1To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 28 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Honnor to Inform you, that I am Security for, & have a Procuration from Capt. Stephen Merchant of the Black Prince Cutter, fitted out here; & from all his Crew, to act for them all, as also for the owners & Concerns, & represent the former as their Sole agent in the sale of all the Prises they Shod. make, & to do all Transactions whatsoever...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 9 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society I am Informed that Mr. John Diot our Chargé of Procuration, we sent to Morlaix to Transact the affairs of our Black Prince Privateer, has wrote your Excellency the Particulars relative to her second Cruise. I do myself the honnour to write you the great uneasiness I crave under, for the fate of the Poor 21. men of her Crew, Taken the 22d. June, off...
3To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Received with all gratitude the Letter your Excellency did me the honnour to write me the 8th. Instant. The expressions of your Excellency are the expressions of Humanity; they will give all Comfort & quietude to the Prisonners & to the Crew of the Black Prince Privateer; they will encourrage the People already Listed for my New fine Vessell the...
4To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 2 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Letter I did myself the honnour to write your Excellency the 30th. ulto. Conveyd the Particulars of the Cruise of the Black Prince Cutter. Her Cap. Mr. Stephen marchant, Sends me, recd. per yesterday mail, The List of his Prisonners deliverd in Morlaix, & also, a List of 21, equal number, of his men on Board of the 6 Prises, which, he has all reason to...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 11 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Judgement your Excellency sends me for the five first Ransoms of the Black Princess I have Recd. & am thankfull for the Same. I had already been Told the Intentions of our Councill for Prises, relative to the Flora; the Same I cannot conceive, & I think the Judgment Issued by your Excellency, Conformable to the King’s Réglement 28th. June 1778, must...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 7 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have seen with Mr. Coffyn the Petition, addressed to your Excellency by one Wam. Power a Prisonner of the Black Prince Taken on Board of the Good Will, who promised to Serve the Privateer for his Freedom the remainder of the Cruise. This Petition, I am told, is signed by many more such Prisonners— Their Leader Wam. Power has appeared yesterday before Mr....
7To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Recd. the Letter your Excellency did me the Honnour to write me the 21st. Feby., with the Judgement for the owner’s adventure, which I have sent to Quimper corantin, & am thankfull for same. The Papers relating to the Betsey, have been sent by the admiralty of Brest, to Mr. De Grandbourg Secretary to S. A. S. the Duc De Penthievre, by Error, & it Is...
8To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 13 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my return Home I Paid Mr. Coffyn the 144 l.t. your Excellency has been so good to give the Bold De Letang. I Beseech your Excellency will no more advance any money to the People of our Privateers, as they are mostly Paid before hand for their Cruise, they being very extravagant in their Expences. I have Called at M: Le Duc De Penthievre’s & found the...
9To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 23 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have received with due respect & gratitude your Excellency’s most Esteemed favour 19th Inst. We apprehend that your Excellency’s Judgement there in Joined, for the Brig Dublin Thomas Griffitths, & for the 11. Ransoms taken by the Black Prince, will Suffice, & the request there in made to the admiralty, will, I hope, determine them without hesitation to...
10To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 30 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honnour to address your Excellency a Copy of the Particulars of the Cruise of the Black Prince Cutter Capt. Stephen Marchant, per Letter from him dated Morlaix 23d. Inst., received yesterday— The 21 Prisonners He put on shoare at the disposal of your Excellency in Morlaix, you’ll be Please to order Immediatly what you are pleased to do with them....