261To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library I have lately recd. a very friendly Letter from the Marqs. de la Fayette, covering some Dispatches from Mr Livingston. I find that the objects of his Voyage are interesting to us, and that it is the Desire of Congress that we should...
262To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 18 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library All our Trouble and anxiety abt the Bills payable here this Month has been in vain they are protested. The following are the Reasons which I have desired the Notary to recite exactly in the Protest vizt (here insert Reasons verb. [verbatim]) It is proper you shd be informed that Mr. Garbarrus [Cabarrus], some Months ago voluntary offered (thro Mr....
263To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 29 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, Henry E. Huntington Library, National Archives On the 18 Inst I informed you of my having been reduced, by Mr Cabarrus’s want of good Faith to the mortifying Necessity of protestg a Number of Bills which were then payable. Your favor of the 16th. Inst. reached me three day ago it made me very happy, and enabled me to...
264To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have this Day drawn upon your Exy three Sets of Bills in Favor of the Marqs D Yranda for £ 4600 4400 4297.10.6 13297.10.6 being the Ballance of principal and Interest due to him on the Sum of one Million seven hundred and Eighty thousand eight hundred and sixty seven Reals of Vellon and twenty six Marevodis, borrowed of him by me on the 11 April...
265To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 8 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have recd. your Favor of the 22 & 23 Ult. They have determined me to set out for Paris. I shall leave this Place the latter End of next Week. Mrs. Jay & my Nephew go with me. Be pleased to take Lodgings for me, and to inform me of them, by a Line to Mr Delap or Mr Bondfield at Bordeaux. The Embassador of France...
266The American Peace Commissioners: Commission for William Temple Franklin, [1 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Yale University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society The present document, penned by William Temple Franklin on October 1, was most likely signed by Franklin the same day. It was eventually signed by all the peace commissioners, but not without hesitation (on the part of John Jay) and outright hostility (on the part...
267Preliminary Articles of Peace: First Draft Treaty, [5–7 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy and copy: National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), Public Record Office ; four transcripts: National Archives Articles agreed upon, by & between Richard Oswald Esqr. the Commissioner of his Britannic Majesty for treating of Peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America, on the behalf of his said Majesty on the one part, and Benjn....
268Preliminary Articles of Peace: Second Draft Treaty, [4–7 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
D and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two D and copy: Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives As new American and British negotiators were converging on Paris, Franklin’s isolation in Passy posed certain inconveniences. John Adams arrived on October 26 but, as he initially refused to call on Franklin, the latter was evidently unaware of his arrival until Matthew Ridley...
269The American Peace Commissioners to Henry Strachey, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: National Archives (three), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives We have been honoured with your Favor of the 5th. Instant, and as our Answer to a Letter We recieved from Mr. Oswald on the same subject contains our unanimous Sentiments respecting it, We take...
270The American Peace Commissioners to Richard Oswald, 7 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives, North Carolina State Division of Archives and History; press copy of copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives In answer to the letter you did us the honor to write...
271To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [24 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Mr Oswald expressed his Desire to me last Evening that we would meet him, at any Time & place that might be convenient to us. As Mr Strachey is confined by a swelled Face, at Mr Oswalds; I promised the latter to propose to you our meeting there at 11 OClk. Tomorrow. I am Dear Sir Sincerely Yours &c Endorsed: recd Nov. 24. 82 For this meeting, which opened the final...
272To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [25 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette is about to depart, & wishes for a speedy answer to his Letter— The enclosed Draft of one, meets with Mr Adam’s approbation, & if it also meets with your’s, be pleased to sign a Copy of it, and send it by the Bearer— I am Dr Sir sincerely Yours & Addressed: His Exy. / Doctr. Franklin / Passy The date of Lafayette’s departure for Brest; see...
273The American Peace Commissioners to Lafayette, [27 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society We have recd. the Letter you did us the Honor to write on the 25th. Inst. Our Country has had early & repeated Proofs both of your Readiness and abilities to do her Service. The Prospect of an inactive Campaign in america, induced us to adopt the opinion, that you might be more useful...
274Preliminary Articles of Peace, [30 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Public Record Office; copies: National Archives (six), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society (two), William L. Clements Library; press copies of copies: American Philosophical Society (two); transcripts: National Archives (four) Articles agreed upon, by and between Richard Oswald Esquire, the Commissioner of his Britannic Majesty, for treating of Peace with the...
275The American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS, AL (draft), and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: Library of Congress We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain Shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the...
276The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives We have the honour to congratulate Congress on the Signature of the Preliminaries of a Peace between the Crown of Great Britain & the United States of America, to be inscribed, in a definitive Treaty...
277The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 20 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Proposal inclosed, has been transmitted to us by Mr Bridgen, a Gentleman in London, who has been uniformly a Friend to America, and in a Variety of Ways, and at a great Expence has Served her Cause. It is a Project for introducing Copper Coins into the United States, and Seems to Us to merit the early Attention of Congress, to whom We have the Honour to recommend...
278The American Peace Commissioners: Acceptance of the British Declaration of the Cessation of Hostilities, [20 January … (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives (three), Library of Congress (two), Public Record Office, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy: National Archives; transcripts: National Archives (three) When Franklin, Adams, and William Temple Franklin arrived at Vergennes’ office at ten o’clock on the morning of January 20, they learned that...
279To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, New-York Historical Society It having been suspected that I concurred in the appointment of your Grandson to the Place of Secretary to the american Commission for peace, at your Instance, I think it right thus unsollicited to put it in your power to correct that...
280To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Two Days ago I requested the favor of Mr. W. Franklin to mention to you the Case of Mr. Johnsons Bills, and to inform me whether it would be convenient to You to provide for their paymt. & when, in Case I accepted them. Mr Johnson is anxious to know my Determination, and offers to be the Bearer of this note— I am Dr. Sir your obliged & obt Servt Addressed:...
281The American Peace Commissioners: Passport for British Ships, [3 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), Library of Congress We John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, three of the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain. To all Captains or Commanders of Ships of War, Privateers or armed Vessels belonging to the said States, or to either of them, or to any of the Citizens of the same, And...
282The American Peace Commissioners to Alleyne Fitzherbert, [20 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have recd. the Letter wh you did us the Honor to write on the 18th. Inst, together with the Passports mentioned in it. His britannic Majesty’s Proclamation of the 14th. Instant has our entire approbation, and we have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, a Declaration perfectly correspondent with it. It appears to us important to...
283The American Peace Commissioners: Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, 20 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ADS and AD (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives By the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain: A Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea, as Land, agreed upon between His Majesty the King of Great Britain and the United States of...
284To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and John Jay, 28 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Delaware Mr Adams and Mr Jay present their Compliments to Dr Franklin and inform him, that they have just seen Mr Laurens and agreed with him upon a Meeting of the American Ministers Tomorrow at Eleven, at Mr Laurens’s Lodgings. The Drs Company is desired, and Mr Franklin Junr is requested also to attend. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre...
285The American Peace Commissioners: Three Proposed Articles, [29 April 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives (two), William L. Clements Library, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; transcript and partial copy: National Archives No. 1. Article It is agreed, that so soon, as his Britannic Majesty shall have withdrawn all his Armies, Garrisons and...
286The American Peace Commissioners to Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 22 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 10th. Day of this Month, containing a brief State of the affairs of the United States in your hands. We see the Difficulties you are in, and are sorry to say that it is not in our Power to afford you any Relief....
287The American Peace Commissioners to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 22 … (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Mr. Grand, has laid before us, a State of the affairs of the United States under his Care, and the Demands upon him for money to discharge the Bills drawn upon him, are such as to require some assistance from you, if the Demands upon you will admit of it. If therefore, the State of...
288From Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to Vergennes, 28 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Mr Grand, Banker to the Congress, having laid before us the annexed State of their Affairs in his Hands, we conceive ourselves indispensably obliged to communicate the same to your Excellency, as some important Interests of both Countries are concerned. Before...
289The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley: Answers to Propositions, [29 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives (two), Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives Answers to Mr Hartleys six Propositions for the definitive Treaty— To the 1st This matter has been already regulated in the 5th & 6th Articles of the Provisional Treaty to the utmost extent of our...
290The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley: Proposals, [29 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy and transcript: National Archives Propositions made to Mr Hartley for the definitive Treaty— 1st To omit in the Definitive Treaty the Exception at the End of the 2d Article of the Provisional Treaty: Viz: these Words “Excepting such Islands...