1Franklin and Silas Deane to the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Messrs: Franklin and Deane, present their respectful Compliments to the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, and shall be happy in the honour of his Company, tomorrow at Breakfast. 8. O Clock will not be the least inconvenient. In WTF ’s hand. The Duke was by now an old friend of BF .
2Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 13 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: American Philosophical Society, University of Virginia Library Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their Compliments to Mr. Lee, and acquaint him that they propose to send away the Dispatches on Monday next. Endorsed: Feby 13. 1778 This copy, in Lee’s hand, was appended to his reply below, Feb. 14; the AL is in BF ’s hand.
3Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 27 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Princeton University Library We should be glad to see you as soon as convenient to you, in order to consult on the Dispatches. We are, Your most obedient Servants Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot Notation: F & D In BF ’s hand. The meeting is discussed in the headnote on the commissioners’ dispatch below, Nov. 30.
4Silas Deane to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Yours of the 20th Ulto. and 1 Inst. are befor us. Mr. Morris were he present, has not the least pretension to any direction of Cap. Wickes or his Prizes and less so to Johnson or Nicolson. They are Continental Property and are immediately under our direction by the express orders of Congress, and under no other Persons . Inclosed you...
5Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Harvard University Library; AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; two copies: University of Virginia Library The treaties are copying both in French and English, will be done to Day and ready to be examined by you tomorrow Morning. We do not desire to postpone any Proposition you make, otherwise than from the Impossibility of doing two things at once. We suppose the Convoy...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 4 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Vanderpar a Gentleman from Zeeland prays to have the honor of waiting on You Tomorrow Morning on the subject of a Vessel taken by Capt. Jones and by him sent to America. If Agreeable I shall wait on You with him in the Morning at Breakfast, & doubt not but that You will be well pleased with an Acquaintance with him. Meantime I have the honor to be with...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have seen Sir Geo. Grand who was Yesterday at Versailles, and this morning with Mons. De Sartine; I find it impossible for me to go out this Afternoon, as I must be engaged every moment in Business. I must pray you to excuse me to Marechal Maillebois. He put into my hands a Memoire of one Millin de la Brosse, which I forgot to shew you, but I sent a...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 22 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am at last determined on sending my Son to an Academy near Brussels, for a short Time, & having an Opportunity for his going in a few Days pray You to give him a Passport, for which he has the honor to wait on You, & to take his leave. I am with The highest respect Dear sir Your most Obedt & Very humle servt Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin /...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Silas Deane, 2 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed to you by Mr. Greive who goes to America with the Resolution of establishing himself in the United States, whose Interests, he has, (to my knowlege,) at all times zealously espous’d, and of which he has a few Days since, qualified himself a Citizen; He has an Affair of some Importance in your State, in the adjustment of which, I flatter myself, you may be of service to him,...
10To John Jay from Silas Deane, 6 October 1777 (Jay Papers)
I am sorry to find by your Letter by Cap t Young the only Letter I have rec d . from you since I left America that you are not in Congress— I doubt not you are wanted in other Departments, but can no where be of greater Service to your Country than in that Body at this critical period; you will undoubtedly be acquainted with the substance of what we write Jointly, will not therefore venture on...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 29 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived at Rochfort Two Days since after Forty Three Days passage from York in Virginia, and came here last Evening to Visit a Friend. The length of Our passage, has prevented my being the Bearer of any News from America, later than what you are already acquainted with, for which Reason I shall take Nantes in my way and pass a few Days there with Mr....
12To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 27 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here yesterday but so fatigued by the badness of the Road & Weather that I shall rest untill tomorrow to recover sufficiently, to pursue my Journey; You can expect no Information from me, from a Town, in which I am a Stranger, & from which both Politics, and Commerce, appear to have been long since banished, though from what I have seen of it, it...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now waiting here for a Passage for France and hope to embark in Two or Three Weeks in the Fendant, a Twenty four Gun Ship commanded by the Marquiss De Vaudreuil, by way of Martinico. Your Daughter and Family were in good health, when I left Philadelphia.— We are now alarmed here with Accounts from New York of an Invasion of this, and the other Southern...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 11 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you M. Montieus Acct. inclosed, and at the request of Mr. Vandepere, Duplicates of the Protest in the Affair of the Capture, made by Captn Jones, about which he waited on You, which protests he prays may be forwarded to Congress. I shall be much obliged to You to let Me know nearly what Time, Letters must be ready, in order to go with your next...
15Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 15 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (two drafts ): American Philosophical Society Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their respectful Compliments to Mr. Lee, and acquaint him that they propose to send away the Dispatches on Monday; and that they are and were ready and desirous to consult with him upon any Circumstance relating to that Business whenever he may think proper. Their Note of Friday was a simple Proposition for his...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 19 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library I this instant received the inclosed, and as I do not fully Understand the meaning of it I judged it Necessary to go immediately and see Mr. Gerard. I will be back by about Eight o’Clock. I think that it is designed that Our Letter should be sent by the Minister’s Messenger, it is perhaps the most proper. If so it must be Compleated this Evening, as well...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 23 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I go to Town this Evening to a Rendezvous with Messrs. Chaumont and Holker. The latter will be very much obliged to You for the Letters You promised him, he wishes to set out tomorrow morning. Docr. Bancroft is returned. Inclosed is a Letter from Thornton and with this I leave You the Papers, and am Dear Sir Your most Obedient, and Very humble Servant...
18Silas Deane to John Philip Merckle, 23 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Since my last Sir GG has arrived and on consulting with him the Commissioners are of opinion that they can go no farther than to compleat the agreement made between you and him when my Brother was at Amsterdam. This I conclude has been by this Time executed. It is unnecessary to repeat what I have before said and wrote to you on this Subject, as you are...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane’s Compliments to Docr. Franklin and prays him to be at his house Rue Royale at Six this Evening where he will meet the Gentleman Mr. Deane went this Morning to Visit on an Affair of the greatest Consequence. Addressed: To / The Honle. Benj Franklin Esq In a similar invitation to Arthur Lee, Deane explained that the meeting was at Gérard’s request:...
20Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 26 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives; three copies: University of Virginia Library The greater the public Consequences that may flow from the Return of our Dispatches, the more necessary it seem’d that the Court should be immediately acquainted with it that the miscarriage might as soon as possible be repair’d. It was near...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 30 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Barclay who set out on his return to Holland last Monday passed Several Days here in examining my Accompts, & had his powers from Congress authorized him, an end might have been made of my embarrassments, & Complaints on that subject. I gave him duplicates of them, & every explanation which he desired; he promised to remit them to Congress, and to...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I find that I shall have little Time to spare and can therefore only inform You That We arrived here the 6th. without Accident: Our Freind the Day after and that We hope to go forward in two or three days. The grateful Sense which I retain of the many Civilities shewn Me by Our Freinds at Paris and at Passy, makes me regret my having been obliged to set out...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 30 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d is a Letter from Mr. Williams which Appears to have shared the Fate of my last To have been opened. I have wrote him a long Letter this Morning, on the Magazine. Rumsay sets out Tomorrow, and Hood, and others on Tuesday. The Letter and Dipositions for Lord Stormont, and the Memorial for the Portugal ambassador I take leave to remind you of. I sent...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I take the Liberty of inclosing a Letter from Mr Lee, with which I should not Trouble You, were my present Circumstances different, from what they are. At any rate, the poor Man must be releived, & I have already promised his Landlord that his Bill shall be paid. I pray You to return Me the inclosed, after perusing it. Mr Lee had without my direction...
25Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Messrs: Franklin and Deane, will be ready to confer with Mr. Lee, tomorrow at 11. OClock precisely. Enclosed are the Dispatches which came by Mr. Austin, but not having as yet received Duplicates, beg they may be returned, when copied, or done with. Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot. Endorsed: March 3d 1778 In WTF ’s hand. At the meeting, which took...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An express is going to Nantes at twelve o Clock this Day. I pray to see you previous, to determine on what sum shall be paid Capt. Bell, who is about to leave Nantes, and go into the service of the Gentlemen who are sending to him express. And he will be uneasy to have it determined upon. I am Sir your most Obedient and Very Humble Servant Addressed: To /...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [7 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. This Evening the inclosed Lettrs. &c. from London. They had been opened, and when I see You, will explain by whom. I therefore broke them afresh, which impute to my impatience to know the particulars of the important Contents, on which I congratulate You most sincerely. I wish to see You early in the Morning here, as the Business I wish to confer on...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 7 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Count Montford will do himself the honor of waiting on You with this Letter, & It is with Pleasure I embrace the Opportunity to recommend him to Your Notice, as one who has served, and acquired good Reputation in Our Army. He has served immediately under Count Polaski and has rose from a Voluntier to the rank of Major, when his private Affairs, obliging...
29Silas Deane to [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library Your’s of the 2d. we have considered. M. de Melleville came to See us and tho’ we consider this Conduct in the Same Point of Light as you do, yet as there is Room for a Dispute, and as the Merchants appear in his favor at Nantes We think it better to give up the Vessel and take Care of Such Shuffling People in future. It is vexing for Men of Spirit and...
30To George Washington from Silas Deane, 8 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been so long flattering myself with the hopes of having my affairs finished here so early as to afford me an opportunity of visiting my friends at the Army and elsewhere, before I returned to Europe, that the Season is at length so far advanced on me, that I almost despair of it; five long Months I have spent in humble and continual solicitations to be heard until neither my patience,...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a Letter from Mr. Lee which I received last Evening, and should have sent it you this Morning but your Son informed me of your being in Town and that I should have the pleasure of seeing you; I send it for Your reflection, untill We meet this Evening. It was the first Intelligence I had of Mr. Lee’s misfortune but Mr. Grand tells Me that Mons....
32To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 20 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have been very credibly informed that The Count De Vergennes, & others at Versailles have lately expressed, great resentment against Me personally, which gives Me the greatest uneasiness, on Account of my personal Safety at Paris, where I wish To be, To adjust & Settle my Accts., the best foundation, for me to expect Justice from in other respects. I...
33Franklin and Silas Deane to [Ferdinand Grand], 13 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We desire you would continue to honor Mr. Williams Draughts to the Amount of two hundred thousand Livres in Addition to the Five hundred thousand for which a Credit was before given him. We have the Honor to Remain with much Esteem Sir Your most Obedient &c. &c. This note was BF ’s and Deane’s reaction to Lee’s letter above, Jan. 10. Their colleague, they...
34To George Washington from Silas Deane, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Tallmadge, a gentleman for whom I have a particular regard is desirous of seeing me here for a few days, and as I have a Phaeton and horses in his care, it would be extremely convenient for him as well as for me to have him come down with them, as by that means, I may probably have the opportunity of accompanying of him back; if it be consistent with the service to permit him to make the...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [3 April? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I think it will be Necessary To have a Copy of the Contract with Mr. Chaumont sent to Mr. Williams and also to the Secret Committee. As you have [ torn ] Original I wish they may be made out to go by the Express. I am Sir Your most Obedient and very humble Servant Addressed: To / The Honl / Benja Franklin Esqr / [ illegible ] Passy The copy of the contract...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 7 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Gentleman from Portugal proposes being here this Morning at Ten o Clocke, he calld Yesterday supposing it was the Time you Appointed. I could wish you to see him. If you, and son are not engaged, pray your Company at dinner. I am most respectfully Sir, Your most Obedient and Very Humble Servant Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / a / Passy See...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 23 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send You a few Letters which pray may be sent forward by Your express tomorrow Morning if You send, if not, pray to know how soon You will dispatch Your express, for if You put off for a Day, I shall improve the Time to write a Letter or Two more. I have the honor to be with the utmost respect Dr sir Your most Obedt. & Very huml. servt Addressed: His...
38Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 12 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library We inclose this to Care of Messrs. Delaps hoping it will find you safe arrived in that City. Nothing material has occurr’d since your leaving Us; Long Island is repossess’d by the Provincials, but we have not learned the Particulars. One thought we take this Opportunity of suggesting, should you be able to procure a sum of Money either on Loan, or...
39Franklin and Silas Deane to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 16 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society This will be delivered to you by Mr. Carmichael to whom we have committed our dispatches for Congress, and who becoming Acquainted with Mr. Deane soon after his arrival at Paris, travelled to Berlin through Holland and Hambourgh at the desire and Appointment of Mr. Deane and on his Journey rendered very Considerable Services to the United States by...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 18 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed are Letters which I received last Evening. The Letter from Mons: Coulau speaks of two, but there was only one, the other was a bundle of Newspapers, as referred to by Mr. Morriss in his Letter of the 28th. They are of much older date than those already received therefore not worth sending to You. The post goes again for Bordeaux on Tuesday. It is I...
41Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Harvard University Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (four), University of Virginia Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We have maturely considered your Letter of the 30th past. And tho’ we cannot see the mischievous Consequences of the 12th. Article which you apprehend, yet conceiving that Unanimity on this Occasion is of...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 8 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed I send you what Papers, and Intelligence came this day per post. The Letters from Hambourgh cost Us 19 Livres postage. We must answer these people, or be ruined with their Expence. I enclose a Letter for Mr. Bingham which if it meets Your approbation, please to return it, and I will forward the Duplicates by different Means. The Letter to Mr. Jay...
43Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their Compliments to Mr. Arthur Lee, it not being likely that the Dispatches can be ready at 12. O Clock beg Mr. Lee, would change the time of his coming to half past 5. at which time there is no doubt but that every thing will be ready. Mr. Franklin juniors respectful Compliments to Mr. A. Lee and reminds him of his Engagement...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 9 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shall write this Day, to Mr. Holker, and therefore ask You to sign and return to me the within Bill. The Post goes at Twelve o Clock for Rouan, and at Two for Nantes, and perhaps it may be proper to write Mr. Williams on the subject of his last. I am most respectfully Sir Your most Obedient and very Humble Servant Addressed: To / The honorle. / Benja...
45Franklin and Silas Deane to Gerard, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives Mr. Lee having signified to us, that on farther Consideration he has changed his Sentiments relating to the 12th Article; and that he cannot join in Signing the Treaty if that Article remains in it: And as Unanimity is of some...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [2 June? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send inclosed all the Papers that came To hand, also a Letter from Mr. Bingham by which I find the Cargo from Havre in the Ship in which Davis went passanger was arrived at Martinico and I hope by this the whole is safely Landed on the Continent. I am ever Dear Sir most respectfully Your very Humble Servant On June 7 the commissioners, in a letter now...
47To John Jay from Silas Deane, 2 December 1776 (Jay Papers)
I send you the Memoirs of Mr. Beaumarchais and direct you to begin at the 20th page and collored the margins to the 6th page or 8th of the next Memoire. I hope my other letter may arrive, as it is difficult writing in this way. Let me entreat you to send me some instructions and powers in proper form, if you design I shall represent the United States in any tolerable character. I am, my dear...
48To John Jay from Silas Deane, 13 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have written You Two Letters since my Arrival the last on the 4 th Inst. as I know not whether you may have preserved Our Cypher, I dare not be particular on Subjects which you may wish to hear from me upon. M r . Searle is arrived from Philadelphia, I have not seen him nor has D r Franklin, but I learn that he brings nothing New, he landed at Brest. Two Vessels lately Arrived at L’Orient,...
49To George Washington from Silas Deane, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Grieve will do himself the honour of waiting on you with this, and I take the liberty of assuring you in it, that he has on all occasions been the warm and zealous friend of America, and determined to make common cause with us, has lately become our fellow Citizen. He has an affair with respect to some lands, which I believe lie in your neighbourhood, and in which I hope you will be able to...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed to you by Mons. Colomb, who came out to America with the Marquiss de la Fayette, & has served with Reputation in the Army of the United States, and now returns to Visit his Country, and Freinds, I take therefore the Liberty to introduce him to your Acquaintence and to refer you to him for Information of the State of Our Army, and its...