91To Benjamin Franklin from Cradock Taylor, 24 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to Acquaint your Excellency that there is a Cartel arived at Merseillis some time ago & I Yesterday was inform’d that the Govonor of Manorca was made acquainted with my intention of returning to my Native Country & that he has made such interest here that Mr. Lumbard the Commandant of Marine intends to deliver me up. I amediately wrote to him...
92Statement by French Officers and Petty Officers of Jones’s Squadron: résumé, 24 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Pennsylvania Library <November 24, 1779, in French: We, the officers and petty officers of the Pallas transferred to the Serapis and of the Vengeance transferred to the Countess of Scarborough certify that Mr. Paul Jones turned over the Serapis to Mr. Cottineau de Kerloguen in a frightful state, more resembling an abandoned ship than one fit for service. First, he left his...
93Chaumont’s Memoir on the Dispute between Jones and Landais: résumé, [after 24 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library <[after November 24, 1779], in French, under the heading “faits entre M. Jones et Landais”: Jones and Landais have been locked in bitter dispute since the Bonhomme Richard collided with the Alliance during their first cruise from Lorient; Jones’s slowness in convening a council of war to terminate the quarrels between Landais and the officers of the...
94To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de la Vauguyon, [25?] November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Henry E. Huntington Library; National Archives (two) J’ay fait part Monsieur a M. Johnes des intentions du Roy que m’a trans mis M. de Sartines et que vous luy avez annoncé devoir Luy etre communiquées par moy. Je ne scaurois rendre un temoignage trop avantageux a la conduite qu’il a tenu dans cette occasion, elle ajoute encor a L’estime que sa...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 25 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society How favourable matters stood here in regard to the American Comodor, we had the honour to mention to your Excellence; we convey however to night to Mr. Dumas a copey of the last resolution taken by the states in this respect during the Absence of the French Ambassador from the Hague; of which however we hope he will prevent the effect; it contains the same...
96From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Montgomery, 26 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am glad to learn by yours of the 3d. Instant, that you are at length quieted in your situation at Allicant by the favour of his Catholic Majesty. I hope nothing will happen hereafter, neither on your part nor any other; that may give occasion to disturb you afresh and interrupt your Business. It is long since we have had any authentic News from america, We know...
97To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 26 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I risque a letter in the common post in order to forward you the Kings Speech— I wish it had been couchd in terms more likely to produce the blessings of Peace. His Majestys Speech &ca Novr 25. 79. My Lords & Gentlemen I meet you in Parliament at a time when we are calld upon by every principle of Duty, and every consideration of Interest, to exert Our...
98To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Landais: Response to the Officers’ Affidavit, [after 26 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
D : University of Pennsylvania Library The following articles, are the Answers to the five & twenty Articles made by some American Officers [ in the margin: not sign] the 30th. Day of Oct 1779 at Texel, respecting the Conduct of Peter Landais Capt of the American Frigate Alliance brought to him Novr. 26th. 1779. Art. 1. has been answered in a Court Martial Kept at L’orient for which the first...
99From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Yarnold, 27 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yesterday yours of the 25th. On your Arrival here, when you first mentioned to me your purpose. I gave to you and your friend my candid Opinion that your scheme of becoming military Officers in America could not Answer your Expectation, and I advis’d you to return to England and apply your selves to some Profession more likely to be advantangeous. I wish...
100To Benjamin Franklin from Arnold-Barthélemy Beerenbroek, 27 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr Beerenbroek presents his Respects to Dr Franklin; begs the favor to be informed if Dr Ingenhousz is in Paris, & desires to know his address. Dr Beerenbroek has just received a Letter from London in which it is mentioned that Dr Ingenhousz has left London lately, & that he is gone over to the continent; he will therefor be much obliged to Dr Franklin if he...
101To Benjamin Franklin from John Evans, 27 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope will excuse the liberty I take which the Rigours of a tedious captivity has compelled me to. The inclosed is a letter from a gentleman of your acquaintance And a friend of mine, he has laid an injunction on me to forward it to Your Excellency in hopes through yr. interest to procure me A pass to return to england and your Excellency will See by the...
102From Benjamin Franklin to Beerenbroek, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Dr. Beerenbrock and acquaints him that Dr. Ingenhausz is not yet arrived at Paris, but is expected in two or three Weeks he having written from Brussels that Such was his Intention, as soon as he arrives Mr. Franklin will acquaint Dr. Beerenbrock.
103From Benjamin Franklin to John Dalton et al., 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Upon the Receipt of your Letter dated at Cudent the 11th. Instant, I immediatly apply’d to the Minister in your Behalf, who has given Orders that you Should be set at Liberty. You did not mention whether the Boat you came over in was one you hired, or that you took. If the Latter, you are at Liberty to sell the same and divide the Money among you to furnish your...
104From Benjamin Franklin to Jean de Neufville & fils, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour to write to me by the last Post, (it is without Date) and am glad to hear that Commodore Jones was so well fitted and ready for sailing. I hope he will arrive safe with his Ships in a good Port. I have wrote to Capt. Cunningham at Dunkerque, where he informed me he was soon to be.— The Letter you...
105From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I return your Excellency many thanks for your favour in granting Liberty to Capt. Stevenson, and to the six americans who were taken up at Cudant . There is another American Captain named John Lock, now a Prisoner at Nantes who as I understand was taken in an English Whaling Vessel. Since his being in france he has contracted an acquaintance with a Melle. des Bois,...
106To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, [28 November? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Ms. Damezaga fait dire à Monsieur de franklin, et à Monsieur son Petit fils, que Mr. Amelot dinne chès Luy demain Lundy 29 9bre. One of a series of dinner invitations beginning in April, 1779, from the marquis and his stepson Antoine-Jean Amelot de Chaillou, a high government official and president of the Académie royale des sciences: XXIX , 275,...
107To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is but to acquaint yr. Excy., that I am still here endeavouring to be useful, & to prevent mistakes & Mischiefs. The Alliance is well manned, provided, & ready to sail with the first fair wind. I hope, ’till he becomes so, the other vessels will be ready too. There is a resolution of the 17th. Nov., which still refuses the delivering up the prizes to...
108To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 29 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies and transcript: National Archives Previous to the appearance of your Excellency’s letter of the 8th: Current, I had forwarded thro’ the hands of M. Dumas the Certificates which you required respecting Captain Landais; And the Serapis was ready for Sea when the French Ambassador sent for me a Second time to meet him at Amsterdam.— I hope my...
109To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 30 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I gave you a manuscript Copy of the Kings Speech & the debates on the amendment thereon, by last frydays post; Since which I think the general conversation about a vigorous prosecution of the War is very much abated, & the topic now is that the american war must be given up. It is the general opinion, if it is carryd on further, that it will be meerly...
110To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 30 November[–3 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are still here waiting for a fair wind, which must enable the Alliance to sail from hence according to a resolution of this government, wherein, after a compleat refusal to complay with Sir J. Y. second memorial, there is only one strong expression against us, viz. to force us away with the first good wind if necessary . Vice Admiral Reynst, who has...
111To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 30 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai reçû la Lettre que vous avés eu la bonté de m’ecrire le 22 passé une indisposition d’un gros rhûme et un peu de goute ne m’ont pas permis de vous répondre plustôt, et de vous assurer que J’aurai soin des huit Caisses que vous m’avés fait adresser d’Amsterdam, des qu’elles Seront arrivées Elles Seront mises ici en Lieu de Sureté jusqu’a ce que vous me...
112To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 30 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 28. de ce mois celle qui vous a été adressée par M. Beaugeard qui desiroit obtenir la liberté du Sieur John Lock Capitaine Americain pris sur le Bâtiment Anglois le Sidney et detenu dans les Prisons de Nantes. D’après l’intérêt que vous prenez à ce Capitaine en faveur du Mariage qu’il se...
113To Benjamin Franklin from Gustavus Conyngham, 1 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you last from Amsterdam at that time enformed of my Going to dunkirk but Meetting with Comd. Jones preventted me, and supposing the Alliance will be Ordered home as soon as she may Gett to france, the hurry I was Obligd. to leave england Could not Gett my Account with me. Mr. Diggs was to send it to dunkirk as soon as he Could Get it from plymouth....
114To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gillon, 1 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I inform’d your Excelly. of my intended Rout last time I had the pleasure of Seeing you, I now with satisfaction assure you that notwithstanding some extraordinary difficulty that arose in Prussia, I adjusted a very essential piece of business there, & know at what terms I can build & fit out these, but little can be done during the winter season there,...
115To Benjamin Franklin from Achille-Guillaume Lebègue de Presle, 1 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai eu Lhonneur Monsieur de vous envoyer il y a deux mois un memoire Anglois de mr Nairne sur les appareils destinès a preserver de la foudre, en vous prevenant quil n’etoit pas a moi, comme le montre la suscription de L’Enveloppe; et vous demandant de me le renvoyer des que vous L’auriez lu. Ayant presumé il y a un mois environ que des affaires importantes...
116To Benjamin Franklin from Mesmer, 1 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le desir que vous m’avès temoigné de connoitre les avantages que l’on peut retirer de la decouverte du Magnetisme animal, me fait esperer que vous aurès la bonté de vous assurer vous méme de la réalité des cures que je fais. Outre les malades que vous avés vu, j’en ai plusieurs autres dont l’état pourroit vous frapper; j’aurai l’honneur de vous les...
117To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have but a moment before the Departure of the post to inform you that a small Schooner called the Comittee belonging to Mr Dacosta is just arrivd from Phila. which reports that on the 26 September it was known at Philadelphia that Count d’Estaing was in Georgia and their blocked about 4000 English. The Confederation sailed with the Comittee but seperated...
118To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, D’Acosta frères & Cie., 2 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society In great haste a few minutes before the Post sets off we have the Honor to transmit to you a letter brought this day by our vessel the Committee together with one for Mr. Le Ray de Chaumont of which we beg your kind Care. Our vessel left Philadelphia the 26th Octr. last in Company with the frigate Confederacy of 40 Guns: from which she was separated the same...
119To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 3 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Letters last post from Bilboa we are advised of the Arrival of a Vessel at that Port from Georgia the Inteligence they bring is very pleasing and being transmitted by many Houses of that City gives it Credit. A detatchment from Comte dEstaings Fleet arrived at Savannah took and destroyd the British Armd Vessels on the Coast and made prisoners at Beaufort...
120To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 3 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have seen your letter of the 17th. Novr & have communicated the Contents to Mr H, but I fear nothing will be done as to the sailing of the vessel until specifications of numbers are recd, abot. which you were last week wrote to by Mr H., & who at the same time acknowlegd the Rect of the pass. Mr H——n also wrote you on that subject. The draft on G——...