To John Adams from Pierre Deschamps, 29 September 1789
From Pierre Deschamps
Cadiz Le 29. Septre: 1789
Monsieur
Il m’a été informé que je dois m’adressér a Vr̃e Excellençe; Je le fais avéc confiançe. C’est au Sujet de deux balles de Lainages qui furent chargées a Londres pour mon compte sous la marque PSD No 1 & 2. Sur le nre La Concorde, qui Fut pris par un de vos Corsaires dans sa traversée venant içy: ce nre était neutre, ainsi que moi etant Français; attestation que Je remis du consul de ma nation; Çelle de la facture qui monte £ Sterlins 820:4s:8d:; et le connaissement en ma faveur a monsieur Franklin a Paris pour les reclamér; Je reçeus la reponçe Suivante.
“a challiot prés Paris le 9: Deçembre 1777:
Mr. Monsr Franklin m’a remis comme Deputé du congrés pour L’Espagne, la lettre quil a reçeu de Vous relativement aux marchandises appartenantes avous prises par un de nos Corsaires.
J’ay l’honneur de vous avertir la dessus, que la copie de tous les papiers sur cette affaire a été expedié au congrés, et que vous pouvés comptér Sur leur Justiçe.
Je vous envoye au meme temps une lettre adressée a tous nos Capitaines et Commandants, que Je vous prie de Vouloir bien montrér a tous Ceux qui Viendront dans vos ports.
Vous Aurés la bonté d’etre persuade Mr. qu’il n’y a rien plus contraire aux Intentions du congrés que de faire tort, ou de le Souffrir d’etre Fait au sujet des nations neutres.
J’ay l’honneur d’etre avéc la consideration la plus Distinguée Monsr. vr̃e tres Humble & trés obt Sr: Arthur Lee”
Faites moi la Graçe Vr̃e Exce de me dire comment le Congrés a reglé Çet objet afin que je puisse me conformér a çe que Je la prie de me faire l’honneur de me prescrire.
J’ay Celui D’etre avéc Respect / Monsieur. / de Votre Excellençe / Le tres Humble et trés / Obeissant Serviteur.
Pre: Deschamps1
TRANSLATION
Cadiz, 29 September 1789
Sir
I have been informed that I must address myself to your excellency; I do so with confidence. It is about the two bales of woolens which were loaded in London on my behalf under the label PSD No 1 & 2 on the vessel La Concorde, which was seized by one of your privateers upon its crossing hither. This vessel was neutral, as I was French; an attestation of which I remitted, from my Nation’s consul, along with the bill which amounts to £820.4s.8d and the bill of lading in my name, to Mr. Franklin in Paris to reclaim the sum. I received the following reply:
“From Chaillot near Paris, December 9, 1777:
Mr. Franklin remitted to me, as the agent of Congress to Spain, the letter that he received from you regarding the merchandise belonging to you and taken by one of our privateers.
I have the honor to inform you in regards to this, that a copy of all of the papers on this affair has been delivered to Congress, and that you may count on their justice.
Meanwhile, I am sending you a letter addressed to all of our captains and commanders that I beg you to show to all who enter your ports.
Please have the goodness to know, sir, that there is nothing more contrary to the intentions of Congress than to do harm, or to suffer it done to the subjects of neutral nations.
I have the honor to be, with most distinguished consideration, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant, Arthur Lee.”
Do me the honor your excellency of telling me how Congress handled this affair so that I may act in accordance to what I beg you to do the honor to prescribe.
I have the honor respectfully to be, sir, your excellency’s most humble and most obedient servant.
Pre: Deschamps1
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Monsieur Adams, Vice, President du Congrès.”
1. For the claims of Deschamps and other neutral ship captains who demanded compensation for the seizures made by American privateers, see , 25:69–71. Congress took no action, and JA did not reply to Deschamps’ letter.