Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 6

Vergennes to the Commissioners

The Commissioners to Vergennes
123 The Commissioners to Sartine, 16 May 1778 First Joint Commission at Paris JA Sartine, Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de The Commissioners to Sartine, 16 May 1778 First Joint Commission at Paris Adams, John Sartine, Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de
The Commissioners to Sartine
Sir Passy 16 May 1778 1

Messrs. Basmarine, Raimbeaux and Co.2 having represented to Us, that they have applied to Government for a Frigate, to be employed in Defence of their Commerce to and from America, and in making Reprisals for the Losses they have lately Sustained by our Enemies. We the Commissioners of the united States of North America, hereby request, that Such a Frigate may be granted them: and in that Case, We are ready to give a Commission and Letter of Marque to Such Frigate, upon Messrs. Basmarine & Cos. giving Bond to Us, for the regular Behaviour of Such Frigate according to the Laws of Nations, and the Usage of the united States.

We have the Honour to be, with great Respect, your Excellencys most &c. signed F. L. and A.

LbC (Adams Papers).

1.

Date supplied from Sartine's reply of 3 June (below).

 2.

Récule de Basmarin et Raimbeaux was a leading mercantile firm at Bordeaux and heavily involved in the American trade. JA had dined with the two partners at Bordeaux on 2 April (JA, Diary and Autobiography , 2:294, note 1; 4:36).