51The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 13 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Therese has arrived at Nantes and her Cargo is consigned to Us. We have determined to make Sale of this Cargo, and reserve the Proceeds for a particular Purpose. We therefore, hereby request and impower you, to demand and recive her Cargo, make sale of it to the best possible Advantage, transmit Us an Account sales as soon as may be, and reserve the Proceeds of Sale for our further orders....
52C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 13 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Quoique ce ne soit pas aujourdhui jour de poste, je commencerai par vous dire, que l’Assemblée d’Hollande, après avoir duré longtemps hier, est enfin venue à la Résolution, de porter l’équipement de cette République, pour le temps qu’il y aura guerre entre la F—— et l’Angle terre, indépendamment de l’Escadre qu’il y a aux Indes occidentales, à 32 tant Vaisseaux de Ligne que Frégattes, et 8000...
Although today is not post-day, I will begin by informing you that, after a long session yesterday, the Assembly of Holland has finally resolved that as long as France and Britain are at war and in addition to the squadron in the West Indies, it would increase the Republic’s forces by 32 ships of the line and frigates, and 8,000 crewmen, to serve in Europe, mainly in the Channel and the North...
54John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Referring to what I had the Honor to write you the 12th Current. Yesterday arrived from Virginia the Cutter Tartar Capt. Southcomb. He left York River the 29th July. Private Letters by him are dated the 21st of same contain no accounts other than them at hand. He reports a report of Comte d’Estaing having taken five English Frigates, that New York was closely blockt up and no doubt of the...
55Richard Grinnell to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I would Inform the Honnourabel Board of Commisioners that I Took Passage with Capt. Barns as did Capt. Peter Collis and Sailed from Penbufe Paimbeauf on the 29th august and on the First of September Being in the Lattitude 46°:00′ and Longitude 9°:00′ we ware Taken by the Speedwell Cutter Belonging heare mounting twelve Guns and Commanded by Capt. Abraham Bushall who Treated me and Capt. Collis...
56Daniel McNeill to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
On my Cruize in the Ship Genl. Mifflin of Boston, and on August the 22 Instant being about fifty Leagues West and North of the Island Oshant att 9 AM saw Three Sail of Vessells bearing ENE from us about five Leagues Distance Standing to the ENE, which I took to be Enemies by the Course they Steared. I gave them Chase, as soon as they found I was in Chase of them, they spoke each other, and one...
57Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 16 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recu, Messieurs, La Lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire au Sujet du navire francois L’isabelle—que le Corsaire americaine le General Mifflin a repris Sur un Corsaire de Guernsey. Dans La these generale, vous connoissez les dispositions de L’ordonnance de la marine de 1681 que adjudge aux Capitaines preneurs les Batimens repris lorsqu’ils ont été pendant 24 heures en la main...
I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the subject of the French Ship Isabella which the American Privateer General Mifflin recaptured from a Guernsey privateer. In the general Thesis, you may see the Dispositions of the Ordinance of the Marine of 1681 which adjudges to Captains captors of recaptured vessels when they have been during 24 Hours in the Enemies...
The last letter which We have had the Honour to write jointly to Congress, was of the Twentyeth of July, and as We have Sent Several Copies of it by different opportunities, We hope one of them at least will come Safe to hand. Since our last there has been an important Action at Sea, between two very powerfull Fleets, in which, in our Opinion the French had a manifest and great Advantage, but...
60The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have this Morning the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of the Sixteenth, relative to the french Brigantine the Isabella retaken, by the American Privateer the General Mifflin, from a Guernsey Privateer, after having been Eighty Hours in his Hands. We have the Honour to agree perfectly, with your Excellency, in your Sentiments of the Justice and Policy of the Principle of Reciprocity...
61Horneca, Fizeaux & Co. to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Nous avons reçu, la Lettre dont vous nous avez honnorés le 31 du Mois passé, et qui ne nous est parvenuë que le 15 du courant. Par nôtre précedente du 7 nous vous avons accusé la Reception, par M. Whitall, du Livre, contenant 205 Promesses des Etats Unis de L’Amerique de Courant F. 1000 chaque, payable au Ir. Janvier 1788, rêvetuës de 10 de 50 pour les Interêts, à 5 pour Cent par Année, le...
We have received the letter that you did us the honor to send the 31st of last month, but which did not arrive until the 15th. In our letter of the 7th, we acknowledged the receipt, from Mr. Whitall, of the book containing 205 promissory notes of the United States of America, each for 1,000 florins current payable on 1 January 1788 and accompanied by 10 of 50 florins for the interest of 5...
63William Lee to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I wish to have a conference with you on a Subject that very materially concerns our Country which at present is a profound Secret to our Enemies or their Agents and must remain so ’till compleated, or the success will be interrupted; any hour therefore tomorrow (at 12 oClock or afterwards) when you are alone, that you may please to appoint, I will do myself the honour of waiting on you, and in...
Altho We have not written to you directly, for some time You may be assured, We have not been unmindfull of your Interests, your Comfort or your Liberty. We have been engaged, a long time, in negociating a Cartell of Exchange. This Work We found attended with many Difficulties, but at last have obtained Assurances from England that an Exchange shall take Place. We have also obtained from the...
65Jonathan Loring Austin to the Commissioners, 19 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
On Tuesday Morning, as I have already had the Honor of informing Your Excellencies, I shall set out for Holland, and from thence embrace the first Opportunity of returning to America, after an Absence of Twelve Months. Permit me to request a Letter of Recommendation to Congress: also to the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay, from whom I was more immediately dispatch’d with the...
66Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received information that the Ship Nile, Captn. Goldsmith has been taken, and carried into Marseilles. She was bound from London to Leghorn, and had on board Twenty Packages of Baggage belonging to me. These Packages are marked, and numbered in the following manner AB A Monsieur Monsieur Antoine Martinelli Negotiant, pour remettre a Monsieur l’Abbé Niccoli a Livourne No. 1 a 20. My own...
67Muscoe Livingston to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of —— I have Received and will answer Immediately on My Return to Nantes at which place, I have Left all the papers, Rilative, to that business; I shall have a very fine Ship Ready for Sea, Immediately, and would be Very glad to take in, two or three hundred Tons of the publick goods, which Now Lays at Nantes for America; as to the Freight, I Really am unacquainted with; but If you...
68Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 17 de ce mois. Je ne doutois pas que les reflexions que je vous proposois Sur la Necessité d’etablir pour les reprises faites en mer une parfaite reciprocité entre les deux nations ne vous parussent de toute Justice. Je Suis fâché que vous n’ayez pas entre les mains une Copie des loix des Etats unis relativement à...
69From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 22 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
In order that I We may be understand one another, Upon looking over the Account of the Expenditure of the Money for which We have jointly drawn upon the Banker Since my Arrival at Passi, I find some Articles charged, for Similar ones to which I have paid in my seperate Capacity. I dont mean to be difficult about these Things but that each of Us may We may have a Plan, for the future, I beg...
70Jonathan 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...
71The Commissioners to William Lee, 22 – 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have considered, with some Attention the Papers which you have laid before Us, containing a Project of a Treaty to be made between the Republic of the United Provinces, and that of the United States of America. As Congress have entrusted to Us the Authority of treating with all the States of Europe, excepting Such as have particular Commissioners designated by Congress to treat with them,...
72E. F. van Berckel to the Commissioners, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le soussigné, Conseiller Pensionaire de la Ville d’Amsterdam, a l’honneur de faire savoir à tous les Messieurs qui se trouvent duement qualifiés de la part du Congrès des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, qu’il se trouve autorisé par Mrs. les Bourguemaîtres de la dite Ville, de déclarer en leur nom, que, dans la supposition que le dit Congrès rientrera pas avec les Commissaires Anglois dans des...
The undersigned, Councilor Pensionary of the City of Amsterdam, has the honor to inform all the gentlemen who find themselves duely commissioned by the congress of the United States of America, that he finds himself authorized by the burgomasters of the city to declare in their name that, assuming the said congress will not enter into any agreement with the English commissioners that would be...
74J. D. Schweighauser to the Commissioners, 24 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received but Yesterday the Letter with which you have honoured me the 14 Instant, covering one the 17th. for Capt. Richard together with the Bill of Loading and Invoice of 895 Barrels of Rice and thirty one of Indigo shipped by Mr. A. Livingston of Charles Town and Subject to your particular orders. I imediatly have been to Mr. Peltier du Doyer who I knew had the Care and direction of...
75The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We had last Evening the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of the twenty fourth of this Month, in Answer to ours of the twenty Eighth ultimo relative to the Liberty for Americains to pass through this Kingdom with their Effects, in their Way home, Duty free, inclosing Copy of a Letter from Mr. Necker to your Excellency, upon the same subject. We shall take the Liberty to pursue the Rules...
76To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I very much approve your Plan with regard to our future Accounts—and wish it to be followed. The Accounts that have been shown you, are only those of the Person we had entrusted with the receiving and paying our Money; and intended merely to show how he was discharged of it. We are to separate from that Account the Articles for which Congress should be charged, and those for which we should...
77J. D. Schweighauser to the Commissioners, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last post I have had the honour of writing to you laying before you Mr. Peltier du Doyer’s answer to my demand of the Thereze’s Cargo and beging your directions in that affair, but after reflection I have thought that it was proper to lay an arrest in his Hands claiming the delivery of those goods on my Bill of Loading to prevent his remitting the proceeds to Paris, before I received your...
78Joseph Wharton Jr. to the Commissioners, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
You need not I presume be informed of the difficulties which the People of the United States continue to suffer through the great scarcity of Salt. To lessen these difficulties, and at the same time to benefit myself, I propose during the present Winter to send several Cargoes of that necessary Commodity to our Countrey, and I wish to do it from Portugal rather than any where else, on account...
79The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 27 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us on the 21 instant, relative to the Isabella, retaken from a Guernsey Privateer, by Captain McNeil in the General Mifflin. As it is extreamly probable that the Compte D’Estaing has retaken several American Vessells from the English, We shall no dout Soon have Intelligence, what has been done in those Cases. We...
80The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 27 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Dans la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire, Messieurs le 28 du mois dernier vous avez rapellé la promesse que le Roi a faite par l’Article 8 du Traite d’Amitie et de Commerce Signe le 6 fevrier dernier de S’emploïer auprès des Regences Barbaresques, pour procurer aux Sujets des Etats unis toute Sûreté dans la Mediterranée pour leur Commerce et leur navigation. J’ai communiqué...
In the letter which you did me the honor to write to me the 28th. of last month, You recall the promise which the King has made in the 8th Article of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce signed the 6th. February last, to employ his good offices with the Regencies of Barbary, to procure for the subjects of the United States, every security in the Meditteranean for their Commerce and...
82Matthew Ridley to the Commissioners, 29 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Meeting accidentally, when in London, with a Manuscript Book of the Commissioners of the English Navy, a few Years back; containing a very accurate description of the Dimensions, Guns, Men &ca. of most Ships then in Commission; various calculations for the purpose of Ship building and repairing; the duties of the several Officers in their different stations on board Ships of War, and other...
83The Commissioners to John Ross, 30 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received your Letter of the twenty second of September, and take this Opportunity to say, that We have no Authority, either to give you Orders or Advice, any further than respects the large Sum of Money, which the Commissioners put into your Hands sometime ago. Of the Expenditure of this Money, We have demanded an Account, which you have refused to give Us. With your private Concerns...
84The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received, the Letter which your Excellency, did Us the Honour, to write to us, on the twenty seventh of the last Month: together with a Copy of a Letter from the Ministre of the Marine to your Excellency, of the twenty first of the Same Month. Convinced of the Propriety of those Ecclaircisements, which his Excellency demands, We had recourse to our Instructions from Congress, and...
85Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Des raisons particulieres, Messeurs, m’ayant determiné a proposer a Sa Majesté d’accorder au Sieur Fagan trois passeports pour trois navires anglois qui doivent transporter des Marchandises de France, en Angleterre sous une caution convenable. Le Sieur Fagan desireroit que les corsaires americains ne troublassent pas cette navigation protégée par sa Majesté. Je vous prie de vouloir bien lui...
Some specific reasons have convinced me, gentlemen, to ask His Majesty to grant Mr. Fagan passports for three British vessels which will carry goods from France to England under suitable guarantees. Mr. Fagan does not want American privateers to trouble this voyage protected by His Majesty and, therefore, I kindly request that you give him, in this regard, all the assurances within your power...
87Household Accounts of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams at Passy, 1 October 1778 – 23 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
1778 1778 Octr. 1 Passy Octr. 1. 1778 Sir Pay to the honble. John Adams Esqr., or order the Sum of Six thousand Livres, and Charge the Same to Account of the Commissioners 6000. B. Franklin John Adams Oct. 2 Cabaret for Stationary, per Receipt 84. 10. 6 Washerwomans Account for D. Franklin 78. 12 Dennis Account
88C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Si vous n’avez pas eu de mes nouvelles depuis ma derniere du 13 au 18 Sept, je n’en ai pas moins été occupé au service des Etats-Unis, comme Sir G. pourra vous l’attester. De 10 jours que j’ai passés à Amsterdam, j’en ai employé un aux ordres du g—— F——, deux avec notre Ami, et les sept autres, renfermé dans une Chambre, à écrire sur vos Promesses 615 Numeros, 2460 folios, 2255 fois A, et 2255...
89C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Although you have had no news from me since my last of 13–18 September, I have nevertheless, as Sir Grand will attest, been busy in the service of the United States. Of the ten days I spent in Amsterdam, I employed one in waiting on the Grand Facteur, two with our friend, and the other seven shut up in a room writing 615 numbers, 2460 folios, 2255 times A, and 2255 times Passy 31. Aoust 1778...
90John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 3 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We are yet without any Arrivals from any part of America, from Carolina as an embargo is in force for the exporting of Rice, it is not extraordinary, but from all the other Provinces some Vessels may be expected as there are many french Vessels in Virginia Maryland and No. Carolina, should vessels belonging to the States be wanting, which I apprehend is rather the Case, some of the other ought...
91Thomas Grant and Joses Hill to the Commissioners, 3 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We the Subscribed first and Second Mate, for us and eight more Sailors, of the Snow the Nancy of Edington Edenton Nord Caroline, James Morrisson Master, enterd her the 3d of May this Year, according to the Subscribed Indenture, to stire her either to Spain or France loaden and bring her back in any Port of the united Provinces i.e. United States , for the stipulated Quantity of Pounds monthly...
92Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recu Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 26 du mois dernier, par laquélle vous appuiez la demande de M. Izzard ministre des Etats unis en Toscane, qui reclame des effets chargés sur le navire anglois le Nil pris par le corsaire de Marsielle le Cesar. C’est par erreur que vous avez cité dans votre lettre, l’article 16 du traité fait entre sa majesté et les...
I have received, gentlemen, the letter that you did me the honor to write the 26th of last month, in which you support Mr. Izard, United States Minister to Tuscany, in his request for the restitution of certain belongings carried aboard the British vessel, the Nile, which was captured by the Caesar, a privateer from Marseilles. It is by error that in your letter you have cited Article 16 of...
94Peter Collas to the Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The 6 of August last I weant from hence to Nants Intended for Boston and on the 29th sailed from Nants for Boston On board of the Dispatch, Coben Barns master and On the ferst of September was Captured by the Ennemies and Carred in to Guernsey, from there I gott to England and made the best of my way for France. At my Arivall a Calais where According to custom my Trunk was Searched and in it...
95Domenico Caracciolo to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je Suis persuadé, qu’il est dèja a Votre Connoissance, que le Roi de Deux Siciles mon Maitre à Ordonnée de tenir Ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente Nations, et aussi des Pirates, je vous prie de me faire Savoir les Couleurs du...
I am persuaded that you already know that the King of the two Sicilies my master, has ordered the ports of all his dominions to be kept open to the Flag of the United States of America, for which reason, to avoid every possible mistake at this time, when the Seas are covered with the privateers of different Nations, and likewise with Pirates, I request you to inform me of the Colours of the...
97John Ross to the Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
By the tuisdays post, I had the honor of your favour 30th. Ultimo now before me. And I find thereby, a want of Authority, deprivs me of either instructions or Advice from you in the concerns of the Public, farther thin what respects the large Sume of money put into my hands by the Honorable the Commissioners. It has been all along my own Opinion, that am only responsible to the Honorable...
98The Commissioners to Domenico Caracciolo, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We are this Moment honoured with your Excellencys Letter of the Eighth of this Month, and We thank your Excellency for the Information, that his Majesty the King of the two Sicilies, hath ordered the Ports of his Dominions to be open to the Flagg of the United States of America. We should be glad to have a Copy of his Majesty’s Edict for that purpose, in order to communicate it to the...
99Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your humble petionner hath ben from America this four years in the English Services though not in Goverment Services of any kind nither have I any kind of pretentions or clames to any honour in Supporting the just cause of America any further then Releveing many prisoners with Money and means to make thare Escape from England. Therefore wishing to be of more Services then I have ben I have a...
100Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As thier hath ben a moust Valueable Whale fishry discoverd by the people of England Since the preasent contest with America and a thing of the utmoust Consequence to the above poeple—if it is your minds to destroy it I Should be glad to give you all the information that is in my Power to affect the Same. I have ben in the busaness my self and was very Senceable I was doing Rong, therefore...