Papers of John Adams, volume 6

From John Williams, 27 June 1778 Williams, John JA From John Williams, 27 June 1778 Williams, John Adams, John

From John Williams

Sir Downing Street No. 4 27th. June 1778

Tho I have not the honor of a Parsonal acquaintance yet from your high Station and Character, and the Genteel as well as faithful conduct, you have Shewn to my Son1 who had the happiness of being Several years under your tuition, I take the liberty of Addressing you at this time, to express my Grateful Sense of your Goodness to him, and the Satisfaction I feel on hearing of your Safe arrival in France, and to congratulate you on the happy prospect of returning Peace Liberty and Safety to the Country that gave us birth I mean the united States, where my best Affections ever were, and ever well be centered. I also beg the favour to be informed, should you have any opportunity by a Safe hand, whither you know any thing of my Son's welfere and Family's, as I have not had any certain intilligence from any of them Since I was last in Paris near a year go.

The Bearer Mr. Jona. Simpson2 who left Boston with Genl. Howe, having unhappyly from his youth, and inexperence, tho naturally of a Good Disposition been induced to address a late detestable, and Jusly detested Govr. but being now a True penitent, and wishing most earnestly to return to his Country and to his Allegiance, is Going to Paris to beg the best Advice upon this important business, and I am Sure he will be happy to be hon- 236ored with your Directions. If he Should return to England I would beg to be favourd by him with what you may know of my Family. I shall leave this Kingdom as soon as a matter I have in Law can be Settled which I am in daily expectation of and indeed I have for Some Months past. I hope however it will be settled this Term. Therefore Should you have any commands here I shall be happy to receive them.

I am most Sincerely wishing you health & all posseble happiness Sir, Your much Obd. & Obld. Humble Servant

Jno. Williams

NB. Since I have wrote this above the news is Just arrived of three Ships of war belonging to France having been taken, by the English Fleet that Saild a few days ago under the command of Ad. Keppel on account of which Mr. Jona. Simpson has layd aside his intentions of going to Paris, and as my Friend who is an native of France is Just Seting out I have not time to Copy this over. Yrs. as before

RC (Adams Papers).

Jonathan Williams (1754?–1780), cousin of the Jonathan Williams who had been acting as an American commercial agent at Nantes. For further information about him and his father, former inspector general of customs at Boston, see vol. 2:104; JA, Legal Papers , 1:cxiii; and Sabine, Loyalists , 2:434.

Despite Williams' plea on his behalf, Jonathan Simpson was an ardent loyalist. A 1772 graduate of Harvard, Simpson addressed Hutchinson in 1774, fled to Halifax in 1776, was proscribed by the Massachusetts General Court in 1778, and engaged in trade with Georgia and South Carolina during the British occupation. Ordered from South Carolina in 1784 as a loyalist, Simpson ultimately returned to Boston, where he died in 1834 (Jones, Loyalists of Mass. , p. 262; Sabine, Loyalists , 2:303).

John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 27 June 1778 Bondfield, John First Joint Commission at Paris JA John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 27 June 1778 Bondfield, John First Joint Commission at Paris Adams, John

John Bondfield to the Commissioners

Honble Sirs Bordeaux 27 June 1778

The Engagement of La Belle Poule is esteem'd at this port as a prelude to the declaration. Sugar Coffee and every other forreign Produce is buying up on Speculation which Acts are the Merchants Compass governing their views by the appearances of the times.

We have Letters of the 10 and 13 May from America but as they came by the Nymph Frigate can of course contain nothing more than what you will have received by said Conveyance.1

Admiral Byron don't appear destind for America if as is reportd two of the Ships of his Squadron are at Ancor near Ros-237coff. Four Copies of your Instructions of the 10th. are already forwarded and this day the perticular Account of rencontre as is here related of La Belle Poule, many favorable Circumstances Arriving together in America may posibly promote the Recruiting Service which they write me wants a Spurr to forward.

We have no Arrivals since my last from America in any of the Ports on this Coast.

Le Marquis D'Almadora left this 25th at night he makes very short Stages. The non Arrival of the Galions alarms the Interested.2 The Capital Sums Insured in England is the sole hope here of their not meeting with opposion. I am with due Respect Your honors Most Obedient Humble 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: “Bondfield June 27 1778”; in another hand: “Bondfield John 27. June 1778.”

See William Heath to JA, 14 May (above).

The arrival of treasure fleets from Mexico and South America was a major determinant of Spanish policy since the specie contained in those vessels would be used to finance any war effort. Unwilling to risk their capture by premature action, Spain resisted French pressure to join in a war against England. Because the first of the vessels had been expected as early as May, anxiety was relieved only by the arrival of the first on 29 June and the last on 18 Sept. (Dull, French Navy and Amer. Independence , p. 86, 94–95, 100, 102, 113, 117, 126–127).