11C. 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...
12Dubourg 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...
13John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acquaint you that I arrived here last Night and brought in with me the British Ship of War Drake of 20 Guns with English Colours inverted under the American Stars. I shall soon give you the particulars of my Cruise in the mean time you will see some Account of it in a letter of this date from Comte D’Orvilliers to Monseigneur De Sartine. I have brought in near Two hundred...
14H. Archer to the Commissioners, 14 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I presume to trouble you with the communication of my design to enter into the army, and becoming a citizen of the united States. Though a native of England, I feel myself quite attached to America, and firmly persuaded that I shall carry thither dispositions entirely consonant to its welfare, and that my affection to her will not be the less in being only a Son by adoption. From infancy, I...
15John Ross to the Commissioners, 18 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honour to Address You, on the 16th and 23d. Ultimo —Not on business of my own but that which Regards the United States, and consistent with the common Rule of Regularity, claimed an Answer long since. Mr. Delavile holder of Mr. Ceronio’s bills applyed to me again by letter, on last Saturday, and the bills being drawn, on public Account, shall be glad to know what Answer am to...
Je m’empresse, Messieurs, de repondre aux observations que vous m’avez adressées par La Lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire le 13 de ce mois, sur Le projet d’un reglement pour les Prises et prisonniers des Etats respectifs. Je Crois en avoir rempli l’objet par une Nouvelle redaction des Articles 2 et 14 dont je joint ici un nouveau Texte, avec des Exemplaires des differentes loix...
17Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 12 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since my Arrival at this Port, I have been much troubled with those Frenchmen I enter’d at Bourdeaux, although I Enlisted them according to your Honours Orders, which was by permission from the Admiralty; While on my short Cruze, some few words would pass as I understand between the Frenchmen and my other Sailors, but Contrary to Orders which they daily had the Perrusial off and likewise read...
18Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to Inform your Honours of my Situation, which is now lying with my mainmast out and condemned. I thought proper to get a Jury sufficient to Condemn it, which Consisted of three Captains of Merchent Ships and Six Carpenters and Mr. Brondfield. Till the present Gentlemen, I’ve waited for your Honours Orders, with a clean hold, but this Day for fear of being hurried, I’ve began to take...
19Sartine 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...
20C. 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,...
21C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Dutch States General ended their session today, and each member will be leaving for his town tomorrow. I have just come from wishing our friend a good trip. He saw the Grand Pensionary, who told him that he was torn between his desire, on the one hand, to answer your letter in a way that would demonstrate how much he appreciates your courtesy in these dealings and is flattered with the...
22Titus Ogden to the Commissioners, July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Pardon the freedom I take in thus addressing your honours unknown but as an American I trust you will not take it amiss. On my arrival here the begining of april in the Ship Harmony Hall loaded with Tobacco &c. I was boarded by a Mr. Moylan who shewed my me yours letters impowering him to act as Agent here on which account I consigned my vessell and Cargo to him and must confess the dispatch...
23Abraham Whipple to the Commissioners, 2 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
The honour of your Letter bearing date the 23d June, had the pleasure of Recieving on the 30th and shall think myself happy, in a strict attention to the Agreable Contents, as these Orders afford me every Satisfaction, being such as could have wished, had the intended Cruize been left to my own Determination. It affords me the most sensible pleasure to Acquaint your Honours, that both...
24Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
These may Serve to acquaint your Honours of my arrival at this port, after a short Cruze of twenty four Days. While on the Cruze I took four Prizes one of which I sent for Boston in Charge of a Carefull Prize Master and seven Men she being a Brig from Venus Venice her Cargo chiefly Medicine. The others I Ordered for this Port, two of their Cargos fish the other Coles coal? and Bottles, all of...
25Thomas Simpson to the Commissioners, 25 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I addressed you on the 8th. of this Instant on a very disagreeable affair, not recieving any answer, or order from your Honours, I concluded my letter had miscarried, or your attentions were required on greater objects, and therefore was determined to rest a while, until you might be at leisure, to think on the matter, I had wrote you of. But the treatment I have since recieved from Captn....
26C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 21 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere est du 17e. Je viens de recevoir, traduire et porter au g— F— une Lettre Allemande. En attendant qu’il me renvoie mon feuillet, après en avoir fait tirer copie, j’aurai l’honneur de vous dire, que les Etats d’hollande se sont séparés, et que le Prince part aussi pour Los en Overyssel. On n’a point donné d’Instructions nouvelles au Comte de Welderen, ie. parce qu’après avoir fait...
27Sartine 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...
28Muscoe 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...
29James Moylan to the Commissioners, 27 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have only time to inform you that I have just received an account from Brest of the arrival in that port of the prize Ship Lord Chatham of 250 Tons loaded with Beer and Gran. taken by the Ranger Frigate about five leagues from Cape Clear. I will advise you more particularly in my next regarding this matter, not having at present any other account from Brest, than the above. I am very...
30C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 16 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
The enclosed sheet was written piecemeal yesterday and while coming and going today. A copy, omitting what is in brackets, has been sent to Mr. Lee in Vienna. The treaty, which the Grand Facteur asked to copy, has not yet been returned to me. He may plan to keep it until permission to send it on to its true destination arrives. I asked him if he had had it copied; he told me not yet. I shall,...
31C. 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...
32Vergennes to the Commissioners, 13 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les fermiers-generaux viennent de me faire passer, Messieurs, un proces-verbal relatif au refus que le S. Tucker, capitaine de la fregate américaine le Boston a fait de subir la visite des employés de la ferme. Je vois par cette pièce que ce capitaine a fondé son refus sur l’exemtion done il a prétendu que jouissent tous les batiments de guerre. Avant de pouvoir statuer sur cette prévention,...
33C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 23 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 10th of this month reached me last Tuesday, the 21 st. I immediately forwarded it along with its enclosures to the Grand Facteur who approved everything and promised me to back the operation with powerful intervention and mediation, once I have broken the ice by presenting the letter, for until then he must not seem to be involved. I left immediately to come here, where I...
34John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being informed from good authority that the Minister desired much to converse with me on a subject of great utility to the United States of America —as there was then no prospect of obtaining permission to sell the prizes—or of getting the prisoners exchanged soon, I thought it for the interest of the Service that I shoud come myself to Paris. It was necessary too that some measure shoud be...
35Jonathan Trumbull to the Commissioners, 29 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Robert Niles (Commander of the Schooner Spy own’d by this State) and has in Charge Dispatches from the Honorable Continental Congress which I was desir’d to forward Imediately to you, hope he may have a Good Passage, and Arive Safe. The Article of Lead is much wanted in this State and would desire that you would putt as much on Board, the Spy as Capt. Niles...
36Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 25 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter which I have lately received from Florence, and which I have had the honour of laying before you, it is recommended that an endeavour should be made to interest the Min istry in favour of any Loan that may be attempted in Genoa for the United States, as it is probable the Genoese may require the security of the Court of France, for the payment of such sums as they may have it in...
37James 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...
38William Bingham to the Commissioners, 16 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is a long time Since I have had the honor of receiving any of your Commands, and am the more surprized at it, as a Packet Boat has arrived with Dispatches for the General, informing him of a Treaty of Alliance and Commerce being concluded on betwixt the Court of Versailles and the United states of America. Should this Treaty cause any material Change in the political or commercial System of...
39Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 18 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to crave your referrence to the letter I had the honnur of writing to you the 8 instant to the contents of which I am Still waiting with anxiety the favour of your answer. I received last night only under a blank cover your letter dated 10th instant address’d to any Captain bound to America the contents of which shall be carefully communicated and recommended to two Captains...
40James Smith to the Commissioners, 24 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
This is to inform you that when I arrived at Calis the 4th of May 1778 I had part of my Baggage detain’d by the Custom House Officers under the pretence of their being contraband. They consist of Household Linnen and some articles included under the denomination of plate which had been in use for some time and appeared to me as necessary for the comfort of a private family unused to the...
41Sartine to the Commissioners, 20 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recû, Messieurs, une Lettre de Nantes qui m’a été ecrite par le Sieur J. D. Schweighauser Agent des Etats unis de L’Amerique Septentrionale, qui, comme chargé de la Direction des Prises faites et conduites a Brest, par les Fregates le Ranger et la Providence, me demande les Formalités a observer, pour la Vente des dites Prises. Je lui reponds qu’elle peut etre faite, Soit a bord, Soit a...
42John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 4 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Union Cap. Barry arriv’d the 2 Instant from Edenton which place he left the 6th June. I apply’d for Letters that I apprehended as being loaden by Mr. Hewes he would have had in charge but am told he had only three, two for a Merchant at this place and one for Nantz. Its a disapointment having so short a passage not to receive advices. The Captain says he intended for Sweeden but the winds...
43The Commerce Committee to the Commissioners, 28 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
You will receive this by Thomas Read Esqr who was Captain of the Frigate Washington but is now Commander of the Armed Brigantine Baltimore. This Brigantine was intended for A dispatch Vessel, but now hath A Cargo on board of Forty Nine hhds. of Tobacco which was all she coud take in and accomodate her men. We have addressed her to John Danl. Schweighauser Merchant in Nantes, and have directed...
44Sartine to the Commissioners, 10 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Depuis la letter, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire, Messieurs le 29 du mois dernier, le Commissaire des classes a Nantes m’a marqué que l’agent des Etats unis lui avoit remis des Prisonniers Anglois qu’il avoit fait enfermer au Chateau ou l’agent pourvoit a leur Subsistance. M. de la Porte, intendant a Brest m’a egalement ecrit au Sujet d’une prise du corsaire americain le Ranger dont le...
45The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 14 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Our Affairs have now a universally good appearance. Every thing at home and abroad seems verging towards a happy and permanent period. We are preparing for either War or Peace; for altho we are fully perswaded that our Enemies are wearied beaten and disappoint in despair, yet we shall not presume too much on that belief, and the rather, as it is our fixt determination to admit no terms of...
46C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’espere que vous avez reçu la Lettre du 23, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire d’Amsterdam, et dans laquelle se trouvoit votre Minute de la Lettre en question. Nous sommes deux ici, et un à Amsterdam, qui comptons les momens jusqu’à ce qu’elle me revienne de votre part en forme, afin que je puisse la présenter &C. Nous sommes convenus, que j’ajouterai de bouche l’insinuation, d’avoir cru...
47Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 19 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honnor of writing to you yesterday referring to my letter of 8 instant which I beg leave to confirm. This cheafly Serves to inform you that Capn. Pilartry, (or some such name) of the Brig la Marie Françoise of Quimper which arrived here last night, reports that he met on the 15th instant off Portland a fleet of 21 ships of the line and 5 or 6. frigats bound to the westward but had...
48C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 9 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere étoit du 2 de ce mois. Vous verrez par les deux traductions ci-jointes à quoi en sont les affaires en Allemagne, et que l’on peut s’attendre, d’un ordinaire à l’autre, à apprendre que les hostilités ont commencé en Allemagne. Il paroît ici, depuis quelques jours, une brochure remplie de déclamations, mal cousues ensemble, contre l’Angleterre, sous le titre Le voeu de toutes les...
49Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 29 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 15th Instant by Capt. Palmes with my Orders from your Honours of on the 26th Instant. Am very uneasy that I cannot imediately per sue them; I would inform your Honours that it is not possible for me to get the Ship to Sea in less than 16 or 18 Days, as my Mainmast detains me and in Cariening my Ship, the Galley fell down, for which Reason I’ve a Iron Hearth makeing to...
50Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 17 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am highly sensible of the Confidence you honour me with by your Approbation of my Drafts on Mr. Grand, and am ready to account for the expenditure of them up to the 30th May. The Charges since my Departure from Nantes, to go to new Account. As your Time is too constantly and too importantly employed to attend to the Details of commercial Concerns, would it not be well to appoint some...
51Vergennes to the Commissioners, 15 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J ai lhonneur de vous renvoyér Messieurs, LEcrit Anglois et La lettre de Votre ami que vous m’avés fait Communiquér par M. de Sartine. Votre Correspondant Le qualifie exactement Lors qu’il le declare impolitique quant a la france et malignement insidieux par raport aux Etats unis de I amerique; Sous quelque Sens qu on Examine les Ecris, on decouvre par tout l’intention de vous séparér de vos...
52John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 26 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening Arrived at this Port a prize Brig call’d the Archangel from Archangel for London taken by the privateer General Mifflin: Cap. Daniel M’Neil of Boston in Lat 72 North Long 25°East of London. The American Arms may truely be said to extend to the Poles. The views of having a privateer to Cruize in them Seas must be truely Partiotic. It can afford no other object than to destroy the...
53C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 28 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Voilà, Messieurs, la quintessence de douze pages Hollandoises in folio, que je viens de par courir. Les dépêches de Cologne, Paris, Elseneur, Hambourg, Bruxelles, Londres, et Smyrne ne contiennent rien qui puisse vous interesser. On a ici la nouvelle sure d’une suspension d’armes en Allemagne jusqu’au ier. d’Août; et lon croit généralement que la paix s’ensuivra. Le Roi a fait venir ses...
54Vergennes to the Commissioners, 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 15 May 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:100–101 . This letter and its supporting enclosure, a copy of a letter from La Tuilliere , consul at Madeira, to Sartine dated 15 Feb., were translated by Adams in his Autobiography (for the French texts see Lb/JA/6, Microfilms ,...
55Étienne d’Audibert Caille to the Commissioners, 14 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Cadiz, 14 April 1778. RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers). This letter, addressed to Franklin, Deane, and Lee, was docketed by JA : “Memoire Mr. Daudibert Caille. to be sent to the Emperor of Morocco.” D’Audibert Caille proposed that he be authorized to conclude an agreement with the Emperor of Morocco “aux mêmes conditions que plusieurs autres Puissances l’ont faitte avec ce Souverain” to protect...
56Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honnor of writing to you fully the 5th instant, to which I beg leave to refer you. Mr. Amiel having granted to the people who were the occasion of his Journey to Dunkirk, as much time as they required to employ all their ressources to Execute the project they laid before you, and their endeavours proving fruitless, he at last determined to deliver me your much respected favour of 26....
57The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 30 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
By the Gazettes which accompany this letter you will see that the Enemy are entering upon a plan which must shortly perplex us much, unless we receive dispatches from you to enlighten us as to your Situation and Transactions of which we have had no information since the latter end of May. As we have heard of the loss of Capt. Johnston and Capt. Wickes and know that John Folgier was robbed, we...
58Sartine to the Commissioners, 18 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 18 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:166–167 ( JA ’s English translation). For the French text, see Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 94. Sartine recounted reports that he had received concerning problems with the French members of the Boston’s crew. Their...
59John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday arrived from Edenton the Sloop Sally Cap Norton which place he left the 6th June. He has brought few Letters, he mentions the entire Capture of the fourth regiment who upon the expedition of Col. Maitland pushing into the Country their retreat was cut off and obliged to lay down their Arms officers and Soldiers not one escaping. He gives also accounts of the Arrival of several...
60C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 7 – 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Après avoir dépêché ma derniere Lettre du 5e, qui finissoit parvous accuser la réception de l’honorée vôtre du 30 Avril, je merendis chez le g—— F——, pour la lui communiquer. Il se faisoit ha biller pour Sortir. Il me donna néanmoins, sur le champs un moment, dans le quel il me dit, de ne pas dire encore à notre ami d’Amsterdam, que la Lettre pour le G—— P—— étoit arrivée, mais de dire que je...