The effects of Dr. James Smith of New York have, gentlemen, finally been found. They are at the customs office at Calais and consist of a package containing 12 table cloths and 12 knives and forks of iron with silver ferrules. If Mr. Smith plans to bring these goods into the Kingdom, he cannot avoid paying the regular charges, but if he intends to return them to America, then he will be free...
2Vergennes to the Commissioners, 13 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les fermiers-generaux viennent de me faire passer, Messieurs, un proces-verbal relatif au refus que le S. Tucker, capitaine de la fregate américaine le Boston a fait de subir la visite des employés de la ferme. Je vois par cette pièce que ce capitaine a fondé son refus sur l’exemtion done il a prétendu que jouissent tous les batiments de guerre. Avant de pouvoir statuer sur cette prévention,...
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...
4Vergennes to the Commissioners, 15 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J ai lhonneur de vous renvoyér Messieurs, LEcrit Anglois et La lettre de Votre ami que vous m’avés fait Communiquér par M. de Sartine. Votre Correspondant Le qualifie exactement Lors qu’il le declare impolitique quant a la france et malignement insidieux par raport aux Etats unis de I amerique; Sous quelque Sens qu on Examine les Ecris, on decouvre par tout l’intention de vous séparér de vos...
5Vergennes to the Commissioners, 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 15 May 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:100–101 . This letter and its supporting enclosure, a copy of a letter from La Tuilliere , consul at Madeira, to Sartine dated 15 Feb., were translated by Adams in his Autobiography (for the French texts see Lb/JA/6, Microfilms ,...
I have received, gentlemen, the undated letter that you did me the honor to write. Rest assured that we will, as much as circumstances will permit, take its contents into consideration. You may rely on the sincere interest that the King takes in the prosperity of the United States. I have the honor to be very perfectly, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant LbC ( Adams Papers...
7The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 6 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai communiqué à M. de Sartine, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 24. du mois dernier. Ce Ministre vient de me répondre, qu’il n’est point possible de vous promettre qu’il Sera donné des escortes particuliéres aux batiments destinés pour les Etats-unis jusques aux ports de l’amérique Septentrionale ni même jusques audelà du méridien des Açores; mais que vos...
8Vergennes to the Commissioners, 4 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 4 May 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 2:308 (French); 4:90 ( JA ’s translation). Vergennes announced that JA would be presented to Louis XVI on 8 May and invited the Commissioners to dine with him on that day. For JA ’s account of his presentation, see Diary and...
I have submitted to M. de Sartine the communication you did me the honor to address to me regarding the obtaining of convoys to ensure the safety of commerce between the merchants of Nantes and Bordeaux and those of North America. I have enclosed a copy of his reply. You will see that the King has taken the most efficacious measures to protect the trade of the Americans as well as that of his...
I received, gentlemen, the letter that you did me the honor to write yesterday pointing out the advantages of providing convoys for the security of your vessels leaving for America. This matter concerns M. de Sartine only, I am therefore forwarding a translation of your letter to him and will send you his reply without delay. I have the honor to be with very perfect consideration, sirs, your...