Diary of John Adams, volume 2

1779 June 1st.

1779. June 8. Tuesday.

June 2d. Wednesday. JA

1779-06-02

June 2d. Wednesday. Adams, John
June 2d. Wednesday.

Dined on Board the Sensible, at the Invitation of the Captn. Mr. Chavan Chavagnes, with Mr. Thevenard, Mr. Grandville, Mr. Chaumont, &c. &c.

On fait, et defait—mande et contremand. “A Strong Fleet is necessary to defend the Port of Brest.”

This Observation, which I had never heard before, struck me. The Dry Docks might be destroyed, the Stores burnt or demolished, the Magazines destroyed, &c. unless the Place could be defended, by the Castle and other Fortifications, with the Land Forces.