Diary of John Adams, volume 2
1779-06-02
Dined on Board the Sensible, at the Invitation of the Captn. Mr. Chavan
On fait, et defait—mande et contremand. “A Strong Fleet is necessary to defend the Port of Brest.”
This Observation, which I had never heard before, struck me. The Dry Docks might be destroyed, the Stores burnt or demolished, the Magazines destroyed, &c. unless the Place could be defended, by the Castle and other Fortifications, with the Land Forces.