Adams Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-06-02-0261

From John Adams to Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 August 1778

To Edmé Jacques Genet

Saturday Morning. Aug. 1. 1778

M. Adams is not able to inform Monsieur Genet, the precise Date of the inclosed Law.1 It was made in the Course of the last Winter, in the Month of January, as Mr. Adams believes. He remembers it began to be carried into Execution, the Beginning of February immediately before his Embarkation, for Europe.

Monsieur Genet, will observe that it is not a Simple Resolution, but a Solemn Act of the Legislature in all its Branches, and cloathed with all the Formalities of a perpetual Law.

M. A. has the Honour to congratulate Monsieur Genet, upon the glorious News from Brest. He thinks it a most important, and in all human Probability a decisive Event. He wishes most sincerely that the Compte D’Estaing may have acquired as much Glory, as M. the C. D’orvilliere’s and that a few days may make Us happy in the News of it.

M. Adams requests M. Genet, for the future to write to him, in French, which he supposes will be easier for M. Genet, and M. A. wishes to read every Thing in French for the present.

RC (PWacD: Feinstone Coll., on deposit PPAmP.)

1Genet had enclosed a “resolution” in a letter to JA of 29 July (Adams Papers) and requested its date. Although the enclosure has not been found, it was probably “An Act for Prescribing and Establishing an Oath of Fidelity and Allegiance,” which was adopted by the Massachusetts General Court on 3 Feb. (Mass., Province Laws description begins The Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, Boston, 1869–1922; 21 vols. description ends , 5:770–772).

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