the American Ship of War Alliance to “an amphibious Squadron of french Cruizers, subjecting them to the Orders of Capt Paul Jones and giving Continental Commissions to a Number of french men, who were put upon Court Martials on American Citizens.”  And it is apprehended this Information will be withheld from Congress, because, tho intended to be laid before them, it was not expressly so desired.  It is allowd that Jones has behavd with Bravery; but I think the Expedition with all its Circumstances should be the Subject of thorough & immediate Enquiry.  Landais, I am informd is in Prison.  He is an officer of Congress, and Congress should know, whether he is justly a....

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

[Ms., Samuel Adams Papers Lenox Library.]

PHILAD Apr 1 1779

SIR

We had the Honor of receiving by the Hands of N1 Gorham Esqr & others a Come of the General Court, your Letter of the 1st of March.  Congress had before considerd the Subject of it and come in to Resolutions which we forwarded to you in Season.  If any thing further can be done for the Reliefe of the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay from the Distress they are under for Want of Bread, the Honble Assembly may rely upon our utmost Exertions.  We have also recd another Letter by Express, inclosing a Resolution of the Assembly relating to the Necessity of ascertaining the Powers of foreign Consuls in the American Ports.  This we immediately laid before Congress & the Matter is under the Consideration of a Committee.

A Resolution yesterday passd, which directs that the proceedings of Congress from the first of Jany last, excepting such as require Secrecy for the present, be publishd with all Dispatch and transmitted weekly to the Assemblys of the respective States.  This will enable us to comply with a former Instruction with Ease.  The printing of the Journals preceding the Time just mentiond, will not be interrupted by the execution of this Resolution.

We are with Sentiments of Duty & Regard to the Gen1 Assembly

Sir

your most hbl Servts 2

1 Nathaniel Gorham, of Lunenburgh, Mass.  On February 27 the House of Representatives appropriated L500 each to Gorham and Ebenezer Wells for their expenses while visiting the southern states as a committee of the House.

2 Signed by Adams, Gerry, Lovell and Holten, delegates of Massachusetts in the Continental Congress.

TO JOHN PITTS.

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

PHILAD April 27-79

MY DEAR SIR