2591The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, with Arthur Lee’s Dissent and Their Rejoinder: Three Documents, 16[–18] … (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library; (II) ALS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library; (III) ALS : National Archives; ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Harvard University Library As it is not in our Power to procure you such a Ship as you expected, we advise you after equipping the Ranger in the best...
2592The American Commissioners to Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir, 21 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We wrote you the 12 inst. on the Subject of the Letter returned to Mr. Beaumarchais since which we are without any of your favours, except of the 12 inst. which relates to the Sales of the Cargo of the Amphitrite, the acct. of which sales you will please to favour us with a Copy of for our Settlement with that Gentleman. It is a little surprizing that Capt....
2593From Benjamin Franklin to La Rochefoucauld, 21 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments respectfully to M. le Duc de Rochefoucauld. He will read and return as soon as possible the Papers mentioned. News is received this Morning from England, that a Vessel arrived from New York, which Place she left the 16th of December, brings Advice, that General Howe march’d out of Philadelphia the 5th, drove in G....
2594A Proposed Article for the Treaty of Alliance with France, [on or before 27 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
D : Library of Congress The commissioners met with Gérard on January 8 and agreed to negotiate two treaties, one of amity and commerce and the other for an eventual alliance. On the 18th Gérard presented them with drafts of both, which he asked them to return. They consequently spent the next days in making copies and translations of the drafts, a chore that they dared not entrust to a...
2595The American Commissioners to [Gerard], 30 January 1778 [i.e. 27] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; ALS (draft) or copy: University of Virginia Library We have concluded to make no farther Propositons for the present Treaty. We only wish the Word Sovereignty may be inserted in the two Places propos’d, if not thought absolutely improper. We have the Honour to be with the greatest Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants We print the...
2596From Benjamin Franklin to Courtney Melmoth, [on or after 28 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I should have been flatter’d exceedingly by Mrs. Melmoth’s showing the least Inclination for one of those Portraits, when Mrs. Izard accepted the other, and should have presented it to her with the greatest Pleasure. She did not appear to desire it and I did not presume it of Value enough to be offer’d. Her Quarrel with me on that Account is pleasing: The...
2597From Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard, 29 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I received yours late last Evening. Present Circumstances which I will explain to you when I have the Honor of seeing you prevent my giving it a full Answer now. The Reasons you offer had before been all under Consideration; but I must submit to remain some days under the Opinion...
2598From Benjamin Franklin to La Rochefoucauld, [29 January? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Mr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to M. le Duc de Rochefoucauld. He would with Pleasure send the Copies desired by Made. la Duchesse, if he had them; but he has none. He sends however to M. le Duc an English Copy, and a manuscript French Translation which one of his Friends began to correct but did not finish. If it is thought worth printing...
2599Franklin 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...
2600Franklin’s Notes for Replying to Two Letters from Ralph Izard, [on or after 1 February 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society This is a rare example of Franklin’s thinking on paper for his eye alone. Some of the notes are now beyond understanding and the meaning of others can only be conjectured; but what he is thinking about is clear: how to answer Izard’s letters above of January 28 and 30. All of his few identifiable references, down to the word “Personals,” are to the first...