781Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 25 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le Roi a fait expedier, Messieurs, des Passeports pour quatre Batimens anglois, qui doivent venir d’un Port etranger a Dunkerque, il est egalment necessaire de les mettre a l’abri d’insulte de la Part des Corsaires Americaines, et Je vous prie de m’envoyer a c e t Effet quatre Lettres ostensibles ou Passeports, dont ils puissent Se Servir dans l’occasion. Je vous observe, qu’ils doivent être...
782Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 25 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
The King, gentlemen, has sent passports for four English vessels which are to come from a foreign port to Dunkerque. It is equally necessary that they be protected from insult by American privateers and I ask you to send me, in this regard, four open letters or passports, which they could use if needed. Please note that they must be left blank since they can only be filled out on the spot. I...
783Franklin and John Adams to Arthur Lee, [27 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Pierpont Morgan Library Dr Franklin and Mr Adams present their Compliments to Mr Lee, and request that the Journey to Versailles may be postponed to Sunday at 8 O Clock in the Morning for several particular Reasons besides the bad Weather.— Addressed: The Hon. Mr Lee / Chaillot Endorsed: F. & Adams Notation: Recu La Lettre une de mieur a pré [une demi-heure après] que Monsieur Leé a etté...
784From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 28 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer, is first Lt. of the Boston—was sent by the Navy Board at Boston to S. Carolina and thence to France Commander of the Dispatch: but was taken. I think our Rule has been to lend Lts. of the Frigate’s twenty Guineas, but considering Browns unhappy Circumstances on Account of Cloaths, and knowing his long Attachment to our Cause and his uncommon Merit, I wish he could have more but...
785John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 28 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Tho’ we are without any interesting inteligence in this or the neighbouring Ports I hold it my duty to advise you that so it is. The Merchants from their heavy Loss’s are obliged to contract their concerns which unfortunately will be sensibly felt by the short Exports for the United States. Excepting three small Cutters belonging to Virginia it is three Months since any expedition went from...
786John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 28 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, November 28, 1778: We are without interesting intelligence. Because of their heavy losses the merchants here must reduce their exports, to the detriment of the United States. Only three small cutters belonging to Virginia have sailed in the past three months. A 24-gun vessel of Beaumarchais & Co. sails to join their Fier Roderigue and Drake at...
787John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing to you the 17th. inst. but having reced no Answer take the Liberty to inform You that the Ship I expect to go in to America is expected here hourly—Mr. Livingstone being arrived by Land to day. Without your compliance with my former request I cannot go with him in which Case I can’t think any blame can fall on me. Capt. Joiner is...
788Sartine to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives J’ai reçu, Messieurs, les quatre Recommandations que vous avez bien voulu m’adresser pour des navires Anglois, et je vous prie d’en recevoir mes remercimens. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec beaucoup de Consideration, Messieurs, votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur Nov. 30.
789C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 2 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer aujourdhui la Résolution dont je vous ai tant parlé. Ce qui l’a un peu retardée, c’est mon dernier voyage à Amsterdam, un rhume fort incommode que j’en ai rapporté, et les trois copies que j’en ai fait faire, pour les envoyer successivement au Congrès. Cette Piece mériteroit bien d’être imprimée, tant en François, qu’en Anglois pour le service des Etats-Unis, à...
790C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 2 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Today I have the honor to send you the resolution of which I have already spoken. What delayed me a little was my recent trip to Amsterdam, a bothersome cold which I brought back with me, and the three copies which I had to make to send in successive letters to the congress. This piece fully deserves to be published in both French and English for the service of the United States because of the...
791Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, December 2, 1778, in French: Enclosed is the resolution I promised, which deserves to be published in both English and French. I hope for good news from America before the Provincial States [of Holland] reassemble in ten to twelve days. The London Evening Post of November 26 reports Clinton has been roughly...
792John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 5 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A french Brig belonging to La Rochelle arrived at this port the 2d Instant from Boston, he left that port the 4 November in Company with Adml. D’Estaing with all his fleet reinforced by some American Frigates. The Report circulated in Boston their intent was against Halifax, the Season was far advanct for an attempt of that nature. He kept company thirty Six hours, the Fleet steerd N.E., he...
793John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 5 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, December 5, 1778: A brig owned in La Rochelle arrived here December 2, having left Boston November 4 and having sailed thirty-six hours with Admiral d’Estaing. Rumor had it that the fleet was to attack Halifax. Another vessel equipped by Chaumont’s friend, Decater, arrived at Auray, having sailed with the admiral until November 7 when she...
794Henry Farley to the American Commissioners, 5 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I had the Honor of waiting on Your Excellencys on Monday with the Letter from Mr Grand I have been advised to put down my request in writing and I flatter myself Your Generous way of thinking will afford me Assistance. Mr Thomas Thompson of Dover very well known for his strong Sentiments in favor of America coinciding with mine wishing to place his...
795C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 8 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le Calme dont vous parloit ma Lettre du 2, a cessé plutôt que je ne croyois. On étoit déjà inquiet, depuis quelques jours, de la baisse des fonds Anglois; et les Lettres venues de l’Angleterre augmentoient les transes de nos rentiers. D’un autre côté, le refus de faire imprimer ici le Protest de la grande ville contre la résolution du 18e. Nov. avoit engagé cette ville à le faire imprimer, et...
796C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 8 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
The calm of which I spoke in my letter of the 2d has ended much sooner than I had anticipated. There already had been uneasiness for several days about the fall in the English funds, and the letters from England have increased the qualms of our fundholders. On the other hand, the refusal to publish the great city’s protest against the resolution of 18 November has forced this city to print and...
797Dumas to the American Commissioners, 8 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft); Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, December 8, 1778, in French: English funds [government bonds] have fallen in value, and letters from England increase the qualms of those holding them. Amsterdam has printed and distributed copies of its protest against the resolution of November 18. This has shocked the English party. This morning the French...
798John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is my duty to forward to you the within Memorial of Facts from Gentlemen whom the fortune of War made Prisoners to the American Arms under my command. In their application to me they observe that “I am well acquainted with their situation.” The late treatment which these unfortunate Men have met with appears to me to carry with it a degree of severity which cannot be Justified by reason nor...
799William Lee to the Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Conformable to the resolution of Congress, of which a Copy is inclosed, I have drawn on you the 4th instant for Twenty four Thousand Livres at One Months date payable to Mr. Grand, which you will please to pay due honor to, by acceptance and payment when at maturity, and place the same to the Account of Congress. ’Tis generally beleived that a Congress will be held in the course of the Winter,...
800Gourlade & Moylan to the American Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The present only serves to advise you of the arrival this day of the Schooner Dauphin from Boston wch. place she left the 16 November last. Amongst the different Dispatches for Court and private letters wch the Owners of this vessel recommended we shou’d see the Cap: deliver the Commissary there did not appear any to your address, and the only news she...
801John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 9 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <Lorient, December 9, 1778: I forward the enclosed memorial from gentlemen who were taken prisoner under my command. They observe that “I am well acquainted with their situation.” Their present treatment is incompatible with reason, law, and humanity. Of the two hundred prisoners on board the Patience , only one hundred thirty...
802William Lee to the American Commissioners, 9 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfurt-on-Main, December 9, 1778: Conformable to the enclosed Congressional resolution, I have drawn on you for 24,000 l.t. payable to Mr. Grand. Please accept it when it comes due and place it to the account of Congress. It is generally believed a congress will be held this winter by the French and Russian ministers to attempt a reconciliation between...
803Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives In December last I recvd at Nantes from Messrs Horneca Fitzeau & Co of Amsterdam sundry merchandise on accot of Mr Grand as appeard by the Invoices, immediately on their arrival I wrote to Mr Grand to know their Destination, his answer was that his name was only lent & that the Goods were for Accot of the Commissioners, I...
804Benjamin Gunnison to the Commissioners, 14 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have just arrived and tak the Liberty To Right to your Honour to in form you of The Condision of the Brig morris. After a Passig of forty two Days I have arrived in Roscoff In the Province of Britancy and shall weight your in structions. I did intend for Nants or Bourdaux but from violant gaills of wind I had on this Coast have been obliged to make this port as my Riggin and sails are much...
805Benjamin Gunnison to the American Commissioners, 14 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brigantine Morris , Roscoff [Brittany], December 14, 1778: I have just arrived after a passage of forty-two days, and await your instructions. I intended to make the ports of either Nantes or Bordeaux but was prevented by violent gales off the coast. My sails and rigging are badly damaged; with a bit of repair I believe they would get me into Morlaix [...
806William Lee to the Commissioners, 15 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of writing to you the 9th instant and then mention’d the Congress that it is generally beleived will take place this Winter between Ministers from the Courts of Versailles and Petersburg to accommodate the difference between the Emperor and King of Prussia; and that I was inform’d G. Britain had prevail’d on the Court of Petersburg to endeavour at the same time to mediate a...
807J. D. Schweighauser and Others to the Commissioners, 15 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
We are favour’d with yours of the 5th. instant together with duplicates of your favours of the 11th and 27 Ultimo. The original of the first never came to hand, the last we received in due course of post. We hold ourselves greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, in endeavouring to obtain a sufficient Convoy, for the Vessels bound to America, for the whole Voyage. We have been...
808John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am sorry to be under the necessity of troubling you so often on so disagreable a subject and have no Apology but that to offer for again taking up your Attention. I have had the honor to write you several letters stating my uncomfortable Situation, and flattered myself I had given reasons sufficient to induce a compliance with my requisition in those I...
809William Lee to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfurt-on-Main, December 15, 1778: It occurs to me it would be serviceable to have an agent at the congress of French and Russian ministers which I mentioned in my letter of the 9th. This agent might counteract the schemes of Britain and if not bring Russia entirely over to our interests at least render her attachment to our enemies less forceful. I...
810Gentlemen at Nantes to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, December 15, 1778: We have received yours of the 5th enclosing copies of your letters of November 11 and 27; the original of the first had never arrived. We are grateful for your efforts respecting a convoy. The letter from the Minister of the Marine indicates he cannot provide an escort beyond Cape Finisterre. A convoy that goes only that far is...