1From Benjamin Franklin to [Jean-Baptiste] Le Roy, [after 18 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society M. Franklin requests M. Le Roy to tell him the Name of the present Governor of Dominique, who is the Husband of one of the Ladies where we din’d at Epinay.— Also the Name of the Gentleman at whose house we din’d, M. F. having forgot it— This note may well be linked to Christopher Baldwin’s letter of Dec. 18. Right after the conquest of Dominica by the...
2From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 18–30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will be so obliging as to present the inclosed to the House when oppertunity, & a suitable occasion offers. I feel very sensibly the late honorable testimony of their remembrance—to stand well in the good opinion of my Countrymen constitutes my chief happiness; and will be my best support under the perplexities and difficulties of my present Station. The mention of my lands in the back...
3Dumas to the American Commissioners, 18[-28] December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives; transcript: Harvard University Library <The Hague, December 18[-28], 1778, in French: Committees have been established to work on the new British complaints and on the response to the French ambassador. I am translating Amsterdam’s protest and will have copies made for Congress. December 19, morning:...
4John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
This Moment I had, what shall I say? the Pleasure or the pain of your Letter of 25 of Octr. As a Letter from my dearest Freind it gave me a pleasure that it would be in vain to attempt to describe: but the Complaints in it gave me more pain than I can express—this is the third Letter I have recd. in this complaining style. the former two I have not answer’d.—I had Endeavour’d to answer them.—I...
5From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A few days ago I had the Pleasure of your obliging letter of the 15 of October. It came by the Post, and single, not a line from any other Person, so that I know not by what means it reach’d L’orient. It was not, however the less welcome to me, its intrinsic Excellence, would have recommended it, whoever had written it. The Merit of the writer would have made it dear to me if the Letter itself...
6C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai vu notre Ami. Il y a deux Committés, pour besogner, l’un sur de nouvelles plaintes auxquelles les Anglois viennent de donner lieu; l’autre sur la réponse à faire au Mémoire de Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France, dont je vous ai envoyé copie. On ne saura le résultat que la semaine prochaine. On m’a envoyé d’Amsterdam, afin d’en faire part au Congrès, la Protestation imprimée de cette ville contre...
I have seen our friend. There are two committees: one to work on the new British complaints; the other on the response to be given to the French Ambassador’s mémoire, of which I sent you a copy. We will not know the result until next week. The protest published by Amsterdam against the resolution of the 18th was sent to me so that I might send a copy to Congress. This important document is 20...
8The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
L’on vient enfin de decouvrir, Messieurs, Les Effets du Dr. James Smith de New York. Ils sont a la Douane de Calais, et consistent en un Paquet contenant 12 Napes, 12 Couteaux et 12 fouchettes de fer, a Viroles d’Argent. Si M. Smith pretend introduire ces effets dans le Royaume, il ne Sauroit se dispenser d’en acquitter les Droits ordinaires, Mais Si Son Intention est de les renvoier en...
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...
10George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 18 December 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] December 18, 1778 . Congratulates Schuyler on acquittal. States that a winter campaign is now impossible. Agrees that reduction of Niagara is important and has made plans for that move. Has advised quartermaster general to confer with Schuyler on this matter. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.