1To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas-Maurice Gellée, 14 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am unknown to you, and nothing but your fame of a friend of Mankind could imbolden me as much as to trouble with my petitions one of the greatest Philosophers and Politicks of our age. France is my country; My family of a middle State; My age, twenty years. I know of Mathematicks enough to be employed as an officer in Artillery. I was destined to...
2To John Adams from Nicolas Maurice Gellée, 15 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inclose to you some News Papers which contain all the material News you could hear, if yet at Passy. There have been great Troubles in our Opera; But as you were not an Amateur I shall not trouble you with a Relation of ’em. You must have now more entertaining Novelties at Nantes. I Shall take the Liberty to send you every Week, the news Papers, till your Departure which I...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas-Maurice Gellée, 24 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When you have been pleased to accept of my Services as Secretary, you did me the Honor to mention that, in Case I should after some Time be found fit, you would make a more particular Agreement. I thought it most proper, before reminding you of the Matter, to wait till the Affairs should be settled on a more firm Basis, as they are now, when your...
4To John Adams from Nicolas Maurice Gellée, 17 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I inclose you some news-Papers and a Letter which I am desired to forward, by Mess. Salucci Merchants at Leghorn, who have sent a Ship to America, having a Mind to open a Trade between the United States and Italy. The Letter is directed to the Commander of their Ship. The Abbés de Chalut and Arnouts desire me to present you their Compliments. I think you are expecting daily to sail, and hoping...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas-Maurice Gellée, 28 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The letter printed below, in which Franklin’s French secretary tenders his resignation, sounds cool and formal, but the circumstances surrounding the event must have been highly emotional and have remained somewhat shrouded in mystery. Why did the young man, who had entered the Commission’s service so highly recommended, feel he had to quit one year later?...
6To John Adams from Nicolas Maurice Gellée, 11 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I hope this Letter will reach you safe at Home amongst your Family and Friends. Supposing you are no less famish’d for News from this Side of the Atlantic than we are for American ones, I’ll tell you the State of Affairs in Europe is almost the same as when you left it. Spain, tho’ she is declared, four Months ago, seems as yet unconcerned about your Independance. The joint Fleets of France...