1The American Commissioners to Stephen Sayre, [before 17 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We learn with much surprise from your Letter to Dr. Franklin of the 27th of Octr. that you have remaind at the Court of Berlin apparently in a public character. It is our duty to inform you, that acting under a public character without being authorizd, is criminal; and we therefore advise and enjoin you to desist from any such conduct in future at Berlin or...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 27 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I address you not as a Commissioner for America, but as a man of feeling, who has a disposition to do justice to all the world. Do you not think it hard indeed that I should be left under the necessity of returning to England, at the mercey of my Enemies, who are Enemies also to public liberty, after having committed myself by taking an open part in the...
3Stephen Sayre to the American Commissioners, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library When I left Berlin, I meant to have come to Paris by the way of Hambourg, and from thence to Rouan by sea; but on my arrival at Hambourgh, I saw more propriety in coming here. I have reason to think I shall remain here the Winter, therefore beg it as a great favour, that you will send such Letters, as are now under your care, to the Danish Minister at Paris,...
4To 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...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Stephen Sayre, 25 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives I have considered the proposition you mention & have given my approbation to it in the fullest manner. I wish you success in carrying it into execution. In Sayre’s hand and submitted in support of his claims for compensation: see the preceding document. He supplied the dateline.
6To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honor’d with your Letter of the 25th. decr; also with your Excellencey’s Opinion, approving the proposition I had made. But, unfortunately it came too late— the Ship intended for the Voyage was sold at public auction, not many days before the answer was received. As my Letter went from hence the 7th of novr. there was full time enough, & I lament the...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 10 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the honor of acquainting your Excellency just before my departure that I should make a short visit to Stockholm. I am well pleased at the disposition of that Court, & have good reason to believe it will soon show itself freindly to our Cause. I not only had the honor of several conferences with the first Minister, but one with the King in...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 21 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the honor of writing your Excellency a few Lines upon my return here from Stockholm; expressing my belief, that a freindly disposition prevail’d at that Court, & might be cultivated to advantage: but that I could not, with propriety, risque a communication of my Ideas on this subject, by the common post— I shall shortly be in Amsterdam—the...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Stephen Sayre, 31 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received your Favour of the 10th inst from Copenhagen. The Account you give of the Disposition of the Swedish Court is very agreeable. I saw in the News Papers that a Deputy of the Congress was at Stockholm; did you obtain the Audiences you mention by assuming that Character? The Informations you did not chuse to venture by the Post from Copenhagen may be...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 13 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favour’d with your Excellencys Letter of 31 March, sent me by Messrs Hopes: for having been taken ill, I had advised them accordingly. I have been many days confined to my Rooms with the blind Piles; have suffer’d intolerably, but am now better— My Journey to & from Stockholm, travelling night & day, without rest, probably brought on the complaint— As...