1291William Lee to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Frankfort on the Main, 8 May 1778. printed: William Lee, Letters The Letters of Richard Henry Lee , ed. James C. Ballagh, New York, 1911–1914; 2 vols. , 2:429–430. Lee reported that, because of Frederick’s refusal to recognize American independence and conclude a commercial treaty, he was about to depart for Vienna, where prospects seemed better, particularly if France exerted pressure on...
1292Thomas Simpson to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Its extremely disagreeable to me, that my first address to you, shou’d be on such an occasion, as the following detail, which is that immediately on the capture of the English Ship of war Drake, off the harbour Carrickfurgus, in Ireland Captn. Jones was pleased to appoint me (his first Lieutenant,) to the command of her for Brest, giving me instructions, a correct copy of which I inclose, and...
1293To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
These with my Regards to your Honour, acquainting you of my receiving your kind Epistle by the Docter and will engage myself to take all the Care possible of the Articles that I may receive of your Worthey friend John Brondfield Esqr. and will see them safe Delivered to Mrs. Adams, please God, I should arrive safe with my Ship after a short Cruze. Pray Sir excuse my not Writing more perticular...
1294John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acquaint you that I arrived here last Night and brought in with me the British Ship of War Drake of 20 Guns with English Colours inverted under the American Stars. I shall soon give you the particulars of my Cruise in the mean time you will see some Account of it in a letter of this date from Comte D’Orvilliers to Monseigneur De Sartine. I have brought in near Two hundred...
1295To John Adams from Senés, 10 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ay L’honneur de vous informer que je Possede des Secrets que je regarde comme Specifiques En ce qu’ils guerissent En très peu de temps les chûtes tant vieilles que nouvelles et même Sur des Sujets que L’on regarderoit Comme incurables, dont j’ay 26. Certificats de guerison, Et au moyen de mes Secrets on parviendroit Encore à Eviter d’envoyer aux Eaux tous les Officiers et Soldats blessés En...
1296Senés to John Adams: A Translation, 10 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I possess certain secret remedies that I consider as specific because they very rapidly cure collapses, old as well as new, even in subjects considered incurable, and for which I have 26 certificates of cure. Thanks to my secrets one could avoid sending officers and soldiers wounded in time of war to the waters and have them leave the hospitals, thus...
1297To John Adams from Lataque, 11 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Une famille honete, se sert de mon entremise pour avoir lhonneur de vous demander, si Mr de Roche Fremoy est toujour em ployé dans larmée de Mr le general Waginton; jose esperer Monsieur que vous daigneres maccorder la grace, de me fournir touts les eclaircissements que vous deves avoir sur le compte de cet officier, dont on nentend, plus parler deja depuis quelque temps; jay lhonneur detre...
1298Lataque to John Adams: A Translation, 11 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
A respected family has requested me to please ask you if Mr. de Roche Fremoy is still employed in the army of General Washington. I dare hope, sir, that you will do me the honor of giving me any information you must have concerning this officer, who has not been heard of for quite some time now. I have the honor to be, with the utmost respect, your very humble and very obedient servant If you...
1299Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 11 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencies are before this Time informed of the Gallant Action performed by Capt. Jones, who has no doubt also informed you of his Intentions relative to the Drake Sloop of War. I happened to be at Morlaix when this News reached me, and as I thought my presence would be of Service I came immediately hither. Capt. Jones informs me that he has immediate occasion for about £2000 Sterling,...
1300John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 12 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday came into this Port the Brig Peggy Captain Kelly from No. Carolina. She has on board One hundred and forty eight hhd Tobacco for account of Messrs. Willing and Morris addrest to Mr. Delap. I apply’d for the publick Letters. I apprehend there are none as Mr. Delap has not sent any. The vessel saild 4th. April. I have Letters from Mess Hewes Smith and Allen of the 30 March. They write...
1301C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 12 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je ne vous parlerai de mes opérations ici, en conséquence de vos ordres du 30e. Avril, que lorsque je pourrai vous donner quelque chose de plus qu’un embryon. Je tiens un petit Journal de mes opérations, que vous aurez en son temps. Je me contenterai de vous dire que j’ai fait usage avec Succès de la Lettre ostensible du ioe. Avril qui m’est adressée à moi. Je n’ai pu encore présenter la...
1302C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 12 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I will not refer to my dealings here with respect to your orders of 30 April until I am in a position to give you something more than a mere embryo. I keep a little record of my operations that you shall receive in due time. I will limit myself, therefore, to saying that I made a successful use of your ostensible letter of 10 April addressed to me. I have not yet been able to present the...
1303To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 13 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Our public letter does not leave me much to add, but friendship will not suffer me to let this opportunity pass, without expressing my wishes to congratulate you on your safe arrival in France. You will find our affairs at your Court in a much more respectable Train than they have been heretofore, and therefore, no doubt more agreable to you. Finance seems now the only rock upon which we have...
1304Vergennes to the Commissioners, 13 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les fermiers-generaux viennent de me faire passer, Messieurs, un proces-verbal relatif au refus que le S. Tucker, capitaine de la fregate américaine le Boston a fait de subir la visite des employés de la ferme. Je vois par cette pièce que ce capitaine a fondé son refus sur l’exemtion done il a prétendu que jouissent tous les batiments de guerre. Avant de pouvoir statuer sur cette prévention,...
1305The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners: A Translation, 13 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Farmers General have just brought to my attention a report concerning the refusal of S. Tucker, captain of the American frigate the Boston , to submit to a visit on board by the clerks of the farm. I see in this document that the captain based his refusal on the exemption that, he said, is granted to all war vessels. Before making a decision regarding this claim, we must first ascertain if...
1306To John Adams from William Heath, 14 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The French Frigate Nimphe Commanded by the Chevalier Senneville returning directly to France I cannot omit so favorable an oppertunity of testifying my esteem in wishing that you may have had a safe and agreeable passage from America to France, and of congratulating you on the present agreeable and promissing aspect of our public Affairs. Previous to the arrival of Mr. Dean with the public...
1307The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 14 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Our Affairs have now a universally good appearance. Every thing at home and abroad seems verging towards a happy and permanent period. We are preparing for either War or Peace; for altho we are fully perswaded that our Enemies are wearied beaten and disappoint in despair, yet we shall not presume too much on that belief, and the rather, as it is our fixt determination to admit no terms of...
1308To John Adams from James Lovell, 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I find it impossible to write to you at this Time so fully as I wish being greatly overplied with business from the neglect of others. I cannot however consent that Dispatches for France should go off without a line in Testimony of my personal attachment to you and in proof of remembrance of my promises; which kind of proof I have given 9 Times before since you left Boston. Ever, more uneasy...
1309Vergennes to the Commissioners, 15 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Versailles, 15 May 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:100–101 . This letter and its supporting enclosure, a copy of a letter from La Tuilliere , consul at Madeira, to Sartine dated 15 Feb., were translated by Adams in his Autobiography (for the French texts see Lb/JA/6, Microfilms ,...
1310To John Adams from James Lovell, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I hinted to you in my letter of yesterday, which goes by a different Vessel from what bears this, Half-pay for 7 years, if they live so long, is granted to the Officers who serve the War out. It was also resolved to give 80 Dollars to the Men in addition to their Land. The Commissioners at the Courts of Tuscany Vienna and Berlin are to have plenipotentiary Commissions and not to be...
1311To John Adams from William Vernon Jr., 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of writing you a letter on the tenth of April, in which I informed you of my determination to reside in this place, and prayed that you would forward me recommendations to the house of Messrs. Feyers freres, which is one of the first character in this City. Being sensible that the business in which you must be involv’d leaves you few leisure moments, I was determined to wait...
1312The Commerce Committee to the Commissioners, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
This will be accompanied with a Contract entered into between John Baptist Lazarus Theveneau De Francy Agent of Mr. Peter Augustine Caron De Beaumarchais representative of the House of Rodrigue Hortalez & Co. and the Committee of Commerce. You will observe that their Accounts are to be fairly stated and what is justly due paid. For as on the One hand Congress would be unwilling to evidence a...
1313John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
As there is an appearance that the Sales of the Rangers prizes will be greatly protracted thro’ the claims of the Admiralty here—I have been under the necessity of drawing on you this day a Bill at five days sight in favor of Monsieur Bersolle for Twenty four thousand Livers—which I mean to distribute among the brave Officers and Men to whom I owe my late Success. It is but reasonable that...
1314Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being too much indisposd to come to Passi this morning, and thinking the subjects of the enclosd Letters of pressing importance; I have sent you what I think shoud be written. You will make such Alterations as you think proper. But if the subordinate Servants of the public continue to obey or not obey our Orders as they please—to act as they will, without taking our orders—to involve us in...
1315To John Adams from Alagnac, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le Docteur Franklin, Monsieur, a qui j’ay eu l’honneur D’ecrire pour Savoir Des nouvelles D’un jeune homme nommé le chevalier De Pontgibaut, embarqué Sur le navire l’arc en ciel, partit De Nantes Depuis le Il 8bre 1777, avec plusieurs lettres De recommendation pour Mrs De Con Wai et De la Fayette, Dans l’esperance D’etre employé Dans vos troupes Des Colonies unies De l’amerique; m’a mendé...
1316Alagnac to John Adams: A Translation, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Franklin, sir, to whom I had the honor to write for information about a young man, Chevalier de Pontgibaut, who left Nantes on 11 October 1777 on board the Arc en Ciel with letters of recommendation to Messrs. Conway and Lafayette in the hope of being employed with the troops of the United Colonies of America; has replied that he knows nothing on the matter. Permit me then to turn to you,...
1317To John Adams from Dupont de Lens, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Under the auspices of my friend Mr. Recules de Basmarin I take the Liberty of addressing myself to you; to make a tender of my Services to you, desiring you to appoint me to the place of Consul, or Commissary of your nation in this port. The perfect Knowledge I have in every thing Concerning the maritime Commerce, my having the advantage of Writing and Speaking English most as fluently as...
1318Christian Stenger and William Straughan to the Commissioners, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Humble Petition of Christian Stenger and William Stragham Showed that Your Petitioners with thyre Propertyes, by this Unnaturall Ware have fallen Captives to the Ranger Continentel Ship of Ware, Comanded by Captn. John Paul Jones Esqr.—first Comander of the Brigg Dolphin, beloning to Water ford, Sunck with her Cargo Flaxseed of f Cape Clare Aprill 14t. Latter Comander of the Lord Chatham...
1319Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last informed your Excellencies of my Arrival at this place from Morlaix and my Motives in coming hither. Capt. Jones has received a Letter from Mr. Schweighauser who in consequence of one from William Lee Esqr. claims the Disposal of the Prizes sent into this port by the Ranger, informs Capt. Jones that he has the Management of the public Business, and that I pretend to what he alone has...
1320To John Adams from Henry Laurens, 19 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Will you permit me to congratulate with you upon the favorable appearances in our American concerns and particularly upon your safe arrival at Paris, and further to request you will forward in the best manner the times will afford, the two inclosed Letters, one to Ralph Izard Esquire and the other to my daughter in Law in London the latter if War is kindled between France and England must take...
1321C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 19 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere, en forme de Journal, commencoit par le 7e. et finissoit par le 15e de ce mois. Vous y aurez vu ma marche, pas à pas; et qu’elle a abouti au vrai terme qu’il falloit, savoir, à faire connoître ici, d’une maniere non équivoque, et authentique, les dispositions amicales des Etats-Unis envers cette République, et à préparer ainsi les voies pour un heureux rapprochement, sans mettre...
1322C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 19 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last, in the form of a diary, began with the 7th and ended on the 15th of this month. You will there have seen my progress, step by step, toward the proper conclusion; that is, to make known here, in a gen uine and unequivocal way, the friendly disposition of the United States toward this Republic and thus prepare the way for a successful rapprochement without placing the British...
1323To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 20 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The preceeding is Copy of my last, via Bilboa. I have noted, that we have run out the Warren Capt. Hopkins from Providence, he happily escaped the vigilance of the Enemy, received the Fire of Two Ships in the River, as he passed them without any meterial damage, several ships follow’d him out from Newport and pursued a day or Two, he out saild them. He was ordered to Boston immediately, the...
1324C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les Etats d’Hollande se sont séparés aujourdhui; et chacun part demain pour sa Ville. Je viens de souhaiter un bon Voyage à notre Ami. Il a vu le G—P—, qui lui a témoigné être fort embarrassé entre le desir qu’il a, Messieurs, de répondre d’abord à votre Lettre, d’une maniere qui vous fasse connoître combien il est sensible à votre politesse, et s’en trouve flatté, avec son espérance, que le...
1325C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 22 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Dutch States General ended their session today, and each member will be leaving for his town tomorrow. I have just come from wishing our friend a good trip. He saw the Grand Pensionary, who told him that he was torn between his desire, on the one hand, to answer your letter in a way that would demonstrate how much he appreciates your courtesy in these dealings and is flattered with the...
1326Thomas Simpson to the Commissioners, 25 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I addressed you on the 8th. of this Instant on a very disagreeable affair, not recieving any answer, or order from your Honours, I concluded my letter had miscarried, or your attentions were required on greater objects, and therefore was determined to rest a while, until you might be at leisure, to think on the matter, I had wrote you of. But the treatment I have since recieved from Captn....
1327To John Adams from William Vernon Sr., 26 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Two foregoing Letters are Copys, thinking it necessary to transmit at least Three Copys these precarious Times, which I shall think no trouble in transcribing, if a single line thereof gives you the least satisfaction. The building the 74 Gun Ships are order’d to be stoped for the present, I suppose it to be in consequence I of what You requested me to write Mr. Ellery upon the subject....
1328To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 27 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am ready for Sea and waiting for a wind after a teadious fatigueing Jobb. I heartily Congratulate you with the News of Capt. Jones takeing the Drake and make no doubt but any of us Could Compleat Such an Undertaking Was our People Unanimous but Sir their has bein a Consparicy Carred on board the Boston this three weeks Past betwen the English att Bourdeaux and my men to take the Ship to...
1329John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 27 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have now to fulfil the promise made in my last by giving you an Account of my late Expedition. I sailed from Brest the 10th of April. My Plan was extensive: I therefore did not at the beginning wish to incumber myself with Prisoners. On the 14th I took a Brigantine between Scilly and Cape Clear bound from Ostend with a Cargo of Flax-seed for Ireland; sunk her and proceeded into St. Georges...
1330The Commerce Committee to the Commissioners, 28 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
You will receive this by Thomas Read Esqr who was Captain of the Frigate Washington but is now Commander of the Armed Brigantine Baltimore. This Brigantine was intended for A dispatch Vessel, but now hath A Cargo on board of Forty Nine hhds. of Tobacco which was all she coud take in and accomodate her men. We have addressed her to John Danl. Schweighauser Merchant in Nantes, and have directed...
1331William Bingham to the Commissioners, 29 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have done myself the Honor of writing Several Letters to Congress upon the Subject of Remittances, for Debts I have contracted in this place on public Account; in Some of which I requested Liberty to draw upon you Gentlemen for the Amount, as being the most Sure and eligible Plan of procuring Payment. I have not as yet received any Answers to my Letters, but expect them with great...
1332Jonathan Trumbull to the Commissioners, 29 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Robert Niles (Commander of the Schooner Spy own’d by this State) and has in Charge Dispatches from the Honorable Continental Congress which I was desir’d to forward Imediately to you, hope he may have a Good Passage, and Arive Safe. The Article of Lead is much wanted in this State and would desire that you would putt as much on Board, the Spy as Capt. Niles...
1333Elijah Hall and Others to the Commissioners, 30 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Petition and Remonstrance of Us the Subscribers Officers of the american continental Ship of War Ranger humbly sheweth— That our Friend and Brother Officer Lt. Thos. Simpson; was on the 24th of April last sent on board Our Prize the Sloop of War Drake, to take the Command; with this Order among others, to keep within a Cable’s length (or thereabout) on Our starboard Quarter. On the 4th. of...
1334To John Adams from James Lovell, May 1778 (Adams Papers)
In aid to your scrutiny after the real robber of the Commissioners Dispatches, I send what I think a good Confirmation of Folgiers honesty. By comparing the Governor’s letter with Folgier’s Examination you will find the Governor led into a mistake about the number of Seals broken, by Folgiers forgetting that the outside Cover of the whole had anything more than “Dispatches” wrote on it. He...
1335C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 2 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous confirmer mes trois dernieres Lettres, savoir celle en forme de Journal, du 7 au 15e May; une autre du 19e; et la derniere du 22 au 26e May. Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France est de retour en bonne santé. Le g—— F—— est d’avis que je n’accepte point, entant que réponse à votre Lettre, celle que le G—— P—— voudra peut-être me faire de bouche quand je le verrai. Mais il...
1336C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 2 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to confirm my last three letters, namely that of 7 to 15 May in the form of a journal, another of the 19th, and the last of 22 to 26 May. The French ambassador returned in good health. The Grand Facteur is of the opinion that I should not accept, as a reply to your letter, what the Grand Pensionary will perhaps tell me verbally when we meet. But he expects, as do I, that you,...
1337Elijah Hall to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I request your Honours Favour in behalf of the Officers and Men, that you would point out some Method to bring the Prizes to sail, which we took on the late Cruize, as we are much in want of Cloathing and other Necessaries which we cannot do without. Many of Us have Wives and Children now suffering in America, the Time for which most of the People engag’d being now almost expired, and no...
1338John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ultimo I received by Yesterdays post: I frankly ask your pardon for the undue liberty which I took the 16th Ultimo when I ventured to sign a draft upon you for the purpose of supplying the people under my Command with necessary Cloathing &ca.—and I promise you never to be guilty of the like Offence again. I hope you do not however mean to impute to me a desire to...
1339Sartine to the Commissioners, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recû, Messieurs, La Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire Le 16 du Mois passé pour demander qu’il soit accordé une fregate du Roi aux frères Basmarin Raimbeaux et Cie. pour etre emploié a proteger Le Commerce qu’ils font a l’Amerique et en même terns user de Represailles pour Les Pertes que Les Anglois Leur ont fait essuyer en dernier Lieu. Je voudrois qu’il me fut possible de...
1340Sartine to the Commissioners: A Translation, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I received the letter that you did me the honor to write the 16th of last month, asking that one of His Majesty’s frigates be given to Basmarin, Raimbeaux & Cie. to protect their commerce with America and also for use in retaliatory action for the losses the British have caused them of late. I wish that it was possible for me to be agreeable to your request, but His Majesty wishes, for the...