Papers of John Adams, volume 6
1778-04-22
These with my respects to your Honnour. I am Very glad to hear of your Safe arrival at Parris by a Gentleman Who Saw your 47 Honnour the Evening before you went to Verseils Who acquainted me your Honnour was Very well after your Long Journey and give me a great deal of Pleasure to hear of your Son Mastr. Jackey and Mastr. Jese1 being Very well as the fatigues of a Long Journey does not agree in General with Such Youth, But Hond Sir I Still Remain on board Ship and Seldom or Ever on Shore. You Honor knowing my Sutivation
NB I Should be Very happy to have a Line or two from your Honnour by the first oppertunity.
That is, JQA and Jesse Deane.
Lt. Benjamin Reed (Philip Chadwick Foster Smith, Captain Samuel Tucker, Salem, Mass., 1976, p. 48).
See the American Commissioners to Tucker, 13 April (above); and JA to Tucker, 29 April (below).
1778-04-22
These from your Humble Servent, acquainting your Honours that my Ship was finished Careening last Saturday Afternoon. I now find a great Necessity of geting my Main mast out to Repair it, fearing it will be condemned.1 I am Gentlemen Anctious to here from Paris of my distination as the absence of Capt. Palmes seems very long. I shall get my Ship in Readiness as soon as possible. The Holy Days has keept me back a great deal. I mentioned on Shore to the Officers who had it in their power to grant me permission for Working, but they not knowing weather I was hurried or not by your Orders did not grant it me. Now they are over, for which I am not Sorry. My Ship now Lyes with a Clean 48Sweept hold waiting on your Honours, which I hope this Day to have your Orders. I have now in my Ships Books 162 Men all included. 5 Deserted since my Arrival vizt. 3 Herseans and 2 Frenchman. I've entered what Prissoners I had in Custody. Pray Gentlemen let me know what advance I may give Seamen to enter them here as I am much in Want of them. I Remain Gentlemen with Respect, Your Obedient Humble Servt.
See letters from Bondfield and Samuel Tucker of 25 April (below).