1381John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 27 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Engagement of La Belle Poule is esteem’d at this port as a prelude to the declaration. Sugar Coffee and every other forreign Produce is buying up on Speculation which Acts are the Merchants Compass governing their views by the appearances of the times. We have Letters of the 10 and 13 May from America but as they came by the Nymph Frigate can of course contain nothing more than what you...
1382C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 27 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Voici copie de la Lettre que je viens d’écrire à Mr. le G—— P—— “Monsieur, Le Traite d’amitié et de commerce entre la France et les Etats-Unis de l’Amérique m’a été envoyé. Quand il plaira à Votre Excellence de me prescrire le jour et l’heure ou il Lui seroit commode de me donner audience, je recevrai ses ordres avec le profond respect avec lequel je suis, &c.” Avant de porter cette Lettre, je...
1383C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 27 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Here is a copy of the letter I have just written to the Grand Pensionary. “Sir: The Treaty of Amity and Commerce between France and the United States has been sent to me. When it will please Your Excellency to indicate the date and time when it would be convenient for him to grant me an audience, I will receive his orders with the profound respect with which I am, &c.” Before sending this...
1384Abraham Whipple to the Commissioners, 27 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
In my last letter I had the pleasure of Acquainting you, that it was in my power to take some Goods on board in account of the United States, agreable to Capt. Wm: Jones information, who ac quainted me that you had some Goods on hand, which you desired to forward for America. My Ship is already graved, and now taking in ballast if am to take any Goods, would be extreamly glad to know, that I...
1385James Moylan [Jr.] to the Commissioners, 29 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Frigate Oiseau who convoyed a Virginia Schooner out of the Bay which I dispatched from hence, is returned yesterday with the prize Hope, John Poignestre Master belonging to Jersey, a privateer of six Guns, who had taken the Brig Sally Captain Rapeal belonging to the state of Massachusettes the 3d. of May, with a cargo of Rice and Indigo from Charles Town on public account, bound to Bilboa....
1386John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 30 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
A vessel Arrived yesterday from Louisiana confirms the Accounts received from them parts of the Back Settlers from Georgia and Carolina having got possession of all the British Posts on the Banks of the Missisipi and of two valuable Vessels Loaden for London that they conducted to New Orleans and there disposed of the Cargoes. A Vessel from Carolina for this port was taken by a privateer...
1387Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 30 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to crave your referrence to the letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 22d. instant being Still deprived of your long wish’d for favours, the Sole motif of this, is to inform you, that one John Gibson Master of an English Smuggling vessell which arrived here this morning, tol’d me that Six Russian Ships of war vizt. three of 90, and three of 74 guns, are arrived in...
1388Hezekiah Ford to the Commissioners, 30 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
By Capt. Turner, who left South Carolina the Beginning of May, I have the Happiness to communicate the following Intelligence; which he received, in his Passage to this Place, from one of the Prizes. About the middle of last Month, two Privateers, belonging to the State of Connecticut, but last from Boston; the one mounting twenty, nine pounders; the other Sixteen 6’s, fell in with two British...
1389To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 1 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
After various Reports of the Capture of the Boston by a British Cruizer, and of her being struck with Lightning at Sea, it was with peculiar Pleasure I lately receiv’d an Assurance Of your Safe Arrival in France. Not long after you sail’d, Mrs. Adams wrote me a Letter upon a Report of Dr. Franklin’s having been assassinated, full of the tenderest Anxiety, and the most amiable Sentiments,...
1390To John Adams from James Warren, 1 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have wrote you several long Letters since you left us, some of which you will doubtless by the Enemy be releived from the trouble of reading. My last was by Capt. Barnes about 14 days ago, at A Time when we had reason to be Anxious for your safety. Two days ago for the first time we were Ascertained of the safe Arrival of the Boston and of your being in Paris. This Intelligence we have by A...
1391Abraham Whipple to the Commissioners, 2 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
The honour of your Letter bearing date the 23d June, had the pleasure of Recieving on the 30th and shall think myself happy, in a strict attention to the Agreable Contents, as these Orders afford me every Satisfaction, being such as could have wished, had the intended Cruize been left to my own Determination. It affords me the most sensible pleasure to Acquaint your Honours, that both...
1392C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ce que j’eus l’honneur de vous marquer l’ordinaire dernier de l’Emprunt d’Amsterdam, etoit extrémement exagéré. Cela se réduit à un petit emprunt, que le trésorier de la Ville fait et rembourse, selon le plus ou le moins d’argent en caisse, pour être employé a des bâtimens. La personne de qui je tenois cela, avoit été mal informée. Notre ami m’a mieux instruit. Je lui communiquai hier le...
1393C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
That which I had the honor to note in my last concerning Amsterdam’s borrowing was greatly exaggerated. It is limited to a small loan that the treasurer of the town borrows and repays more or less according to the amount of money in the coffers and is to be used for some vessels. The person from whom I learned this was misinformed. Our friend set me straight on the matter. Yesterday I...
1394John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being informed from good authority that the Minister desired much to converse with me on a subject of great utility to the United States of America —as there was then no prospect of obtaining permission to sell the prizes—or of getting the prisoners exchanged soon, I thought it for the interest of the Service that I shoud come myself to Paris. It was necessary too that some measure shoud be...
1395Thomas Simpson to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am to Acknowledge the receipt of your favor from Passi of the third of last month, for which, and your kind interposition in my behalf, I return you my most sincere thanks, Captain Jones has released me from Prison, and has permitted me to go for America, but holds me suspended until called upon by a court martial to meet him face to face: a copy of the Parole brought to me in the prison by...
1396Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
These may Serve to acquaint your Honours of my arrival at this port, after a short Cruze of twenty four Days. While on the Cruze I took four Prizes one of which I sent for Boston in Charge of a Carefull Prize Master and seven Men she being a Brig from Venus Venice her Cargo chiefly Medicine. The others I Ordered for this Port, two of their Cargos fish the other Coles coal? and Bottles, all of...
1397Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to your verbal order I have given Directions to stop the Reparation of the Arms at Nantes, paying the Workmen their Wages Gratifications and Conduct Money according to agreement. I beg to know if this is agreeable. I am very respectfully Hon Gentlemen Your most obedt Servant RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers); docketed: “Mr Jona. William’s Letter July 3. 1778”; also: “ansd July 10 1778...
1398To John Adams from William MacCreery, 4 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last night arrived here from Baltimore the Brigantine Saratoga, Captn. Murray, who has brought 2 Packets from Congress for the Honble. the Commissioners, and as many for Yourself. My Letters are of the 28th. May, at which time it was generaly understood there, that the Enemy were about embarking from Philadelphia with all haste, and that Genl. Washington was advanceing towards the City in...
1399To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 4 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
These will be handed you by Musco Livingston Gentleman my 2d Lewt. Who now must Leave me on account of an Imperfect State of helth att Present and During the Short Cruze. Dear Sir your Honnours Provided me a Good offercer Whose Vallue on board my Ship Was great being a Good Commanding offercer and beloved throughout the Ship but my Loss is not Small in Parting with Such an offercer but I...
1400John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 4 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Union Cap. Barry arriv’d the 2 Instant from Edenton which place he left the 6th June. I apply’d for Letters that I apprehended as being loaden by Mr. Hewes he would have had in charge but am told he had only three, two for a Merchant at this place and one for Nantz. Its a disapointment having so short a passage not to receive advices. The Captain says he intended for Sweeden but the winds...
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...