11From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 13 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am ashamed to acknowledge that I received your kind Letter, in due time, and have not answered it before: My apology is that I was on the Point of Setting out for Brest when I received it and have been travelling ever since. I am much obliged to you for the Letter and very happy to find that one Gentleman is to be found in France whose sentiments will give some Countenance to my own. I have...
12From John Adams to Arthur Middleton, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour, of the 4 July 1778, I had not the Honour to receive, untill yesterday, which I very much lament because I fear I have lost an opportunity of rendering Some little service to the Commodore in his laudable Enterprise, at least of shewing every Respect in my Power to your Recommendation. In a Letter, which he did me the Honour to write me, I find he has made several able Propositions...
13From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had, Yesterday, the Honour of yours of the 24th inclosing a Letter from his Excellency M. de Sartine, expressing his Majestys Desire that the Alliance Should be retained here a little longer. As my Baggage was on board, and every Appearance promised that We should be under Sail in three or four days for America, in a fine ship and the best Month in the Year, this Intelligence, I confess, is...
14From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 29 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
There is a fatal spell set upon, all Intelligence between This Country and Ours. Two Vessells have arrived, from Virginia one at L’orient the other from at Morlaix, and no News. I have seen four or five News Papers which came by the latter, one of which is a Virginia Paper as late as 12 March. No News, excepting a Letter from G.W. to Congress containing a Letter from G.M. to him concerning the...
15From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 4 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday your favour of 25 of April came to Hand, but my dear sir you flatter me too much when you tell me that the Part I have taken gives me a right to influence and direct. I claim no other Right than that of being heard and having what I have to say considered: but According to present Appearances, even this is not like to be conceded to me. Content, in Gods name, if Persons of greater...
16From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 14 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Day before Yesterday, We arrived here, in two Days from Nantes, all well. There is a Frigate now turning into this Port, which is said to be Le Sensible, and if this is true, I hope, it will not be a long Time before We get to sea. The Chevalier de La Luzerne I hope is sensible of the Value of every Moment in the last half of the Month of May towards a Voyage to America. If We wait untill...
17From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 17 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 10th. I received the Day before Yesterday, and am glad to hear that the Chevalier is making diligent Preparation for his Departure, for I wish, most impatiently to see him. Every day, now is a great Loss. In a Letter I wrote a few days ago I mentioned Some Reasons for prefering Boston to Delaware. I think there can be no doubt that there are at least Several Frigates in...
18From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 22 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 15 reached me, Yesterday. I am waiting here in anxious Expectation of the new Minister, with whom, it is said I am to embark. It would give me Pleasure to form an Acquaintance with this Gentleman, because his Character is good, and because, it would give me an opportunity of convincing him of the Importance of keeping himself disconnected with Parties. Not only the Benefits of the...
19From John Adams to Edmund Jenings, 8 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the Second of this Month, was brought to me, but this Moment, and I am happy to find that I agree in so many Points with you. The Armament that has been fitting out here, has been a Mystery, as almost every Thing else has. I never was informed, of the intended strength, the Number of ships or Troops, or who was to command— or where they were to go. I never asked any Questions. I chose...
20From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 9 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of June 2d and 5th are now before me: that of 29 March, I have answered if I ever received it, for I have answered every one received from you, but not having my Papers at Hand cannot be particular. Thank you for the Manuscript and the Pamphlet. Am happy to hear from you and from all others, so agreable a Character of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, and M. de Marbois the last of whom...