Papers of John Adams, volume 6
1778-07-09
Here inclos'd I have the honour to return you the letter you trusted me so obligingly.1
I'm in great impatience to get a printed copy of the Treaties. If you find it in the papers receiv'd by way of Brest, be So good as to Send it me, along with the other news you'll think fit for publication. My Number 48 is ready, and I expect only the Treaties and such news as you are pleas'd to see publish'd.2
Not identified.
The Affaires de l'Angleterre et de l'Amérique (“Lettres,” vol. 12, cahier 48, p. ii–xvi) contained the official American proclamation of the conclusion and ratification of the Treaties of Amity and Commerce and Alliance adopted by the congress on 6 May. The news soon appeared in American and English newspapers (
JCC
, 11:468–469; Boston Gazette, 25 May; London Chronicle, 4–7 July). The proclamation and the articles of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce that appeared with it—6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29—and the attached passports and letters were translated into French directly from either the proclamation itself or a newspaper source, because the text of the articles in Affaires differs from the official French text of the treaty (Miller, ed., Treaties
, 2:7–8, 12–16, 17–18, 20–24, 25, 28–29). JA apparently had some questions as to the propriety of printing articles from the treaty before the official exchange of ratifications had taken place, and it was probably for that reason that an unofficial source for the text of the articles was used. Extracts from various letters concerning American affairs, including James Lovell to JA, 29 April, and William MacCreery to JA, 4 July (both above), and JA to Genet, 12 July (below), also appeared in Affaires (“Lettres,” vol. 12, cahier 48, p. xxxvi–xxvii, xiv–xv, xlix–li).
1778-07-09
I beg leave to refer you to the letter I had the honor of writing to you yesterday.1 This cheafly Serves to inclose a Certificate from the officers of the Admiralty Court of this Town,2 which I hope will in Some measure obviate the bad impression Poreau's false insinuations may have occasion'd; however as I am determined to fill the measure to the brim, I shall take the liberty to send you tomorrow three other Certifficates from three different Jurisdictions,3 one from the Bourgmaster and Magistrates, one from the Judges and Consuls, and one from the President and Counsellors of the board of Commerce in this town, all which I hope will Sufficiently illucidate my Character and conduct, and 275convince you of the criminal endeavours of my Ennemys. If these vouchers were not capable of restoring me to your Kindness and favours, whatever further proofs you may require, shall be immediately produced, and your order comply'd with; interim I refer to Mr. Amiel4 who will give you the particulars of every thing on handing you this. I have the honor to remain very respectfully Hond. Gentlemen Your most obedt. & most devoted Humble servant
That is, 7 July (above).
Not printed, but the certificate declared, among other things, that “Sieur Francois Jean Coffyn, natif de Cette ville, Courtier et interprette furé pour les nations qui parlent la Langue anglaise, muni de Commission de S. A. S. Mgr. Le due de Peuthiesre amiral de France,” performed his duties with “le plus Grand Zele, et la plus scrupuleuse Exactitude et Fidelité.”
The letter of the 10th (PPAmP: Franklin Papers) is similar to this of the 9th in its defense against the charges made by Poreau, Mackenzie & Cie. Two of the three certificates enclosed in it, those from the mayor and aldermen and the Chamber of Commerce, are also in the Franklin Papers (
Cal. Franklin Papers, A.P.S.
, 4:267, 491).
Peter Amiel also wrote to the Commissioners on this date (PPAmP: Franklin Papers) in support of Coffyn and asked them to suspend any judgment until he could arrive at Passy.