401Acknowledgments of Poetic Offerings to Franklin: Five Models, [Spring?], 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Drafts: American Philosophical Society These drafts are impossible to date, except perhaps in a general way. Four of them were composed after Franklin’s move to Passy at the end of February, and are in the hand of Le Veillard, his friend and neighbor there. The fifth is in the hand of the abbé Martin Lefèbvre de la Roche, a house guest of another neighbor, Mme. Helvétius; it does not mention...
402The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library The commissioners had been plagued from the start by the lack of regular and reliable communication with America. On April 1 they had signed a contract with Chaumont for establishing a packet service; now, a month later, the service was ready to start as soon as the first packet arrived from Morlaix and took on her cargo....
403From Benjamin Franklin to [John Bradford], 1[-27] May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I received your Favour of Feb. 25. by Capt. Adams. I congratulate you on his safe Arrival with others of our American Ships, it being rather wonderful that so many get in through all the English Men of War actually cruizing in the channel and Bay of Biscay to prevent them. I make no doubt but Messrs. Penet & Morris will take proper Care in disposing of the Cargo...
404From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society It was with great Pleasure I received lately the Letters of my Friends from Boston by Capt. Adams. They were the first that got to hand since I left America. I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my safe Arrival here, and for your good Wishes. I am, as you supposed, treated with great Civility and Respect by all Orders of People; but it gives...
405From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, Sr., 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival here, and shall be happy in finding that our Negociations on this side the Water are of effectual Service to our Country. The general News here is, that all Europe is arming and preparing for War, as if it were soon expected. Many of the Powers however, have their...
406From Benjamin Franklin to John Winthrop, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of Feb. 28. which gave me great Pleasure. I forwarded your Letter to Dr. Price, who was well lately, but his Friends, on his Acct., were under some Apprehensions from the Violence of Government, in consequence of his late excellent Publications in favour of Liberty. I wish all the Friends of Liberty and Man would quit that Sink of...
407From Benjamin Franklin to ――― Adoubeden with a Covering Note to ―――, 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (two drafts): Library of Congress It would be a pleasure to me if I could comply with your Request to place your Son in our American Army. But it is absolutely not in my Power. Some old experienc’d Engineers and Officers of Artillery have been desired from Europe, but they have long since been engag’d and gone. And we have so many young Gentlemen, Natives of our Country, who are desirous...
408The American Commissioners to John Adams, [on or before 5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With this, you will receive Dispatches; with which you are to sail with all possible expedition. You will enclose the Dispatches in a Box with Lead, and have it always ready to sink, shoud you be in unavoidable danger of falling into the Enemies hands. To prevent this misfortune, you will constantly keep a good look-out, and be very cautious how you approach any...
409The American Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Harvard University Library The Commissioners from the United States of America desire to represent to his Excellency the Count de Vergennes, that they have received Intelligence of a Vessel belonging to the States having been taken by the Culloden, an English Ship of War, close on the Coast of France; and that the same...
410The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
411The American Commissioners: Three Covering Notes for Captured Mail, 10–11 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): University of Virginia Library; (II) two copies: University of Virginia Library; (III) copy: Harvard University Library The first fruit of Gustavus Conyngham’s cruise in the Surprize was the capture of the Prince of Orange , the packet from Harwich to the Netherlands. She yielded some two thousand letters, dispatches, and bills of credit, which were forwarded to Franklin. Some...
412From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 12 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution ... (12 vols., Boston, 1829–30), IX , 317–18. Last night we received a packet from North America with some advices, of which I send you the substance. I see your letters now and then to Mr. Deane and Mr. Carmichael, and thank you for the kind mention made of me in them. I am so bad a correspondent, that...
413News from America, 12 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania This Day arrived an Express from Boston in New England, which brings Advices to the 3d of April. General Washington was well, with the Army under his Command, which was daily augmenting by the Arrival of the new Levies from the different States. There is no mention of any Sickness having been among them. Nor had there been any Attack made upon...
414From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 22 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have just received yours of March 10. and it is the first come to hand from you since my Arrival, tho’ the third you mention to have written. I rejoice to hear that the Family are all well. I did not hear before that they were out of Town. We are all well here. Temple presents his Duty. Ben’s Letter is enclos’d. He dines with me every Sunday and some Holidays....
415The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 25 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; two copies: British Library Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14 and April the 9th (a third Copy of which we send herewith) Mr. Lee tarry’d here some Weeks after his Return from Spain. No News arriving (tho’ we received Letters from you) of any Commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the Necessity of a good Understanding with that...
416The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The Navy of the United States increasing in the Number of its Ships and Force, it is of the utmost importance to direct the Cruises of the Shipps of War which belong either to the States or individuals so as to annoy and alarm the Enemy the most effectually, and at the same Time to encourage Our brave Officers and Seamen by the Value of prizes. The West India...
417From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Communication between Britain and North America being cut off, the French Botanists cannot in that Channel be supply’d as formerly with American Seeds, &c. If you or one of your Sons encline to continue that Business, you may I believe send the same Number of Boxes here, that you used to send to England, because England will then send here for what it...
418From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The above went by Capt. Adams. Since which I received your Favour by your Son, who appears an amiable sensible young Man. I have advis’d his Staying a few Months in France to acquire the Language, which, as we are likely to have more Connection and Commerce with this Nation than formerly, may be of considerable Use to him. He returns to Nantes with Mr....
419From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Jewish Historical Society, New York City I was glad to understand by yours of March 29. that you and your Family continued in good Health and Spirits. You and your Country are engag’d in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your Son John remains at Nantes. His Brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he...
420From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Count Pulawski of Poland, an Officer famous throughout Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defence of the Liberties of his Country against the three great invading Powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia, will have the Honour of delivering this into your Excellency’s Hands. The Court here have encouraged and promoted his Voyage, from an Opinion that he may be highly...
421The American Commissioners: Request for Payment from the Farmers General, [before 30 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Pennsylvania Library Nous soussignés tant en notre nom que comme fondés des pouvoirs des colonies unies de l’Amérique Septentrionale prions M. De St. Marc Receveur général des fermes du Roy à Paris de payer au Trente May préfix à M. Grand Banquier demeurant à Paris que nous avons à cet effet choisi et désigné la somme d’un million de Livres pour le premier terme convenu et...
422The American Commissioners: Contract with ––– Mercier for the Repair of Arms, 30 May 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society <Charleville, May 30, 1777, in French: Mercier will engage at least forty qualified workmen to come to Nantes as soon as possible. He will contract with each of them at a fixed price, not to exceed 2 l.t. 2 sols for each gun that needs to be dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled; any new work will be done as cheaply as possible. He will obtain parts from the...
423The American Commissioners to John Jay, 2 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 ulto. of which we sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send you the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North, is unguarded, the Greenland Whale Fishery and the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Could two or three of our frigates accompanied by...
424Concerning Mr. Merckle, [after 2 June? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library J. P. Merckle had arrived in Bordeaux on the Dispatch and had contracted, but not paid for, a small consignment of goods for her return voyage. He had then gone to the Netherlands, and ordered supplies worth far more than the secret committee had authorized him to spend. In February Lee had complained that the Dispatch was waiting in Bordeaux for a...
425The American Commissioners: Contract with Jean-Joseph Carié de Montieu, [6 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: British Library In February, 1777, Congress sent a large order for military supplies, including 40,000 uniforms and cloth for as many more, which the commissioners acknowledged in late April. They then moved rapidly. Although they signed no contract before this one, they placed orders many weeks earlier. On April 27 they agreed with Chaumont and Jean Holker, one of the inspectors general...
426From Benjamin Franklin to Lauron, 6 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Persons acting in France for the United States of America, had Orders from the Congress to procure and send over 4 experienc’d Engineers and a few Officers of the Artillery. That Commission is executed, and those Officers are gone. The Agents are not authoris’d by the Congress to agree with and send over any other Officers whatever. Nor to promise any Rank...
427From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquise de Senneville, [6 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress It would be a Pleasure to me if I could in this Instance show the Regard I have for your Recommendation. My Answer to M. de Lauron, which I send open for your Perusal, will acquaint you with the Reasons. As soon as I hear of the Arrival of M. le Chevalier Dannemours I shall immediately acquaint you with it. I have &c. The date of the enclosed letter to Lauron,...
428From Benjamin Franklin to [the Duc de La Rochefoucauld], [after 7 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Excuse if you can my detaining these Papers so long. My Time every day is devoured by Applications of Officers and People who would go to America. We have no certain Account of the Arrival of the Amphitrite. We fear she has been destroyed by the English with all on board; as they give us in the Papers an Account of their having blown up a French Ship of 24 Guns...
429From Benjamin Franklin to [George Washington], 11 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I do every thing in my Power to discourage foreign Officers from going over to enter into our Service, knowing well how difficult it is to place them, to their Satisfaction and the public Utility, particularly as most who apply are unacquainted with our Language. The Person who will have the Honour of presenting this Letter to your Excellency, M. le Baron de...
430From Benjamin Franklin to [V Dulongprey, Coney & fils], 12 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I receiv’d your Favour of the 6th Inst. per Capt. Burnell, and am much oblig’d by the Civilities you have shown him. The Prize cannot, as you observe, be sold and Delivered in your Port, it being contrary to Treaties, and to Ordinances made in Conformity to those Treaties; But I suppose it may be done in the Road without the Port, or in some convenient Place on...
431From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 13 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy of each: National Archives The Person who will have the Honour of delivering this to your Excellency, is Monsieur le Baron de Frey, who is well recommended to me as an Officer of Experience and Merit, with a Request that I would give him a Letter of Introduction. I have acquainted him that you are rather overstock’d with Officers, and that his obtaining Employment in your Army is...
432Memoir and Supplemental Observations, [before 18 June and before 3 July 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: British Library These two papers argue for an immediate French declaration of war, and that is virtually all that can be said about them with confidence. They raise problems that are, we have been forced to conclude, insoluble given the evidence now at hand. That evidence is both fragmentary and contradictory, and leaves open the two salient questions about any such documents: who wrote...
433From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society The Gentleman who will have the Honour of delivering this into your Hands, is M. de Bretigny, Captaine d’Infanterie, who has been well and strongly recommended to the Commissioners here as an Officer of Distinction in his Profession. He proposes to raise a Corps in America, to be employ’d in our Service and in that View carries over with him at his...
434From Benjamin Franklin to Archibald Douglas, 23 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 18th. relating to the Loss of your Captain which has given me much Concern: But I hope the Application we are making to Government to have him reclaimed will Succeed and that he will be restored to his Vessel and People; But as it may be some time before this is accomplished, if you and they are disposed to be getting something by another...
435From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Drouet, 23 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I received yours of the 16th Inst. relating to the Capture of Capt. Burnel. An Application is making to Government here to have him reclaim’d, as being taken from under the Protection of your Forts, contrary to the Law of Nations; which Application I hope will succeed, and that he will be restor’d to his Vessel and People. In the mean time, I would advise the Crew not...
436From Benjamin Franklin to V Dulongprey, Coney & fils, 23 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received your favour of the 18th inst. inclosing the Depositions relating to the taking of Capt. Burnell, for which I am obliged to you, as they give a Clearer Light into that Transaction. I am applying to Government here to reclaim him from the English as being taken from under the Protection of your Forts, and I hope we shall get him restored; but as that may...
437The American Commissioners to Vergennes, [26 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères To his Excellency the Count de Vergennes, Minister for Foreign Affairs We the underwritten, Commissioners from the Congress of the United States of N. America, beg leave to represent to your Excellency, that Captain Burnel, Commander of an armed Vessel commissioned by the said States, did lately take Refuge in the Port of Cherburgh with his...
438From Benjamin Franklin to Silas Deane, 3 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I have just received the inclos’d from St. Malo, which I send for your Consideration, and as Capt. Wickes will want Credit there, perhaps it may be well to accept the Offers of these Gentlemen. I shall be satisfy’d perfectly with what you may think proper to do on the Occasion. I am, with great Esteem, Your most obedient humble Servt. Endorsed: Dr. Franklin...
439From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 3 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr. franklin presente ses respects à Mr. Grand et il lui envoye la lettre originale dont it lui a parlé. Dans une autre Mr. Bingham dit que “le plus Leger pretexte suffit aujourdhui aux Anglois pour saisir et condamner les effets des marchands françois qui ne peuvent pas même transporter les productions d’Amerique d’une Isle à une...
440Comments on Turgot’s Plan for a Single Tax, [after 3 July? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Gustave Schelle, ed., Œuvres de Turgot et documents le concernant (5 vols., Paris, 1913–34), V , 516. Three documents in Turgot’s published works reflect an exchange between him and Franklin that is more apparent than real. The first is a long memorandum by the former minister, arguing the case for a single tax on land. The second is Franklin’s response, doubting whether the...
441The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library; three copies, one incomplete: National Archives We have appointed Mr. Williams to take the Direction of such affairs at Nantes as are more particularly within our Department and accordingly advise you to address yourself to him for any assistance You stand in want off in the Disposition of your prizes or your other Concerns. You will give directions to Capts....
442From Benjamin Franklin to [Silas Deane], 9 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin is here forwarding word of a most unwelcome development. Wickes’s cruise had raised a storm in Whitehall, and on July 8 Stormont protested in strong terms to Maurepas and Vergennes. The Ministers met that evening, according to Wentworth, and the following evening Maurepas and Sartine discussed with considerable heat what should be said to the...
443From Benjamin Franklin to Silas Deane, 10 June [i.e., 11 July?] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society M. Chaumont advises to equip Capt. Wickes at St. Malo, where he can be furnish’d with Cannon, Cordage, Sailcloth, Salt, Anchors, and other things proper to carry to America; and may go directly from thence without the double Risque of a Coasting Voyage to take in such things at another Port. He has obtain’d a Letter of Recommendation to M. Beaugeard, a...
444From Benjamin Franklin to [the Chevalier de Richoufftz?], 15 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I this day received your Letter of the 5th Instant, wherein you request being sent to America in the Service of the United States, and that I would pay the Charges of your Passage, and give you a Commission to be an Officer in their Army. In answer I would assure you, that I am not authoris’d by the Congress to do either the one or the other, nor is there any...
445From Benjamin Franklin to ―――, 15 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received last Night yours of the 7th. Instant. From what I know of Capt. Wickes and his Carracter, I am persuaded he is not capable of the Injustice you mention, and that the Matter must have been misrepresented to you. However, being desirous not only to procure Justice, but if possible to give Satisfaction to all of this much respected Nation, who...
446The American Commissioners to the Marques de Ponte do Lima, [before 16 July 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, British Library The Congress of the United States of America have seen with Concern in the Public Newspapers an Edict of the late King of Portugal dated at the Palace of Ajuda: the 4th of July 1776 wherein the said States are spoken of in Terms of Contumely, and all Ships belonging to their People then in the Ports of Portugal are...
447The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies with variations: Harvard University Library, National Archives (two) We are very sensible of the Protection afforded to us and to our Commerce since our Residence in this Kingdom, agreeable to the Goodness of the King’s gracious Intentions, and to the Law of Nations; and it gives us real and great Concern, when any Vessels of War,...
448From Benjamin Franklin to [the Comte de Tressan], [on or before 18 July 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society As an American I cannot but feel myself extreamly oblig’d by your generous Offer of the Services of your Son to our Cause. I wish it was in my Power to assure him the Rank and Employment, on his Arrival in America, that his good Will and his Military Talents and Experience may justly intitle him to: But having no Authority for such Purposes, I can...
449The American Commissioners to [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 19 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library Yours of the 24th we received and have wrote M. Morris requiring a Copy of his Commission. This with the Steps you have taken is all that at Present, appears necessary. You may take Capt. Thompson’s Paper; But make no Discount; and Hold it in your hands untill further Orders. As to the Duc de Chartres We submit the Price of her to your Judgement which must...
450The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 21 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Capt. Wicks when he left France on his last Cruise was ordered not to return if he could possibly avoid it, but to intercept some of the Irish Linnen Ships, and proceed with them for America where the Article was much wanted. Unfortunately he miss’d those Shipps, and having giv’n The Alarm, he had no way to avoid being taken but by sheltering...