1——— to the American Commissioners, 11 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <On board the Boston , Port Louis, July 11, 1778: Jerome Cazneau, sergeant of marines, obtained shore leave and persuaded the other Frenchmen aboard to quit the ship. He did everything in his power to alienate them from returning to duty. The General, though under orders to assist us, gave them the choice of staying or quitting, even though he was reminded...
2George Finlay, Thomas Anquetil, Wm. Allan and Brown Bencor to the American Commissioners, 22 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Ancenie, August 22, 1778: We are prisoners taken by Capt. Tucker of the Boston . From Nantes we were sent to this town. We beg you to grant us liberty or supplies, since we have done nothing different from other captains who have been freed. Commanders of American vessels have gained their liberty.> Published as “British Prisoners of War to the...
3Anthony Ameloo, Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, and Pieter Willemsen [to the American Commissioners], 30 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This letter and the one that follows were the commissioners’ first word of an episode that bred controversy for years to come. The Chester , a sloop commanded by William Bray, sailed for the Netherlands the previous April from the Bay of Honduras, carrying produce of the Mosquito Coast. A British privateer stopped her, but let her go when Bray produced evidence that the...
4Ameloo, Willemsen and the Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society De jour en jour nous nous sommes flattés de recevoir reponce à la notre du 20 Novembre dernier, et nous ne savons à quoi attribuer ce Silence. Apres votre lettre satisfaisante nous n’avons pas hesités un seul moment de confier nos interets dans vos mains. Nous vous avons parlés sans le moindre deguisement, et nous vous repetons sur tout ce qu’il y a de plus...
5Petition to the American Commissioners from American Merchant Captains, 9 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society To their Excellencies the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Court of France. The Memorial of the Captains of the American Merchant Vessells now at Nantes and the neighbouring Ports, Humbly Sheweth. That your Memorialist apprehend more Danger of Capture by the Enemy on this Coast, than in the whole passage beside. That as this...
6American Prisoners in Dinan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the under Subscribed Persons having Received Your kind favour of the 15 Inst: who are the only [Santuaries?] under God we Rely on, nor do we desire our liberty from other hands than yours; being in Reallity Americans, who are farr from Imposeing upon Your Clemency (or this Goverment) and willing to Stand or fall by our Countrys Cause, as we are well...
7Peter Amiel to the American Commissioners, 9 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Messrs. Poreau & Mackinzy of this place haveing wrote a Letter to Doctor Franklin; in which they have atempted to injure Mr. Coffyns character, as I hope to be at Passy on Sunday next, beg it as a favor you’d suspend your Judgement till then, when I will lay before you every Particular that came to my Knowledge. I am with the greatest Respect Honorable...
8George Anderson to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library I had the honour of addressing You the 20th October last, the purport of which was to inform You of my situation at that time, and the treatment of a Certain Gentleman, to the Americans that are brought here— At present I beg leave to give You an exact relation of what has transpired in this place, respecting the said...
9Aranda to the American Commissioners: Résumé, [27 September 1784] (Franklin Papers)
LS , translation, and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, [September 27, 1784], in Spanish: I received your letter of the 22nd by the hand of Mr. Humphreys, in which you communicate the intention of the United States of America to establish with his Catholic Majesty an agreement that may be advantageous to the two nations. Certainly such principles as communicated in your letter will be pleasing...
10The Conde de Aranda to the American Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 27 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Antes de ayer recibi la carta de V. S as. del 22 por mano del S r. Humphreys Secretarío de la comission, en la qual me comunican la íntencion de los Estados unidos de America de establecer con el Rey Catolico una correspondencia conveniente ã los dos Dominíos, y fundada en los principios de igualdad, reciprocidad, y amistad, que mutuamente sea ventajosa ã las dos Naciones. Que para este efecto...
11D’Aranda to the American Commissioners, 27 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Antes de ayer recibí la carta de Vuestras Señorías del 22 por mano del Sr. Humphreys, Secretario de la comissión, en la qual me comunican la intentión de los Estados Unidos de America de establecer con le Rey Católico una correspondencia conveniente a los dos Dominios, y fundada en los principios de igualdad, reciprocidad, y amistad, que mutuamente sea ventajosa a las dos Naciones. Que para...
12Henry Waldegrave Archer to the American Commissioners, 14 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, June 14, 1778: I want to join the American Army and become a citizen. Although I am an Englishman I did not enter the King’s army, because it would have meant fighting my conscience; that army will probably become the instrument of despotism. In the United States, on the contrary, the disciplined soldier and the free citizen are compatible. I want...
13Jonathan Loring Austin to the American Commissioners, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Amsterdam, October 27, 1778: I will sail for St. Eustatia next Wednesday or Thursday, as no direct passage for America is available. Had I been able I would have told you sooner, so you could send more dispatches. I doubt that Admiral d’Estaing is in the precarious situation reported by the English newspapers. American affairs provoke conflicting opinions...
14Jonathan Loring Austin to the American Commissioners, 19 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Passy, September 19, 1778: On Tuesday [September 22] I will leave for Holland and then for America. I would appreciate letters of recommendation to Congress, the Massachusetts Council and other assemblies or individuals. Had I the money myself or had I not exceeded the credit with Pliarne, Penet & Cie. given me by the Board of War in Boston, I would not...
15John Ayres to the American Commissioners, 29 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, July 29, 1778: I arrived yesterday in 26 days from Boston with a packet for you which ill health prevents me from delivering personally. Mr. Texier, a friend of Mr. Bondfield, has agreed to deliver it. I trust I shall soon recover and will be glad to serve in my capacity as captain in the continental navy. If not, I will await your orders. P.S....
16——— 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...
17Edward Bancroft to the American Commissioners, 3 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bancroft was beginning to find a spy’s life hard on the nerves. In July, worried because the British kept the originals of some letters he had stolen, he made new financial demands on them. By the beginning of August he was urging Wentworth to look after his interests, “which, till lately, he never shewed much anxiety about, and indeed seemed to be quite...
18Barbeu-Dubourg: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [before 9 January? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society This memorandum is the first account of the negotiations over tobacco that had been going on before Franklin’s arrival, and that were expected to play a crucial part in financing the war. No other American export was in such demand in France; if military supplies were to be traded for commodities, the only commodity available was tobacco. The committee of...
19Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, 14 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prens la liberté de vous adresser M. de Vic dont le fils M. de Bois Bertrand etoit passé en Amerique vers le mois de juin ou de juillet 1776 a la recommandation de M. Penet qui lui avoit fait esperer le grade de Lieutenant Colonel ou même de Colonel. Nous avons appris depuis qu’en arrivant au Continent ses services y furent agréés, mais qu’il fut pris...
20Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, June 18, 1778, in French: If I did not respect your wisdom I should be astonished at your refusal to enlist all who want to fight the British. Precautions would have to be taken to ensure obedience, and this would require official cooperation in the ports in which the ships outfit and to which most of them return. The goal is worth the effort. The...
21Barbeu-Dubourg: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [after 21 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society M. D. propose a Messieurs F. D. et L. de leur faire des avances soit de draps, soit de fusils (du modele de 1763, controllés et tirés des propres magazins du Roy) pour la valeur de trois cent mille livres tournois, a condition que ces Messieurs lui fourniront en retour des tabacs de Virginie et de Mariland pour pareille somme, bien entendu que les achats...
22Barbeu-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...
23Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, [before 31 July 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dubourg attendra vendredi 31e juillet Messrs. Franklin, Lée et Adams chez Esprit Libraire au Palais royal a deux heures precises, pour avoir l’honneur de les conduire en une maison du voisinage, ou on sera tres flatté de les recevoir. BF ’s old friend and former translator. This note was written on the verso of a letter from Genet of July 23 which, we are...
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...
25Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 7 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you from Cadiz the 2 nd: of last month, a Copy of which goes under the cover of this and the original, with the papers mentioned therein, will I hope be very soon deliver’d to you by Colonel Franks.— On my arrival here I had the pleasure of receiving M r. Jefferson’s letter of the 26 Sep r. informing me that for the present any farther attempts to arrange matters with the Barbary...
26From Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 26 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This day Week we arrived here, Since which I have had two audiences from His Majesty, the first a public one, and the second a private one of yesterday. It is but a few minutes since I heard that a Courrier will depart this Evening for Daralbeyda , and I have not time to enter into particulars. It will be agreable however for you to know that the last draught of the treaty is made, and will...
27Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 15 November 1786 (Adams Papers)
I came here a few days ago to deliver a Letter from the Emperor of Morocco to the King, which I put into the Hands of the Count de Florida Blanca, acknowledging the Sense I had of his Attention & thanking him with great sincerity on the Part he had taken in our business at Morocco, He seemed very much pleased with our Success, and smiling replyed “Now that we have happily finished this Treaty...
28Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 13 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose you two Books of 82 Pages containing all my Accounts respecting my Mission to Morocco, by which you will see that the amount of the Expences attending the Negociation Including the Presents and all the Travelling Charges of Mr. Franks and myself amount to 95,179.10 which Sum I shall place to the Debit of the United States. The particulars of the Purchases made,...
29Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
I am at present waiting for a fair wind to embark for Ceuta to avoid the quaranteen in Spain, and I embrace the Delay occasion’d by the Strong Easterly Winds that have prevail’d for Sometime, to reply to the Queries with which you honour’d me at parting.— You put them respecting the Barbary States generally but as my business has been with the Emperor of Morocco only, I Shall confine myself to...
30Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The day before yesterday Mr. Carmichael received letters from Algiers, from Mr. Lamb dated the 29th. of last month, and from Mr. Randal the 26th. which I think a wrong date with a postscript from on Board a Vessel in the Bay of Alicant of the 1st. Inst. after a Passage of 26 Hours. He Cannot Come on Shore without a permission from Court to shorten his Quarantine, which Mr. Carmichael has...
31Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
By the bearer Colonel Franks I do myself the honor to Send you in a Small Box the following articles. 1 st: A Book containing the original Treaty in Arabic between the Emperor of Morocco and the United States.— 2. Three translations of the Treaty in English, to each of which is added a translation of a Declaration made by Tahar Fennish by order of His Majesty in addition & explanation of the...
32Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, with Enclosure, 10 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am at present waiting for a fair wind to embark for Ceuta to avoid the quaranteen in Spain, and I embrace the Delay occasion’d by the Strong Easterly Winds that have prevail’d for some time, to reply to the Queries with which you honour’d me at parting. You put them respecting the Barbary States generally but as my business has been with the Emperor of Morocco only, I shall confine myself to...
33Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here after an agreeable Passage of Five days and was very well received by the Governor, & by the People who seem pleased to see Persons from a Country at so great a distance come to compliment their Sovereign; As the Governor had no orders concerning our going forward, I was obliged to send a Courier to Morocco to demand that Permission, and at the same time wrote to M r. Chiappi of...
34Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you from Morocco under date of the 16th. As I do not know when that Letter is likely to reach you, I trouble you now with a Copy of it, and as I shall set out in a few days for Tangiers, I defer until my arrival in Europe being particular. I am Gentlemen, Your most obedt. humble servt., RC ( DLC ); in Franks’ hand, signed and addressed to TJ at Paris in Barclay’s hand. Tr ( DNA : PCC ,...
35Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 26th. of last Month and expected to have followed my Letter in a week, but several unforeseen Matters have hitherto detained us; however I expect we shall set out tomorrow or the day following. The 13th. Instt. the Treaty was sent to me by the Effendi, since which some important Alterations have been made, which the Villainy and carelessness of the Talbe Houdrani (to whom the...
36Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here today and shall Continue my Journey to Tangiers Early in the morning. The Plague being at Constantina occasions a Rigorous Quaranteen of 40 days (from Barbary) in Spain.—I shall therefore Endeavor to get into Ceuta which being in the hands of the Spaniards is an Exception to the above remark and I think the Quaranteen from thence is only twelve days. The Treaty shall be...
37Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote to you from hence the 6th. of last month I have been much aflicted with the Rheumatism in my loins which confin’d me to my bed with pains great beyond Discription. I am now free of them, and shall leave this place in a few Days. Upon further reflection, I thought it best not to abandon the Idea of meeting Mr. Lamb, and therefore I wrote to him at Port Mahon that I wou’d go to...
38Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here today, and shall Continue My Journey to Tangiers Early in the Morning,— The Plague being at Constantina occasions a Rigorous Quarranteen of 40 Days (from Barbary) in Spain— I shall therefore Endeavor to Get into Ceuta, which being in the hands of the Spaniards is an Exception to the Above remark, and I think the Quarranteen from thence is only [ ten ] Twelve Days— The Treaty...
39Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 18 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
As you will probably wish to know the particulars of the Negotiations of the Treaty with the Emperor, and as the perusal will not take up a great deal of time, I shall lay them before you. After the first Audience was over Mr. Taher Fennish, in whose Hands the Negotiation was placed, came from the Emperor and informed me that His Majesty had read the Translation of the Letters, That he had...
40Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 13 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
Though, in a letter written at this place—dated the 10 th. instant, I gave you a long answer to the questions with which you charged me, I will now add some farther particulars on the Subject of this Country, which you will possibly be inclined to know.— The Emperor is on the most cordial and friendly footing with Spain, the presents, made him from that Court, have been uncommonly great, and...
41Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
The Day before yesterday m r. Carmichael received Letters from Algiers from m r. Lamb, dated the 29 th. of last Month, and from m r. Randal the 26 th. (which I think a wrong Date) with a Postscript from on board a Vessel in the Bay of Alicant of the 1 st. Inst. after a Passage of 26. Hours. He cannot come on Shore without a Permission from Court to shorten his Quarantine, which m r. Carmichael...
42Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here after an agreeable Passage of Five days and was very well received by the Governor and by the People, who seemed pleased to see Persons from a Country at so great a distance come to compliment their Sovereign. As the Governor had no Orders concerning our going forward, I was obliged to send a Courier to Morocco to demand that Permission and at the same time wrote to Mr. Chiappi...
43Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 18 September 1786 (Adams Papers)
As you will probably wish to know the particulars of the Negotiations of the Treaty with the Emperor, and as the perusal will not take up a great deal of time, I shall lay them before you— After the first Audience was over M r. Taher Fennish, in whose Hands the Negotiation was placed, came from the Emperor and informed me that His Majesty had read the Translation of the Letters—That he had...
44Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 13 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
I Do my self the honor to Inclose you the Books of 82 pages Containing All my Accounts respecting my Missions to Morocco, by which you will see that the amount of the Expences attending the Negociation Including the Presents and all the Travelling Charges of Mr. Franks and my self amount to Livres 95179:10.— which sum I shall place to the Debts of the United states. The Particulars of the...
45From Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote to you from hence the 6 th. of last month I have been much aflicted with the Rheumatism in my Loins, which confin’d me to my bed with pains great beyond Description. I am now free of them, and Shall leave this place in a few Days. Upon further reflection, I thought it best not to abandon the Idea of meeting M r. Lamb, and therefore I wrote to him, at Port Mahon, that I woud go to...
46Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 15 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I came here a few days ago to deliver a letter from the Emperor of Morocco to the King, which I put into the hands of the Count de Florida Blanca, acknowleging the Sense I had of his Attentions and thanking him with great sincerity on the Part he had taken in our business at Morocco. He seemed very much pleased with our success and smiling replied “Now that we have happily finished this...
47Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you the 26 th. of last Month and expected to have followed my Letter in a Week, but several unforeseen Matters have hitherto detained us; however I expect we shall set out tomorrow or the day following. The 13 th. Instant the Treaty was sent to me by the Effendi since which some important alterations have been made which the Villainy & carelessness of the Talbe Houdrani (to whom the...
48Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 6 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Not had the pleasure of addressing You since My arrival at this place, being hitherto without any thing to say worth Your Attention. Mr. Lamb was Embarked for Minorca before I got here, but as he is in Correspondance with Mr. Montgomery, I was in hopes of learning through that Channel, the possibility of our Meeting before I shou’d return to France, a Matter that I am of opinion might...
49Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 23 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my arrival here, the ninth, nothing has occur’d worth your attention. I am waiting for a vessel that is Bound to Mogadore and expect to sail in a few days. You have probably as late accounts from Mr. Lamb as I Can give you, yet it may not be Improper to Inform you of his arrival at Alicant the 24th. of last month, where doubtless his Quarrantein has delay’d his proceeding to Madrid. The...
50Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Bearer Colonel Franks I do myself the honor to send you in a small Box the following Articles. These matters have been detained a considerable time from you by various Accidents, among which contrary Winds and stormy Weather were a Part. But I hope as all such impediments are removed you will receive them with the utmost Expedition. The Original of the Declaration made by Mr. Fennish...