Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 9

From Benjamin Franklin

From John Bondfield
To Edmund Jenings, 22 April 1780 JA Jenings, Edmund To Edmund Jenings, 22 April 1780 Adams, John Jenings, Edmund
To Edmund Jenings
Dr sr Paris Ap. 22. 1780

If you think that any thing I sent you lately is improper for publication, I hope you will stop it, or alter and correct it, by your own discretion, or delay it, till you think the time, proper.

A vessell has arrived at Bilbao, from Newbury Port, by which I wrote to Congress and to my friends from Corunna,1 she brings news that two Vessells which lay at Bilbao when I was there, have also arrived. I wrote by these also. She sailed from Newbury Port 14 March, all quiet. The English close shut up by our Army in N. York. Clintons fleet Scattered in a storm. This is every Word, I can get. This lazy fellow must not have let it be known he was coming, or I should have had Letters. I inclose you a Letter from Dr. F.2

Adieu,

RC with enclosure in John Thaxter's hand (Adams Papers); endorsed: “John Adams Esqr. Inclosing a copy of a Letter from B Franklin Esqr. April 22 1780.”

1.

Probably the schooner Success commanded by Capt. Philip Trask. The vessel had sailed from La Coruña on 17 Dec. 1779 and arrived at Newburyport on 23 Feb. 1780 (JQA, Diary , 1:14; Adams Family Correspondence , 3:251–252, 281–283; JA, Diary and Autobiography , 2:410).

 2.

Of 21 April (above).