Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 10

The Comte de Vergennes to John Adams: A Translation

From Edmund Jenings
To the Comte de Vergennes, 21 July 1780 JA Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de To the Comte de Vergennes, 21 July 1780 Adams, John Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de
To the Comte de Vergennes
Sir Paris July 23d1st 1780

I have receiv'd the letter you did me the honor to write me yesterday; and am extreamly sensible of your Excellency's Confidence in communicating to me, the destination of the Armament under M. Le Chevr. de Ternay and M. Le Comte de Rochambau, and the probability that the Ships will winter in North America.

I assure your Excellency, that scarcely any News I ever heard, gave me more satisfaction; and nothing, in my opinion, can afford a more effectual Assistance to America, or make a deeper, or more grateful Impression, on the Minds of her Inhabitants.

I am infinitely mistaken if the Service of the King in the Conduct of the War, both in the West Indies and North America, does not derive such essential Advantages from this Measure, as will demonstrate its Wisdom to all the World, as well as to the English and the Americans, the King's determined Benevolence to the American Cause. I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Your Excellency's Most obedient and most humble Servant

John Adams 18

RC in Francis Dana's hand (PCC, Misc. Papers, Reel 1, f. 105–107); endorsed on the first page: “reflexion qu'il fait Sur la destination de M. de Ternay et de M. de Rochambeau”; additional notation: “No. 9.”; docketed by Congress: “N 9 J Adams to Vergennes July 27. 1780.” This date likely refers to JA's letter to Vergennes of that date (below), which was an additional reply to Vergennes' letter of the 20th (above). For the presence of this letter in the PCC, see the Editorial Note, 13–29 July (above).