131Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 11 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
These may serve to inform your Honours of my present Situation, and how far advance’d, in Readiness; I am at the Pantoon and shall Careene my Ship on Tuesday next, and Expect by the last of the Week to have her finished as to heaving down; after that I hope in a short Time to be prepared for Sea. My Ship and Riging being so much shatered, it will take me some Time longer then I imaganed to get...
132John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 16 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor to write you the 13.13 and 14th Instant. Mr. Emery receiv’d letters from Capt. Cunningham at Corrunha advising their Arrival at that Port from Cadiz having made four Prizes in the Passage. We have it reported the Boston fell in with two privateers, one of eighteen Guns she took, the other got off. I cannot trace it so as give implicite faith. The Jersey Privateers stil continue...
133John 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...
134Sartine to the Commissioners: A Translation, 20 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, gentlemen, a letter from Nantes by Mr. J. D. Schweighauser, the agent of the United States of North America. Charged with the disposal of the prizes taken and sent into Brest by the frigates Ranger and Providence , he asked me about the formalities to be observed in the sale of the said prizes. I answered that it could be done amicably either aboard or ashore, but that there...
135John 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...
136Thomas Read to the Commissioners, 25 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I Received yours by Capt. Barns. I have been So unwell that I have not been out of my Room, am now recuiting fast, and in a few days to be fit to do any Business. I have got my Vessel Clean’d and near fitted, and have sent her down to Pellrene le Pellerin . I understand by the agent here, that the y have not goods belonging to the Publick. The y have told me the y wrote your Honors to know...
137Sartine to the Commissioners: A Translation, 10 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since the letter that I had the honor to write you on the 29th of last month, the Commissionaire des Classes at Nantes has informed me that the agent of the United States has entrusted him with some British prisoners whom he had confined in the castle, the agent providing for their subsistence there. Mr. de La Porte, Intendant at Brest, has also written me concerning a prize taken by the...
138C. 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...
139C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 9 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last was dated the 2d of this month. You will see by the two enclosed translations what the state of affairs in Germany is and that one may expect, any day, to hear that hostilities have begun. In the last few days a pamphlet, badly assembled and filled with declamations against Great Britain, has appeared under the title of Le voeu de toutes les nations, et l ’intérét de toutes les...
140William 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...
I have the honor to return to you the English document and your friend’s letter which you communicated to me through M. de Sartine. Your correspondent is quite right in declaring it undiplomatic toward France and maliciously insidious toward the United States of America. Whichever way one interprets these documents, the intent of alienating your friends from you seems all pervasive. The...
142Puchelberg & Co. to the Commissioners, 26 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Nous avons l’honneur de nous referer à nôtre lettre du 24 de ce mois, et celuy d’annoncer très humblement à vos Excellences que depuis hier il est arrivé sur nôtre rade un Batiment Anglo Americain de 20 Canons nommé le General Muffelin Mifflin commandé par le Capitaine Daniel MaKenil McNeill venant de Portsmouth dans La nouvelle Angleterre, c’est depuis 4 mois que le dit Capitaine est en...
143Poreau, 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...
144James Moylan to the Commissioners, 26 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
The General Mifflin Privateer Cap: McNeal arrived here yesterday. He sail’d from Portsmouth the 8th. of May last and has been for two months past cruizing in the North Seas, where, and at the mouth of the Channel, he made thirteen prizes, five of which he sunk. The rest he sent to America and this Kingdom, one of which is arrived in this port, (a french Brig loaded with suggars Coffee and...
145John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ultimo I received by Yesterdays post: I frankly ask your pardon for the undue liberty which I took the 16th Ultimo when I ventured to sign a draft upon you for the purpose of supplying the people under my Command with necessary Cloathing &ca.—and I promise you never to be guilty of the like Offence again. I hope you do not however mean to impute to me a desire to...
146C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 28 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Here, Gentlemen, is the substance of twelve pages in folio, in Dutch, that I have just skimmed through. The dispatches from Cologne, Paris, Elsinore, Hamburg, Brussels, London, and Smyrna contain nothing of interest to you. One has here reliable reports of a suspension of arms in Germany until 1 August; and it is generally thought that peace will follow. The King has summoned his chief...
147John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 6 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
By a resolve of Congress the Seamen who engaged to Serve in the Ranger under my Command were furnished Individually with forty Dollars, the Landsmen with Twenty Dollars Advance in Continental Bills at the time of Entry. They have Also been supplyed with Slops from time to time to a considerable Amount. And they received a small Advance in Cash from my hands at Nantes last Winter. I conceive it...
148The Commerce Committee to the Commissioners, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
This will be accompanied with a Contract entered into between John Baptist Lazarus Theveneau De Francy Agent of Mr. Peter Augustine Caron De Beaumarchais representative of the House of Rodrigue Hortalez & Co. and the Committee of Commerce. You will observe that their Accounts are to be fairly stated and what is justly due paid. For as on the One hand Congress would be unwilling to evidence a...
149C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 19 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Nulla dies sine linea. J’ai eu l’honneur de vous communiquer l’ordinaire passé l’article insidieux que Sir J. Y. avoit fait placer dans la Gazette de Lahaie, et la dépêche du Cte. de D——d. Le 16 j’envoyai à Leide ce que vous trouverez ci-joint. Le 17e le Gazettier d’ici, par ordre de Mr. le Baron de Reischach Envoyé de la Cour de Vienne, chanta en réchignant la palinodie suivante. “Nous sommes...
150C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 11 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Hier matin je reçus de Sir G——Gd. le paquet contenant la respectée vôtre du 2e. Juin. En conséquence je me transportai d’abord chez le g—— F——. Il étoit hors de ville pour tout le jour, dont j’employai le reste à tirer d’abord une Copie du Traité, pour les cas où je pourrois dans la suite des évenemens en avoir besoin pour le service auquel j’ai l’honneur d’être employé. Ce matin le g—— F——...
151William Moore to the Commissioners, 20 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Petitioner Humbly Sheweth that being a native of the States of New Jersey one of the thirteen United States of North America—That having Come Over from the East Indies where he now has A brother who is About Removing A Considerable property from thence to Great Britain—he being entirely unaquainted with the present Situation of that Kingdom—That from the attachment your petitioner has for...
152C. 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...
153Ranger Crew Members to the Commissioners, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
To the honourable the Commissioners of the United States of North America, the Petition of the Jovial Tars Now on board the Continental Sloop of war Ranger, most humbley Sheweth, That your Petitioners regard and love For their Countrey, and dutey to there ancient fore Fathers, have most of them left there wives, and Familey Cruized the wide Atalantick, in the most dangerous places, greatley...
154John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 29 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Since my last of the 26th I an honord with your favor of the 19th. Commissioning the emediate purchase of fifty six pieces of Cannon say Twenty eight 24 pounders and Twenty eight eighteen pounders. From the search I have already made I suspect it will be November before they can be all colected. I propose going to the Forges next week on that Account. I shall take every precaution both with...
155Puchelberg & Co. to the Commissioners: A Translation, 24 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the honor to forward very humbly to your excellencies the enclosed letter which was given to us yesterday by Mr. Lee, who resided with Mr. Schweighauser when he was in Nantes, and ask you to please acknowledge its receipt. As associates of the aforementioned Mr. Schweighauser, we have been eager to offer you our humble services in this area. Our wishes would be most fulfilled in...
156C. 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...
157Muscoe Livingston to the Commissioners, 21 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here Last night, deliverd my letters to Capt. Whippie, and shall have his Instructions for Capt. Tucker and Sett out immediately for Lorient. I will be Exceedingly Obligd you, to do me the Favour, to give me two, or three Lines, either to the President of congress or by way of Certificate, Mentioning, what Capt. Tucker Said of My Conduct, during my being on board the Boston; as it...
158James 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...
159John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 30 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you by the last Post that Monsieur De la Prevalaye, the present Commandant here, had absolutely refused to continue the Guard which Comte D’Orvilliers lent me for the security of Prisoners of War taken by the Ranger, and Confined on board the Prize Brig Patience in the Road. I then promised to use every possible means to have the Guard continued until you could...
160C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 19 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere, en forme de Journal, commencoit par le 7e. et finissoit par le 15e de ce mois. Vous y aurez vu ma marche, pas à pas; et qu’elle a abouti au vrai terme qu’il falloit, savoir, à faire connoître ici, d’une maniere non équivoque, et authentique, les dispositions amicales des Etats-Unis envers cette République, et à préparer ainsi les voies pour un heureux rapprochement, sans mettre...
161The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 16 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
This, with my affectionate wishes for your prosperity, may serve to acquaint you that Congress has this day resolved “That William Bingham Esqr. agent of the United States of America, now resident in Martinico, be authorized to draw bills of exchange at double usance on the Commissioners of the United States at Paris for any sums not exceeding in the whole one hundred thousand livres tournois,...
162C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 12 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je ne vous parlerai de mes opérations ici, en conséquence de vos ordres du 30e. Avril, que lorsque je pourrai vous donner quelque chose de plus qu’un embryon. Je tiens un petit Journal de mes opérations, que vous aurez en son temps. Je me contenterai de vous dire que j’ai fait usage avec Succès de la Lettre ostensible du ioe. Avril qui m’est adressée à moi. Je n’ai pu encore présenter la...
163Joy Castle to the Commissioners, 22 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your petitioner is Come from Irland to Bordeaux to procure American papers to procead with a Cargo to America; But the Embargo having taken place on English Vessells a few days before I arrived, I am Sized by the french as Coming In under English Coulours, and expect to be Confisticated if Your Honours does not take it Into Consideration and Lay my Case before the Ministerry; the Vessell is...
The Humble Petition of Christian Stenger and William Stragham Showed that Your Petitioners with thyre Propertyes, by this Unnaturall Ware have fallen Captives to the Ranger Continentel Ship of Ware, Comanded by Captn. John Paul Jones Esqr.—first Comander of the Brigg Dolphin, beloning to Water ford, Sunck with her Cargo Flaxseed of f Cape Clare Aprill 14t. Latter Comander of the Lord Chatham...
165Vergennes 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...
166John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 15 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have now been five days in this place since my Arrival from Passy—during which time neither seen nor heard from Lieutenant Simpson. But Mr. Hill, who was last Winter at Passy and who sailed with me from Nantes, informs me truely—that it is generally reported in the Ranger and of course throughout the French Fleet and on Shore—That I am turned out of the Service—and that you Gentlemen, have...
167John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 18 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday Monsr. Le Comte de Fumel Governor of the Castle call’d at my Lodgings to inform me that Monsieur De Sartine in answer to the Letter he wrote had sent him Instructions to pay all the Honors due to Ships of War of forreign States to the Boston Frigate and to every other Vessel belonging and in the Service of the United States of America, requesting I would give him Notice before the...
168Sartine 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...
169C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 24 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Because the Grand Facteur forgot to return my news from Germany on the 31st, I was obliged to translate in haste that which I sent that day. Here are some excerpts. The English papers and the letters from Amsterdam are filled with the allegation that the French have declared war on England. The British stocks fell about 2 percent in Amsterdam; there are no buyers even. It is reported that the...
170John 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...
171Vergennes to the Commissioners, 20 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recû, Messieurs, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire hier, pour representer l’interet dont il seroit d’assurer pardes Convoys le depart de vos batimens paur L’Amerique. Cet objet regardant uniquement, M. de Sartine, je vais lui faire passér la traduction de votre Lettre, et je Serai tres empressé, a vous faire Part de Sa Reponse. J’ai l honneur d’etre avec une tres...
172Sartine to the Commissioners, 6 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Marly, 6 June 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:129–130 ( JA ’s English translation); for the French text, see JA, Works The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author , ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols. , 7:15–16....
173C. 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...
174Richard 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...
175C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 13 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les affaires deviennent ici extrêment sérieuses. La résolution (dont ma lettre du 10 vous parle) de refuser les convois aux Matieres marines, n’est pas encore formellement prise ici. On a décidé seulement, que Mercredi prochain on prendra à cet égard une résolution à la pluralité. Mrs. d’Amsterdam ont protesté contre cette pluralité, comme contraire à la Constitution, qui, dans ce cas, demande...
176C. 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...
177C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 20 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
De retour ici depuis Mercredi matin, j’appris après-dîner de notre Ami, que l’acte de despotisme, que ma derniere du 13 Nov. vous annonçoit, a été consommé dans l’Assemblée provinciale après une Séance de 3 heures, et que l’avis préalable avec sa queue, dont je vous ai rendu compte dans ma Lettre du ioe., a été résolu à la pluralité: sur quoi la Ville d’Amsterdam a fait insérer un Protest...
178John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to pay my most respectful Compliments of Season wishing prosperity to all your undertakings. We are without any Arrivals since I had the Honor to write you the 5th Ultimo. By Letters from Nantes I am inform’d the Chasseur is Loaded and all is ready for the other Ship which contrary winds have detaind near two Months at Isl of Rhé not more than 24 hours sail from Nantes. I...
179John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 2 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Captain Jason Laurence belonging to the Schooner General Arnold Arrived here Yesterday by a dutch Ship being put on board by a Jersey Privateer that took the Schooner the 1 Decr. fifteen Leagues from Belle Isle. He informs me the Vessel belonged to Genl. Arnold that she was the first that had been Launcht at Phila. since the recovery. He left that City the 4 Novr. had on board Packets from...
180C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I know that you received my letters of 2 and 8 December. Since then, I have had the honor of writing you three more, dated 18–24 December, 1–3 January, and 12–15 January. Yesterday, the 15th, in the evening, just as I was sending off my last, the French Ambassador sought me out in order to have me meet with our friend to confirm, on the Ambassador’s behalf, that this morning he will present a...