Papers of John Adams, volume 8

48 From Ralph Izard, 26 April 1779 Izard, Ralph JA From Ralph Izard, 26 April 1779 Izard, Ralph Adams, John

From Ralph Izard

Dr. Sr. Paris 26 April 1779

As I have not been able to procure from Dr. Franklin his reasons in writing for disobeying the order of Congress of 7th May 1778, I have desired Mr. Lee to favour me with a Copy of his Minutes, respecting our conversation on that subject on 12th of January last.1 I enclose them for your perusal, and should be obliged to you if you would attest them. If you find any mistakes, or omissions, you will be so good as to favour me with a state of the conversation. You will be pleased to let Mr. Ford take a Copy of both papers, and return me the originals.2

I enclosed you a Letter two days ago, by the Post, from Holland; it will give me pleasure to learn that it has brought you agreeable news.

I have the honour to be Dr. Sr. Your most obt. hble Servt. Ra. Izard

RC (Adams Papers); docketed: “Mr Izard Ap. 26. ansd May 13th. 1779.”

For this incident, involving Franklin's refusal to honor drafts of Izard and William Lee, see Izard to the Commissioners, 12 Jan., note 1 (above). The enclosed “Minutes” by Arthur Lee have not been found.

JA's reply of 13 May, in which the “originals” were presumably enclosed, has not been found, but for some indication of its content see Izard's letter of 21 May (below).

From J. D. Schweighauser, 26 April 1779 Schweighauser, John Daniel JA From J. D. Schweighauser, 26 April 1779 Schweighauser, John Daniel Adams, John

From J. D. Schweighauser

Sir Nantes 26 April 1779

I have the honor of sending you inclose a Letter1 received per this Morning's post and altho I expect to have that of seeing you dayly I have thought proper to send it you per this conveyance as if you are on your way here that it can not miss you on the road.

We have learnt that the french frigate the Surveillante has sent it in two English Privateers at L Orient and sunk three others. The Prince of Nassau with four or five Ships is gone to make a descent on Jersey.2 One of the Gentleman who goes down to Mindin3 will deliver you the Bag you ordered for your papers, all the other articles are ready and will be sent when You direct. I shall be happy if you would tell me if you'll take your wine from Mr. Williams and if you'll want any white wine—the Captains Steward is come to me to day and I see that there is but 8 dollars per Month allowed him by Congress4 therefore imagine that he must be cloathed as the seamen who have the same Wages.

Mrs. Schweighauser and family join me in respectfull Compliments to you and am Sir Your mo: humble & mo: obedient Servant

J. Dl. Schweighauser

RC (Adams Papers).

Letter not identified. On the 27th Schweighauser hastily wrote again (Adams Papers) to transmit a letter just received from Benjamin Franklin, presumably that of 24 April (above), advising JA that the Alliance would not be returning to America. JA received that letter on the morning of the 28th and immediately set out for Nantes (JA, Diary and Autobiography , 2:363).

The French attack on Jersey occurred on 1 May, when troops led by Charles Henri Nicolas Othon, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, attempted a landing at Owens Bay. The assault was beaten off by the militia and regular troops on the island, and further attempts were forestalled by the arrival of British naval forces (London Chronicle, 4–6, 6–8, 8–11 May; Hoefer, Nouv. biog. générale ).

Pointe du Minden, the Alliance's anchorage, is opposite St. Nazaire at the mouth of the Loire.

The rate of pay for seamen is according to the revised scale adopted by the congress on 15 Nov. 1776. The pay for a steward, however, is listed as ten dollars per month ( JCC , 6:954).