Browsing: Papers of John Adams, Volume 6

This portrait by Vigée (1727–1767) was done during Sartine's tenure as lieutenant general of police at Paris, an office he held from 1759 to 1774 and to which was added that of councillor of state in 1767. In 1774 Sartine (1729–1801) was named Minister of Marine, the office for which he is most noted, and in which he served until {p. R8} 1780. In that capacity he was largely responsible for rebuilding the French navy in the years before the outbreak of war with England in 1778 (Hoefer, Nouv. biog. générale ). The Commissioners corresponded frequently with Sartine because of the need for convoys to protect American ships trading with France and the difficulties American ships faced in bringing their prizes into French ports. During the first five months of John Adams' mission to France, 25 letters were exchanged, 19 of which are printed in volume 6.