451The 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...
452The American Commissioners to William Lee and Thomas Morris, [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress This letter was almost unquestionably not sent. It was to be in answer to a now missing one of the 16th, in which Lee and Morris claimed, according to Arthur Lee, that the powers given to Jonathan Williams to handle prizes were incompatible with their own agency and should be withdrawn. Deane and Franklin were ready to do so, as they say here, but proposed to...
453The American Commissioners to the Comte de MercyArgenteau, 19 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haus-, Hoff-, und Staatsarchiv, Vienna; draft: Library of Congress By direction of the Congress of the United States of America, we have the Honour of informing your Excellency, that they purpose to send a Minister to your respected Court, with all convenient Expedition, properly impower’d to treat upon Affairs of Importance. In the mean time we beg the Favour of your Excellency to...
454The American Commissioners to Stephen Sayre, [before 17 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We learn with much surprise from your Letter to Dr. Franklin of the 27th of Octr. that you have remaind at the Court of Berlin apparently in a public character. It is our duty to inform you, that acting under a public character without being authorizd, is criminal; and we therefore advise and enjoin you to desist from any such conduct in future at Berlin or...
455The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 13th: is before Us. Mr. Deane wrote you on the subject of Arms &c. belonging to Mr. Montieu in Nantes we wish you to send Us as early as possible an Acct. of your survey and your Estimate of the value of the Whole on the best Information You can Obtain. Also supposing the Fusils whose Barrels may answer for further Use in the Continental Army...
456The American Commissioners to Commanders of American Armed Vessels, 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives This circular letter was a companion piece to the commissioners’ memorandum to the French and Spanish courts below, November 23, and had been equally long under consideration. Lee presented his draft of the letter to his colleagues on the 9th. An argument developed over how to interpret the old maxim that free ships make free goods: Lee’s draft had apparently...
457[Duportail and the American Commissioners]: Memorandum on Terms of Service, [11 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society 1. M. de Portal demands to be at the Head of the Corps d’Ingenieurs in America: and under the Orders only of the General, or the Commander in chief in the Place where he may be. 2. He demands a Rank superior to that he enjoys at present, which is Major in the marine Infantry. 3. He proposes to take two Captains of the same Professions with him: to whom should...
458The American Commissioners to Lord Stormont, 23 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Captain Wickes of the Reprisal Frigate, belonging to the United States of America, has now in his Hands near 100 British Seamen, Prisoners. He desires to know whether an Exchange may be made with him for an equal Number of American Seamen now Prisoners in England? We take the Liberty of proposing this Matter to your Lordship; and of requesting your Opinion if...
459The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society You are desired to get from Capt. Adams a particular Account of his being taken, in which he must ascertain as exact as is in his Power at what distance he was from the Coast of France when he was first Chased and when he was actually taken. He must make oath to his narration and send it up to us by the first Courier. If you have knowledge of other Vessels...
460The 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...
461The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies with variations: Harvard University Library, National Archives (two) We are very sensible of the Protection afforded to us and to our Commerce since our Residence in this Kingdom, agreeable to the Goodness of the King’s gracious Intentions, and to the Law of Nations; and it gives us real and great Concern, when any Vessels of War,...
462The American Commissioners: Request for Payment from the Farmers General, [before 30 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Pennsylvania Library Nous soussignés tant en notre nom que comme fondés des pouvoirs des colonies unies de l’Amérique Septentrionale prions M. De St. Marc Receveur général des fermes du Roy à Paris de payer au Trente May préfix à M. Grand Banquier demeurant à Paris que nous avons à cet effet choisi et désigné la somme d’un million de Livres pour le premier terme convenu et...
463The American Commissioners to Thomas Morris, 31 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Mr. Wm. Lee, who has been prudentially detain’d here some time by certain Circumstances relative to the commercial Affairs of the Congress, sets out now to join you at Nantes, being appointed by the Committee to act with you in those Affairs. We make no doubt but you will immediately communicate to him a full and clear State of them, and proceed in your...
464The 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...
465The American Commissioners: Memorandum for Vergennes and Aranda, 25 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; LS : Archivo Historico National This memorandum, under its calm surface, conveys a sense of depression; and the commissioners had reason to be depressed. They seem to have become suddenly aware that they were in deep financial trouble, because they had made commitments that they did not have the money to honor and that Congress could not....
466The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, [25 February? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete (?) copy: Connecticut Historical Society Your first we did not receive till eight days after it was dated, your last of the 19th last Evening. We wish to know if the Captns. who have so little regard to their Parole sighnd a written parole or not. If they did we advise you to show it to the Intendant and desire they may be obligd to live up to it. We have applied to the British...
467The American Commissioners: Memorandum for the French and Spanish Courts, 23 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Archivo General de Simancas; DS (draft ): Princeton University Library; copy: Archivo Historico Nacional This memorandum had been in preparation for more than a fortnight. On the 8th Franklin had made the original draft, now lost, and Lee had suggested changes that his colleagues accepted; on the 9th the document was ready to be copied and...
468The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We conclude by this orders are recd. for permitting you to depart for America on condition of not cruising in these Sea’s nor returning into the Ports of France with the reprisal. We therefore desire you to put your ship into the proper state for sailing, and to supply her with the Provisions necessary for the Voyage. We must wait to know from you what...
469[The American Commissioners]: Memorandum [for Vergennes], 28 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library On the 19th of November, the Congress resolved, That 100 brass Cannon 3 pounders 50 6 pounders 50 12 pounders 13 18 pounders 13 24 pounders
470The American Commissioners to J. Rocquette, T. A. Elsevier, & P. Th. Rocquette, 23 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 18th. under Cover of Messrs. F & A Dubbledemuts We received, are obliged to you for your offers of Correspondence and for Accots. of the Price of Sundry Articles of American Produce at your Port. Please to inform us if the Indigo you mention at 50 to 70 Stuyvers per lb. is Carolina growth or other, and what the Difference if any between that...
471The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We recd. yours informing of your being ready for sea and that orders had been recd. for your leaving the Port. We hope this by Capt. Bell who goes express will find you still at St. Maloes. We send by him Dispatches for America which you will take the Charge of and have them ready for being sunk in case of accident. We advise your settling the Bills for...
472The American Commissioners to John Philip Merckle, 9 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have recd. several letters from you written in a menacing Stile, as if we had failed in the fulfilment of our engagements with you; you must be sensible we never were privy to any Contract with you nor accountable for any thing you had contracted for. But the sole motive of our paying the Ballance due Messrs. Delaps was as well to extricate you, as to...
473The American Commissioners to Baron Schulenburg, 14 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Thomas Gilcrease Foundation, Tulsa, Okla. We have the honor of inclosing the Declaration of the Independancy of the United States of North America, with the Articles of their Confederation; which we desire you to take the earliest Opportunity of laying before his Majesty, the King of Prussia; At the same time We wish he may be assured of the earnest desire of the United States to...
474The American Commissioners to Thomas Thompson, 25 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two AL : Library of Congress, Harvard University Library We advise you on your return to L’Orient to put your Ship in readiness for Sea, Capt. Hinman will do the same, and after you have obtained the best intelligence to be had, of the British Merchant Ships, and Commerce to pursue the Course, which you judge best for intercepting and making prizes on Our Enemies Ships, and property. As it is...
475The American Commissioners to Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, [10 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We had the honor of receiving in due time your Letters of the 30th. of Octr. last, together with the Papers annexd. It gives us much concern to find that any persons belonging to America shoud be chargeable with having acted with such violence and injustice. But as it appears they have sent with the Vessel the Papers which will prove the illegality of their...
476The American Commissioners: Certificate for a Supercargo, [29 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS and draft: American Philosophical Society To all Persons in Authority in any of the United States of America. The Ship Harmony of Bordeaux, Francis Barboutin Captain and M. Duler Supercargo being bound to the Continent of North America with Merchandize, and uncertain under the present Circumstances what Port she may be able to make; we hereby request that you would Favour the said M. Duler...
477The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 5 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library. On Sunday, January 5, the commissioners went to Versailles. That evening they sent a brief note to Vergennes asking for an audience on Monday morning. Such an interview in the spotlight of the court would have been quite different from the previous clandestine meeting in Paris, but the idea never seems to...
478The American Commissioners to Veuve Cornic & fils, 10 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, früher Preussischer Staatsbibliothek, Berlin; copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have directed Capt. Johnson to draw on Us for the Amount of the Sums furnished by you for his Disbursements, which Bills will be duly honored. In Answer to Yours, to Doct. Franklin, We have to assure You that We have ever had the fullest Confidence in Your...
479The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 25 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; two copies: British Library Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14 and April the 9th (a third Copy of which we send herewith) Mr. Lee tarry’d here some Weeks after his Return from Spain. No News arriving (tho’ we received Letters from you) of any Commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the Necessity of a good Understanding with that...
480The American Commissioners to John Adams, [on or before 5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With this, you will receive Dispatches; with which you are to sail with all possible expedition. You will enclose the Dispatches in a Box with Lead, and have it always ready to sink, shoud you be in unavoidable danger of falling into the Enemies hands. To prevent this misfortune, you will constantly keep a good look-out, and be very cautious how you approach any...
481The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives This will be delivered to you by M. de Coudray, an Officer of great Reputation here, for his Talents in general, and particularly for his Skill and Abilities in his Profession. Some accidental Circumstance, I understand, prevented his going in the Amphitrite; but his Zeal for our Cause, and earnest Desire of promoting it, have engag’d him to overcome all...
482The 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...
483To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 20 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Je Vous fais de tout mon Coeur, Monsieur, sur votre bonne fortune en Amerique, Mon Compliment. La santé de Mr de Maurepas, m’affecte si vivement que la prise de Cornwallis, ne ma Pas procuré les transports que J’aurois eû, sans la Situation dun homme a qui Jai été extremement toujours attachée. Je vous prie de ne pas douter de la Sincerité des Sentiments...
484To Benjamin Franklin from Deacon M. Auer, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Rien n’est plus genereux, que l’Action, que Vous venez de faire, Monseigneur! La pauvre Veuve Hoeklin se croit heureuse. Elle a reçu un Billet que Son Excellence, Votre Beaufils aye accepté 200 Pound de Mons. Schneider a Germantown. Mons. Richard Bache a ecrit lui meme. Mais a cette heure nous sommes en peine. Permettez donc, je Vous supplie, de Vous...
485To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Guillaume Backhaus, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 7 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de feliciter Vôtre Excellence de la paix glorieuse, qui vient être conclue, & dont l’histoire èternisera Vôtre nom très réspectable & Vos insignes merites. A Son rétour me vinrent quelques considerations en égard de l’Armée des Etats Souvrains de l’Amerique Septentrionale, les quelles mon Zêle m’inspira, & ma confiance réspectueuse aux...
486To Benjamin Franklin from Gioanni de Bernardi with Franklin’s Note for a Reply: résumé, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Turin, March 20, 1779, in Italian: The reputation acquired throughout Europe by the glorious thirteen American colonies, their success and wise legislation, have aroused in me a desire to see this new republic with my own eyes and offer it my services as a jurist. The best way I can think to accomplish this is to turn to you. I realize that you know...
487Recommendation for Pierre Sonnerat to the Royal Society, [22 July? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society M. Pierre Sonnerat, Correspondent of the Academy of Sciences at Paris, Member of the Academy of Lyons, well known by his Voyages to New-Guinea and China, where he was employed by the King of France for the promotion of Natural History, being desirous of Admittance into the Royal Society; we whose names are subscribed do recommend him upon our personal...
488To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Bon de Corcelles and Other Applicants for Emigration, with Franklin’s Notes for … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Of the nine people who applied to Franklin for his help in emigrating to America during the four months covered by this volume, three still believed that land in America was to be had for the asking. Pierre Bon de Corcelles, whose letter is printed below, desires land for himself and some soldats-agriculteurs . So does Count Werzerÿ who, writing from...
489To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Borde Duchatelet, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, and Other Applicants for … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The cessation of hostilities and Franklin’s reputation as a philanthropist continue to inspire the hopes of prospective emigrants. During the five months covered by this volume, letters come from France, Italy, the Austrian Netherlands, Germany, and England. Petitioners appeal either to American national interest by detailing the essential skills they...
490To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Marie Boyenval and Other Commission Seekers, with Franklin’s Notes for Replies, 13 March … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is doubtful that any of the people who applied to Franklin for commissions in the American army during the spring of 1779 ever crossed the ocean. Franklin was under orders from Congress not to send over any more French officers and France, anyway, was at war. Still, some twelve candidates tried their luck. During the first weeks of his tenure as Minister...
491To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-François de Boy with Franklin’s Note to John Laurens and Laurens’ Response, May 7 [–on … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Sent to you the Copy of the Certificate, and too that of the Some Sundry papers, from the War Office who Given to me, because I have Lost’d my Comission from the Hble. Congress, when the ennemies have Taken Brunswick, and too Besides all my things. I shall desire to Go again in your Country, if you Can Employ me, as you will please, very much oblige, to...
492Exchanges with Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy: Six Letters circa July 27, 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society; (III) AL : American Philosophical Society; (IV) AL (draft) and autograph copy or press copy: American Philosophical Society; (V) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (VI) ALS : American Philosophical Society As is often the case with the Doctor’s much-admired neighbor in Passy, chronology hangs on tenuous...
493To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, with Franklin’s Undated Reply, [10 December and after 10 December 1778?] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL and copy: American Philosophical Society Once again Madame Brillon’s failure to date her letters compels us to offer a hypothetical cluster. The following exchange, along with her letters published under December 15 and 20, form a group linked by its common theme: a fantasy of paradise to come. The only solid clue to a date is her allusion here...
494Contract between the Secret Committee and John Brown, [before 20 January 1776]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy with DS by Nicholas Brown: John Carter Brown Library <[Before Jan. 20, 1776]: Agreed between John Brown on the one part and members of the committee on the other that a voyage or voyages will be undertaken to procure thirty-six tons of gunpowder (or, failing that, sufficient saltpetre and sulphur to make up the same amount), 1,000 stand of good arms, 1,000 gun locks, twenty tons of lead,...
495Contract between the Secret Committee and John and Nicholas Brown, 6 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: John Carter Brown Library <Philadelphia, February 6, 1776: The Browns will procure in Europe 10,000 good blankets at approximately 4 s. 6 d. to 5 s. sterling apiece; 9,200 yards of blue and brown broadcloth for uniforms and 800 yards of different colors for facings, most of the cloth, being for privates, at about 4 s. sterling per yard and the rest, for officers, at 6 s. ; ten tons of...
496To Benjamin Franklin from Brutiere with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Granville, February 21, 1779, in French: I fear you did not receive my letter of the 5th of last month, and remind you of what I wrote then. M. Stadelle furnished you with three copies of my captain’s report to the admiralty, of which you forwarded two to Congress for verification. You promised me justice. The owner of the privateer owes me 4–5,000 l.t. ,...
497The Commissioners to Canada to [William Heath], 5 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives We this Evening arrived here, and from Curiosity Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll went ashore, and found the State of the fort as follows: 3 Companies of Minute Men, Captain Moffats, Capt. Raymonds, and Capt. Woshons, Consisting of 5 Lieutenants, 6 Serjeants, 8 Corporals, 2 Drummers, a fifer and 102 privates. Mr. Seth Marvin 1st. Lieutenant of Capt. Moffats Company has now the...
498Franklin and Chaumont to Dumas, 2 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library; copy: National Archives Du 2. 7bre. 1779 Notte pour Monsieur Dumas agent du Congres des etats unis d’amerique et pour Luy Seul: Je prie Monsieur Dumas de Se Rendre incessament a amsterdam pour Rendre tous les Services qui pouront dependre de luy a unne Escadre Sous Le Commandement de M. Jones portant pavillon americain qui doit Se Rendre au texel. Les Vx. qui...
499Franklin and Chaumont: Agreement about Board at Passy, [c. 28 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
D : University of Pennsylvania Library On January 28 Franklin intended, as he mentions in the preceding letter, to move to Passy within a few days. He was following his younger grandson, who at Chaumont’s instigation had been put in boarding school there. In fact the old man waited, for reasons we do not know, until the end of February, and this agreement on board might have been reached at...
500Franklin and Chaumont to Arnauld de La Porte, with La Porte’s Reply, 1[–5] April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque du Port, Brest M. de Sartines m’a autorisé en mettant L’apostille au memoire cy Joint de vous Confier L’objet dont il Sagit. M. William Neveu de M. franklin doit envoyer de Nantes de L’orient et de Morlaix L’habillement Complet pour dix mil hommes, et M. de Beaumé a envoyé de Paris douze Caisses de Medicaments, Le tout a L’adresse de M. Bersole a Brest pour estre Embarqués...