91Fairholme & Luther to the American Commissioners, 30 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d we make bold to send you a copy of what we wrote yesterday to Mr. De Saint Cristau one of the Farmers General with regard to a cargo of fish taken in the Brigg the Lord Grovenor by the Continental Friggat the Providence Capn. Abraham Whipple. At the first arrival of the above prize, we got liberty to put the fish on Shore for to export it to Spain,...
92Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 30 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress (two), National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives J’ai reçu Messieurs, la réponse que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’adresser concernant les arrangements a prendre avec les regences barbaresques pour la sûreté du pavillon américain dans la méditerrannée. Je pense...
93Jonathan Loring Austin to the American Commissioners, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Amsterdam, October 27, 1778: I will sail for St. Eustatia next Wednesday or Thursday, as no direct passage for America is available. Had I been able I would have told you sooner, so you could send more dispatches. I doubt that Admiral d’Estaing is in the precarious situation reported by the English newspapers. American affairs provoke conflicting opinions...
94Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, October 27, 1778, in French: Last Saturday [Oct. 24] I received your letter of October 10. The Grand Facteur is very satisfied with it. Our friend [van Berckel] was pleased and assured me several times it would make a good impression on the burgomasters of Amsterdam. He strongly...
95Marie-Nicole Grossart de Virly Gérard to the American Commissioners, 26 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library J’avois envoyé a mon Mari, mon portrait et celui de ma fille, sur une Boete que M. Williams de Nantes a fait partir par un vaisseau qui a ete pris et conduit a Grenezay. M. de Chaumont m’a dit Messieurs que vous auriez la bonté pour moi et mon mari d’employer votre Correspondant a Nantes, qui a son gendre fils du Maire de Grenezay pour [racheter?] cette Boete...
96Sartine to the American Commissioners, 26 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress (two) <Marly, October 26, 1778, in French: The second part of your letter of October 12 deserves a response as well as the first, to which I have already replied. Although it would serve a double purpose if all American sailors remaining in British service by inertia or coercion could be returned to their native...
97Richard Grinnell to the American Commissioners, 23 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with Pleasure that I Can Inform your honnours that this Day a Rived heare the Brigg Interprise Capt. Paul Peas from London Bound to the Braizels. She was Taken by Belpoole french frigate of thirty two Guns. I have the pleasure of Informeing your honnours that Capt. Francis Macy in the Ship Pitt from London was Taken the Same time by the Venger french...
98The Massachusetts General Court to the American Commissioners, 23 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Agreeable to the Directions of the Genl. Assembly of this State, I do myself the Honor to transmit One hundred Copies of An Act intitled “An Act to prevent the return to this State of certain persons named and described and others who have left the same and joined our inveterate and Cruel Enemies;” in Order that the same may be...
99Pierre Rïou to the American Commissioners, 23 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Sr. Riou ainé Neg[ocian]t a Brest et Interprette Breveté pour les affaires de Sa Majesté seulement a l’honneur de remontrer tres humblement a Messieurs Les Plenipotentiaires des Etats unies de L’amerique, que Le Corsaire ameriquain Le Hamden de Piscatua sous le commandement de thomas Pickeren Esqr. arivé en ce port y a fait conduire le 6. de ce Mois une...
100American Prisoners in Dinan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the under Subscribed Persons having Received Your kind favour of the 15 Inst: who are the only [Santuaries?] under God we Rely on, nor do we desire our liberty from other hands than yours; being in Reallity Americans, who are farr from Imposeing upon Your Clemency (or this Goverment) and willing to Stand or fall by our Countrys Cause, as we are well...
101John Langdon to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Portsmouth, N.H., October 21, 1778: Since the Courier de l’Europe , Captain Raffin, is ready to sail for Europe, I take the liberty of mentioning a matter advantageous to our allies and profitable to me. The British Navy was mostly furnished with masts from this port; lately I have sent to Boston all the masts for d’Estaing’s squadron. Please mention to...
102James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Captain Thomas Bell in a private Vessel belonging to Philadelphia with Tobacco, is arrived here this moment from said Town, which he left the first, and it’s Bay the 10th of September last. He Brings dispatches both for you and for Government which the Commissary will forward for you with his Letters to Versailles. I therefore mention it that you may send...
103Abraham Livingston to the American Commissioners, 20 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Charleston, October 20, 1778: I wrote you on June 10 and 22 that the commercial committee of Congress had ordered several vessels from here. The Flammand ’s officers and crew refused to sail here from Massachusetts, the Mellish was destroyed by the British at Bedford, and the ship Hayfield and brigantine Minerva have been ordered to the West Indies. My...
104Sartine to the American Commissioners, 19 October 1778: résume (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two) <Marly, October 19, 1778, in French: I have received your letters about Mr. Izard’s complaints. The ship with its cargo has been declared a valid prize; for the government to meddle with the law would create a dangerous precedent. If Mr. Izard’s request is in conformity with the treaties his claim will be...
105Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 17 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Par la Lettre Messieurs que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 28 aoust dernier, vous avez demandé la main levée de la saisie faite à Calais d’une partie des bagages du Sr. Smith. J’ai pris à cet egard les informations les plus exactes et il en...
106Sartine to the American Commissioners, 16 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two) J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, Messieurs, des Exemplaires du Reglement concernant les Prises que des Corsaires françois conduiront dans les Ports des Etats unis de L’Amerique; et celles que les Corsaires Américains ameneront dans les ports de France. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec une parfaite Consideration, Messieurs, votre très...
107John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 13 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, October 13, 1778: We learn from an American privateer which arrived at Corunna on September 30 that Admiral Howe tried to relieve Rhode Island. His and d’Estaing’s fleets were severely damaged in a storm; he has returned to New York and d’Estaing regained his post off Newport. The privateer took two packet boats from which he has brought into...
108James Lovell to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress Congress having foreign Affairs now under Consideration, I shall not write to you on that Subject, more especially as it is quite uncertain how the present Papers will be conveyed to you. Nor shall I pretend to unravel to you the Designs of the Enemy. They are very inscrutable: The Printers know...
109Daniel McNeill to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, October 12, 1778: After my arrival I applied to the agent to receive my prisoners; I sent them ashore but the commandant of the port refused them, lacking orders from the ministry. I cannot take them on board unless I send twenty Americans ashore. Since few opportunities for passage exist, this would be a great hardship for men who escaped English...
110James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the receipt of your favors 22d. and 31st. Augst. nothing occur’d worth troubling you with my letters. In consequence of your letter of 31st. August I apply’d to the Commissary of this port, to receive Cap. McNeill’s prisoners, but he refused taking charge of them, as he had no kind of orders to that effect from Government. Cap. McNeill since his...
111Sartine to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), National Archives Je n’ai point oublié, Messieurs, l’intérêt que vous prenez à M. Jonet [Jones] et la Demande que vous avez faite, de lui accorder un Bâtiment armé qui puisse le transporter à l’Amerique. Le Roi à qui j’en ai rendu compte, est disposé a donner cette facilité à ce Capitaine, mais je desire prealablement de savoir, s’il sera possible de composer...
112——— Bailly aîné to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Reponse que me Raportent par le Courier de ce jour mes Banquiers et que vous leur aves fait a de quoy m’etonner. En vous faisant passer la lettre D’advis de votre representant a la Martinique Mr. Bingham, que Je trouvay dans Celle de Mr. J. Hurlot qui y est le mien, J’eus l’honneur de vous ecrire et de vous dire que je connoissois beaucoup M. Villiam...
113John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day receivd from Mr. Livingston a Letter wherein he requests I would apply for a Letter of Mark for the Ship bought for him. I shall esteem the favor of you to forward one to me by the first Post I expect he will be ready for Sea by the first November. The Ship is called the Livingston, in Honor of Governor Livingston, the late Mr. P....
114Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, October 10, 1778: Mr. Sartine’s letter to you of the 7th, in which I am referred to the courts to recover my baggage, has just reached me. I disagree, since my claim is founded on an article of the treaty guaranteeing the return of American goods without delay and on demand. I am the more surprised as the minister, well aware that my name was not on...
115Tristram Barnard to the American Commissioners, 9 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[Paris], October 9, [1778]: For four years this humble petitioner, away from America, has been in English, though not in government, service. My only claim to supporting the American cause is the relief I have given to many prisoners. I want to serve by transporting goods to the rising American states, and request a pass from London to Spain for this...
116Domenico Caracciolo, Marchese di Villamaina, to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Je suis persuadé, qu’il est deja a votre Connoissance, que le Roy des Deux Siciles mon Maitre á ordonné de tenir ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente...
117Peter Collas to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Passy, October 8, 1778: Last August 6 I left here for Nantes and sailed on the 29th for Boston on the Dispatch , Corbin Barnes, master. I was captured on September 1, and taken into Guernsey; I made my way from there to England and finally to Calais. My trunk was searched and a number of articles were held on the supposition that they were made in England....
118John Ross to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; copies: National Archives (two); transcript: National Archives <Nantes, October 8, 1778: I have yours of September 30 indicating that I am to be deprived of the commissioners’ advice beyond that concerning the money extended me. It has been my position all along that I am responsible only to Congress but I fail to see why you have charged me with...
119Sartine to the American Commissioners, 7 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, October 7, 1778, in French: I have received your letter of September 26 supporting the request of Mr. Izard for the restitution of his belongings. I do not see how the commercial treaty applies in this case as Mr. Izard’s name is not mentioned in the bill of lading and...
120John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time to advise of the Arrival of a small Cutter from Baltimore which place they left 14 Augt. and the Capes the 23d. No advices when he left the Coast of Comte dEstaings operations. Another Cutter is in the River from the same port there probably may be letters on board. The fierre Rodrigue from Virginia they left within a Days run of Rochefort...