45401From Benjamin Franklin to [the Comte de Tressan], [on or before 18 July 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society As an American I cannot but feel myself extreamly oblig’d by your generous Offer of the Services of your Son to our Cause. I wish it was in my Power to assure him the Rank and Employment, on his Arrival in America, that his good Will and his Military Talents and Experience may justly intitle him to: But having no Authority for such Purposes, I can...
45402The American Commissioners to [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 19 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library Yours of the 24th we received and have wrote M. Morris requiring a Copy of his Commission. This with the Steps you have taken is all that at Present, appears necessary. You may take Capt. Thompson’s Paper; But make no Discount; and Hold it in your hands untill further Orders. As to the Duc de Chartres We submit the Price of her to your Judgement which must...
45403Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 19 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library In my last I omitted mentioning that the number of Swivels which the Cutter left was six, when I went to Paris they were all on Shore, but Capt. Nicholson took some of them again I suppose for want of sufficient to make up his number, I having purchased but 8. The Persons with whom I was in treaty with for the Duc...
45404To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Barthélémy Gruel, 19 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici la Saison ou vos observations devoient vous attirer dans notre province; vous me fîtes l’amitié de me promettre en xbre dernier que nous aurions le plaisir de vous revoir en notre ville dans ce mois-cy. Cependant il s’avance, et je n’ay aucune de vos nouvelles, neamoins je suis en droit de vous sommer de la parolle que vous m’avés donné de venir...
45405To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Mirabeau, 19 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Marquis de Mirabeau desireroit fort avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur franklin; et il n’a pas un instant perdu de vue ce desir et la reconnoissance des demarches que Monsieur franklin a bien voulu faire pour luy procurer cet avantage. De cruelles affaires, dont les suittes le retiennent encor l’empéchêrent de pouvoir se livrer a son desir. Il a manqué...
45406To Benjamin Franklin from Henriette Dumesnil de St. Pierre, 20 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les eloges que vous vous attirés Depuis vottre se jour dans cette capitale, La bienveillance, et l’humanite qui acompagne vottre rare merite, exite dans les coeurs La plus grande confience; et m’engage à vous suplier Monsieur, D’avoir pitié D’une famille desolée d’une naissance au dessus du commun; qui par une affaire malheureuse est privee depuis douze ans...
45407To Benjamin Franklin from Dom Louis, 20 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’aÿ lù dans les nouvelles publiques que vos illustres Compatriotes avoient Besoin de quelques ministres des autels, et qu’ils offroient de leur faire un sort honorable; J’aÿ L’honneur de m’addresser a Vous (Monsieur) pour vous temoigner le desir que J’aurai de me rendre utile aux genereux defenseurs de la liberté de leur Patrie. Ma qualité est Celle de...
45408The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 21 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Capt. Wicks when he left France on his last Cruise was ordered not to return if he could possibly avoid it, but to intercept some of the Irish Linnen Ships, and proceed with them for America where the Article was much wanted. Unfortunately he miss’d those Shipps, and having giv’n The Alarm, he had no way to avoid being taken but by sheltering...
45409To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Ceronio, 21 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I crave your indulgence for the freedom I take in adressing myself to you but as you have given so many repeated proofs by your sublime knowledge of your good wishes in serving mankind, I flatter my self you will extend your bounty towards a distressed Father whose Mind is constantly agitated for want of News from his Son. This is my Case, and I hope the...
45410To Benjamin Franklin from [Le Roy], [22 July 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This note was preceded by two other letters from him, neither of which deserves to be printed in full. They are undated, but show the order in which they were written. The earlier is in French and in the third person; it puts forward the names of three men for service in the American army. The first is M. de Beaussancourt, about whom Le Roy spoke to Deane a...