More than a month has passed away since writing the above, and no opportunity has yet offered of conveying you a line; next to the pain of not receiving is that of not being able to send a token of remembrance and affection. (You must excuse my not copying, as paper is ten dollars per quire.) Last week a packet arrived from Brest with dispatches for Congress, but no private letters. I was disappointed, but did not complain. You would have written, I know, had you supposed she was coming to Boston. By her we heard of the safe arrival of the _Alliance_ in France, which gave me much pleasure. May she have as safe a return to us again. Last week, arrived here the frigate _Warren_, after a successful cruise. She had been out about six weeks, in company with the _Queen of France_, and the _Ranger_, Captain Jones. They fell in with and captured a fleet bound from New York to Georgia, consisting of ship _Jason_, twenty guns and one hundred and fifty men; ship _Maria_, sixteen guns, eighty-four men, having on board eighteen hundred barrels of flour; privateer schooner _Hibernian_, eight guns and forty-five men; brigs _Patriot_, _Prince Frederick_, _Bachelor John_, and schooner _Chance_; all of which are safe arrived, to the universal joy and satisfaction of every well-wisher of his country. The officers who were captured acknowledge that this loss will be severely felt by the enemy, and it is hoped that it will give General Lincoln important advantages over him in Georgia. Respecting domestic affairs, I shall do tolerably whilst my credit is well supported abroad; and my demands there shall be as small as possible, considering the state of things here; but I cannot purchase a bushel of grain under three hard dollars, though the scarcity of that article makes it dearer than other things. Our friends here all desire to be remembered to you. I remind your daughter to write and she promises to, but she does not love it. Charley is very busy gardening, sends his duty, and hopes to write soon. My pen is very bad, but you are so used to the hand you can pick it out, and if it goes into the sea, it is no matter. I should be very glad of some woolens by the _Alliance_, for winter gowns; nothing will be amiss, unless it be men's white silk stockings, which I have no occasion for. I suppose the pair sent among the letters which came in the _Mifflin_, an accident. My pen is really so bad that I cannot add any further than that I am wholly Yours. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 205: This alludes to the movements made under the direction of General Prevost for the subjection of that colony.] 251. JOHN ADAMS. L'Orient, 14 May, 1779.