Paris,15 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter's hand (PCC, No. 84, II, f. 185–188) printed: Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev., 3:859–860.

In this letter, read in Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams provided an account from St. Petersburg, probably from a French or Dutch newspaper (see the Gazette de Leyde of 11 July), of events in Russia pertaining to the armed neutrality. The report noted the expected arrival of Catherine II and the Austrian Emperor at St. Petersburg and that the Russian fleet at Cronstadt awaited only its final orders before sailing to enforce the armed { 591 } neutrality. Adams then included the preamble to Catherine II's ordinance of 19 May setting down the duties and responsibilities of her subjects in maintaining a strict Russian neutrality in the midst of the Anglo-French naval war, promising to send the full text later (to the president of Congress, 19 July, No. 96, calendared, below). Finally, Adams dismissed the possibility of an Anglo-Russian alliance and predicted that “England must come into the System of Rights preparing for Neutrals, or go to War with all the maritime Powers of the World.”

Paris, 15 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter's hand (PCC, No. 84, II, f. 193–195). printed: Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev., 3:858.

In this letter, read by Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams included accounts, probably taken from French or Dutch newspapers (see the Gazette de Leyde of 11 July), from Constantinople, Stockholm, The Hague, and Hamburg. That from Constantinople reported a British blockade of a French merchant fleet in Turkish waters, a violation of Ottoman neutrality, and a subsequent battle between French and British forces that broke the blockade. The other reports concerned the measures being taken by Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark to enforce the armed neutrality.

Paris, 15 July 1780. Dupl, both text and signature in John Thaxter's hand (PCC, No. 84, II, f. 197–199). printed: Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev., 3:859.

In this letter, read by Congress on 26 Dec., John Adams sent a comparison of the strength, in ships of the line, of the British and French fleets in the West Indies that had appeared in the London newspapers. See the London Courant of 7 July.

I have receivd your Excellencys Translation into plain English of the Memorial to the Sovereigns of Europe.1 I cannot but Admire the trouble, to which your Excellency has put yourself, in making intelligible the Obsolete and Phantastic Language of the Quondam Governor of Massachusets: but indeed the Matter of the Memorial is Excellent, and well deserves the Observations of the European World. I See from your Excellencys former Remarks on the Times, there is Nothing New in them to an American, who has had them, and much more in Contemplation during the Agitation of this Important Question. They shall be sent to England, whenever I can get a Safe { 592 } Conveyance and be Recommended to be published in the Most Advantageous Manner. The Letter to Mr. Wythe and the Report of the Convention &c. are sent, as is likewise the Character of Mr. Dana,2 but have not yet heard of their Receipt.

Two young Gentlemen, one I think of the Name of Gridley, passed through this Town the beginning of the Week, and gave us much Joy, on Account of a Report at Paris of a great Part of Walsinghams fleet being taken, and five ships of Greaves Squadron. I am Sorry the News has not yet been Confirmed by Your Excellency.

The English papers say, that Monsieur Guichen had Effected a Junction with Don Joseph Solano on the 4th of June. If true, we may expect good News from that Quarter—We want something to Comfort Us and humble our Ennemies.

Fresh Instances are given of the Corruption of England in the perjuries daily Committed at the Old Bailey3—I suppose that Gearys Squadron is by this Time returnd to Port—I Hope the Cadiz and the Brest Fleets will soon Join in full force. The West India fleet will be approaching the Channel in the Course of next Month. It is Large and Valuable; so much so, that being conducted into the Ports, we wish, they should be would well Compensate for all our disasters.

Has your Excellency seen the Observations on Lord G. Germains and Conways Speeches? They have been inserted in the general Advertizer under the Signature of Probus.

I have receivd four Letters containing the translated Memorial.