1251John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 21 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterdays post brought us advice of the Arrival of a Vessel belonging to this City from Baltimore in 22 Days at Bilboa, a passenger from on board said to be charged with dispatches for your Honors from Congress sett off for Paris on their Arrival. Letters from Bayonne give me Account of his having past thro’ that City on his road to Paris. I dont learn any Material Inteligence it may be...
1252Ebenezer Smith Platt to the Commissioners, 21 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
To the Honorable Commissioners of the United States of America. The humble Petition of Ebenezer S. Platt Most Respectfully Sheweth, That your Petitioner is a Native of America, and was a resident in the Province of Georgia, in the year 1775, And was Chosen a Member of the Parochial Committee of Savannah, in said Province. That in the month of July 1775, A Certain Ship Called the Philippa,...
1253To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 22 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
These with my respects to your Honnour. I am Very glad to hear of your Safe arrival at Parris by a Gentleman Who Saw your Honnour the Evening before you went to Verseils Who acquainted me your Honnour was Very well after your Long Journey and give me a great deal of Pleasure to hear of your Son Mastr. Jackey and Mastr. Jese being Very well as the fatigues of a Long Journey does not agree in...
1254Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 22 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
These from your Humble Servent, acquainting your Honours that my Ship was finished Careening last Saturday Afternoon. I now find a great Necessity of geting my Main mast out to Repair it, fearing it will be condemned. I am Gentlemen Anctious to here from Paris of my distination as the absence of Capt. Palmes seems very long. I shall get my Ship in Readiness as soon as possible. The Holy Days...
1255C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 23 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
L’honorée vôtre du ioe de ce mois me parvint mardi passé 21e. Je la communiquai tout de suite avec les Pieces annexes au Grand Facteur, qui approuva le tout, et me promit de seconder l’opération par sa puissante intervention et médiation, quand j’aurai rompu la glace en présentant la Lettre: car jusqu’à ce temps il ne faut pas qu’il paroisse s’en mêler. Je partis tout de suite pour ici, où...
1256C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 23 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 10th of this month reached me last Tuesday, the 21 st. I immediately forwarded it along with its enclosures to the Grand Facteur who approved everything and promised me to back the operation with powerful intervention and mediation, once I have broken the ice by presenting the letter, for until then he must not seem to be involved. I left immediately to come here, where I...
1257To John Adams from William MacCreery, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the pleasure lately to hear of your safe arrival at Paris, and that you were, on the 13th. Instant presented to his Majesty. Hope you have got safe thro’ the fateigues of ceremony attending Courts, which is so apt to be disagreeable to Republicans. It gives me great pleasure, and it will afford yourself not a little satisfaction, that you are not disposed to find fault with customs and...
1258John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Mainmast of the Boston was yesterday Surveyd and Condemnd unfit for Service. That no accident happend to the Ship from the defect on the Passage is very fortunate in One part it was it had not three Inches hold and in two others the Splitt went half throw. We have met with a Mast that will replace it and will be got ready with all posible dispatch. Some other alterations the Captain thinks...
1259Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am sorry to Inform your Honours of my Situation, which is now lying with my mainmast out and condemned. I thought proper to get a Jury sufficient to Condemn it, which Consisted of three Captains of Merchent Ships and Six Carpenters and Mr. Brondfield. Till the present Gentlemen, I’ve waited for your Honours Orders, with a clean hold, but this Day for fear of being hurried, I’ve began to take...
1260To John Adams from Fleury, 26 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les nouvelles publiques nous ont apris que le congré des provinces unies vous avoit deputé a la cour de france, ne desprouvés pas je vous prie monsieur que je minforme avec vous, si vous ny auries pas connu mr. defleury qui passa avec la probation de la cour a lamerique il y a environ dix huit mois. Ne refuses pas monsieur a un pere et une mere qui nont que ce seul enfant pour toute...
1261Fleury to John Adams: A Translation, 26 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have been informed by public reports that the congress of the United States has appointed you to the Court of France. Allow me to enquire if you have met a Mr. de Fleury, who went to America with the Court’s approval, about eighteen months ago. Please do not fail to give a father and mother, who have this only child, as a consolation, any information you may have about him, if he had the...
1262Sartine to the Commissioners, 26 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 20 de ce mois. Lorsque la Sommation a été faite à Bordeaux, par les Officiers du Siège de l’Amirauté, à la Frégate des Etats-unis, Le Boston; les ordres du Roi n’etoient point encore parvenu dans ce Port, de traiter les Vaisseaux de guerre appartenant à ces Etats, comme ceux des Etats libres—alliés de la France. Ces...
1263Sartine to the Commissioners: A Translation, 26 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, gentlemen, the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 20th of this month. When the United States frigate Boston received a summons from the officers of the Admiralty Headquarters in Bordeaux, the King’s orders to treat men-of-war belonging to the United States as those of free countries—allies of France—had not yet reached that harbor. These orders must have crossed...
1264To John Adams from J. P. Mercklé, 27 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to note yours and Mr. Franklin Joint favour of the 13th Instant, but before I enter into particulars permit me to Congratulate you on your safe Arrival in Europe. I think, Sir, ’tis a duty I owe to you as also to my own Interest to make you Acquainted with the Purport of several letters I have had the honor to Address to Messrs. Deane and Franklin on the subject of a Number of...
1265James Moylan to the Commissioners, 27 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have only time to inform you that I have just received an account from Brest of the arrival in that port of the prize Ship Lord Chatham of 250 Tons loaded with Beer and Gran. taken by the Ranger Frigate about five leagues from Cape Clear. I will advise you more particularly in my next regarding this matter, not having at present any other account from Brest, than the above. I am very...
1266To John Adams from John Bondfield, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am honord with your favor of the 12 Instant. I shall pay perticular attention to see every article you have mention’d in your memorandum compleated and Shipt with care on board Captain Tucker directed as you have laid down. I hope you enjoy your health in the Air of Paris and that every thing around you contributes to your Satisfaction. Wherever my Services can be to you perticularly useful...
1267John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Palmes Livingston and Heywood arrived here the 25th by whom I was favor’d with the Letter you honor’d me with under date 15th Instant. In consiquence of your Instructions I have received from Captain Tucker an Indent for the provission the respective officers will attend the examination tomorrow to inspect the quality which with the other articles required I shall endeavour to expedite...
1268C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’espere que vous avez reçu la Lettre du 23, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire d’Amsterdam, et dans laquelle se trouvoit votre Minute de la Lettre en question. Nous sommes deux ici, et un à Amsterdam, qui comptons les momens jusqu’à ce qu’elle me revienne de votre part en forme, afin que je puisse la présenter &C. Nous sommes convenus, que j’ajouterai de bouche l’insinuation, d’avoir cru...
1269C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I hope that you have received my letter of the 23d, which I had the honor to send you from Amsterdam, and in which is found your draft of the letter under consideration. Two of us here, and one in Amsterdam, are eagerly awaiting its return from you, in due form, so that I may present it, &c. We have agreed that I would add, verbally, the insinuation that, from what I have gathered from your...
1270Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last to your Excellencies was of the 18th Instant since which I am without any of your Favours. I sometime since received from Holland 13 Bales and Packages containing oznaburgs, Sail Cloth, Medicines &c, which the Shippers informed me were on Account of Mr. Grand, from whom I had no advice relative to the Business, I in consequence wrote to him, and have for answer that altho’ the Goods...
1271To John Adams from James Lovell, 29 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I promise myself much from the eight or nine scrawls which I have sent to you since your departure from America, in the spirit, I own to you, with which Indians make their presents of feathers or bark. I must depend upon your imagination to comprehend what I will not undertake to describe—our chagrin and perplexity at our total ignorance of the situation and transactions of the Commissioners...
1272Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 29 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 15th Instant by Capt. Palmes with my Orders from your Honours of on the 26th Instant. Am very uneasy that I cannot imediately per sue them; I would inform your Honours that it is not possible for me to get the Ship to Sea in less than 16 or 18 Days, as my Mainmast detains me and in Cariening my Ship, the Galley fell down, for which Reason I’ve a Iron Hearth makeing to...
1273Vergennes to the Commissioners, 29 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai communiqué à M. de Sartine, Messieurs, l’office que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’adresser dans la vüe d’obtenir des convois pour la sûreté du commerce que les négocians de Nantes et de Bordeaux font avec 1’Amérique Septentrionale; Je joins ici une copie de la réponse de ce Ministre; vous y verrez que le Roi a pris les mesures les plus efficaces pour protéger le commerce des Américains...
1274The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners: A Translation, 29 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
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...
1275The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 30 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
By the Gazettes which accompany this letter you will see that the Enemy are entering upon a plan which must shortly perplex us much, unless we receive dispatches from you to enlighten us as to your Situation and Transactions of which we have had no information since the latter end of May. As we have heard of the loss of Capt. Johnston and Capt. Wickes and know that John Folgier was robbed, we...
1276To John Adams from J. C. Champagne, 2 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honnor to Congratulate you the 14 Ultimo on Your Safe Arrival at Paris where I hope you Enjoy Good health. I now Agreeable to promise put pen to paper to Acquaint you the Arrival of one of Messieurs Rimbeaux of Bordeaux Vessell from Charlestown Called the Dupré de St. Maur after three and thirty days passage with a Cargoe of 574. h:heads of Tobacco, Rice, Staves and Indigo. She is a...
1277To John Adams from Jonathan G. Frazer, 2 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I understand there is some dispatches from the Governour and Council of Virginia lately come to you Gentlemen at Paris. If there shou’d be, a Letter for me by the same conveyance, please to have it put in the post office for Bordeaux—and if you have a Virginia news paper to spare, I shall be much oblige to you for one. Their is a Captain Richard Garde here who’s Vessell is detained, as well as...
1278To John Adams from John Guy Gantier, 2 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The principles of Liberty which I have suckled in my earliest Education, and in the History of the Country of my Ancestors, Swisserland, have made me look on the Struggles of the United Colonies of America to Obtain their Independency, with a Just admiration, and the best wishes for their Success; and it is with a real pleasure I have seen my King and Nation be the first to lend a hand to the...
1279James Moylan to the Commissioners, 4 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
This morning arrived here the Schooner Milford Cap: Blackwell from Rapahanac River in Virginia after a passage of 33 days; she has not brought any letters for you, or public papers of any kind, but the Captain tells me that the new levies were compleated in Virginia and that they were to march a few days after the 28th. of March to General Washington’s Camp about 16 miles from Philadelphia, in...
1280Vergennes 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...
1281To John Adams from Adam, 5 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je vous prie de me permmettre De vous temoigner combien je Suis flattè D’avoir L’honneur de porter votre nom, Et je le Serois bien davantage, si j’avois celuy D’Etre issus de votre famille tout çe qu’on lit Et ceque L’on Entend Dire de la Sublimité de vos lumieres, Est certainement bien fait pour former de pareils Desirs. Que je serois heureux, monsieur, si la Similitude de nom pouvoit vous...
1282Adam to John Adams: A Translation, 5 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Please allow me to tell you how honored I am to bear your name, and how much more so I would be, had I the honor of being descended from your family. All that one reads or hears about the sublimity of your enlightenment leads one to form such wishes. How happy I would be, sir, if the similarity of our names could make you take an interest in me! I dare flatter myself that under your...
1283Nathaniel Dowse to the Commissioners, 5 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
On the 14th April 1777 I sailed from Virginia Commander of the Ship Mercer belonging to Messrs. Mercer and Schenck of Boston, with a Cargo of 450 Hogsheads Tobacco for Account of the Honorable Continental Congress, to the Address of Messrs. S. and J. H. Delap of Bordeaux. On the fourth of May following I had the Misfortune of being risen upon by my Crew and carried with my Vessel into...
1284C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 5 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer ci-joint la Traduction de deux Lettres Allemandes, que j’ai reçues Samedi passé, et ce matin, de Berlin et de Hambourg. Le gd. F——r en a fait fixer copie aussi pour l’envoyer à sa maison. J’ai reçu, d’un autre côté 3 bulletins des affaires de france, du 10, 15 et 20 Avril. J’enjoindrois volontiers copie ici, car il y a des choses curieuses, mordantes, et...
1285C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 5 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to send you translations of two German letters from Berlin and Hamburg that I received last Saturday and this morning. The Grand Facteur also made copies to send to his house. In addition, I have received 3 bulletins concerning affairs in France dated 10, 15, and 20 April. I would like to enclose copies of them for they contain curious things, scathing and perhaps even...
1286To John Adams from Sarsfield, 7 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer is a Surgeon whom I take the liberty of recommanding to you. He wishes very much to settle in North America and though there is a good faundation to hope that the call for the service he is Able to make will be Lessened againn the End of the next Summer, however he may yet find Some employement and after the peace, be a usefull neighbour in Boston or Some other town. I write this...
1287C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 7 – 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Après avoir dépêché ma derniere Lettre du 5e, qui finissoit parvous accuser la réception de l’honorée vôtre du 30 Avril, je merendis chez le g—— F——, pour la lui communiquer. Il se faisoit ha biller pour Sortir. Il me donna néanmoins, sur le champs un moment, dans le quel il me dit, de ne pas dire encore à notre ami d’Amsterdam, que la Lettre pour le G—— P—— étoit arrivée, mais de dire que je...
1288C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 7 – 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
After sending you my last letter dated the 5th, which at the end acknowledged your letter of April 30th, I called on the Grand Facteur to show it to him. Although he was dressing to go out, he granted me an immediate interview, during which he told me not to inform our friend from Amsterdam yet that the letter for the Grand Pensionary had arrived, but to say instead that I was expecting it and...
1289To John Adams from William Hyslop, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hyslop presents his respectfull Compliments to Mr. Adams and takes the freedom to acquaint Him that he has not heard from his Wife, Family, and other Friends at B——since the 21st of September last. Begs it as a particular favour that if Mr. Adams can give him any information about Mrs. Hyslop’s and Dr. Chauncy’s Families, that He will be so kind as to do it, in a few lines by the Bearer of...
1290John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since I had the honor to write you the 2d Instant there are arrived at this port two ships the One from Savanah the other from Charles Town. They give an account of many Vessels loading for Europe at Charles Town and of the Arrival of a Spaniard from the Havanah with Specie in a very large Vessel that he was loading with Rice for Cadiz. By the Sales returnd from Georgia they must be greatly...
1291William Lee to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Frankfort on the Main, 8 May 1778. printed: William Lee, Letters The Letters of Richard Henry Lee , ed. James C. Ballagh, New York, 1911–1914; 2 vols. , 2:429–430. Lee reported that, because of Frederick’s refusal to recognize American independence and conclude a commercial treaty, he was about to depart for Vienna, where prospects seemed better, particularly if France exerted pressure on...
1292Thomas Simpson to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Its extremely disagreeable to me, that my first address to you, shou’d be on such an occasion, as the following detail, which is that immediately on the capture of the English Ship of war Drake, off the harbour Carrickfurgus, in Ireland Captn. Jones was pleased to appoint me (his first Lieutenant,) to the command of her for Brest, giving me instructions, a correct copy of which I inclose, and...
1293To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
These with my Regards to your Honour, acquainting you of my receiving your kind Epistle by the Docter and will engage myself to take all the Care possible of the Articles that I may receive of your Worthey friend John Brondfield Esqr. and will see them safe Delivered to Mrs. Adams, please God, I should arrive safe with my Ship after a short Cruze. Pray Sir excuse my not Writing more perticular...
1294John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acquaint you that I arrived here last Night and brought in with me the British Ship of War Drake of 20 Guns with English Colours inverted under the American Stars. I shall soon give you the particulars of my Cruise in the mean time you will see some Account of it in a letter of this date from Comte D’Orvilliers to Monseigneur De Sartine. I have brought in near Two hundred...
1295To John Adams from Senés, 10 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ay L’honneur de vous informer que je Possede des Secrets que je regarde comme Specifiques En ce qu’ils guerissent En très peu de temps les chûtes tant vieilles que nouvelles et même Sur des Sujets que L’on regarderoit Comme incurables, dont j’ay 26. Certificats de guerison, Et au moyen de mes Secrets on parviendroit Encore à Eviter d’envoyer aux Eaux tous les Officiers et Soldats blessés En...
1296Senés to John Adams: A Translation, 10 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I possess certain secret remedies that I consider as specific because they very rapidly cure collapses, old as well as new, even in subjects considered incurable, and for which I have 26 certificates of cure. Thanks to my secrets one could avoid sending officers and soldiers wounded in time of war to the waters and have them leave the hospitals, thus...
1297To John Adams from Lataque, 11 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Une famille honete, se sert de mon entremise pour avoir lhonneur de vous demander, si Mr de Roche Fremoy est toujour em ployé dans larmée de Mr le general Waginton; jose esperer Monsieur que vous daigneres maccorder la grace, de me fournir touts les eclaircissements que vous deves avoir sur le compte de cet officier, dont on nentend, plus parler deja depuis quelque temps; jay lhonneur detre...
1298Lataque to John Adams: A Translation, 11 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
A respected family has requested me to please ask you if Mr. de Roche Fremoy is still employed in the army of General Washington. I dare hope, sir, that you will do me the honor of giving me any information you must have concerning this officer, who has not been heard of for quite some time now. I have the honor to be, with the utmost respect, your very humble and very obedient servant If you...
1299Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 11 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencies are before this Time informed of the Gallant Action performed by Capt. Jones, who has no doubt also informed you of his Intentions relative to the Drake Sloop of War. I happened to be at Morlaix when this News reached me, and as I thought my presence would be of Service I came immediately hither. Capt. Jones informs me that he has immediate occasion for about £2000 Sterling,...
1300John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 12 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday came into this Port the Brig Peggy Captain Kelly from No. Carolina. She has on board One hundred and forty eight hhd Tobacco for account of Messrs. Willing and Morris addrest to Mr. Delap. I apply’d for the publick Letters. I apprehend there are none as Mr. Delap has not sent any. The vessel saild 4th. April. I have Letters from Mess Hewes Smith and Allen of the 30 March. They write...