Papers of John Adams, volume 6

The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 23 June 1778 First Joint Commission at Paris JA Schweighauser, John Daniel The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 23 June 1778 First Joint Commission at Paris Adams, John Schweighauser, John Daniel

The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser

Passy, 23 June 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography , 4:140–141. The Commissioners, noting Schweighauser's letter of 18 June (not found) and their instructions to John Paul Jones and Abraham Whipple of 16 and 23 June respectively (for both, see instructions to Jones, 16 June, calendared above), enclosed resolutions of the congress on the disposition of prizes (probably those of 23 March and 30 Oct. 1776, JCC , 4:229–232; 6:913) for Schweighauser's use in disposing of prizes of the Ranger and Providence and informed him of the possibility of a 232prisoner exchange. Finally, he was ordered not to send the Commissioners' circular letter of 10 June announcing the recall of Byron's fleet because it had since sailed.

For a possible postscript to this letter, see the Commissioners to Schweighauser, 10 June (calendared above).

printed: (JA, Diary and Autobiography , 4:140–141).

John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 23 June 1778 Bondfield, John First Joint Commission at Paris JA John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 23 June 1778 Bondfield, John First Joint Commission at Paris Adams, John

John Bondfield to the Commissioners

Honble. Sirs Bordeaux 23 June 1778

We are without any object Interesting other than the Eclat with which Le Marquis D'Almadova1 is receiv'd by the Governor Intendant and other Cheif officers of this City. He appears much a Man of the World.

He will leave this to Morrow for Paris where he proposes to stay Six Days. His Retinue which is Numerous creates delay by what I learn of them who have had opportunity to introduce themselves into his Family. They do not expect their residence in London will be of long durrée. I hear nothing further of the Boston. No vessels arrived on this Coast since my last. Nine American Seamen arrived here yesterday from St. Sebastians part of a Crew, taken by a Jersey privateer, from Edenton landed on the Biscay Coast. I am with great Respect Your honors Most Obedient Servant

John Bondfield

RC (PPAmP: Franklin Papers); addressed: “The Honble. Benj Franklin Arthur Lee John Adams Esqrs. Commissioners from Congress at Paris”; docketed in an unknown hand: “Bonfield 23. Juin 1778.”; in another hand: “Bondfield June 23. 78.”

Pedro de Luxan y Silva, marques de Almodovar, the newly appointed Spanish ambassador to Great Britain, took up his post on or about 17 July, departing there from on 20 June 1779, the day before the declaration of war between the two nations ( Repertorium der diplomatischen Vertreter aller Länder , 3:432).

Peter Amiel: Oath of Allegiance to the United States, 23 June 1778 Amiel, Peter JA Peter Amiel: Oath of Allegiance to the United States, 23 June 1778 Amiel, Peter Adams, John

Peter Amiel: Oath of Allegiance to the United States

23 June 1778

I, Peter Amiel, do acknowledge the thirteen United States of America, namely New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticutt, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to be free independant, and Sovereign States, and declare, that the People thereof owe no Allegiance or Obedience to George the Third King of Great Britain; and I renounce refuse and abjure any Allegiance, or Obedience to him. And I do 233Swear, that I will, to the Utmost of my Power Support, maintain and defend, the Said united States against the Said King and his Heirs and Successors and his and their Abettors, Assistants and Adherents, and will Serve the Said United States, in the office of Commander of the armed sloop the Alliance which I now hold, and in any other Office which I may hereafter hold, by their Appointment, or under their Authority, with Fidelity and Honour, and according to the best of my Skill and Understanding. So help me God.

Peter Amiel1 Test William Moore Joy Castle John Adams Subscribed 23 June 1778

Sworn before us at Passi this 23d day of June 17782

Arthur Lee John Adams

MS, in JA's hand (PPAmP: Franklin Papers); docketed: “Peter Amiels Decn of Allegiance.”

This is an example of the oath required by the Commissioners of those going to America or entering its service. Amiel's oath and appointment as captain of the sloop Alliance was the result of a scheme proposed by Poreau, Mackenzie & Cie. of Dunkirk to outfit a privateer at that port. According to a letter from the company of 7 July (below), this proposal was presented and approved during conversations between the Commissioners and a member of the firm visiting Passy; thus little is known of it except what can be inferred from the letter noted above and those to the Commissioners from Francis Coffyn of 7 and 9 July (both below). The Commissioners, having been authorized to select the captain, chose Peter Amiel, formerly of Boston and captain of the merchant ship Ranger, who was then in Paris and in contact with the Commissioners. On 22 June they issued a bond for the Alliance and on the 23d, in addition to administering the oath, sent Amiel the instructions for commanders of privateers and ships of war adopted by the congress on 3 April 1776. Amiel went to Dunkirk to assume command but, disappointed with the small size of the Alliance, soon withdrew, and the project was terminated. Amiel later received a commission as a lieutenant in the Continental Navy and served under John Paul Jones on the Bonhomme Richard ( Cal. Franklin Papers, A.P.S. , 3:431; Gérard, Despatches and Instructions , p. 440, note 2; JA, Diary and Autobiography , see index under Amiel, Peter).

This sentence is in the hand of Arthur Lee.