1Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
2The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
3The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
4The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
5The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives We send you herewith the Draught of a Frigate, by a very ingenious Officer in this service, which appears to Us peculiarly suitable for Our purpose, and We are in hopes of being able to ship Cordage and Sail Cloth, and Anchors &c. sufficient for Five or Six such Frigates, by the Time you can have them built. Though deprived of any intelligence from you since the...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [7 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. This Evening the inclosed Lettrs. &c. from London. They had been opened, and when I see You, will explain by whom. I therefore broke them afresh, which impute to my impatience to know the particulars of the important Contents, on which I congratulate You most sincerely. I wish to see You early in the Morning here, as the Business I wish to confer on...
7The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 30 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d is a Letter from Mr. Williams which Appears to have shared the Fate of my last To have been opened. I have wrote him a long Letter this Morning, on the Magazine. Rumsay sets out Tomorrow, and Hood, and others on Tuesday. The Letter and Dipositions for Lord Stormont, and the Memorial for the Portugal ambassador I take leave to remind you of. I sent...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [3 April? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I think it will be Necessary To have a Copy of the Contract with Mr. Chaumont sent to Mr. Williams and also to the Secret Committee. As you have [ torn ] Original I wish they may be made out to go by the Express. I am Sir Your most Obedient and very humble Servant Addressed: To / The Honl / Benja Franklin Esqr / [ illegible ] Passy The copy of the contract...
10The American Commissioners to [the Committee of Secret Correspondence], 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We wrote to you pretty fully on the State of Affairs here, in ours of the 12th of March and 19th of this Month, since which there has been little Alteration. There is yet no Certainty of a sudden Declaration of War, but the Preparations go on vigorously both here and in Spain, the Armies of france drawing towards the Sea Coasts, and those of Spain to the...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An express is going to Nantes at twelve o Clock this Day. I pray to see you previous, to determine on what sum shall be paid Capt. Bell, who is about to leave Nantes, and go into the service of the Gentlemen who are sending to him express. And he will be uneasy to have it determined upon. I am Sir your most Obedient and Very Humble Servant Addressed: To /...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 18 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed are Letters which I received last Evening. The Letter from Mons: Coulau speaks of two, but there was only one, the other was a bundle of Newspapers, as referred to by Mr. Morriss in his Letter of the 28th. They are of much older date than those already received therefore not worth sending to You. The post goes again for Bordeaux on Tuesday. It is I...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [2 June? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send inclosed all the Papers that came To hand, also a Letter from Mr. Bingham by which I find the Cargo from Havre in the Ship in which Davis went passanger was arrived at Martinico and I hope by this the whole is safely Landed on the Continent. I am ever Dear Sir most respectfully Your very Humble Servant On June 7 the commissioners, in a letter now...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed I send you what Papers, and Intelligence came this day per post. The Letters from Hambourgh cost Us 19 Livres postage. We must answer these people, or be ruined with their Expence. I enclose a Letter for Mr. Bingham which if it meets Your approbation, please to return it, and I will forward the Duplicates by different Means. The Letter to Mr. Jay...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 2 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure of informing You by the inclosed Lettr. that Capt. Wicks is safe, also of sending You the English papers. Letters Received by Dr. Bancroft bring nothing New, the word of the Day in London is, Howe is not ordered for Philadelphia but to join Genls. Carleton and Bourgoyne; tant mieux pour Nous . I have the honor to be most respectfully Sir...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 7 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Gentleman from Portugal proposes being here this Morning at Ten o Clocke, he calld Yesterday supposing it was the Time you Appointed. I could wish you to see him. If you, and son are not engaged, pray your Company at dinner. I am most respectfully Sir, Your most Obedient and Very Humble Servant Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / a / Passy See...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 9 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shall write this Day, to Mr. Holker, and therefore ask You to sign and return to me the within Bill. The Post goes at Twelve o Clock for Rouan, and at Two for Nantes, and perhaps it may be proper to write Mr. Williams on the subject of his last. I am most respectfully Sir Your most Obedient and very Humble Servant Addressed: To / The honorle. / Benja...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a Letter from Mr. Lee which I received last Evening, and should have sent it you this Morning but your Son informed me of your being in Town and that I should have the pleasure of seeing you; I send it for Your reflection, untill We meet this Evening. It was the first Intelligence I had of Mr. Lee’s misfortune but Mr. Grand tells Me that Mons....
19To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 22 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you per Mr. Grand, the Letters I have received this Day; I have giv’n him the Letter for Mr. Vergennes which We yesterday agreed to and signed. I have also sent You a true Copy of the Orders giv’n on Our behalf To Capt. Cunningham, which submit to Your Judgment whither it be proper to transmit it to the Count De Vergennes, with Two or Three Lines...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 23 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I go to Town this Evening to a Rendezvous with Messrs. Chaumont and Holker. The latter will be very much obliged to You for the Letters You promised him, he wishes to set out tomorrow morning. Docr. Bancroft is returned. Inclosed is a Letter from Thornton and with this I leave You the Papers, and am Dear Sir Your most Obedient, and Very humble Servant...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have seen Sir Geo. Grand who was Yesterday at Versailles, and this morning with Mons. De Sartine; I find it impossible for me to go out this Afternoon, as I must be engaged every moment in Business. I must pray you to excuse me to Marechal Maillebois. He put into my hands a Memoire of one Millin de la Brosse, which I forgot to shew you, but I sent a...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 19 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library I this instant received the inclosed, and as I do not fully Understand the meaning of it I judged it Necessary to go immediately and see Mr. Gerard. I will be back by about Eight o’Clock. I think that it is designed that Our Letter should be sent by the Minister’s Messenger, it is perhaps the most proper. If so it must be Compleated this Evening, as well...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane’s Compliments to Docr. Franklin and prays him to be at his house Rue Royale at Six this Evening where he will meet the Gentleman Mr. Deane went this Morning to Visit on an Affair of the greatest Consequence. Addressed: To / The Honle. Benj Franklin Esq In a similar invitation to Arthur Lee, Deane explained that the meeting was at Gérard’s request:...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I find that I shall have little Time to spare and can therefore only inform You That We arrived here the 6th. without Accident: Our Freind the Day after and that We hope to go forward in two or three days. The grateful Sense which I retain of the many Civilities shewn Me by Our Freinds at Paris and at Passy, makes me regret my having been obliged to set out...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 2 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote You by Capt. Cummins who sailed a few Days since, and I have been so particular to Docr. Bancroft who will communicate my Letter to You that I have very little to add. Genl. Sullivan by Accts. of the 25th Ulto. was endeavoring to make good his Retreat from Rhode Island, which it is thought he will hardly effect without some Loss. The Country and...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter informing Franklin of his election as minister plenipotentiary to the court of France; the official notification was not sent for another six weeks. The dissolution of the American commission was not the result of its internal dissensions and inefficiency, but rather of the dictates of diplomatic protocol. This demanded that the...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the first half of September Deane was optimistic that congressional approval of his conduct as commissioner would permit his quick return to Europe. Between September 19 and October 15, however, that optimism was undermined. On those two dates Henry Laurens presented to Congress letters he had received from Ralph Izard criticizing the conduct of...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 7 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Count Montford will do himself the honor of waiting on You with this Letter, & It is with Pleasure I embrace the Opportunity to recommend him to Your Notice, as one who has served, and acquired good Reputation in Our Army. He has served immediately under Count Polaski and has rose from a Voluntier to the rank of Major, when his private Affairs, obliging...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed to you by Mons. Colomb, who came out to America with the Marquiss de la Fayette, & has served with Reputation in the Army of the United States, and now returns to Visit his Country, and Freinds, I take therefore the Liberty to introduce him to your Acquaintence and to refer you to him for Information of the State of Our Army, and its...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now waiting here for a Passage for France and hope to embark in Two or Three Weeks in the Fendant, a Twenty four Gun Ship commanded by the Marquiss De Vaudreuil, by way of Martinico. Your Daughter and Family were in good health, when I left Philadelphia.— We are now alarmed here with Accounts from New York of an Invasion of this, and the other Southern...