other.  The Question in my Mind is whether the french Admiral will risque his large Ships to be workd, as they must be in an Engagement, in the Narrows —­the Width of the Channel is and its Depth at low Water.  I am told that this is a favorite Expedition of Count d’Estaing himself, proposd by him & not Mr D, to the french Court, and that his Reputation as a Politician as well as an Admiral is at Stake.  From the Character I have recd of him, I make no Doubt he will answer the highest reasonable Expectations of the King his Master and of America.  Mr Ds political Friends, some of whom I suppose are in Boston, are disposd to give him great Eclat on Account of the Aid afforded us in sending this Squadron.  His interest with the french Ministry is represented as very forceable in procuring it and the Newspapers mention the favors conferd on him even by the King himself.  The Truth as I conceive it is, the total overthrow of Burgoyns Army was an Event which it was thought would produce Overtures from Britain, and France was apprehensive of our listening to Terms & compromising Matters.  Hence it was, more than from any other Cause or the Interest of any Individual that a Treaty was facilitated & agreed to and to secure us in their Alliance & support us in sending this Squadron, and the Purpose of M Gerards Mission.  We are informd that Eleven Sail of Merchantmen & a Frigate have fallen into his Hands.

I have declind answering your Letter of the 26 of June till I could assure you that the Sum you wishd for was granted for the Use of your Department.  I now have the Pleasure of informing you that it will be orderd as soon as it arrives from York Town.  It is every hour expected.  The Marine Committee have agreed that the Navy Board shall appoint Commanders for Vessels of War under Twenty Guns.

1 July 18; the letter was dated July 11.

2 “That no answer be given to the letter of the nth instant from the British commissioners.”

3 Silas Deane; Congress on July 11 was notified by him of his arrival on the Languedoc.

TO SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE.

[Ms., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

PHILAD Augt 11 -78

MY DEAR FRIEND

I yesterday had the pleasure of receiving your favor by the post, covering the News papers and a Letter, as you emphatically express it, “from one of my closest Friends”; for all which I thank you most heartily.

You ask me what occasiond the very sudden return of Mr H.——­1.  I answer in his own Word to me, His own Want of Health & the dangerous Illness of his Lady.  You say he arrivd quite unexpected—­you must surely be mistaken; for he publickly said he had Leave of Absence from his Constituents.  You add, various are the Conjectures for the true Cause.  It is the Lot of a great Man to have every Movement he makes critically scanned,