801The American Commissioners: Receipt for an Installment of a French Loan, 3 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons reçu de Monsieur d’harveley Garde du Trésor Royal sept cent cinquante mille Livres The third quarterly installment of a 3,000,000 l.t. loan extended by the French government the preceding November ( XXV , 207–8). The previous payments were made on February 28 and May 19: account XII (described in XXV , 3). Joseph Micault d’Harvelay, keeper of the...
802The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 10 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 10, 1778: We are not authorized by Congress to allow deductions from the seamen’s prize money or their advances. As for your stores and furniture, M. Simpson will undoubtedly deliver your private property upon request. We cannot advise you regarding your indemnification, but we...
803The American Commissioners to Sartine, 13 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 13, 1778: We are sorry for the delay in answering your letter of July 29. We are of opinion that the regulations are very good but wish to make the following observations. We propose that judges of admiralty in America because of the size of their jurisdictions be permitted to delegate their authority....
804From Benjamin Franklin to William Lee, 13 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society You left a Trunk in my Care seal’d up, and took my Receipt attested by four Witnesses, wherein I promis’d to deliver that Trunk to you or your Order in the same State wherein I receiv’d it. This I am ready to do whenever you please. But I am not willing to have any Concern in the Opening of it, or in examining and Sorting as you desire, the Papers it...
805The American Commissioners to ——— Berubé de Costentin, 15 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We desire you will allow Mr. Thomas Wilkinson, one of the Prisoners made by the Ranger, and now in your Hospital, to go into the Country for the benefit of his health, on his parole. We are Sir your most obedient Servants Signd The man Schweighauser had put in charge of American vessels and prizes in Brest. See Costentin to BF , Aug. 24. In Arthur Lee’s hand. He had...
806The American Commissioners to Jacques Paulze, 16 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Library of Congress Several Ships have been sent to North America as french Property with Clearances for the French Islands, loaded with Supplies for the United States. Mr. Peltier Du Doyer has accordingly been obliged to make a Submission at the Offices at Nantes to return the acquits à Caution for their Cargoes duely discharged, which was impossible to be done. We therefore beg...
807The American Commissioners to Sartine: Two Letters, 18 August 1778: letter and résumé (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; (II) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives The Administration in England have agreed to an Exchange of Prisoners with us, and propose that it shall be made at Calais. They will accordingly furnish us with a Pasport for a Vessel to bring the Prisoners from Brest to Calais, if we procure a similar one for their...
808The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have considered your plan and think it will be proper to send it to Congress for their Approbation. We desire you will purchase and ship on public Account in the best and cheapest Manner 28 Iron Cannon of 24 pound Ball and 28 of 18 lb. You will be so good as to send one set of Bills of Loading to us and another to...
809The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Massachusetts Historical Society; copies (two): National Archives We desire you will furnish Lieut. David Walsh with twelve Guineas taking triplicate Receipts from him payable to the president of Congress or his order. We are Sir Your most Obedient On Oct. 8 Franklin accepted a draft of Welsh’s for 176 l.t. , dated July 22: Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 361.
810The American Commissioners to James Moylan, 22 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We had the favour of yours of the seventeenth of August, and are obliged to you for this and several other Instances of your Attention to Us, in furnishing Us with early Intelligence. It is somewhat remarkable that a Vessel from James River should have brought no Letters. But We are happy to hear that affairs were in...
811The American Commissioners to Thomas Read or Any Other Captain of Any Vessel Bound to America, 22 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (two), University of Virginia Library Mr. Alexander Fowler with his Wife being bound to America, where he has heretofore resided as an officer in the British Army; and it having been represented to Us, that his Friendship to America occasioned his quiting that Service and has occasioned him some hardships, and...
812The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 22 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 22, 1778: We received yours of the 18th. Tell Mr. Bersolle he must send us his accounts and vouchers before we will pay him; we hope for his sake as well as ours that he will not proceed to the indecent violence you apprehend. Dispose of the saltpetre as speedily and inexpensively as possible. Mr. Hall...
813The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 25[–27] August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (three), South Carolina Historical Society; two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, August 25[–27], 1778: We will propose tomorrow to the count de Vergennes the subjects of the loan in Genoa and the interposition of His Majesty with the powers of Barbary. P.S.: The count de Vergennes gave us no encouragement in the...
814From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, [c. 26 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society If you write to this Mr. Barnes, please to acquaint him that the Reason he had no Answer from me to his Letter was because he did not send word where he lodged. I agree to the 5 Guineas. Written on the back of Thomas Barnes’s letter to JA of Aug. 25, which had been sent care of “Monsieur Franquelen a passis.” That letter, now missing, was written on Aug....
815The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 27 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have before us yours of the 23d Inst. and are very sorry that Capt. Ayres is so indisposed as to prevent his return to America in the General Arnold. We wholly refer the appointmt. of a Master for this Vessel to you and Capt. Ayres and doubt not you will find a good Seaman and a person in whom you can confide. We...
816The American Commissioners to James Smith, 28 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We received your Letter dated Paris Hotel de Saxe Aug. 24. and, altho We are altogether of a different opinion from yours respecting your Right of passing with your Effects Americans being intituled by the Treaty, no more than the Subjects of any other state in Europe in Amity with France, to pass with their Effects...
817The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 28 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 28, 1778: We have several subjects that we must lay before you. One, unfortunately, is money. The nature of the war has necessitated far more emissions of paper currency than would ordinarily have been wise; to limit them Congress has borrowed...
818The American Commissioners to Sartine, 30 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have just received a Letter from Brest relating to the insecure State of our Prisoners there a Copy of which We inclose and request your Excellencys Aid in Securing them more effectually, till they can be exchanged. We also beg Leave to remind your Excellency of the Passport we desired for the English Cartell ship...
819The American Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie., 31 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), University of Virginia Library <Passy, August 31, 1778, in French: We send by Mr. Whitall a book of promissory notes and interest coupons, for 205,000 florins payable on January 1, 1788. You will fill in the blanks in each with the number and date of delivery, likewise the counterfoils, and keep an exact record. Sell the notes...
820The American Commissioners to Musco Livingston, 31 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We are favoured with yours of the 24, and are not able to give you any certain Directions concerning the Duties upon C. Tucker’s Prizes. We have heretofore taken a great deal of Pains concerning the Subject of Prizes, and the Duties which must be paid upon them. Mr. Schweighauser of Nantes has obtained, as We...
821The American Commissioners to James Moylan, 31 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 31, 1778: We are pleased to hear from you of the good success as well as the adventurous and patriotic spirit of Capt. McNeill. When the prisoner exchange we have been promised is accomplished, his prisoners can be exchanged for a like number of our suffering countrymen. We will inform you when the...
822Vergennes and the American Commissioners: An Exchange of Declarations, 1 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) D (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two transcripts: National Archives; (II) D (draft): Harvard University Library; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; two transcripts: National Archives; (III) AD (draft): Cornell University Library; two transcripts: National Archives On August 3 the commissioners finally received the anticipated permission to delete articles 11...
823From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, [1 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society September saw a turning point in the relationship between Madame Brillon and the Doctor, and we outline here our tentative reconstruction of their correspondence during that month. It is obvious from the exchange published under July 27 that, “peace treaty” notwithstanding, an impasse had been reached. The solution they adopted, certainly one of the lady’s...
824A Page from the Visitors’ Book, [after 2 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Mr. Me. et Mlle. Defouchy sont venus pour avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur franklin. Comte de Mac Donald Colonel. P. Hancock, from England au Caffe anglais Rue st. honore du sergent. Hemery fondeur en carataire d’ainprimery Rue st. jaque che Mr. Canon Cordonier visavi le notaire. See the preceding document. Jean-Paul Grandjean de Fouchy, an astronomer, had...
825From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 3 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I received duly your Favours of July 14. and August 14. I hoped to have answered them sooner, by sending the Passport. Multiplicity of Business has I suppose been the only Occasion of Delay in the Ministers to consider of and make out the said Passport. I hope now soon to have it, as I do not find there is any Objection made to it. In a former Letter I propos’d...
826From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 6 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I received your Favours of the 24th and 31st of August. I am told by Mr. C. that Mr. S. is sorry you did not go with M. D’Orvilliers. He had sent Orders for that Purpose, and your staying at L’Orient occasion’d your missing the Opportunity. Your Letter was sent to the Prince de Nassau. I am confident something will be done for you, tho’ I don’t yet know what. Dr....
827From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Le Maire de Gimel, 6 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress On March 18, 1778, Capt. Jacques Le Maire de Gimel had set sail for his native France with letters from Patrick Henry to Franklin and William Lee. Lee’s orders were to procure arms and ammunition for the state of Virginia. Le Maire, with the cooperation of the American agents, was to assist Lee in procuring and inspecting those military supplies. What Le Maire...
828The American Commissioners to Dumas, 9 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : William N. Dearborn, Nashville, Tennessee (1962); copy: National Archives <Passy, September 9, 1778: We received yours hinting that some of your friends wish the commissioners should propose a treaty to your government. It really would be a pleasure thus to cement a union between the two republics, but having received no answer to their letter sent some months ago on the subject to the...
829The American Commissioners to the Massachusetts Council, 9 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society The inclosed Letter was delivered to Us by the Person intrusted with it for Inspection. We did not think it proper that a Letter should go through our Hands to America, from Mr. Hutchinson, without Examination. We accordingly broke the seal and found the two Powers of Attorney, and the Letter inclosed, of which Letter We have taken a Copy. We think...
830The American Commissioners to [John Ross], 9 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society <Passy, September 9, 1778: We acknowledge yours of August 29. We are authorized to discharge neither your private nor your public debts. If you purchased goods with money sent you by the commissioners and had given us an account, we could have given you orders. As it is, any goods you have belonging to the United States should be delivered to Mr....
831The American Commissioners to Beaumarchais, 10 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 10, 1778: The cargo of the Thérèse has been assigned to us. We do not know how you claim her as your vessel since Mr. Montieu claims her as his and demands the remainder of our payment for her hire. We request your attention to our powers and instructions from Congress. Until the accounts of Roderigue...
832The American Commissioners to Sartine, 10 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies: National Archives <Passy, September 10, 1778: Captain Daniel McNeill of Boston retook a French vessel [the Isabelle ] held by a Guernsey privateer more than three days. He brought her into Port Louis where he has met with difficulties selling her and her cargo. In keeping with His Majesty’s interest and the treaties between our two...
833The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 10 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 10, 1778: On April 13 Congress resolved that the commissioners should settle with Roderigue Hortalez & Cie. on a compensation for the supplies they provided. The commerce committee sent us the contract made with Beaumarchais’ agent Théveneau de...
834From Benjamin Franklin to de Perygnon, 10 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I have not with me here the Book of Laws of Pensilvania, and therefore can only give such an Opinion in Answer to your Questions as my Memory, perhaps imperfect, may furnish me with. 1. The want of Publication of Banns does not nullify a Marriage; it only gives a right to any Person injured by the Marriage to prosecute the Clergyman in Law for Damages...
835The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 11 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 11, 1778: We have received yours of the 5th and wish better health to Captain Ayres. His ship should sail forthwith if it has not already done so. We will honor the draft for the account you enclosed, but you must distinguish the sums advanced to Mr. Adams in a private capacity as well as those...
836The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 13 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 13, 1778: The Thérèse , whose cargo is assigned to us, has arrived at Nantes. We wish to sell the cargo and reserve the proceeds for a particular purpose. We request and impower you to sell the cargo, transmit an account, and hold the proceeds for our orders. M. de Sartine informs us he has taken...
837From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 14 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: Library of Congress; copy: Public Record Office I now send you the Passport required. I postpon’d answering your last in hopes of obtaining it sooner; but tho’ it was long since agreed to, much Business in the Admiralty Department here has I suppose occasion’d its Delay. The Port of Calais was not approv’d of, and I think the Ports mention’d (Nantes or L’Orient) are better...
838From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, [c. 15 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’accepte avec un plaisir infini, ma chere amie, la Proposition que vous me faites avec tant de bonté de m’adopter pour vôtre Pere. Je serai bienheureux en la Parenté d’une si bonne enfante; et comme en venant m’etablir ici, j’ai perdu la douce Compagnie et l’Attention respectueuse d’une Fille affectionnée, cette Perte sera reparée, et j’aurai la...
839The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and transcript: National Archives <Passy, September 17, 1778: Since our last letter, July 20, there has been an important naval battle in which, in our opinion, the French had a manifest and great advantage. Both fleets are again at sea. The British public is amused and the public funds supported by rumors of peace. We are in a state...
840The American Commissioners to Jacques Richard, 17 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have written to Mr. Schweighauser of Nantes to receive the Cargo of the Therese and dispose of it as soon as may be. These are therefore to desire you will deliver the Cargo into his or his Agents Hands, whenever he shall demand it. We are, sir, your humble servants. The captain of the Thérèse : Morton, Beaumarchais...
841The American Commissioners to Sartine, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (three) <Passy, September 17, 1778: We received today your letter of the sixteenth relative to the recapture of the Isabelle . We agree with your Excellency’s sentiments on reciprocity between the two nations. Unfortunately we have no access here to United States’ law. A copy of your letter and our answer will be sent to...
842The American Commissioners to American Prisoners in England, [19] September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Maritime Museum, Public Record Office, National Archives (two); transcript: Library of Congress <Passy, September [19], 1778: We have not written you for a long time but have been engaged in negotiating a cartel of exchange, and have assurances from England that an exchange will take place. The government of this kingdom has provided a...
843From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon: “The Ephemera,” 20 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Cornell University Library; French translations: American Philosophical Society (three), Bibliothèque de la Société Eduenne, Autun, Institut de France; copy or transcript: Yale University Library; incomplete copy: Huntington Library The following piece, originally published as “Lettre à Madame B.” but better known as “The Ephemera,” strikes a rare note in the canon of Franklin’s...
844The American Commissioners to William Lee, [22–26] September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September [22–26], 1778: We have considered the papers you submitted, including the project of a treaty between the Netherlands and the United States. As Congress has appointed no commissioner to deal with their High Mightinesses, we have taken and will continue to take all suitable measures to further...
845The American Commissioners to the Massachusetts Council, 22 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin who was dispatched the last year by your Honours with the glorious News of the Convention of Saratoga, being about to return home We think it proper to inform your Honours that his Behaviour since his arrival here has been entirely to our Satisfaction and to recommend him as a Gentleman of...
846The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 22 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Massachusetts Archives, National Archives (two); two transcripts: National Archives This will be delivered to you by Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin, who was sent the last Year express to France with the News of the Convention of Saratoga. He has resided chiefly in this Kingdom from that time, and has been employed, in...
847The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 22 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency a Letter to us from the Honble. Ralph Izard Esqr. Commissioner of Congress to the Grand Duke. We beg the favor of yr. Excellency to give directions for the delivery of the Packages mentiond therein to Monsieur Etienne Cathalan Mercht. at Marseilles, subject to the disposal of Mr. Izard. We have the honor of being with...
848From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, [22 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extracts (two): American Philosophical Society We have, as you know, made Overtures to the Grand Pensionary. We took that to be the regular Course of Proceeding. We expect an Answer. If he gives us none, we shall naturally conclude that there is no Disposition in their H. H. M. M. to have any Connection with us, and I believe we shall give them no farther Trouble; at least that would be my...
849The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 26 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Last Evening We had the Honour of an answer from the Comte de Vergennes to our Letter respecting your Goods. We inclose a Copy of it to you and believe it will be adviseable for you to wait on Mr. de Sartine. Perhaps he may not at first recollect the Article of the Treaty, as Mr. De Vergennes appears not to have done....
850The American Commissioners to Sartine, 26 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives The Honourable Ralph Izzard Esqr., Minister from the United States to the Grand Duke, having ordered his Baggage to Italy from London has had the Luck to have them taken in an English Vessell, and carried into Marseilles. We have written to the Compte de Vergennes on the subject who refers Us to your Excellency. We...