Adams Papers
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From John Adams to Arthur Middleton, 24 April 1779

To Arthur Middleton

On Board the Alliance, St. Lazare,1 near Nantes Ap. 24. 1779

Sir

Your Favour, of the 4 July 1778,2 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 to the Ministry in which I heartily wish him success: and in my Answer to him, I have taken the Liberty to hint to him some proper Persons to apply to for Assistance in his Negociations.3

The Face of Things at present may not be so favourable to him as We could wish, but as I am well persuaded that the Constancy and Perseverance of the French Court may be depended on, I hope he will be able to convince them that one at least of his Plans, is a wise one, and promises much Utility to the common Cause. I have the Honour to be, with Sincere Respect and Esteem, sir, your obedient humble servant

John Adams

RC (NjP: de Coppet Coll.); docketed: “John Adams April 24th. 1779.”

1. Presumably an error for St. Nazaire, see JA, Diary and Autobiography description begins Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. description ends , 2:359.

2. Middleton’s letter (Adams Papers) has not been printed, but Edward Rutledge’s letter recommending Alexander Gillon dated 16 July 1778 is in vol. 6:294–295. JA’s docketing on the Rutledge letter indicates that he replied on 24 April, but that letter has not been found.

3. JA’s reply to Gillon’s letter of 17 April (above), has not been found; this brief statement is the only indication of its content.

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    Adams Papers
    Title
    From John Adams to Arthur Middleton, 24 April 1779
    Author
    Adams, John
    Recipient
    Middleton, Arthur
    Date
    24 April 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From John Adams to Arthur Middleton, 24 April 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-08-02-0033. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 8, March 1779 – February 1780, ed. Gregg L. Lint, Robert J. Taylor, Richard Alan Reyerson, Celeste Walker, and Joanna M. Revelas. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989, pp. 39–40.]