31To Benjamin Franklin from James Harriman and Other Favor Seekers, 6 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With James Harriman’s letter of November 6, published immediately below, we encounter the first of many people who between November 1, 1778, and February 28, 1779, either ask Franklin for a favor for themselves or recommend others to his good graces. Our first category of favor seekers consists of those who, still unaware that Franklin was not empowered to...
32To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Tressan, 6 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Borel auquel je m’interesse beaucoup, et qui se rend agreable aux Gens de bien et eclairez, par la publication qu’il est prest a faire de son Estampe de L’Amerique independante vous suplie de luy doner l’Empreinte du Sceau des Etats unis pour le faire graver au bas de son Estampe, si vous voulez bien Monsieur me remettre cette empreinte Mardy prochain a...
33To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 6 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress M. Le Comte de Vergennes a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur Franklin douze Exemplaires de notre traité d’Amitié et de Commerce conclu entre les Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale. The French foreign minister must have been sending copies of the treaty as amended by the deletion of two controversial articles. The exchange of declarations annulling articles XI and...
34The American Commissioners to Marie-Nicole Grossart de Virly Gérard, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We had the honor of receivg. yr. commands relative to the Portraits taken & carried into Guernsey. We have accordingly written to Mr. S——r at Nantes, who we hope may be able to recover them. As soon as he shall inform us of the success of his endeavors we shall acquaint you with it. We have the honor &c. French minister Gérard’s wife. In Arthur Lee’s hand. Schweighauser.
35The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 7 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, South Carolina Historical Society, National Archives (two); two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, November 7, 1778: We enclose copies of our declaration concerning articles 11 and 12 of the Treaty of Commerce, correspondence with M. de Sartine on rescues and recaptures, and correspondence regarding negotiations with the...
36Gentlemen at Nantes to the American Commissioners, 7 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, November 7, 1778: Repeated captures of American vessels off this coast induce us to seek more effective protection. The intelligence our enemies obtain about the departure of our ships allows their capture as soon as the French frigates part from their convoy. Not only are supplies to our country threatened, so are the American gentlemen intending...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Edme-Jacques Genet, 7 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Frederik Muller & Cie. (Amsterdam) sales catalogue, May 3–7, 1909, p. 5. <Passy, November 7, 1778: Franklin sends him some letters of Drayton. > Head of the bureau of interpreters at the French foreign ministry and editor of their secretly sponsored journal Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique : XXVI , 271n. Recently he had asked BF and his fellow commissioners for material...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The papers you so kindly send me I had not and will make a proper use of them. Of Mr. W. H. Drayton’s letter of the 18th. July to the Commissioners I had only the concluding part, relative to Johnstone’s assertion concerning your opinion of the 29th. of March, and you’ll see it translated in the 58th. Number of my periodical Pamphlet. I present you my most...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is now a long time since I have troubled your Excellency with a Letter: for I have had no encouragement to give you my Sentiments— I am lost in conjecture, why you should not have favour’d me with a Reply—perhaps the multiplicity of applications by Letter, has made it necessary for you to reject all correspondence perpost. I am willing to believe your...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Father de Sollicoffre, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Grande reputation que vous avez acquise, à bien justes Titres & le desir de faire du bien qui vous anime me fait prendre la liberté de m’adresser à Vous, Monsieur, et de vous prier d’aceüillir avec bonté mes sollicitations, pour un de mes parents d’une famille noble et distinguée de la Suisse; feu son pere, qu’il vient de perdre, occupoit une plaçe de...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your recommendation of Mr: Holker as Well as his own worth Intitles him to all the Civilities & Assistance in my power in full Faith & Confidence in you I have undertook to Indorse his Bills to a Large amt: they are public Bills & Doubtless Will be honourd I have 2 ½ per Ct. for doing the Business but 10 per Ct. would be no Indusment without your Letter by...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Jean Zollicoffer, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je crois ne pouvoir mieux m’énoncer vis à vis de Vous que dans une Langue que j’ai beaucoup désiré d’apprendre, et que je ferai ensorte de cultiver par Goût, je vous Suplie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien agréer mes Dévoirs réspectueux et de m’accorder l’honneur de Votre Protection et Appui dans le Déssein où je Suis d’offrir ma Personne et mon peu de Talens au...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, [c. 8 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Comme Le Courrier de Mr Lambassadeur part demain Il faut lui remetre votre Notte demain matin, en Consequence il seroit necessaire quelle fut prette aujourdhuy apres y avoir ajouté le dernier paragraffe qui se trouve á La fin de ma traduction si vous lagrées. En menvoyant cette notte pour La remettre a Lambassadeur Il vous plaira y Joindre ma traduction La...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Jno. Piers et al., 8 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS or L : American Philosophical Society We take the Liberty to inform you that we the four undermentioned was taken in the Black Prince belonging to Philadelphia near Eight Months ago and should be glad if Possible to imbrace the oppertunity of going in any Privateer or other Ship in the American Service to gett home as we all have Familys in America Hope your Honour will take our Case into...
45The American Commissioners to Jacques Leveux, 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Several Letters of the 26 August, 25 September and 17 October, informing us of Several sums you have advanced to Americans escaped from England. We request you to send Us an Account Stated of all the Disbursements you have made and the Receipts you have taken for the Money; and we consent you...
46Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioners, 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Three ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to inform you that since my last of Sept 18th. I have emitted Loan Office Bills of Exchange as follows Viz To the State New Jersey 10 Setts for 36 Dollr. each Numbered 989 to 998 Inclusive 10 . . do. . . 60 . . . . do. . . . . 328 to 337 — 10 . . do. . .
47To Benjamin Franklin from James Barnett, Jr., 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Being in immediate want for the Sum of thirteen hundred & thirteen Livres 8 Sols, which I have received of Mr. Osborne an English Gentleman who resides in this Town, & having given him a Bill upon you for the said Sum, which I beg you will pay upon Sight & Charge the said Sum to my Acct. I received a Letter from my Lieutenant who informs me he has entered 20 good Sea...
48The American Commissioners to John Gilbank, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have receivd your Letter of October the Sixth, and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum. But as We have already lent you as much Money as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we...
49Dumas to the American Commissioners, 10 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 10, 1778, in French: Tomorrow the Admiralty will issue its advisory, refusing to negotiate with Sir Joseph Yorke and insisting on the restitution of the captured ships, but ruining everything by in effect suspending convoys. Our friend seems embarrassed. Another person says...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Akin, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make Bold to Rite these Lines to Let you know my Condition about Eighteen months ago I was taken in a Ship from Bedford in Dartmouth Bound to Bourdaux By an English frigit and Carred into porchmouth where I was put in prison I Staid there Six weeks and then I made my Escape to London where I found a gentelman that had Lived at Nantucket and there I Staid...
51To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte Amiel, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs Amiel and the Miss Alexanders unite in best Compliments to Doctor Franklin, assure him they were not a little disappointed at his not going with them to the Play last Thursday Sen-night; or at least not sending them word whether he would, or would not, now the only way to make amends for this, is to do them the honor of Dining with them to Morrow, and...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Le Maire de Gimel, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous n’ignorez pas sans doute les arrangemens que Mr. Lee a pris avec MM. Bonnefil et Lewenston pour le transport des objets qui sont ici pour le gouvernement de Virginie, mon depart se trouvant par là fixé du 25 au 30 de ce mois, je n’ai d’autre empressement que de vous en faire part en vous sollicitant de m’accorder des lettres de recommandations auprès...
53To Benjamin Franklin from John Locke, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thease Lines Comes to In form you that as I am hear and a Marican and a poor prisner & have a wife and famyly In a maricah I have Maid bold to Rite to you hoping that your honar will Excuse My In trusion In Riting to you hopin that your honar will be So kind as to have Me takin out of this onhappy Sitation & Sent befour Some Good a thority and Strict ly...
54The American Commissioners to William Hamilton and John Welch, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letters and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum of Money. But as We have already lent you as much, as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we cannot, without a...
55The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have this Moment received the Letter, which you did Us the Honour to write to Us, on the Seventh of the present Month, and We hold ourselves obliged to you for giving Us an opportunity of uniting our Endeavours with yours, to obtain a Sufficient Convoy for the Vessells bound to America for the whole Voyage. It...
56Thomas Bell to the American Commissioners, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sailed from Philad. the 6 of Sept. I Recd. no Letters from the Committe of Congress. The privet Letters I Recd. from Mr. Deane and the Honbl. Richard Henery Lee & Mr. Carmichell as to the dispatches for the Court of France I Recd. them from Monsr. Gerard as to Aney Other Letters I Recd. non— Gentln. I shall Sail Shortly for Philad. If you have Aney...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 11 [November] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici la derniére léttre que je vous écrirai mon chér papa je retourne lundi prochain a passy; je vous dirai plus en un seul regard combien je vous aime, que je ne vous l’éxpliquerois en dix pages; le sentiment n’a pas besoin de commentaires, l’amitié se sent mieux, qu’élle ne s’éxplique; je ne sçais si vous éstes content de ce que je vous écris, pour moi...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collas, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure to imform you, that Mr. John Johnson & Mr. Ridley &c. has geaven me the Command of a brigg in thiers Service, to preceed from this place (under Convoy) for Verginy, therefore in my Small Capacity if I can be of any Service to you in the Convoyance of any thing. either letter of Pack’s. pray Comand me Geave me leave to Remains you of few...
59To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Dantoine and Other Commission Seekers, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Of the fourteen men who apply or are recommended for employment in the American army during the four months covered by this volume, ten are French, two Swiss, one is German, and one Irish. The German applicant, Otto Magnus de Butler, writes on November 20 from Axel in southwestern Holland. He is a captain, currently in the service of the prince of Baden,...
60To Benjamin Franklin from John Emery, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last satturday arrivd here my schooner Success from Newbury Port which Place she left the 4th. Octr. on her Passage took a Snow with abt 3200 Qus [Quintals] fish which she has conducted in here safely. Inclosed you have a letter & the latest Papers brought by her, yesterday came in here the Brig America Capt. Bartlet of Boston & brought in with him a...