11John 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...
12Dumas 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...
13Matthew 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...
14James 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...
15Riviere to the American Commissioners, [26 September 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai recu la Lettre dont Vous m’avéz honoré le 22. d.c. et je n’ai pas manqué suivant vos desirs de la faire passer à ma Cour. Aussitot que j’aurai sa reponse, je me ferai un devoir de Vous la porter. J’ai l honneur d’etre avec un profond respect Messieurs Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, Chargé des affaires de la Cour de Saxe RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 86); without date, which has...
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.
17Sousa Coutinho to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 22 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, December 22, 1784, in French: I received your letter and the plan of a treaty it enclosed, which I will forward to the court at Lisbon. ⟩ Published in Jefferson Papers, VII , 580. The commissioners’ letter was dated Nov. 30 (above). The Portuguese court returned no answer until the fall of 1785, when it was prodded again by Sousa, himself responding to a...
18The 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...
19John 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...
20Francesco Favi to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 16 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, November 16, 1784, in French: I sent to my court your letter of September 30. Your invitation was very agreeable to His Royal Highness, and he will receive with pleasure the communication of proposals.⟩ Published in Jefferson Papers, VII , 533, and, with an English translation, in Adams Papers, XVI , 430.