Papers of John Adams, volume 20
t6 1789
In 1779 at Bilbao I was solicited for releif by a number of
American seamen who had been captured by the English and turned adrift in Portugal.
These wandered to Spain with much difficulty and in great distress. I had no means of
supplying them: but Mr Gardoqui very generously offered to
assist them upon my advice.1 The article
in his account, ought to be allowed him with interest and thanks. I only regret, that
the multiplicity of other cares, prevented me from doing justice to my own feelings as
well as to the honor of this Country by remitting the money to Bilbao from Holland, when
I had money of the public in my hands— I am &
LbC in CA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr Hardy”; APM Reel 115.
Two days after reaching Bilbao, Spain, in mid-Jan. 1780,
JA dined with merchant Joseph de Gardoqui and solicited aid for fifteen
American prisoners who had escaped from Portugal. Gardoqui agreed to furnish them with
“Cloaths to the Amount of six dollars a Man.” JA explained that while he
lacked any formal authority to make the request, he “believed Congress would do all in
their Power to repay him.” Hardy (d. 1813), who acted as the first clerk in the
comptroller’s office of the Treasury Department from 1789 to 1791, facilitated
Gardoqui’s claim (JA, D&A
, 2:431, 432; 4:236; Franklin, Papers
, 38:19; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
,
2:439).