21From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 31 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Letter of the 29 is now before me. It would ill become me born and educated in the Wilderness , ignorant of the Commerce, Finances, Views and in one Word the Policy of France, to presume to advise, the Direction of her Armies. The accidental Conversation you mention was among Friends and with that Frankness which is tolerated in all Men in such kind of Companies. One Question you...
22From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 8 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had last Night, very late your Card, respecting Mathews. I cannot recollect that any Thing was ever done in Congress, respecting him or his Conspiracy. I remember too have heard of the Transaction at the Time, but it was not an affair of sufficient Moment to excite any extensive Allarm, or make any extensive Impression; and I believe it was thought so little of, as never to have been sent to...
23From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 30 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
As many Gentlemen may apprehend that one is exposed to a shortage of Provisions, especially of Bread in America, from the Difficulty which the French Fleet found at Boston, to obtain a Supply, especially of Bread, I beg Leave to suggest to you, an Observation or two upon that Subject. It would be Sufficient to Say, that the Comte D’Destaing, did, in Fact obtain, a Sufficient Quantity, altho...
24From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 30 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
M. Adams is very Sorry, it is not in his Power to Send Monsieur Genet a Copy of the Manifesto of Congress. He lent the only Copy he had to Mr. Lee, who promised, Yesterday, to send a Copy to M. Genet, this Morning. M. A. gave to Monsieur Garnier a Translation of it into French done by a young Gentleman here, which Mr. Garnier has probably sent. I have Seen, in a Virginia News Paper, an Answer...
25To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai lu à M. le Comte de Vergennes ce qui concerne M. le Comte d’Estaing, dans le billet dont vous m’avés honoré. Il m’a recommandé d’en faire mention dans mon Journal. Mais ce sera pour le numéro d’après celui qui paroitra demain. J’y ai mis une piece anglois—Signée Fire and Sword qui vous amusera. Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur, Je veillerai sur...
26Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I read to Count Vergennes that which concerns the Count d’Estaing in the note with which you honored me. He recommended that I mention it in my journal. But it will have to appear in the number after that which will appear tomorrow. I have also included an English piece—signed Fire and Sword, which should amuse you. I am, with respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, I am...
27From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 4 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
The resolve of Congress of the 10 October, that you have inserted in your No. 62 is another Forgery. It has internal Marks of it enough. 1. Congress are not so much allarmed. They know the Ennemy have not the Power, tho they very well know they have the Will to do the Mischief. 2. Congress, would never recommend the building of such Hutts. There are Houses enough in the Country to receive the...
28From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 14 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit you, three Letters, received by the Marquiss de la Fayette. I send you the Letters from Mr. Adams and Mr. Lee that you may know their Sentiments. All that is said of Mr. me, in both these Letters I hope you will omit. They are only Compliments, and I fancy Mistakes. What is said also, of General Sullivan in Mr. Adams’s Letter should also be omitted. And what is...
29From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 18 February 1780 (Adams Papers)
Whether it is that the Art of political Lying is better understood in England than in any other Country, or whether it is more practised there than elsewhere, or whether it is accidental that they have more Success in making their Fictions gain Credit in the World, I know not. But it is certain that every Winter, since the Commencement of the present War with America, and indeed for some Years...
30To 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...