1From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 8 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I do myself, the Honour to transmit you a Small Bundle of Newspapers, for your Perusal, out of which you will Select any Thing that you think proper for Publication, in your very valuable Collection of Affairs D’Angleterre et L’Amerique. Looking over the Remembrancer, for the Year 1775,1 found to my Surprize, having never seen this Remembrancer before, two Letters from a Gentleman in the...
2To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 8 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
The News papers you So kindly transmit me will be carefully perus’d and will afford, I dare say, many interesting articles to my publication which has no other aim than paying to your Country the justice that is due to enlighten’d courage. I had noted in the remembrancer the letters you mention the 1st. of which begins with these words You have no doubt. To be Sure they’ll please excessively...
3To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai mis sous les yeux de M. le Cte. de Vergennes un Extrait de la lettre du general Heath, que j’ai lhoneur de vous renvoyer ci jointe. Vous aurés vu ici que j’en ai dit quelque chose dans le No. 46. des affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique. Le No. 47. n’attend pour paroitre que les premieres nouvelles qui vous viendront et que vous voudrés bien me communiquer toujours par la poste. Cet...
4Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I submitted to Comte de Vergennes an excerpt from General Heath’s letter which I have the honor to return enclosed. You will have seen that I have mentioned it in No. 46 of Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amerique . The publication of No. 47 is but waiting for the first news which you will receive and wish to communicate to me as usual through the mail . This periodical pertains entirely to...
5To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Here inclos’d I have the honour to return you the letter you trusted me so obligingly. I’m in great impatience to get a printed copy of the Treaties. If you find it in the papers receiv’d by way of Brest, be So good as to Send it me, along with the other news you’ll think fit for publication. My Number 48 is ready, and I expect only the Treaties and such news as you are pleas’d to see...
6To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 10 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have receiv’d the papers you Sent me, and will make a proper use of them as soon as possible. When I have done with them they shall be returned you with my gratitude. I am with the greatest respect Your most humble and obedient servant PS Keppell’s fleet was still at St. Helen’s on the 6th. The mediterranean fleet under convoy of the Worcester was come into port, and also part of the Jamaica...
7From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 12 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
There are Reasons to believe, that the Story of Commissioners appointed by Congress to meet the British Commissioners, is a Forgery. 1. Thomas Phillip Ludwell Lee, is mentioned as one of them, whereas there never was a Person of that Name in the Congress. There was once a Person of that Name it is true, in Virginia, a Brother of Richard Henry Lee and of Francis Light- foot Lee, two Members of...
8To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 13 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I hope to make a proper use of your observations in the relation to the pretended nomination of the American Commissioners, and am very oblig’d to you for the trouble you have had to write out that account. As for the Treaty, I never would presume to publish it, were it not a translation of a publick and printed paper, and the more So as you may have Seen a copy of it verbatim in the Lond. Ev....
9From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 17 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
In your forty Eighth Number of Affairs de L’Angleterre et de L’Amerique I find, in Page sixth, marked number I. Resolutions des sauvages contre l’armee Angloise, and in Page 7 marked No. III. Adresse des Principaux Habitans de cette Ville a Robert Rogers, Major General (nomme par le Congres) et Commandant en chef des savages. Both these Papers, you may rely upon it, are Forgeries, and that no...
10From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
M. Adams is not able to inform Monsieur Genet, the precise Date of the inclosed Law. It was made in the Course of the last Winter, in the Month of January, as Mr. Adams believes. He remembers it began to be carried into Execution, the Beginning of February immediately before his Embarkation, for Europe. Monsieur Genet, will observe that it is not a Simple Resolution, but a Solemn Act of the...
11To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Genet a lhonneur de remercier Monsieur Adams qui n’ignore Sûrement pas que le Russel de l’Escadre de Byron est rentré à Plymouth le 23. en tres mauvais Etat, ayant été separé de l’Escadre le 8. juillet sur le grand Bane, par un violent coup de vent qui doit avoir également maltraité toute l’Escadre dont il ne donne pas de nouvelles.
12Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 1 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Genet has the honor to thank Mr. Adams, who must already know that the Russell , of Byron’s squadron, returned to Plymouth on the 23d, in very poor condition, after having been separated from the squadron on 8 July, at the Grand Banks, by a violent storm which must have damaged the entire squadron, but about which he cannot give any news. RC ( Adams Papers ); docketed: “Genet.” The report on...
13To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 14 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai traduit ce jour ci une lettre d’un armateur américain à Nantes, en datte du 8. août, qui se plaint que deux de ses vaisseaux lui ont étá enlevés en sortant de Pamboeuf, et demande certaines facilités pour la Courses. Il m’a été impossible de lire Sa Signature, et c’est la seconde fois que je me trouve dans cet embarras. Je l’ai figurée sur le papier ci joint, pour vous prier de vouloir...
14Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 14 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have today translated a letter dated 8 August from an American shipowner at Nantes who complains that two of his vessels were taken coming out of Paimboeuf and requests certain facilities in regard to the privateers. Because it has been impossible to read his signature, the second time that I have met with this embarrassment, I have copied it on the enclosed piece of paper and ask you to...
15From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 14 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I Have the Honour of yours of the 14. By the Imitation you inclose, I have no dout that the Name of the Writer of the Letter you mention is John Ross. Such a Person there is at Nantes a Merchant who has been concerned in American Trade, who often corresponds with the Commissioners here by which means I am in Possession of many of his Letters and am become well acquainted with his Signature. I...
16To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 24 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je viens de traduire pour Monseigneur le Comte de Vergennes, les divers papiers de la gazette de New-York que vous trouveres dans le fragment ci-joint d’une gazette angloise du 17. de ce mois. Il n’est pas douteux que le prochain Courier de l’Europe ne contienne une traduction de ces divers papiers. Toute la france y verra un des deux cotes de la question, c’est a dire, celui sous le quel les...
17Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 24 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have translated for his Lordship, Comte de Vergennes, the sundry articles from the New York gazette which you will find in the enclosed fragment from an English gazette of 17 October. No doubt the next Courier de l’Europe will have a translation of these various documents. As a result, France will see only one side of the question, that which the British Commissioners choose to present,...
18From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 24 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last night I was favoured with yours of the 24 th , and nothing wou ld give me greater Pleasure, than to be able to furnish you with any Observations or Intelligence, which might be to your Purpose. With Regard to the Cartouch Boxes and other Arms of G. Burgoines Army, I can add nothing to what the Congress have said in their Resolutions upon the Report of their Committee on the 8 of Jany....
19To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 29 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai trouvé si important pour le bien commun des deux nations le Sentiment où vous vous êtes montré devant moi chez M. Izard, tou chant le Secours qu’il conviendroit d’envoyer actuellement à M. le Cte. d’Estaing que j’ai cru ne pouvoir me dispenser d’en hazarder l’insinuation à nos Ministres. Pour ne point vous compromettre a cause de votre caractere de Député du Congrez, et n’en ayant point...
20Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 29 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The opinion you expressed to me at Mr. Izard’s, concerning the assistance that could conveniently be sent to Count d’Estaing at present, seemed to me so important for the common good of our two nations that I took it upon myself to place it before our Ministers. In order not to compromise you, because of your position as a commissioner from the congress, and since I did not have your...
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...