Papers of John Adams, volume 6
1778-05-16
This will be accompanied with a Contract entered into between John Baptist Lazarus Theveneau De Francy Agent of Mr. Peter Augustine Caron De Beaumarchais representative of the House of Rodrigue Hortalez & Co. and the Committee of Commerce.1 You will observe that their Accounts are to be fairly stated and what is justly due paid. For as on the One hand Congress would be unwilling to evidence a disregard for, and contemptuous refusal of the Spontaneous freindship of his most Christian Majesty; so on the other they are unwilling to put into the private Packets what was gratuitously designed for Public benefit. You will be pleased to have thier Accounts liquidated and direct in the liquidation thereof that particular care be taken to distinguish the property of the Crown of France from the Private property of Hortalez and company and transmit to us the accounts so stated and distinguished. This will also be accompanied by an Invoice of Articles to be imported from France and resolves of Congress relative thereto.2 You will appoint if 128you judge proper an Agent or Agents to Inspect the quality of such Goods as you may apply for to the House of Roderigue Hortalez & Co. before they are shipped to prevent any imposition.
The Obstructions of the Bays and Harbours to the southward by British men of war, hath prevented our shipping Tobacco as we intended. We have ordered several Vessels lately to South Carolina for Rice and have directed the Continental Agent in that state to consign them to your address. So soon as we can venture to send out Tobacco with any probability of Success we shall certainly do it.
This goes by a dispatch Vessel under the direction of the Committee of foreign Affairs. Five Others are employed in the same business, which you will load with such Articles as you may have ready to transmit to us.
We congratulate with you on the treaties entered into with his most Christian Majesty and are with the greatest respect, Gentn. Your very hble servts
This contract with Roderigue Hortalez & Cie., a fictitious firm established by Beaumarchais to funnel clandestine French aid to the United States, was approved by the congress on 7 April and announced as executed on the 16th (
JCC
, 10:316–318, 356; for de Francy's credentials impowering him to negotiate a contract, see 10:320–321).
The first paragraph of this letter was copied directly into the Commissioners' letter to Vergennes of 10 Sept. (JA, Works
, 7:29–31). It requested his intervention and advice in order to establish what portion of the supplies sent to America were the gift of the French government, for which no payment was due, and what portion was obtained under contract to Roderigue Hortalez & Cie., and was to be paid for with shipments of American produce to France. In a letter of 10 Sept. to Beaumarchais (LbC, Adams Papers) the Commissioners demanded that he present a full accounting for all supplies contracted for by the United States from Roderigue Hortalez & Cie.
That is, the resolutions passed on 16 May which prompted this letter (
JCC
, 11:505).
1778-05-16
As there is an appearance that the Sales of the Rangers prizes will be greatly protracted thro' the claims of the Admiralty here—I have been under the necessity of drawing on you this day a 129Bill at five days sight in favor of Monsieur Bersolle for Twenty four thousand Livers—which I mean to distribute among the brave Officers and Men to whom I owe my late Success. It is but reasonable that they should be furnished with the means of procuring little comforts and necessaries of Life for themselves—— and the intrests of the Service as well as the claims of Humanity and Justice plead in behalf of their Wives and helpless Families who are now unprovided in America, and will naturally expect a Supply of Cloathing &ca. by the Drake.1
You may expect a circumstantial Account of every transaction respecting the Ranger in a day or two—Meantime my unsettled situation must be my Apology.2
It may not be amiss to add that upon recollection I do not conceive that France has any power to give up American prisoners while they remain on board of American Ships and are not suffered to come ashore.3 I have the honor to be with much Esteem and Respect, Gentlemen Your very Obliged very Obedient very humble Servant
The Commissioners' consideration of Jones' financial dealings with Bersolle in regard to the Ranger and its prizes had begun with their letter to Bersolle of 3 May (calendared above) and would later result in sharp exchanges with Jones (see the Commissioners to Jones, 25 May, calendared; and Jones' letters of 27 May and 3 June, all below). The issue was not resolved until 4 Nov., when the Commissioners, in a letter to J. D. Schweighauser and after having finally seen Bersolle's accounts, indicated what portions they would honor (LbC, Adams Papers).
See Jones to the Commissioners, 27 May (below).
A reference to Jones' letter of 9 May (above).