91To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte Amiel, [15 November? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Most assuredly my good Sir you will look upon me extremely importunate in again troubling you with a Letter, I will allow, and acknowledge ’tis very presumptious in me a poor weak Woman to take the liberty of writing to such a sensible Man as Doctor Franklin; but alas the Subject is too interesting for me to forbear taking up my Pen, as my timidity prevents...
92To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Brillon de Jouy, 15 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Brillon presente ses respects a Monsieur franklin, il lui envoye de la part de sa femme qui n’en a nulle connoissance et qui ne revient que demain l’Eripuit coelo fulmen sceptrumque tirannis. Nouvelle Composition en l’honneur du Docteur franklin qui heureusement pour nous sçait aussi descendre du ciel en terre et du sceptre a la houlette. A demain le thé....
93John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 16 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, November 16, 1778: Having received no answer from you, I am writing a third time to request money to join my regiment in South Carolina. A convoy is expected and the vessels will be ready to sail. It is the custom of every nation to supply an officer who has been taken prisoner with the amount of his pay to rejoin his station. If this were not so,...
94Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 16 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; Library of Congress (two), National Archives; (II) copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; Library of Congress (two) J’ai reçû, Messieurs, avec la Letter, que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire, le 12. de ce mois, la Copie de celle qui vous a été Adressée par M. Schweighauser Agent des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale à Nantes, au...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Emmanuel-Pierre de La Plaigne, 16 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La lettre que votre Excellence a écrit à Monsieur Coffyn à mon sujet, eut déterminé mon départ, sans un violent mal de gorge & un gros rhume, qui m’y retiennent jusqu’a demain avec mon frère et mon domestique; mon beaufrère, mon néveu & deux de mes alliés étant déjà partis pour paris. Voilà, Monseigneur, quelle est la famille dont j’avois eu l’honneur de...
96James Smith to the American Commissioners, [after 17 November 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <[after November 17, 1778]: I have received your very extraordinary letter of Nov. 17 and thank you for presenting my case to the count de Vergennes. You say that if I subscribe to the declaration and take the oath of allegiance to the United States you will give me the customary passport to Calais. Unless this passport will remove...
97The American Commissioners to Sartine: Three Letters, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (II) LS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (III) LS : New York Public Library; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of the 14 of this Month informing Us, of his...
98The American Commissioners to James Smith, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Your Letter of the 15th We duly received, and have written to his Excellency the Compte De Vergennes upon the Subject of it, and inclosed to him the Certificate from Mr Pain. Your Request of a Passport, to go to England We do not think We can consistently grant, unless you previously Subscribe the Declaration and take...
99The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We communicated to Dr Smith, the Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us concerning his Goods. Since which he has inclosed to Us, the Certificate, of Mr Anthy Paine, which We have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency.— If there are two offices, one in which are deposited, Goods Seized, the...
100John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Moment the honour of your Letter of Novr. 10th: in answer to mine of Octr. 6th: since which time I had the honour to write you Novr. 4th. past, and not receiving an Answer sooner, I yesterday wrote a third time which I imagine you will receive before this. I am by your letter rendred compleatly distressed. Nor do I know which way to turn myself,...
101To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Nicolas Jullian and Other Applicants for Emigration, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A number of people, as usual, sought Franklin’s help to emigrate to the New World or recommended their restless friends to his good graces. As far as we know, none of them received any encouragement from him. Louis Fouché writes from Romegoux in the Charente on December 4. Thirty-six years old, a native of the island of Oléron, and son of Capt. André Fouché...
102To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Le Baron, 18 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le sr. Job Prince Commandant le Corsaire de Boston la Concorde de 14: Canons 20: pierriers s’est présenté sur notre rade avant hier, et y a délivré un Batteau pêcheur qui étoit tombé au pouvoir de deux Caiches Angloises, il s’est adressé a moy, que vous avez chargé de rendre aux Navires des Colonies unies tous les services qui étoient en mon pouvoir, pour...
103To Benjamin Franklin from “Job Prince,” 18 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having the honour to be appointed by Congress to the command of the Concord, & being just arrived on this coast, I have the pleasure to acquaint you therewith in order that you may direct me in my cruizing against the enemy. I suppose I need not tell you that the Concord is a fine new Vessel, and remarkably well found. You are, no doubt, perfectly well...
104To Benjamin Franklin from Chevalier Gilles-Jean Barazer de Kermorvan, 19 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous faire part de la délivrance heureuse de notre reine, elle est accouchée aujourdhuy a onze heures quarante deux minutes, d’une fille, on s’etoit trompé pendant une heure sur le sexe, soit par l’excès de la joye ou par l’embarras d’annoncer une fille, on a annoncé un dauphin au peuple. La reine a etè en travail depuis deux heures et...
105To Benjamin Franklin from Mounier & Denis, 19 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous prennons la liberté, de nous adresser a vous, pour vous enformer que notre Navire Neerlants Welvaart M. [Maitre] Cornelis Thomasse Wesseling parti de Leverpool avec une Cargaison pour Naples & Salerno en Italie, chargé pour Compte Italien, ä eté pris par les Americains, qui l’ont emmené avec eux, en Nouvel Angleterre en Amerique, comme nous avons eté...
106To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since writing you the 3d Instant, M Montieu has voluntarily offered to take all my Affairs on himself. He wants no Security he says for my probity, but only in Case of my Death, for which he says he will take my Drafts on you at 18 or 20 months date that you may see him paid from my Effects, these Bills he does not expect you will ever be obliged to pay, if...
107Franklin and John Adams to William Temple Franklin: Instructions, 20 November and [20–21 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ADS : Cornell University Library; copy: Delaware Historical Society Instructions to W T. Franklin You are to go by the shortest Road to Dieppe, and make all the Dispatch possible. At Dieppe enquire for Mr Baron, Merchant there, and take his Advice whether to go off to the Ship, or to acquaint the Captain with your Arrival send him the Letters you have for him, and desire him to...
108From Benjamin Franklin to Le Baron, [20 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I thank you for your readiness to serve Capt. Prince. His Bills for moderate Supplies will be honour’d. The Bearer is my Grandson. I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities. I shall answer the rest of your Letter soon. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedt humble Servant In WTF ’s hand. Dated on the basis of the following document.
109From Benjamin Franklin to “Job Prince,” 20 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I have just received yours of the 18th Instant. My Grandson, William T. Franklin, who is the Bearer of this, and will have the honor of delivering it into your hands, sets out early tomorrow morning for that purpose. He is my private Secretary, and is a Young Man of Trust & Discretion, to whom you may safely confide, what you have to communicate to the...
110Dumas to the American Commissioners, 20 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 20, 1778, in French: Returning here, I learned from our friend that the Provincial Assembly by majority vote has resolved against providing convoys and in favor of the Admiralty’s advisory. Amsterdam has inserted a formal protest, which it demands be published, because the...
111Thomas Middleton to the American Commissioners, 20 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : American Philosophical Society I received Two Bills of Exchange drawn by Francis Hopkinson on you for Interest due to me on Money lent the Publick, & having had the Misfortune to loose these drafts I advertized them as you will see by the enclosed paper which however has not produced a return of the Bills & lays me under a Necessity of Troubling you to request that you will not pay...
112To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Christophe Valmont de Bomare, 20 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a bien longtemps que je n’ai eu l’avantage de vous rendre mes devoirs. Depuis que nous avons diné ensemble chez Made. de chaumont, c’étoit dans les premiers jours de mai, j’ai été à chantilly, où j’ai passè tout mon été à faire un cours de physique et d’histoire naturelle à S.A.S. mademoiselle de Bourbon-condé. Me voilà de retour à Paris, je voudrois...
113From Benjamin Franklin to Le Baron, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I write this Line per Post just to acqt you that your Letter relating to Capt Prince is received, and that a Person in our Confidence, as desired by him, sets out this Day for Dieppe with Answers to your & the Captain’s Letters, and will probably be with you soon after your Receipt of this; of which it would be well to give the Captn. Notice, that they may...
114John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 21 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, November 21, 1778: The Inspector of Artillery visited the port yesterday to inspect M. Bertin’s cannon. On the basis of appearance alone, their quality seems good, but this must be confirmed by testing. I herewith enclose a list indicating their specifications. Other cannon belonging to the same company made from the same mold can be procured...
115To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just wrote to you by Mr Duncan Ingraham Junr. upon some public Affairs— I beg Leave in this, lest he might be oblig’d to destroy that, should he meet with an Enemy just to mention him to you as my Friend, for whom I have a great Regard— He goes to France on a Plan of Business in his own Vessel: as he is a Stranger there he would be glad to be...
116To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Dubois, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez que je mette sous les yeux de V.E. une feuille du journal de Lorraine, où j’ai inséré un petit morceau de Poësie, qui a aumoins le mérite de ne vous être pas indifférent. Vous y verrez qu’aux extrémités du Royaume les François parlent de votre République ainsi qu’ils en parlent à Paris, avec la même estime et le même intérêt. Je ne croi pas...
117To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In a party writing against the Rockinghams I See this assertion— Washington told the Congress, on the capture of Burgoyne’s army that now was the happy time to treat . As I don’t recollect having seen it till now, I intend to give the author the Lye. Be so kind as to let me know wether I can do it without my self injuring Truth. I am with great respect Your...
118To Benjamin Franklin from Jesse Taylor, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a memorial the Substance of which may already Reached you, in a personal Interveiw with Sir Edward Newenham who promised before he Left Ireland that when he would have the honour of Waiting on you to Lay before you our Wishes— We thought Best in the Body of our memorial not to mention any names to the memorialists, Least your Excellency would...
119To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pickerin, 23 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I Assume the Liberty of Writing you per this Post, advising you that Capt. Jones has impos’d on himself the dignity of a Continental Officer, and thereby securing all Desserters from American Vessels. to the great Prejudice of the United States. As I humbly Conceive it a matter of great Consequence to suffer such Unnatrual & Illegal...
120To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 24 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Voici encore une affaire que je ne puis confier qu’à vous seul. La lecture des copies ci-jointes vous mettra au fait de tout. L’affaire m’a paru si délicate, que je n’ai rien voulu faire sans l’avis de G—— F——, qui l’ayant aussi trouvé telle, a cependant approuvé que j’en donnasse un Extrait à notre ami, tant pour voir ce...