31To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 20 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Vous avés craint d’importuner M. le Comte de Vergennes et vous m’avés fait l’honeur de vous addresser à moi pour savoir ce que vous devès penser de differens bruits que les anglois se sont attachés à répandre. Je suis infiniment flatté de la marque de confiance que vous avés bien voulu me donner mais j’ai cru devoir mettre votre lettre sous les yeux de ministre. Il m’a chargé de vous assurer...
32Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 20 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Hesitating to bother the Count de Vergennes, you have done me the honor of addressing me in order to determine what to think of the var ious rumors that the English have taken upon themselves to circulate. I am greatly flattered by this mark of confidence that you have had the goodness to bestow on me, but thought that I should place your letter before the minister. He has directed me to...
33From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 24 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter, that you did me the Honour to write me the 20th. of this Month. I was cautious of troubling the Minister, with an Application directly to him upon a Subject like that of my Letter to you: but I thank you, for the Trouble you have taken in laying it, before him. The kind Expressions of his Excellencies Confidence, and his Readiness to receive any Applications...
34To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 25 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Je ne manquerai point de rendre compte a monseigneur le Comte de Vergennes de la lettre dont vous venés de m’honorer. Je vais écrire aussi à Ostende pour qu’on vous fasse venir Sous mon couvert deux gazettes les plus renommées dans chaque parti. Suivant moi c’est dans celui de l’Opposition le General advertiser imprimé par W. Parker—et dans celui du Ministere le Morning post. Ce sont les deux...
35Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 25 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I will not fail to inform the Count Vergennes of the letter with which you have honored me. I will also write to Ostend to ask them to send, under my name, two gazettes, the most influential in each party. To my mind they are, for the Opposition, the General Advertiser , published by W. Parker—and for the Ministry, the Morning Post. These are the two that I will request and forward to you...
36From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 26 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just now recieved the Letter, which You did me the Honor to write me yesterday , and I thank You, Sir, for the Loan of the English Paper s, which I shall carefully return, and beg the Loan of the oth ers, as y ou can spare them, until those shall arrive, which you have ordered for me: for the Trouble you have taken in ordering those Papers; for your kind Enquiries after my Son, who has...
37To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 28 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai écrit à Ostende pour les deux gazettes en question. En attendant je continuerai à vous en prêter des miennes, toujours le plutôt qu’il Sera possible. Je Suis charmé de Savoir que mr. votre fils est de retour en bonne Santé à Passy. Quelque jour de ce printems il faut que vous me l’envoyés avec Mr Cooper’s grand child , et mr. votre autre fils. Je leur ferai voir Versailles, et je ferai en...
38Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 28 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have written to Ostend for the two gazettes in question. In the meantime, I will continue, always as soon as possible, to lend you mine. I am very happy to hear that your son has returned in good health to Passy. Some day this spring you should send me him, together with Mr. Cooper’s grand child and your other son. I will show them Versailles and ensure they return satisfied. My son will be...
39From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 29 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment your s of the 28. I thank You, Sir, for your kind Invitation to my three Sons, to come some time in the Spring, and spend a day at Ver sailles, which will be very agreeable to them, and to me. I am happy to find that the Report of the Committee has your Approbation; and shall be very g lad to see it translated and printed as it is. Every Attempt of this kind may be worth...
40From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 22 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams fait mille Complimens sinceres a Monsieur Genet et Remerciamens pour les Gazettes Angloises. Monsieur Genet est prié de la part de M. A. de vouloir bien l’informer, quand, et a qui, le payment pour ces Gazettes doit etre faite. Au Surplus, M. A. souhaite de scavoir, si le Bruit qui etoit repandu hier, de quelque Changement dans le Ministere Anglois, ait quelque fondement. Et l’autre,...
41John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet: A Translation, 22 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Adams sends his sincere compliments to Mr. Genet and thanks him for the British gazettes. Mr. Adams would like Mr. Genet to please inform him when, and to whom, the payment for these gazettes should be made. In addition, Mr. Adams would like to know if the rumor spread yesterday concerning some change in the British ministry has any foundation. Also the rumor concerning a quintuple...
42From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 29 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Do you think it worth while to work into your next Article, from London, the following Observation of Lord Bolinbroke? “The precise Point, at which the Scales of power turn, like that of the Solstice, in either Tropic, is imperceptible to common Observation; and, in one case, as in the other, Some progress must be made, in the new direction, before the change is perceived. They who are in the...
43To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 29 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur Adams une Notice Sûre des Flottes parties de Brest dans le tems où Walsingham a eu avis que l’Escadre francoise paroissoit a l’ouvert de la manche, et qu’une terreur panique l’a fait retourner à Plimouth, quoi qu’il eût le vent bon pour continuer Sa route. Il Seroit amusant de voir ces détails dans les papiers anglois, et qu’ils y fussent présentés comme...
44Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 29 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to send Mr. Adams a reliable account of the fleet which left Brest at the same time that Walsingham was informed that the French squadron would appear at the entrance of the Channel and, in total panic, returned to Plymouth, despite having a favorable wind to continue his voyage. It should be amusing to see these details in the British newspapers, particularly if presented as...
45From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 3 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had, two days ago the Honour to inclose to the Minister a Boston Gazette of 21 February, in which is a Relation of a glorious Combat and Cruise of my Countryman Captain Waters of the Thorn. Let me beg of you sir, to insert this Account in the Gazette and the Mercure. There has not been a more memorable Action this War, and the Feats of our American Frigates and Privateers have not been...
46From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 7 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the Loan of the inclosed Paper. I think there is room to hope that Clinton will meet with a Reception that will not be agreable to him, even to hope that he will not succeed. But there is great danger. The Loss of the Frigates will give an Additional Sting to that of the Town. It is truely deplorable that these Devils should be allowed to commit such Ravages and do Such...
47From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your Note of yesterday and the Papers inclosed. The Proposals for a general Pacification, by the Dean of Gloucester, whether they were written by him, or another, were probably intended to feel the pulse, of France, or Spain, or America, nay it is not impossible that they might be intended to Sound, So inconsiderable a Portion of Existence as Mr. John Adams: but it must be...
48To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l honneur de vous envoyer ci joint un Lond. Ev. post du 6. que je vous prie de me renvoyer sur le champ. Je vous comuniquerai un London Courant où il y a un long détail de la reception qui vous a été faite en Espagne. J’apprens par les gazettes que mr. le Cap. Paul Jones loge avec vous. Vous nous ferés grand plaisir de nous l’amener dimanche. Ce sera un jour très heureux pour moi et nous...
49Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 9 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to send you enclosed a London Evening Post of 6 May, but I must ask you to return it immediately. I will send you a London Courant , containing a detailed account of your reception in Spain. I learn from the gazettes that Captain Paul Jones lodges with you. It would give us great pleasure if you would bring him with you Sunday. That will be a most happy day for me and we will...
50From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 10 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have communicated your Invitation to Commodore Jones. He will go to Versailles a Sunday, but I believe is engaged to dine. I will have the Honor of waiting on You with Mr. Dana and Mr. Thaxter, on Sunday: but I believe, it will be best to leave my little Sons, and give them another Opportunity of availing themselves of your Goodness. Sir John Dalrymple is at Madrid, and coming this Way, from...
51From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 11 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just recieved your Card of the 10th. I agree with You that the Dean’s propositions are too absurd to be noticed. As to the History of my peregrinations in Spain, and I find it is true as far as it goes; altho’ the half is not told, excepting in the following particulars. They have called the American Agent at Corunna, Mr. Laurens, whereas his Name is Mr. Lagoanere. They have called, the...
52To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 11 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Nous serions bien fachés, Monsieur de ne pas avoir dimanche the young gentlemen . C’est un jour fait pour eux, puis qu’il y a une cérémonie qui ne se repete pas souvent, et j’ai pris les précautions nécessaires pour qu’ils la voyent à leur aise. Nous les attendons et nous vous Supplions de ne point tromper notre attente. Le Commodore Jones nous fera sûrement lhoneur d’accepter le break fast...
53Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 11 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
We would be most unhappy not to see the young gentlemen Sunday. It is a day made for them since the ceremony is not repeated often, and I have taken the necessary steps so that they can see it comfortably. We are expecting them and beg you not to disappoint us. Commodore Jones will surely honor us by accepting our invitation to breakfast . I will serve good tea which has not been taxed by...
54From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 15 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have engaged a Person in London to s end me all the political Pamphlets, as they come out and some necessary Books as I shall order them. He has sent me already one Box and one Packet, at least to a Mr. Francis Bowens Merchant in Ostend. I should be once more obliged to You, if You could inform me, in what Way I can soonest get them from thence, and whether there are any Regulations which...
55From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 17 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Genl. Con way in his Speech in the House of Commons, on the 6th. of May, affirms that the Alliance between France and the United States is not natural. Whether it is or not, is no doubt a great question. In order to determine, whether it is or no, one should consider, what is meant by a natural Alliance. And I know of no better general Rule than this, when two Nations, have the same Interests...
56To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 17 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
C’est avec le plus grand plaisir que je faciliterai votre correspondance et que j’accepte les offres que vous voulès bien me faire qui entrent completement dans les vües de notre Ministre. Je vous répons du plaisir avec lequel il donnera Son approbation, pour l’impression dans le mercure, à tout ce qui nous viendra d’une aussi bonne main. Et vous ne devès pas douter du Secret qui Sera gardé...
57Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 17 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
It is with the greatest pleasure that I will forward your correspondence, and that I accept the offers you so kindly extend to me and which perfectly match our Minister’s views. I can assure you of his pleasure in giving his approval to publish in the Mercure everything that shall come from such a good pen. And you must rest assured that your name will be kept a secret from all except the...
58From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 20 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Tha nks for this Paper. Ld George Gordon I think will be the Oliver Cromwell, after all. He seems the only Man of Common sense, and he begins with Religion. Burke, Barry, Fox, Conway, &c and all the rest appear but small Boys to Lord George. RC (Private owner, 1972). Fire damage has resulted in the loss of the first word and possibly the greeting, although the absence of a closing and...
59From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 28 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
When a great Minister, of an ancient and powerful nation, which has been renowned for its Wisdom and Virtue, as well as Power, arises, in a popu lar assembly, which is the most conspicuous Theater in the World, and declares, a s it were in the face of the Universe, and with an Air of Reflection, of delibera tion, and of so lemnity, that, Such and Such, are his own opinions of the Trut h of...
60From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Rodney himself, it seems did all. He fought and beat six Ships. Pray, why did not the Rest of his Fleet beat the rest of the French Fleet over whom they had the Superiority. This Way of giving Extracts of Letters only, leaves room to suspect. But I think, by his own Account, he has nothing to brag of. Three drawn Battles wont maintain the Lordship of the Water. Drawn Battles wont do. I hope,...
61To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 13 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Le Sincere interêt que vous m’avés inspiré, joint au désir de prouver une vraie Satisfaction à mr. adenet qui aura l’honeur de vous remettre cette lettre, est le motif pour lequel je prens la liberté de vous l’addresser. M. adenet est depuis longtems de mes amis, et un des plus Zelès de ceux de la cause américaine. Il entend parfaitement la langue anglaise et il écrit très bien en Francois....
62Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 13 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am motivated in taking the liberty to write this letter by the sincere interest you have inspired in me and the desire to give proof of the esteem in which I hold Mr. Addenet, who will have the honor of delivering this letter. Mr. Addenet is an old friend and one of those most zealous in the American cause. He understands the English language perfectly and writes very well in French. He is a...