1From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 9 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Port Folio , II (1802), 236–7; extracts: American Philosophical Society; Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Paris; Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. I received your several favours, of May 18, June 30, and July 8, by Messrs. Vaillant and Pochard; whom, if I could serve upon your recommendation, it would give me great pleasure. Their total want of English is at...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 2 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Port Folio , III , (1803), 214. I wrote to you lately by Mr. Story, and since by another conveyance. This line will be delivered to you by Mr. Deane, who goes over on business of the Congress, and with whom you may freely converse on the affairs committed to you, in behalf of that body. I recommend him warmly to your civilities. Mess’rs. Vaillant and Pochard continue close...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frederic Dumas, 1 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have just time to acknowledge the Receipt of your two Packets, A and B. with the Pamphlets enclos’d, the Contents of which are very satisfactory. You will hear from me more fully in a little time. With great Esteem I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant See Cornelius Stevenson to BF above, Aug. 22, 1776....
4From Benjamin Franklin to [Dumas], 23 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Port Folio , III (1803), 294. I have only time to say that I am arrived here well, and happy to learn, by your favour of the 17th, that you are so. I enclose a letter to you from the committee, and I shall write to you more fully in a few days. With great esteem, I am ever yours, affectionately, BF mislaid this note and enclosed it with his below, Jan. 28. The letter from...
5From Benjamin Franklin to [Dumas], 28 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress My dear Friend may be assured that the Omission of writing to him for so long a time either by Mr. D. or myself, was not in the least owing to any Want of Respect or Change of Sentiment towards him; but merely from the extreme Hurry we have been engag’d in ever since my Arrival, which has prevented our Writing to many other of our Correspondents. I now enclose several...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 12 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution ... (12 vols., Boston, 1829–30), IX , 317–18. Last night we received a packet from North America with some advices, of which I send you the substance. I see your letters now and then to Mr. Deane and Mr. Carmichael, and thank you for the kind mention made of me in them. I am so bad a correspondent, that...
7The American Commissioners to Dumas with a Covering Note and a Draft Letter to the Grand Pensionary, 10 April 1778 … (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): Library of Congress; incomplete LS : New-York Historical Society; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Koninklijk Huisarchief, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two); (II) AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Koninklijk Huisarchief, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (three); (III) AL (draft): Library of Congress;...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 2 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I should have sent the Treaty sooner, but that I imagin’d it would have been printed by the Court; As that has not been done, I have had a Copy made out in Manuscript, which you will receive with this. It is for the Grand Pensionary: But you will take the Advice of M. le D. de la V. [duc de La Vauguyon] as to the propriety of delivering it at present, &c. Your...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 22 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania On considering the Affair of presenting the Copy of the Treaty, it is thought best to postpone it till the Arrival of the Ratification, which is now daily expected, as we have Advice of the Arrival of the Treaty at the Congress, and that the News of it had been received with Universal Joy. We have also the News, that our little Fleet, which was convoyed...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 20 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Parke-Bernet catalogue (1963) <Passy, July 20, 1778: Franklin notifies Dumas of the ratification at Versailles of the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and authorizes him to “communicate the Treaty of Commerce to M. le Grand Pensionnaire.” > Session of December 3: p. 19 of catalogue 2235. See the preceding document. Three weeks earlier Dumas had shown the Grand...
11The American Commissioners to Dumas, 9 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : William N. Dearborn, Nashville, Tennessee (1962); copy: National Archives <Passy, September 9, 1778: We received yours hinting that some of your friends wish the commissioners should propose a treaty to your government. It really would be a pleasure thus to cement a union between the two republics, but having received no answer to their letter sent some months ago on the subject to the...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, [22 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extracts (two): American Philosophical Society We have, as you know, made Overtures to the Grand Pensionary. We took that to be the regular Course of Proceeding. We expect an Answer. If he gives us none, we shall naturally conclude that there is no Disposition in their H. H. M. M. to have any Connection with us, and I believe we shall give them no farther Trouble; at least that would be my...
13The American Commissioners to Dumas, 10/16 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives We have received yours of the 2d Instant, with the Declaration sign’d by Mr. Van Berckel, and his explanatory Letter to you, which give us much pleasure, as they show the good Disposition of that respectable Body, the Burgomasters of Amsterdam towards the United States of America, and their Willingness, as far as may...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for the Information you give me of Mr. Lee’s Proposition. I do not think he has any Powers to borrow Money for the United States distinct from ours but he may have Power to borrow for Virginia. I think you acted very discretely in the Business; and I am sorry that such a Proposition should be made, as, if known it might have bad Consequences....
15From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 11 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d duly yours of the 25th Past. The Matter it contain’d was so unexpected & surprizing that I have been at a Loss what to answer till I could make some enquiry & Observation; and I find much Embarassment in the Business. One of the Persons concern’d I am acquainted with. He always appear’d to me a Person of Honor & his friendship has been very Serviceable to...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 19 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Since mine of the 11th inst. I have receiv’d an Appointment from Congress to be their sole Minister Plenipotentiary at this Court, my former Colleagues having or being likely to have other Destinations. I have had frequent conversations with your friend concerning a Loan in Holland. A fit of the Gout has interrupted them these two Days, but his Demands appearing to be...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 12 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library; copy: Library of Congress I lately received yours of Oct. 18. recommending Mr Huet Du Plessis, He left it at my House when I was not at home; and having been these three Weeks past much confined by the Gout, I have not been able to look for him.— I have also received yours of Feb. 23. 26 & March 1. The Informations they contain are very Satisfactory. Mr Deane...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 18 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 3 inst. My Indisposition seems to be wearing off; and I hope will permit me to go abroad in a few Days. Mr. Neufville’s first Propositions were so much out of the Way, that I could not accept them. He required a fifth Part of the Loan to be sent over to him annually during the first 5 years in the Produce of America for Sale, & the Money...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 19 inst. You have my free Consent to communicate the Letters you mention (and any others that I have written) to M. L. Ambr. de F. He is a wise Man & our Friend, and his Opinion & Advice, when he may think fit to give it, cannot but be useful in our Affairs. As to that M. Str. I saw him twice with Mr. de Ne. when I was ill with the Gout;...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I take this opportunity by Col. Hope of sending you some Papers , which you may occasionally make use of to Show the upright Conduct of the Congress, in the Affair of Captures &c. if they have not been already—publish’d— I send also a Copy of my general letter relating to Cap. Cook, which you may show to any american Cruiser that may happen to put into any port near...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 9 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I received yours with a Copy of the Resolution of the 26th past which gave me a great deal of Pleasure. If one Nicholas Davis, who lodges in the Warmoes Straat Amsterdam, at the House of Jan Hendrik Consé, should apply to you for Assistance as an American, I desire you to take no Notice of him for he has already cheated us of considerable...
22From Benjamin Franklin to [Dumas], [between 17 and 19 May 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress in a Week. The Business has required a longer [ remainder of line missing ] is the Only cause of the Bills not being paid according to the Acceptance. But whatever the Cause, I do not See why that Should as your friend Supposes faire beaucoup de mal au credit des Americains . M Holker is not an American but a Frenchman lately arrived in America. If a...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library It is not a pleasant thing to be called upon for one’s Sentiments of Persons & Characters; but when Matters of Importance to our Country, our Friends or ourselves, depend on a true Judgment of Men, it is right to ask one another’s Opinions & to give them frankly in confidence that no inconvenient Use will be made of them. Mr. S. has always been a Friend to the...
24Franklin and Chaumont to Dumas, 2 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library; copy: National Archives Du 2. 7bre. 1779 Notte pour Monsieur Dumas agent du Congres des etats unis d’amerique et pour Luy Seul: Je prie Monsieur Dumas de Se Rendre incessament a amsterdam pour Rendre tous les Services qui pouront dependre de luy a unne Escadre Sous Le Commandement de M. Jones portant pavillon americain qui doit Se Rendre au texel. Les Vx. qui...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 7 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Library of Congress Inclosed is a Letter for Capt. Jones, which you are desired to deliver him yourself as soon as possible, after his Arrival.—It will be well to keep secret that you expect him there. I hope you had a good Journey home. I am with great Esteem Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant. In WTF ’s hand. See Chaumont to Dumas,...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 27 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 21th. and one before acquainting me with your Safe arrival, which gave me great Pleasure. You Shall have the Treaty and my few Remarks very soon. I inclose four of our latest Newspapers, which contain some Intelligence from Carolina, the Particulars of the taking of the fort at Stony Point, and the Devastations made by the Enemy in...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 14 & 21. past. I communicated to M. De Chaumont what you say in your last relating to your attending the Arrival of our Friend. Inform him as soon as you see him, that he is in Holland to follow the Orders he will receive from the g. Factor . We have just heard something of him that gives every body here abundant Satisfaction. As I have...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 15 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I write this Line just to acknowledge the Recepit of your greable Favours of the 2d. 3d. & 6th. Instant. I hope you are now well with your family, and that I shall soon hear from you what Part your Governement takes with regard to our Little Squadron. I am ever Your’s affectionately
29From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 18th. and 22 & communicated them to Mr. Chaumont as you desired.— I am glad to Learn that the affair of firing at the Deserters has had no worse Consequences. I wish to know whether Letters I sent sometime since to Comme. Jones and Captain Landais under your Cover, came to hand as you Expect they will sail by the End of this Week. I do not now...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Anne and Paul Fenske, Rapid City, South Dakota (1981); copy: Library of Congress I received duly your several Favours of Oct. 18. 22. 25. 28. 29. & Nov. 2. Your Reasons for the speedy Depart of the Squadron, are good. I am glad the Affair of the Deserters is so well got over, as appears from your Extracts. I am exceedingly well satisfied with the Conduct of your Government and with the...