51The American Commissioners to Lord North, 12 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Evening Post , January 24–27, 1778 From motives of duty, and an earnest desire of mitigating the calamities of war, we proposed, near a year since, to the King of Great Britain’s Ambassador here, an Exchange of prisoners in Europe. The answer we received must have been made known to your Lordship, and the world will judge of its decency. It would have been honourable for...
52The American Commissioners to [the Comte de Vergennes], 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency that we have just receiv’d an Express from Boston, in 30 Days, with Advice of the total Reduction of the Force under General Burgoyne, himself and his whole Army having surrendered themselves Prisoners. General Gates was about to send Reinforcements to Gen. Washington, who was near Philadelphia...
53The American Commissioners to Sartine, 11 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; National Archives (two) <Passy, July 11, 1778: We received your Excellency’s letter of the fifth regarding Captain Jones, and we readily consent to place him at your disposal.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 158.
54The American Commissioners to Sartine, 3 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 3: We enclose a list of duties paid in Bordeaux on supplies for the Boston . Such payment is unusual for warships, and we ask you to regulate the practice in future. The captain of the Ranger has put his prizes into the hands of the intendant or commandant at Brest, and...
55The American Commissioners to William Hill Sargeant, 23 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We herewith Send you the Commission you desire, and wish you good Success with it being your very humble servants
56The American Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie., 6 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have never received from you, any Intelligence concerning the Progress, which you have made, in the Loan, which has been opened by you for the united States of America. We are anxious to be informed that We may be able to acquaint our Constituents, and regulate our own Conduct in other Things. We should therefore be...
57The American Commissioners to Jacques Leveux, 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Several Letters of the 26 August, 25 September and 17 October, informing us of Several sums you have advanced to Americans escaped from England. We request you to send Us an Account Stated of all the Disbursements you have made and the Receipts you have taken for the Money; and we consent you...
58The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 13 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 13, 1778: Capt. Amiel brought us this morning two letters from you enclosing testimonials to your good character. We had no doubt of it, and your trouble was unnecessary. A letter, it is true, did say that you were “somewhat too busy, in some particular matters,” but this did not prejudice us against you....
59The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We desire you would advance to Capt. Paul Jones, of the Ranger, five hundred Louidores, for which your draught upon us will be paid. We are Sir Your most Obedient Servants (Signed) Notation: From the American Commissioners Letter of Credit Passy January 10th 1778 recd. Passy January 10th. 1778 To cover wages and equipment for the Ranger: Morison, Jones , p. 124. Jones...
60The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have this Moment received the Letter, which you did Us the Honour to write to Us, on the Seventh of the present Month, and We hold ourselves obliged to you for giving Us an opportunity of uniting our Endeavours with yours, to obtain a Sufficient Convoy for the Vessells bound to America for the whole Voyage. It...