131J. D. Schweighauser and Others to the Commissioners, 7 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
The repeated Captures of American Vessells, many of which notwithstanding the Convoys we have had off this Coast have been taken the day after their Separation, and the Knowledge obtained by Our Enemies of the time of Our Vessells sailing, which induces them to cruize at a greater distance to watch the Moment that the French Frigates part from their Convoy, incline us to wish for more...
132The Commissioners to John Gilbank, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received your Letter of October the sixth, and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large sum. But as We have al ready lent you as much Money as We have lent been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, it is not in our Power we cannot without a blameable Partiality to lend...
133C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere, de 4e. partit le 6e. Demain sera un jour important, et qui aura des suites très sérieuses, si Amsterdam mollit Nous savons déjà quel sera l’avis préalable des Amirautés. Le Committé nommé pour conférer là-dessus avec Mrs. de l’Amirauté a fait son rapport, que voici: 1.° On refusera d’entrer en pourparler avec Sir Y. sur le sens des Traités quant aux Matieres de Construction et...
134C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last, of the 4th, left on the 6th. Tomorrow will be an important day and, if Amsterdam softens its position, will have serious consequences. We already know what the preliminary advisory of the Admiralties will be. The committee named to confer on this matter with the gentlemen of the Admiralty has made the following report: 1. They will refuse to enter into negotiations with Sir Joseph...
135The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last Night, We had a Letter from Nantes a Copy of which we have the honour to inclose to your Excellency. The Subject of it appears to us, of great Importance to the United States, as well as to the Individuals, Frenchmen and Americans, who are interested in the Vessels destined to America, to a considerable Number of Gentlemen and others who are going Passengers in this Fleet, and ultimately...
136The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Alliance between this Kingdom, and the United States of America, is an Event of such Magnitude in their History, that We conceive it would be highly pleasing to our Constituents, to have the Picture of their his Majesty their illustrious Friend and Ally, to be kept in some Public Place where the Congress sits. We would carefully avoid every Thing which would be disagreable to the King and...
137John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having concluded with Mr. Schweighauser for the publick freight the two Ships are ready and will proceed the begining of Next Week for Penbeuf. We have apply’d for a Convoy for the Ships which we have room to flatter ourselves will be granted and will thereby secure their passage from hence to the Loire, as there will be no delay at Nantes in the Loading all being ready both to Ship and Load...
138Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Defleury, Messieurs, m’a réprésenté que son fils unique, s’embarqua en 1776 pour se rendre en Amerique, ou il a servi les Etats Unis dans l’Armée du General Washington, avec assez de distinction pour mériter le grade de lieutenant Colonel, mais qu’ayant ête fait prisonnier et conduit au fort St. Augustin il n’a pas encore pû obtenir son Echange, et il se trouve dans l’Etat le plus...
139Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. De Fleury, gentlemen, has informed me that in 1776 his only son embarked for America where he has served the United States in General Washington’s army with enough distinction to merit the rank of lieutenant colonel, but that having been made prisoner and taken to Fort St. Augustine he has been unable to obtain his exchange and finds himself in a most deplorable state. The distinction this...
140The Commissioners’ Accounts with Ferdinand Grand: Doit Compte des Etats Unis par Messieurs Franklin, Lee et Adams chez … (Adams Papers)
1778 Debit Credit Novemb. 12 Pour Solde du précédent Compte. 439728. 15. 7. Pour une traite de Mr. Hy. Laurens Président du 7. 9bre. 1777. à 30. jours de vue, dont ces Mrs. ont été debités deux fois au lieu d’une. 900. 12 Acceptation de M. B. Franklin à une traite de J. Philips du 28. Septemb. à uso 1200. 17 Payé à Mr. Arthur Lée sur recu 4800. 18 Acceptation de Mr. B. Franklin, à traite de...
141C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 13 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les affaires deviennent ici extrêment sérieuses. La résolution (dont ma lettre du 10 vous parle) de refuser les convois aux Matieres marines, n’est pas encore formellement prise ici. On a décidé seulement, que Mercredi prochain on prendra à cet égard une résolution à la pluralité. Mrs. d’Amsterdam ont protesté contre cette pluralité, comme contraire à la Constitution, qui, dans ce cas, demande...
142C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 13 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Things are becoming extremely serious here. The resolution (mentioned in my letter of the 10th) to refuse convoys to naval stores has not yet been formally adopted. It has been decided only that next Wednesday a resolution in this regard should be adopted by a plurality. The gentlemen from Amsterdam have protested against this as being contrary to the Constitution which, in this case, requires...
143Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 14 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai mis Sous les yeux de Roy, Messieurs, les Raisons qui pouvoient determiner Sa Majesté à accorder la Liberté au Sujets des Etats Unis prissoniers en France; mais elle à pensé Sagement que cette Faveur ne devoit être acordée qu’à ceux qui ont été pris Sur des Batimens americains et forcés de servir contre leur patrie. En Consequence, Messieurs il Seroit nécéssaire que vous prissiez la Peine,...
144Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 14 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have placed before the King, gentlemen, the reasons which might convince His Majesty to grant freedom to the subjects of the United States who are prisoners in France. He thought wisely, however, that this favor should be accorded only to those who have been taken on American ships and forced to serve against their country. Therefore, gentlemen, it will be necessary that you take the trouble...
145James Smith to the Commissioners, 15 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose you the Testimony of Mr. Anthy. Payn concerning the detention of my Goods at Calis with the names of the Officer by whom they were taken and the Servant of Mr. Payn who was also eye witness to the transaction and lives at the Hotel Lyon d’Argent at Calais. It may be also proper to inform you that a Gentleman who I have been given to understand by Mr. Williams is...
146John Gilbank to the Commissioners, 16 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Not having received from you any Answer to two letters which I have had the honour to write to you, requesting to be supplied with Money to enable me, with the first Opportunity, to join my Regiment; And as a Convoy is very shortly expected, and the Vessels will be ready to sail, I am compelled to trouble you a third time on the subject, and to assure you that, without such Supply, it will be...
147Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 16 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçû, Messieurs, avec la Lettre, que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire, le 12 de ce mois, la Copie de celle qui vous a été Adressée par M. Schweighausser Agent des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale à Nantes, au Sujet de l’Escorte qu’il demande, ainsi que plusieurs Negociants Americains, pour un certain nombre de Navires qu’ils doivent expedier vers la fin du mois. J’aurois été...
148Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received with the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 12th of this month, gentlemen, the copy of the letter addressed to you by Mr. Schweighauser, agent for the United States of North America at Nantes, on the subject of the escort that he, together with several other American merchants, requests for a number of vessels that they hope to send off toward the end of the...
149The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 17 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us, on the 14 of this Month, and in answer to the Proposal Enquiry, contained in it, We beg Leave to acquaint your Excellency that there is not now in France, nor to our Knowledge, in Europe, any Frigate or other Vessell of War, belonging to the United States. If there was, We should not hesitate to order her,...
You are to go by the shortest Road to Dieppe, and make all the Dispatch possible. At Dieppe enquire for Mr. Baron, Merchant there, and take his Advice whether to go off to the Ship, or to acquaint the Captain with your Arrival send him the Letters you have for him, and desire him to come and meet you on shore. The last is safest for the Intelligence you may obtain, as well as for you, if the...
151Enclosure: List of Enquiries, 20 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
1. Force of his Vessel, Number of Men, &c. 2. What time he left America, and from what Port. 3. What Instructions he had from Congress. 4. If he knows the Contents of his Dispatches. 5. Ask for News, and Newspapers. 6. What Account there was of Differences between Count D’Estaign’s People and those of Boston. 7. Whether he was well supply’d with Necessaries there and Provisions. 8. Whether he...
152C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 20 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
De retour ici depuis Mercredi matin, j’appris après-dîner de notre Ami, que l’acte de despotisme, que ma derniere du 13 Nov. vous annonçoit, a été consommé dans l’Assemblée provinciale après une Séance de 3 heures, et que l’avis préalable avec sa queue, dont je vous ai rendu compte dans ma Lettre du ioe., a été résolu à la pluralité: sur quoi la Ville d’Amsterdam a fait insérer un Protest...
153C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 20 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I returned here Wednesday morning and, after dinner, learned from our friend that the act of despotism, described in my last of 13 November, had been consummated in the Provincial Assembly after a three-hour session. Also, the preliminary advisory together with its concluding provision, described in my letter of the 10th, has been resolved by a plurality. The City of Amsterdam has inserted a...
154John Walshe and Others to the Commissioners, 20 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Memorial of the Officers late of his Britanic Majesty’s Sloop Drake, Captn. Wm. Moore of the Patience Brig, Archibald Borland of the Tryal Schooner, John Douglass of the Sally Sloop, Prisoners on board the said Brig. Sheweth. That your Memorialists were brought into this Road of Brest on the 7th May last and on the 11th were put on board this Vessel and allowed the Cabin to be in, which they...
Upon reconsidering Job Prince’s Letter, it is observable, that there is not a single Circumstance mention’d in it by which one may be assured that it is either an honest Letter or a Forgery and a Trick to get into their Power from us some Person of Confidence from whom or from the Letters we might write by him they might pick out some useful Intelligence. The releasing a French Fisherman taken...
156John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 21 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I attended yesterday to the Vissit made by the Inspector of the Artillery of the Cannon laying at this Port belonging to Monsr. Le Bertin. The report is as favorable as can be given as to their appearance which is all that can be said of them until Proved. The following is the list given me in by the person who has them under his care. 77 Cannon du Calibre de 36£ du poids de 75 quintx la piece...
157The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 25 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your Letter of the seventeenth Instant, We desire you would ship to America, all the Goods belonging to the United States, of every sort. And consequently to write for no more Workmen, but dismiss, immediately, all that remain if any. We can give you no Directions about the Articles “entreposed” for the Coast of Guinea: because We understand nothing about the Matter. We neither...
158Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 25 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le Roi a fait expedier, Messieurs, des Passeports pour quatre Batimens anglois, qui doivent venir d’un Port etranger a Dunkerque, il est egalment necessaire de les mettre a l’abri d’insulte de la Part des Corsaires Americaines, et Je vous prie de m’envoyer a c e t Effet quatre Lettres ostensibles ou Passeports, dont ils puissent Se Servir dans l’occasion. Je vous observe, qu’ils doivent être...
159Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 25 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
The King, gentlemen, has sent passports for four English vessels which are to come from a foreign port to Dunkerque. It is equally necessary that they be protected from insult by American privateers and I ask you to send me, in this regard, four open letters or passports, which they could use if needed. Please note that they must be left blank since they can only be filled out on the spot. I...
160John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 28 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ we are without any interesting inteligence in this or the neighbouring Ports I hold it my duty to advise you that so it is. The Merchants from their heavy Loss’s are obliged to contract their concerns which unfortunately will be sensibly felt by the short Exports for the United States. Excepting three small Cutters belonging to Virginia it is three Months since any expedition went from...