Title: To John Adams from John Bondfield, 28 April 1778
From: Bondfield, John
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Bordeaux 28 Apl 1778

     I am honord with your favor of the 12 Instant.
     I shall pay perticular attention to see every article you have mention’d in your memorandum compleated and Shipt with care on board Captain Tucker directed as you have laid down. I hope you enjoy your health in the Air of Paris and that every thing around you contributes to your Satisfaction. Wherever my Services can be to you perticularly useful at all times permit me to assure you that I shall ever esteem the honor both from principal and personal attatchment to convince you that I am with great Respect Sr. Your most Obedient Humble Servant

      John Bondfield

      Permit me to introduce to your regard M. Diodati son in Law to Mons. Trenchard Phycician to his Majesty and Interested in  the House of Mess. Germani brother to M. Necker. His acquaintance may occationally be to you useful. Mr. John Texier of Amsterdam a Man of considerable Consideration at that City Brother to your Female friend the Adamite who put to your Solution certain philosophical querries at Supper left this on his return to Amsterdam to Day proposes to himself the Honor to pay his respects to you as he pass’s.


Title: John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778
From: Bondfield, John
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Hond Sirs
      Bordeaux 28 April 1778

     Messrs. Palmes Livingston and Heywood arrived here the 25th by whom I was favor’d with the Letter you honor’d me with under date 15th Instant.
     In consiquence of your Instructions I have received from Captain Tucker an Indent for the provission the respective officers will attend the examination tomorrow to inspect the quality which with the other articles required I shall endeavour to expedite in the course of this week. The Mast has thrown the work much Back. We have received no inteligence from the Out Ports having no Arrivals since my last. I have the honor to be with due Respect Your honors Most Obedient Humble Servant

      John Bondfield


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Messieurs
       La Haie 28 Avril 1778

      J’espere que vous avez reçu la Lettre du 23, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire d’Amsterdam, et dans laquelle se trouvoit votre Minute de la Lettre en question. Nous sommes deux ici, et un à Amsterdam, qui comptons les momens jusqu’à ce qu’elle me revienne de votre part en forme, afin que je puisse la présenter &C. Nous sommes convenus, que j’ajouterai de bouche l’insinuation, d’avoir cru remarquer dans d’autres Lettres que vous m’aviez écrites, que vous aviez fait parvenir, de manière ou d’autre, à ceux d’Amsterdam, la connoissance de la démarche que vous allez faire par mon ministere. Le but de cette précaution est, de mettre celui qui recevra la Lettre de ma main, dans le cas de n’oser, quand il le voudroit par complaisance pour—— manquer, ni même différer d’en donner connoissance, d’abord aux Etats de la Provinces et puis à LI. hh. pp. Or c’est pour ces deux moments là que j’ai deux batteries prêtes, lesquelles je demasquerai l’une après l’autre pour battre en brêche; et autant qu’on peut répondre des choses humaines, je suis sûr de réduire la Place, sinon d’emblée, au moins par Capitulation.
      Rien de nouveau d’Allemagne. Les Ministres Imp. et Pr. n’ont pas encore quitté les Cours respectives: cela laisse une petite lueur d’accommodement. Mais tant d’apprêts formidables, les duex Monarques piqués au jeu, vis-à-vis l’un de l’autre, à la tête chacun de 150 mille hommes, ne permettent pas de faire grand fonds sur cette lueur. II n’y a pas de mal. Pendant qu’ils se battront, ils ne pourront pas déranger nos mesures.
      Dans les bouts de gazettes ci-joints, ce qui est renfermé dans des crochets m’a été fourni, savoir les articles du ioe et 27e Avril par le Gd. F——r, et celui du 22 par Mr. le Chev. G——d. Dans quelques jours paroît l’lmprime, dont Mr. A. Lee m’a fourni la matiere. Il est essentiel que le Public ici soit convaincu, que le Congrès ne fera la paix que d’égal à égal, et de concert avec ses Allies, et à cet égard, vous ne sauriez croire, Messieurs, le bien qu’ont déjà fait ces insertions et ces publications. Ce n’est plus que dans les Cercles que les Menteurs osent mentir. Aussi maudissent-ils cordialement nos amis les Nouvellistes de Liede, Delft et Harlem, et sur-tout leur Correspondant.
      Soyez en garde, Messieurs, quant à Merklé
      Mes bons amis d’Amsterdam offrent de se charger de 100 à 200  mille florins dans la Négociation que vous vous proposez à faire en Hollander: mais comme je sais que Mr. G——est chargé de cela, c’est à lui que j’enverrai demain leur proposition en détail.
      Le 6 de May NB. les Etats de cette Province se rassemblesront ici.
      Je suis avec le plus respectueux dévouement Messieurs, Votre très humble & très obéissant serviteur.

       D


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 28 April 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Gentlemen
       The Hague, 28 April 1778

      I hope that you have received my letter of the 23d, which I had the honor to send you from Amsterdam, and in which is found your draft of the letter under consideration. Two of us here, and one in Amsterdam, are eagerly awaiting its return from you, in due form, so that I may present it, &c. We have agreed that I would add, verbally, the insinuation that, from what I have gathered from your other letters written to me, you had communicated in one way or another to those in Amsterdam the information regarding the demarche you are undertaking through my offices. The reason for this precaution is to prevent the man who will receive this letter from my hand, had he the desire to do so, to be agreeable to—— or be in a position to either withhold or even delay transmitting this matter, first to the States of the Provinces, and then to Their High Mightinesses. I have a plan of attack ready for both occasions, which I shall unveil one after the other to overcome the opposition. And, as far as one can predict the course of human affairs, I am sure to be victorious, if not at first, at least by capitulation.
      Nothing new from Germany. The Imperial and Prussian ministers have not yet left their respective courts: that leaves a glimmer of hope for settlement. But with such extensive preparations and the two monarchs warming to the contest between them, each at the head of 150 thousand men, one cannot rely too much on such a glimmer. No harm done. While they will be busy fighting, they will not stand in our way.
      In the enclosed newspaper clippings, the articles between brackets— i.e. dated the 10th and 27th April—were provided by the Grand Facteur and that of the 22d by Chevalier Grand. The pamphlet, whose content was provided me by Mr. A. Lee, will be issued in a few days. It is essential that the public here be convinced that the congress will only make peace on equal terms, and in concert with its allies; in this respect, gentlemen, you would not believe the good these insertions and publications have already accomplished. Liars dare lie only in their own circles now and thus they mightily curse our friends the journalists from Leyden, Delft, and Haarlem, and especially their correspondent.

      Beware, gentlemen, of Mercklé.
      My good friends from Amsterdam have offered to take care of 100 to 200 thousand florins in the negotiation that you are planning in Holland, but since I know that Mr. Grand is in charge of that, I will send him the full details of their proposal tomorrow.
      On 6 May, N.B. the Provincial States will meet here. I am, with the utmost devotion, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant

       D


Title: Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778
From: Williams, Jonathan
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Nantes April 28. 1778

     My last to your Excellencies was of the 18th Instant since which I am without any of your Favours.
     I sometime since received from Holland 13 Bales and Packages containing oznaburgs, Sail Cloth, Medicines &c, which the Shippers informed me were on Account of Mr. Grand, from whom I had no advice relative to the Business, I in consequence wrote to him, and have for answer that altho’ the Goods were shipped in his Name they are on your Account: I beg to know how they are to be disposed of. I have also lately received 196  Swivels from Holland without advice, I wrote to Mr. Dean in consequence and had for answer that they were part of Mr. Merkles contract, and were paid for by the Commissioners. My Duty, here obliges me to inform you, that these Swivels altho’ new, are the worst I ever saw, and I had rather see them sold for old Iron, than that any american should risque the Loss of his Hand by putting a Match to them. I have also from the same place 19 Cases and 5 Casks without advice or knowledge of their Contents. On examination I find the former to be arms, and the latter Locks and other Musket furniture. These with about 2500 Suits of Cloaths that remain, 55 Cases of Sabres, 14 Cases of Copper, and between 3 and 400 Cases of repaired arms in the Magazine form the quantity of Goods on Hand. I beg to know how they are to be conveyed to America as I find I shall be able to get but a very trifle, if any, on board of the americans that are here. I forgot to add to the quantity of Goods about 30 Tons of Anchors, that I have imported from Spain on the public Account. As Mr. Dean is absent it is necessary to explain this transaction. When I was fitting the Frigate I found it impossible to procure Anchors for her here. It was therefore necessary to send to Spain, from whence they come as cheap, excellent in quality, and generaly with as much expedition as from any where else; As we were in want of Ballast it was determined, with Mr. Deans approbation, to add to the quantity 2 Setts of heavy anchors for the 74 Gun Ships that were building in America, which would at once serve as Ballast to the Ship, and be a reasonable supply. Unfortunately the Vessell that was to bring these Anchors was obliged to put back having sprung a leak, she was condemned, and the anchors were then obliged to wait another opportunity; this reduced me to the necessity of borrowing a Sett for the Frigate from the Kings yard at L’orient, which the Commissary consented to spare me on my promise to replace them from the Forges in that neighbourhood. These therefore are still to be paid for. The Anchors from Spain have arrived at last and remain to be sent out, they are of a superiour Quality, and would be an important acquisition were they in America. Perhaps the Boston might take them in. You may think me tediously particular, but I had rather fall into that Error than let any transaction of mine be obscure or unexplained. When I have the Honour to appear before you I mean to pursue the same plan in everything that relates to public Service, since I have been in its employ.

     I imagine that I shall not have occasion to draw for more than 20,000 Livres more to finish my Account on the public Account, except the above article of Anchors. As soon as my Health will permit I will submit all my Accounts to your Excellencies. I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Your most obed Servant

      Jon Williams


Title: From John Adams to Samuel Tucker, 29 April 1778
From: Adams, John
To: Tucker, Samuel

      Dear sir
      Passi. 29th. April 1778

     I this Moment had the Pleasure of your Letter of the 22d Instant, and am much obliged to you for your kind Congratulations on my safe Arrival, and agreable Reception here.
     The Commissioners have recommended a Lieut to you. Mr. Livingston, a Gentleman of good Character, as the Commissioners believe. But, altho the Hon. Commissioners have recommended him, as first Lieut. I hope he will, decline this, and be content to be made second Lieut, as I have a great opinion of and Esteem for Mr. Recd, I could wish him to be first. However this must be left to you. Mr. Livingston is said to be a Man of an handsome Fortune and good Connections.
     You will see by your orders, which Captn. Palmes will deliver you that, your future Cruise and Voyage will be left to yourself—may God preserve and prosper, you and the ship and her Company.
     I shall ever retain a pleasing Remembrance of, the Civilities received from you, and the agreable Hours We Spent together on Board the Boston, notwithstanding all our bad Weather and disagreable Chases.
     I have written to Mr. Bondfield, to put a few Things on board your ship, for my family—if you will take the Charge of them, I shall be much obliged to you. I had rather they should take their Chance with you, how long soever you may cruise than by any other Vessell: because I have great Confidence in your Vigilance, Prudence and Activity, of which I have written both to Congress  and the Navy Board. I am, with much Affection & Esteem, Your Friend, & sert

      John Adams


Title: Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 29 April 1778
From: Tucker, Samuel
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Gentlemen
      Bourdeaux April 29th. 1778

     I received yours of the 15th Instant by Capt. Palmes with my Orders from your Honours of on the 26th Instant. Am very uneasy that I cannot imediately per sue them; I would inform your Honours that it is not possible for me to get the Ship to Sea in less than 16 or 18 Days, as my Mainmast detains me and in Cariening my Ship, the Galley fell down, for which Reason I’ve a Iron Hearth makeing to stand under my Forecastle. I carried away my fore Yard on my Passage, but being securely fished, I am in hopes it will serve me the Cruze.
     Gentlemen I will do my utmost to get the Ship out knowing it is very Expensive, I have Confined myself on Board to assist the Officers during my Enterance into this port. I Received your Recommendation of Mr. Livingston, he is to proceed as 2d Lieut, to his Choice, and I am under great Obligations to your Honours for my Officer. I shall take Care to obey such Orders as I have or ever may Receive from your Honours. I am with Respect, your Honours Obedient Humble Servt.

      Saml Tucker


Title: Vergennes to the Commissioners, 29 April 1778
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       A Versailles le 29. Avril 1778

      J’ai communiqué à M. de Sartine, Messieurs, l’office que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’adresser dans la vüe d’obtenir des convois pour la sûreté du commerce que les négocians de Nantes et de Bordeaux font avec 1’Amérique Septentrionale; Je joins ici une copie de la réponse de ce Ministre; vous y verrez que le Roi a pris les mesures les plus efficaces pour protéger le commerce des Américains comme aussi celui de ses propres sujets, et je suis persuadé, Messieurs, que vous trouverez dans ces mesures une preuve satisfaisante des dispositions de Sa Majesté en faveur des Etats-unis.

       J’ai l’honneur d’être très parfaitement Messieurs, votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur.
       De Vergennes


Title: The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners: A Translation, 29 April 1778
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Versailles, 29 April 1778

      I have submitted to M. de Sartine the communication you did me the honor to address to me regarding the obtaining of convoys to ensure the safety of commerce between the merchants of Nantes and Bordeaux and those of North America. I have enclosed a copy of his reply. You will see that the King has taken the most efficacious measures to protect the trade of the Americans as well as that of his own subjects, and I am sure, gentlemen, that you will find these measures a satisfactory proof of His Majesty’s favorable disposition toward the United States. I have the honor to be very perfectly, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant.

       De Vergennes


Title: The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 30 April 1778
From:
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      No. 6 Copy
      Gentlemen
      York Town Apr. 30. 1778

     By the Gazettes which accompany this letter you will see that the Enemy are entering upon a plan which must shortly perplex us much, unless we receive dispatches from you to enlighten us as to your Situation and Transactions of which we have had no information since the latter end of May. As we have heard of the loss of Capt. Johnston and Capt. Wickes and know that John Folgier was robbed, we cannot charge our present want of letters to negligence in you; but we think you should not rest satisfied without sending triplicates of your dispatches.
     The commercial Committee will transmit to you the contract which they have entered into with the agent of the House of Ro—derigue Hortales &Co. The heads of which contract happening to be at hand are inclosed.
     We have read a letter written by a friend (Govr. Johnston) dated House of Commons Feb. 13 th. in which we are told that “you had concluded a Treaty with France and Spain which was on the Water towards us.” Imagine how solicitous we are to know the truth of this before we receive any proposals from Britain in consequence of the scheme in Ld. Norths speech and the two Draughts of Bills now sent to you.
     The state of our foreign connection is a subject now before Congress; and, dubious as we are about your transactions some resolutions will probably be formed to be transmitted to you by a special conveyance shortly, when a general account of our Affairs will also be sent. We have little uneasiness about the Strengths of our enemy. Our currency must be supported in due credit; after which we may bid defiance to Britain and all her German hirelings. We wish every advice and Assistance from You for the support of such Credit. I am with great Regard Gentlemen your humble Servant

      James Lovell


Title: To John Adams from J. C. Champagne, 2 May 1778
From: Champagne, J. C.
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Blaye 2d: May 1778

     I had the honnor to Congratulate you the 14 Ultimo on Your Safe Arrival at Paris where I hope you Enjoy Good health. I now Agreeable to promise put pen to paper to Acquaint you the Arrival of one of Messieurs Rimbeaux of Bordeaux Vessell from Charlestown Called the Dupré de St. Maur after three and thirty days passage with a Cargoe of 574. h:heads of Tobacco, Rice, Staves and Indigo. She is a Ship of about 350 to 400 tuns, She and Six more got out In the Night but none Yett Arrivd, Capt Decasse who Commands this one thinks they are taken. He and the passengers Delay Comming ashore Yesterday here to reaport their Vessell was So Short that I Could not learn of any thing Extraordinary, Being what offers I Remain Very Respectfully, Your Very h Servt: sir

      J: C: Champagne Ainé


Title: To John Adams from Jonathan G. Frazer, 2 May 1778
From: Frazer, Jonathan G.
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Bourdeaux, May 2d. 1778

     I understand there is some dispatches from the Governour and Council of Virginia lately come to you Gentlemen at Paris. If there shou’d be, a Letter for me by the same conveyance, please to have it put in the post office for Bordeaux—and if you have a Virginia news paper to spare, I shall be much oblige to you for one.
     Their is a Captain Richard Garde here who’s Vessell is detained, as well as many others, from Ireland, by order of the Court of France.
     This man was coming here with provision last summer from Cork, and was taken by the Hawk, and Union, Letters of Mark, belonging to England, and was with his Vessell and Cargoe carried into Falmouth, where he was detained seven Months as a prisioner, at last had his Vessell given up to him, and himself and crew set at liberty. Just as he was ready to leave Falmouth in January last, the ship Hancock and Adams in the service of the united States (commanded by Samuel Smith) was also taken by an English Letter of mark, and carried into Falmouth. Capt. Smith and his crew were sent on shore to be examined &c. and fortunately met with this Capt. Garde who offered to conceal Capt. Smith and his crew on board his, the said Garde’s Vessell. After Capt. Smith had been some Days on shore at Falmouth going through his examination or Trial, he had consulted his mate and people, and they agreed to do any thing he thought was for the best. Accordingly they made their escape and got on board Capt. Garde’s Vessell where they was concealed till ready to sail, and they all got safe to this port, more in number then Capt. Garde had of his own, in his Brigantine. He the said Garde further shewed his goodness, by paying Capt. Smiths expences while at Falmouth and would not take any thing for their passages to this place. All this I had from Capt. Smith himself, who is now at Nantes. All that Capt. Garde wants is, that if his Vessell is condem’d here, for him to have a pass to return to Ireland, and not be detained in France as a prisioner, if War is declared; If you can with propriety obtain such a pass for him, you will serve a very good Man, and a very great Friend to the American cause; as well as obligeing, the crew that were in Captivity, also your most Obt. and very Hbl. Servt.

      Jno. G. Frazer

      PS. Please to excuse the freedom I have taken in troubling you with this matter, as I did not know who else to apply to, wishing at the same time to have this small favour granted to Capt. Garde. It may be necessary to have a description of him as it is always express’d in passes to every person in this Country, upon all occasions.
      Richard Garde late commander of the Bordeaux Yatch, from Cork, 38 years old, 5 feet 8 or 9 Inches high, and a fair complexion.

     JGF


Title: To John Adams from John Guy Gantier, 2 May 1778
From: Gantier, John Guy
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Barcelona 2nd May 1778

     The principles of Liberty which I have suckled in my earliest Education, and in the History of the Country of my Ancestors, Swisserland, have made me look on the Struggles of the United Colonies of America to Obtain their Independency, with a Just admiration, and the best wishes for their Success; and it is with a real pleasure I have seen my King and Nation be the first to lend a hand to the glorious revolution that soon will put North America on a parr with the most respectable, and powerfull Empire in the World. Besides those motives of my partiality for the general good of that Country, Gratitude has a great Share in my Wishes for its Wellfare, as my house here, and I in particular, have received many favours from the Merchants of the Provinces of New England, Pensilvania, Virginia, the Carolinas &cra. When the Trade of those parts with these, was uninterupted, and I Flatter myself I still have Valuable friends in those Provinces, therefore desirous of Opportunitys to Cultivate that friendship, and to render my best Services to that new State, I some time ago expressed to my friend Monsr. Grand (under whose Sanction and Cover, I make bold to address you this) my Ambition of being Employed in the Service of the United Colonies as their Consul General in this Province, when they might have concluded their Treaties with the Court of Spain. And said friend very kindly promissed to recommend me to you, Sir, but at same time added that when the time of such Nominations shoud come, you doubtless woud begin by Electing American Gentlemen. On Which, however Just it be, I beg leave to Observe to you, That though many persons of more Talent and Capacity than I, may Occurr to your mind at Once, yet I firmly am of Opinion, none will be found more devoted to the Service of the Congress and Colonies, nor perhaps so able and qualified to fullfill the Views of your Government. As in order to exert the Employ of Consul in this Kingdom to the Satisfaction of the respective States, it is absolutely necessary to be acquainted with the Language, Laws, Customs, Morals and Trade of the Country. All which, as well as the Consideration of the first people in Command in the place, I have duly acquired by near Eleven years residency in these dominions always in Trade, with which advantage, and that of possessing the Dutch and Italian Languages, besides the French, English, and Spanish, I take the liberty to Offer you all my Faculties for the Service of the United Colonies. And to entreat that when the Nomination of Consuls for this Kingdom may come to pass, you Kindly will attend my request, and call me to the Consulship of this Province of Cataluña which I expect will have large trading Connections with North America. I ever shall retain the most gratefull Sense for your favour, and Assure you of my Constant readiness to Serve the State, and the Employ I Sollicit with honour, and due Dignity. My good friend Mr. Grand will inform you of my Connections, and reputation in trade; and if further Eclaircissements are wanted, enquiries may be made here from the French Consul, or the Commandant General, and the Intendant of the place, and Province. I have the honour to be very respectfully, Sir! Your most Obedient, & most devoted humble Servant

      John Guy Gantier


Title: The Commissioners to Bersolle, 3 May 1778
From: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John
To: Bersolle, Mr.

     Passy, 1778 May 3. printed: JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 4:88. Bersolle, a merchant at Brest, was informed that his bill drawn on the Commissioners’ banker had not been paid immediately because he had drawn it without permission and had failed to submit his accounts, the implication being that they had now examined the accounts and the bill would be honored.
     A file copy or draft of 22 April (DLC: Franklin Papers) is identical but for an additional paragraph stating that the Commissioners had not yet examined Bersolle’s accounts and thus could not authorize payment. The file copy or draft was apparently not sent. See the Commissioners to James Moylan, 3 May (calendared below).


Title: The Commissioners to James Moylan, 3 May 1778
From: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John
To: Moylan, James

     Passy, 3 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 4:88–89. The Commissioners acknowledged letters from Moylan, dated 23, 30 March and 15, 17 April (Cal. Franklin Papers, A.P.S.I. Minis Hays, comp., Calendar of the Papers of Benjamin Franklin in the Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, 1908; 5 vols., 1:384, 399) and approved of his efforts on behalf of “the Sick Men” and an American taken prisoner during the capture of an English privateer. Moylan was also informed that since John Paul Jones and his officers had approved Bersolle’s account, the Commissioners would repay him for his expense in honoring Bersolle’s draft, but that in-the future, expenditures should not be made without the Commissioners’ approval.


Title: The Commissioners to John Ross, 3 May 1778
From: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John
To: Ross, John

     Passy, 3 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 4:89–90. Composed in two drafts, one dated 22, the other perhaps as early as 23 April (DLC: Franklin Papers), with no indication of why the letter was apparently not sent until 3 May, the date that appears on the Letterbook copy (Adams Papers). Having received no satisfactory answer to their letter of 13 April (calendared above), the Commissioners again requested that the invoices and other papers relating to goods shipped by John Ross at the public expense be sent to them so that the money advanced to him could be accounted for. The Commissioners noted that Ross had gone beyond his instructions from the congress and that the “vast sums” he requested as a consequence could not be furnished without destroying the Commissioners’ own credit. Ross was also asked for a copy of the Commissioners’ order to purchase the Queen of France, for no record of it could be found.
     This vessel, originally the La Brune and later a 28-gun continental frigate, had been bought by Ross in Sept. 1777 to carry supplies to America and was offered to the Commissioners in a letter of 6 Feb. In a note attached to an extract of that letter, Arthur Lee declared that the offer had not been agreed to by the Commissioners. That is, it had been approved by only Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin; on 11 Feb., Deane had informed Ross that he and Franklin, in Lee’s absence, had accepted the proposal. On 26 Feb., Ross wrote that he had renamed the vessel the Queen of France and given the captain a continental commission, probably that for John Green dated 11 Feb. (PCC, No. 83, II, f. 381, 379; No. 137, Il, f. 31; Dict. Amer. Fighting ShipsU.S. Navy Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History Division, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Washington, 1959-, 5:412; Deane PapersPapers of Silas Deane, 1774–1790, in New-York Historical Society, Collections, Publication Fund Series, vols. 19–23, New York, 1887–1891; 5 vols., 2:362–363). On 1 Aug. the congress resolved that the Commissioners were to pay Ross for his expenses in regard to the Queen of France (JCCWorthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols., 11:739–740).


Title: James Moylan to the Commissioners, 4 May 1778
From: Moylan, James
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Honorable Gentlemen
      L’Orient 4th May 1778

     This morning arrived here the Schooner Milford Cap: Blackwell from Rapahanac River in Virginia after a passage of 33 days; she has not brought any letters for you, or public papers of any kind, but the Captain tells me that the new levies were compleated in Virginia and that they were to march a few days after the 28th. of March to General Washington’s Camp about 16 miles from Philadelphia, in which City General Howe still continued. That the people were in good spirits and that the army was tolerably well cloath, but that all the Ports were blocked by English Frigates. This is all the information I procur’d worth your notice. I have the honor to be Honble. Gentlemen Your assurd etc. etc.

      James Moylan


Title: Vergennes to the Commissioners, 4 May 1778
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

     Versailles, 4 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 2:308 (French); 4:90 (JA’s translation). Vergennes announced that JA would be presented to Louis XVI on 8 May and invited the Commissioners to dine with him on that day.
     For JA’s account of his presentation, see Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 2:309–310; 4:92–93. JA informed Arthur Lee of Vergennes’ announcement and invitation in a letter of 5 May (MH-H: Lee Papers). The Commissioners acknowledged Vergennes’ letter and accepted his invitation in a letter to him of the 6th (Dft, PPAmP: Franklin Papers).


Title: Adam to John Adams: A Translation, 5 May 1778
From: Adam, Mr.
To: Adams, John

       Sir
       Charlieu, near Roanne, road of Moulins, 5 May 1778

      Please allow me to tell you how honored I am to bear your name, and how much more so I would be, had I the honor of being descended from your family. All that one reads or hears about the sublimity of your enlightenment leads one to form such wishes.
      How happy I would be, sir, if the similarity of our names could make you take an interest in me! I dare flatter myself that under your protection, I would be assured of success in whatever you would have me undertake.
      But I think it necessary to introduce myself a little further lest you think I am an adventurer. My name is Adam. I practice, in a small town in the province of Lyonnais, the profession of law to which was joined the function of contrôleur des actes in the same town of Charlieu, but these two offices added to my fortune are of no great consequence. I feel that if I was lucky enough to be destined for something better I would fulfill it with as much enthusiasm as diligence.
      I am only 36 years old and therefore still quite capable of enterprise, especially if guided by you, sir, how could one fail? What joy it would be for me—I repeat it—if the similarity of name, for which I am already so grateful, made you cast a favorable eye on me. I would be eternally grateful for your kindness, and would endeavor to show my gratitude by my diligence and zeal in accomplishing whatever you would have me do.

      Forgive me the liberty I have taken, sir, in view of the pleasure that I take in bearing your name, and my desire to make myself known to you in an effort to stimulate your interest. I hope, at least, that I will be fortunate enough not to have offended you by writing, and that I will have the honor of receiving a favorable reply. I await it and would consider it one of the greatest blessings that I can hope for at this time.

       I have the honor to be, with a most profound respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant.
       Adam


Title: Nathaniel Dowse to the Commissioners, 5 May 1778
From: Dowse, Nathaniel
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Gentlemen
      Bordeaux 5th May 1778

     On the 14th April 1777 I sailed from Virginia Commander of the Ship Mercer belonging to Messrs. Mercer and Schenck of Boston, with a Cargo of 450 Hogsheads Tobacco for Account of the Honorable Continental Congress, to the Address of Messrs. S. and J. H. Delap of Bordeaux. On the fourth of May following I had the Misfortune of being risen upon by my Crew and carried with my Vessel into Whitehaven, where I remained Prisoner ’till I found the opportunity of escaping on board a Hamburgh Vessel bound from New Castle to this Port, which arrived yesterday. I think it my Duty to inform you thereof, and if you judge I can be of any use to my Country either in a Publick or private Station, I most heartily make you a tender of my best Services. I have had proposals from several Merchants at this place, but have deferred treating with any ’till I know if you have Employ for me. I have the Honor of being personally known to the Honorable John Adams Esqr. who will be able to give you Satisfaction to any Enquiries you may think it necessary to make about me, and begging the favor of your reply as speedily as possible, I have the Honor of being with utmost respect Gentlemen, Your most obed. hble Servant

      Nathl Dowse


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 5 May 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Messieurs
       Lahaie 5e. May 1778

      J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer ci-joint la Traduction de deux Lettres Allemandes, que j’ai reçues Samedi passé, et ce matin, de Berlin et de Hambourg. Le gd. F——r en a fait fixer copie aussi pour l’envoyer à sa maison. J’ai reçu, d’un autre côté 3 bulletins des affaires de france, du 10, 15 et 20 Avril. J’enjoindrois volontiers copie ici, car il y a des choses curieuses, mordantes, et méchantes peut-être: mais c’est précisément pour cette raison que je n’ose risquer le paquet; car on ouvre quelquefois les Lettres en france; et je ne voudrois commettre ni vous, Messieurs, ni moi. Vous êtes d’ailleurs sur les lieux, et à même de savoir toutes les tracasseries, et tout ce qui se passe, aussi bien, et peutetre mieux que mon Correspondant.
      Dans ce moment je reçois l’honoré vôtre du 30 Avril. Je finis done celle-ci ex abrupts, pour aller ajuster les Flutes, d’abord avec le gd. F——r, et puis avec notre ami d’Amsterdam, qui arrive ce soir. Je suis, avec un vrai respect, & pour toujours Messieurs Votre très humble & très obéissant serviteur

       D


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 5 May 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Gentlemen
       The Hague, 5 May 1778

      I have the honor to send you translations of two German letters from Berlin and Hamburg that I received last Saturday and this morning. The Grand Facteur also made copies to send to his house. In addition, I have received 3 bulletins concerning affairs in France dated 10, 15, and 20 April. I would like to enclose copies of them for they contain curious things, scathing and perhaps even malicious; but that is precisely why I dare not risk it, for letters are sometimes opened in France. I would not want to compromise either you or myself. Besides, you are already on the scene and most probably are able to know all the bickerings and everything else that happens as well, if not better, than my correspondent.
      I have just received your letter dated 30 April. I shall, therefore, end this one ex-abruptus and, in order to be in agreement with them, call first on the Grand Facteur and then on our friend from Amsterdam who is arriving this evening. I am, with genuine respect and, for ever, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant

       D


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 7 – 15 May 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Messieurs
       La Haie 7e. May 1778

      Après avoir dépêché ma derniere Lettre du 5e, qui finissoit parvous accuser la réception de l’honorée vôtre du 30 Avril, je merendis chez le g—— F——, pour la lui communiquer. Il se faisoit habiller pour Sortir. Il me donna néanmoins, sur le champs un moment, dans le quel il me dit, de ne pas dire encore à notre ami d’Amsterdam, que la Lettre pour le G—— P—— étoit arrivée, mais de dire que je l’attendois, et qu’elle arriveroit bientôt; qu’au reste il m’apprendroit le lendemain la raison qui rendoit cette Suspension nécessaire.
      Je fus attendre ensuite que notre ami d’Amsterdam fûut arrivé; et dès que je le sus, je me transportai à son Logement. Il m’apprit que, selon que je Ten avois requis en lui remettant copie de votre Lettre du 10 et de cette papier le G.P., il les avoit religieusement cachées à toute autre personne qu’à la principale de sa ville, qui venoit d’arriver avec lui, qui les approuvoit parfaitement, ainsi que 1’usage que je me proposois de faire de ces pieces, et qui S’impatientoit, comme lui, que l’original de l’une arrivât, et que je commençasse la besogne, prêt à concourir de tout son pouvoir au succès. Je lui parlai alors conséquemment aux ordres du g—— F——, non pourtant Sans Souffrir entre cuir et chair, de ne pouvoir tout de suite profiter de 1’occasion, si bien préparée. Le lendemain je fus chez le g—— F——, et lui rendant compte de ma conversation de la veille, quand j’en fus aux bonnes dispositions du Principal de la grande ville, par un mouvement ou de surprise, ou de regret à cause de la Remore qui venoit de s’attacher au navire, il frappa dans sa main. Il m’apprit qu’il avoit reçu une Lettre de Mr. le Cte. de Vergennes, à qui il avoit rendu compte de mon projet et de vos Lettres du 10 lorsque je partis pour Amsterdam: que ce Ministre trouvoit la démarche, si directe de votre part, un peu prématurée, parce qu’on pourroit croire que la France fomentoit cette négociation, dans la vue d’engager cet Etat à prendre parti dans cette affaire: qu’il étoit fâché de ce contretemps; mais que le Ministre ayant écrit sa Lettre avant d’avoir su le grand succès de mon voyage é Amsterdam et les bonnes dispositions de notre ami là, &c. il espéroit de recevoir d’autres Lettres où Ton entreroit mieux dans le projet: qu’en attendant, il falloit retenir dans mon porte-feuille la Lettre pour le G—— P—— et faire usage seulement de la Lettre ostensible que vous m’aviez écrite, Messieurs, le 10 Avril, et prier notre Ami de la faire voir a Mr. le G—— P——. Je lui dis que le. je n’étois pas sûr que notre Ami voulût se prêter à cela; et 2e. qu’après les assurances que je lui avois données que je recevrois certainement la Lettre à présenter au G—— P——, et après la démarche qu’il avoit faite lui-même en conséquence auprès de l’autre principal per sonnage, je perdrois tout mon crédit auprès de ces Messieurs pour l’avenir, si je ne tenois parole. Il me dit, quant au premier point, d’essayer toujours; et quant au second, que Si l’on persistoit de la part de Sa Maison à desirer que la démarche fût Suspendue ou différeé, il se chargeoit, en ce cas, de faire connoître à ces Messieurs, par une voie détournée, mais sûre, que cette Suspension, ou ce délai, venoit de lui, et non de moi. Je fus donc trouver notre ami. Il ne voulut pas d’abord se charger de montrer au G—— P—— la susdite Lettre ostensible du 10, parce qu’il goûtoit davantage notre premier Plan, et qu’il craignoit que cette démarche ici ne mît le Parti adverse en état de parer le coup en le prévoyant. Je le fis pourtant entrer enfin dans la mesure. Il remit hier matin au G—— P—— la dite Lettre ostensible du 10, qui S’adresse à moi, to enquire privately into the dispositions &c. Il aura ce soir une Conférence là-dessus avec lui; et demain j’en saurai le résultat.
      Je suis aussi bref que je puis dans tout ce détail. Mais je vous le dois, Messieurs, pour vous faire juger, que si je n’exécute pas, de point en point, tout ce que j’avois promis, la cause ne viendra ni de moi, ni d’Amsterdam, ni de Vous, mais du côté d’ou je devois m’y attendre le moins; et qu’on m’a subitement prescrit une Marche très différente de celle qui étoit projetée. Je persiste à trouver, que le premier plan eût été peutêtre préférable: et je me conforme au nouveau par obéissance. Il en viendra toujours quelque bien, j’espere: mais il nous engagera, je crains, dans des longueurs, que l’autre, ce me semble, auroit prévenues.

       Vendredi matin 8e. May

      J’ai été chez notre Ami. Après m’avoir rendu votre Lettre ostensible du 10, que le G—— P—— a eu en mains pendant les jours d’avant hier et d’hier, il m’a fait le récit suivant: Ils étoient convenus d’avoir une conférence la-dessus. Dans la journée d’hier le G—— P—— lui dit, que le Principal d’Amsterdam lui ayant fait demander l’heure où il pourroit recevoir sa visite, il lui avoit fait dire que ce seroit à 7 heures du soir; et que si notre Ami le trouvoit bon, ils pourroient avoir la conference entre eux trois. Notre ami eût préfére le tête à téte, non par défiance pour le Principal (qui est parfaitement d’accord avec lui) mais parce qu’il auroit pu faire expliquer le G—— P——, seul à seul, beaucoup plus qu’il n’a fait en presence d’un tiers: par la meme raison, e’est-à-dire, pour esquiver d’étre trop pressé de s’expliquer, le G—— P—— etoit bien aise que ce tiers y fût. Il témoigna de voir avec beaucoup de Satisfaction, par cette Lettre, les bonnes dispositions de l’Union Américaine envers cette République, et desirer également un futur Entrecours favorable aux deux nations; mais le temps, ajouta-t-il, de pouvoir traiter ensemble n’est pas mûr encore. Vous voyez répliqua notre ami, que les Américains ne se pressent pas non plus de nous envoyer quelqu’un pour nous faire des propositions: Mais est-ce à nous de faire des choses qui les rebutent? Le G—— P—— convint de bonne grace, que non. Il leur apprit ensuite (et cette ouverture fit double plaisir à notre ami, en ce qu’elle lui prouvoit la sincérité du G—— P——, et le bon droit de la France dans la présente crise) que Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France lui avoit confié, que la grande raison qui a engagé la France à conclure le Traité avec l’Ameriqué, c’est qu’il n’y avoit plus de milieu entre prévenir et être prévenu; parce que la Grande-Bretagne avoit fait proposer aux Américains, de leur accorder tout ce qu’ils vouloient, pourvu qu’ils S’unissent avec elle afin de tomber ensemble sur la France; et qu’en cas de rupture ouverte, la France sera en état de prouver la vérité de cela à toute l’Europe. Notre ami a fini par me dire, qu’il seroit bon que la Lettre pour le G—— P—— arrivât incessamment. Je lui ai dit que je l’espérois; mais que, si la chose tardoit, ou n’avoit pas lieu, il ne devoit, en ce cas, n’en attribuer la cause ni à Mrs. les Plénipotentiaires Americains, ni à moi; parce qu’il étoit naturel de penser, que vous ne feriez pas cette démarche à l’insu de la Cour de France, et que, si celle-ci jugeoit à-propos de la différer, il faudroit entrer dans ses vues. En nous quittant, il me fit espérer qu’il trouveroit moyen d’avoir un Entretien particulier avec le G—— P——, et de le faire expliquer plus précisément.
      Je Suis allé rendre compte de tout cela au g—— F——, qui en a été content, et notamment de ce que j’avois allégué pour justifier le délai quant à la Lettre. Nous sommes convenus ensuite que, pour ne pas témoigner trop d’empressement, je n’irai voir notre ami que Lundi matin, et qu’alors, selon ce qu’il me dira, ie. j’insisterai pour qu’il me dicte quelque chose de positif, que je puisse vous marquer, Messieurs, en conséquence de votre ordre, to inform myself privately, &c. 2e. je lui insinuerai, que, pour aider la République à se tirer de l’espece de sujettion où elle se trouve depuis trop longtemps vis-à-vis de l’Angleterre, il seroit bon de s’adresser à la France, qui pourroit, par sa médiation secrete, ménager imperceptiblement une liaison entre les deux Républiques. Je lui ai fait voir, au G—— F——, que si j’avois la libérté de présenter la Lettre, ce seroit le vrai moyen d’amener tout naturellement cette médiation. Vous en revenez toujours, m’a-t-il dit, à cette Lettre: vous savez bien qu’il ne nous est pas permis encore de nous en servir. En nous quittant, nous sommes convenus, de plus, que je ne vous écrirois pas aujourdhui.
      Je finirai mon rapport de ce jour, par vous raconter, Messieurs, la conversation qu’eut le Pee. St—— avant hier matin avec Mrs. d’Amsterdam. Il leur dit que la Province de Gueldres alloit remettre sur le tapis l’augmentation des troupes; qu’elle l’avoit prié d’appuyer la proposition; et que, si l’on persistoit toujours à la rejeter, la république seroit bien heureuse s’il ne lui en arrivoit pas du mal. On répondit, que jamais il n’avoit été moins nécessaire qu’à présent, de charger de cette dépense l’Etat, déjà accablé de dettes; puis que la guerre paroissoit plutôt s’éloigner de ces frontieres, avec les troupes des Puissances voisines, et qu’il n’y avoit point actuellement de Puissance, qui voulût, ou qui pût l’attaquer avec succès. Il répliqua que cela pouvoit changer. On remarqua là-dessus, que tout le monde pourroit en dire autant, au milieu de la plus profonde paix; et qu’il en résulteroit alors, que tout le monde, dans touts les temps, devroit être armé jusqu’aux dents. Il leur fit entendre aussi, que, dans son opinion, les Américains alloient supplanter les Hollandois dans le Commerce, comme ceux-ci avoient supplanté les Venitiens. On ne répondit rien à cela.

       Lundi 11e. May

      Je viens de chez Notre Ami. Il m’a dit qu’il n’avoit pas encore eu occasion de se trouver seul avec le G—— P——. Sur ce que je lui ai proposé de me dieter une réponse que je pusse vous faire parvenir, Messieurs, il m’a répété ce que j’ai déjà eu l’honneur de vous marquer, Savoir, que le G—— P—— étoit convenu, que quoiqu’il ne fût pas temps encore d’en venir à un éclat, il étoit néanmoins de l’intérêt de la République, de ne point rebuter les témoignages d’amitié qui pouvoient lui parvenir du cote de l’Amérique. Il m’a dit encore, qu’excepté le Prince qui étoit Anglois par le sang, et par certaines vues de famille, la plus grande partie de cet Etat, tant des Nobles que des Villes, pensoit différemment, desiroit de se soustraire à l’influence tyrannique de la Gr. Bret, et par conséquent ne demandoit pas mieux que de bien vivre avec l’Amérique. Quant à l’Ouverture que je lui ai faite, de commencer par traiter secretement moyennant l’intervention et médiation de la France, la chose, comme je l’avois prévu, n’est pas faisable, du moins pas avant que j’ai pu présenter la Lettre au G—— P——. Il est impossible de négocier ici, comme négocieroient ensemble des Etats monarchiques. Les Villes ont le droit de refuser, et de s’opposer aux mesures qu’elles croient pernicieuses à l’Etat; mais elles gendarmeroient le Parti adverse, et lui donneroient des armes contre elles, si elles vouloient jouer un rôle trop actif dans les affaires. La Lettre, Si elle étoit délivrée au G—— P——, le mettroit dans la nécéssité de la communiquer aux Etats, et d’y répondre. Alors les villes, surtout Amsterdam, auroient un grand poids, soit dans la délibération, pour la maniere de répondre, Soit, en cas qu’on voulût leur cacher la Lettre, pour obliger de la produire.

       12e. May

      Hier un grand déjeuner à la Cour, et un Bal à l’hôtel de france, m’empêcherent de voir personne autre. Ce matin j’ai rapporté le résultat de ma visite d’hier au g—— F——. Je lui ai communiqué aussi les nouvelles d’Allemagne du 9e., et celles de Rotterdam (que je vous envoye aujourdhui), et dont il a tout de suite fait usage dans un Postcrit à sa maison, en me remerciant beaucoup. Là-dessus on lui a apporté les Lettres de Sa Maison. Après y avoir jeté les yeux, il m’a dit, qu’il me feroit chercher aujourdhui ou demain, parce qu’actuellement on l’attendoit quelque part. J’ai tout lieu de croire qu’il y a des instructions quant a moi et a la Lettre et a la Lettre pour le G—— P——.

       13e. May

      Mon pressentiment s’est vérifié. Le vent d’Ouest, dont je vous parlai, Messieurs, dans ma Lettre d’hier, a apporté un plein consentement pour faire usage de la Lettre; et voici la Marche que j’ai observée. J’ai été communiquer, dans les formes, à S. E. Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France, la démarche que j’allois faire par votre ordre. Il m’a répondu, et, a ma priere, dicté, “De n’avoir aucune connoissance de la démarche; qu’il avoit lieu néanmoins de croire, que le Roi verroit avec satisfaction le Rapprochement de la République et des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique; mais qu’il Savoit très positivement, que Sa Majesté desiroit essentiellement la tranquillité de la Républiqué” J’ai été de là chez noire Ami. Il a été fort aise d’apprendre que la Lettre étoit arrivée, et m’a exhorté à la présenter demain matin. Ce que je ne manquerai pas de faire. Je lui ai appris aussi que je venois de donner connoissance de l’affaire à Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France, et la réponse que Son Excellence m’avoit faite; car c’étoit pour lui que cette réponse étoit destinée.

       14e. May

      Ce matin, entre 8 et 9 heures, j’ai été chez Mr. le Gd. Pensionnaire et en lui présentant la Lettre, j’ai ajouté de bouche ce qui suit: “J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, d’être porteur de cette Lettre pour Votre Excellence de la part de Mrs. les Plénipotentiaires des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique: je m’en suis chargé avec d’autant plus de satisfaction, que ces Messieurs ayant bien voulu m’en faire connoître le contenu, j’ai vu qu’il ne pouvoit être que très agréable a cette République, et par conséquent à Votre Excellence. Je crois en même temps devoir prévenir Votre Excellence, qu’il m’a paru, par les discours de celui qui m’a apporté la Dépêche, que Mrs. les Plénipotentiaires ont donné connoissance de cette demarche à la Régence d’Amsterdam.” Il a pris la Lettre, en me disant qu’il la liroit. En me retirant, il m’a dit “Vous demeurez ici, Monsieur, n’est-ce pas?” J’ai répondu qu’oui. Delà j’ai été rendre compte successivement a notre ami, qui a été fort content, et à Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France. Tous deux croient que la Cour sera extrêmement embarrassée, surtout de la circonstance, que la Ville d’Amsterdam soit instruite de la chose, et qu’il n’y ait pas moyen de la cacher.

       15e. May

      Je ne retrouvai notre Ami chez lui, qu’hier au soir après 10 heures; et j’appris de lui ce qui suit. A l’Assemblée, ayant conversé quelque temps en particulier avec Mr. le Grand Pensionnaire, et voyant qu’il ne lui disoit rien de l’affaire, il prit le parti de lui en parler, et il S’ensuivit le dialogue suivant
      Notre Ami: Vous avez, reçu ce matin certaine Lettre ....
      Le G. P.: Oui; je Sai que vous le savez; et vous en aurez copie.
      Notre Ami: J’en ai déjà une.
      Le G. P.: Eh bien, vous en aurez deux. Là-dessus il lui témoigna, dans les termes les plus énergiques, l’extrême satisfaction que lui avoit causé cette Lettre, dont il fit le plus grand éloge, la trouvant sage, aimable, parfaite. On pouvoit voir qu’il en étoit véritablement flatté, et notamment charmé de l’aisance, qu’elle lui laissoit, d’agir, en conséquence, de la maniere qu’il jugeroit la plus convenable. Or voici le parti qu’il a pris à cet égard. IL ne commencera pas par la produire d’abord d’office á l’Assemblée des Etats de la Province en corps, pour être mise en délibération, ni au Committé secret des Etats-Généraux, cela pour ôter les moyens a l’Ambassadeur d’Angleterre de fonder, sur des procédés authentiques, des Mémoires, des Plaintes, des Clameurs, qui causeroient trop d’agitations dans la République, et feroient des éclats importuns: mais il distribuera sous main (comme on dit ici) des copies de la Lettre à chaque Membre des Etats de la Province, c’est-à-dire, non seulement aux villes, mais aussi aux Nobles, afin de leur laisser ainsi le temps et la liberté de réfléchir sur le contenu. Cette idée, Messieurs, est très heureuse, et la mesure très adroite, parce qu’elle empêchera. Sir J. Y. d’étourdir LL. hh. pp., sans empêcher les Hollandois de penser à ce qu’il est de leur intérêt de faire. Sur ma question, si le G. P. avoit communiqué la Lettre au Pee. St——, et au Due de Brunsw—, notre ami m’a répondu, qu’il ne convenoit, ni a lui de demander, ni au G—— P—— de dire s’il l’avoit fait: mais qu’il n’en falloit pas douter. Nous pouvons done en conclure, que ces deux grands personnages ont consenti au parti que prend le G—— P——. Celui ci a fini l’entretien avec notre ami, par lui faire une petite apologie de la brieveté et de la réserve qu’il avoit observée avec moi, disant qu’il n’avoit pu entrer dans aucune explication avec moi, parce qu’il ignoroit quel seroit le contenu de la Lettre. Quant a moi, j’avois été fort aise qu’il ne me fît point de questions, qui eussent pu m’embarrasser un peu. J’avois effectivement remarqué dans sa contenance, quand il récut la Lettre de ma main, un mêlange d’embarras et de curiosité, que je trouvois très naturel.
      J’ai rendu compte de tout ceci a S. E. M. l’Ambassadeur de France; et je crois qu’il en écrira à sa Cour.
      Le Hollandois, Messieurs, est comme sa tourbe. Nous avons jeté des Etincelles dessus: il faut la laisser s’allumer à son aise. A la fin de la semaine prochaine ces Messieurs se sépareront: chacun ira dans sa ville montrer sa Copie à ses Constituants. Us se rassembleront ici en Juillet prochain. J’observerai les évenemens qui arriveront dans l’intervalle, et vous en informerai fidelement: j’espere même d’en faire naître: mais il faudra, s’il vous plait, m’aider, en m’écrivant les nouvelles que vous recevrez d’Amérique toutes fraiches, et avant que d’autres puissent les savoir. J’en ferai des Extraits, qui me serviront a m’insinuer auprès du G—— P——, a gagner sa confiance, a former des liaisons avec lui, &c. Je suis avec un sincere respect, Messieurs, Votre très humble & très obéissant serviteur

       D


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 7 – 15 May 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Gentlemen
       The Hague, 7 May 1778

      After sending you my last letter dated the 5th, which at the end acknowledged your letter of April 30th, I called on the Grand Facteur to show it to him. Although he was dressing to go out, he granted me an immediate interview, during which he told me not to inform our friend from Amsterdam yet that the letter for the Grand Pensionary had arrived, but to say instead that I was expecting it and it should arrive soon; and added that he would tell me the reason for this necessary delay on the following day.
      I then awaited the arrival of our friend from Amsterdam; as soon as I was informed of it, I went to his lodgings. He told me that, in accordance with my instructions when I gave him copies of your letter of the 10th and that for the Grand Pensionary, he had religiously concealed them from anyone but the principal of his town who had just arrived with him, wholly approved of both the documents and the use that I was to put them to, and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the original so that I could begin the task. He is ready to back the operation with all his influence. I then spoke with him following the Grand Facteur’s instructions, but not, however, without secretly suffering at being unable to take advantage of so auspicious an occasion. The next day I visited the Grand Facteur to give him an account of my conversation of the previous day and when I told him of the good dispositions of the principal of the great city he, betraying either surprise or regret at having a remora now attached to the boat, clapped his hands. He told me that he had received a letter from the Comte de Vergennes, to whom he had sent a report on my project and your letters of the 10th at the time I left for Amsterdam, and that the minister found the démarche, so direct on your part, a little premature because one might think that France was initiating this negotiation in an effort to force this state into taking a side in the issue. He added that he was sorry for the delay, but that the minister having written his letter before hearing about the great success of my trip to Amsterdam and the good disposition of our friend there, &c, he hoped to receive further letters in which the project would be given closer attention. In the meantime, I am to keep the letter from the Grand Pensionary in my portfolio and use only your ostensible letter of 10 April and ask our friend to show it to the Grand Pensionary. I told him: 1. that I was not sure our friend would want to do that; and 2. that after the assurance I had given him of receiving the letter for the Grand Pensionary and the démarche he took accordingly with the other principal personage, I would lose all my credibility with these gentlemen if I did not keep my word. He replied that, so far as the first point was concerned, I should try anyway and, in regard to the second, that if his house persisted in wanting to suspend or delay the démarche, he would take it upon himself in this case to let these gentlemen know, in an indirect but sure fashion, that this suspension or delay came from him and not from me. I went, therefore, to see our friend. At first he did not want to show the ostensible letter of the 10th to the Grand Pensionary because he preferred our first plan of action and feared that this new démarche would enable the opposition party to prevent the blow by anticipating it. I finally managed to convince him. Yesterday morning he presented to the Grand Pensionary the above mentioned letter of the 10th, addressed to me to enquire privately into the dispositions &c. He will have a conference with him tonight regarding this matter and tomorrow I shall hear the results.
      I am trying to be as concise as possible with all these details. But I have to provide them, so that you may be able to see for yourselves that if I do not execute point by point all that I had promised, the reason lies neither with me nor with Amsterdam, nor with you, but with a quarter from which I expected it the least; and have suddenly been prescribed a course of action far different from that which had been originally planned. I persist in finding that the first plan would have, perhaps, been preferable, but again I must comply obediently. I hope something good will come of it, but fear it will create delays that the other, it seems to me, would have avoided.

       Friday Morning, 8 May

      I called on our friend who, after returning your ostensible letter of the 10th, which was in the hands of the Grand Pensionary yesterday and the day before, gave me the following account. They agreed to hold a conference on the matter. Yesterday the Grand Pensionary told him that, in response to a request from the principal of Amsterdam as to when the two might meet, he had replied that it would be at 7 in the evening, adding that if our friend agreed, all three could confer together. Our friend would have preferred a private interview, not from distrust for the principal (who agrees perfectly with him), but because he could then have made the Grand Pensionary explain himself much better than with a third party present. For the same reason, namely to avoid being pressed into explaining himself, the Grand Pensionary favored having a third party involved. He expressed satisfaction at the good disposition of the American union toward this Republic reflected in this letter and expressed his corresponding desire for the future good relations between the two nations; but, he added, the time is not yet ripe for negotiations. Our friend replied that the Americans, too, were in no hurry to send someone to make proposals, adding “but is it up to us to do things that repel them?” The Grand Pensionary, with good grace, agreed that it was not. He then told them (and this disclosure pleased our friend on two accounts, in that it proved the sincerity of the Grand Pensionary and the valid right of France in the present matter) that the French ambassador had privately told him that the major reason why France was spurred into concluding the treaty with America was that there was no middle ground left between preceding and being preceded, for Great Britain had offered to give the Americans all they wanted in return for their alliance against France. In case of an open breach, France will be able to prove the truth of the matter to the whole of Europe. Our friend concluded by telling me that it would be very useful if the letter for the Grand Pensionary arrived soon. I told him that I was expecting it, but if it was delayed or suspended he should hold neither the American Commissioners nor myself responsible, for it was only natural that you could not take a step such as this without first informing the French Court and that if the latter judged it necessary to defer it, one would have to comply. Upon my departure he implied that he would find a way to have a private interview with the Grand Pensionary and make him explain himself more precisely.
      I went to give an account of all this to the Grand Facteur who was pleased, particularly with what I had said to justify the delay of the letter. He agreed that, in order not to seem too eager, I would wait until Monday morning to see our friend and then, according to what he would tell me, I would: 1. insist that he dictate to me something positive that I could transmit to you, in accordance with your request to inform myself privately, &c. or 2.I would insinuate that, in order for the Republic to come out of the sort of subjection in which it has been held for too long by Great Britain, it would be wise to turn to France, which could, through secret mediations, surreptitiously establish an alliance between the two republics. I told the Grand Facteur that if I were at liberty to present the letter, it would be the best way to bring about this mediation in a natural fashion. You always come back to this letter, he said. You know perfectly well that we are not allowed to use it yet. Upon my departure, we also agreed that I would not write to you today.
      I will end today’s account by relating to you the conversation that took place in the morning the day before yesterday between the Prince Stadholder and the gentlemen from Amsterdam. He told them that the Province of Guelder would put back on the agenda an increase in troops and that they asked him for his support; and that if this proposal was consistently rejected, the Republic would be lucky if it did not suffer as a result. They replied that never had it been less necessary to burden an already debt-ridden state with this expense, since the war, together with the presence of troops from neighboring powers, seemed to be moving away from these frontiers and, further, that there actually was no power who wished to or could attack with success. He answered that it might change. To which it was replied that such could be said of all things, even in the midst of the deepest peace, and the consequences would be that everybody should always be armed to the hilt. He also suggested that, in his opinion, the Americans would supplant the Dutch in trade, just as the latter had supplanted the Venetians. No reply was made to that.

       Monday, 11 May

      I have just seen our friend. He told me that he had not yet had a chance to be alone with the Grand Pensionary. I asked him to dictate an answer for you, gentlemen, and he repeated what I already had the honor to tell you, namely that the Grand Pensionary agreed that although it was not yet time to take the offensive, it nevertheless was not in the interest of the republic to discourage the testimonials of friendship that could come from America. As to the suggestion I made of starting secret negotiations pending the intervention and mediation of France, it is, as I anticipated, not feasible, at least not before I have presented the letter to the Grand Pensionary. It is impossible to negotiate here the way monarchs can negotiate among themselves. The towns have a right of refusal and of opposition to measures they believe pernicious to the State, but, were they to try to play too active a role, it would antagonize and arm the opposition party against them. If the letter were delivered to the Grand Pensionary he would be forced to communicate it to the states and to answer it. The towns, especially Amsterdam, would have great weight either in the deliberation over a reply or, if he tried to conceal the letter, in forcing him to produce it.

       12 May

      A big dinner at Court and a ball at the Hôtel de France yesterday prevented me from seeing anyone else. This morning I gave the Grand Facteur an account of yesterday’s visit. I also gave him news from Germany, dated the 9th, and from Rotterdam, for which he was very grateful, making a copy to send as a postscript to his house (I am sending them to you today). Thereupon, letters from his house were brought in. After glancing through them, he told me that he would send for me today or tomorrow because he was expected somewhere else. I, myself, believe that there were instructions concerning me, the letter, and the letter for the Grand Pensionary.

       13 May

      My guess was confirmed. As mentioned in my letter yesterday, gentlemen, the westerly winds brought full consent to use the letter; and here are the steps I took. I went and communicated in due form to His Excellency the French ambassador the démarche I was going to undertake under your orders. He replied and, at my request, dictated that “he had no knowledge of this démarche; that he had reasons to believe, nevertheless, that the King would be favorable to a rapprochement between the Republic and the United States of America; but that he knew for sure, that His Majesty desired foremost the peace of the Republic.” From there I went to see our friend. He was very pleased to hear that the letter had arrived and pressed me into presenting it tomorrow morning, which I will not fail to do. I also informed him of my meeting with the French ambassador on the matter and His Excellency’s response because it was for him “our friend” that this answer was intended.

       14 May

      This morning, between 8 and 9 o’clock, I went to see the Grand Pensionary and, while presenting the letter, verbally added the following: “I have the honor, Sir, to be the bearer of this letter for Your Excellency on behalf of the American Commissioners. Having been made aware of its content by these gentlemen, I undertook this mission with all the more pleasure as I saw that it could not but be agreeable to this republic and consequently to Your Excellency. I think it my duty to inform Your Excellency that, according to the man who brought me the dispatch, Their Excellencies the Plenipotentiaries have informed the Regency of Amsterdam of this action.” He took the letter, saying that he would read it. As I was leaving he asked, “You live here, sir, don’t you?” I answered, yes. Then I went to give an account of this interview, first to our friend, who was very pleased, and then to the French ambassador. Both believe that the Court will be extremely embarrassed, especially by the fact that the town of Amsterdam will be informed of the matter, and that it will be impossible to conceal it.

       15 May

      I did not get to see our friend at his place until last night after 10, and he told me the following. At the Assembly, having talked a little while in private with the Grand Pensionary, and seeing that he was not telling him anything about the letter, he took it upon himself to enquire about it and the following dialogue ensued:
      Our friend: You received this morning a certain letter ....
      G.P.: Yes, I know that you know about it; you will receive a copy of it.
      Our friend: I already have one.
      G.P.: Well, you shall have two, then.
      Whereupon he told him “our friend”, in no uncertain terms, the extreme pleasure this letter had given him, praising it highly, finding it wise, amiable, perfect. One could see that he was truly flattered and charmed at the leeway it gave him to act consequently in the way he thought most appropriate. Well, here is what he has decided to do. He will not start out by presenting it to the Assembly of the States of the Provinces for their deliberation, nor to the Secret Committee of the States General; this in order to prevent the British ambassador from legally giving rise to memoranda, complaints, and clamors that would provoke too much agitation in the Republic and create inopportune commotions, but he will circulate underhand (as it is called here) copies of the letter to each member of the States of the Provinces, that is, not only to the towns, but also to the nobles, in order to give them the time and freedom to think its content over. This idea, gentlemen, is very wise and clever, for it will prevent Sir Joseph Yorke from confusing Their High Mightinesses, and thereby keeping the Dutch from acting according to their best interest. In answer to my question as to whether the Grand Pensionary had communicated the letter to the Prince Stadholder and the Duke of Brunswick, our friend said that it would be inappropriate both for him to ask and the Grand Pensionary to answer that he had done so, but that there was no doubt about it. We may then conclude that these two great dignitaries have agreed to the position taken by the Grand Pensionary. The latter ended his conversation with our friend by apologizing for the brevity and reserve that he had observed toward me, adding that at the time he could not go into any explanations with me because he was still ignorant of the content of the letter. For my part, I had been greatly relieved that he did not ask any questions that might have been a little embarrassing for me. I did notice from his expression, however, that upon receiving the letter from my hands, he was filled with a mixture of perplexity and curiosity that seemed perfectly natural to me.
      I conveyed all this information to His Excellency the ambassador of France and think that he will report it in writing to his Court.
      The Dutchman, gentlemen, is like his peat. We have thrown some sparks on it, but now it must ignite at its own pace. At the end of next week these gentlemen will adjourn, each will go to his town and show a copy to his constituents. They will reconvene here next July. I will observe and keep you faithfully informed of the events that occur in the meantime and even hope to provide some myself. You should, please, help me by sending all the fresh news that you receive from America before others hear of it. I will make extracts which will help me to ingratiate myself with the Grand Pensionary, win his trust, mold bonds with him, &c. I am, with sincere respect, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant.

       D


Title: Thomas Simpson to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778
From: Simpson, Thomas
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Gentlemen
      Brest May 8th 1778

     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 did pay strict obedience to them. On the 5th of this instant, being then towed by a howser from the Ranger, at day light was hailed by Captain Jones’s order, (a Strange ship then in sight, on our Lee quarter) to cast off the howser, with which instantly complied, and at the same time requested his pleasure, what method we shou’d pursue, the answer, as understood by every person on the Ship’s deck, Americans, and prisoners was to make the best of our way on. And as he had the evening before, told me, that unless I cou’d make more sail, he must leave me, I kept on for the harbour of Brest, which Port I expected to make, and arrive at the next day. After parting with the Ranger, we soon fell in with a brig under our Lee, which tacked, and gave us chace, we kept close to the wind, and in our shattered condition, made all the sail we cou’d, and prepared, if overtaken by her, to make all the defence, that our circumstances wou’d admit. In the evening saw a Ship far distant on our Lee quarter, which we supposed to be the Ranger, and as soon as the darkness of the evening wou’d cover us from the Brig, we bore up East to fall in with the Ranger, till ten at night, then hawled South east two hours, and after that more southerly, for fear of falling to the northward of Ushant. At five o’clock in the morning of the Sixth instant, to my inexpressible satisfaction saw the Ranger a stern, they soon came up and spoke with me, far from thinking that I had disobeyed or even in the least offended Captn. Jones, took the liberty to ask him, on his ordering our course more easterly, whether he tho’t we were far enough to the southward of Ushant, received no other answer, than to heave too, that he shou’d send his boat on board, which he did with Lieutenant Hall, charged with a suspension, and arrest for a breach of his orders beforemention’d. The event testified his rashness, and mistake, we did fall to the Northward of Ushant, and the next day, after beating out a disagreeable blowing night, were obliged to come thro’ the passage of Four to the harbour of Brest. I need not comment on the Rangers being unofficered, a great number of prisoners on board, and her being in danger of falling in the English channel. I am now Gentlemen to beg your pardon for any digression, and in the most earnest, and suppliant manner, to request your honours, that I may have a fair and open trial, as soon as may be consistent with the interest of the service, which I have to the utmost of my weak endeavours strove to serve, and left England in December 1776 for that very purpose. I beg leave to refer your honours to a letter wrote you by John Langdon Esqr. of Portsmouth, which was to be delivered by me, but my duty confining me to the service of the ship, did request of Captn. Jones, to deliver it, who told me that he did inclose it in his letter to you, on his first writing from Nantes. The character Mr. Langdon has been pleased to give me in that letter, you are accquainted with. I only desire your permission to observe, that Mr. Langdon has been fully accquainted with my behaviour in every station that I have acted, from our childhood, to the period of his writing, being both natives of Portsmouth, and from which place thank God I never had occasion to rove in search of employ. I have suffered in the beginning by this contest, and am well disposed to serve the cause of America, as far and as often as my weak assistance is necessary. Suffer me Gentlemen again to intreat you, that if my trial cannot be bro’t on here, Your honours will order that I may be sent immediately to America, to take my trial there, being convinced that injured innocence will be righted, and that I may serve my country with pleasure, which I never can do under the command of Captain Jones. I understand that Captain Jones intends sending the Drake to America, which will be a convenient opportunity to send me, and for which I beg your Honours order, and shall ever esteem it an infinite Obligation on Gentlemen Your most Obedient and very humble Servant

      Thom Simpson


Title: To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 9 May 1778
From: Tucker, Samuel
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Bourdeaux May 9th. 1778

     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 nor frequenter, being so much troubled with one thing and another that I neglect my Duty in that Respect, but I hope to get my Ship in Readiness within two or three Days of the Time I wrote your Honour but I’ve been vasley detained. I’ve had the Misfortune to loose poor Cavey who fell over Board on the 5th Instant and was Drowned about 6 oClock in the Morning. I regret the loss of him very much, he became a very good and useful Officer since your departure from hence. A Ship arrived from the Coast of Guinea last Evening, which gives an Account of one of our Frigates takeing three Ships all Slaved fitt for Sea. I think it must be the Verginia Capt. Nicholson. I Remain sir with Respect your Most Humble Servt.

      Saml Tucker


Title: John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 May 1778
From: Jones, John Paul
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Gentlemen
      Ranger Brest 9th May 1778

     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 prisoners and as Comte D’Orvilliers is apprehensive that as the War with England is not yet declared they may perhaps be given up without an Exchange. I have resolved to Equip the Drake with all possible expedition at Cameret and to send the prisoners in her to America, so fully am I convinced of the bad Policy of releasing prisoners, especially Seamen, without an Exchange that I am determined never to do it while there remains an Alternative. I should not however have taken a resolution of such importance without consulting you had not Comte D’Orvilliers told me that the return of a Letter from the Minister might perhaps put it out of my power and therefore recommended that I should loose no time.
     Notwithstanding this you will perhaps find it expedient to endeavour to Effect an Exchange of these prisoners in Europe and should the Minister agree to hold them avowedly as Prisoners of War you will of course inform me thereof per Express so as to reach me if possible before the departure of the Drake. I have suspended and confined Lieutenant Simpson for disobedience of Orders. I have only time at present to say that I have the honor to be with much Esteem and Respect, Gentlemen Your very Obliged very Obedient very humble Servant

      NB. I have been rather disappointed in not being favored with a Line from you in Answer to any of my former Letters from Quiberon and Brest.


Title: To John Adams from Senés, 10 May 1778
From: Senés, M.
To: Adams, John

       Monsieur
       a la Seyne prés Toulon le 10. may 1778

      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 temps de guerre qu’on y destine et a les faire Sortir des hôpiteaux, ce qui occasionneroit aux treize Provinces Unies de lamerique une grande Econamie.
      Si mes Secrets Monsieur, vous Sont de quelques Utilite j’auray L’honneur de vous les offrir avec plaisir pour le bien et le Soulagemen de tous vos Militaires. J’ay L’honneur détre avec respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur

       Senés

       Mon adresse Est a Senes Pensionnaire du Roy par Toulon En Provence.—a là Seyne.


Title: Senés to John Adams: A Translation, 10 May 1778
From: Senés, M.
To: Adams, John

       Sir
       Seyne near Toulon 10 May 1778

      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 providing a great saving for the thirteen United Provinces of America.
      If my secrets are of any interest to you, sir, I shall have the honor of offering them to you with pleasure for the welfare and relief of your military. I have the honor to be with respect, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant

       Senés

       My address is Senes, Pensioner of the King, near Toulon in Provence, at Seyne.


Title: Lataque to John Adams: A Translation, 11 May 1778
From: Lataque, M. de
To: Adams, John

       Sir

        11 May 1778

      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

       de Lataque

       If you honor me with a reply, please address it to Causse Rouge Street, in Bordeaux.


Title: Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 11 May 1778
From: Williams, Jonathan
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

      Brest May 11. 1778

     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, to equip the Drake in which he means to send the Prisoners to America, and that directly least the french Court should prevent him. I know of no other Method of procuring this Money than by drawing on you, in which case I doubt not the Bills will be honoured.
     I shall next post inform you if anything new occurs in the mean time have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Your Excellencies most obedient & most humble Servant.

      Jon Williams


Title: From John Adams to William Vernon Jr., 12 May 1778
From: Adams, John
To: Vernon, William Jr.

     Passy, 12 May 1778. printed:JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 4:96–97. Replying to Vernon’s letter of 10 April (above), Adams commended Vernon for his decision to reside at Bordeaux, a rich commercial center. JA referred him to John Bondfield for advice about which commercial house he should choose for his training and noted that the activities of Vernon’s father in the patriot cause were an excellent recommendation to whatever firm was selected.
     This letter is the first entry in Lb/JA/5 (Microfilms, Reel No. 93). In a green binding and probably one of two purchased on 9 May, it contains copies of Adams’ personal correspondence with non-family members between 12 May 1778 and 8 Nov. 1779. As were his others for the period, this Letterbook was extensively consulted and copied from as Adams prepared his Autobiography.


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 12 May 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Messieurs
       Lahaie 12e May 1778

      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 Lettre cachetée, parce qu’un vent d’Ouest, venant de vos quartiers, y avoit apporte une remore. Un autre vent, du même quartier, a apporté aujourd’hui quelque autre chose à ce sujet, que j’ignore encore, mais qu’on me dira demain. Ce ne sera certainement pas ma faute, ni celle de notre Ami, ni celle de sa Ville, si cette affaire souffre des délais.
      En attendant, voici quelques nouvelles Allemandes; et l’Extrait d’une Lettre de Rotterdam, qui contient des choses fort interessantes. Je les ai communiquées au g—— F—— qui m’en a bien remercié, et en a fait tout de suite usage dans un postcrit de là Lettre qu’il écrit aujourd’hui à Sa Maison.
      J’ai tant prêché certains amis de ce pays, qu’enfin ils ont pris la résolution d’envoyer un Vaisseau directement en Amérique, pour commencer. Je leur ai procuré de bonnes Listes, et de bonnes consignes, et promis de les bien recommander là-bas, dans l’espérance que le Gouvernement du lieu ou ils aborderont, voudra bien avoir égard à ma recommandation. Ce sont de braves Hollandois. Ils ne feront point assurer, pour que l’entreprise reste plus secrete. Voilà qui est courageux. Je suis avec tout mon respect et tout mon zele, Messieurs, Votre trés humble & trés obeissant serviteur

       D


Title: C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 12 May 1778
From: Dumas, Charles William Frederic
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Gentlemen
       The Hague, 12 May 1778

      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 sealed letter because a westerly wind, coming from your quarters, brought a hindrance. Today another wind, from the same quarters brought something else, about which I am still ignorant but of which I will be told of tomorrow, concerning the matter. It will certainly not be my fault, nor that of our friend, nor that of his town, if this affair is delayed.
      In the meantime, here is some German news and an exerpt from a Rotterdam letter which contain some very interesting things. I have communicated them to the Grand Facteur who thanked me and made immediate use of them in a postscript to a letter he is sending today to his house.
      I have done so much preaching among our friends in this country that they have finally resolved to send a vessel directly to America, for a start. I gave them good lists and instructions, and promised to highly recommend them over there in the hope that the government where they land will consider my recommendation. They are brave Dutchmen. They will not take on insurance in order that the operation may remain more secret. That is courageous of them. I am, with all my respect and zeal, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant

       D


Title: To John Adams from Richard Henry Lee, 13 May 1778
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Adams, John

      My dear Sir
      York in Pennsylva. 13th May 1778

     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 any danger of splitting. How far European loans may help us you can judge, but I fear that the slow operation of Taxes, which indeed are pretty considerably pushed in many States, will not be adequate to the large emissions of paper money which the war compels us to make. The number and activity of the British Cruisers on the coast, and in the Bays of the Staple States, render it utterly impossible with any degree of safety, and therefore very unwise to attempt making remittances to Europe at present. It is in fact furnishing the enemy with what they want extremely, and much to our injury—Surely the Court of France will now give protection to their Commerce to and from America, the clearest policy demands it. Sir you would be greatly surprised at the number and value of the French Vessels taken and destroyed by the English on our Coasts this last winter and spring. Thus the Marine force of G. B. is actively employed in ruining the Commerce of France, whilst her powerful Navy remains unemployed. Can this be wise? Gen. Howe remains yet in Philadelphia, and our Army where it was, but daily growing stronger in discipline and in numbers. I am inclined to think that the enemy will this Campaign act chiefly on the defensive (carrying on the small war to plunder and distress) holding all they can in order to get the better bargain of us when a Treaty shall take place. I wish, for the sake of future peace, that we could push these people quite off this Northern Continent. Monsr. Beaumarchais, by his Agent Monsr. Franci, has demanded a prodigious sum from the Continent for Stores &c. furnished the States. His accounts are referred for settlement to the Commissioners at Paris, and I hope they will scrutinize most carefully into this business, that the public may not pay a large sum wrongfully. We have been repeatedly informed that the greater part of these Stores were gratuitously furnished by the Court of France. How then does it come to pass that a private person, a mere Agent of the Ministry, should now demand pay for the whole? It will give me singular pleasure to hear from you by all convenient opportunities, for I am dear Sir, with great sincerity your affectionate humble servant,

      Richard Henry Lee

      P.S. Be so kind as take care of the letters for my brothers and get them conveyed &c.


Title: Vergennes to the Commissioners, 13 May 1778
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de
To: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John

       Versailles le 13. May 1778

      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, il est nécessaire de constater si le Boston est véritablement un bâtiment de guerre appartenant aux Etatsunis ou si c’est simpliment un Corsaire pourvu de lettres de marque; aussitôt, Messieurs, que vous m’aures fourni des éclaircissements prêcis à cet égard, je mettrai le tout sous les yeux du Roi, et vous pouves Etre certains d’avance que la decision de Sa Majesté sera conforme auy regles de la plus exacte justice, et que le vaisseaux le Boston sera traité selon les principes que nous suivons à légard de toutes les autres puissances. J’ai l’hr. dêtre trés parfaitement Messrs. &c.


Title: From John Adams to William MacCreery, 14 May 1778
From: Adams, John
To: MacCreery, William

     Passy, 14 May 1778. printed:JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 4:98–99. Replying to MacCreery’s letters of 25 April (above) and 3 May (Adams Family CorrespondenceAdams Family Correspondence, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1963-., 3:12, note 2), Adams thanked MacCreery for his unsuccessful effort to find a pair of JQA’s breeches, containing a sum of money, that had disappeared either at Bordeaux or on the trip to Paris. Adams then turned to MacCreery’s warnings against Arthur Lee, given during Adams’ stay at Bordeaux (Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 2:304; 4:39, 68) and in MacCreery’s letter of 25 April. JA declared that from all that he had seen, Lee was devoted wholly to the public interest and that, regardless of MacCreery’s opinion of Silas Deane, who had largely controlled the Commissioners’ finances during his tenure, a large sum of money had been spent and another was still owed and that he was unable to determine exactly what America had received for the expenditures. Finally, in regard to MacCreery’s desire that one of the Delaps be appointed the continental agent at Bordeaux, Adams stated that such matters were in the hands of the Continental Congress and, in any event, John Bondfield was doing a satisfactory job. JA did not send this letter because, after considering its content, he concluded that it was inappropriate to air the Commission’s internal disputes before a private person.


Title: The Commissioners to Sartine, 14 May 1778
From: First Joint Commission at Paris,Adams, John
To: Sartine, Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de

     Passy, 14 May 1778.
     printed:JA, Diary and AutobiographyDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols., 4:99–100. The Commissioners requested that they be given permission to confine on French soil the prisoners taken by American vessels in order to permit their exchange for American prisoners held in England, a question of particular urgency because of John Paul Jones’ arrival at Brest with nearly two hundred prisoners (Jones to the Commissioners, 9 May, above). Rejecting the prevailing opinion that English prisoners could not be held in France, which was not yet at war with England, the Commissioners supported their argument with a quotation from René Josué Valin, Traité des prises, ou principes de lajurisprudence françoise concernant les prises qui se font sur mer..., La Rochelle, 1763, p. 129, sect. 30. This passage, in French in JA’s Letter-book copy (Lb/JA/4, Microfilms, Reel No. 92) and translated by him for his Autobiography, declared that it was not true that a prisoner became free as soon as he stepped onto neutral soil. In fact, although the belligerent could not retake the prisoner without the consent of the neutral power, to withhold such consent would be a violation of the laws of neutrality.


Title: To John Adams from William Heath, 14 May 1778
From: Heath, William
To: Adams, John

      Sir
      Head Quarters Boston May 14th. 1778

     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 Dispatches for Congress, the news of the intention of the British Parliament to send out Commissioners to treat with the United States was received at New-York and Philadelphia, and Copies of Lord North’s Speech, and a draft of the Bills were sent out from Philadelphia to His Excellency General Washington which were forwarded to Congress; and from Governor Tryon at New York to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut. I do myself the honor to enclose you the proceedings of Congress thereon which I think will give you pleasure. Governor Trumbull also returned a most spirited answer to Governor Tryon which has done him, and our Country honor.
     Mr. Dean proceeded immediately to Congress; but sufficient time has not yet elapsed for our receiving an account of his arrival at York Town. The News of the Treaty with France gives universal joy here to all the Friends of our Cause and Country, which is displayed in every face. The British Officers, with whom I have a peculiar oppertunity of conversing, are much confounded: they would not for some time beleive that France had or even would acknowledge our Independence; but at length finding it but too well confirmed, their chagrine is everywhere visible.
     Our Country seem to have formed a just opinion of the proposed Treaty by Commissioners, and upon the old and approved maxim, that the safest way to treat with an Enemy, is sword in hand, are determined immediately to compleat their Battalions, and will not be amused by art or finesse. From this disposition I cannot but flatter myself that great and lasting Advantages will arise.
     General Burgoyne went home the begining of April. He left us with the strongest protestation of every exertion in his power to have our disputes settled. You will first learn how far his Conduct will be correspondent.
     Our Harbour is now ornimented with french and Spanish ships displaying their colours.
     I have this moment received a letter from His Excellency General Washington. The Armies are still in their Winter Quarters and nothing worthy of notice has yet taken place.
     I wish to be honored with a line from you when oppertunity offers.
     Please to make my Compliments to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Dean, and beleive me to be with the greatest regard & Esteem Your most Obedient Humble Servant,

      W Heath