Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 12

From C. W. F. Dumas

To Samuel Adams
C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 1 March 1782 Dumas, Charles William Frederic JA

1782-03-01

 C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation, 1 March 1782 Dumas, Charles William Frederic Adams, John
C. W. F. Dumas to John Adams: A Translation
1 March 1782 Sir

Fort Philip was taken on February 4th, without capitulation; the garrison (2,500 men) are prisoners.1 I heard this from the Ambassador himself, who announced it this morning to the Prince. I congratulate you. This is a good toast for your Sunday. I am awaiting a response to my last letter. I just paid the 8,000ƒ, and tomorrow I will begin the fee payments. Good news from Friesland. I am working on something interesting here, which I will communicate to you in person.

I am with respect, and still remain, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant Dumas

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

Dumas seems to indicate here, erroneously, that the British garrison at Fort St. Philips on Minorca had not negotiated a formal instrument of surrender or capitulation prior to laying down its arms. For the Franco-Spanish expedition against Minorca, see John Bondfield’s letter of 7 Aug. 1781 (vol. 11:444–445); for the surrender negotiations and the articles of capitulation, see The Remembrancer . . . for the Year 1782, pt. 1, p. 238–243.