Papers of John Adams, volume 17

To Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1785 Adams, John Jefferson, Thomas

To Thomas Jefferson

Dear Sir Dessin’s1 Calais May 23. 1785. Monday.

We are just arrived, covered with Dust, and have hired, our Boat, to go over tomorrow at ten. no green Peas, no Sallad, no Vegetables 118to be had upon the Road, and the Sky is Still as clear dry and cold as ever. The Flocks of Sheep and herds of Cattle, through the Country Stalk about the Fields like Droves of Walking Skeletons. The Sheep are pastured chiefly I think in the plowed grounds, upon the Fibres as I suppose of the Roots of Grass turn’d up by the Plow.

From a motive of Humanity I wish that our Country may have plentifull Rains, and our Husbandmen Industry, that they may Supply the Wants of their Suffering Fellow Creatures in Europe. You See I have nothing so mean as a Selfish or even a patriotic Wish in all this. But from the Same regard to Europe and her worthy Colonists in the West Indies, I hope that these rainless, heatless Heavens will convince them that it is abundantly for their good that We should bring and carry freely, our Flour Wheat, Corn Rice Flesh & Fish for their Soulagement

Yours Affectionately

J. Adams

The Ladies Compts of course.

RC (DLC:Jefferson Papers); internal address: “Mr Jefferson”; docketed: “Adams John.”

The Adamses were at the Hôtel d’Angleterre at Calais, which was owned by Pierre Quillacq, called M. Dessein ( AFC , 6:156, 162). JA and JQA lodged there on their way to London in Oct. 1783 (JQA, Diary , 1:195).

From James Grubb, 23 May 1785 Grubb, James Adams, John

From James Grubb

L’orient 23 May 1785

I beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that I Yesterday received advice that the Pilot Cutter, Commanded by Lieut. Seymor Lynn in the Service of the King of Great Britain, had Seized & detain’d the Brigantine Nancy Capt. John Limeburner, under American Colours, & expedited by me, from this Port, bound to Amsterdam— The property on board belongs to French Merchants of this Town— The Vessel having all her Papers in due form & proper Clearance from the Admiralty here, the Only Reason alledged for Seizing Same is because She was found within 4 Leagues of the Land, which even is a false Assertion: I herewith transmit to Your Excellency, the Accounts I have received of the Whole Affair & beg leave to Solicit Your protection in demanding from the Court of Great Britain that the Ship & Cargo be given up, with damages for the Detention of Same after having been Unjustly plundered from a Subject of the United States of America.1

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I transmit the Papers with the present thro’ the Hands of Mr. Barclay, least Your Excellency should have left Paris. The Packet with your Son on board Saild from hence Saturday Evening last.

I have the honor to be / Your Excellence’s / Most obedient & / very humble Servant

J: Grubb2

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency, John Adams Esqr.”; endorsed: “Mr James Grubb of / Virginia. / L’orient. 23. May. ansd. / 7 June 1785.”

Thomas Barclay enclosed this letter with his of 26 May (Adams Papers). There he indicated that Grubb, of Virginia, was “an American Subject, and extremely worthy of any good Office You can do him.” Barclay also sent three other enclosures: James Day’s letter to Grubb dated 11 May at Cowes, Isle of Wight, England; an extract from Philippe Ludger’s letter, dated 11 May at London; and Grubb’s 23 May letter to Barclay. Day’s letter reported the capture of the brig Nancy, although, according to testimony from its captain and passengers, the vessel had been 5 1/2 leagues off the Isle of Wight and thus outside British territorial waters. Day indicated that he had begun proceedings for the Nancy’s recovery. Ludger, a passenger, confirmed the report by Day and described the Nancy’s voyage from its departure from Lorient on 29 April until its detention on 3 May. Writing to Barclay, the U.S. consul to France, Grubb requested that he send the Day and Ludger letters to JA with the expectation that JA would support his efforts to obtain the return of the Nancy and its cargo. For JA’s response to Grubb’s appeal, see his 7 June letters to Barclay and Grubb, both below.

JQA described Grubb, whom he met at Lorient while he awaited passage to America, as “very much a gentleman.” Thirty years later JQA would employ Grubb as his private secretary during his tenure as minister to Great Britain (JQA, Diary , 1:270, 271; AFC , 6:147, 148, 149).