Papers of John Adams, volume 21

Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont to John Adams, 19 May 1796 Chaumont, Jacques Donatien, Leray de Adams, John
From Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont
Sir Paris may 19 1796

The Bearer of this is my most intimate friend Mr Robineau de Bougon & the friend of my whole family. This worthy Gentleman has always enjoyed the esteem & respect of every one who knew him, he was one of the warmest friend the american Revolution had, & being nearly connected with the late Count de Vergennes he has been 475 able to be usefull to that cause which he had always much at heart. Full of confidence in its success he joinded my father as early as 1777 to lend a Sum somewhat considerable to the United States.1 However by Some mis understanding the agent did Complicate this Simple bussiness in such a manner that the true owners are not yet in possession of their due, & now it is become an object of importance to Mr Bougon who by the chances of the french Revolution has experienced the loss of his fortune, by the destruction of two Capital Estates, one near Nants by the Vendeens & the other in Hispaniola by the same cause, a civil war.

That Mr. Bougon may met in the United States a Kind & welcome reception which he deserves So well, is my most ardent wish; & to attend this I cannot do better than to recommend him Strongly tou you, Sir, & whatever you Will do in my favor to contribute to the Succes of his views is to render his Stay agreable in America will be warmly felt with a due Sense of gratitude by me.

I am with Regard / Sir / Your most obedient / & humble servant

LeRay

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excellency John Adams / Vice President of the / united States.”

1.

Joseph Michel Félicité Vincent Robineau de Bougon (1773–1862) was a French politician who defended Nantes during the civil war of La Vendée (Edgar Bourloton, Adolphe Robert, and Gaston Cogny, eds., Dictionnaire des parlementaires françaises, 5 vols., Paris, 1889–1891).

William Blount and William Cocke to the Senate, 23 May 1796 Blount, William Cocke, William Adams, John United States Senate
From William Blount and William Cocke
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate of the United States, Philadelphia, Monday, May 23d. 1796.

We have the Honor to inform you that we are within the walls of your Chamber, ready to produce, to you papers to prove, that we have been duly and legally elected Senators to represent the State of Tennessee in your Body— And that State haveing a right to be represented in the Congress of the United States, on an equal footing with the original States; in all respects whatever; our Duty compels us to demand that we be now admited to our Seats.—1

Wm. Blount Wm Cocke

RC (DNA:RG 46, Records of the U.S. Senate); docketed: “Letter signed / Wm Blount & Wm Cocke / claiming a seat in the / Senate / from the State of Tennessee / May 23d / 1796. / 4th Con / 1st Sess.”

476 1.

Newly elected senators William Blount (1749–1800), of Windsor, N.C., and William Cocke (1748–1828), of Amelia County, Va., presented their credentials. However, since they were selected by the Tennessee legislature prior to the state’s admission to the union, Congress barred them from taking their seats until 6 Dec. ( Biog. Dir. Cong. ; Tennessee Timeline, www.senate.gov/states/TN/timeline.shtml).