Papers of John Adams, volume 16
r.1784—
As I passed through Nantes in my way to Bordeaux I received a letter from Mrs. Barclay wherin she mentions your Intention of going to England Next Month, and that you wish’d to see me before you set out. I have three public accounts of Consequence to settle at Bordeaux, and shall the Moment they are finish’d proceed home. you will oblige me by letting me Know by a line, addressed to the Care of Mess: French & Nephew of that place, when you propose leaving France, and Evry exertion on My part shall be used to see you, if I find it practicable— I understand that Docr. Franklin and Mr. Jefferson are likewise going to England, be so kind to say if it is so— My Best wishes attend Mrs. Adams and your family, and I remain Dear Sir / Your affectionate / and Obed servant,
sBarclay
I think we Cou’d do all our Business together in two days—
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “His Excellency / John Adams Esqr. / at Auteuil / near / Paris—”; internal address: “Mr. Adams—”; endorsed: “Mr Barclay / Decr 25. ansd / Jan. 8. 1785.”
bre.1784.
Je Vous remercie, Monsieur, des éclaircissements que Vous avez bien Voulu me donner relativement aux matieres que L’On peut extraire de L’Amérique Septentrionale et Sur La Maniere &c Se les procurer. Ce Sera avec empressement que je profiterai de Vos observations Sur Cet Objet important.1
J’ai l’honneur d’etre tres parfaitement Monsieur, Votre tres humble et tres obéissant serviteur.
al.de Castries
je vous ai Communiqué Monsieur la marche que je me proposois de tenir pour tirer de l’amerique independante les bois qui seront necessaires au service de la Marine j’enverrai prealablement un homme entendú reconnoitre les bois qui peuvent nous Convenir, et ce sera d’apres Ces essais que nous ferons les traités, avec les differens particuliers auxquels cela Conviendra.
I thank you, sir, for the clarifications that you were so kind as to give me relative to the materials that one can extract from North America and on the manner, etc., for procuring them. It will be eagerly that I will profit by your observations on this important subject.1
I have the honor of being quite perfectly, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant
al.de Castries
I communicated to you, sir, the path that I proposed to take to draw from independent America the wood that our navy will need. I will send in advance a man capable of identifying the woods that would suit our purposes, and after these trials we will negotiate agreements with the appropriate private parties.
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “M john Adams.”; endorsed: “M. De Castries / 26. Dec. 1784”; notation by CFA: “(Substance of the P. S.) / Je vous ai communiqué Monsieur, la marche que je me proposois de tenir, pour tirer de l’Amerique independante les bois qui seront necessaires au service de la Marine; j’enverrai préalablement un homme entendu reconnoitre les bois qui peuvent nous convenir, et ce sera d’après ces essais que nous ferons les traités avec les differens particuliers auxquels cela conviendra—”
See JA to Castries, 9 Dec., above.