11The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress; Yale University Library Captain Hammond having been detained longer than we expected, furnishes us with an opportunity of giving you the information we have since our last received from the Army, thro a Committee of Congress left at Philadelphia; for we have yet had no regular accounts from General Washington. On the 2d....
12Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 11 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Immediately After the Receipt of your favr of 26th Decr. 1 Set out for L Orient and have Executed the Businss you Desird there in the best maner The time and Surcumstances Would Admitt. I have no Great Appinon of the 60 Gunn Ship As Shee is an Oald Ship and A very Slow Sailer. Another Very Great Objecktion is her Draft Water being to much for our American...
13The King’s Answer to the American Commissioners, 13 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
D and two drafts: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Vergennes had required time to consider the commissioners’ propositions in their letter of January 5, but discussion of them began almost immediately in the highest circle of government. On the 7th some one, presumably at Versailles, wrote a longwinded memorandum on the crisis that confronted France. The hand cannot be identified,...
14The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
15Thomas Morris to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I embrace this opportunity of Captain Nicholsons return to Paris to acquaint you with my arrival here yesterday about four O’Clock in the afternoon. Mr. Penet having some bussiness at Orleans, detained us at that place a few hours, which together with the badness of the roads rendered it impossible for us to make greater dispatch than we did. I have now the...
16Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have bin Waiting Ever Since I wrote you Last for the Inventory of St. john and have not Recd. It yet therefore Conclude Mr. Gourlade has Sent it forward for Parris. Captn. Nicholson Arrivd here yesterday and produc’d your Instrucktions to him concerning the vissiting and Inspecting the Ships at L Orient. But I think I have Done Everything that Captn....
17Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Since writing this morning by Capt. Nicholson I have been with Monsr. Peltrier, who informs me that the Vessell is at the mouth of the River, where it seems all Vessells of Burden are obliged to load. She is not yet loaded but there are several Cases of Fusils gone from hence to the Ship, and Monsr. Peltrier expects a Barge loaded with Bales to come down...
18Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Yale University Library The two last days have been employed in going to Painbeuf (about 30 miles hence) examining the Mercury, and returning to Nantes. I have the pleasure to inform you that what I have hitherto seen is very satisfactory, the Mercury appears to be a very good Ship, 7 Years old, burden 300 Tons (Mr. Peltrier thinks 350,)...
19Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d you have a letter and Inventory of the Frigate the Count of Maurepat. It is the same Vessell that I saw at L Oriont and Calld the St. John. I think her Inventory is very short and will want a Large Addition if fitted for a Ship of War. The Defishencys I Hope will be pointed out by Capt. Nicholson When translated into Inglish. I hope Capt. Nicholson...
20Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library In your instructions to me you mention another Vessell which Mr. Beaumarchais proposes to send to America with Stores, but I can gain no Information of any such Vessell, Mr. Peltrier tells me he knows nothing about it. There is indeed a Ship (the St. Dominique) which Mr. Peltrier bought at the same time that he bought the mercury, and which he is to load on...
21Dumas to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis mes deux Lettres du 22 et 26e. Nov. qui sont, je pense, celles dont Mr. Deane m’accuse la réception dans la sienne du 13e. Dec. J’eus l’honneur de lui en écrire une autre le 17e. du dit Dec. et enfin une dans les derniers jours du même mois de l’année passée, dont j’ai oublié de marquer sur mon...
22[Duportail] to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien faché d’avoir entendu précisement le contraire de ce que vous me faisièz l’honneur de m’ecrire et que cela nous ait fait perdre un temps pretieux: mais je vais tacher de le reparer. Je pars ce soir pour versailles afin de scavoir les intentions du ministere, car (ainsi que je crois vous l’avoir dit) il me parut la derniere fois s’etre un peu...
23Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have finished my examination of the Mercurys Cargo and have patterns of the several kinds of Goods, which I shall shew you at my return: I have opened in all ten Cases and Bales and find them in good order. The last Lighter Load of Goods will be ready to go to the ship tomorrow morning, and I hope to include in it all the provisions &c.; by the common...
24Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dubourg a l’honneur de souhaiter le bonjour a Monsieur Franklin, Monsieur Deane et Monsieur Lee; et les supplie d’accorder une audience favorable a M. Bayard qui a des objets importans a leur communiquer, et sur l’honneteté et la solidité duquel ils peuvent compter avec la plus parfaite assurance. Notation: Notes of no Consequence Bayard & Cie. was a...
25Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure to inform you that the last Lighter went to the Ship yesterday afternoon on board of which are all the provisions &c. except live Stock, which will be bought at Painbeuf. She is cleared at the Custom house and I hope will have all ready to heave up her anchor by monday. I shall go to her on sunday morning to give a last look and hope to...
26Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 25 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just informed that the amphitrite is at last gone, she sail’d yesterday morning at 7 oClock. I have recd. Letters from Monsieur Du Coudray of the 22d and 23d Instant, by which I find he has sent me 7 officers and their Baggage; He names 4 for the 3 I agreed to take, and afterward 3 more, two of which he says are more necessary than even the Fusils and...
27Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was astonished on saturday Evening to find that Mr. DuCoudray had returned to Nantes. As we were late for the Tide (the loss of which would have been the loss of a day) I came away without seeing him: Mr. Peltier tells me he has positive orders from Mr. Demontieu (which are given with your approbation) that if Mr. Du Coudray should come to Nantes to...
28Montaudoüin to the American Commissioners, 28 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçû la lettre dont vous m’avéz honoré le 21 de ce mois. Je ne crois pas qu’aucun particulier veüille entreprendre d’acheter, d’armer pour son compte le batiment en question, et de le livrer a ses risques dans quelque port de vôtre pais. On ne trouveroit pas d’assurances solides pour une telle entreprise, et les particuliers sont imprudens quand il...
29Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library My last was written on board Ship at Painbeuf, after sealing it Mr. Niver came on board and I repeated to him my offer to take 4 passengers. I told him to avoid giving any preference, they might settle among themselves either by Lot or otherwise who those 4 should be. He returned without deciding whether he would go or not. The Wind having fail’d us the...
30Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, 1 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society MM. Dubourg, Debout et Compagnie, ayant pris des engagemens pour fournir a la ferme generale vingt mille boucauts de tabac des crus de la Virginie et du Mariland, se proposent de porter de france dans les ports des Etats unis de l’Amerique des marchandises de fabrique françoise, pour rapporter en retour non seulement des tabacs, mais diverses autres denrées...
31The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
32Dumas to the American Commissioners, 3[–14] February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis mes deux Lettres de la fin de Dec. et du 21e. Janvr., dans la dernière desquelles je vous ai rendu compte des lettres reçues du commis de la Maison que vous savez, et de ma présentation au Facteur, j’en ai reçu une autre du premier, dont voici copie. La haie 21e. Janvr. 1777 “J’ai l’honneur de vous informer que je partirai demain, &c.”...
33Thomas Morris to the American Commissioners, 4 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have received your several letters dated the 26th. and 30th Ultimo, and observe what you say with regard to such prizes as may occasionally be sent into the different Ports of France by our American Privateers which will serve for my government in future. As to money matters the sum you require to be paid Mr. Deane farr exceeds the net Proceeds of the three...
34Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I last had the pleasure of writing to you I have been employed in collecting information relative to shipping, and am sorry that I cant give you any expectation of procuring a Vessell ready built and fitted that will answer for a packet Boat. I have already mentioned two that are here but I apprehend you will think them too large. I have since seen a...
35——— Boilau and Gilles de Lavallée to the American Commissioners, 12[–14] February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Boylau prie Messiers Dean franklin de faire remettre au porteur l’echantillon d’habit fusils sabre bonet &c, &c. qu’il a laissé chez eux. Il obligeront leurs tres humble Serviteur Donner au porteur si il vous plait toutte les choses apertenant a monseur Boileau. Addressed: A Messieurs / Messirs Dean & franklin / Equrs / a lhotel dHambourg / rue Jacob...
36Montaudoüin to the American Commissioners, 13 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai remis à Mr. Arthur Lee, qui arriva avanthier, les 2 lettres que vous m’aviez adressées pour lui; Il m’a remis aussi celle dont vous m’avez honnoré au sujet de l’avis que je vous ai donné de la diminution sur les droits que MM. le Maire et les Echevins de notre ville ont accordée sur le tabac de votre pays. Nous venons de nous rendre MM....
37Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 13 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon examination of the Concord, her Inventory was found very deficient, those things which we thought would be a diminution of her price of at least 5000 Livres were not in her. It seems the owner has lately fitted out a large Ship for the Coast of Guinea and has taken from one to supply the other. This determined Mr. Peltier to purchase the Count de...
38The Farmers General: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, 14 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Les Fermiers généraux avanceront deux millions aux termes proposés. Le premier million sera payé le 15 May préfix. Le second le 15 Aoust et ils en seront remboursés en Tabacs qui leur seront livrés dans les ports de france avant la fin de décembre prochain. Le prix proposé de 4 s. la livre dans les Magasins de la Virginie et du Maryland est...
39Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 14 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will inform you of my Safe arrival after a tolerable Successfull Cruize, having Captured 3 Sail of Brig’s one Snow and One Ship, the Snow is a Falmouth Packet bound from thence to Lisbon she is Mounted with 16 Guns and had Near 50 Men on board, She Engaged Near an hour before she struck. I had one Man killed. My first Lieut. had his left Arm shot of...
40Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed is from Mr. Lee who set off this Morning, for Bourdeaux. The Dispatches &c. went with Mr. Morris to paimbeuf yesterday and are I hope by this time on board. I have the pleasure to inform you that an american Frigate supposed to be Capt. Weeks has sent a prize laden with Codfish into l’orient; This news comes by a Gentleman who arrivd from...