York Town [Pa.] June 1 1778
[Extract] My dear sir.
. . . Congress has been pleased to put me on the Marine Committee.1 I mention this to you, in hopes that I shall have the Pleasure of receiving your Letters the oftener on that Account, & particularly on the Subject of the Navy, which I will use my utmost Endeavors to build up. The Committee have orderd a Letter to your Board by this Post.2 Capt Burk is to have the Command of the Resistance which may be a Step to further Promotion hereafter.3 The french Gentleman4 who was fed with Promises at Boston and afterwards substantially releivd by you is highly esteemd by this Committee, and will be reward[ed] & employed & Capt Peck5 is not unnoticed—The new Frigate at Salisbury, though before christned by another Name,6 has that Now of the Alliance given to her by the Committee—This Letter I intended to have finishd & forwarded by the Post, but this Morning (June 2), but was prevented. Capt Barry7 who is to take the Command of the Raughley8 will deliver it to you. I am apprehensive for our Friend Mr J. A.9 who if I mistake not had saild 7 Weeks when the last Vessel left Nantz—The Bearer is in Haste.
Adieu
L, MHi, Warren-Adams Collection, Adams Papers. Docketed: “Mr S. A. Letter/June 1st: 78." The letter is written by Adams but not signed.
1. Adams was appointed to the Continental Marine Committee on 27 May. JCC 11:537.
2. See Continental Marine Committee to the Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Department, 30 May, NDAR 12: 488–91.
3. For the appointment of Capt. William Burke of Washington's Fleet, see Continental Marine Committee to John Bradford, 28 Apr., NDAR 12: 210.
4. Capt. Pierre Landais, Continental Navy.
5. John Peck, shipbuilder at Boston.
6. Continental Navy frigate Alliance was originally named Hancock, being intended as a replacement for Continental Navy frigate Hancock that had been captured by H.M. frigate Rainbow on 7 July 1777.
7. Capt. John Barry, Continental Navy.
8. Continental Navy frigate Raleigh.
9. That is, John Adams.
