Papers of John Adams, volume 9
1780-04-29
I have the honor to send Mr. Adams a reliable account of the fleet which left Brest at the same time that Walsingham was informed that the French squadron would appear at the entrance of the Channel and, in total panic, returned to Plymouth, despite having a favorable wind to continue his voyage. It should be amusing to see these details in the British newspapers, particularly if presented as authentic.1
JA included this report regarding Como. Robert Walsingham's fleet in his second letter of this date to the president of Congress (No. 56, calendared above).