1391Domenico Caracciolo to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je Suis persuadé, qu’il est dèja a Votre Connoissance, que le Roi de Deux Siciles mon Maitre à Ordonnée de tenir Ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente Nations, et aussi des Pirates, je vous prie de me faire Savoir les Couleurs du...
1392Domenico Caracciolo to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am persuaded that you already know that the King of the two Sicilies my master, has ordered the ports of all his dominions to be kept open to the Flag of the United States of America, for which reason, to avoid every possible mistake at this time, when the Seas are covered with the privateers of different Nations, and likewise with Pirates, I request you to inform me of the Colours of the...
1393John Ross to the Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
By the tuisdays post, I had the honor of your favour 30th. Ultimo now before me. And I find thereby, a want of Authority, deprivs me of either instructions or Advice from you in the concerns of the Public, farther thin what respects the large Sume of money put into my hands by the Honorable the Commissioners. It has been all along my own Opinion, that am only responsible to the Honorable...
1394Domenico Caracciolo, Marchese di Villamaina, to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Je suis persuadé, qu’il est deja a votre Connoissance, que le Roy des Deux Siciles mon Maitre á ordonné de tenir ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente...
1395Peter Collas to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Passy, October 8, 1778: Last August 6 I left here for Nantes and sailed on the 29th for Boston on the Dispatch , Corbin Barnes, master. I was captured on September 1, and taken into Guernsey; I made my way from there to England and finally to Calais. My trunk was searched and a number of articles were held on the supposition that they were made in England....
1396John Ross to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; copies: National Archives (two); transcript: National Archives <Nantes, October 8, 1778: I have yours of September 30 indicating that I am to be deprived of the commissioners’ advice beyond that concerning the money extended me. It has been my position all along that I am responsible only to Congress but I fail to see why you have charged me with...
1397Tristram Barnard to the American Commissioners, [after 9 October 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[Paris, after October 9, 1778]: A valuable whaling business has been established by the English since the onset of hostilities with America. If you intend to destroy it I could give you adequate intelligence. I was involved in this business but quit, aware that I was doing wrong. Fifteen whaling ships, manned primarily by Americans who would gladly return...
1398To John Adams from William MacCreery, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the pleasure to write you a few Lines just before my departure from Nantes, and afterwards on my arrival at this place. Two Small Vessels arrived here from Baltimore a few days ago. They had both long passages, the latest dates I had by them was the 16th. of August, and the only news contained in them, That a large Number of Vessels had got into Chesapeak Bay, which occasion’d a...
1399Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your humble petionner hath ben from America this four years in the English Services though not in Goverment Services of any kind nither have I any kind of pretentions or clames to any honour in Supporting the just cause of America any further then Releveing many prisoners with Money and means to make thare Escape from England. Therefore wishing to be of more Services then I have ben I have a...
1400Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As thier hath ben a moust Valueable Whale fishry discoverd by the people of England Since the preasent contest with America and a thing of the utmoust Consequence to the above poeple—if it is your minds to destroy it I Should be glad to give you all the information that is in my Power to affect the Same. I have ben in the busaness my self and was very Senceable I was doing Rong, therefore...
1401Tristram Barnard to the American Commissioners, 9 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[Paris], October 9, [1778]: For four years this humble petitioner, away from America, has been in English, though not in government, service. My only claim to supporting the American cause is the relief I have given to many prisoners. I want to serve by transporting goods to the rising American states, and request a pass from London to Spain for this...
1402Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have just been favoured with a communication of M. de Sartine’s Letter to you of 7th. instant, in which I am referred to a course of Law for the recovery of my Baggage, on board the Ship Nile, carried into Marseilles by a French Privateer. This I can not approve of, as my claim is founded on an Article in the Treaty which expressly declares that the goods of an American put on board of an...
1403——— Bailly aîné to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Reponse que me Raportent par le Courier de ce jour mes Banquiers et que vous leur aves fait a de quoy m’etonner. En vous faisant passer la lettre D’advis de votre representant a la Martinique Mr. Bingham, que Je trouvay dans Celle de Mr. J. Hurlot qui y est le mien, J’eus l’honneur de vous ecrire et de vous dire que je connoissois beaucoup M. Villiam...
1404John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day receivd from Mr. Livingston a Letter wherein he requests I would apply for a Letter of Mark for the Ship bought for him. I shall esteem the favor of you to forward one to me by the first Post I expect he will be ready for Sea by the first November. The Ship is called the Livingston, in Honor of Governor Livingston, the late Mr. P....
1405Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, October 10, 1778: Mr. Sartine’s letter to you of the 7th, in which I am referred to the courts to recover my baggage, has just reached me. I disagree, since my claim is founded on an article of the treaty guaranteeing the return of American goods without delay and on demand. I am the more surprised as the minister, well aware that my name was not on...
1406To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have hoped for Leisure to answer your favor as fully as, in my own Vindication, it demands. There are matters touched in it, which imply a Censure upon me, which a recapitulation of facts, I am satisfied, would convince you is unjust. But as I dispair of sufficient Leisure for some time, I must content myself with replying to what is immediately necessary. A desire to remove as much as I...
1407Daniel McNeill to the Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
After my Arrivall here I applyed to the Agent to recive the prisoners who promised he would the next morning, upon which I sent them a Shoar, but they ware refused to be Landed by the Comadant for want of Orders from the Ministry to that purpose, therefore was oblidged to Carry them onboard again, but shall not be able to Carry them out of France without turning at least twenty Americans a...
1408Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ay point oublié, Messieurs, L’Intéret que vous prenez a M. Jones et la Demande que vous avez faite de lui accorder un Batiment armé qui puissé le transporter en Amerique. Le Roi a qui j’en ai rendu Compte est disposé a donner cette facilité a ce Capitaine. Mais Je desire prealablement de Scavoir s’il sera possible de composer de Matelots Americains l’Equipage du Batiment qui sera fourni a...
1409Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have not forgotten, gentlemen, the interest you took in Mr. Jones and your request that he be granted an armed vessel to carry him to America. The King, to whom I have rendered a report, is disposed to give the captain this facility. But I would like to know, beforehand, if it would be at all possible to make up the crew of the vessel, which will be provided Mr. Jones, from American sailors,...
1410To John Adams from William Whitmarsh Jr., 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being a Townsman of yours and having suffered in the Grand Cause I have Made my Aplication To Mr. Coffyn in Behalf of the United States of Amirica for a Small Sum of Money sufficent to Bear my Exepences while in France which will be no Longer then I Can Geet a Vessell Bound To America which By the Assistance of Mr. Coffyn I hope will not be Long. Sir My affairs Stands thus — I was Taken a...
1411James Lovell to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress Congress having foreign Affairs now under Consideration, I shall not write to you on that Subject, more especially as it is quite uncertain how the present Papers will be conveyed to you. Nor shall I pretend to unravel to you the Designs of the Enemy. They are very inscrutable: The Printers know...
1412Daniel McNeill to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, October 12, 1778: After my arrival I applied to the agent to receive my prisoners; I sent them ashore but the commandant of the port refused them, lacking orders from the ministry. I cannot take them on board unless I send twenty Americans ashore. Since few opportunities for passage exist, this would be a great hardship for men who escaped English...
1413James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the receipt of your favors 22d. and 31st. Augst. nothing occur’d worth troubling you with my letters. In consequence of your letter of 31st. August I apply’d to the Commissary of this port, to receive Cap. McNeill’s prisoners, but he refused taking charge of them, as he had no kind of orders to that effect from Government. Cap. McNeill since his...
1414Sartine to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), National Archives Je n’ai point oublié, Messieurs, l’intérêt que vous prenez à M. Jonet [Jones] et la Demande que vous avez faite, de lui accorder un Bâtiment armé qui puisse le transporter à l’Amerique. Le Roi à qui j’en ai rendu compte, est disposé a donner cette facilité à ce Capitaine, mais je desire prealablement de savoir, s’il sera possible de composer...
1415John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 13 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
By Letters this day from Couronna we have advice that the 30th Ultimo arrived at that Port an American privateer of 20 guns. She left Boston 14 August. He reports that Adml. How with the reinforcement he had receivd went down to Rhode Island. He there found Comte D’estaing who on his approach stood out to meet him. A Gale of wind prevented their engageing. Both Fleets sufferd severely by the...
1416John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 13 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, October 13, 1778: We learn from an American privateer which arrived at Corunna on September 30 that Admiral Howe tried to relieve Rhode Island. His and d’Estaing’s fleets were severely damaged in a storm; he has returned to New York and d’Estaing regained his post off Newport. The privateer took two packet boats from which he has brought into...
1417To John Adams from Mercy Otis Warren, 15 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
A long abscence from your Native shore would insure a Welcome to a line from me had I no other Claim to your Attention. But when I Can Recur to former Instances of friendship And indulgence, and in addition to that assure you I take up my pen in Compliance with the Repeated request of your Good Lady, I Can suppose it possible that Even the most important Negotiations may for a Moment be...
1418Sartine to the American Commissioners, 16 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two) J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, Messieurs, des Exemplaires du Reglement concernant les Prises que des Corsaires françois conduiront dans les Ports des Etats unis de L’Amerique; et celles que les Corsaires Américains ameneront dans les ports de France. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec une parfaite Consideration, Messieurs, votre très...
1419Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 17 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Par la Lettre Messieurs que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 28 aoust dernier, vous avez demandé la main levée de la saisie faite à Calais d’une partie des bagages du Sr. Smith. J’ai pris à cet egard les informations les plus exactes et il en...
1420Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 19 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, gentlemen, the two letters that you did me the honor to write regarding Mr. Izard’s complaint about the goods captured on the ship, the Nile. In my letter of 7 October, I indicated that the government would intervene only in such cases where the laws were insufficient and that such an intervention would be unnecessary and uncalled for when the legislation was clear and...