1Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 25 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
In a Letter which I have lately received from Florence, and which I have had the honour of laying before you, it is recommended that an endeavour should be made to interest the Min istry in favour of any Loan that may be attempted in Genoa for the United States, as it is probable the Genoese may require the security of the Court of France, for the payment of such sums as they may have it in...
2Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received information that the Ship Nile, Captn. Goldsmith has been taken, and carried into Marseilles. She was bound from London to Leghorn, and had on board Twenty Packages of Baggage belonging to me. These Packages are marked, and numbered in the following manner AB A Monsieur Monsieur Antoine Martinelli Negotiant, pour remettre a Monsieur l’Abbé Niccoli a Livourne No. 1 a 20. My own...
3To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 24 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I must apologize for not having given you an immediate answer to your Letter of 20th. instant, which would have been the case if I had not been much employed in writing, on account of the sudden departure of Mr. Blake for Nantes. It has been my constant wish that as soon as Great Britain shall be compelled, by the virtuous exertions of our Countrymen, to abandon her plans of conquest, we may...
4From John Adams to Ralph Izard, 25 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received with much Pleasure, your Favour of Yesterdays Date. No Appology was necessary, for the delay of So few days, to an swer a Letter the Contents of which did not, from any public Consideration, require haste. My most fervent Wishes, mingle themselves with yours, that the happy Time may soon arrive, when We may enjoy the Blessings of Peace uninterrupted by disputes, with any Power...
5To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 28 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with your Letter of 25th., and agree with you in opinion that there is no necessity of discussing the question respecting the Commissioners, now; inconveniencies might arise from it, and no valuable purpose could be answered that I know of. I agree with you likewise that if the Fishery of New England has proved injurious, by introducing Luxury, and Vanity, it must be the fault of...
6To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of 2d. instant, in which you desire to know if I think there is room to hope that our Legislators will pass such Laws as will apply the money hitherto spent in articles of Luxury, towards the discharge of the National Debt; or “that the People have, or can be persuaded to acquire those qualities which are necessary to execute such Laws.” It is with the greatest...
7Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have just been favoured with a communication of M. de Sartine’s Letter to you of 7th. instant, in which I am referred to a course of Law for the recovery of my Baggage, on board the Ship Nile, carried into Marseilles by a French Privateer. This I can not approve of, as my claim is founded on an Article in the Treaty which expressly declares that the goods of an American put on board of an...
8To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 22 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A considerable time has elapsed since I had the honour of conversing with you on the subject of the Proclamation, and Manifesto of 3d. Octr. issued by the British Commissioners in America. Every attempt should be made to prevent their carrying their bloody purposes into execution. The more I think on the subject, the more I am convinced that it would be proper for the Representatives of our...
9Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 12 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you, on the 2d. instant informing you that the credit which I had received from the Commissioners was exhausted, and that I shoud be obligd to you if you woud let me know whether it was most agreable to you to renew it, or that I shoud draw on you for what money I might have occasion for. As this matter appeard to require no great deliberation, I expected to have...
10To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 20 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I was favoured yesterday with your Letter of 12th and congratulate you on your safe arrival at Nantes. Accept of my thanks for the trouble you have taken in delivering my Letters into the care of Mr. Cumming, Mr. Ingraham, and Mr. Ridley. You say nothing of the Letter, and the two packets of Newspapers addressed to Mr. Lloyd; as I have not received a Letter from him, for the last three, or...
11To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 18 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am favoured with your Letter of 12th, and am sorry to find that you have had so much trouble about the Frigate. The accounts which we had of the small number of hands she had, made it probable that she would not sail soon. Perhaps this detention may prove to be “all for the best.” Some wise people are of opinion that this is always the case; and though the maxim has undergone the criticism...
12To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I am informed by a Letter from Nantes that the Alliance arrived there the 18th, and that she had 250 Men on board; she will therefore probably sail soon. My first Letter to you after your departure from hence desired that you would put the Letters addressed to the Committee, and to the Delegates from the State of South Carolina on board of some vessel that would sail before the Alliance. Your...
13To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 26 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
As I have not been able to procure from Dr. Franklin his reasons in writing for disobeying the order of Congress of 7th May 1778, I have desired Mr. Lee to favour me with a Copy of his Minutes, respecting our conversation on that subject on 12th of January last. I enclose them for your perusal, and should be obliged to you if you would attest them. If you find any mistakes, or omissions, you...
14To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 21 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of 13th. May, on the subject of Dr. Franklin’s conduct on the 12th. of last January, for which I thank you. I should have been glad if you had gone more fully into it; perhaps however it is unnecessary, as the principal fact is established. I can have no objection to your communicating our correspondence on this subject to Dr. Franklin; but you will be good enough...
The Melasses business would certainly have proved the source of continual disputes, if it had not been altered; but the mischief which might have been expected from that is beyond doubt comparison less than what is pointed out in my letter to Mr. Lee of 18th. May. My apprehensions on this subject were communicated to the Commissioners at this Court; but I am sorry to say that they made no...
16To Benjamin Franklin from [Ralph Izard], 27 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I heartily congratulate you on your arrival in Europe. The Gentleman who will present this to you is the son of Mr. Henry Laurens of South Carolina the Vice President of the Province. He is warmly attached to the cause of his Country, and desirous of being presented to you. I am happy in having it in my power to do him so acceptable a piece of service. With...
17Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 30 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of receiving this day the Commission, and Instructions from Congress, which you were so obliging as to send me. Accept of my thanks, and believe me to be with great regard Gentlemen Your most Obedient Humble Servant Addressed: To / The Honble. Benjamin Franklin / Silas Deane, & / Arthur Lee Esqrs. As commissioner to Tuscany, enclosed in the...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 1 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am desirous of having a little conversation with you, and shall therefore be obliged to you if you will favour me with your company either this, or tomorrow evening. If you are engaged at both the times I have mentioned, you will be so good as to write me when I may expect the pleasure of seeing you, as I shall take care not to be interrupted by company....
19To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 13 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Izard’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and returns him the Newspapers he was so obliging as to send him. Mr. Izard encloses the Gazette Extraordinary, which gives an account of the evacuation of Mud Island, and Red Bank. Howe’s Letter gives us reason to expect news of very great importance soon. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. le Dr. Franklin / a / Passy...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Alice and Ralph Izard, 17 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Izard present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and will have the honour of waiting on him to dinner next Wednesday. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. le Dr. Franklin / à Passy. Notation: Mr Izard In the husband’s hand.
21To Benjamin Franklin from Alice and Ralph Izard, 24 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Izard present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desire the honour of his company to dinner on Friday the 30th. of January. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. le Docteur Franklin / à / Passy. In the husband’s hand.
22To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 28 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society Article XIII of the proposed commercial treaty that Franklin had brought with him prohibited French export duties on West Indian molasses coming into the United States. This provision had raised uncertainties at the start, and the commissioners had been empowered to waive it if need...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 30 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I was yesterday favoured with your Letter containing a maxim, which though a very old one, I am bound to thank you for; and can assure you that so far from disapproving of it, it has been one of the constant rules of my life. If you will be pleased to recollect the most extraordinary...
24Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 5 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When Congress did me the honour to send me a Commission, and Instructions for the Court of Tuscany, they did not inform me to whom I was to apply for money to bear my expenses. I therefore think it proper to apply to you, to know if you have any money belonging to them in your hands, and if it is agreeable to you for that purpose to give me a Letter of...
25Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I intend to set out, as soon as my Gout and the weather will permit me, for the Court to which I have the honour of being appointed by Congress. It will be proper for me to be acquainted with such parts of your proceedings at the Court of France as will be of any assistance to me in fulfilling the objects of my Commission. You will therefore be pleased to...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 29 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and two transcripts: National Archives; transcript: South Carolina Historical Society I have seen the person you have referred to me, and who is desirous of my recommending him to you for a Passport to go into Italy. He says that he was born in South Carolina; but has been so long out of it, that he neither knows anybody there, nor does anybody know...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 31 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and two transcripts: National Archives; transcript: South Carolina Historical Society I received yesterday the Treaty of Alliance, and the alterations that have been made in the Treaty of Commerce proposed by Congress, from the hands of your Grandson; and likewise a Letter from you, which informs me that much, and very important business has hitherto...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 4 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and two transcripts: National Archives; transcript: South Carolina Historical Society It is with reluctance that I find myself compelled to be again troublesome to you: Your conduct has given me great uneasiness. I have repeatedly complained to you, and you have several times verbally, and by Letter promised me an explanation of it. It is of great...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 25 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and two transcripts: National Archives; transcript: South Carolina Historical Society It is with the utmost astonishment that I find myself so often obliged to remind you of your engagement to me. You have repeatedly given me the strongest assurances that you would justify your conduct to me in writing, but you have not kept your word. Dr. Bancroft,...
30Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 29 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour of sending you an extract of a Letter received from Charles Town, in South Carolina, dated the 12th. of February. “A dreadful fire broke out in the morning of the 15th. January, the North end of Union-Street, which has consumed the most beautiful part of the Town. Upon the alarm’s being given, a number of people with all the engines were...