1501C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 11 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
In reference to my last two letters of the 4th and 9th of this month, I can add today some new information I received from our friend. Tomorrow, during the meeting of the Assembly of Holland, a very important matter will be brought up concerning the depredations recently made by the British on a number of Dutch vessels. All the Amsterdam merchants, as a body, will present an address to Their...
1502John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 12 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have receiv’d from every Forge from Angoulerme to Bayonne returns of their proposals and offers for the Cannon you Commission’d me to purchase. Not One of them will engage to compleat the delivery before February. The dryness of the Season deprives them of a supply of water nessessary to execute the Work in Less time. I have survey’d the Arsenals hoping to find there to Borrow and to...
1503To John Adams from William MacCreery, 12 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I Received the Letter which you did me the Honor to write me under the 7th. Instant, by todays Post and observe with concern, that your many efforts to effect an exchange of Prisoners, hath heretofore proved ineffectual. It gives me much concern to find that my suspiscions of our Public finances being low in this country, were so well founded. It must render the situation of yourself and...
1504C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 13 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Quoique ce ne soit pas aujourdhui jour de poste, je commencerai par vous dire, que l’Assemblée d’Hollande, après avoir duré longtemps hier, est enfin venue à la Résolution, de porter l’équipement de cette République, pour le temps qu’il y aura guerre entre la F—— et l’Angle terre, indépendamment de l’Escadre qu’il y a aux Indes occidentales, à 32 tant Vaisseaux de Ligne que Frégattes, et 8000...
1505C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 13 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Although today is not post-day, I will begin by informing you that, after a long session yesterday, the Assembly of Holland has finally resolved that as long as France and Britain are at war and in addition to the squadron in the West Indies, it would increase the Republic’s forces by 32 ships of the line and frigates, and 8,000 crewmen, to serve in Europe, mainly in the Channel and the North...
1506John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Referring to what I had the Honor to write you the 12th Current. Yesterday arrived from Virginia the Cutter Tartar Capt. Southcomb. He left York River the 29th July. Private Letters by him are dated the 21st of same contain no accounts other than them at hand. He reports a report of Comte d’Estaing having taken five English Frigates, that New York was closely blockt up and no doubt of the...
1507Richard Grinnell to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I would Inform the Honnourabel Board of Commisioners that I Took Passage with Capt. Barns as did Capt. Peter Collis and Sailed from Penbufe Paimbeauf on the 29th august and on the First of September Being in the Lattitude 46°:00′ and Longitude 9°:00′ we ware Taken by the Speedwell Cutter Belonging heare mounting twelve Guns and Commanded by Capt. Abraham Bushall who Treated me and Capt. Collis...
1508Daniel McNeill to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
On my Cruize in the Ship Genl. Mifflin of Boston, and on August the 22 Instant being about fifty Leagues West and North of the Island Oshant att 9 AM saw Three Sail of Vessells bearing ENE from us about five Leagues Distance Standing to the ENE, which I took to be Enemies by the Course they Steared. I gave them Chase, as soon as they found I was in Chase of them, they spoke each other, and one...
1509Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 16 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recu, Messieurs, La Lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire au Sujet du navire francois L’isabelle—que le Corsaire americaine le General Mifflin a repris Sur un Corsaire de Guernsey. Dans La these generale, vous connoissez les dispositions de L’ordonnance de la marine de 1681 que adjudge aux Capitaines preneurs les Batimens repris lorsqu’ils ont été pendant 24 heures en la main...
1510Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the subject of the French Ship Isabella which the American Privateer General Mifflin recaptured from a Guernsey privateer. In the general Thesis, you may see the Dispositions of the Ordinance of the Marine of 1681 which adjudges to Captains captors of recaptured vessels when they have been during 24 Hours in the Enemies...
1511To John Adams from William MacCreery, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I did my self the Honor to write you a few Lines from Nantes about 8 days ago, and left it on Monday last. On my arrival here the day before yesterday, I found several Letters from Baltimore for me—the latest dates were the 13th July. They contain nothing new but they—with some Virginia Papers down to the 17th. of the same Month give me much more pleasure and satisfaction than the Copy of a...
1512Horneca, Fizeaux & Co. to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Nous avons reçu, la Lettre dont vous nous avez honnorés le 31 du Mois passé, et qui ne nous est parvenuë que le 15 du courant. Par nôtre précedente du 7 nous vous avons accusé la Reception, par M. Whitall, du Livre, contenant 205 Promesses des Etats Unis de L’Amerique de Courant F. 1000 chaque, payable au Ir. Janvier 1788, rêvetuës de 10 de 50 pour les Interêts, à 5 pour Cent par Année, le...
We have received the letter that you did us the honor to send the 31st of last month, but which did not arrive until the 15th. In our letter of the 7th, we acknowledged the receipt, from Mr. Whitall, of the book containing 205 promissory notes of the United States of America, each for 1,000 florins current payable on 1 January 1788 and accompanied by 10 of 50 florins for the interest of 5...
1514William Lee to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I wish to have a conference with you on a Subject that very materially concerns our Country which at present is a profound Secret to our Enemies or their Agents and must remain so ’till compleated, or the success will be interrupted; any hour therefore tomorrow (at 12 oClock or afterwards) when you are alone, that you may please to appoint, I will do myself the honour of waiting on you, and in...
1515To John Adams from Leray de Chaumont, 18 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ay receu La lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire Le 16 de ce mois, pour Scavoir quel est le pris du Loyer de ma maison que vous habitez pour le passé et pour L’avenir. Quand Je Consacray, Monsieur, ma maison a M. Franklin et a Ses Confreres qui voudroient vivre avec luy, Je me Suis Expliqué que je n’en voulois aucune retribution; parceque Je Sentois que vous aviez Besoin de tous...
1516Jacques Donatien Leray de Chaumont to John Adams: A Translation, 18 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter that you did me the honor to write on 16 September, asking me the rental price of my house in which you have been and will continue to reside in the future. When, sir, I lent my house to Mr. Franklin and his colleagues who wished to live with him, I explained that I did not want compensation because I felt that you needed all your resources to send aid to your...
1517Jonathan Loring Austin to the Commissioners, 19 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
On Tuesday Morning, as I have already had the Honor of informing Your Excellencies, I shall set out for Holland, and from thence embrace the first Opportunity of returning to America, after an Absence of Twelve Months. Permit me to request a Letter of Recommendation to Congress: also to the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay, from whom I was more immediately dispatch’d with the...
1518Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received information that the Ship Nile, Captn. Goldsmith has been taken, and carried into Marseilles. She was bound from London to Leghorn, and had on board Twenty Packages of Baggage belonging to me. These Packages are marked, and numbered in the following manner AB A Monsieur Monsieur Antoine Martinelli Negotiant, pour remettre a Monsieur l’Abbé Niccoli a Livourne No. 1 a 20. My own...
1519Muscoe Livingston to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of —— I have Received and will answer Immediately on My Return to Nantes at which place, I have Left all the papers, Rilative, to that business; I shall have a very fine Ship Ready for Sea, Immediately, and would be Very glad to take in, two or three hundred Tons of the publick goods, which Now Lays at Nantes for America; as to the Freight, I Really am unacquainted with; but If you...
1520Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 17 de ce mois. Je ne doutois pas que les reflexions que je vous proposois Sur la Necessité d’etablir pour les reprises faites en mer une parfaite reciprocité entre les deux nations ne vous parussent de toute Justice. Je Suis fâché que vous n’ayez pas entre les mains une Copie des loix des Etats unis relativement à...
1521Gabriel de Sartine to John Adams: A Translation, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received the letter which you did me the honor of writing to me the 17th. instant. I made no doubt but that the reflexions which I made on the necessity of Establishing a perfect reciprocity between the two Nations with respect to reprisals at sea, would appear just to you. I am sorry that you have not at hand a copy of the Laws of the U States on this Subject which might have prevented...
1522Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 22 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honour to lay my Accounts before you, I left the general one unfooted intending to compleat it after Examination. I now send it properly closed and settled to the 30th May 1778. You have also inclosed the account of the Magazine, Invoice of Arms repaired, and your general Account since that Period, all settled to the 10th September 1778, Balance in your Favour seven thousand...
1523E. F. van Berckel to the Commissioners, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le soussigné, Conseiller Pensionaire de la Ville d’Amsterdam, a l’honneur de faire savoir à tous les Messieurs qui se trouvent duement qualifiés de la part du Congrès des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, qu’il se trouve autorisé par Mrs. les Bourguemaîtres de la dite Ville, de déclarer en leur nom, que, dans la supposition que le dit Congrès rientrera pas avec les Commissaires Anglois dans des...
1524E. F. van Berckel to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned, Councilor Pensionary of the City of Amsterdam, has the honor to inform all the gentlemen who find themselves duely commissioned by the congress of the United States of America, that he finds himself authorized by the burgomasters of the city to declare in their name that, assuming the said congress will not enter into any agreement with the English commissioners that would be...
1525To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 24 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I must apologize for not having given you an immediate answer to your Letter of 20th. instant, which would have been the case if I had not been much employed in writing, on account of the sudden departure of Mr. Blake for Nantes. It has been my constant wish that as soon as Great Britain shall be compelled, by the virtuous exertions of our Countrymen, to abandon her plans of conquest, we may...
1526J. D. Schweighauser to the Commissioners, 24 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received but Yesterday the Letter with which you have honoured me the 14 Instant, covering one the 17th. for Capt. Richard together with the Bill of Loading and Invoice of 895 Barrels of Rice and thirty one of Indigo shipped by Mr. A. Livingston of Charles Town and Subject to your particular orders. I imediatly have been to Mr. Peltier du Doyer who I knew had the Care and direction of...
1527From John Adams to Ralph Izard, 25 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received with much Pleasure, your Favour of Yesterdays Date. No Appology was necessary, for the delay of So few days, to an swer a Letter the Contents of which did not, from any public Consideration, require haste. My most fervent Wishes, mingle themselves with yours, that the happy Time may soon arrive, when We may enjoy the Blessings of Peace uninterrupted by disputes, with any Power...
1528To John Adams from John Bondfield, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
By last post I receivd your favor of the 15th. Instant. I have forwarded your Letter to Mr. William Vernon at Montaban and have wrote him to set of f with all diligence for Paris. I hope the short time he has been up the Country will have contributed to render his services to you more useful. I have remitted him fifty Pounds to defray his Expences. He has receivd a Letter from Mr Hayley of...
1529To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I very much approve your Plan with regard to our future Accounts—and wish it to be followed. The Accounts that have been shown you, are only those of the Person we had entrusted with the receiving and paying our Money; and intended merely to show how he was discharged of it. We are to separate from that Account the Articles for which Congress should be charged, and those for which we should...
1530To John Adams from William Vernon Jr., 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I was this morning honoured by the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant. The embarrassment which your kind proposal has afforded me is inexpressible. Being left to judge for myself at a very inexperienc’d time of life, at a distance from every friend, whom, the necessity of an immediate answer renders it impossible for me to consult. From you, Sir, who I trust art my Father’s friend, and...
1531J. D. Schweighauser to the Commissioners, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last post I have had the honour of writing to you laying before you Mr. Peltier du Doyer’s answer to my demand of the Thereze’s Cargo and beging your directions in that affair, but after reflection I have thought that it was proper to lay an arrest in his Hands claiming the delivery of those goods on my Bill of Loading to prevent his remitting the proceeds to Paris, before I received your...
1532Joseph Wharton Jr. to the Commissioners, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
You need not I presume be informed of the difficulties which the People of the United States continue to suffer through the great scarcity of Salt. To lessen these difficulties, and at the same time to benefit myself, I propose during the present Winter to send several Cargoes of that necessary Commodity to our Countrey, and I wish to do it from Portugal rather than any where else, on account...
1533The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 27 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Dans la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire, Messieurs le 28 du mois dernier vous avez rapellé la promesse que le Roi a faite par l’Article 8 du Traite d’Amitie et de Commerce Signe le 6 fevrier dernier de S’emploïer auprès des Regences Barbaresques, pour procurer aux Sujets des Etats unis toute Sûreté dans la Mediterranée pour leur Commerce et leur navigation. J’ai communiqué...
In the letter which you did me the honor to write to me the 28th. of last month, You recall the promise which the King has made in the 8th Article of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce signed the 6th. February last, to employ his good offices with the Regencies of Barbary, to procure for the subjects of the United States, every security in the Meditteranean for their Commerce and...
1535To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 28 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with your Letter of 25th., and agree with you in opinion that there is no necessity of discussing the question respecting the Commissioners, now; inconveniencies might arise from it, and no valuable purpose could be answered that I know of. I agree with you likewise that if the Fishery of New England has proved injurious, by introducing Luxury, and Vanity, it must be the fault of...
1536Matthew Ridley to the Commissioners, 29 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Meeting accidentally, when in London, with a Manuscript Book of the Commissioners of the English Navy, a few Years back; containing a very accurate description of the Dimensions, Guns, Men &ca. of most Ships then in Commission; various calculations for the purpose of Ship building and repairing; the duties of the several Officers in their different stations on board Ships of War, and other...
1537Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Des raisons particulieres, Messeurs, m’ayant determiné a proposer a Sa Majesté d’accorder au Sieur Fagan trois passeports pour trois navires anglois qui doivent transporter des Marchandises de France, en Angleterre sous une caution convenable. Le Sieur Fagan desireroit que les corsaires americains ne troublassent pas cette navigation protégée par sa Majesté. Je vous prie de vouloir bien lui...
1538Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 1 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Some specific reasons have convinced me, gentlemen, to ask His Majesty to grant Mr. Fagan passports for three British vessels which will carry goods from France to England under suitable guarantees. Mr. Fagan does not want American privateers to trouble this voyage protected by His Majesty and, therefore, I kindly request that you give him, in this regard, all the assurances within your power...
1539To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The preceeding is copy of my last, of the 26th. May, being without any of your favors, which I promised my self the happiness of receiving before this date, and of the pleasure of hearing that my Son, was Placed with some Gentleman of business, where he might acquire a competent knowledge of business and such other accomplishments, as wou’d make him a useful member of society. I shall not take...
1540C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Si vous n’avez pas eu de mes nouvelles depuis ma derniere du 13 au 18 Sept, je n’en ai pas moins été occupé au service des Etats-Unis, comme Sir G. pourra vous l’attester. De 10 jours que j’ai passés à Amsterdam, j’en ai employé un aux ordres du g—— F——, deux avec notre Ami, et les sept autres, renfermé dans une Chambre, à écrire sur vos Promesses 615 Numeros, 2460 folios, 2255 fois A, et 2255...
1541C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Although you have had no news from me since my last of 13–18 September, I have nevertheless, as Sir Grand will attest, been busy in the service of the United States. Of the ten days I spent in Amsterdam, I employed one in waiting on the Grand Facteur, two with our friend, and the other seven shut up in a room writing 615 numbers, 2460 folios, 2255 times A, and 2255 times Passy 31. Aoust 1778...
1542John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 3 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We are yet without any Arrivals from any part of America, from Carolina as an embargo is in force for the exporting of Rice, it is not extraordinary, but from all the other Provinces some Vessels may be expected as there are many french Vessels in Virginia Maryland and No. Carolina, should vessels belonging to the States be wanting, which I apprehend is rather the Case, some of the other ought...
1543Thomas Grant and Joses Hill to the Commissioners, 3 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We the Subscribed first and Second Mate, for us and eight more Sailors, of the Snow the Nancy of Edington Edenton Nord Caroline, James Morrisson Master, enterd her the 3d of May this Year, according to the Subscribed Indenture, to stire her either to Spain or France loaden and bring her back in any Port of the united Provinces i.e. United States , for the stipulated Quantity of Pounds monthly...
1544To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 6 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
You have often complaind that taking care of the public Papers, and having the business of the Commission done in your rooms; was an unequal share of the public burthen apportiond to you. Whatever may be my sentiments on that point, yet to remove, as far as I can with propriety, all cause of discontent; I am willing to appropriate a room in my House for the meeting and deliberations of the...
1545Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recu Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 26 du mois dernier, par laquélle vous appuiez la demande de M. Izzard ministre des Etats unis en Toscane, qui reclame des effets chargés sur le navire anglois le Nil pris par le corsaire de Marsielle le Cesar. C’est par erreur que vous avez cité dans votre lettre, l’article 16 du traité fait entre sa majesté et les...
1546Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, gentlemen, the letter that you did me the honor to write the 26th of last month, in which you support Mr. Izard, United States Minister to Tuscany, in his request for the restitution of certain belongings carried aboard the British vessel, the Nile, which was captured by the Caesar, a privateer from Marseilles. It is by error that in your letter you have cited Article 16 of...
1547To John Adams from James Warren, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I keep no Copies of the Letters I write to you, and have been so Careless as to keep no Memorandum of them I cant recollect either the Number or Contents. But this I am certain of, that they are both Numerous and Lengthy, and that I have not received a Single Line from you. This is equally a subject of Complaint among all your Friends, and I am to be satisfied while I dont find myself...
1548To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of 2d. instant, in which you desire to know if I think there is room to hope that our Legislators will pass such Laws as will apply the money hitherto spent in articles of Luxury, towards the discharge of the National Debt; or “that the People have, or can be persuaded to acquire those qualities which are necessary to execute such Laws.” It is with the greatest...
1549Peter Collas to the Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The 6 of August last I weant from hence to Nants Intended for Boston and on the 29th sailed from Nants for Boston On board of the Dispatch, Coben Barns master and On the ferst of September was Captured by the Ennemies and Carred in to Guernsey, from there I gott to England and made the best of my way for France. At my Arivall a Calais where According to custom my Trunk was Searched and in it...
1550Domenico Caracciolo to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je Suis persuadé, qu’il est dèja a Votre Connoissance, que le Roi de Deux Siciles mon Maitre à Ordonnée de tenir Ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente Nations, et aussi des Pirates, je vous prie de me faire Savoir les Couleurs du...