Papers of John Adams, volume 7
1778-09-12
I have receiv'd from every Forge from Angoulerme to Bayonne returns of their proposals and offers for the Cannon you Commission'd me to purchase.1 Not One of them will engage to compleat the delivery before February. The dryness of the Season deprives them of a supply of water nessessary to execute the Work in Less time. I have survey'd the Arsenals hoping to find there to Borrow and to replace, but the Armaments have drain'd from every quarter and I learn that the two New Frigates Launcht at St. Malo are obliged to wait for their Artillery. Thus circumstanced I have concluded to close with the Forges of Petigore2 where the quality of the Iron the extent of the 28Works and the Capital of the Concern'd to which add the inland Navigation to Bordeaux leaves no room to apprehend a disapointment at the time limitted. And we are allways certain of meeting with Vessels going from hence every ten or fifteen days.
We have had strong westerly Winds the three days past without any Arrivals from America.
I have the honor to be with due respect Sirs Your most Obedient Humble Servant
The cannon were for the ship of the line America. See the Marine Committee to the Commissioners, 10 June (vol. 6:199). Angoulême is approximately 75 miles northeast and Bayonne approximately 100 miles south of Bordeaux.
Présumably Périgueux, a city on the Isle River, 65 miles east-northeast of Bordeaux.
1778-09-12
I Received the Letter which you did me the Honor to write me under the 7th. Instant, by todays Post and observe with concern, that your many efforts to effect an exchange of Prisoners, hath heretofore proved ineffectual.
It gives me much concern to find that my suspiscions of our Public finances being low in this country, were so well founded. It must render the situation of yourself and Colleagues very irksome. I am not less concern'd that designing men shou'd endeavour to create new embarrassments. I am disgusted at finding there are those who descend to unfair means of increasing them. A very recent instance of it has opened my Eyes a good deal, but as you justly observe, all such malevolence will be brought to light, and the real Freind to his Country appear in his just light, and reflect the disgrace due to these wicked and mistaken Men. I sincerely pray God that it may ever be the case with us, that truth and innocence may ever prove superior to deception and detraction.
The next time that I shall have the Honor to Write you, will be, I beleive, from Bordeaux.
I am allways Dear Sir very Respectfully Your obedient hble Servt.