1From Benjamin Franklin to Pierre Landais, 16 February 1779 [i.e., 17] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly receiv’d your favor of the 7th inst. I made an immediate Application to the Ministry here for Advice relative to the Conspirators, and I postpon’d writing to you till I should receive it. I suppose the Newness of the Case has occasion’d some Delay; But I will not any longer omit answering your Letter as far as I can. I am told it is a standing Rule that no...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 22 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Since my last of the 16th I have been continually harass’d with the Gout, unable to go to Versailles. But I hear of so many Difficulties and Matters to be regulated in Order to the trial of your Conspirators in this Country, that I think you had better exchange as many of them as do not quite deserve Death, and carry three or four of the wickedest home in Irons to be...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Pierre Landais, 2 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your other Swedish Prize is retaken and carried into England, as we hear by the English News Papers. The other which is arrived, will I suppose be tried in the Court of Admiralty of the Port at which she is arrived, unless being unable to find Proofs that the Property of the Cargo is English, you should think fit to discharge her. Mr Adams will take his Passage in...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 4 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of the 26 past, relating to the Refitting of your Ship. Your Reasons for not mixing french seamen with the American seem to be good. On the Representations of Dr. Winship to the same Effect, who came from you and expressed your Mind to me, I laid aside the thought of applying to the Minister for a proper Number of them, to enable you to make a Cruize...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 6 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Since writing mine of the 4th, I have rec’d the Honor of yours dated the 28th. past. I am sorry to find that, after having settled every thing as I thought to your Mind with your Messenger Dr. Whinship, new Difficulties arise upon every Article. The great Distance occasions such Delay in Business if I am to be consulted on every Step to be taken, and afterwards to...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 11 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 3 inst. The Order of M. de Sartine was sent from Versailles on Monday last for taking your Mutineers off your Hands, so that I hope you are free of them before this Time & employ’d in fitting your Ship for the sea; in which you will make all the Dispatch possible & follow the Directions of the Agent as to the Place of Rendezvous in Order...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 27 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 17 inst.—with the List inclosed of your Ships Company. I am concerned to see the Number so small, But it is not in my Power to enlarge it; as you do not chuse to have french Seamen, and Americans are not to be had; and If I shou’d procure a Permission for you to enlist Volunteers from among the British Prisoners in France, there is Danger...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 5 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am glad to hear that you are at Length clear of your Mutineers; and that your Iron Work is repaired. I hope you will have a good Passage to Nantz. The Bearer of this, Mr. Joseph Wharton, is a friend of mine, a Merchant of Philadelphia who is about to return thither. If you can conveniently accomodate him with a Passage in the Alliance, you will oblige me. I do not...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 8 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Understanding that you expect an explicit Order from me, this is to require you to receive on Board your Ship the Alliance, the Honourable John Adams Esq. with his Son and Servant, and give them a Passage therein to America. I have the Honour to be Sir your most obedient humble Servant In Gellée’s hand. Written at JA ’s request...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 24 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library I received your Favour of the 6th Inst from Brest, and the 19th from Nantes. I am glad to learn that you are safely arrived with the Prisoners. You will receive some of the exchanged Americans whom Mr Schweighauser has engaged for you: and I have applied to the Minister of the Marine for as many good French...