11William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 29 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL : American Philosophical Society <St. Pierre, Martinique, May 29, 1778: I have written Congress for permission to draw on you; if I do not hear I shall have to draw for 100,000 livres to honor my commitments. Congress owes me much more, but if I receive payment in goods I shall be hard put to it to dispose of them; the likelihood of war has virtually stopped trade here. I must...
12William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 16 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <St. Pierre, Martinique, June 16, 1778: The General has been informed of the Franco-American treaty of alliance and commerce. If it changes the political or commercial system or relations with foreign powers, or binds the contracting parties to act in concert, I should know its terms so that in my small way I can co-operate as the American agent in the West...
13William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society Suivant Les Intentions Du Congrès j’ay L’honneur De Vous Donner avis que j’ay faits Traitte ce jour sur vous ordre De Monsieur aubin Bellevue Pour la somme De Mil Livres Tournois Payable a Trois Mois De Vue que je vous Prie D’avoir La bonté D’accueillir favorablement et en passer le Montant a L’acompte Des Etats unis De L’amerique. J’ay L’honneur D’etre...
14William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform You that the Count D’Estaing arrived here with the Fleet under his Command the Beginning of last Month. Admiral Byron, with 14 Ships of the Line, had been cruizing off Boston Harbor, watching the Motions of the French Fleet; but, the Day previous to its Departure, a violent Storm arose, which cast the Somerset ashore on Cape Cod,...
15William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 6 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Singular Omission on the part of the Minister has been the Cause that several Articles of the Treaty of Commerce entered into betwixt his most Christian Majesty & the United States of America, & operating to the Advantage of the American Commerce, have not been enforced here—the General not having as yet received a Copy of the Treaty with Orders for the...
16William 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...
17William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 3 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society The arrival at this place of the Continental Frigate the Deane, & the armed Brigantine the General Gates, in order to be careened & refitted, & to procure a fresh Supply of Provisions, has greatly embarrassed me, not having sufficient Funds to answer their Demands. I am therefore under the Necessity of refusing them the necessary Supplies, or of...
18William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the eleventh Article of the Treaty of Commerce entered into betwixt His Most Christian Majesty & the United States of America, the Americans are exempted from the Payment of all Duties on the Article of Molasses, notwithstanding which the Duties have, until now, been constantly exacted & paid. This has occasioned great Clamours on the Part of the...
19To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 8 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I flatter myself that you will excuse the Liberty I take in recommending to your Notice & Protection during his Stay at Paris the Bearer Richard Harrison Esqr—a Gentleman who was employed in this Place in the public Character of Agent for the States of Virginia & Maryland & who has rendered his Country some essential services by his Exertions in that Line—...
20To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 20 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As the recent Events that have arisen from the operation of the two fleets & Armies in these Seas, are of the most interesting & important Nature, I shall enter into a regular Detail of those that have taken place Since the Date of my last Letter. The French Forces that sailed in the Expedition to Grenada arrived there the 2d Inst, when 1300 Troops were...