Papers of John Adams, volume 7

From Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 January 1779 Genet, Edmé Jacques JA

1779-01-01

From Edmé Jacques Genet, 1 January 1779 Genet, Edmé Jacques Adams, John

From Edmé Jacques Genet

Monsieur a Vlles. ce 1e. Janvier 1 1779

J'ai lu à M. le Comte de Vergennes ce qui concerne M. le Comte d'Estaing, dans le billet dont vous m'avés honoré. Il m'a recommandé d'en faire mention dans mon Journal. Mais ce sera pour le numéro d'après celui qui paroitra demain. J'y ai mis une piece anglois—Signée Fire and Sword 2 qui vous amusera.

327

Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur,

Genet

Je veillerai sur la piece de la Virginie dans les papiers anglois.

Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 1 January 1779 Genet, Edmé Jacques JA

1779-01-01

Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation, 1 January 1779 Genet, Edmé Jacques Adams, John

Edmé Jacques Genet to John Adams: A Translation

Dear Sir Versailles, 1 January 1 1779

I read to Count Vergennes that which concerns the Count d'Estaing in the note with which you honored me. He recommended that I mention it in my journal. But it will have to appear in the number after that which will appear tomorrow. I have also included an English piece—signed Fire and Sword,2 which should amuse you.

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

Genet

I am keeping an eye out for the piece from Virginia in the British papers.

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “m. adams député du Congrez a Passy”; docketed: “M. Genet”; by CFA: “1779.”

Undoubtedly written in January, as it is a reply to JA's letter of ante 30 Dec. as well as that of 30 Dec. (both above).

Presumably the satirical piece published by Genet in Affaires de l'Angleterre et de l'Amérique under the heading: “Conseils aux Ministres Anglois pour donner à la proclamation ou manifeste du 3 Octobre encore plus d'efficacité”; and the signature: “Le Fer & le Feu” (“Lettres,” vol. 13, cahier 62, p. xxvii–xxxi). It listed monetary rewards as incentives for carrying out the Carlisle Commission's manifesto of 3 Oct. (Richard Henry Lee to JA, 29 Oct. 1778, note 4, above). Among them were £5,000 for burning a town of 1,000 houses, £30 for the scalp of a member of congress, and £5,000 for the scalp of General Washington.