Papers of John Adams, volume 6
1778-07-31
I thank you for your favours of 25 and 27. the last of which I recived this Moment. The Baltimore Paper of the 6th. of June I had before received, from the Printer who was kind enough to think of me, but I am not the less obliged to you.
335 336I wish you Joy of the News, this Moment received from Versailles, of a Battle between D'orvilliere and Keppel, in which the former, had the Honour, and the Advantage.1 All Paris is rejoicing. We have not the Detail but a Battle between two such Fleets, without a Tryumph to G. Br. is a terrible Event to her. As France, has at land a superiority over her so indisputable, When the Superiority of naval Power comes to be problemetical it is high Time for G. B. to think, which she has never once done for fifteen Years.
I am extreamly Sorry that any of our Americains should express themselves so unkindly of their Commissioners here. I hope they have not Reason. I am really surprized to find, that a failure in a punctual Return of a Visit, or in giving an Answer to a Letter of no Importance to the Public, should give so much Miff, as it does. I can Say with Truth, that if The Commissioners should make it a rule to return all Visits and answer all Letters, no Part of the Public Business would be done.
Would the Gentleman you mention, (I know him not) wish that the Commissioners should every Time they receive any News, write Letters to every Part of this Kingdom to acquaint every Man with it? However, enough of this.
In one of your Letters you say that you had several Things to say to me, but had not then time. I hope you will find an opportunity soon.
This was the indecisive Battle of Ushant fought on 27 July, in which, although there were over a thousand casualties, no vessels were captured or sunk.
1778-07
Pardon the freedom I take in thus addressing your honours unknown but as an American I trust you will not take it amiss.
On my arrival here the begining of april in the Ship Harmony Hall loaded with Tobacco &c. I was boarded by a Mr. Moylan who shewed my
On the arrival of the Boston with Two prises I was astonished at a foriner a Mr. Puchelberg1 who does not speak English and a man very little known here claiming the agency of this place by an apointment from Mr. Shwighauser of Nantes.
On my arrival here he Mr. Puchelberg was very assiduous in shewing me pattern of goods and offerd to procure me any quantity at the expence of 2 pet. I gave him a small order and have enclosed you his bill of parcells that you may see the Gentleman knows well how to Charge.
I could wish for the interest of my Country that the gentlemans claim may be found
I cannot likewise help observing that men of our own country in such a Situation are most likely to give content than a man who neither understands the language nor the manner of the People. I am Gentlemen with the greatest regard your most obdient humble servt.
For Puchelberg & Co. and its relationship with J. D. Schweighauser, see its letter of 24 Aug. to the Commissioners (below).