1June 2d. Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
Dined on Board the Sensible, at the Invitation of the Captn. Mr. Chavan Chavagnes , with Mr. Thevenard, Mr. Grandville, Mr. Chaumont, &c. &c. On fait, et defait—mande et contremand. “A Strong Fleet is necessary to defend the Port of Brest.” This Observation, which I had never heard before, struck me. The Dry Docks might be destroyed, the Stores burnt or demolished, the Magazines destroyed, &c....
2To Benjamin Franklin from Bordot, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Two English Privateers, one under the name of the Defiance, from falmouth, and the other call’d the Ladies Resolution, from London, were brought Yesterday into these Roads by the frigate L’hermione; the first mounting 18 four and Second 18 Six pounders; both of them taken the latter end of last week, about fifty leagues off the Channel.— As they made very...
3From Benjamin Franklin to [William Carmichael], [2 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress … Copies of the Letters, Votes &c relating to that Amiable and excellent young Man. He was mighty well received, at Court, and has a Regiment given him. Ever Since his arrival he has been industrious in moving or projecting Something or other for the Advantage of America. I am Sorry to hear of Dissensions in Congress, You are now one of that Body, and will,...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Chaumont, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library You stay long from us, and every body wishes your Return. The Paving in the Court is finished, and the Passage thro’ the Terras nearly so. Your Garden is in great Beauty, with Plenty of Green Peas & Cherries: Will you stay till they are all eaten? Since my last, I received the following Paragraph in a letter from Holland; it is quoted from a Letter written at...
5From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress I received a few Days since, via Eustatia & Holland the Triplicates of your several Favours of Dec 8. Jan. 29. and Feb. 8. The preceding Copies of the same Dates never came to hand. I thank you very much for the News-Papers, tho’ the Disputes...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: Columbia University Library I received a few Days since by way of St Eustatia, the Duplicate of a Letter you did me the honour to write to me of 3d Jany. But the Act of Congress of Decr 23d which you mention is not yet come to hand. Col Diricks whom the Secretary names to you called here in his way to Holland, and brought me a...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Trumbull, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Mrs. C. Phillip Miller, Chicago, Illinois, (1963); incomplete copy: Library of Congress I received by Col. Dircks, the Letter your Excellency did me the Honour to write to me of the 12th December last. I also had the great Pleasure of reading your Letter to Mr. Vander Capellen, agreeable to your kind Permission. Col. Dircks went from hence immediately to Holland, and I have not since...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress; extract: reprinted from William Temple Franklin, The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c. … (2nd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1817), I , 40–2. I have received yours of june [Jan.] 16. You observe that you Seldom hear from me, I have the Same reason to complain; but I do not complain of you. This [’Tis] the Loss of Ships, and the Sinking...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Carroll, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by the Chevalier de La Luzerne, who Succeds M. Gerard. He is a Gentleman of a most amiable Character here and a Sincere wellwisher to America. As Such I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities. You must have heard much of M. De Malesherbes Son of The Chancellier Lamoignon , and late President of the Cour des Aides, famous for his...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I know no more than you the Reasons of the Change respecting the Marquis But suppose they are good ones. I have no new Instructions to give. Perhaps you will receive some Instruction of the King’s Pleasure. I can only wish you Health and success, being ever, with great and Sincere Esteem Dear sir y. &c. In response to Jones’s May 26 letter. New plans for Jones’s...