1The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
2The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
3The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Amerìcan Commissioners, 30 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; Haverford College Library; LS without postscript: Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1958); AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives (two) The military defeats that had followed consistently on the Battle of Long Island, and had brought the British so near Philadelphia that Congress had fled to...
4The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners to France, 24 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copies: Library of Congress; National Archives The Congress having Committed to our Charge and Management their Ship of War called the Reprisal, Commanded by Lambert Wickes Esqr. carrying sixteen Six pounders and about one hundred and twenty Men, We have allotted her to carry Doctor Franklin to France and directed Capt. Wickes to proceed for the...
5The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; draft: Harvard University Library We have the honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress that is of great Importance to the public Service, which has suffered considerably the last Fall, and during this Winter, by the insufficient manner in which our Soldiers were clothed. Having found much Delay heretofore in getting Cloth made up, the Congress desire that 40,000...
6The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives; draft: American Philosophical Society The events of war have not since our last furnished any thing decisive. The enemies Army still remains encamped upon the hills near Brunswick, and still our Troops continue to beat back and destroy their Convoys insomuch that we understand their Horses dye in numbers, and we have reason to...
7The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress; Yale University Library Captain Hammond having been detained longer than we expected, furnishes us with an opportunity of giving you the information we have since our last received from the Army, thro a Committee of Congress left at Philadelphia; for we have yet had no regular accounts from General Washington. On the 2d....
8The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress We are commanded by Congress to transmit Copies of their Resolve of the 13 instant to all the Gentlemen abroad that hold correspondance with any of their Committees. The Necessity of Such a resolution and due attention to it, is fully evinced by the heavy expence america has been put to by many Gentlemen received into their...
9The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
10The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
11The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
12The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 21 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives We send you herewith a copy of what we wrote you the 1st Inst. per the Sloop Independance Capt. Young and hope some of the articles that were to be forwarded to your Island or St. Eustatia by Monsr. Hortalez have arrived. In that case you will apply for, receive and Ship them by these opportunities of our Continental Cruizers, which...
13The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: National Archives We have wrote you already by this Conveyance of the Brigantine Andrew Doria to St. Eustatia which we deem safer than the Sachem as she sails faster and is of more Force. Therefore we now enclose you some very Important dispatches for Mr. Dean and request you will forward them by the very first good Conveyance advising us...
14The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 21 September[– 1 October 1776] (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library Your several letters of the 4th. 15th. and 26th August to this Committee have been duely received with the several enclosures and the whole have been laid before the Congress. We can therefore communicate that satisfaction which we dare say it must afford you to know that you have so far obtained the approbation of that August Body. It is not necessary that we...
15The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We deliver you herewith two Letters from the secret Committee of Congress, one directed to Messr. Adrian Le Maitre and Mr. Richard Harrison at Martinico, whereby they are directed to pay the Net Proceeds of a Cargo of Provisions Consign’d them per the Sloop Fanny Capt. Britton to our Order and We have endorsed on said Letter that the Payment is to be made to...
16The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham, 1 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : New York Public Library; LS : Harvard University Library Having received advice that our Agent Monsr. Hortalez is dispatching Sundry Articles wanted for the Service of the United States of America to Martinico recommended to the care of his Excellency the General or the Governor and Intendant there, to be by them delivered to whoever Shall be properly...
17The Committee of Secret Correspondence: Instructions to William Bingham, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania These instructions were composed on the day that Congress authorized the secret committee to export to the West Indies enough goods to pay for the 10,000 muskets described in the second paragraph. Bingham’s mission to the Caribbean was similar to Deane’s earlier one to Europe in that both went in a dual role. Each was the agent of the committee of secret...
18The Committee of Secret Correspondence to John Bradford, 30 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; typescript of ALS : Yale University Library We take the liberty to enclose herein some dispatches for Messrs. Saml. & J. H. Delap Merchts. in Bourdeaux which youl please to deliver into Capt. Clevelands own hands with a strict charge to take the utmost care of them and follow the orders also enclosed herein directed to him which you will be pleased to deliver and...
19The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Stephen Ceronio, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: National Archives The Inclosed letter was wrote and signed before we had an opportunity to transmit it and having now so good a conveyance as the Brigantine Lexington we transmit the Same to you as an official Letter from the Committee of Secret Correspondence which you’l observe is distinct from the Secret Committee with whom you also Correspond, by this letter you’l find we...
20The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Stephen Cleveland, 30 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Philadelphia, July 30, 1776: Bradford has informed us that he has outfitted the Dispatch and appointed you commander; “he gives you an extreme good Character.” You will receive this from John Philip Merkle, and you will be bound by the following instructions until they are superseded: You will give Bradford bills of lading for the cargo, which is consigned...
21The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 1 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; letterbook copy: National Archives Mr. Morris has communicated to us the substance of your letters to him down to the 23rd June when you was near setting out for Paris. We hope your reception there has been equal to your expectation and our wishes, indeed we have no reason to doubt it considering the countenance we have met with amongst the French Islands, and...
22The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 23 October 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Haverford College Library; copy: National Archives <Philadelphia, October 23, 1776: We have written you twice today by different ships. This letter goes by the Andrew Doria to St. Eustatius, to be forwarded to William Bingham and by him to you in a French vessel. We enclose two resolutions of Congress. The first replaces Thomas Jefferson as commissioner with Arthur Lee, whom you will...
23The Committee of Secret Correspondence: Certificate for Silas Deane, [2 March 1776] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Connecticut Historical Society; DS : Library of Congress; copy: South Carolina Historical Society; copy: Yale University Library We the underwritten, being the Committee of Congress for secret Correspondence, do hereby certify whom it may concern, that the Bearer, the Honourable Silas Deane Esquire, one of the Delegates from the Colony of Connecticut, is appointed by us to go into France,...
24The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 2 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library; letterbook copy: National Archives We have this day received from the Honorable Congress of Delegates of the United States of America the important papers that accompany this letter being, These papers speak for themselves and need no Strictures or remarks from us, neither is it our business to make any. You will observe, that in case of the absence or...
25The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Silas Deane, 7 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Maine Historical Society; letterbook copy: National Archives The above is a Copy of our last, which went by the Dispatch Captain Parker. The Congress have since taken into consideration the heads of a Treaty to be proposed to France, but as they are not yet concluded upon, we cannot say more of them per this conveyance. You will see by the Newspapers which accompany this, that the...
26The Committee of Secret Correspondence: Instructions to Silas Deane, 2 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society; copy: Yale University Library; copy: South Carolina Historical Society These instructions, which were probably drafted by Franklin, are the first to an American agent in a foreign country. They mark an important step toward the assumption of sovereignty, and the committee of secret correspondence seems to have taken that step on its own initiative. The...
27The Committee of Secret Correspondence to [Silas Deane], 8 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The North American and United States Gazette (Philadelphia), October 12, 1855. With this you will receive the Declaration of the Congress for a final separation from Great Britain. It was the universal demand of the people, justly exasperated by the obstinate perseverance of the Crown in its tyrannical and destructive measures, and the Congress were very unanimous in complying...
28The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Samuel and J. H. Delap, 10 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: National Archives You will receive this by the Brigantine Dispatch Capt. Peter Parker and with it some letters for Silas Deane Esqr. which being of Considerable Consequence We beg you will cause them to be sent or delivered to him with the utmost Expedition and we make no doubt he has left his address with you shou’d he have left Bourdeaux. You will find herein an Invoice and...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Harrison, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Assembly of this State have voted a Statue of our late worthy Commander in Chief General Washington, and have directed one side of the Pedestal to be filled with an inscription, the other three with the Dress are left for the exercise of the genius of your humble Servant & his Council, who are all too little acquainted with a business that requires such...
30To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 1 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; University of Pennsylvania Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (four) Congress relying on your wisdom and integrity, and well knowing the great Importance of the Case, have appointed you their Commissioner to negotiate a treaty of friendship and commerce with the Court of Spain. The Idea of Congress on this Subject you will find in the instructions...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Harrison, 28 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will introduce to you Mr William Short, a Gentleman of my particular acquaintance, and a member of the Council of this State; you will find him the agreeable Gentleman, a man of considerable abilities, and in every respect worthy your civilities at [and] attentions, to which I most earnestly recommend him. He goes to France to join his intimate friend...
32Benjamin Harrison to Samuel Hardy, 2 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot think it adviseable for the Virginia Delegation to introduce Colo. Campbells Letter or the subject of it into Congress as it rests with this Government alone to settle his dispute with Pennsylvania if he should be refused justice which I think will not happen as I have long since informed the Executive of that State of his claims and some others of a similar nature to lands that lie...
33The Secret Committee to Richard Harrison and Adrien le Maitre, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We wrote you the 2d Ultimo by the Sloop Fanny Capt. Wm Britton which we hope will get safe, at that time we directed how you were to dispose of the Net Proceeds of the Cargo Consigned you by said Sloop and probably you may have complyed with those orders before this reaches you, if so its well, but if those orders are not executed and you remain possessed of...
34The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Richard Harrison and Adrien le Maitre, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society In Consequence of the Annexed letter of order from the Secret Committee of Congress We desire you to Account with Wm. Bingham Esqr. the bearer hereof for the Amount of the Cargo mentioned therein and either pay him the whole or any part of the Money or do with it what he may desire for the Public Service of this Continent. We are sirs Your humble servants...
35The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Richard Harrison, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In Consequence of the annexed letter of order from the Secret Committee of Congress We desire You to Account with Wm Bingham Esquire the bearer hereof for the Amount of the Cargo mentioned therein and either pay him the whole or any part of that Money or do with it what he may desire which will oblige Sir Your humble servants Addressed: To / Mr. Richd...
36The Secret Committee to Richard Harrison, 3 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have already wrote you of this date by the Sloop Peggy Capt. Patton and directed how you shou’d apply the Net proceeds of that Cargo unless you received other Orders from us. But shou’d you receive this letter in time it will be delivered you by a Young Gentleman who will be Authorized by another Committee of Congress to receive and dispose of the Net...
37The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Hodge, Jr., 3 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We Commit to your care sundry dispatches delivered you herewith, and you are immediately to repair onboard the Sloop Independance John Young Commander now waighting for you between this and Rheedy Island. This Sloop will carry you and Said dispatches with the utmost Expedition to the Island of Martinico, where you must apply to Wm. Bingham Esqr. delivering to him all...
38Virginia and Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress to the Inhabitants West of Laurel Hill, 25 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have arisen and still continue among you concerning the boundaries of our colonies. In the character in which we now address you, it is unnecessary to enquire into the origin of those unhappy disputes, and it would be improper for us to express our approbation or censure on either side: But as representatives of two of the colonies united,...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 2 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have nothing to communicate to you either interesting or entertaining, the bad weather having cut off all communication with the country. Your favor of the 24th. ultimo really alarms me. Your fears of great britains taking advantage of any slip or neglect of ours are just, and what is still more to be dreaded than their resentment is the falling off of our allies in Europe who will never...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 21 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 11th. instant. It very fully explains the views and interests of the several states as to the future residence of Congress, tho’ it is to be lamented that either should have any weight against the justice due to the whole confederation, which calls on them to fix on the most central place that can be made convenient which is certainly at or near...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 12 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday received information from Mr. Peale of Philadelphia that the full length Picture of General Washington which I had ordered some months ago was finished and ready to be shipped to your address by the first Vessel. I enclose you a Copy of his Letter that you may know the meaning of his devices, tho’ I would by no means have them followed unless they meet your approbation. I also...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 23 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 16th instant by yesterdays post, and am happy to find our quota of continental expense reduced within the compass of our abilities. I think we can pay the sum now fixed and am certain we could not go beyond it; but suppose we should fully comply with the requisition, what will you do for that of N. Carolina, and some other States that do not...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 16 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely obliged to you for your communications of the 9th. inst. They give me the most sanguine hopes that the confusions in the British House of commons will save us the trouble of a squabble with that Court which I feared would take place on the ratification of the treaty not getting to hand by the time stipulated for the exchange. As to every thing else I think it woud be for the...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 26 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 17th. It contains many interesting particulars and such as the executive of every State ought to know, tho’ I have seldom ‘till your arrival in Congress been favored with anything of the kind. The mode of correspondence proposed by you is perfectly agreeable to me, and I think good will result from it. We seem to blunder here more from the want of...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 3 October 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
Payment has been some time order’d for the rent of the House you lived in whilst Governor of the State and Colo. Turpen may receive the Money whenever he pleases to apply to the Agent. Should Mr. Nathan, Mr. Smith or any other person bring a Suit against you for any Contracts or Acceptances made by you on behalf of the State, whilst chief Magistrate, the Executive will take your defence on...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, [21 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Acrill Cocke this moment inform’d me that about three hundred of the Enemy are landed at Sandy Point, that three Square rigg’d vessels and two Sloops had got up to that place and that he saw one other coming up. I am with great respect Your most obedt Servt, RC ( PU ); addressed: “His Excellency The Governor Richmond Express”; endorsed: “B. Harrison’s Lre April 21st 1781.” The...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 30 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterdays post brought me your favors of the 31st. of last month and 17th. instant which are the only letters received from you for four weeks. The latter enclosing the ratification of the treaty gave me great pleasure as it removed many disagreeable apprehensions of consequences that might flow from its not reaching france by the stipulated time of exchange; if the packet can sail from new...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place late in the evening of yesterday after a most disagreable journey, which has been considerably lengthend by the great difficulty I found in exchanging state money for Continental, and with all my trouble I fear I have not procured as much as will support me. I am just return’d from the board of war who have given me an order for four ton of powder . As you were not...
49[To Thomas Jefferson from Commissary Benjamin Harrison, 20 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ South Branch of Potomac, 20 Feb. 1781 . Summary in CVSP Calendar of Virginia State Papers … Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond , i , 529: Is employed by Maj. William Harrison, under instructions from the executive, in purchasing provisions and building boats. The scarcity of beef on the western side of the “Allegania Mountain” has obliged him to come to this country to procure the...
50[To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 9 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 9 Apr. 1784. Noted in SJL as received 16 Apr. 1784. Not found; not in Executive Letter Book, Vi.]