To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee for Foreign Affairs: Two Letters, 11 July 1780
From the Committee for Foreign Affairs: Two Letters
(I) ALS:9 American Philosophical Society; LS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, National Archives, Library of Congress (two); transcript: National Archives; (II) ALS: American Philosophical Society; press copy: Library of Congress; copy and transcript: National Archives
I.
Philada. 11 July 1780
Sir
After the repeated Remonstrances you have made to Congress on the Subject of Bills of Exchange the inclosed Resolution1 we are well aware, will need an Apology. We regret that you should have so much Trouble and be put upon so many Expedients in matters of this Kind, well knowing how delicate a Point it is to solicit further Advances after so many have already been made. Congress attending to your Letters & Representations has taken this Step with Reluctance But the present Crisis when not only the Preparations for a vigorous Campaign call for large Expenditures but the Expectation of a cooperating Force make great Additions necessary, has induced Them to risque the Sum mentioned. The Bills will not be drawn faster than indispensible Exigencies may require, and it is to be hoped that this mode of commanding Cash will not be again resorted to.
We are Sir Your obedt. Servants
James Lovell
Wm Churchill Houston
3d Copy
Honble. Benja. Franklin
Addressed: Honorable / Doctor Franklin / Minister plenipory./ &c. / France
II.
Philada. 11 July 1780
Sir
We are to communicate to you that Congress entertain a favorable Sense of the Attention & Services of Monsr. Chasseaulx his Most Christian Majesty’s Consul at the Port of Bergen in Norway in the late Affair of the Prizes sent in there by the Squadron commanded by Capt. Jones,2 and we beg you will present through the proper Chanel the Acknowledgements to be made for the polite Respect shewn to the Interests of the Citizens of these States.
We are Sir Your very humble Servants
James Lovell
Wm Churchill Houston
3d Copy
Hon. Benja. Franklin
Addressed: Honorable / Doctor Franklin / Minister plenipory. &c. / France
9. The ALS of both (I) and (II) are in the hand of James Lovell, who enclosed them with his letter of Oct. 28, below.
1. A resolution of May 19 directing that $25,000 in additional bills of exchange be drawn on BF and a similar sum on John Jay: JCC, XVII, 438. Twelve days later, a second resolution ordered the committee for foreign affairs to notify the two ministers: ibid, p. 475. Copies of these resolutions are with BF’s papers at the APS and at the University of Pa. Library.
2. Congress so resolved on May 31: JCC, XVII, 476. Chezaulx had assisted the prize crews: XXX, 336–7, 340, 342–3, 591–4.