1To Benjamin Franklin from “John Webb,” 17[–24] December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I never expected such ingratitude for my past time and services as I have met with, which I am pretty sure you are unacquainted with. I should not have remained in Dunkirk after you had been so kind as to send me remittance had not Mr. Coffin told me that he had some orders from Mr. Carmichael to make me stay there untill there should be something...
2To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Williamsburg, Va., 17 December 1777. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and others, Princeton, 1950-. , 2:120–121. Noting that Virginia had ratified the Articles of Confederation, Jefferson described the concern among some in the state over Art. 9, which gave power to the congress to enter into treaties of commerce. Opponents...
3To John Adams from James Lovell, 17 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Decr. 2d. Resolved that a Commission be made out for Mr. J. Adams similar to that heretofore granted to the Commissioners at the Court of France. The date of the Commissions upon the 27th. was an error of the Secretary. But He as well as the president and others think it of no consequence. In Congress Decr. 17th. 1777 Resolved that Genl. Washington be directed to inform Genl. Burgoyne the...
4The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 17 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress We received your several Letters from Nantes and Portsmouth. We shall be glad to see you here, as soon as is consistent with your Affairs, in order to consult with you on the Matters mention’d in your Instructions from the Congress, &c. We are, with Esteem Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servants Addressed: To / John Paul Jones Esqr / Nantes Endorsed: Paris...
5John Thornton to the American Commissioners, [17] December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I arrived here yesterday, and delivered this morning all the letters, except those of Lord North and Sir Gray Cooper; what ever advices I shall receive from Mr. H[artley] shall be punctually follow’d. I have the honor to be Gentlemen Your most Obedient Servant: My letters, if you should send any direct No. 57 Newman Street Oxford Road. Notation: Thornton...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Doerner, [17 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Dartmouth College Library Mr. John James Doerner who sets off for Bordeaux to Morrow in Company of Mr. Märck to establish a House of Commerce at Charles-town North-America. If Doctor Francklin is so obliging and favour Messrs. Doerner and Marck with Letters of introduction for the honorable Congress and Gentlemen at Charles-Town, for some places in the Province of Virginia &ca.; Doerner...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Millon, 17 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, December 17, 1777, in French: I render you homage as the man whom the public credits with authorship of the Pennsylvania constitutions. Articles 1, 2, 9, and 15 of Chapter I rouse my keenest admiration. Article 2 proves that I am not alone in considering intolerance the most destructive force in any society. Article 9 is the work of that rarity, a...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot, Baron de l’Aulne, 17 [December?] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Turgot accepte avec grand plaisir la proposition que lui a fait faire Mr. Franklin par Mr. Quesnai de St. Germain de le dedommager Samedi du plaisir dont les engagemens de Mr. Franklin le privent pour Vendredi. Toutes les occasions de voir Mr. Franklin luy sont precieuses, et il est impatient de temoigner aux amis de la liberté sa joye de leurs succès....
9To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Wright, 17 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty in the Name of my Mother (who is at present from Home) to return you my most gratefull thanks for your kind Letter in behalf of Mr. P——— which I have just Receivd with the highest Pleasure, in hearing from you Sir, and Gratitude for Him, as it is a Suply I am sensible will be Doubly Wellcome to him at this Time. My Mother is now at Bath...
10General Orders, 17 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief with the highest satisfaction expresses his thanks to the officers and soldiers for the fortitude and patience with which they have sustained the fatigues of the Campaign—Altho’ in some instances we unfortunately failed, yet upon the whole Heaven hath smiled on our Arms and crowned them with signal success; and we may upon the best grounds conclude, that by a spirited...