Papers of John Adams, volume 7
1778-09-20
I have the Honour to inclose, the latest Gazettes, which contain all the News of Europe. The News from America by the Way of London, which is contained in the Courier de L'Europe of the fifteenth instant, has raised our Expectations and encreased our Anxiety.1 We are not without Apprehensions that the Compte D'Estaing, may fall in with the combined Fleets of How and Biron.
The English are beginning to elevate their Heads a little; and to renew their old insolent Language, both in Coffeehouses and in daily Papers. The Refugees from America, unable to bear the Thought of being excluded forever
Those who pretend to know the Bosoms of the Persons highest in Power in that Kingdom, say, that they delight themselves with the Thought, that if it is not in their Power to reduce America, once more to their Yoke yet they are able to harrass, to distress, and to render miserable those whom they cannot subdue. That they have some little Compunction at the Thought that they shall be ranked in History with the Phillips and Alvas, the Alberts and Grislers2 of this World but this instead of producing Repentance and Reformation as it ought, engenders nothing but Rage, Envy and Revenge.
This Revenge however, is impotent. Their Marine and their Finances, are in so bad Condition, that it is with infinite difficulty they can cope with France alone even at sea: and it seems to be the Intention of Providence, that they shall be permitted to go on with their Cruelties, just long enough to wean the affection of every American Heart, and make room for Connections between Us and other Nations, who have not the Ties of Language of Acquaintance and of Custom to bind Us. I am, with the most perfect Respect, sir your most obedient humble servant.3
The Courier de l'Europe, to which JA had subscribed on 18 July, was a French-language newspaper, published in London, with a wide circulation on the Continent (JA, Diary and Autobiography
, 2:331). The issue of 15 Sept. noted the arrival of dispatches, their content unknown, from Lord Howe, the appearance of part of Byron's fleet at New York, and the departure of Estaing's fleet from Sandy Hook. It also contained Washington's letter of 1 July to the president of the congress reporting on the Battle of Monmouth.
Philip II of Spain ordered the Duke of Alva to suppress the religious revolt in the Netherlands in 1567. Albert I of Austria directed his bailiff in Switzerland, Herman Gessler, to put down the nationalist revolt that, according to tradition, was led by William Tell. For JA's earlier reference to these same characters, see
Adams Family Correspondence
, 2:225.
The existence of this letter only as a Letterbook copy and its absence from the PCC make it likely that it was never received. It was probably that described by Jonathan Loring Austin as “your Letter for Congress,” which he carried with him 59on his voyage to St. Eustatius, where he transferred it to another ship that was later captured (from Austin, 7 June 1779, below).
1778-09-21
I have received information that the Ship Nile, Captn. Goldsmith has been taken, and carried into Marseilles. She was bound from London to Leghorn, and had on board Twenty Packages of Baggage belonging to me. These Packages are marked, and numbered in the following1 manner AB A Monsieur Monsieur Antoine Martinelli Negotiant, pour remettre a Monsieur l'Abbé Niccoli a Livourne No. 1 a 20.
My own name does not appear, because it was apprehended that it might have occasioned the detention of the things at the Custom House in London. I am to request the favour of you to take such measures as you may think proper,2 that the above mentioned Packages may be delivered to such person as shall be authorised by me to receive them. I have the honour to be Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servant
Interlined at this point was an “X,” apparently in reference to a note at the bottom of the page: “X au 17. Mars.” The meaning of this note is unclear to the editors.
The Commissioners enclosed this letter in one to Vergennes of 22 Sept. (PCC, No. 102, IV, f. 59), which requested that the baggage be released. On 26 Sept. the Commissioners wrote to Izard informing him of Vergennes' reply of the previous day (both LbC's, Adams Papers). Vergennes had refused to consider the question, although he did refer in passing to the rule that enemy ships make enemy goods, and referred Izard and the Commissioners to Sartine, the Minister of Marine, for a final decision. The Commissioners recommended that Izard follow that course and did so themselves in a letter to Sartine of the 26th (LbC, Adams Papers); see the Commissioners to Vergennes, 26 Sept. (below).
1778-09-21
Your Favour of ——1 I have Received and will answer Immediately on My Return to Nantes at which place, I have Left all the papers, Rilative, to that business; I shall have a very fine Ship Ready for Sea, Immediately, and would be Very glad to take in, two or three hundred Tons of the publick goods, which Now Lays at Nantes for America; as to the Freight, I Really am unacquainted with; but If you will be So Obliging, as write Me a Line to Nantes, aquainting what you will give, 60with the quantity of goods you will Ship Me, will be particularly Obliged. I have The Honor to be Gent. Your Ob, and H, Sert
Please Let me have your answer by Return of post. Please direct to Me under cover to Mr. Schweighauser Nantes.
Presumably that of 31 Aug. (LbC, Adams Papers) concerning the sale of the Boston's prizes, to which no reply other than this letter has been found. See also Livingston's letter of 24 Aug. (vol. 6:387, and note 3).