Papers of John Adams, volume 10
1780-08-01
I have just received four letters from Nantes, one from Mr. Johnson, two from Mr. Williams, and one from Mr. Watson.1 They are short, and I will give you the substance of them in a few words. Mr. de Francey (Agent for Beaumarch) arrived at Nantes on the evening of the 28th. ultimo from, one letter says, Maryland, and another, Virginia, which he left on the 14th. of June, in the Fier Roderigue which is arrived at the Isle of Rhé, after seeing her Convoy of 18 Sail safe in the River of Bordeaux, except the Jane who foundered at Sea, a Ship with
320 Hdds. of Tobacco. The Fier Roderigue took two rich prizes, “one a ship with 370 Hdds. Tobacco from the West Indies for London, the other a West India Man”—Mr. Dean came passenger in the Roderigue, and is gone to Bordeaux.2 One letter says “Our people are not in that state of despondency on account of the loss of Charlestown, as has been represented, they are no doubt sorry for it, but they are as firm as ever, and will always support the Cause.” Another says, “The People were much deprest at the capture of Charlestown, but they have recovered, and are determined to perish or succeed in the support of their Liberty.” They had heard nothing of De Ternay—A vessel is said to be chased on shore near Rochelle, and to have left New London the 28th. of June, they had not then heard any thing of De Ternay there. No letters having come to Town can give no particulars. Thus much from these Letters. I shall go to Passy in the morning to see if there are letters for us, or any further intelligence. I am Dear Sir with much esteem and respect your friend and humble Servant370
P.S. Mr. Austin has receivd an answer to his memorial from Monsr. De Sartine who tells him, among other things, that His Majesty's Ships are well supplied with Masts, but that this matter is in Comte Vergennes Department.3
Of the four letters mentioned by Dana, only that from Elkanah Watson can be tentatively identified, but, since Dana did not forward them to JA, it is possible that all four letters have been lost. In his letter of 27 July (Adams Papers), Watson requested information on British naval movements that could be sent on to John Brown, the Providence merchant, to aid in the deployment of his privateers. Dana, however, does not quote from that letter so its identification remains conjectural. Jonathan Williams' last known letter was that of 25 July, but Dana dealt with that letter and its enclosure in his letter of 31 July (above). No letter from Joshua Johnson has been found, but Edmund Jenings' account of a letter received from Johnson in his letter of 5 Aug. (below) makes it likely that 64the information given later in this letter concerning the arrival of the Fier Roderigue was taken from Johnson's letter.
J. B. L. Theveneau de Francy, Beaumarchais' agent in the United States, and Silas Deane, whom JA had replaced as Commissioner in 1778, were fellow passengers on the Fier Roderigue (
Deane Papers
, 4:171, 175–176). Deane was returning to Europe to reconcile his complex financial dealings as Commissioner and finally settle his accounts with Congress. For Deane's departure from France in 1778, his subsequent activities in America, and JA's unfavorable opinion of him, see the index to this volume as well as those to volumes 6 and 8.
For Austin's memorial of 22 July addressed to Vergennes, see Committee of Mass. General Court to JA and Dana, 22 July, note 1 (above).