1From Benjamin Franklin to [Edward Bancroft], [after 15 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Princeton University Library Be so good as to answer to our Friend that it is impossible Mr. Hartley could have said what is represented above, no such Thing having ever been intimated to him; nor has the least Idea of the kind ever been in the Minds of the Commissioners, particularly Dr. F. who does not Care how many Spies are plac’d about him by the Court of France having nothing to...
2John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose the postscript to Hall & Sellers’s Paper of the 9th instant containing the message of the undersigned Ambassador of the Court of France to the Court of London; his Majesty’s Speech in Consequence &c. &c. The message is couched in terms very ludicrous and merry. It also speaks tacitly the Power and determination of France. It has chagrined the King and Ministry...
3The Commissioners to Sartine, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Basmarine, Raimbeaux and Co. having represented to Us, that they have applied to Government for a Frigate, to be employed in Defence of their Commerce to and from America, and in making Reprisals for the Losses they have lately Sustained by our Enemies. We the Commissioners of the united States of North America, hereby request, that Such a Frigate may be granted them: and in that Case,...
4The Commissioners to Vergennes, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
We had this Morning the Honour of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of the 13. Instant relative to the Boston Frigate. We beg leave to assure your Excellency that the Frigate called the Boston, now at Bourdeaux, is a Ship of War belonging to the 13 United States of North America, built and maintained at their Expence, by the Honourable Congress. We therefore, humbly presume that his Majestys...
5To John Adams from James Lovell, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I hinted to you in my letter of yesterday, which goes by a different Vessel from what bears this, Half-pay for 7 years, if they live so long, is granted to the Officers who serve the War out. It was also resolved to give 80 Dollars to the Men in addition to their Land. The Commissioners at the Courts of Tuscany Vienna and Berlin are to have plenipotentiary Commissions and not to be...
6To John Adams from William Vernon Jr., 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of writing you a letter on the tenth of April, in which I informed you of my determination to reside in this place, and prayed that you would forward me recommendations to the house of Messrs. Feyers freres, which is one of the first character in this City. Being sensible that the business in which you must be involv’d leaves you few leisure moments, I was determined to wait...
7The Commerce Committee to the Commissioners, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
This will be accompanied with a Contract entered into between John Baptist Lazarus Theveneau De Francy Agent of Mr. Peter Augustine Caron De Beaumarchais representative of the House of Rodrigue Hortalez & Co. and the Committee of Commerce. You will observe that their Accounts are to be fairly stated and what is justly due paid. For as on the One hand Congress would be unwilling to evidence a...
8John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
As there is an appearance that the Sales of the Rangers prizes will be greatly protracted thro’ the claims of the Admiralty here—I have been under the necessity of drawing on you this day a Bill at five days sight in favor of Monsieur Bersolle for Twenty four thousand Livers—which I mean to distribute among the brave Officers and Men to whom I owe my late Success. It is but reasonable that...
9George Washington to James Mease, 16 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 16, 1778 . Orders Mease to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
10The American Commissioners to Sartine, [16 May 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <[Passy, May 16, 1778:] Basmarein, Raimbaux & Cie. informs us that it has applied to the government for a frigate to defend its commerce and make reprisals for its losses; we request that it may have one, and will give the ship a commission and a letter of marque.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 123. The...