Sartine to the American Commissioners, 14 July 1778: résumé
Sartine to the American Commissioners8
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives (three); transcript: National Archives
<Versailles, July 14, 1778, in French: The inhabitants of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon may receive few or no supplies, and be in great distress, if some of the victualers I have sent are intercepted; and by the time we hear of it there will be no remedy.9 I have told the local authorities that they may depend on assistance from the United States, and the King would be glad if you would recommend, especially to the government of Boston, sending them supplies.>
8. JA’s own translation is printed in Butterfield, John Adams Diary, IV, 161. See also Taylor, Adams Papers, VI, 290.
9. These small islands off Newfoundland surrendered without resistance to a British force sent against them in September: G.R. Barnes and J.H. Owen, eds., The Private Papers of John, Earl of Sandwich … (4 vols., [London], 1932–38), II, 290.