451From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Johnson, 22 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office The Bearer M. le Chevr. de Ꝃninon who is desirous of going to America, is well recommended to me as a Person of Character and Merit. If he takes his Passage with you, I make no doubt that you will treat him with all the Civilities due to a Gentleman, in which you will very much oblige Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Notations: No. 5 / N 5 There because Johnson...
452The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 25 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office Your Letter of the 18th: We received, as We gave Our Orders generally to Com: Wickes, we omitted writing in particular to You. We are sensible of Your Spirit, and gallant Behavior as an Officer, and of Your Attachment to your Country as an Americain, and shall with pleasure do justice to your Character in Our Letters to the Congress, who we doubt not will pay due...
453The American Commissioners to William Lee, 31 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress; two copies: National Archives The Hope of obtaining previously by means of Mr. Ross, a clear State of Mr. Morris’s Proceedings in the Commercial Affairs of the Congress, which was our Inducement to advise your Stay here for some time, being vanished, we now think it prudent and right for you to proceed to Nantes as soon as possible, and there take such...
454The 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...
455From Benjamin Franklin to [Lecoq], 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library The Equipping of armed Vessels in the Ports of France to act under Commissions from the Congress of America against the English, being contrary to Treaties, and therefore disagreable to Government here, your Friend’s Request cannot possibly be comply’d with. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant In reply to his inquiry above, July 28....
456The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 12 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library After Wickes’s squadron was sequestered on July 15 and Conyngham sailed from Dunkirk two days later, the commissioners’ relations with Versailles might have been expected to improve. Instead they grew worse, largely because Conyngham disobeyed his orders and took prizes. When one was recaptured, and most of...
457The 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...
458The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Prize of Capt. Wickes, which we ordered into your Hands, we desire you will deliver up to the Disposal of Mr. Lee; and are Your humble Servants Notation: Letter to Mr Williams This is also in BF ’s hand and was clearly intended to accompany the preceding letter; like it, we assume, it was not sent.
459From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress M. de Knobelauch, who will have the Honour of delivering this to you, is recommended to me as an Officer of much Experience, and capable of rendring good Service in our Armies if employ’d. He goes over at his own Expence, and without any Promise from me, as indeed we are not authoris’d to give any: But I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s Notice, and to...
460From Benjamin Franklin to ――― Brillon, [before 25 August? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Franklin fait bien de Compliments a M. Brillon, et desire d’être informé ou demeure M. Hennet. Addressed: A Monsr / Monsieur Brillon BF and Hennet had been negotiating about supplies for some time before the latter’s first dated letter, Aug. 25, which immediately follows.
461The American Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, [26 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress On August 21 Vergennes answered the commissioners’ letter of the 12th by a note to Grand. They would be well advised, the Minister said, to write him about Hodge and the retention of the American privateers. Franklin did not know what to say in the letter, he remarked to Lee three days later, because he had had no part in the business of Conyngham, which had...
462The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society The matter-of-fact tone of this letter, and of the virtually identical one to Wickes that follows, conceals the fact that the commissioners had sustained a major defeat. Conyngham’s cruise infuriated Whitehall: on August 19 Stormont delivered a demand that Wickes’s squadron leave port, and Vergennes expected a British declaration of war. Naval patrols were...
463The 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...
464The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Having obtained permission for the Dolphin to sail for america on condition of her not Cruising in these sea’s nor returning again to the Ports of France you will equip her for sailing with all the Expedition Possible. We have agreed to appoint Capt. Brown to the Command of her, if agreable to him, let him take the Charge of her and put her in a proper...
465The 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...
466A Catechism Relative to the English National Debt, [August or September? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin ... (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 97. A CATECHISM Relative to the English National Debt. Question 1. Supposing this debt to be only 195 millions of pounds sterling at present, although it is much more, and that it was all to be counted in shillings, that a man could count at the rate of...
467The American Commissioners to George Washington, [August or September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, a young Nobleman of great Expectations and exceedingly belov’d here, is by this time probably with you. By some Misapprehension in his Contract with the Merchants of Bordeaux he was prevented from using the Produce of the Cargo he carried over, and so was left without a Supply of Money. His Friends here have sent him over about £500...
468From Benjamin Franklin to [ ――― Saintmartin], 1 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I duly received yours of the 26th past, and am much concern’d at the Disappointment you complain of. But as I am totally unacquainted with Mr. Ceronio or his Connections, and have no Instructions relating to him or his Operations; and as Mr. Morris is not under the Direction of the Commissioners from the Congress residing in France, being only employ’d by a...
469From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Gontier de Biran, who will have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Merit and Distinction at this Court, as a Gentleman of Family, and of excellent Character for his Morals, Prudence, and Attention to the Duties of his Profession as a Soldier. He is desirous of improving himself in that Profession, under...
470From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 4 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Gentleman who will have the Honour of waiting upon you with this Letter is the Baron de Steuben, lately a Lieutenant General in the King of Prussia’s Service, whom he attended in all his Campaigns, being his Aide Camp, Quartermaster General, &c. He goes to America with a true Zeal for our Cause, and a View of engaging in it and rendring it all the Service in...
471From Benjamin Franklin to Paulze, 7 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress No armed Vessels under our direction are at present cruising or intended to cruise on the Coasts of Britain: If there were any such we should certainly at your Request, order them to permit your Tobaccos to pass freely; as being the Property of our Friends. Cruisers coming directly from America to Europe may possibly in their Way take English Ships charg’d with...
472Comparison of Great Britain and America as to Credit, in 1777, [before 8 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Library of Congress; copies: British Library, Library of Congress (two), Yale University Library In the Affair of Borrowing Money, a Man’s Credit depends on some or all of the following Particulars: 1. His known Conduct with regard to former Loans, in the Punctuality with which he discharg’d them. 2. His Industry in his Business. 3. His Frugality in his Expences. 4. The Solidity of...
473The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 8 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: British Library, Harvard University Library, National Archives (three) It is long since we had a Line from you, the last received being of the Date of [ blank in MS ] per Mr. Reed. We suppose from the same Causes which have occasioned your hearing so seldom from us, the Difficulty of finding safe Conveyances, and sometimes the Loss of the Dispatches by the Way. Mr. Lee informs you, we...
474The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours informing us of your being ready for sea we recd. and by Capt. Bell advise you to settle your accts. of Disbursements and give Bills on us for the amount forwarding to us at the same time copies thereof, after which you are to take the first favourable opportunity to go for America endeavouring to make either the Port of Portsmouth in New Hampshire or...
475The 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...
476From Benjamin Franklin to [Messrs. Melme & Co.], 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, früher Preussischer Staatsbibliothek, Berlin; ALS (draft): Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 19th past, proposing to furnish the Congress with Arms and Clothing of the Manufacture of Prussia. We have already contracted for as much as our Funds here will enable us to pay for in due time, a considerable Part of the Remittances...
477The 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...
478From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 10 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer, M. de Cambray proposes to go to America with a View of entring into our Service. He is strongly recommended to me by the Duke de Rochefoucauld, who is not only a warm Friend to our Cause, but an excellent Judge of military Merit. I enclose his Letter, with a State of M. de Cambray’s Services which I receiv’d from another Hand, whereby it appears...
479From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 12 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives The Bearer Monsieur Gerard, is recommended to me by M. Dubourg, a Gentleman of Distinction here, and a hearty Friend to our Cause. I enclose his Letter that you may see the favorable Manner in which he speaks of Mr. Gerard. I thereupon take the Liberty of recommending the young Gentleman to your Civilities and Advice, as he will be quite a Stranger there, and to request...
480The American Commissioners: Certificate for a Ship, [14 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS with alterations: New York Public Library; copy (?) with alteration: British Library To the Commanders of Ships of War or other armed Vessels belonging to the United States of North America, or to any of the Subjects of said States, This Certifies, That the Ship Elizabeth [ altered from : Richard Penn, Isaac All] at present Commander or whoever may command her for the time being is owned by...
481From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 18 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I shall be very happy to see my dear Friend if it may be without Inconvenience to him; and the sooner the happier. The Duke de Chaulnes, who was with me last Night, has ask’d me to dine with him on Sunday, when he expected you: But that is a long time for me to wait; And I cannot think of another Place where a Meeting with me would not occasion Speculation....
482From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Three Spanish Gentlemen, Natives of Peru, and Officers in the Army of that Country, [ in the margin : here insert their Names] propose to pass into North America with a View of entring our Army, being ambitious of serving as Voluntiers under your Excellency, whose Reputation as a General stands high all over Europe. They are represented to me by Persons of...
483The 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....
484Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Of the accounts that we discussed at the beginning of the French period, the following are still applicable: I, III, V–VIII, XI. Four new ones apply to this and succeeding volumes: XII. An account of payments or loans from the French government, February 28, 1778, to July 5, 1782: Harvard University Library. 1 p. The entries, aside from a note on the Dutch loan in 1781, are transcribed from an...
485From Benjamin Franklin to [Barbeu-Dubourg], [after 2 October? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress You know, my dear Friend, that I am not capable of refusing you any Thing in my Power, which would be a real Kindness to you or any Friend of yours: But when I am certain that what you request would be directly the contrary, I ought to refuse it. I know that Officers going to America for Employment will probably be disappointed: That our armies are...
486From Benjamin Franklin to [Lebègue de Presle], 4 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Facsimile: Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I am much oblig’d by your Communication of the Letter from England. I am of your Opinion that a Translation of it will not be proper for Publication here. Our Friend’s Expressions concerning Mr. Wilson will be thought too angry to be made use of by one Philosopher when speaking of another; and on a philosophical Question. He seems...
487From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 5 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I suppose some of your kind Letters to me have miscarried, as I have received but one since my Arrival in France. I hope nevertheless that you continue well, and that you are still with my Children, especially as it is supposed that the Howes are gone to Boston, where you must have been again disturb’d if you had return’d thither. I enjoy here an exceeding...
488The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Attested copy: Harvard University Library; copies: British Library (incomplete), National Archives (three), Sheffield City Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We received duly your Dispatches by Mr. McCrery, and Capt. Young, dated May 20 and 30. June 13, 18, and 26 and July 2. The Intelligence they contain is very particular and Satisfactory. It rejoices us to be informed that...
489From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I receiv’d your Favour (without Date) communicating a Method of Secret Writing, for which I am oblig’d to you. I have since receiv’d yours of July 4. I was very sensible before I left America, of the Inconveniencies attending the Employment of Foreign Officers, and therefore immediately on my Arrival here I gave all the Discouragement in my Power to their...
490From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Paine: Extract, [7 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Packet , February 16, 1779. Our affairs, so far as they are connected with this country, are every day more promising. When Hynson stole the commissioners’ dispatches (below, pp. 48–49), he overlooked BF ’s private letters. Two of them, which have since disappeared, survive in brief extracts. This is one. In an open letter that attempted to lay the theft at Deane’s...
491From Benjamin Franklin to Doerner, 8 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Comte François d’Harcourt, Paris (1984) Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Doerner, and returns the Letter undirected, as he knows not Sir James Jay’s Address: but supposes that if he is at Spa, a Letter directed to him there will certainly be delivered to him, as the Post-Office at such Places generally knows the Lodging of every Gentleman. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur...
492The 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...
493From Benjamin Franklin to Condorcet, 12 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I send you enclos’d the Letter you desire. But as I am apprehensive that the young Gentleman may have flattered himself with Expectations that are never likely to be answered in that Country, I wish he would consider it well before he undertakes such a Voyage. If he will take the Trouble of calling on me, perhaps I may afford him some useful Lights on the Subject....
494The American Commissioners to Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir, 13 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 6th. is before us. When the Private Letter referred to and the situation of the Frigates shall be communicated to us we shall be in a Situation for forming a judgment and writing you more particularly. Meantime we inclose a Letter for Capt. Thompson which we take the Liberty to ask you to deliver to him. We must rely on your assisting these...
495The American Commissioners to Thomas Thompson, 13 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We recd. from Messrs. Gourlad &c. an acct. of your arrival and were informed that you had a Private Letter for us which we have not yet recd. Conclude it must Come to hand in the Course of this week. Mean time we desire you would inform us in a Letter under Cover of Messrs. Gourlade &c. what is the situation of your Vessels and what their destination, as...
496From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 14 October[–11 December] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress I received duly your Letter of May 2nd. 77. including a Copy of one you had sent me the Year before, which never came to hand, and which it seems has been the Case with some I wrote to you from America. Filled tho’ our Letters have always been, with Sentiments of Good Will to both Countries, and earnest Desires of...
497Franklin’s Description of His Ailments, 17 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Œsterreichische National-Bibliothek, Vienna A.B. aged near 72 Years, had been subject to slight Fits of the Gout at long Intervals; was accustomed to what is called good Living, used but little Exercise, being from the Nature of his Employment, as well as from Love of Books, much in his Chamber writing or reading. About 3 Years since he found a small Spot on his Head cover’d with a dry...
498Passport for Jan Ingenhousz, 17 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Yale University Library; ADS (draft): American Philosophical Society To all Commanders of armed Vessels appertaining to the United States of America, This may certify, that to my certain Knowledge the Bearer Dr. Ingenhauss is not an Enemy of the said States, nor a Subject of Great Britain, but an Inhabitant of Vienna in Austria, and Physician to the Empress Queen; going to England on his...
499The American Commissioners to John Folger, 19 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library We have consider’d your Proposition of Returning in case of the Accident you mention on this Coast, and approve of the same: You will therefore act accordingly. We wish you a good Voyage, and are Sir, Your humble Servants Addressed: To Captn. / John Folger / To Care of Mr. Jno. Moylan / Merchs / Havre du Grace In BF ’s...
500Franklin on the Miracle of the Revolution, 25 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Richard Henry Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, LL.D., Joint Commissioner of the United States to the Court of France, and Sole Commissioner to the Courts of Spain and Prussia, during the Revolutionary War . . . (2 vols., Boston, 1829), I , 343–6. Having some conversation with Dr. F. upon the present state of things, he seemed to agree with me in thinking that France and Spain mistook...