1To Benjamin Franklin from David Salisbury Franks, 10 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write this with a sergeant at my Back as my guard, & I need not assure you that I am extreamly mortified at the treatment I have met with from Mr. Hector & the Major de Place of this Town— My Conduct on my arrival was such as every Officer ought to follow, I waited on him & told him my Business here, he dismiss’d me & yesterday had me taken up on the...
2To Benjamin Franklin from David Salisbury Franks, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I wrote you last I have recd. the inclosed Letter from Mr. Jay, by which you will see that he thinks I had best return to Spain, & embark from that Country for America; after you have read his Letter, I should be obliged to your Excellency for your orders or opinion on the Subject. I am persuaded he has something of Consequence more to send to...
3To Benjamin Franklin from David Salisbury Franks, 23 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th. and in Answer beg leave to assure You that I am fully convinced that the french are naturally polite to Strangers and at the same time that I have not been in any way treated as a Subject of a Country in Alliance with that Nation. I again with all defference, represent to Your Excellency, that I took...
4To Benjamin Franklin from David Salisbury Franks, 3 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now inclose to your Excellency the Letters mention’d in my last & hope you will favor me with your opinion on the Subjects. The St. James will sail by the 15th. Inst. & as soon as I receive your Excellency’s Instructions I shall be ready either to take rout of Spain or embark—in the former Case pray inform me whether I am to call for your Commands. I am...
5To Benjamin Franklin from David Salisbury Franks, 26 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Honor of writing to your Excellency three weeks since inclosing a Letter from Mr. Jay, to which I have yet receiv’d no answer. A second Letter from that Gentleman, has determined me to sett out for Madrid. I take the Liberty of informing you thereof & that I have delivered as you desired your Letters to Capt. Truxton— When the Marquis De...
6To George Washington from Major David Salisbury Franks, 4 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold being very unwell has ordered me to Answer your Excellency’s Letter of 30th June. he will give every Assistance in his Power to General Portail. Col. Hartly’s Regiment came here three days since and is detained agreable to your Excellency’s Order. Congress having given no directions for any other disposition. The General’s wound continues in a fair Way, but he has been afflicted...
7To George Washington from David Salisbury Franks, 12 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Early in the Year 1774, I settled in Montreal with a small Capital and a considerable Credit as a Merchant & was successful in Business. In the Spring of 1775 I suffered a short tho rigorous imprisonment on Account of my attachment to the Cause of America. As soon as the Troops under General Montgomery took Possession of Montreal I did everything in my Power to promote their Success, & at one...
I have rec d your Excellencys favor of the 1 st . Instant, and sincerely wish you had ordered me to return to Spain; I am fully convinced that my doing so, would be of Service to my Country & pleasing to You, as it would furnish you with a safe opportunity of informing Congress what Consequences the late glorious Event had produced, and would have answered other important Purposes ^ only ^...
9To Thomas Jefferson from David S. Franks, 1 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 1 Jan. 1785 . He has been delayed in reaching Marseilles, where he had intended to write to TJ; sends his good wishes. Letters from America on the state of her commerce and from London and Paris dampen the prospects for his business in Marseilles; “as no Salary is allowed to Vice Con[suls] I shall really be in a very disagreeable situation at that place.” Expects that war will break...
10To Thomas Jefferson from David S. Franks, 17 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
A disappointment in my expectations of remittances from America has brought me into great distress; My time I find will be lost in waiting untill affairs are settled with the Algiereens &c. I wish therefore to return as soon as possible. This cannot be effected untill my debts are paid. If you will kindly assist me in doing it, I will immediately on my arrival at Philadelphia transmit you the...