251To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have not written you since the 14 Instant because everything has been here in such a State of Confusion and Suspence and I chose to say nothing ’till I could say something decisively. I must now inform you that there is no prospect of Capt Jones’s regaining the Alliance, she is under Groix and nothing but fair Combat and...
252To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your Favour of the 17 Inst and should be happy immediately to execute your Orders, but the Frigate Alliance has not only fled and deprived us of her Assistance but the Bonhomme Richards men are in her & are loaded with Irons because they want to join their old Commander. Thus does this Fool & madman sacrifice the dearest Interests of our...
253To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I arrived here in 50 Hours after I left you & found all my Family well.— I received by last Post from Morlaix, where I hear a Cartel is arrived, a Letter from Capt Manly of which the inclosed is Copy, poor Cunningham is yet alive as you will see.— I wish it were possible to get all these poor Fellows exchanged, you see by the...
254To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you per last Post since which your Case of wine has been sent to the Messagerie. M de Francis arrived in Town from Rochelle last Evening he came passenger in the Fier Rodrigue which arrived at Isle de Rhe after first seeing her Convoy of 18 Sail safe in the Bordeaux River. M Dean is a passenger in the Fier Rodrigue. M...
255To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 3 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour of the 29 Ulto. with Mr Schweighausers Letter to you & a Copy of your Answer, the former of which I return inclosed. I have given my Opinion as you desire on a Paper annexed. I have heard nothing from M de Chaumont about the Ship since I left Passy. I suppose he has not yet received a decisive...
256To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Since my Return from Passy I have not received a Line from Mr de Chaumont relative to the Breton although I have frequently written to him on the Subject; I have received Letters from him on other matters but not a word of the Breton. I am at a loss to account for this & I wish you would please to put him in mind of the...
257To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have this day received a Letter from Mr de Chaumont, in which he tells me, he has purchased the Breton & that she will be ready to take in at L’orient by the last of next Month, so that what I wrote you by the last Post need not be shewn to him, since the Business is now going on, and you may depend it will on my Side go on...
258To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library The Bearer Mr Jeremiah Allen of Boston is a Gentleman for whom I have a great Friendship and Esteem; we were Companions in our Infancy, and from that Time I have had more Reason to increase than diminish my Attachment. I beg leave to recommend him to your notice and am as ever Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman Notation:...
259To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I beg leave to introduce to your Notice Mrs Blake her Daughter & two Sons. This Lady is the Wife of William Blake Esqr of South Carolina & one of the most respectable Men in that State. He came hither with his Family about three Years, since & went himself to america where he now is; He was in Carolina but not in Charlestown at the Surrender. Mrs Blake...
260To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Inclosed is a Packet & two Letters which I received by the Mercury Capt Samson. This Ship is fitted out by the Massachusetts State to carry over the Stores it was expected Mr Austin would have been able to provide; but in consequence of his failure (for I do not understand he has in the smallest Degree succeeded) she is here...
261To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have received your kind Favour of the 18 Instant. You may depend that not a Moments Time shall be lost in sending all the Goods to L’orient; the Cloathing that I made up is already there & the Goods you took of M de Chaumont will be on the Road as soon as I can find Roulliers sufficient which I hope will be in a few...
262To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The Bearer is Mr George Moore son of Mr Phillip Moore in Philadelphia, He has been near two Years under my direction in this Place but is now written for by his Grandfather in the Isle of Man who wishes to see him; His Intention is therefore to pay his Duty to his aged parent & probably will return to America. I beg leave to introduce him to your Notice...
263To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have received a Letter from Mr DeSegray at St Malo of which I send inclosed a Copy. You will see by it the Difficulties that will attend the Transportation of the Saltpetre; That relative to Mr Schweighauser I have obviated by desiring him to write & relinquish his Pretentions, which he has promised in consequence of a...
264To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I received your Favour of the 27 Sept too late to answer it by the last Post. The Accot of Bills and the other Cloathing Accounts are making out as fast as possible, they are very long so I cannot send them by this Post but you shall have them in a Day or two. I am glad to hear you are likely to get a Pasport for the Salt...
265To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The present serves only to hand you a small Dft which Messrs De Segray & Co sent me for a little Balance due to him on the Dolphin Capt Nicholson in Decr 1777, being for some Charges after the Accots were closed, As it is a trifle I paid it & have charged it to the public please therefore to return me the note with your...
266To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I hear that my Friend & Correspondent Mr French of Bordeaux is now in Paris & intends to wait on you. I therefore beg leave to reccommend him to your Friendship & Civilities and I shall consider your Notice of him as an Obligation on me. I long to hear of the great Ships being at L’Orient as I am ready for her, & you may...
267To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have already mentioned to you the Arrival of the Massachusetts State Ship Mars & I suppose both Mr Austin & Capt Samson have told you her Situation; I need not therefore make any further Introduction to this Letter, which I shall confine to that Subject. It seems the State expected Mr Austin would have succeeded in...
268To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have just received a Letter from Mr De Segray of which he tells me he has sent you a Copy. You will see by it that it is not the Regisseurs des Poudre but les Fermier Genereaux that must give the permission desired. Please to obtain this & send it to Mr De Segray as soon as possible, in the mean time I have desird him to...
269To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) Inclosed is a List of all the Bills I have drawn on M. de Chaumont for accot of the Cloathing from the first Bill to the present Day with the No date Term & every particular relating to each amounting to 741095 l.t. 18 s. 4 d. I intended to send this List at the same Time I sent the Accounts of this Operation,...
270To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1957) I wrote you last Post a particular Letter relative to Mr de Chaumonts affairs since which I find they are publicly known & the alarm is general. Every man who has taken my Bills on him in this Place have mentioned to me his stoppage of payment, but I am happy to find they have great Confidence...
271To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour from Billy of the 25 Inst. & am sorry to hear you are laid up with the Gout, but I hope it will not last you long. The French say the Gout is a Brevet de Santé but it is a Commission which costs dear & I think not worth purchasing. I have communicated to Mr Austin your Letter & he thanks you for...
272To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) I have before me your two Favours of the 28 Ulto and 1st Instant.— I understand as little as you do the Reason of drawing on M. de Chaumont, but he ordered me to do so and you had previously put me under his Orders about the Cloathing; the only Reason I ever heard was a supposed incompatibility between your...
273To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library When I made the agreement with Mr de Chaumont about the Ship I thought it was not possible to have any Difficulty; but he & his Correspondents make a strange demand of receiving the Freight before she Sails from Bordx because the words of the agreement are “ frêt acquit avant le depart ” & the Departure they fix to be from...
274To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have the pleasure to inform you that the dispute between M. de Chaumont & me is terminated (as I was sure it would be) in my Favour. Two Gentlemen of his own appointing (M. Rozée & M. Montaudouin) have decided the Freight to be payable only after the Goods are loaded at L’Orient, & Messrs Jeauge & Co (Mr de Chaumonts...
275To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favours of the 2d & 4 Inst.— My Disputes with Mr de Chaumont were indeed, ended, & if I had had only him to deal with, I beleive I should never have had any, but his Bordeaux Correspondents have acted very different from my Ideas of fair Dealing & this is the mildest Construction I can place on their...
276To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I received your favour of the 12th. inst. after I had written my Answer to yours of the 2d: & 4th. so I let that go as it is and you have it accordingly inclosed— Immediately on the arrival of Monsr. de Chaumonts Courier with his and your Packets Mr: de Montaudoin sent for me to Answer his Interrogatories & justify my cause,—I...
277To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have this day sent Mr Chaumont a Draft on you at 10 days sight for the amount of his Goods £428,330.2.8 Tournois [ l.t. ] payable in your Bills on the Congress of which I sent you a Model in my Letter 7 November last, This is the amount of the Invoice exclusive of Charges—which I will Furnish you a duplicate as soon as I...
278To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library This serves to inclose an Accot furnished by Mr DeSegray & Co for the Expenses which have attended the Saltpetre, which please to return me with your Approbation at the Foot of it & I will pay accordingly. I also inclose Extract of a Letter I have receivd from the Commr of the Genl Mifflin Privater with Copy of his Prisoners...
279To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library As you have always given me Reason to believe that it is agreeable to you to hear of whatever is an addition to my Happiness, I trust you will be pleased to know that Mrs Williams has given me a very fine Girl who was born yesterday at noon. The Mother & Infant are as well as it is possible to be and I have the most flattering prospect of seeing my...
280To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) I was most sensibly affected this morning to see one of my Bills on Mr de Chaumont return protested, I was obliged immediately to reimburse 4100 Livres and I find I am to expect at least 30,000 l.t. more tomorrow: I was therefore under the necessity of raising Cash, & accordingly have negociated Bills on you...
281To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) Since mine per last Post I have furnished to Mr Carier my Draft on you at 4 Days date £17014.10. which is to replace my Dfts on Mr de Chaumont of 16 Sept. No. 353 3000. 354 3100 355 3200 356 3300 357 4414.10 17,014:10 If these drafts are paid by Mr de Chaumont it will be unnecessary to accept mine, as...
282To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) Your kind Favour of the 15. Inst came to hand this morning. I am much obliged to you for your Congratulations on the delivery of Mrs Williams, she has been much troubled with one of her Breasts, but is now getting better fast, & she persists in suckling the Child. I have recvd Mr De Segrays Account approved &...
283To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) I have received your esteemed Favour of the 20 Inst and see with great Concern your Position with regard to M. de Chaumont.— In order to act with legal propriety with regard to the Marquis de la Fayette, I have thought it prudent to take the advice of Council, and in consequence of it I have this day written...
284To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) I have just received your esteemed Favour of the 22 Inst. I see your Intention to take the Officers Cloathing on Accot of Congress & to pay the Bills drawn for HO accordingly; I must observe however that it will be necessary to have an order for Mr de Chaumont for the Delivery of these Officers Cloathing to...
285To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 1 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library; (II) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library Since my last I have a ship loaded with Sugar & Cotton from Port au Prince (but belonging to Boston) arrivd at L’Orient to my address. I have written a Letter to Mr Necker which I inclose, you will see the subject by reading it, & if you approve...
286To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I received in course your kind Favour of the 29 Jan. & would have answered it by return of Post if Mrs Williams’s Situation had not required my constant attention. She is now thank God much better & I hope soon to see her recover fast.— Notwithstanding you heard on the 29th that the marquis de la Fayette was sailed. I am...
287To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Three Letters, 9 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library; (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society The Procureur du Roi of this Place seeing my Servant Mark Anthony passing the street took it into his Head to order him to Prison because he is black; He has been two Years with me and is well known by everybody in the Town, yet is to day taken up on an Edict of...
288To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library The Marquis de la Fayette is at length arrived at L’Orient & as soon as the Freight she brought round from Bordeaux is delivered she will begin to take in: All that depends on me is ready, & you may depend there will not be a moments Delay that I can prevent.— I have written a Letter to the Minister which I inclose for...
289To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have just heard that the Captain of the Marquis de la Fayette is gone to Passy. I cannot guess his Business, but I hope it will not occasion Delay. My Clerk has been at L’Orient some time & the ship is not yet ready to take in, You may be assured that not an hours delay will be on my side as all is ready. As I imagine there...
290To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., [1 March] 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I wrote you some time since & sent under Cover a Letter to Mr Necker relative to the Freight Duty demanded on the Aurora but as I have not yet received any answer I take the Liberty of sending a Copy which I request you to send to Mr Necker, if the Original has not come to hand. The Payment of this Freight Duty will much affect this kind of Commerce, &...
291To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont has written to me consenting to the appropriation of the officers Cloathing to the public Accot agreeable to your desire and I have accordingly paid the amount of the Invoices £25970.6 by my 2 drafts on you—Viz. 23810.19.10 @ 10 days sight to the order of M Chaumont & 2159. 6. 2 @ do to my order both marked HO 25970. 6. 0 which please to...
292To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library As the English News Writers have been endeavouring to hurt us by giving bad News, I think it my Duty to give you Copy of an Account contradicting their Publication which I received from L’Orient the 4th Inst & which I wish may give you as much Pleasure as it has me. I am with much Respect Your ever Affectionate Kinsman Addressed: a monsieur / Monsieur...
293To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your much esteemed Favour of the 8 Inst in which you refer me to Mr de Chaumont for the Balance of the Officers Cloathing & I have drawn on him accordingly.— The Situation of Mrs Williams has been such that my absence would have perhaps been attended with Loss of her. I have however taken such Care of the Business at L’Orient that there has...
294To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have the pleasure to inform you that the Marquis de la Fayette is now loaded & ready for the Sea. I sent on last post my Letters to Congress & the Agent for supplying the Army informing them of all that is necessary relative to the Cargo, so that the Ship now only waits for your final Orders. My Presence at L’Orient has not been necessary for had I...
295To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here last Evening & agreeable to my Expectation found every thing that I had to do relative to the Marquis de la Fayette very well executed by my Clerk & the ship in the Stream all ready for Sea, as she has been some Days. I have no Instructions relative to the final Departure of this ship & I should suppose your Dispatches necessary, it is for...
296To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 2 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I informed you in my last that the Marquis de la Fayette would sail the next day, accordingly on thursday the 29 of March I saw her & the Alliance under Sail and the Wind has since continued exceeding fair, so that I imagine they are now 150 Leagues of. I have the pleasure to assure you that the great ship sails remarkably well & I realy believe the...
297To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library A mon retour de L’Orient j’ai trouve une Notte de votre part, (sans datte) que me demande des Renseignements a sujet de la Pacotile que notre Ami feu Monsr. Dubourg avait confié a mon Frere—. En reponse a cette Demande J’ai l’honneur de vous remettre les Copies de 3 Lettres que J’ai ecrit—Scavoir A Monsr. Breton le 4 Août 1779 A Monsr. Dubourg le 10. 7bre. 1779 A...
298To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) It is found absolutely necessary for Mrs Williams to take a Journey & reside some time in a high Country in order to reestablish her Health. In consequence of this and in order to produce to you all my Accounts & Vouchers I have determined to go to Passy, first leaving Mrs Williams at St Germain, she...
299To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have not written to you since my Arrival because I had nothing to communicate worth troubling you with a Letter.— As a great number of our unhappy Countrymen are in the English Prisons without any prospect of an Exchange for want of Prisoners to give in return, it is proposed by the american Houses in France to build & arm a stout Privateer of 28 Guns...
300Jonathan Williams, Jr., to William Temple Franklin, 24 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you inclosed a Specimen of an Improvement I have made in copying. When you write for more english Papers pray order an equal quantity for me. I forgot to pay for my hat when I came away, please to pay the Man when he calls. I also forgot to give you Mr Austins Draft for what he owed the Doctor, please to tell me how much it is & send me down Austins...