Adams Papers
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François Barbé-Marbois to John Adams: A Translation, 18 October 1780

François Barbé-Marbois to John Adams: A Translation

Triplicate

Philadelphia, 18 October 1780

Sir

I have received the letter that you did me the honor of writing on 1 March. Since then, I have learned with the greatest pleasure of your decision to take your sons with you. By following the example1 of their father they cannot fail to develop a sincere friendship with our nation. Please remind your little travelling companion2 of me, and assure him of the pleasure I will have in seeing him again, whether in my country or his.

I have had many occasions to talk about you to your friends here. They are many, and the news they occasionally receive from you seems to please them greatly.

The Chevalier de la Luzerne is presently in Rhode Island or perhaps on the road, returning to Philadelphia. The whole family sends its greetings. We fortunately have withstood an epidemic which has afflicted Philadelphia this fall.3 I was not completely spared, but I hope to escape without further damage.

We are informed that Mr. Laurens was made prisoner and sent to England. If this news is accurate you will probably know of it before we do.

I have the honor to be, with respectful devotion, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,

De Marbois

RC (Adams Papers); marked: “3e.”; endorsed: “Mr Marbois”; docketed by CFA: “October 18. 1780.” Dupl (Adams Papers); marked: “2e”; no notations.

1. In the duplicate this was followed by the words “et les principes.”

2. JQA and JA returned to the United States in 1779 aboard La Sensible, on which Barbé-Marbois and La Luzerne were fellow passengers.

3. Probably dysentery; see Smith, ed., Letters of Delegates description begins Paul H. Smith and others, eds., Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1976–. description ends , 16:94, 96, 133.

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    Adams Papers
    Title
    François Barbé-Marbois to John Adams: A Translation, 18 October 1780
    Author
    Barbé-Marbois, François de
    Recipient
    Adams, John
    Date
    18 October 1780

    Reference

    Cite as
    “François Barbé-Marbois to John Adams: A Translation, 18 October 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-10-02-0141-0002. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 10, July 1780 – December 1780, ed. Gregg L. Lint and Richard Alan Ryerson. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1996, pp. 280–281.]

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