1Extract from a Boston Newspaper, [after 4 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Cornell University Library In a Letter from Philadelphia, giving an Account of the Battle at Brandywine, between the Armies of Generals Washington and Howe, is the following Passage. “A great Number of French Officers were in the Action. The Marquis de la Fayette, that most accomplish’d Youth, behaved with a Bravery equal to his noble Birth and amiable Character. The Polish Count Pulawski...
2Jonathan Loring Austin to the Commissioners, 19 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
On Tuesday Morning, as I have already had the Honor of informing Your Excellencies, I shall set out for Holland, and from thence embrace the first Opportunity of returning to America, after an Absence of Twelve Months. Permit me to request a Letter of Recommendation to Congress: also to the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay, from whom I was more immediately dispatch’d with the...
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Passy, September 19, 1778: On Tuesday [September 22] I will leave for Holland and then for America. I would appreciate letters of recommendation to Congress, the Massachusetts Council and other assemblies or individuals. Had I the money myself or had I not exceeded the credit with Pliarne, Penet & Cie. given me by the Board of War in Boston, I would not...
4Jonathan Loring Austin to the Commissioners, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Had it been in my Power to acquaint your Excellencies sooner in what Manner I was to proceed, I should have done myself the Honor of addressing you, before it was too late to receive any further Dis patches from Passy. I have (after waiting here with great Anxeity) received Letters from my Freind, which have determined me to proceed for St. Eustatia, and expect to sail next Wednesday or...
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Amsterdam, October 27, 1778: I will sail for St. Eustatia next Wednesday or Thursday, as no direct passage for America is available. Had I been able I would have told you sooner, so you could send more dispatches. I doubt that Admiral d’Estaing is in the precarious situation reported by the English newspapers. American affairs provoke conflicting opinions...
6To John Adams from Jonathan Loring Austin, 7 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to acquaint you that I arrived here the 29th Ultimo via St. Eustatia, sufficiently tired with the tedious Rout I have taken since I left Paris. I was much disappointed in not embarking directly from Holland to America. All my Persuasions with the Dutch, to send out a Vessel for this Continent, proved fruitless; when I had no other Resource left but to come out by the Way of...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 10 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society I cannot omit the present favorable Opportunity by Capt Thompson, who proposes going himself to Paris, to return your Excellency my most sincere Thanks, for the many Civilities you were pleased to honor me with while in France— The important News I had the Honor of carrying to Passy, which operated so favorably for our Country, the Disposition of...
8To John Adams from Jonathan Loring Austin, 7 July 1779 (Adams Papers)
When Individuals emerge from Difficulties, and by a happy turn of Fortune, suddenly find their Circumstances, not only bettered, but their future prospects very promising, the Gloom of Sorrow, which before clouded their Brows, is removed, and Joy and Gladness resume the place. Its thus with our Country at this happy Period. The Letter herewith, which is a Copy of my last, was a Representation...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only now to acknowledge the foregoing to be Copy of my last, & to congratulate your Excellency upon the repulse given the British Troops the 14 may by Genl moultrie at Charlestown South Carolina, we have been impatiently waiting for particulars of this glorious Event authenticated by Congress, but some Accident, or a Desire to compleat the Advantage...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 27 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I flatter’d myself I should have the pleasure by this Opportunity, of confirming & sending your Excellency a particular Account of the Repulse, said to have been given the British Troops at South Carolina in May last, which for some Weeks was reported & fully credited here, & led me to mention it with so much Assurance in the enclosed Letter— I now beg...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 12 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor of addressing your Excellency by two different Opportunities, which hope have reached your Hands; I am very sensible that your Excellency’s Attention is engrossed with important Concerns for your Country, yet permit me to express my Remembrance for Civilities received, by wishing you a long Continuation of Health & Happiness.— My late...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 17 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Nature of my Errand to Europe I had the Honor to communicate to your Excellency soon after my Arrival, the Difficulties which have occur’d to accomplish it if possible, have verified your Predictions. Altho’ disappointed & often mortified in every Attempt I have made to execute this Commission entrusted to me by the State, my Anxiety was however greatly...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 19 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor of writing you by last Post relative to a Quantity of warlike Stores I wished to take on Freight for America, & hope in due time to be favored with your Excellency’s Answer. I now enclose your Excellency a Draft on Monsieur Grand for 330 Livres in part of the 600 you was pleased to lend me, I did not perceive till this Morning a Mistake had...
14To John Adams from Jonathan Loring Austin, 23 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was duly honored with your Favor of the 2d Instant. Mr. Thaxter having left Paris, I applied to Mr. Grand for the twenty Louis d’ors which I received, and shall invest them in Calicoes and ship on Board the Mars as directed. In this Vessel I think to take passage myself, mortified and disappointed in all my Attempts to execute the Commission I am entrusted with, I cannot flatter myself a...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I expect in ten, or fifteen days at fartherst to embark for Philadelphia, if your Excellency has any Letters for America & will forward them by Return of Post to Mr Williams, I will take charge of them, & deliver them (if possible) as directed— I am with the greatest Respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient humble Servt. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Give me leave respected Sir to introduce to you my Brother Mr Benjamin Austin jr. & Mr Oliver Brewster (a young Gentleman of this Town who accompanys him on a Tour to Europe) who wish to have an Opportunity of paying their Respects to your Excellency & see that Country which has so generously exerted herself in behalf of America; & permit me to congratulate...