131Feb. 20. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
In the Morning nothing to be seen, but soon after another Sail discovered ahead, which is supposed to be the same. Tucker, Log ( MH ), 20 Feb.: “This 24 hours begins Very Pleasant the Ship Still in Chase. I being Poorly mand dare not attactk her and many other Principal Reasons. Att 2 P.M. Satt fore and main topmast stearing Sails found I Left the Ship att 6 P.M. It being dark Lost sight of...
132Feb. 21. Saturday, 22. Sunday, and 23d. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Exhibited such Scaenes as were new to me. We lost Sight of our Enemy it is true but We found our selves in the Gulph Stream, in the Midst of an epouvantable Orage, the Wind N.E. then N., and then North West. It would be fruitless to attempt a Description of what I saw, heard and felt, during these 3 days and nights. To describe the Ocean, the Waves, the Winds, the Ship, her Motions, Rollings,...
133Tuesday 24. Wednesday 25. Thursday 26. (Adams Papers)
Tuesday We spyd a Sail and gave her Chase. We overhawled her, and upon firing a Gun to Leeward, and hoisting American Colours, she fired a friendly Gun and Hoisted the French Colours of the Province of Normandy. She lay to for us, and We were coming about to speak to her, when the Wind sprung up fresh of a sudden and carryed away our Main top Mast. We have been employed ever since in getting...
1341778. Feb. 26. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
I have made many Observations, in the late bad Weather, some of which I do not think it prudent to put in writing—a few I will set down. 1st. I have seen the inexpressible Inconvenience of having so small a Space between Decks, as there is in the Boston. As the main Deck was almost constantly under Water, the Sea rolling in and out at the Ports and Scuppers, We were obliged to keep the Hat ch...
135Feb. 27. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
A Calm. As soft and warm as Summer. A Species of black Fish, which our officers call Beneaters, appeared about the Ship. One Source of the Disorders in this Ship, is the Irregularity of Meals. There ought to be a well digested System, for Eating, Drinking and sleeping. At Six, all Hands should be called up. At Eight, all Hands should breakfast. At one all Hands should dine. At Eight again all...
1361778. Feb. 28. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Last Night and this Day We have enjoyed a fine easy Breeze. The Ship has had no Motion but directly forward. I slept as quietly and as soundly as in my own Bed at home. Dr. Noel gave me a Phial of Balsamum fioraventi, for an Inflammation in my Eyes, which seems to be very good for them. It is very much compounded. It is very subtle and penetrating. Pour a few Drops into the Palms of your...
137[March 1778] (Adams Papers)
Discovered that our Mainmast was sprung in two Places—one beneath the Main Deck, where if the Mast had wholly failed in the late Storm it must have torn up the main Deck and the Ship must have foundered. This is one among many Instances, in which it has already appeared that our Safety has not depended on ourselves. A fine Wind, all day and night. Somewhat Sea Sick. The Ship was very quiet and...
1381778. March 1. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Discovered that our Mainmast was sprung in two Places—one beneath the Main Deck, where if the Mast had wholly failed in the late Storm it must have torn up the main Deck and the Ship must have foundered. This is one among many Instances, in which it has already appeared that our Safety has not depended on ourselves. A fine Wind, all day and night. Somewhat Sea Sick. The Ship was very quiet and...
139March 2. Monday. (Adams Papers)
A fine Wind still and a pleasant Morning. The Colour of the Water which is green, not blue as it has been for many Days past, the Appearance of large Flocks of Gulls, and various other Birds, convinced the knowing ones, to say that We were not far from the Grand Bank of N. Foundland. The Captain however thinks it 35 Leagues to the N. West of Us.—Our Mast was Yesterday repaired with two large...
1401778. March 3. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Our Wind continued brisk and fresh all the last Night, and this Morning. Our Course is about N.E. Showers in the Night and this Morning. The Flocks of Gulls, still pursuing Us. This Morning, Mr. Parison breakfasted with Us. Our Captn. in gay Spirits, chattering in French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Greek, and boasting that he could speak some Words in every Language. He told Us he had...
1411778. March 4. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Fair Weather, but an Adverse Wind, from the N.E., which ob liges Us to go to the Southward of the S.E. which is out of our Course. Nantes, ancienne, riche, et tres considerable Ville de Fran ce, la seconde de la Bretagne, avec un riche Evêché suffrag an de Tours, une Université, et un Hôtel des Monnoies. C’ est une de Villes les plus commercantes du Royaulme. Les Marchands ont une Sociéte avec...
142March 5. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning We have the pleasantest Prospect we have yet seen —a fine easy Breeze, from the Southward, w hich gives us an Opportunity of keeping our true Course—a so ft , clear, warm Air—a fair Sun—no Sea. We have a g reat Number of Sails spread and We go at the Rate of 9 Kno ts. Yet the Ship has no perceptible Motion, and makes no N oise. My little Son is very proud of his Knowledge of all...
1431778. March 6. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
The Wind continued in the same Point, about S outh all Night, and the Ship has gone 9 Knotts upon an Average. This is great Favour. I am now reading the Amphitrion of Moliere, which is his 6. Volume. revaije? do I dream?—have I dreamed?—I have I been in a dream? J’ai revé. I have been in a dream. It is in the Preterit. We shall pass to the Northward of the Western Islands, and are now supposed...
144March 7. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
The same prosperous Wind, and the same beautifull Weather continue. We proceed in our Course at the Rate of about 200 Miles in 24 Hours. We have passed all the Dangers of the American Coast. Those of the Bay of Biscay, remain. God grant Us, an happy Passage through them all. Yesterday, the Ship was all in an Uproar, with Laughter. The Boatswains Mate asked one of his superiour Officers, if...
1451778. March 8. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
The same Wind and Weather continues, and We go at 7 and 1/2 and 8 Knots. We are supposed to be past the Western Islands. Mr. Barrons our first Lt. appears to me to be an excellent Officer— very dilligent, and attentive to his Duty—very thoughtfull and considerate about the Safety of the Ship, and about order, Oeconomy and Regularity, among the officers, and Men. He has great Experience at Sea....
1461778. March 9. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Last Night the Wind shifted to the N. West, and blew fresh. It is now still fairer for Us than before. The Weather is fine, and We go on our Voyage at a great Rate. Some Officers think We shall reach our Port by Thursday night: others by Saturday night: But these make no Account of Chases and Cruises, and make no Allowance for the Variability of the Winds.
147Saturday. March 14. (Adams Papers)
I have omitted inserting the Occurrences of this Week, on Account of the Hurry and Confusion, We have been in. Tuesday We spied a Sail, and gave her Chase. We soon came up with her, but as We had bore directly down upon her, she had not seen our broadside, and knew not her i.e. our Force. She was a Letter of Mark with 14 Guns, 8 Nines and 6 sixes. She fired upon Us, and one of her shot went...
1481778. March 19. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
I have scarcely been able to stand, or sit, without holding fast, with both my Hands, upon some lashed Table, some lashed Gun, the Side, or Beams of the Ship, or some other fixed Object: such has been the perpetual Motion of the Ship arising from violent Gales, and an heavy Sea. In the Course of the last 5 days, We have seen a great Number of Vessells, two of which at least, if not four were...
149March 20 Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Yester Afternoon, the Weather cleared up, and the Wind came about very fair. We had a great Run, last Night. This Morning spyed a Sail, under our leward Bow, chased and soon came up with her, a Snow from Amsterdam to Demarara, and Essequibo. I made Enquiry to day of our Prisoner Captn. McIntosh, concerning the Trinity House. He says it is the richest Corporation in the Kingdom. That Lord...
15021. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Five Weeks Yesterday, since my Embarkation. This Morning an heavy Wind, and high Sea. We go E.S.E.
15127. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday Evening Mr. Barons died, and Yesterday was committed to the Deep, from the Quarter Deck. He was put into a Chest, and 10 or 12, twelve Pounds shot put in with him, and then nailed up. The Fragment of the Gun, which destroyed him was lashed on the Chest, and the whole launched overboard through one of the Ports, in Presence of all the Ships Crew, after the Buryal service was read...
152March 28. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Last night and this Morning We were in the thoroughfare of all the Ships from Bourdeaux. We had always a great Number in Sight. By Obs ervation to day, our Lat. is 46D.:3M. North, about 7 Minutes South of the Middle of the Isle of Rea. We are therefore about 20 Leagues from the Tower of Cordoan. We have no Wind, and nothing can be more tedious and disagreable to me, than this idle Life. Last...
1531778. March 29. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Becalmed all last Night. This Morning a vast Number of Sails in Sight. St. Martins, and Oleron in Sight, many Towers and Windmills —Land very low and level. A Pilot Boat, with two Sails and 4 Men, came on Board, and the Pilot instantly undertook to pilot Us to Bourdeaux. He says this ship may go up quite to the City, if she draws 20 feet of Water, at high Water.—We are now sailing very...
154March 30. Monday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning at 5, the Officer came down and told the Captain that a lofty Ship was close by Us, and had fired two heavy Guns. All Hands called. She proved to be an heavy loaded Snow. The Weather cloudy, but no Wind. Still—except a small Swell. The Tour of Cordovan, or in other Words Bourdeaux Lighthouse in Sight, over our larbord Bow. The Captn. is now cleaning Ship and removing his Warlike...
155March 31. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Lying in the River of Bourdeaux, near Pouliac. A 24 Gun Ship close by Us, under French Colours, bound to St. Domingue.—A dark, misty Morning. My first Enquiry should be, who is Agent for the united States of America at Bourdeaux, at Blaye, &c—who are the principal Merchants on this River concerned in the American Trade? What Vessells French or American, have sailed or are about sailing for...
156[April 1778] (Adams Papers)
This Morning Mr. J. C. Champagne, negociant and Courtier de Marine, at Blaye, came on board, to make a Visit and pay his Compliments. He says, that of the first Grouths of Wine, in the Province of Guienne, there are four Sorts, Chateau Margeaux, Hautbrion, La Fitte, and Latour. This Morning I took Leave of the Ship, and went up to Town with my Son, and servant, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Jesse, and Dr....
1571778 April 1. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning Mr. J. C. Champagne, negociant and Courtier de Marine, at Blaye, came on board, to make a Visit and pay his Compliments. He says, that of the first Grouths of Wine, in the Province of Guienne, there are four Sorts, Chateau Margeaux, Hautbrion, La Fitte, and Latour. This Morning I took Leave of the Ship, and went up to Town with my Son, and servant, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Jesse, and Dr....
1581778 April 2. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Walked round the Town, to see the Chamber and Council of Commerce, the Parliament which was sitting, where We heard the Council. Then We went round to the Ship Yards &c. Made many Visits—dined at the Hotel D’Angleterre. Visited the Customhouse, the Post office—visited the Commandant of the Chateau Trompette, a Work of Vaubans—visited the Premiere President of the Parliament of Bourdeaux. Went...
159April 3. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Waited on the Intendant, dined at Mr. Bondfields and supped at Mr. Le Texiers.—Our Company, on Thursday Evening, at Mr. Basmarains were—The Count of Virelade the Son of the Premiere President, Le Moine first Commissary of the Navy, Le Moine the Son, Commissary of the Navy, Cornie, Captain of a Frigate, Knight of St. Lewis, Jn. Bt. Nairac former Deputy of Commerce from La Rochelle, Paul Nairac,...
1601778 April 4. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
About 10 O Clock We commenced our Journey to Paris, and went about 50 miles.