John Quincy Adams to Abigail (daughter of JA and AA) Adams, May 25, 1785

At Sea May 25th: 1785

You have doubtless received before this, my Letter by Mr. Barclay, and you will have my N:2 in a day or two. 1 I address’d it under cover to Mr. Jefferson, in case it should arrive after your departure.

The morning after the date of my last, our Captain, ordered me to go on board, and at about 10 o’clock we weigh’d our anchors and set sail, but before we could get clear of the Harbour, the wind changed, and we anchored before Port Louis: a small town opposite l’Orient, which in the time of Louis the 14th. before l’Orient existed was a very considerable place. Its Citadel was built by Vauban, one of the greatest engineers that France has produced: but it has much fallen into decay, since l’Orient was built for the East India Company. In the evening our wind came round again, and at about 7 o’clock, we finally set sail, and in the morning when we rose we had nothing but the Sea, and the azure vault bespangled with Stars, within our Sight. We have had very good weather ever since but my hopes of a short passage, are much diminished: for we have already had two days of calm weather and I fear much that we shall have many more. The Captain is determined to go for the trade winds, which lengthens the voyage more than 200 leagues: but it is said the passages are much more certain, than when we go to the North of the western Islands.