1401John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 4 – 5 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Plan for expeditions submitted to the American Plenipotentiaries and to the French minister of Marine by Com. Jones. As the first proposal, will be impeded for some time, in the interval A great variety of projects present themselves, some of which might prove of great utility to France and America by distressing the common enemy at a small expence. Three very fast sailing frigates, with one...
1402To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 5 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you my Copy of Capt. Jones’s Instructions. My opinion is that in quitting his Ship without our leave or orders was a breach of his duty—that his continuing here after receiving his orders is a still more flagrant breach of his duty—that we shall be justly blamd, if we do not give him immediate and peremptory orders to proceed to his duty and compel obedience to them. You will see by...
1403Sartine to the Commissioners, 5 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Comme je suis dans le cas, Messieurs, d’avoir besoin du Capitaine Jones pour quelqu’expédition particuliere, je desirerois qu’il pût rester ici. Si vous n’y voyez point d’inconvénient, vous me ferez plaisir de le laisser à ma disposition et de donner le Commandement de son Batiment à son Second s’il doit retourner en Amérique. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec beaucoup de considération, Messieurs,...
1404Sartine to the Commissioners: A Translation, 5 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I am in need, gentlemen, of Captain Jones for a specific expedition, I would like him to remain here. If it is not inconvenient, I would be grateful if you could leave him at my disposal and, if his ship must return to America, turn the command of the vessel over to his second. I have the honor to be with the utmost respect, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant, RC ( MH-H :...
1405John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday arrived from Edenton the Sloop Sally Cap Norton which place he left the 6th June. He has brought few Letters, he mentions the entire Capture of the fourth regiment who upon the expedition of Col. Maitland pushing into the Country their retreat was cut off and obliged to lay down their Arms officers and Soldiers not one escaping. He gives also accounts of the Arrival of several...
1406Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honnor of writing to you fully the 5th instant, to which I beg leave to refer you. Mr. Amiel having granted to the people who were the occasion of his Journey to Dunkirk, as much time as they required to employ all their ressources to Execute the project they laid before you, and their endeavours proving fruitless, he at last determined to deliver me your much respected favour of 26....
1407Poreau, Mackenzie & Cie. to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Des Américains et autres nous ayant confié quils étoient retenus dans le desir de se signaler par le defaut d’apui et le manque de fonds, nous avons eü L’honneur de vous demander pour eux une Commission en Course sous votre pavilion. Votre intention ayant été de ne la remettre qu’a un capitaine que vous honorez de votre bienveillance il est venu icy et nous a paru bien méritant et tout a fait...
1408Poreau, Mackenzie & Cie. to the Commissioners: A Translation, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Some Americans and others having confided in us that they were hampered in their desire to distinguish themselves by a lack of both support and funds, we had the honor to ask you for a privateer’s commission under your flag. Your intention was to give it only to a captain that you honor with your consideration. The gentleman you chose came here and seemed to us deserving and completely worthy...
1409James Moylan to the Commissioners, 8 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
The day before yesterday two of Captain Tuckers prizes arrived here, one of which is loaded with 1400 Quintals of Dry’d Cod Fish, the other with Twenty Chaldron of Coals and seventy Gross of empty Bottles. Both those prizes are Brigs, one of which is of very little value but the other is a new vessel. As no application cou’d yet be made from Mr. Schweghauser, and it being necessary to make...
1410To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai mis sous les yeux de M. le Cte. de Vergennes un Extrait de la lettre du general Heath, que j’ai lhoneur de vous renvoyer ci jointe. Vous aurés vu ici que j’en ai dit quelque chose dans le No. 46. des affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique. Le No. 47. n’attend pour paroitre que les premieres nouvelles qui vous viendront et que vous voudrés bien me communiquer toujours par la poste. Cet...
1411Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I submitted to Comte de Vergennes an excerpt from General Heath’s letter which I have the honor to return enclosed. You will have seen that I have mentioned it in No. 46 of Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amerique . The publication of No. 47 is but waiting for the first news which you will receive and wish to communicate to me as usual through the mail . This periodical pertains entirely to...
1412To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Here inclos’d I have the honour to return you the letter you trusted me so obligingly. I’m in great impatience to get a printed copy of the Treaties. If you find it in the papers receiv’d by way of Brest, be So good as to Send it me, along with the other news you’ll think fit for publication. My Number 48 is ready, and I expect only the Treaties and such news as you are pleas’d to see...
1413Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to refer you to the letter I had the honor of writing to you yesterday. This cheafly Serves to inclose a Certificate from the officers of the Admiralty Court of this Town, which I hope will in Some measure obviate the bad impression Poreau’s false insinuations may have occasion’d; however as I am determined to fill the measure to the brim, I shall take the liberty to send you...
1414Richard Grinnell to the Commissioners, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I would Inform you that on the 28th of August Last I a Rived heare from London I had att that time Just obtained my Discharge, from the Belile Belle Isle man of war of Seventy four Guns. I was Impressed on board of her at Sea and without asking my Leave they made mee a mid Shipman on board. A few days after faling in with I Reland I Tok o the oportunity by a fishing boat to write to London to...
1415To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 10 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have receiv’d the papers you Sent me, and will make a proper use of them as soon as possible. When I have done with them they shall be returned you with my gratitude. I am with the greatest respect Your most humble and obedient servant PS Keppell’s fleet was still at St. Helen’s on the 6th. The mediterranean fleet under convoy of the Worcester was come into port, and also part of the Jamaica...
1416William Hodge to the Commissioners, 10 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
By Yesterdays’ Post I had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 19th of April. What could have occasioned its not reaching my hands before now, I cannot say, unless the Person who was entrusted with sending it by the Post might have detained it to answer some particular purpose. You inform me in your letter that I am charged in your Bankers Account with upwards of one hundred thousand...
1417Benjamin Reed and Benjamin Bates to the Commissioners, 11 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Whereas Jerome Cazneau, Serjeant of Marines, on board said Ship, on her Arrival in said Port, obtain’d Liberty to go on Shore, and there maliciously, and falsely represented to the French Men in general of their Abuse on board said Ship, telling them he would not return to said Ship, and injoyning and perswading those Marines and French Men who belonged to the Ship, to quit the Ship, and in...
1418Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 12 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since my Arrival at this Port, I have been much troubled with those Frenchmen I enter’d at Bourdeaux, although I Enlisted them according to your Honours Orders, which was by permission from the Admiralty; While on my short Cruze, some few words would pass as I understand between the Frenchmen and my other Sailors, but Contrary to Orders which they daily had the Perrusial off and likewise read...
1419To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 13 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I hope to make a proper use of your observations in the relation to the pretended nomination of the American Commissioners, and am very oblig’d to you for the trouble you have had to write out that account. As for the Treaty, I never would presume to publish it, were it not a translation of a publick and printed paper, and the more So as you may have Seen a copy of it verbatim in the Lond. Ev....
1420Sartine to the Commissioners, 14 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 14 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:161 ( JA ’s English translation). For the French text, see Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 94. Sartine noted that, because of the war, supplies from France to the inhabitants of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon were in...
1421Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 14 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I received a Letter from Mr. Livingston of the 8th. Instant wherein he informs me that their is a possibility of an Exchange of Prisoners, a list of what I have on board I send your Honours inclosed with a List of the Men, I suppose must have been Recaptured in one of my Prizes, the other two arrived Eight or ten days past. I am only wating on your Honours how to proceed, in hopes to joyn...
1422To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 15 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am so unwell to-day that I cannot stir out. Will you have the goodness to expedite what is necessary for Mr. Livingston and he will bring the Papers for me to sign. I suppose a Commission, Instructions and our Orders for his sailing will be sufficient. Adieu RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers); addressed: “Mr Commissioner Adams Passi”; docketed in an unknown hand: “Hon. A. Lee Esqr to Hon J. Adams...
1423Sartine to the Commissioners, 15 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 15 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:161–162 ( JA ’s English translation). For the French text, see Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 94. Sartine’s letter concerned James Niggins and John Selby, prisoners at Nantes, who claimed to be American seamen pressed into...
1424To John Adams from Thomas Greenleaf, 16 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Pardon the presumption of addressing you in this manner at this unhappy Crisis of my life. Considering the distinguish’d nobleness of your sentiments, and your present exalted station as a support and defender of the American, glorious , Cause and persons, I at once resolve that this is an incumbent Duty on my part, and cannot entertain the least doubt but it will be attended too with that...
1425To John Adams from Edward Rutledge, 16 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
The State of South Carolina, desirous of protecting her Trade, with as little Burthen to the United States as possible, has voted a Sum of Money for the purpose of purchasing three Frigates, has appointed Mr. Gillon to the Command of them and sent him to France to procure them. Satisfied as I am that, you would chearfully shew any Civilities, and if necessary, yield your Protection, to a Man...
1426C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 17 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Quoique je sois tous les jours avec le G—— F—— et avec notre Ami, cependant, comme il ne se passe rien d’extraordinaire, j’ai cru pouvoir différer de vous écrire, jusqu’à-ce que les Etats de la Province se séparassent. Ce qu’il y a eu d’essentiel pendant cette Assemblée, a été la proposition d’augmenter les troupes, laquelle ayant été absolument rejetée par la ville d’Amsterdam, n’aura...
1427C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 17 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Although I have seen the Grand Facteur and our friend every day, since nothing extraordinary has happened, I have postponed writing to you until the States General adjourned. The major question during this assembly was the proposal to increase troops, but because it was firmly rejected by the town of Amsterdam, it will certainly not be adopted. There were great debates in the Assembly on the...
1428Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 17 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am highly sensible of the Confidence you honour me with by your Approbation of my Drafts on Mr. Grand, and am ready to account for the expenditure of them up to the 30th May. The Charges since my Departure from Nantes, to go to new Account. As your Time is too constantly and too importantly employed to attend to the Details of commercial Concerns, would it not be well to appoint some...
1429William Hill Sargeant to the Commissioners, 18 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having lately Arrived in a Very fast Sailing Vessell from the State of Virginia whose Owners not having it in their Power to arm her in that Country gave me full power So to do here (As well to take the Advantage of any thing that might Offer as to protect our Vessell and Cargo). I therfore take the Liberty of Requesting the favour of your granting me a Commission for that purpose, and least...
1430Sartine to the Commissioners, 18 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 18 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:166–167 ( JA ’s English translation). For the French text, see Adams Papers, Microfilms , Reel No. 94. Sartine recounted reports that he had received concerning problems with the French members of the Boston’s crew. Their...