Passy, 14 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography , 4:98–99. Replying to MacCreery's letters of 25 April (above) and 3 May ( Adams Family Correspondence , 3:12, note 2), Adams thanked MacCreery for his unsuccessful effort to find a pair of JQA's breeches, containing a sum of money, that had disappeared either at Bordeaux or on the trip to Paris. Adams then turned to MacCreery's warnings against Arthur Lee, given during Adams' stay at Bordeaux ( Diary and Autobiography , 2:304; 4:39, 68) and in MacCreery's letter of 25 April. JA declared that from all that he had seen, Lee was devoted wholly to the public interest and that, regardless of MacCreery's opinion of Silas Deane, who 114had largely controlled the Commissioners' finances during his tenure, a large sum of money had been spent and another was still owed and that he was unable to determine exactly what America had received for the expenditures. Finally, in regard to MacCreery's desire that one of the Delaps be appointed the continental agent at Bordeaux, Adams stated that such matters were in the hands of the Continental Congress and, in any event, John Bondfield was doing a satisfactory job. JA did not send this letter because, after considering its content, he concluded that it was inappropriate to air the Commission's internal disputes before a private person.

printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography , 4:99–100. The Commissioners requested that they be given permission to confine on French soil the prisoners taken by American vessels in order to permit their exchange for American prisoners held in England, a question of particular urgency because of John Paul Jones’ arrival at Brest with nearly two hundred prisoners (Jones to the Commissioners, 9 May, above). Rejecting the prevailing opinion that English prisoners could not be held in France, which was not yet at war with England, the Commissioners supported their argument with a quotation from René Josué Valin, Traité des prises, ou principes de la jurisprudence françoise concernant les prises qui se font sur mer..., La Rochelle, 1763, p. 129, sect. 30. This passage, in French in JA’s Letter-book copy (Lb/JA/4, Microfilms, Reel No. 92) and translated by him for his Autobiography, declared that it was not true that a prisoner became free as soon as he stepped onto neutral soil. In fact, although the belligerent could not retake the prisoner without the consent of the neutral power, to withhold such consent would be a violation of the laws of neutrality.

The French Frigate Nimphe Commanded by the Chevalier Senneville returning directly to France1 I cannot omit so favorable an oppertunity of testifying my esteem in wishing that you may have had a safe and agreeable passage from America to France, and of congratulating you on the present agreeable and promissing aspect of our public Affairs.

Previous to the arrival of Mr. Dean with the public Dispatches for Congress, the news of the intention of the British Parliament to send out Commissioners to treat with the United States was 115received at New-York and Philadelphia, and Copies of Lord North's Speech, and a draft of the Bills were sent out from Philadelphia to His Excellency General Washington which were forwarded to Congress; and from Governor Tryon at New York to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut. I do myself the honor to enclose you the proceedings of Congress thereon which I think will give you pleasure. Governor Trumbull also returned a most spirited answer to Governor Tryon which has done him, and our Country honor.2

Mr. Dean proceeded immediately to Congress; but sufficient time has not yet elapsed for our receiving an account of his arrival at York Town. The News of the Treaty with France gives universal joy here to all the Friends of our Cause and Country, which is displayed in every face. The British Officers, with whom I have a peculiar oppertunity of conversing, are much confounded: they would not for some time beleive that France had or even would acknowledge our Independence; but at length finding it but too well confirmed, their chagrine is everywhere visible.3

Our Country seem to have formed a just opinion of the proposed Treaty by Commissioners, and upon the old and approved maxim, that the safest way to treat with an Enemy, is sword in hand, are determined immediately to compleat their Battalions, and will not be amused by art or finesse. From this disposition I cannot but flatter myself that great and lasting Advantages will arise.

General Burgoyne went home the begining of April. He left us with the strongest protestation of every exertion in his power to have our disputes settled. You will first learn how far his Conduct will be correspondent.

Our Harbour is now ornimented with french and Spanish ships displaying their colours.

I have this moment received a letter from His Excellency General Washington.4 The Armies are still in their Winter Quarters and nothing worthy of notice has yet taken place.

I wish to be honored with a line from you when oppertunity offers.

Please to make my Compliments to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Dean,5 and beleive me to be with the greatest regard & Esteem Your most Obedient Humble Servant,