1081Thursday. May 13th. (Adams Papers)
Went on Shore and dined with Captain Jones at the Epèe Royal. Mr. Amiel, Mr. Dick, Dr. Brooke, officers of the Poor Richard, Captain Cazneau, Captain Young, Mr. Ingraham, Mr. Blodget, Mr. Glover, Mr. Conant, Messrs. Moylans, Mr. Maese, Mr. Nesbit, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Tayler, made the Company, with Captain Landais, myself and my Son. An elegant Dinner we had—and all very agreable. No very...
1082May 14. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
On Board all day, ill of a Cold. Many Gentlemen came on board to visit me. A Dr. Brooks, Surgeon to the Poor Richard, drank Tea with me. He seems to be well acquainted with Philosophical Experiments. I led him to talk upon this subject. He had much to say about Phlogiston, fixed Air, Gas &c. About absolute and sensible Heat, Experiments with the Thermometer, to shew the absolute and sensible...
108315 May. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Went on Shore, and dined with Captain Jones at the Mess, at L’Epee Royale. Mr. Hill, Capt. Cazneau, Captn. Young, Mr. Dick, Dr. Brooks &c. Mr. Gourlade, another Aid du Camp of the Marquis &c. Gourlade married a Scotch Lady.—Captain Jones this Morning shewed me a Letter from Lt. Browne, desiring or rather apologizing for leaving the Ship, because of the Word (first) in M. Amiels Com mission. I...
1084May 16. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Went on Shore, and dined with Mr. Moylan. Jones, Landais, Chaumont Pere et Fils, Moylan Frere, Maese, made the Company. Maese made a sensible Observation, vizt., that he ever found five out of six of the People of England supporting the Measures of Government. That the People of America had been deceived by their Friends in England, by writing that the People were against these Measures....
1085May 17. Monday. (Adams Papers)
L. gave Us an Account of St. George at Paris, a Molatto Man, Son of a former Governor of Guadaloupe, by a Negro Woman. He has a sister married to a Farmer General. He is the most accomplished Man in Europe in Riding, Running, Shooting, Fencing, Dancing, Musick. He will hit the Button, any Button on the Coat or Waistcoat of the greatest Masters. He will hit a Crown Piece in the Air with a...
1086May 18 Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
On Board all day, reading Don Quixot. Surviving among JA ’s books in the Boston Public Library are a single volume of a six-volume set of Don Quixote in French, Paris, 1768, and a four-volume set in Spanish, Madrid, 1777 ( Catalogue of JA’s Library Catalogue of the John Adams Library in the Public Library of the City of Boston, Boston, 1917. ).
1087May 19. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Pleasant. My State is tedious enough, waiting for the Chevalier, and loosing Time and Wind. Expectation is a painful Posture of the Mind, and Suspence, which is a little different, is worse. This of L’orient is a fine Port and Harbour. Men of War can come up to the Wharf, and they commonly lie not far from it. But there is no such pleasant Prospects of the Country as in Boston Harbour.
10881779 May 20. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Went ashore, met a Servant of Mr. Chaumont on the Wharf, who presented me his Masters Compliments and an Invitation to dine which I accepted. He lodges at Monsieur who with his Lady and Daughter of Six Years, an Officer of the Navy, Mr. C, my Self and Son made the Company. A rich Dinner for so small a Company. The little Daughter of Six Years, shewed the Effects of early Culture. She sung at...
108921. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Merrick dined with me, in the Cabbin.
109022 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Went ashore. Dr. W indship revealed to me, a Secret concerning the Parson.—Good God! ... He is confident. He knows.—The Rheumatism never touches the Glands. It is a confirmed ——. He says, that B lodget knows so too.—It must come to an Head. It will break. It will be two months at least. He has purged himself off his Legs. Has exhausted himself by Purges. (It gets into the Circulations—breaks...
109123d. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Waited in the Morning on Mr. Chaumont, agreed to go tomorrow Morning, on board the Sensible to make my Visit to the Commander. Went to the Lodging of Mr. Ingraham and Blodget. where about 8 or 10 Americans Breakfast every Morning and drink Punch every Evening. Took a Walk with Mr. Ingraham about the Town and then went and dined with Mr. Puchelberg. This is a modest and a decent German. He says...
109224. Monday. (Adams Papers)
Went with Mr. Chaumont to make my Visit to the Captain of the Sensible, the Frigate in which I am to embark, and was civilly received. Went next on Board the Pallas, where we breakfasted with the Officers, and then viewed the Ship. Went next on board the Poor Richard and took another look at her. Went ashore and dined with C. Jones. The Captain of the Pallas dined there and an Officer of his...
1093[June 1779] (Adams Papers)
Dined on Shore at the Coffee House with Jones, Landais, the two Aids de Camp of the Marquis de la Fayette, Capt. Cotineau. Dined on Board the Sensible, at the Invitation of the Captn. Mr. Chavan Chavagnes , with Mr. Thevenard, Mr. Grandville, Mr. Chaumont, &c. &c. On fait, et defait—mande et contremand. “A Strong Fleet is necessary to defend the Port of Brest.” This Observation, which I had...
10941779 June 1st. (Adams Papers)
Dined on Shore at the Coffee House with Jones, Landais, the two Aids de Camp of the Marquis de la Fayette, Capt. Cotineau.
1095June 2d. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined on Board the Sensible, at the Invitation of the Captn. Mr. Chavan Chavagnes , with Mr. Thevenard, Mr. Grandville, Mr. Chaumont, &c. &c. On fait, et defait—mande et contremand. “A Strong Fleet is necessary to defend the Port of Brest.” This Observation, which I had never heard before, struck me. The Dry Docks might be destroyed, the Stores burnt or demolished, the Magazines destroyed, &c....
10961779. June 8. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I sent one Boat with some of my Things, and this Morning another with the Remainder, on Board the Sensible. Landais has torn open the old Sore, and in my Opinion, has now ruined the Peace of this Ship. He has an unhappy Mind. He must ever have something to complain of—something to peave and fret about. He is jealous.
10971779 Saturday [12 June]. (Adams Papers)
Last night, the Chevalier de La Luzerne arrived, and took Lodgings at the Epee Royal, in a Chamber opposite to mine up two Pair of Stairs. He did me the Honour, together with Monsieur Marbois, his Secretary, or rather the Secretary of the Commission, to visit me in my Chamber this Morning, and invited me to dine, with him in his Chamber with my Son. The Ambassador, the Secretary, Mr. Chaumont,...
10981779. June 17. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
At 6 O Clock this Morning, Monsieur Chavan, Capitain of the Sensible, sent his Canot, on Shore for me, and mine, and here I am, in full Possession of my Apartment. Sailed about 3 o Clock, in Company with the Bon Homme Richard Captain Jones, the Alliance Captain Landais, the Captain Young, the Captain Cazneau, the Courier de L’Europe Capt. The Three Friends Capt. Colman, belonging to Mr....
10991779. June 18. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning, the Monsieur a french Privateer, which sailed out from L’orient as We went into it in the Alliance, came in with four English Prizes, having made Six this Cruise. She and her Prizes saluted the Sensible, and their Salutes were returned. Received a Card from Mr. Williams 3d., apologising for the 3 friends that the Pilot refused to take charge of her untill the Morning. I asked a...
11001779. June 18. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
The orders are to breakfast at 10., dine at 5. and sup at 10.
110119. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
The two Privateers, which were in Sight Yesterday, are so still with two others. Our Captain at length laid too, hoisted his Colours and fired a Gun as a Challenge. One of them hoisted English Colours and fired a Gun, which I suppose was accepting the Challenge. Our Captain gave her two Broad Sides, for the Sake of exercising his Men, and some of his Balls went beyond her, some before and some...
110220. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Two Privateers have been in sight all this day. One advanced, and fired several Guns in order to make Us hoist our Colours. But Captain Chavan would not do them that Honour. They are afraid to come near. But this it is. Every day We have a No. in Sight, so that there is no Chance for a Vessell to pass without Convoy. Our Captain Mr. Chavan has a Cross of St. Louis, and one of his Midshipmen...
1103Monday June 21. (Adams Papers)
This Morning I found Mr. Marbois recovered of his Sea Sickness. I fell into Conversation with him, about his illness, advised a Dish of Tea, which he readily accepted, told him he must learn to drink Tea in America in order to please the Ladies, who all drank Tea. That the american Ladies shone at the Tea Table. He said, he had heard they were very amiable and of agreable Conversation. I said...
1104June 22. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
We have had a fine Wind ever since We came out of L’orient, but it blows fresher today than ever. Yet We go but about 5 Knots, because being obliged to wait for the Three Friends, and the Foudroyant, which sail slow, We cannot carry Sail. With all our Sails We might now go eleven Knots. This is Mercantile Politicks of C haumont and W illiams in getting the Chevaliers Baggage on Board those...
1105June 23. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
This Forenoon, fell strangely, yet very easily into Conversation with M.M. I went up to him—M.M. said I, how many Persons have you in your Train and that of the Chevalier who speak the German Language?— Only my Servant, said he, besides myself and the Chev alier .—It will be a great Advantage to you said I in America, especially in Pensilvania, to be able to speak German. There is a great Body...
1106June 24. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Marbois told a Story of an Ecclesiastic, who pronounced a funeral oration on Marshall Saxe.—He compared him to Alcides, who ballanced long whether he should follow the Path of Virtue or of Sloth, and at last chose the former. But Saxe, after ballancing long, did better by determining to follow both, i.e. Pleasure and Virtue. This Evening I went into our State Room, where I found Mr....
1107June 25. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
June 25. Fryday.
1108June 26 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
June 26 Saturday.
110927 Sunday. (Adams Papers)
27 Sunday.
1110June 28 Monday. (Adams Papers)
We have been favoured, in our Voyage hitherto, beyond my utmost Expectations. We have enjoyed a Succession of favourable Winds and Weather, from the Time of our leaving L’orient to this Moment. The Discipline, on Board this Ship, is a constant Subject of Speculation to me. I have seen no Punishments inflicted, no Blows struck, nor heard scarcely an Angry Word spoken, from the Captain to any of...
11111779. June 30. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Marbois, this Morning, upon my Enquiry, told me, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne is the Grandson of the famous Chancelier de la Moignon by his Mothers Side. That the Marchall Broglie is a Cousin to the Chevalier. He also told me, that he himself, Mr. Marbois, was born in Metz, where the Comte de Broglie is Commandant. That going lately to Metz to be admitted a Counsellor in Parliament, he...
1112[July 1779] (Adams Papers)
Walking this afternoon, with Mr. Marbois, upon the Quarter Deck, I said frankly to him, that I had expected that Mr. Garnier would have been sent to America. That I had observed some things in the Conduct of B. and C. which made me conjecture and believe that they were planning to have Mr. G arnier succeed Mr. G érard . That there was a great Intimacy between B. and Mr. G arnier . Between our...
1113July 2d. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Walking this afternoon, with Mr. Marbois, upon the Quarter Deck, I said frankly to him, that I had expected that Mr. Garnier would have been sent to America. That I had observed some things in the Conduct of B. and C. which made me conjecture and believe that they were planning to have Mr. G arnier succeed Mr. G érard . That there was a great Intimacy between B. and Mr. G arnier . Between our...
11141779 July 4th. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning, having stepped out of my Cabbin, for a few Minutes, I found upon my Return, that the Compliments of the following Gentlemen, were left chez Moy, on the Anniversary of American Independence, Le Chevalier de La Luzerne. Mr. De Marbois. Mr. Bide de Chavagnes, Capne. des Vaux. du Roy de France, commdnt. la Sensible Le Chev. de Goisbriand, the Second in Command Mr. De la Forest. Mr....
11151779. July 16. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Since I have been in this Ship I have read Robertsons History of America in 4 Volumes, in French, and four Volumes of the Observateur Anglois, in a series of Letters from my Lord All Eye to my Lord All Ear. I am now reading Les Negotiations De Monsieur Le President Jeannin. He was Ambassador from Henry the fourth, at the Hague, at the Beginning of the Seventeenth Century, and is reputed one of...
11161779 July 17th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Three Days past We have sounded for the Grand bane but have not found it. By the Reckonings of all the officers, We ought to be now Ten Leagues upon the Banch. It is surprizing to me, that We have not seen more Fish. A few Whales, a few Porpoises and two Sharks are all We have seen. The two Sharks, We caught, with a Shark Hook and a Bit of Pork for a Bait. We cutt up the first, and threw over...
11171779. July 20. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
I was struck with these Words in a Letter from the President Jeannin to M. Bellegarde of 28 Jany. 1609 Si le Roy “est content de ma Conduite, et de la Diligence et Fidelitè, dont j’use pour executer ponctuellement ce qu’il m’a commandé c’est deja une Espece de recompense qui donne grande Satisfaction à un homme de bien; et quand il ne m’en aviendra rien de mieux, j’en accuserai plutot mon...
11181779, Fryday July 30. (Adams Papers)
We are not yet arrived to the Bane of St. George. Calms, contrary Winds &c. detain Us. Saw a Whale spouting and blowing and leaping to day in our Wake—a Grampus they say.
11191779 July 31 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Found Bottom this Morning on St. Georges Bane. The Weather, the Wind, the Discovery of our Longitude, give Us all, fine Spirits this Morning. The Wind is as good as We could wish it. We are now about to pass the Day and Night of greatest Danger. By the present Appearances, We are highly favoured. But Appearances are often deceitful. At the Moment I am writing a thick fog comes up, on all...
1120[November 1779] (Adams Papers)
Took Leave of my Family, and rode to Boston with my Son Charles, nine years of Age last May. At four O Clock went on board the french Frigate the Sensible, Mr. Thaxter, my Son John, twelve Years old last July, and my Servant Joseph Stevens having come on Board in the Morning.—I find the Frigate crouded with Passengers, and Sailors, full 350 Men. They have recruited a great Number here. First...
11211779 November 13th. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Took Leave of my Family, and rode to Boston with my Son Charles, nine years of Age last May. At four O Clock went on board the french Frigate the Sensible, Mr. Thaxter, my Son John, twelve Years old last July, and my Servant Joseph Stevens having come on Board in the Morning.—I find the Frigate crouded with Passengers, and Sailors, full 350 Men. They have recruited a great Number here. First...
112216. (Adams Papers)
Found a Grammar, entitled, Élémens de la Langue Angloise, ou Méthode pratique, pour apprendre facilement cette Langue. Par M. Siret, A Paris, chez Ruault, Libraire, rue de la Harpe, près de la rue Serpente. 1773. Avec Approbation, et Permission.
112324. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
On the grand Bank of N ew F ound L and .—A few days ago, We spoke an American Privateer, the General Lincoln; Captain Barnes. Wrote Letters by him to my family. Mr. Dana wrote. Mr. Thaxter, Mr. John, and several others. Heard, since I came on board, several Hints concerning W.; Son of ——. That he has made a great Fortune—by Privateering, by Trade, by buying Sailors Shares, and by gambling....
112425. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Arose at 4. A fair Wind and good Weather. We have passed the Grand Bank, sounded Yesterday afternoon and found bottom in 30 fathom of Water, on the Eastermost Edge of the Bank.
112526. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Leur Gouvernement, (des Bataviennes) fut un Malange de Monarchie, d’aristocratie, et democratic On y voioit un chef, qui n’etoit proprement, que le premier des Citoiens, et qui donnoit, moins des ordres, que des Conseils. Les Grands, qui jugeoient les Procés de leur district, et commandoient les Troupes, etoient choisis, comme les rois dans les assemblees generales. Cent Personnes, prises dans...
1126[December 1779] (Adams Papers)
We are now supposed to be within 100 Leagues of Ferrol or Corunna, to one of which Places We are bound. The Leak in the Frigate, which keeps two Pomps constantly going, has determined the Captn. to put into Spain. This Resolution is an Embarrassment to me. Whether to travail by Land to Paris, or wait for the Frigate. Whether I can get Carriages, Horses, Mules &c. What Accommodations I can get...
11271779 December [5]. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
We are now supposed to be within 100 Leagues of Ferrol or Corunna, to one of which Places We are bound. The Leak in the Frigate, which keeps two Pomps constantly going, has determined the Captn. to put into Spain. This Resolution is an Embarrassment to me. Whether to travail by Land to Paris, or wait for the Frigate. Whether I can get Carriages, Horses, Mules &c. What Accommodations I can get...
11281779 December 7. Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
About 11. O Clock discovered Land—two large Mountains, one sharp and steep, another large and broad.—We passed 3 Capes, Finisterre, Tortanes Torinaña and Veillane Villano . Yesterday the Chevr. de la Molion gave me some Nuts which he call’d Noix d’Acajou. They are the same which I have often seen, and which were called Cooshoo Nuts. The true name is Acajou Nuts. They are shaped like our large...
11298 Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Got into Ferrol, where We found the french Ships of the Line, went on Board the General Sade, went ashore, visited the Spanish General Don Joseph St. Vincent, took a Walk about Town, saw a great No. of Spanish and french Officers. Returned on Board the Frigate. See entry of 13 Dec. , below. JQA ’s Diary provides a great deal more detail on the entrance to the harbor and the events of this day...
11309. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
Came on Shore with all my family. Took Lodgings. Dined with the Spanish Lieutenant General of the Marine with 24 french and Spanish officers. Don Joseph is an old Officer, but has a great deal of Vivacity and Bonhommie. The Difference between the Faces and Airs of the French and Spanish Officers, is more obvious and striking than that of their Uniforms. Gravity and Silence distinguish the...