141J.-D. Ramier de Raudière to the American Commissioners in Verse, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We publish this rhymed letter as a sample of the tributes that poets—or poetasters—were showering on Franklin and his colleagues during the period. Others were as fulsome as Raudière; but he, perhaps because he was the neediest, was by far the most prolific. This brief stanza was part of a bombardment. With it came four massive enclosures: (1) a twenty-one...
142John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, January 21, 1778: I am mortified to learn from Mr. Dobrée that you have refused my bill. Since I have received no letter from you, I can only assume that your correspondence is not adequately protected. There is one final recourse, namely, for you to endorse a bill drawn by me on the President of Congress. Certainly Congress would consider such a...
143John Lloyd and Others to the Commissioners, 21 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
We had the honour to receive your letter of the 13th of this month in due course, and are thankful for Your Honours polite attention to us. We are obliged for the transmission of the Copy of the letter which Your Honours received from His Excellency The Count de Vergennes, and with pleasure observe, that in consequence an application had been made to His Excellency, to request, that the Convoy...
144The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
145J. D. Schweighauser to the Commissioners, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last post I have had the honour of writing to you laying before you Mr. Peltier du Doyer’s answer to my demand of the Thereze’s Cargo and beging your directions in that affair, but after reflection I have thought that it was proper to lay an arrest in his Hands claiming the delivery of those goods on my Bill of Loading to prevent his remitting the proceeds to Paris, before I received your...
146Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 24 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this Day compleated the Inventory of the magazine of arms and presented it to Mr. Schweighauser for him to sign the Receipt at the Bottom. We are agreed as to quantity and number but he declines engaging to receive the articles for Reparation remaining to be supplied without your orders. I therefore request you to give your Directions accordingly that I...
147Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 26 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I only responded, gentlemen, to the first part of the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 12th of this month, but the second part also contains some interesting points. Without a doubt it would be desirable, if possible, to return to their mother country those American sailors who, through either habit or violence, had been attached to the English service, and thereby achieve the...
148Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 3 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is Mr. Ebenezer Platt; with whose sufferings in the cause of America you are not unacquainted. He has lately got released from his confinement in consequence of a Petition from the Committee for American Prisoners. Mr. Platt is desirous of returning to his Country; and every mode but the one through France being stop’d I have taken the...
149Dumas to the American Commissioners, 5 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 5, 1778, in French: I send translations of two letters from Germany; the Grand Facteur has also sent copies. I have received strange news from France, but you doubtless know about the pettifogging, etc., that goes on there. Yours of the 30th has just arrived, and I shall call on the Grand Facteur and our friend...
150Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Since writing this morning by Capt. Nicholson I have been with Monsr. Peltrier, who informs me that the Vessell is at the mouth of the River, where it seems all Vessells of Burden are obliged to load. She is not yet loaded but there are several Cases of Fusils gone from hence to the Ship, and Monsr. Peltrier expects a Barge loaded with Bales to come down...
151Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 30 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives Comme Interessée dans Le Navire et Cargaison, dont Les papiers ci Incluse font Mentions, Nous prenons la Libertée, Messieurs, de vous Les remêtre, et de vous recommander tres particulierement cette afaire afin que par votre pouvoir, Le dit Navire (dont nous vous protestons, q’auqune autre Nation que hollandaise, est Interessee) soit rendue aux Proprietaires. Ils est...
152Thomas Bell to the American Commissioners, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sailed from Philad. the 6 of Sept. I Recd. no Letters from the Committe of Congress. The privet Letters I Recd. from Mr. Deane and the Honbl. Richard Henery Lee & Mr. Carmichell as to the dispatches for the Court of France I Recd. them from Monsr. Gerard as to Aney Other Letters I Recd. non— Gentln. I shall Sail Shortly for Philad. If you have Aney...
153Joseph Chase to the American Commissioners, 8 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, February 8, 1779: I beg you to send my brother Reuben Chase’s discharge from Dinan; I can go get him, or perhaps you could have him discharged without necessitating a trip on my part. He is ill and suffers in close confinement, although he finds no fault in his usage as a prisoner. I am sorry that I neglected to speak of this when I was in Paris,...
154Joshua Johnson to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I propose to fit out two or three Vessells on my return to England and send to Lisbon, to Load with Salt which I purpose to send from thence to some one of the United Colonies in America. I therefore humbly solicit your Pasports to protect the said Vessells from being Captured by the American Cruizers and to enable me with more security to throw in supplies...
155Dumas to the American Commissioners, 28 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, July 28, 1778, in French: I enclose summaries of twelve pages of diplomatic correspondence. It is reliably reported that there will be a suspension of arms in Germany until August 1 and it is generally thought peace will follow. This morning I took a copy of the treaty, omitting articles 11 and 12, to the Grand...
156Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, [after] [19] August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Public Record Office Should have wrote you e’er this! I had no subject to write upon, knowing you have enough else to do besides reading a Scrawl, which signified nothing. Yours of the 19th Inst. came safe to hand, have to say I have done tolerable well with the French Sailors, many of them finding I would pay them no money have decamped; others (some few) have gone on board....
157Chaumont to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont a l’honneur d’informer Messieurs les deputés du Congrès qu’il peut leur procurer deux cents milliers de salpestres de l’inde pres a L’orient a soixante le quintal pareil a celuy qu’il a deja procuré a M. Dean payable en lettres de change acceptées sur Paris Londres Amsterdam Bordeaux ou Nantes. Il faut unne prompte décision parceque les...
158Simeon Deane to the American Commissioners, 16 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Casco Bay, Falmouth, April 16, 1778: I arrived yesterday on the Sensible and leave today for Congress; my time here is too short to collect news. No word of the fleet that left France in February, or of Capt. Courter from Spain. The chevalier Marigny is worried about British cruisers and anxious to leave as soon as possible. He and his officers have...
159Sartine to the American Commissioners, 1 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; Library of Congress (two) <Versailles, October 1, 1778, in French: For certain reasons I am asking His Majesty to grant Mr. Fagan passports for three British ships to carry goods from France to England. I request you to grant him whatever documentation he needs for protection against privateers. The merchandise involved consists only of goods belonging...
160Joy Castle to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This May Inform you That I have got My Ship Which I ham Much Obliged to you all for and Shall Sail for the Contanent Verey Soon. If there is aney thing In My power to Sarve you In I Should be glad To have the honner to Execute your Comand. I Shall Mack for the Caps. of Virginia if Posable. I Should a Sailed Before this But My Whife has Been Verey Bad I...
161Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives; (II) copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 2. de ce mois. Je sais que vous chargés vos Agens dans differens Ports du Royaume de fournir aux prisonniers Americains echapés, ou revenant d’angleterre, les objets dont ils peuvent avoir besoin à leur arrivée; mais il ne paroit pas...
162James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 11 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this moment informed by a Gentleman from Brest, that the Ranger Frigate Cap: J. Jones arrived in that port with a prize of 16 Guns the 8th. Instant after laying a Town on the Coast of Ireland under contribution. I have not yet learned any further particulars of his Voyage, but I suppose Cap: Jones will inform you of them when he gets ashore. I have the...
163C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 13 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les affaires deviennent ici extrêment sérieuses. La résolution (dont ma lettre du 10 vous parle) de refuser les convois aux Matieres marines, n’est pas encore formellement prise ici. On a décidé seulement, que Mercredi prochain on prendra à cet égard une résolution à la pluralité. Mrs. d’Amsterdam ont protesté contre cette pluralité, comme contraire à la Constitution, qui, dans ce cas, demande...
164Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 15 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will informe You of our worthy friend Capt. Wickes leaving this Yesterday Eve with a fine Easterly Wind. The Dolphin Capt. Brown Sailed in Company. At Sun Setting they Discharged their Pilots, when they were clear of the Rocks &c. Since which the wind has Continued fresh from the Eastward, so that I make no doubt that by Noon this Day (a Monday) he is...
165John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 12 May 1778: Letter and résumé (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just time in Compliance to Mr. Livingstons request to write your honors that an offer has been made him of a vessel to be compleatly fitted and armed provided your Honors will grant a Commission. His desires in this appears to spring from the advance it would give him of rank at his Arrival in America. If this should meet your...
166Thomas Morris to the American Commissioners, 19 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure to address you last on the 11th. Instant by Captain Hammond, who I understand arrived safe at Paris on Thursday Evening last, and make no doubt duely delivered the sundry dispatches he brought with him from America for you. Any intelligence they contain, and that you may think proper to communicate, shall be greatly Obliged to you for....
167Dumas to the American Commissioners, 28 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, April 28, 1778, in French: We await the return of your letter in final form, so that I may present it. The memorandum for which Mr. Lee provided the material will be published within a few days; the public here must learn that Congress will make peace only on equal terms and in concert with its allies. Beware...
The effects of Dr. James Smith of New York have, gentlemen, finally been found. They are at the customs office at Calais and consist of a package containing 12 table cloths and 12 knives and forks of iron with silver ferrules. If Mr. Smith plans to bring these goods into the Kingdom, he cannot avoid paying the regular charges, but if he intends to return them to America, then he will be free...
169John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 4 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, November 4, 1778: I am applying to you again for money to meet my necessary expenses. Without assistance I can neither avail myself of an opportunity to sail for America nor fulfill my duty to Congress; my attachment to the American cause precludes my receiving help from my family. Had I not been captured on my last attempt to get to America, this...
170C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 2 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Although you have had no news from me since my last of 13–18 September, I have nevertheless, as Sir Grand will attest, been busy in the service of the United States. Of the ten days I spent in Amsterdam, I employed one in waiting on the Grand Facteur, two with our friend, and the other seven shut up in a room writing 615 numbers, 2460 folios, 2255 times A, and 2255 times Passy 31. Aoust 1778...