Papers of John Adams, volume 6

Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 11 April 1778 Tucker, Samuel First Joint Commission at Paris JA

1778-04-11

Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners, 11 April 1778 Tucker, Samuel First Joint Commission at Paris Adams, John
Samuel Tucker to the Commissioners
Gentlemen On Board Ship Boston, Burdeux April. 11th. 1778

These may serve to inform your Honours of my present Situation, and how far advance'd, in Readiness; I am at the Pantoon1 and shall Careene my Ship on Tuesday next, and Expect by the last of the Week to have her finished as to heaving down; after that I hope in a short Time to be prepared for Sea. My Ship and Riging being so much shatered, it will take me some Time longer then I imaganed to get in Readiness, but having a Gentleman (John Brondfield Esqr.) to apply to who exerts himself in every Measure for the befenfit of the Ship will Expedite my geting ready. I hope your Honours may have Dispatchd Capt. Palmes before this comes to Hand.2 I should be extremely happy to hear from Paris. There is a small Schooner arrived here from Charlestown South Carolina, thirty Days passage, I've had a short Conversation with him, he brings us nothing new about our 28American Affairs, we have it here that four Days Past a Guernsey Privatere took two Spaniars from Bilboa and one small Brig from Bayone off the Mouth of this River. I've nothing more to add at Present, but Remain with the Greatest Respect, Your Honours Obedient Humble Servent

Saml Tucker

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

That is, a pontoon or large flat-bottomed barge equipped with cranes, capstans, and tackle and used for careening ships ( OED ).

2.

This is Richard Palmes, captain of the marines on the Boston (JA, Diary and Autobiography , 2:290, note 1). The Commissioners acknowledged the receipt of this letter and reported the departure of Capt. Palmes in a letter to Tucker of 15 April (RC, MH-H:Tucker Papers; Dft, Adams Papers—both in JA's hand).