1From Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts Delegates to Congress, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I have lately received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 7th of May last, relating to the Loss of the Brigantine, Fair Play . I had before made the Application desired, and obtained an Order to the Governor of Guadaloupe for making the Compensation. I hope therefore that the Business is effected; but if any...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 28. du mois der [dernier]. Le Roi à qui j’ai rendu Compte de la demande que vous me faites de permettre au Batiment parlementaire destiné à l’Echange des Prisonniers Americains et Anglois, d’aborder dans le port de Morlaix, a bien voulu consentir à lui accorder cette permission; J’ai...
3From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 17 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am infinitely obliged to you for your Favour of 29 of september and for the Journals. These are so much wanted in Europe, that if I should go there, there is nothing of so small Expence that I so much wish as 20 or 30 setts of them. They are an handsome Present. Cant Congress or some Committee order them to me. The Appointment of Mr. Dana is as unexpected as my own. No Man could be found...
4From John Adams to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 17 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:175–176 . John Adams, thanking La Luzerne for his letter of 29 Sept. (calendared above) congratulating him on his appointment as minister to negotiate the peace, confessed to some diffidence about his ability to undertake so difficult a task. He added,...
5From George Washington to Moses Hatfield, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on the 2d instant requesting to know what quantity of shoes you had upon hand and what you were likely to supply. Having recd no answer I am apprehensive that the letter never reached you—I have since recd a letter from the Board of War, desiring me to see you upon several matters relating to your department. You will therefore be pleased immediately upon the rect of this to...
6From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favd last Evening with your two letters of yesterday. I cannot learn from the Deserters who have come out the two past days that any troops came up the River at the time you mention, but as movements might have taken place below of which they were ignorant, I very much approve of your making use of every precaution against a surprize—The enemy, upon the last settlement of accounts, fell...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Tristram Dalton, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received Lately your Letter of the 13th. of may, with the Papers relative to the Loss of the Brigantine fairplay. I had on the first Intelligence of that accident from the west Indies, made application to the Minister of the marine in favour of the sufferers, and received from him the answer of which I formerly Sent you a Copy; but as that may have miscarried, I now...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Gerard having been detained thus long, affords me an opportunity of informing you that Sally has presented us with another fine Boy; she was safely Delivered on Thursday the 7th. Instant, and I have the pleasure to tell you, that she and the baby are as well as we could wish or expect— Miss Sally Duffield is now with us, she sends Compliments to you &...
9From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 5th 8th and 9th instants. Neither of the former reached me till yesterday, and the latter this day. I am happy that my countermanding the march of the two North Carolina Battalions met the approbation of Congress. I am waiting with the utmost anxiety for further accounts from the Southward. By a letter from General Gates, of the 13th...
10From George Washington to Henry Remsen, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 10th inst. with its inclosure from Governor Livingston. It would give me a great deal of pleasure to comply with your application, could it be done without breaking in upon that line of conduct, which I have uniformly observed in like cases. For a variety of reasons I have refered all requests of this kind made to me to the Goverment of which the...