Yorktown, 24 March 1778. FC ( PCC , No. 79, I). This is Instruction No. 3, which probably reached the Commissioners in late April, having first arrived at Bilboa on a vessel “from Baltimore in 22 days” (John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 21 April , below). In its first communication to the Commissioners since JA ’s departure, the Committee for Foreign Affairs commented on the depreciation of...
1778 Debit Credit 30 Mars Pour Solde du precedent Compte 554143. 18. 30 Mars Payé a Mr. Dean Sur reçu 4800. Avril ler. Traitte de Rew de Nantes du 23 fevrier 600. Mandat de Mrs. Francklin et Adams du 9 Avril 4800. Payé a Mr. Arthur Lee le 10 de ce Mois 4800. Mandat de Mrs. Francklin et Lee du 10 Avril 307. Acceptations de Mr. Francklin aux traittes de Mr. Hancock de York Town du 15 Avril...
3From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 1 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform Congress, of my Safe Arrival in this City in the Frigate Boston after a most dangerous, and distressing Voyage of Six Weeks and four Days. The Situation of Things in Europe is so critical, at this Moment that, notwithstanding I am exhausted with the Fatigues of the Voyage, I am determined to proceed, the Day after Tomorrow, on my Journey to Paris. By all that I...
4To John Adams from Brouquen, 3 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Vous avés bien voulu me faire esperér que vous arretires Ches M. Le Marquis De Voyer Dargenson, aux ormes a Deux postes aprés Chatelereault. Je Le previens en Consequence; II sera ravi de vous voir, parcequil vous Connoit Deja beaucoup, et il vous seroit Difficile De ne pas L’ettre. Pour moy, Monsieur, Cest avec autant De plaisir que dEmpressement, que j’ay Cherché a avoir Cet avantage, ma...
5Brouquen to John Adams: A Translation, 3 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
You were kind enough to let me anticipate your stopping at the Marquis de Voyer d’Argenson’s house, at The Elms, two stages after Cha telereault. I am informing him accordingly. He will be most pleased to meet you since he already knows much about you and, indeed, it would be very difficult for you not to be known. As for me, sir, I have sought this privilege with as much pleasure as...
Bordeaux, 4 April 1778. RC ( Adams Papers ). A response to a recommendation of JA to the firm of Louis Sonies from a correspondent, “un ami,” in Boston, this letter introduced Adams to a Paris banking firm, Gaillard Malibran & Cie. It requested that the bankers render assistance to Adams when he arrived in that city, but the presence of the letter in the Adams Papers and the fact that the...
7To John Adams from John Bondfield, 6 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Tho I write by this Post to the Commissioners I cannot Omit paying my perticular respects to you signifying my hopes of your Safe Arrival and that all publick Matters are so favorably situated as your most Sanguin wishes could expect to meet them. Four Vessels having drop down the River on their way to the United States I have given advise by them to the secret Committee of Congress of your...
8To John Adams from Silas Deane, 8 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is now two Years since I left America without the satisfaction of bidding You farewell, and of talking over with You many things then on my mind respecting Our Country and The great Cause in which We had been long engaged; To remedy this disagreeable Circumstance which at the Time gave Me pain, I wrote You a long Letter on my passage and sent it from Bordeaux; as I have never received any...
9To John Adams from Peter McIntosh, 9 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
You may recolect when Onboard the Boston that Captn. Tuckar promised me payment for my Chest of Sailors Cloths which Cost me in London Twenty Two Guineas, He gave me only Ten for it and being very scarce of Money here, to carry me Home to England I got my Friend Mr. Gault to advance some for Me and by way of Payment to him I drew on Captn. Tuckar for the Ballance he owed Me say Twelve Guinas...
10Household Accounts of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams at Passy, 9 April – 24 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Debit Credit 1778 Livs. s d Livs. s d Brought forward 11706. 18. 11418. 17. 9 April To Commissioners by an order upon Monsr. Grand 4800. a Commissioner to Paris 1. 10.
11The Commissioners to C. W. F. Dumas, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 10 April 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:44–46 . Drafted by Benjamin Franklin and, according to Adams, “the only public Letter I believe which he wrote while I was with him, in that Commission,” it began by informing Dumas of Adams’ arrival and reporting on his voyage. The...
12To John Adams from William Vernon Jr., 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
After having consulted Persons who are well acquainted with the Commerce of both Bourdeaux and Nants, and the principal Houses in each, I have resolved to settle in this place, and accordingly I have chosen the House of Messrs. Feyers freres, provided they will agree to receive me into their family, for I am informed it is not the custom of this House to allow their Clerks the priviledge of...
13John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Upon Mature deliberation and the advise of Experienc’d Officers at this Port Captain Tucker has alter’d his resolution of laying the Ship a Ground, as there are proper Conveniences to heave down large Ships he has brought his Ship up to the Hulks and getting all ready to have her hove down next Week which he and the Carpenter tels me will take eight Days. I therefore hope we shall get her out...
14Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee to Vergennes, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency, that Mr. Adams, appointed by the Congress to replace Mr. Deane in the Commission here, is safely arrived, and purposes to wait upon you as soon as recovered a little from the Fatigue of his Voyage. The Ship in which he came is a Frigate of 30 Guns, belonging to the Congress. In her Passage she took a large Ship from London to New York, with a...
15Samuel 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...
16Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to J. P. Mercklé, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 13 April 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:52 . In replying to Mercklé’s letter of 26 March ( Cal. Franklin Papers, A.P.S. I. Minis Hays, comp., Calendar of the Papers of Benjamin Franklin in the Library of the American Philosophical Society , Philadelphia, 1908; 5 vols. ,...
17The Commissioners to John Ross, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 13 April, 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:50–51 . In replying to a letter from Ross (not found) requesting compensation for monies spent and the return of papers taken by William Lee from the estate of Thomas Morris, who had died on 31 Jan., the Commissioners noted that...
18The Commissioners to Samuel Tucker, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We duely received your Letter, dated at Bourdeaux the 1st. Instant, and congratulate you, on your Safe Arrival, as well as on your good Fortune in taking, the Ship Martha, which We wish Safe to Port. We approve of your Zeal and Industry in taking upon you to get the Frigate, as far in Readiness as possible, for the Sea, during the Absence of Captain Palmes. As the Number of your Men, has been...
19The Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 13 April 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:51 . The Commissioners informed Williams, Benjamin Franklin’s greatnephew and American commercial agent at Nantes (see sketch in Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others,...
20Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Craving your referrence to the letter I had the honnor of writing to you yesterday, I take the liberty to inclose a Copy of an other of same date which I address’d to Mr. Silas Dean, as I have this day learn’d from M. Nesbitt that said Gentleman has left Paris; I humbly beg you would be pleased to give me your Sentiments on the contents, and confirm the orders which Mr. Dean has formerly given...
21To John Adams from J. C. Champagne, 14 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Beg leave to Congratulate you on your Safe Arrival to Paris and on the Satisfactory Reception you must have met-with at our Court. I hope you Enjoy good health Such as I Sincerely wish you and your Dear Chield my particullar Attachment for you and to all the Noble Heads of your Cawse is Inexplicable, Shall Never Cease my Vows to the Lord for the Preservation of your Healths and the Success of...
22Étienne d’Audibert Caille to the Commissioners, 14 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Cadiz, 14 April 1778. RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers). This letter, addressed to Franklin, Deane, and Lee, was docketed by JA : “Memoire Mr. Daudibert Caille. to be sent to the Emperor of Morocco.” D’Audibert Caille proposed that he be authorized to conclude an agreement with the Emperor of Morocco “aux mêmes conditions que plusieurs autres Puissances l’ont faitte avec ce Souverain” to protect...
23John Bondfield to Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, 14 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Bordeaux, 14 April 1778. RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers). Bondfield, still unaware that JA was at Paris, gave general shipping information, noted Capt. Tucker’s exertions to prepare the Boston for sea, and commented on the stagnation of Franco-American trade that would continue “until War is declared or Peace is establish’d.” RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers).
24The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 15 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We had this Moment the Pleasure of your Letter of the 10. Instant. You will please to furnish Captain Tucker, all such necessary Provisions for his future Voyage, as he shall require, recommending to him at the same Time, as much Frugality as may consist with the public service. We approve of your Proposal of exchanging the Ballast of Pigg Iron for Anchors as these are much wanted in America....
25Vergennes to the Commissioners, 15 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
J ai lhonneur de vous renvoyér Messieurs, LEcrit Anglois et La lettre de Votre ami que vous m’avés fait Communiquér par M. de Sartine. Votre Correspondant Le qualifie exactement Lors qu’il le declare impolitique quant a la france et malignement insidieux par raport aux Etats unis de I amerique; Sous quelque Sens qu on Examine les Ecris, on decouvre par tout l’intention de vous séparér de vos...
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...
27Simeon Deane to the Commissioners, 16 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform you of my arrival here yesterday in the Frigate Le Sensible and do this day set out for Congress. It would be with much satisfaction could I write whatever News may be now Current—but the short Time I am here (previous to my departure) gives me no Opportunity of very particular enquiry, further than that no very Considerable Transaction between the Two Armies has...
28The 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,...
29Joseph Belton to the Commissioners, 17 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being unforunately, on a Voyge from Baltimore to Charles Town, in January last, disabled at sea, through stress of Weather, which occasion’d my faling into the hands of Capt. Man, and carried into Dover in England, and sent on Board the guard Ship in the Downs, a Prisoner, from Whence at length I obtaind my liberty by an order from the board of Admiralty, And being in an enimies Countery, and...
30John 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...