Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 7

Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to William Temple Franklin

C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners
Enclosure: List of Enquiries, 20 November 1778 JA Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, William Temple

1778-11-20

 Enclosure: List of Enquiries, 20 November 1778 Adams, John Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, William Temple
Enclosure: List of Enquiries

1. Force of his Vessel, Number of Men, &c.

2. What time he left America, and from what Port.

3. What Instructions he had from Congress.

224

4. If he knows the Contents of his Dispatches.

5. Ask for News, and Newspapers.

6. What Account there was of Differences between Count D'Estaign's People and those of Boston.

7. Whether he was well supply'd with Necessaries there and Provisions.

8. Whether he was repair'd and sail'd; and where Suppos'd to be bound.

9. What the present situation of the Armies.

10. Whether Burgoyne's Corps continu'd entire, or were much diminish'd by Desertion &c. and where canton'd.

11. Whether the great Ships are finish'd, that were building.1

12. What the present State of Paper Money.

13. Whether Taxes are begun, to sink it.

14. If he is acquainted with any late Resolutions of Congress material for us to know.

15. What Persons of Note have of late taken the Oath of Allegiance to the States.

Whether the C. D Estaing found Provisions, Masts and other Materials and Workmen as he wanted?

16. Where the Enemies Fleet were in America?

17. Whether any and what Vessels were bound to France from any Part of America?

18. Whether the Providence Boston and Ranger had arrived and with what Prizes?2

19. Where the Warren Rawley Alliance and other Continental Frigates?

The content of all or some notes that appeared on pages 224 and 225 in the printed volume has been moved to the end of the preceding document

RC with one enclosure (NIC). The instructions and the first page of the enclosure containing questions one through fifteen are in Benjamin Franklin's hand. The canceled question and those numbered sixteen through nineteen appear on the second page of the enclosure and are in JA's hand.

225 1.

Presumably a reference to the three ships of the line that the congress had authorized in 1776, but whose construction had later been suspended. William Vernon Sr. had mentioned the suspension in his letter to JA of 26 May (vol. 6:156, and note 2).

 2.

For this and the following question, see the letters from William Vernon Sr. of 2 and 22 Oct. (both above) and 17 Dec. (below).