Papers of John Adams, volume 8
I beg leave of applying to you in an instance where I am much Concern'd. The Case I shall lay before you, and Reccommend to your good Care. There is an officer in Paris Whom I want to send over to America on Board the Alliance, and whom I know would be of some use in the American Army. For that Reason Besides this of Reccommendations I have a great Regard for, I wish the Gentlemen Might find a passage in the frigatte. Doctor Franklin Cannot officialy send any officer, but I beg you would take this along with you, and I take upon Myself the charge of presenting him to Congress. All the Marks of Kindnes, I ever met with from them, and the Knowledge which the strictest friendship has given me of General Washington's sentiments, make me as Certain as possible that My officer will meet with the Best Reception in Philadelphia and in the Army who know I am acquainted with what may be Convenient to them.1
27It is with a Great Concern that I hear of discontents Between Captain Landais and his officers, and I flatter myself that you will establish Again harmony an
The Articles alluded to in your letter from Paris I have been very Busy about. But I did not meet with Great succes till now, and what is done is not equal to what I should want.2 It is true our Circumstances are Rather Narrow in this moment, and I think that the Ministers are willing to do what they think possible or advantageous—but we do'nt alwais agree in opinion. I hope however America will have more and more occasions of knowing the true attachment of this Nation for them.
With a great impatience I wait for your answer that I Might send the officer to Nantz. I hope you will not Refuse your patronage in this occasion, and I may answer Congress will have no objection to take a gentleman I send to them. You will, My dear sir, in settling his passage much oblige Your humble servant
The officer to whom Lafayette refers has not been identified. JA's response to Lafayette's request is unknown, for his reply of 13 April has not been found.
Lafayette was presumably referring to JA's proposal in his letter of 21 Feb. (above) that additional French ships and troops be sent to America for use against the remaining British possessions there.
Although JA was not to know the details and was mystified by the preparations for it, the “succes” that Lafayette did achieve was to win approval for a plan to mount a series of assaults on towns on the English and Irish coasts of the Irish Sea (see Benjamin Franklin to JA, 24 April, note 1, below).