51Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 21 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Newberry Library; transcript: New York Public Library Since the Early Period When I Had the Happiness to Be Adopted Among the sons of America, I Ever Made it My Point to do that Which I thought Would prove Useful to Her Cause or Agreable to Her Citizens. After We Had Long Stood By ourselves, France did join in our Quarrell, and So Soon as Count d’Estaing’s departure Made My Presence...
52Philip Mazzei to the American Peace Commissioners, 2 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania What I am going to mention to your Excellencies will, I hope, apologize for the liberty I take of addressing myself to you. In January 79. I was appointed by the Government of Virginia to go to Europe to transact there some business of importance for the State. I was taken prisoner in coming, & did not recover my liberty ’till Novr. the same year. I...
53Continental Congress to the American Peace Commissioners: Instructions, [15 June 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress (two), National Archives (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, Charles E. Feinberg, Detroit (1957); L (draft): National Archives; LS : Philip D. Sang, River Forest, Illinois (1959), Massachusetts Historical Society You are hereby authorised and instructed to concur in behalf of these United States with his most...
54Report of Thomas Story to the Committee of Secret Correspondence and the Committee’s Memorandum upon It, [1 October … (Franklin Papers)
DS and copy: National Archives “On my leaving London Arthur Lee Esqr. requested me to inform the Committee of Correspondence, that he had several conferences with the French Embassador who had communicated the same to the French Court, that in consequence thereof the Duke De Vergennes had sent a gentleman to Mr. Lee, [who informed] him that the French Court could not think of entering into a...
55The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
56Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 16 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I received your orders and Instructions by Mr. Bingham, the 14th Inst. but the Shallop with the provisions did not Arrive till this day. We have now got all the provision on board both from the Wasp and Shallop. You may depend on my best endeavours in your Service to prosecute this Voyage with the Most expedition and Advantage in my power. My People, all to two are in...
57From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
58From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
59The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
60The 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...
61Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 30 April[– 9 May 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. J’ai reçu le 6e de ce mois à La Haie, des mains de Mr. Tho. Storey, les dépêches dont vous l’aviez chargé pour moi en date du 9e Xbr. 1775. Je suis touché, pénétré jusqu’au fond du coeur, de l’honneur que me fait et de la confiance que me témoigne le Committé nommé par le Congrès général pour la Correspondance...
62The 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...
63The 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...
64Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 14 May[–6 June 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague Après vous avoir donné ci-joint copie ou extrait de ce qu’il y avoit de plus essentiel dans ma premiere dépeche que je nommerai A pour la briéveté, je commence celle-ci, que je nomme B, en forme de Journal. Ayez la bonté, conséquemment, lorsque vous m’écrirez, de me marquer que vous avez reçu, ou non, la Dépeche...
65Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 11 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform you of my proceedings since I left Cape May the 3d Instant. We left that place in Company with 13 Merchant Men, who I think all got Safe off, as we did not loose Sight of them till they got a good distance from the Land. We Saw no Ships of War at all on the Coast. We this Day fell in with Captain Mackay, in the Ship Friendship from Granada bound to...
66Lambert Wickes to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 13 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives This will inform of a Small Addition to our good fortune in the Prize Way. We this day took Capt. Muckelno in the Schooner Peter of Liverpool from St. Vincent bound to Liverpool in Brittain, Loaded with: Rum: Sugar Coffee Cocoa and Cotton. We also took Capt. Mackey in the Ship Friendship from Granada, bound to London, which I have wrote you of before, and Now Send a...
67The 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...
68Silas Deane to Robert Morris and the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 23 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : (duplicate): Library of Congress This letter, in form to Morris but in fact to the committee, is the only one from Deane that Franklin surely saw before his departure for France; it was therefore part of his small stock of information about what would face him in Europe. The letter deals only with the preliminaries of Deane’s mission, because he reached France long after he had hoped to....
In times like these when the most horrid Murders and Affecting carnage are taking place all around us, and when the cruel & inveterate enemies we have to deal with are sticking at nothing to bring about their Diabolical purposses every genuine friend to our injured countrey (among which number I have the most powerfull reason to be convinced you are) will undoubtedly use all their influence to...
Congress having appointed the Honble Henry Laurens to solicit a Loan of Money in the United Provinces of the Low Countries, in Order to facilitate his Success the enclosed Resolution has been passed. We need say Nothing to explain or urge it, except that it is thought a Mark of Attention and Confidence due to those Powers; that their Interest, if the State of Politicks incline them to exert...
71Vergennes to Franklin and John Jay, [5 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: National Archives J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 29 du Mois dernier et par laquelle vous demandez, au Nom des Etats Unis un Secours extraordinaire de 1900/m l.t. Le Roi se seroit fait un Plaisir, Messieurs, de prendre votre Demande...
72Committee for Foreign Affairs to Franklin and John Jay, 11 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Congress have appointed the Honorable Henry Laurens Esqr to solicit a loan of Money in the United provinces of the low Countries, in order to facilitate his Success the enclosed resolution, has been passed. We need say nothing to explain or urge it, except that it is thought a Mark of attention and confidence due to...
73From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed To Congress. By what Vessell it will be proper to Send it, deserves to be considered as soon as possible,...
74Baron de Thun to Franklin and John Jay, 7 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Since at least March, when independence seemed assured, certain members of the diplomatic corps had wondered when Franklin would present his card, which would allow them to recognize him officially. Franklin explained that he would do no such thing until news of the ratification arrived. On July 2, prompted by Vergennes, the three American commissioners paid their...
75Lafayette to Franklin and John Jay, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Columbia University Library Mquis. de Lafayette’s Compliments waït upon Mr. Franklin and Mr. Jay, and Has the Honour to Acquaint them He Had letters from America down to the first of May— On Many points He is Referred to the letters those Gentlemen Must Have Received— The Mquis. de Lafayette Intends paying them His Respects to Morrow at Breakfast time, and will Communicate what...
76John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed to Congress. By what Vessell it...
77To John Jay from Robert Morris, 19 October 1781 (Jay Papers)
I believe Kitty Livingston has availed herself of this good Conveyance by Matthew Ridley Esq r . to write you very fully & of course she will have told you all the news both Domestick & Political— M rs . Morris has also written to M rs Jay & no doubt assures her of that Esteem & affection in which she holds both her and you. I need not tell you how Sincerely I join her in those Sentiments. You...
78To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 18 January 1779 (Jay Papers)
I had not the pleasure to receive Your favor of the 8 th ult: until last night, pray accept my best thanks for your Congratulations on my Acquital. I did myself the pleasure to write you some time ago from this place and Since that from Albany were I passed the holidays. In the first of these letters I advised you of my Intention to resign. In the last that I had, and In both gave the reasons...
79To John Jay from the Committee for Foreign Affairs (James Lovell, Robert R. Livingston, and William Churchill Houston) … (Jay Papers)
By the inclosed Resolves of Congress you will find that we are become more dependent upon your vigorous Exertions for the Amelioration of our Currency than you perhaps expected when you left Philadelphia. We think it of so much Importance that you Should be early apprized of the measures determined upon respecting Bills of Exchange that we do not chuse to omit this good Opportunity of...
80From George Washington to John Jay, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have waited with anxious expectation, for some plan to be adopted by Congress which would have a general operation throughout the States for compleating their respective Battalions. No plan for this purpose has yet come to my knowledge, nor do I find that the several Governments are pursuing any measures to accomplish the end by particular arrangements of their own legislatures. I therefore...
81To John Jay from Anthony Benezet, 2 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
With affectionate respect, I hereby salute thee, & take the freedom to send thee the inclosed Pamphlet, containing Some Thoughts on War, Slavery &c. of which I earnestly request thy serious perusal. Indeed the subject is of the greatest weight to All, even as Human-Beings; but much more so to those who, indeed believe the great truths of the Christian Religion, God becoming Man, & dying for...
82From George Washington to John Jay, 21 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Rawlins who as well as his officers in general distinguished himself at the affair of Fort Washington has remaining of his Regiment about fifty or sixty men and a few officers. As the latter are at present an expence to the Continent without being employed—and the Colonel after having deserved well of his Country and suffered a grievous captivity, has some claim to attention—I beg...
83From George Washington to John Jay, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Your Excellency, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who was so obliging as to honour me with a visit on his way from Boston, set out yesterday morning for Philadelphia. He will cross the Delaware at Trentown, and if nothing occurs to impede his journey, he will probably arrive at philadelphia on Thursday or Friday. I inclose Your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from Lt...
84To John Jay from Francisco Cabarrús, 29 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
Nous avons l’honneur de vous remettre ci Joint l’extrait de a/ c dans lequel vous ayant Credité de R on . 520,000 que nous compta pour vous M. Gardoqui le 21 de ce Mois vous ne devez pour Solde que rrv on . 150702.19. lesquels a 15 12 font £37778.13.3 que vous vous prions de disposer sur M r . Franklin de Paris d’apres la faculte que vous en avez. Moyennant quoi nos comptes seront Soldés et il...
85To John Jay from Cadwallader Colden II, 31 May 1777 (Jay Papers)
I had Desired Doct r : Jones to Speak to You and some other Gent n . of the Council of Safety Concerning a Report I had heard, that I with some other Gent n . ^ now at Lodgings ^ was to be Confined on bord a Vessel, the Doct r Told me Yesterday that You was so kind as to Propose to Call to See me on that Account; But this Moment the Sherriff Sent a Man to inform M r Cumming and Myself to hold...
86From John Adams to John Jay, 15 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I shall not always stand upon Ceremonies, nor wait for Answers to Letters, because useful Hints may be given, which would be lost if one were to wait Returns of Posts. The British Channel Fleet is reckoned this Year at from thirty to thirty seven Ships of the Line, but it is well known that they depend upon Seamen to be pressed from their first West India Fleet, in order to make up this...
87From George Washington to John Jay, 13 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
It has not been in my power to return an answer to your favor of the 6th Instt till now. The letter met me on the road, seperated from my papers, and I did not reach this place till late on the 11th; since which I have been much employed, in attending to the disposition for hutting the Army; but in the mean time the objects of the dispatch have engaged my utmost consideration. The earnest...
88To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 19 January 1782 (Jay Papers)
In mine of the 15 th . I mention’d my Intention of writing fully to you by this Days Post. But understanding since that a Courier will soon go from Versailles, I rather chuse that Conveyance. I received duly your Letter of Nov r . 21. but it found me in a very perplexed Situation. I had great Payments to make for the extravagant & very inconvenient Purchase in Holland together with large...
89From George Washington to John Jay, 20 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 12th Instant with the several Resolves of Congress referred to, inclosed—to which I shall pay due attention and obedience. I have appointed the 1st of May for the Court Martial to sit for the trial of Major General Arnold, of which I have given notice to the President and Council of the State of Pennsylvania and to the General. I have the honor to be With great...
90From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 7 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two) I have been sometime in Suspense about Writing to you, not knowing whether you were at Cadiz or Madrid. But being inform’d a few Days since that you had set out for the latter, I now acknowledge the receipt of your several Favours of Sept. 26. from Philadelphia. Decr 27. from Martinique, Jan 26th. & 28th and March 3d from...
91From George Washington to John Jay, 2 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit Your Excellency an Extract of a Letter of the 29th Ulto from a Confidential correspondent in New York. It contains the latest advices I have had from thence. By reports from our Officers advanced on both sides of the River, the Enemy broke up their Camp at philip’s burg on the night of the 30th and morning of the 31st Ulto. The accounts received by the...
92To John Jay from Robert Troup, 22 May 1779 (Jay Papers)
After mature Reflection I think it best for me to continue in the Army till the War is ended. You say an Officer who resigns at present will lose the Eclat his Services have given him. I thank you for your Advice, and have already improved it to Advantage, as you will find in the Subsequent Part of this Letter. Besides I feel my Happiness so intimately connected with the Prosperity of my...
93To John Jay from Floridablanca, 21 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
Le Comte de Floridablanca fait bien ses compliments a M r de Jay et a l’honneur de lui faire savoir qu’il a reçu dans son temps ses deux Lettres datees du 2 et du 13 de ce Mois. Le court sejour de Madrid n’ayant pas donné lieu a vaquer a d’autres affaires qu’aux plus pressantes le Comte de Floridablanca n’a pas eté dans le cas de pouvoir prendre en consideration les points qui font l’objet des...
94From George Washington to John Jay, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to Your Excellency—Two of Rivington’s papers of the 24th and 25th, which I received last night. I fear from the accounts contained in the last of them, though I doubt not but that they are highly coloured, that our people have suffered in the affair, mentioned to have happened in the Southern quarter on the 4th Instant. Since my Letter of the 26th I have...
95To John Jay from Lafayette, 12–13 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
how happy I shall think Myself whenever a Safe opportunity of writing to Congress will be offered, I Cannot Better any way express But in Reminding them of that unbounded Affection and Gratitude I Shall ever feel for them— So deeply are those sentiments Engrav’d in my heart, that I every day lament upon that distance which Separates me from them, and that never any thing was so warmly and...
96To John Jay from James Lovell, 15–16 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
Herewith you will recieve according to the resolution of Congress of the 10 th such information relative to the surrender of Pensacola, and the subsequent arrival of the Garrison, at New York, as I have been able to obtain which you will make use of according to your discretion, and the Spirit of the enclosed resolution. I am Sir your Friend and very H Ser t . PS. 16 Aug It appears to me not...
97To John Jay from Frederick Jay, 16 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yours of the 10 th Int. I have now before me— I received a letter from Papa yesterday, by which I find that he is better tho very weak—you may depend that if he does grow worse I shall acquaint you of it—I should have returned to Rye long ere this, but having a cargoe from Curacao, was obliged to stay— Have sold all off & put £300 in my Pocket—the First Cost was £288..10..6—good business—but...
98To John Jay from Robert Troup, 29 June 1778 (Jay Papers)
By a Letter rec d ., a few Hours ago, from Major Armstrong, we learn that our Army were, the Night before last, at English Town, in New-Jersey between six & seven Miles from Monmouth Court House, where the main Body of the Enemy were posted—that they were then marching, it is presumed, in Order to cut off their Communication entirely with South Amboy & the other possible Places of...
99To John Jay from Samuel Kissam, 31 October 1775 (Jay Papers)
I was particularly happy my Dear Jay when I saw your name in the list of Deligates for the Continental Congress, not only because it favour’d an opinion I had ever entertaind, that your Abilities would entitle you to the most distinguishd honors; But because as I knew your Sentiments were favorable to Liberty and the public Good it convinc’d me that the Spirit of Freedom and not of Faction...
100From George Washington to John Jay, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Qr Mr General has represented to me that unless he can receive an immediate and ample supply of money the preparations for the Indian expedition in particular and for other operations with which we must open the campaign, will not be completed, in the time appointed in my orders to him, and required by the exigency of our affairs. The article of horses, for which he will be obliged to pay...