Papers of John Adams, volume 9

299 From the Comte de Vergennes, 10 May 1780 Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de JA From the Comte de Vergennes, 10 May 1780 Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de Adams, John

From the Comte de Vergennes

A Versailles le 10. may 1780

Je vous dois des remerciemens, Monsieur, pour les differentes communications que vous avez bien voulu me faire.1 Si les notions que renferme la lettre qui vous a êté confiée, Sont exactes, vous ne devez pas tarder à en avoir la preuve, et dans ce cas il faudra voir quelles ouvertures on jugera à propos de vous faire. Je pense que vous ne devez point refuser de les entendre.

J'ai l'honneur d'etre très parfaitement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur De Vergennes The Comte de Vergennes to John Adams: A Translation, 10 May 1780 Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de JA The Comte de Vergennes to John Adams: A Translation, 10 May 1780 Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de Adams, John

The Comte de Vergennes to John Adams: A Translation

Versailles, 10 May 1780

I must thank you, sir, for the various communications you have been kind enough to send me.1 If the information contained in the letter sent to you proves accurate, you will, no doubt, shortly receive further proof, and if so, we would have to examine the offers they deem appropriate to make to you. I believe you should not refuse to hear them out.

I have the honor to be very perfectly, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant. De Vergennes

RC (Adams Papers).

Vergennes is almost certainly referring to JA's letters of 1 and 5 May (Arch. Aff. Etr., Paris, Corr. Pol., E.-U., vol. 12). For the enclosures contained in the former, see JA's letter of 3 May to Jeremiah Allen, and note 2 (above). The letter of the 5th contained an extract (not found) from Thomas Digges' letter of 28 April (and note 10, above). For JA's opinion of possible overtures from the British government alluded to in Digges' letter, see his reply to Vergennes of 12 May (below).