1The Continental Congress: Letter of Credence for Franklin as Commissioner to Spain, [2 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society, Archivo Historico Nacional; draft: National Archives On December 30 Congress decided to offer a military alliance to France and to Spain, and to send commissioners to Madrid and other European courts. On January 1 Franklin was named the commissioner to Spain; the reason for choosing him, he believed, was nothing more than that many months earlier a son of...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Duportail, 2 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je desirerois avoir reponse sur la proposition que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous faire dimanche dernier, parcequ’il me faut prendre certaines mesures en consequence tant pour moy que pour les officiers du corps dont je vous ay parlé. Il me paroit d’ailleurs absolument essentiel de nous entendre sur tout cecy afin que vous, monsieur, ou les personnes qui vous...
3To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Day before yesterday I received the Honor of yours of the 27th Decr and most Heartily Congratulate your Excellency on your Signal victory over the Enemy at Trenton, This will be Productive of the Best Consequences, and has already given New Life to Our affairs. The last night I had the Honor of yours of the 28th Containing the agreable News of the Retreat of Count Donnop—I am Extremely...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, 2 January 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Zane delivered your Letters to me in this Town, and as I had it not in my power to execute what you desir’d, I gave them to him and desir’d he would negotiate the Bill and transact the other business, which he promis’d to do. Our affairs have had a black appearance for the two last months, but they say the Devil is not so black as he is painted. We have at last turn’d the Tables upon...