Papers of John Adams, volume 7
I did myself the pleasure to write you a few Lines just before my departure from Nantes, and afterwards on my arrival at this place.1
Two Small Vessels arrived here from Baltimore a few days ago. They had both long passages, the latest dates I had by them was the 16th. of August, and the only news contained in them, That a large Number of Vessels had got into Chesapeak Bay, which occasion'd a considerable fall in Goods of almost every Sort, particularly Salt. My Freinds there had not a doubt, but that if the Bay kept clear of the Enemy during this Winter, that Goods wou'd become as plenty and cheap as they cou'd wish. The best proof I have of the plenty of the most essential Goods, is, that my orders are chiefly for Wines and Brandy's.
I understand that there has been lately sent out from Brest, 6 Men of War and Six Frigates, Ordered to a Cruize in three different districts to course in, two of each, in each district.2 The Bell Poulle is one of them, and has allready taken Two of the Enemies Cruizers, one of 22, the other of 14 Guns, and retaken a F. E. India-man.3
I expect shortly to receive some Bills such as you hinted at in a late 124Letter4 which you did me the Honor to write me, hope matters will be better with the Honorable Commissioners when I receive them, than you then expected. Shou'd they be obliged to refuse them, it wou'd be a great disapointment, but be it as it may, must submit with patience, and wait till something more favourable may turn up.
I am with the greatest Respect Dr Sir Your very Ob. Servant
The London Chronicle of 8–10 Oct. carried a report, dated 28 Sept. from Paris, that “orders have been sent for the three following small detachments to sail, viz. the Triton of 64 guns, and the St. Michael of 60 guns, with three frigates; the Vengeur of 64 guns, with two or three frigates; and the Le Fier of 50 guns, with two frigates.”
The same issue of the London Chronicle noted above also reported that the 20-gun privateer Peter had taken the French East Indiaman Aquilon, but then, with its prize, had been taken by a French man-of-war.
JA's letter to MacCreery of 7 Sept. (above).
Your humble petionner hath ben from America this four years in the English Services though not in Goverment Services of any kind nither have I any kind of pretentions or clames to any honour in Supporting the just cause of America any further then Releveing many prisoners with Money and means to make thare Escape from England.
Therefore wishing to be of more Services then I have ben I have a Desire to Encounter with all the troubles let them be what thay may in America and humble beg your Asistences So far as to give me your pass that I may go from London to Spain and take in Such Goods that may be of Services to the Riseing States of America and not be Subject to be captor'd by any of the States Vesslls. This coply'd with I hope will be Sum Services to America and give me an Opportunity of Exerting my Self in the preasent Cause.
Wich is the real Desire of your Humble Petisionner
NB Gntlemen if you think proper to grant my request there is two Gntlemen in London that hath ben takend and brought to England who have sum property there and we three intend to bye a vessll and go to Spain with the English convoy and from thence to America.2 Your Answer as Soon as convenant is the request of yours to Serve
Barnard was probably at Passy when he wrote this letter. This is indicated by letters to Franklin from John Channing and G. Williams of 24 Aug. and 2 Oct. respectively, which introduced Barnard and recommended him for his services to American prisoners. The Commissioners acted very quickly on his case, and on 13 Oct. Barnard took oaths of allegiance and of his intention to settle for life in America (
Cal. Franklin Papers, A.P.S.
, 1:482, 506; 4:274). On his return to America, Barnard apparently turned to privateering. Between 23 Nov. 1779 and 11 Feb. 1782 he commanded or had an interest in at least four vessels: the brigantines Charming Nancy, Queen of Spain, and Massachusetts, and the brig Venus (Allen, Mass. Privateers
, p. 96, 247; PCC, No. 196, X and XV).
No further information regarding Barnard's friends or their plans has been found.