Adams Family Correspondence, volume 3
1778-12-09
I cannot let this opportunity slip without sending you a Line, but the Gentleman waits and it can be but a Line. I have ordered you some Wine as you desired and a Present of some Tea and sugar—But cant tell you by what Vessell it will go.1
All Well. No Hopes of Peace, at least in my Mind. We must be taught to set an higher Value upon our Liberties before We shall obtain them.
We are extreamly anxious to know the Fate and Destination of D'Estaing and Biron, but have no News from Boston later than 5 Novr., or rather the 4, I believe. Of Clinton and Washington We know nothing a long time.
“I am anxious to send a few Articles to my Family by the first Vessell that shall go for Boston, and there is no Person at Nantes, to whom I have a better Excuse for applying. It is to send a Cask of Bourdeaux Wine, half a Dozen Pounds of Tea and Fifty Weight of Loaf Sugar Addressed to John Adams Esqr. Braintree near Boston, to the Care of Isaac Smith Esq. Boston. The Claret I fancy should be such as is sent to the English Markett. “Captain McNeil, in the Privateer Gen. Mifflin was good enough to tell me he would take these Things on Board his Ship, but if you can conveniently send it on Board any other, it will be as well. If you will be so good as to take this Trouble, and draw upon me, alone, for the Expence and your Commissions, I will very gladly discharge your Bill upon sight.” (JA to John Daniel Schweighauser, 8 Dec. 1778, LbC, Adams Papers; see Schweighauser to JA, 12, 19 Dec., both in Adams Papers.)