Diary of John Quincy Adams, volume 1
1785-06-11
This day being Captain Fournier's, jour de fĂȘte, he gave us
an excellent entertainment on board: and when his health was drank at the desert, 5 guns
were fir'd in his Honour. As there was a more considerable space of time between the fourth
and fifth than between the others Mr. Le Bel was very much irritated: fearing that the fifth
would not be fired; a salute in an even number is English, and of course the odd number, is
French. But an even number on board a french vessel, and an odd one on board an Englishman,
are equally look'd upon as an insult. I had in the evening a disagreeable dispute with Mr.
Singler, who is some times really insupportable. Calm weather still all day.