Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 8

From Ralph Izard

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

1779-04-26

 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.

49

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).

1.

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).

 2.

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 ).

 3.

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

 4.

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).