180651To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you last Post relative to a ship of 300 Tons which is offered for Freight to take out the public Stores. The proprietor of this Ship is Mr Arnoux one of our principal Merchants here & his son in Law Mr Mitchel will call on you to talk on the subject whatever you do with him therefore will be conclusive on Mr Arnoux & I...
180652Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 8 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I don’t hear farther relative to the purchase of Mr. Montieu’s Fusils I conclude that you do not intend to put any on board the Count de Vergennes, so propose to put in her as much salt as will answer for Ballast. I have lately been looking over some Memoires about Mr. Montieu’s process and find that these Fuzils cost him at the rate of 25 sous each for...
180653To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My Cousin Jona Williams tertius will have the honour of delivering you this.— He lately arrived from America & will therefore be able to give you many pieces of Information which perhaps may have not found their way through a public Channel.— His views in coming to France were principaly to reestablish his Health, having succeeded in this he wishes to...
180654To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent to Billy by this Post a Copy of my last Memoire to M de Vergennes, Supported by those of my Creditors who are of this Town & were of the Meeting, with Copies & Extracts of Several Letters I have received. I send also the originals of these Letters to prove the veracity of the Extracts. As they extend to matters foreign to the Subject and are too...
180655To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Mr Lee in answer to the Gentlemen arbitraters of my accounts wrote a Letter of which the enclosed is a Copy, & this Copy I am directed to transmit to you. I am ever Your dutifull & affec Kinsman Notation: Jona. Williams July 20. 1779. The Gentlemen had informed Lee on July 9 that the examination of JW ’s accounts had begun,...
180656Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 6 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have kept the Duplicates of the Dispatches to this Time in Expectation of a private Hand, that failing I am now obliged to send a Man on purpose, but in the least expensive way. If you have no further commands for him please to discharge him directly; he is not to return Post unless you order him so to do. The minister lately sent orders to stop the Lion,...
180657To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The King has published an Arrêt suspendending the Payment of all Bills drawn by the Marine in America 12 months after the just time of their becoming due and I have 184. thousand Livres in that Situation. These Bills belong to a number of Individuals who are here & the Returns are Shipped, I have already paid the greater part...
180658To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is the proportion of the little Ship I mentioned in my last. The price you will find more reasonable than either of those proposed by the other Builder. A Ship arrived the other day from Carolina; an Officer who came passenger in her is I suppose by this time with you, I am very sorry I did not see him. I am much disappointed by not receiving...
180659To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 2 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Melrose, Pa., 1957) I remitted to Mr Grand a few posts since about 50,000 Livres in Bills on you, & I find by a note at the bottom of his Letter that the payment is not certain. Near the whole of these Bills are on my own Accot and the disappointment would affect me very much; besides this, some part were remitted me by Mr Bache for...
180660To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter in Williams’ extensive correspondence from Nantes. He went at Deane’s suggestion, and expected to return as soon as he had inspected the stores that Peltier, the agent of Hortalez & Cie., was loading on the Mercure . But he also had other tasks assigned him. One, to judge by this and the following letter, was to investigate Penet,...
180661To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Barclay desired me to deposit in the Consuls Office my last public Accounts as settled with you. I shall be much obliged if you will please to transmit the Originals to him where they may be always open to public Inspection. I am most dutifully & Affectionately Yours. I return you Doctor Priestlys Paper which I have read with much pleasure. Addressed:...
180662To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives Mr. Porter of Connecticut who was lately at Paris applied to me in distress for Money and said you desired him to do so: I advancd him four Guineas as per the inclosed Receipt relying on his word that you would not object to it. Mr. Leger Capt. Jno. Nicholsons first Lieutenant is arrived here and has no money, the 10 Guineas he...
180663Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to inform you that Capt. Jenkins is just arrived from Nantucket. His last Accounts from Boston were the 25 Decr., at which time nothing material had happened. He left nantucket 6 Jan. He reports that Gen. Lee was exchanged for Gen. Prescot, the army were in high Spirits, and in want of nothing. Gen. Washington had no Intention of going into Winter...
180664To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should have called on you before my Departure if I had not been detained so long in Paris, that I expected to find you in bed and I was determined not to Stop myself ’till I came hither. The inclosed from my Father in Law will give you an Idea of his Business & Situation. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in about 15 days in the mean Time I remain...
180665To 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...
180666To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I send you enclosed Messrs Horneca Fitzeau & Cos Invoice with such an order on them as appears to me equitable on all Sides, if you think so, please to sign it & return it with the Invoice. It will be proper for you to keep Copies of both these Papers. I return you enclosed the papers you so kindly communicated to me.— I shall...
180667To 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...
180668Jonathan 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...
180669To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Yale University Library The Ship Nonesuch is just arrived in 22 Days from Philadelphia. Thinking it of great Importance that the public Dispatches should go forward with the utmost Expedition, and the Post not going out for two Days to come, I thought it my Duty to send off this Express which I hope will be agreeable. I have given the Courier...
180670Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Soon after my last was seal’d I heard of the arrival of the Annonyme and yesterday morning went to painboeuf with Capt. Hynson to examine her. He will write you particularly on this Subject and by his Letter you will be better able to form a judgment, but so far as I am capable of giving an opinion I must say this...
180671Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, [3 March 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last of the 28 Ultimo I have recvd. advice that the Duchesse of Grammont still remains at St. Nazarre. I hear that two Ships of War which were designed to join the Fleet are returned to Rochfort, we have therefore judged proper to detain the Grammont ’till further orders, in hopes that you will be able to obtain these Ships for a new Convoy: Mr....
180672To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 11 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr Grand Cannon is a youn Gentleman from Connecticut who passes through paris in his Way to London. He will have the Honour to pay his Respects to you, and I beg leave to introduce him to your kind Notice as a discreet, intelligent worthy young man, and deserving the Esteem of all his Friend; I have this knowledge of him from his...
180673To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 25 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The present Serves to hand you some Letters brought by my Father who is in my house in perfect Health. When I have arranged my Business so as to be able to leave it I shall wait on you with him & bring home Mrs W in return. I thank you for your Note to Lord Shelburne which I hope...
180674To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a Letter which I have written to Mr. Holkar. If you think there is no impropriety in it I shall take it as a favour if you will send it him, letting him know at the same time who I am, as perhaps he may not reccollect me. I hear you intend coming here soon to see the Salt works, if so it will be best to make haste as the Season advances fast. In...
180675To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Monsieur Tardiveau is connected in Business with Monsieur Tarvouillet Merchant in this place and proposes to settle in Philadelphia. For this purpose, he wishes to obtain a Letter of Introduction from you and in consequence has desired Mr. Montaudouin to write to you in his Favour. Mr Tarvouillet is a Gentleman who has shewn me a great deal of...
180676To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd your and Mr. Deanes Favour of the 5 Inst. and wrote a short Letter to Mr. D. by Mr. de Francy this morning. I shall do the best in my power for the Interest of the Concerned in everything that comes under my Direction. I am glad you approve of a Connection with Mr. S. I imagine I can form one in a commercial way, but as I have no capital I must only...
180677To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your favour of the 25 Inst. and immediately destroyed the Contents. The one you wrote a few days before never came to hand. I have sent to my procureur to take the Steps the paper you inclosed advised, but I confess I cannot understand the use it will be of. In consequence of what I need not repeat to you I felt myself a good deal eased of...
180678To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Mr James Moore Brother to Mr Philip Moore of Philadelphia has been some Time in this Town. He came hither from Scotland intending for America, but finding that through his Brothers Connexions he can fix himself advantageously in Business here he has determined to stay & enter into the american Trade. I advised him first to...
180679Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 23 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have drawn on you in favour of Monsr. L’Escuyer 22d Augt. at one Usance for 6192. 17. 8 which please to honour; this Draft is for a quantity of tricot and Lining on which I have deducted 11 months Discount having bought it at a years Credit. A Bill was presented to me the 20th Inst. drawn by S. Smith at Plymouth for £12 Sterling; I know nothing of this...
180680Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Agreeable to the orders of Mr. Dean and Mr. Lee I have the honour to transmit Capt. Adams’s Deposition properly authenticated. I have no american News, there being no Arrivals since my last, but I have just heard a melancholy account of Capt. Wickes having foundered on the Banks of Newfoundland. This I am much disposed to disbelieve, and the more so as I...
180681To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Project of going to America has met with a very severe check— One of the richest Ships to my address with her Cargo & upwards of 100 men on board is blown up, & every Soul, Perished & not a Farthing saved.— Mr de Chaumont has lost by this accident upward of 100,000 Livres, & I fear Mr Montieu more than twice as much, by a fortunate neglect, I had nothing...
180682To Benjamin Franklin from [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 3 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have just heard of an Opportunity by which a Letter may possibly reach you, therefore sit down to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 29th March. We are constantly wishing to hear from you again, all your Friends are extreemly anxious to know where you are and how you do: they are all well. You ask me if I am married, I am sorry to say I am not, nor am...
180683Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library My last informed you of the Steps I had taken in Consequence of the orders you have been pleased to honour me with since which Mr. Ross has returned from Bordeaux. Agreeable to your Directions I have consulted With him and told him what I had done which he does me the honor to approve; but as it appears to him that Mr. Morriss’s instructions are...
180684To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The object of the Present is to inform you that the ship The Count de Grasse belonging to Newbury has arrived here from Guadaloupe with 300 hhds of Sugar, & a prise taken on the Coast bound from Dartmouth in England to Newfoundland; The Ship & Prise I understand are to my Address but as the Captain is not yet up I am not able...
180685Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, April 28, 1778: I have received a consignment from M. Grand, which he tells me was shipped on your account; what do I do with it? I have also received 196 swivel guns for which you paid Mr. Merckle; they are the worst I ever saw and should be sold for scrap. From the same source come muskets and parts for them. Of the clothes, arms, etc., remaining...
180686To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have recvd. your Favour of the 18th Instant and immediately wrote to a Friend in England to convey some necessary supplies to Capt. Collis drawing on me for the amount. The Prize Money I refer’d to in my Letter was what was carried to the Commissioners Credit at Morlaix and L’orient, which will be found to be so much Deduction, from the Lexington and the...
180687To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day sent to the Marquis of Castries a Plan of An Enterprise which if undertaken cannot fail of being very distressing to England, and of high Importance to France & America,— what this Plan is I cannot at present tell you because I have left the Communication entirely to him, & in all probability he will lay it before you; When he does please to...
180688To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Please to send to Mr Barclay by the return of Colll Franks’s Servant, the two Bundles of Papers relating to the Ship Marquis de la Fayette, which lay on your Table near the Window in the Library, as we have occasion for them to explain some parts of that Business. I am most respectfully & affectionately Yours. they are the Papers you intended as materials...
180689To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you several Letters, but have not as yet been honor’d with an answer, which I impute to the want of Time, occasioned by your more important Engagements: tho’ should have been glad if you had mentioned your opinion of my conduct with regard to Henry, as I wish to see the Boy settled; his Master still likes him and he behaves very well. I had the...
180690To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Indiana University Library, Bloomington In consequence of your Desire to be informed what Facilitys or Disadvantages the American Commerce enjoyed or suffered in this Place, I sit down to give you a few outlines on the Subject, which may serve to give you a general Idea, and what Questions you may have to ask afterwards, I will...
180691To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 2 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mariamne has made me a new Years Present of a very fine Girl, both mother & Child are in a fine way & I am in hopes the Scheme of Nursing will Succeed. Accept my hearty good wishes for as many returns of this Season as you yourself desire, I don’t know how many that is, but I hope at least it will not interfere with your Dixenniel Custom for at least twice...
180692To 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...
180693To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Four Letters, 22 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library; (III) and (IV) ALS : American Philosophical Society Since writing you on the 13th Instant in which I informed you that the Privateers complained of by the Spanish Court could not be american ones, I have made more particular Enquiry, and in order to satisfy the Ambassador in the fullest manner I return you the...
180694To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd. your Favour of the 28th Feb. on my return from Quiberon, after it had been laying some time waiting for me. The one Inclosed had no Direction, I was therefore obliged to break the Seal to know for whom it was intended. I did this because I thought it was for some person about to Depart which would leave no Time to obtain your answer, and because I...
180695Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I went to Painbeuf on Sunday and returned hither last Evening. Mr. Peltier and myself went on board the Count de Vergennes and gave the necessary Directions. As I consider Dispatch of the utmost Consequence, I desired that as many Workmen as could be procured should be immediately employed. These are at present Scearce, but as a little more expence is no...
180696Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society <Nantes, January 23, 1779: I have not received an answer to my request of December 12, 1778, concerning the incorrect shipment by Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie. of Simeon Deane’s goods. It was mistakenly supposed they belonged to the commissioners, and they were delivered to Mr. Schweighauser. One of the thirteen cases remains with him. Please order that case...
180697To 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...
180698To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received last Post a letter from Mr Moylan of L’orient in which are these Words. “If you wish to be deputy Consul of your district I have good Reason to imagine Mr Barclay would willingly authorize you to the Office, let me know your mind privately.” I have answered thus. “I conceive myself highly obliged to Mr Barclay for his Intention & much indebted to...
180699To 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...
180700Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 20 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have recvd the Honour of your Favour of the 9th Instant, and observe your Readiness to rectify the Mistake relative to Mr Simeon Deans Goods. The manner you propose would be extreemly agreeable to me if it was practicable, but as most of the Goods are doubtless consumed it is not possible to return them. The Sail Cloth was used in France to make Sails for...