811[John Thornton]: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [between 5 and 8 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Harvard University Library In Company with some American Gentlemen, it was dropped in conversation that it was surprising the Commissioners at Paris Knowing the deplorable situation of the American prisoners confined in the several prisons in England, that they had not sent them any relief; this induced me to wait no longer for an answer from Lord North, to run all risks and to set off...
812The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 30 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and duplicate: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress We have delayed sending this Packet from a daily expectation of hearing from you, as some letters from France make mention of a quick Sailing Vessel by which we were to receive despatches. Tho’ it must be agreeable to you to hear frequently from us, yet as our Letters by being taken might be...
813Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you the 26 th. of last Month and expected to have followed my Letter in a Week, but several unforeseen Matters have hitherto detained us; however I expect we shall set out tomorrow or the day following. The 13 th. Instant the Treaty was sent to me by the Effendi since which some important alterations have been made which the Villainy & carelessness of the Talbe Houdrani (to whom the...
814Gentlemen at Nantes to the American Commissioners, 7 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, November 7, 1778: Repeated captures of American vessels off this coast induce us to seek more effective protection. The intelligence our enemies obtain about the departure of our ships allows their capture as soon as the French frigates part from their convoy. Not only are supplies to our country threatened, so are the American gentlemen intending...
815Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 6 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I Have Not had the pleasure of addressing You since My arrival at this place, being hitherto without any thing to say worth Your Attention. Mr. Lamb was Embarked for Minorca before I got here, but as he is in Correspondance with Mr. Montgomery, I was in hopes of learning through that Channel, the possibility of our Meeting before I shou’d return to France, a Matter that I am of opinion might...
816William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 10 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A glaring Act of Injustice has been done to some American Seamen in this place, which calls aloud for Redress & Retribution.— These unfortunate Men, to the Number of 18, had been carried Prisoners into Great Britain, &, having escaped from their Confinement, repaired to Plymouth, where a Number of armed Cruizers were fitting out.— They entered into the...
817Dumas to the American Commissioners, 3[–14] February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis mes deux Lettres de la fin de Dec. et du 21e. Janvr., dans la dernière desquelles je vous ai rendu compte des lettres reçues du commis de la Maison que vous savez, et de ma présentation au Facteur, j’en ai reçu une autre du premier, dont voici copie. La haie 21e. Janvr. 1777 “J’ai l’honneur de vous informer que je partirai demain, &c.”...
818Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 23 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my arrival here, the ninth, nothing has occur’d worth your attention. I am waiting for a vessel that is Bound to Mogadore and expect to sail in a few days. You have probably as late accounts from Mr. Lamb as I Can give you, yet it may not be Improper to Inform you of his arrival at Alicant the 24th. of last month, where doubtless his Quarrantein has delay’d his proceeding to Madrid. The...
819Luigi Pio to the American Commissioners, 22 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
Ayant eu lhonneur de mettre sous les yeux du Roi mon maître Votre lettre du 27 7 bre. 1784 et Sa Majesté ayant fait mûrement éxaminer les propositions et les offres qu’elle contient, à l effet de l’engager à conclure avec les Etats unis un traité d’amitié et de commerce, m’a chargé de Vous assurer que rien ne peut lui faire un plus grand plaisir, puisqu’elle donne tous ses soins à...
820Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Bearer Colonel Franks I do myself the honor to send you in a small Box the following Articles. These matters have been detained a considerable time from you by various Accidents, among which contrary Winds and stormy Weather were a Part. But I hope as all such impediments are removed you will receive them with the utmost Expedition. The Original of the Declaration made by Mr. Fennish...
821The Conde de Aranda to the American Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 27 September 1784 (Adams Papers)
Antes de ayer recibi la carta de V. S as. del 22 por mano del S r. Humphreys Secretarío de la comission, en la qual me comunican la íntencion de los Estados unidos de America de establecer con el Rey Catolico una correspondencia conveniente ã los dos Dominíos, y fundada en los principios de igualdad, reciprocidad, y amistad, que mutuamente sea ventajosa ã las dos Naciones. Que para este efecto...
822Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 12 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will inform you of my present unhappy Situation. The Judge of the Admiralty have receiv’d orders of the 6th. Instant from the Minester at Paris, ordering them not to Suffer me to take any Cannon Powder or other Millatary Stores on board or to depart from the port on any Consideration whatever without further Orders from Paris. In consequence of those...
823[Dumas] to the American Commissioners, 25 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis ma Lettre du 14e. de ce mois, j’ai eu plusieurs fois la plume à la main pour vous écrire; mais n’ayant rien de pressant à vous marquer, je me suis contenu, de peur d’être importun. J’espere que Mr. Franklin jouit de sa retraite en parfaite santé, et qu’il aura le loisir de m’écrire de là plus...
824Dumas to the American Commissioners, 7 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (incomplete draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief La Traduction ci-jointe des dernieres Lettres que j’ai reçues d’Allemagne, peut vous interesser surtout à l’égard de la proposition des canons à vendre. Le grand F[acteu]r m’a paru y faire une attention particuliere. L’extrait de Liege ne doit pas moins vous intéresser, non seulement à cause de l’insigne...
825Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 13 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Though in a letter written at this place, dated the 10th. instant, I gave you a long answer to the questions with which you charged me, I will now add some farther particulars on the Subject of this Country, which you will possibly be inclined to know. The Emperor is on the most cordial and friendly footing with Spain. The presents, made him from that Court, have been uncommonly great; and...
826Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Les grandes joies sont muettes, ainsi que les grandes douleurs. Je vous félicite de tout mon coeur; et Dieu benisse l’Am. unie. En reponse à la Lettre de Mr. A. Lee du 4e. je n’ai rien eu de plus pressé que d’envoyer sur le champ aux gazettiers, tant françois que holl[andois], copie fidèle et exacte, sans changer, ajouter, ni retrancher un seul mot,...
827Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 2 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor of writing to you the 14th. ultimo by Mr. Jonathan Nesbitt, to which I take the liberty to refer, being since deprived of your respected favours, this cheafly serves to inform you of the arrival at this place of Capn. Henry Johnson, late Commander of the Continental Brigantine Lexington, and Eliazad Johnson Capn. of the Brigantine Dolton...
828John Jay to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
On the 7 th of May 1784 Congress were pleased to resolve “that Treaties of Amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli, to continue for the term of ten years or for a term as much longer as can be procured” They also resolved “that their Ministers to be commissioned for treating with foreign nations, make known to the Emperor of Morocco the...
829John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of acquainting you that in obedience to Orders from the Honorable the Marine and Secret Committees of Congress, bearing date the 9th ulto, I immediately repaired here in Order to proceed in the French Ship Amphitrite from hence to Charlestown South Carolina and thence to France. The intention of the Secret Committee was first to avail of...
830The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
831William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 3 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 4th of December last Mr. Lamb delivered me the Letter which Your Excellencies did me the honor to address me dated from London the 1st. and from Paris the 11th of October. At the same time that Gentleman communicated to me his Instructions and I all the Intelligence I had been able to procure relative to the negociation between this Country and the Regency of Algiers. The Ct. d’Expilly...
832The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 24 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II): copy and transcript of each letter, National Archives I cannot consent to omit this oportunity of addressing a few lines to you though the state of our military operations affords nothing material. The manners of the Continent are to much affected by the depreciation of our Currency. Scarce an Officer Civil or military but feels something of a desire to be concerned in mercantile...
833The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
834Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 20th. instant, was dictated with that Eagerness I feel myself prompted to communicate to you every occurence which comes to my knowledge, and which I imagine may be agreable to you; the report it contain’d of an action between Genl. Gates and Genl. Cornwallis was then currant here, and was confirm’d to me by...
835The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 15 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives; transcript: National Archives; two incomplete copies: Harvard University Library Your pressing request for 5000 Hhds. of Tobacco, is a matter as embarrassing to Congress as to yourselves. Their anxiety to get it to you is as great as yours to receive it. We have already lost considerable Quantities in the...
836William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 5 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I this day rec d. from the Secretary of States Department a letter from the Count D Expilly inclosin one from M r Lamb, copies of which I have the honor to transmit for Your Excellencies Information. Mess rs. Lamb and Randall left Barcelona the 11 th. Ult o. After their Departure I procured a letter in their favor from his Exc y. the C t. de Florida Blanca to the C t. D Expilly which I...
837Francesco Favi to the American Commissioners, 26 April 1785 (Adams Papers)
Le projet du Traité, que vous m’avéz fait l’honneur de m’adresser dans le mois de Decembre dernier, et que vous avéz proposé à Son Altesse Royale Msgr̃ L’Archiduc Grand Duc de Toscane mon Maitre etoit trop conformé à Ses principes pourqu’il ne fût pas agrée. Ce Prince après L’avoir pris en consideration est venu dans la determination d’y adherer, et c’est par son ordre, que j’ai L’honneur de...
838Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have just received your favour of the 28th Ultimo and shall take care to observe all your Directions with the greatest Exactness, but I must first inform you of a most vexatious turn our Affairs relative to the Duc de Chartres are about to take unless we can sufficiently oppose the Design. When I bought this Ship...
839Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 7 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you from Cadiz the 2d. of last Month a Copy of which goes under the Cover of this and the Original with the Papers mentioned therein will I hope be very soon delivered to you by Colonel Franks. On my arrival here I had the pleasure of receiving Mr. Jefferson’s Letter of the 26th . of Septr. informing me that for the present any further attempts to arrange Matters with the Barbary...
840William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 10 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I have had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 7th of July and am sorry that you have not had an opportunity of yet applying to the Minister on the subject of Mr. Hodges vessel. The bond required was to give security here that the vessel should not cruise against the English. The Expressions of the Ministers letters were so vague and General that the...