Your Excellencies are before this Time informed of the Gallant Action performed by Capt. Jones, who has no doubt also informed you of his Intentions relative to the Drake Sloop of War.1 I happened to be at Morlaix when this News reached me, and as I thought my presence would be of Service I came immediately hither. Capt. Jones informs me that he has immediate occasion for about £2000 Sterling, to equip the Drake in which he means to send the Prisoners to America, and that directly least the french Court should prevent him. I know of no other Method of procuring this Money than by drawing on you, in which case I doubt not the Bills will be honoured.2

I shall next post inform you if anything new occurs in the mean time have the honour to be with the greatest Respect Your Excellencies most obedient & most humble Servant.

Passy, 12 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography , 4:96–97. Replying to Vernon's letter of 10 April (above), Adams commended Vernon for his decision to reside at Bordeaux, a rich commercial center. JA referred him to John Bondfield for advice about which commercial house he should choose for his training and noted that the activities of Vernon's father in the patriot cause were an excellent recommendation to whatever firm was selected.

This letter is the first entry in Lb/JA/5 (Microfilms, Reel No. 93). In a green binding and probably one of two purchased on 9 May, it contains copies of Adams' personal correspondence with non-family members between 12 May 1778 and 8 Nov. 1779. As were his others for the period, this Letterbook was extensively consulted and copied from as Adams prepared his Autobiography.

Yesterday came into this Port the Brig Peggy Captain Kelly from No. Carolina. She has on board One hundred and forty eight hhd Tobacco for account of Messrs. Willing and Morris1 addrest to Mr. Delap. I apply'd for the publick Letters. I apprehend there are none as Mr. Delap has not sent any. The vessel saild 4th. April. I have Letters from Mess Hewes Smith and Allen of the 30 March.2 They write me that little Port is become the Mart of America number of forreign Vessels were arriving dayly notwithstand I find the demand for European produce keeps up. They write for Ships Salt and dry Goods. Tobacco is with them at seven pounds ten Shillings being five times its former value. They thereby indemnify themselves in part of the heavy advances they pay to Europeans.

The Boston is taking on board her provisions and will drop down on Sunday.3 I push them all in my power. Cap. Tucker also exerts himself to get away, their expences run very deep not-109withstanding every Economy posible is observed. They have but few Seamen on board. I am in doubt if we can obtain leave to ship any french Seamen. Landsmen any Number wanted. The Jersey Privateers keep hovering on the Coast of Spain. They have taken as per advise per last post from Bilboa two Vessels with Rice and One with Tobacco. The Neutrality which its reported Spain intends to preserve makes them very dareing even to enter the ports of that Kingdom. We dont hear of any British Cruizers in the Bay of Biscay from whence there is room to suppose they are all orderd in to Man the Fleets. It is apprehended the Carolina Letters per Dulap put on board a french Ship from Martinico at Sea. That the Ship must have met some Privateer at Sea and on the strength of these Letters made a Capture of her. The Spanish Ambassador named for the Court of Great Britain Le Marquis D'Armavado Almódovar with his Lady are expected to pass thro' this Town to morrow on their Jorney for England. They come from Lisbon and pass by this route Incognito. My friend has orders to Supply the Marquis with the Money he may want by which I come to know of his coming. With due respect I am Your honors Most Obedient Servant