11Puchelberg & Cie. to the American Commissioners, 24 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, August 24, 1778: We are herewith forwarding a letter given us yesterday by Mr. Lee, living at Schweighauser’s. Please acknowledge its receipt. As associates of Schweighauser in this town, we offer our services and would appreciate your patronage.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 388. Thomas Lee, identified in Berubé de Costentin’s letter...
12John Lloyd to the American Commissioners, 4 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, February 4, 1779: Although I am not authorized to answer your letter of January 26 to several “American Gentlemen,” I feel compelled to acknowledge its receipt. The reason it is not done jointly is the reluctance of the Gentlemen to give any advice on the subject of free ports, fearing censure from their countrymen. The weather is moderating, and...
13Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, June 2, 1778, in French: The French Ambassador expects, as I do, that you will send me a copy of the treaty in time for the Grand Pensionary to circulate it among the members of the States before they meet on July 1. You will see by the enclosed that war is about to break out in Germany; that will do us no...
14Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 29 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Paris, September 29, 1778: A number of years ago, in London, I came upon a manuscript book of the commissioners of the English navy. It contains accurate descriptions of the ships and their equipment then in commission as well as calculations for their repair and the duties of their officers. Conceiving this...
15James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 17 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society <Lorient, August 17, 1778: The brig Lady Washington , Captain Rowntree, arrived yesterday from the James River with a cargo of tobacco, having sailed July 8. The captain tells me the two armies were in New Jersey and the British transports still in the Delaware. Washington’s army amounted to 18,000 men, the people were in high spirits and money was...
16Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 20 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives <Versailles, April 20, 1778, in French: I have received your letter of yesterday about convoys. As the matter solely concerns M. de Sartine, I have forwarded a translation of the letter and will send you his reply.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 42–3.
17The Commerce Committee to the American Commissioners, 28 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress <York, May 28, 1778: This comes by Capt. Thomas Read of the Baltimore , which has a cargo of tobacco; it is consigned to John Daniel Schweighauser, who will send back on the ship such goods as you direct. The Deane, Henrietta , and Queen of France have arrived in Boston. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 167–8. The signers...
18John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives < Ranger , Brest, June 10, 1778: One of the Ranger ’s prizes was, I understand, sold in Bordeaux by Messrs. Delap. I wrote to request that the captors’ share be sent to Mr. Williams at Nantes, so that it might be divided before the Ranger left, but my letter was not answered. Please give orders for the money to be remitted...
19John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 21 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 21, 1778: A ship arrived at Bilbao with a passenger said to be carrying dispatches for you; he has left for Paris and passed through Bayonne. A prisoner escaped from New York has asked me to write you for a privateer’s commission; a new ship suitable for him will be ready in twenty days, and might sail with the Boston . I await your...
20James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 26 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <L’Orient, August 26, 1778: Capt. Daniel McNeill arrived here yesterday on the General Mifflin , privateer. He left Portsmouth May 8, cruised the north seas, and captured thirteen prizes there and at the mouth of the Channel. Five he sunk, the rest he sent to America or France; one [the Isabelle ] arrived here. He also has some fifty prisoners. Can they be...
21Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Rendu compte des mêmes rapports de la Lettre précédente. Prié encore qu’ils m’écrivent des choses obligeantes pour Mr. Van Berckel. Instruction pour conserver le beurre. Demandé des nouvelles de Mr. Symeon Deane. We have again silently expanded his abbreviations. The previous letter is that of Dec. 30; the instructions about butter are those...
22Ferdinand Grand: Receipt for the American Commissioners, 10 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay reçu de Messieurs Franklin Dean et Lee Cinq Cent mille Livres dont Je leur tiendrai Compte. Notation: Monsr. Grands Rect for 500.000 Livs The third installment of the two million from the French government; the first was received on Jan. 17 and the second in April: above, XXIII , 198, 199 n.
23James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 27 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, April 27, 1778: The Lord Chatham , a prize taken by the Ranger , has arrived in Brest.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 61.
24Dumas to the American Commissioners, 19 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 19, 1778, in French: From my letter of May 7–15 you will have learned of my progress in publicizing the friendly disposition of the United States. The Grand Pensionary has been most adroit. We believe that he shares our views; he has given copies of your letter in private to all the members of the provincial...
25Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 22 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 22, 1778: My ship has been careened, but I must take out and repair the mainmast. Capt. Palmes has been long away, and I am anxious to know my destination. I shall be ready as soon as possible, but the holidays have delayed me; although I tried to get permission to keep on working, the authorities denied it. I await your orders about...
26Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 4 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, May 4, 1778, in French: I have taken the King’s orders on presenting Mr. Adams, who will be received on Friday the 8th. I hope that you will dine with me that day, for I should be delighted to spend some hours with you.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , II , 308. See also Adams to his two colleagues below,...
27Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 11, 1778: You will have heard the news of Capt. Jones. He needs about £2,000, he tells me, to equip the Drake before the French court intervenes; he can only draw on you.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 107–8.
28Dumas to the American Commissioners, 11 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <[The Hague], September 11, 1778, in French: Tomorrow the Amsterdam merchants as a body will present to the Assembly of Holland an address requesting protection from the British. All trade at Amsterdam is at a standstill because no one wants to give insurance. I still await what I requested on the 4th.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII .
29John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 28 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 28, 1778: I received on the 25th by Mr. Haywood your letter of the 15th, and have from Capt. Tucker the list of provisions; the officers will inspect them tomorrow. The mast has delayed the work.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 63.
30John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 2 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: United States Naval Academy Museum, National Archives, University of Virginia Library <Passy, August 2, 1778: Captain Jones requests the commissioners to supply him with copies, or allow him to copy, the following letters: M. de Sartine’s letter to the commissioners about Capt. Jones, their answer, the commissioners’ letter to Lieut. Simpson resulting from Capt. Jones’s proposition in...
31James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 29 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, June 29, 1778: The frigate Oiseau convoyed a schooner out of the bay and returned with a prize, a Jersey privateer, which had on board three Marblehead seamen as prisoners. On their release I sent them on the frigate to Brest, where Capt. Jones will doubtless receive them.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 242–3.
32John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 12 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 12, 1778: I have received offers from every forge from Angoulême to Bayonne for the cannon you commission me to purchase. None will promise to complete delivery before February and the arsenals cannot loan any. Thus I have decided to contract with the forges of Petigore [Périgord]. No ships have arrived from America the last three days...
33Pierce Powers to the American Commissioners, 22 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Brest hospital, June 22, 1778: I was wounded in the engagement with the Drake , and am recovered enough to go home. Now that I can no longer serve my country, please get me passage as soon as possible. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 231. Jones had corroborated his story some weeks before: ibid. , p. 164. He obviously got no reply, for on July 7...
34John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 6 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, June 6, 1778: Since Captain Tucker left I have had to settle additional charges, of which I enclose details. The conspiracy has been diligently investigated by the intendant, but nothing can be proved. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 185–6. He left Bordeaux on May 17 and put to sea on June 6: ibid. , p. 109 n. He is referring back to a...
35Berubé de Costentin to the American Commissioners, 4 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, September 4, 1778, in French: In accordance with your request of August 15, Thomas Wilkinson left yesterday for St. Pol de Léon. I await your orders regarding the prisoners here.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII .
36Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 13 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two copies: Library of Congress <Versailles, May 13, 1778, in French: The farmers general have informed me that Capt. Tucker of the Boston has refused to allow their agents on his vessel because she is a warship. We must know whether she is, or merely a privateer; once you have established that, she will be treated like the ships of...
37Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 11 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <On board the Boston , Bordeaux, April 11, 1778: I shall careen my ship next Tuesday, and hope to be soon ready for sea; Mr. Bondfield will expedite matters. You will have sent Capt. Palmes, I hope, before this reaches you. I shall be happy to hear from you.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 27–8.
38Gérard to the American Commissioners, 30 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai recu avec la lettre dont vous m’avés honoré, la traduction que vous avès bien voulu me faire remettre. Je rendrai compte du contenu de votre lettre et je travaillerai sans delai à l’examen de la traduction. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec une consideration respectueuse Messieurs Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur Addressed: A Messieurs /...
39Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 29 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, April 29, 1778: I have received your orders but cannot carry them out immediately; repairs will take another two weeks and more. Mr. Livingston will be my second lieutenant, and I am obliged to you.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 73. In the commissioners’ letter of the 13th they had recommended Livingston as first officer, but Adams...
40Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 30 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, June 30, 1778: Six Russian ships of the line are reported to have arrived in England, with six more to follow; the officers are British and the crews Russian. Three are ordered to be docked and surveyed in Sheerness, three in Portsmouth.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 244.