728Thomas Simpson to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Its extremely disagreeable to me, that my first address to you, shou’d be on such an occasion, as the following detail, which is that immediately on the capture of the English Ship of war Drake, off the harbour Carrickfurgus, in Ireland Captn. Jones was pleased to appoint me (his first Lieutenant,) to the command of her for Brest, giving me instructions, a correct copy of which I inclose, and...
2729C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 18 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since my last letters, nothing worthy of writing about has occurred. That is not to say, however, that every day I have not had some occasion of acting for the general welfare of the cause and, therefore, of visiting the French embassy daily in order to receive intelligence and letters, or to provide extracts which sometimes are sent to the Cabinet, but more often, and even with regularity, go...
2730Sartine to the Commissioners, 5 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Comme je suis dans le cas, Messieurs, d’avoir besoin du Capitaine Jones pour quelqu’expédition particuliere, je desirerois qu’il pût rester ici. Si vous n’y voyez point d’inconvénient, vous me ferez plaisir de le laisser à ma disposition et de donner le Commandement de son Batiment à son Second s’il doit retourner en Amérique. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec beaucoup de considération, Messieurs,...
2731Abraham Whipple to the Commissioners, 19 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing you July 31 from Paimbeufe where I had been wind bound for fifteen days. The Boston had not joined me Then. She afterwards did and August 8th we proceeded for Brest in Company. Contrary winds proving unfavourable detained us at Sea till the 14th when we arrived at Brest. I here found that Lt. Simpson had strictly attended to my Orders of July 24th and done every...
2732C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 5 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer ci-joint la Traduction de deux Lettres Allemandes, que j’ai reçues Samedi passé, et ce matin, de Berlin et de Hambourg. Le gd. F——r en a fait fixer copie aussi pour l’envoyer à sa maison. J’ai reçu, d’un autre côté 3 bulletins des affaires de france, du 10, 15 et 20 Avril. J’enjoindrois volontiers copie ici, car il y a des choses curieuses, mordantes, et...
2733C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 3 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to send you a copy of the letter that I wrote to Mr. van Berckel, Pensionary of Amsterdam, on the 27th of last month. Writing from his summer place not far from Amsterdam, he replied with the following: I am greatly obliged to you for your kindness in sending me the copy of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce concluded by France and the United States of America. And, since it was...
2734Dubourg to the Commissioners: A Translation, 18 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
No one would more readily concede or pay more tribute to the depth of your wisdom and the superiority of your intelligence than I. Otherwise, I must confess, I would be astonished by your past and present refusal to send against the British, under your flag, all those with the courage and incentive to do so; men who would taken upon themselves all the expenses and risks and, considering...
2735Sartine to the Commissioners, 14 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 14 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:161 ( JA ’s English translation). For the French text, see Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 94. Sartine noted that, because of the war, supplies from France to the inhabitants of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon were in...
2736C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 2 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to confirm my last three letters, namely that of 7 to 15 May in the form of a journal, another of the 19th, and the last of 22 to 26 May. The French ambassador returned in good health. The Grand Facteur is of the opinion that I should not accept, as a reply to your letter, what the Grand Pensionary will perhaps tell me verbally when we meet. But he expects, as do I, that you,...
2737Sartine to the Commissioners, 29 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 29 July 1778. LbC ( Adams Papers , French text of both letter and enclosure). For other contemporary copies of the French text of the letter and regulations, the latter as transmitted and later amended as a result of the Commissioners’ letter of 13 Aug. (below), and for English translations of the two documents made at the same time, see PCC , No. 83, 11, f. 467, 46Q–476. For...
2738Muscoe Livingston to the Commissioners, 24 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
My having been very unwell ever Since Capt. Tuckers departure from this place, has prevented My writing you, on the Subject, of the three prizes, which he Sold to Monsieure Peuchelburg, of L’orint for Account of Mr. Scweighauser of this place; it appears by Capt. Tuckers certificate as well as by other papers in My possession (which shall be sent you, if Necessary) that Mr. Peuchelburg assured...
2739C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ce que j’eus l’honneur de vous marquer l’ordinaire dernier de l’Emprunt d’Amsterdam, etoit extrémement exagéré. Cela se réduit à un petit emprunt, que le trésorier de la Ville fait et rembourse, selon le plus ou le moins d’argent en caisse, pour être employé a des bâtimens. La personne de qui je tenois cela, avoit été mal informée. Notre ami m’a mieux instruit. Je lui communiquai hier le...
2740James Moylan to the Commissioners, 1 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Frigate Boston saild this morning with her three prizes. Captain Tucker happend accidentally to have mention’d to me, that he had your orders to take on board some goods here, but that as the wind was fair, he determind not to wait for them. If it is a disapointment to you, which in any manner can be remedied by loading them on a french bottom, I can give you freight for them on reasonable...