51To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I send inclosed Copy of a Letter I have just recvd from Brest to which I request your kind attention. There cannot be a doubt but the Prize in Question belongs to the Captors, or at least that whatever the Rigour of the Law may be, the Custom in such Cases is to give them up. The Ordonnances of the Marine confiscated all...
52Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour of your Favour of the 25 by Mr. Francis. As I have but a moments time I must beg leave to refer you to tomorrows post for a more particular Answer, the principal intention of this is to inform you that Mr. Morris has sold four of the prizes (all except the packet Boat) Vessells Cargoes &c. &c. for about 90,000 Livres, all risque of reclaim...
53Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library Inclosed are the Accounts of the Dolphins out fitts the amount of Mr. Peltier’s you’ll find answerable to the Bill I drew on you. By the other you will find how the money paid to me (mention’d in Mr. Peltiers Account) has been appropriated. Those sums paid for Capt. Nicholson Orders will appear in his Ships account. I also Inclose Count Polouskies Bill...
54Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am happy in sending you the agreeable News of Genl. Bourgoynes surrender with his whole army to our victorious arms. Mr. Austin will give you all particulars. His being charged with the delivery of the dispatches, as well as the importance of many verbal accounts he may furnish, are the reasons for my not desiring the Dispatches for a less expensive way...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I informed you in my last that the Farmers insisted on the payment of the Duties, & even made a merit of not seizing the Goods. I am sure this is because they do not understand the nature of my Request for it is not an exemption from any Duty which I ask, but I ask not to pay a Duty which I am only liable to by having...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed will inform you how matters are here. I feel myself uneasy least my Conduct should not be approved yet I think it is precisely according to orders. You will perhaps have representations from these officers to my prejudice as the part I act cannot but be offensive to them all, but however I may succeed I depend that you will believe my motive...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have been applied to by Capt Thomas Molloney an english Prisoner whose Case seems a hard one and in consequence of his earnest Sollicitations and the Desire of Messrs Galleweys of this Place I have promised to lay it before you. He was taken by Capt Jones off Ireland in a little Brig which he commanded, & he owned half...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As perhaps the inclosed accot of Genl Sullivans Successes against the Indians & Tories has not yet reached you I thought it worth the Postage.— I am in haste (Post agoing) ever your dutifull & affectionate kinsman Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin ministre / plénipotentiaire des / Etats unis de l’amerique / septentrionalle / a Passy / près Paris...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I recvd your Favour of the 8th Instant per this days post.— I am surely the most unlucky of all accused Persons for all my Endeavours to bring on a Trial are unsuccessfull. Of the Gentlemen named there remains here only three Mr Johnson Mr Gridley & Mr Schweighauser the two last are so ill as to make their attendance...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your Favour of the 30th Ultimo and am glad the Bill is accepted. I imagine the Words added are not of much consequence, if the Customs here are as they are in England. I have in consequence given an order to Bilboa to supply Babson taking care however not to exceed what the Balance in my hands may be. I shall be able to judge of M....
61To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very sorry to hear that you have an attack of the Gout, but I hope it will soon be over. As to Business I must refer you to the inclosed. As I suppose I am to stay here some time longer, I shall be glad to hear from you what my future Line of Life is to be, for I take it for granted that I am not to return to England again. Mr. Lee mention’d that you...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. your Favour by the Count d’Attems. I should be happy to procure him a Passage on the Terms desired but know of no way of doing it unless he goes on board one of the Frigates at L’orient; but even there it will not be without expence as he has not any money for his daily subsistence. I cannot say anything of the Lion to him, as I must even deny...
63Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I had the pleasure of writing to you yesterday since which Capt. Adams is arrived express for [from] Boston and now setts off with his packets for Paris. If I did not think myself absolutely obliged to stay here untill I have orders to return I should be tempted to set off with him, as a few hours Conversation might...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library Mr Louis Tardy informs me that he could obtain an advantageous protection for his Brother who is lately gone to St Domingo if you would kindly signify a favourable opinion of him. I therefore do not hesitate to assure you that the person in question Mr Gabriel Tardy has been near 5 years with me and I can with truth declare him to be an honest, industrious &...
65To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Since writing you about the Prisoners on Parole and others who wanted their Parole, I am informed by the Officer of the Garrison here that if I will add these Prisonners to those now in Rochelle a Cartel may be immediately procured to send them off together, specifying the Distinctions of the Flags under which they were taken...
66To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last I have recvd from La Duchesse de Villroy the Plan of your Armonica improved, which you will receive by this Ship. The Newspapers will give you all in the political Way. I have been several Days shut up in your Room, so have not been able to gather any thing more than the Public Prints contain. You will see by the Fate of the N York and Quebec...
67To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have lately received a letter from Tristram Dalton Esqr. of Newbury-Port, informing me that you some Time ago advis’d him of having obtain’d orders for payment of a Sum, for the loss sustain’d by the owners of the Brigt. Fair-Play; & that you would deposit it in my hands— Mr. Dalton desires me to give him some information...
68To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library This will be presented to you by Doctor John Foulke & Mr Fox who are warmly reccommended to me from Philadelphia. I beg leave to introduce them to you & shall be particularly obliged by your Civilities to them. I am with the greatest Respect Dear & honoured Sir Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman Addressed: A monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre...
69To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am thus far arrived on my Journey, and have met with every success I could possibly have expected. I have been introduced to the first Houses in Liverpool, and this place, and am likely to make very valuable connections. I do not mean to make any sudden engagements, but to establish a correspondence in every place, and in every manufacturing branch, which...
70To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have seen the Comissary relative to a ship.— There is some misunderstanding between Mr de Castries and you for the Minister gives no other directions to the Commissary than to give me his assistance, while it appears by your Letter that the whole Transaction is to be his and I am only to inform him of any Vessell I may know....
71To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete) and draft: American Philosophical Society Yesterday being the Day appointed by Lord Dartmouth I waited on him, but he having a greater Number of Gentlemen at Levee than he could attend to, I was desired to call again to day: which I accordingly did. On my entring he said, Mr. Williams I have only to tell you, I have delivered your Petition into the Kings hands, but Things are...
72To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 April 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Boston, April 22, 1773: Sends a letter from Henry that came too late to be enclosed with his. > Jonathan’s letter was that of two days before. For Henry Walker’s letter to his mother see hers to BF below, June 20.
73Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 17 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have drawn on you in favor of Mr. Montaudoin at 8 days date for 3.000 Livers which please to honor. I drew this bill to have a Small fund in my hands to answer any sudden small Demands and not for any immediate purpose. I have also drawn on you in favor of Doctr. Franklin for 1257.3 l.t. as it is to be appropriated to my private Concerns. I mean it as...
74To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I hasten to answer your respected Favour of the 13 Inst. this moment received.— I am sorry Mr de Chaumont makes so many unjustifiable Difficulties, and agreeable to your desire I will answer your Questions in their Course to refute his ill founded arguments. He cannot avoid paying you Interest on the £50,000 Livres he has had...
75To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour by young Johonnott who unluckily arrived two days too late for the last Vessell to New England, we have now only one Opportunity & that is for Philadelphia and I will get him away with as little Expence as possible unless you direct otherwise; if he were to miss this Occasion it would be a long time before he could...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed is in answer to Mr. Deanes Favour relative to the Arms in Mr. Montieu’s Store. It has been observed to me that Prizes instead of being brought into french ports might be sold with secrecy and can, by landing the Goods on an Island near the mouth of the Loire, where french Vessells might come and take them; and perhaps in this way it might be...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 29 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copy: Yale University Library; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I herewith send you two Invoices—the first for Goods Shipped by your order on Acct & risque of Gr Green of Rhode island on board the three Friend. Capt Colman amounting to £936.12 s. The Second for sundrys for Mrs Bache which you desired me to send with M De Luzernes Baggage (as the three Friends was taken up to Carry...
78To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library This will be delivered to you by Mr W Burgess late a london Merchant but now bound to America. In his passage through Paris to come hither he wishes to pay his personal Respects to you. I therefore beg leave to introduce him & shall esteem every Civility shewn him as a Favour confered on me. I am as ever most Dutifully & affectionately In March, William Burgess...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace the Opportunity the departure of Mr Meyers gives me to send you two Bottles of Cramberrys: I will send you more by the first messagerie. I beg leave at the same time to introduce Mr Meyers to your kind Notice and Friendship. I am as ever your dutifull & affect Kinsman Addressed: His Excellency / Doctor Franklin &c &c. Notation: J. Williams, Nantes...
80Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 21 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd. your favour of the 16th Instant too late to answer it by the return of Post. I shall observe your Directions relative to shipping on board the Grammont. I hope she will be able to take all the Cloaths and Hose that remain, but I shall not get a single Case of arms on board and I have at least 300 in the magazine ready to ship. Inclosed is the...
81Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have began to load the Ship. The salt is at Painbeuf and we are here loading the first Lighter with some Bales and the Cordage which is near all made, the Bales that were here are all reduced, and tomorrow the workmen will begin to reduce those that are just arrived from orleans; the Letter from thence informs us that about 50 more will be ready to come...
82Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library As it was absolutely necessary to have Ballast for the Ship and neither the Flints or Copper arrived nor any appearance of their arriving (except about 30.000 w [cwt.] of the latter) for some time I have bought 40.000 w of Bar Lead at 23 l.t. Per cwt.[?] and about 30 Ton of Salt. I have in doing this been as saving as I possibly could, and even now shall be...
83To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have this day sent Mr Chaumont a Draft on you at 10 days sight for the amount of his Goods £428,330.2.8 Tournois [ l.t. ] payable in your Bills on the Congress of which I sent you a Model in my Letter 7 November last, This is the amount of the Invoice exclusive of Charges—which I will Furnish you a duplicate as soon as I...
84To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here last Evening just in time to see the last of the Races, and to go to a brilliant Assembly. This is not the Business of my Journey, but it may not be amiss to mix a little. We sett of this afternoon, and shall not stop ’till we arrive at Glasgow, from thence we shall go to Edinburgh and come home through Yorkshire. That you may not think I am...
85Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, April 18, 1778: I have received yours of the 13th, and will make no new commitments without your orders; you will I hope, honor my drafts for those already made. The workmen are repairing the less damaged weapons; repairing them all would take at least two years. If the operation were stopped, and the men sent back to Liège, the remaining arms...
86To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library Inclosed is an Acct: of the Expenses of Master Johnnott including his passage to Philadelphia amouting to £ 752 l.t. 2.— for which I have this day drawn a bill on you in favour of Messr: Laval & Wilfelsheim. It was not possible to get his passage at a Cheaper Rate, though extravagant & unreasonable all have been obliged to Submit. Another Lad of the Same age of...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am extreemly uneasy at not hearing from you particularly in answer to mine relative to Mr. Shweighaussers proposals which seems to surprise him, and I am fearfull it will make some impressions unfavourable to the notice and Friendship you have hitherto honoured me with. I who know how many things you have to attend to and being conscious of not having...
88To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd. your Favour of the 18th Octor. only a few Days ago owing to the Tedious way in which it came. I have settled my affair with Mr Schweighauser, without a lawsuit. I thank you for getting my Request to the Minister about the Prizes at Rochelle. I have since had a decisive and satisfactory Letter from him.— I sent you some of your Prints by Count...
89To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you the 26 June relative to the affair of Mr Springer & his Comrades at Brest. I since hear the prize is condemned to the admiral which tho’ I think an unlawfull proceeding may turn out well enough for the admiral in these Cases always gives up the Prize to the Captors. The proceedings of the admiralty at Brest are I...
90Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my last I omitted mentioning that the Vessell from North Carolina was from Edington and the Capt. said he saw the account of the affair at Brunswick in a Newspaper which he unfortunately did not bring with him. This news we afterwards began to doubt, because the News from England which confess’d to have recvd. Accounts so late as the 23 June, did not...
91To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send herewith a number of Bills which when Billy has examined please to accept.— Mr Alexander is desirous of knowing from Lord MCartney the particular Situation of his Estates and affairs when he left the Island and for this Purpose wishes to know whether he is to remain at Rochelle, or to have liberty to come to Paris that he may apply accordingly. This...
92To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you the 20th of May to which I refer, as I have no answer I have not taken any decisive Step relative to a Ship to carry out the Goods. Mr Ross is since arrived here & I have consulted with him, I shew him the Letter I wrote you the 20 Inst & find his Opinions and mine exactly agree. It is certain no man will...
93To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library Since my last to you I have received two Letters from M de Chaumont in which he informs me that it is agreed between you & him to put the Supplys for 15000 men into immediate Execution, and he accordingly orders me to make the greatest Expedition in preparing as many Cloaths as Possible including Shirts & Shoes to be ready...
94To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Father received your Favour the Evening before last, and accordingly delivered your Letter to the Speaker. Altho’ you will no doubt receive from him the Resolves and proceedings of our Council relative to the Governors conduct &c &c, I inclose the Gazette, having it in my hand, as the more ways a thing is sent, the more likely it is to arive Safe. I...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I inclose you a Proposition which appears to me more advantageous than any thing that has yet been done in that Way. If you choose to engage for the supply of Arms I trust you will give me the Order; if the Goverment is to supply us, as I am sure they cannot have a better Offer, I doubt not they will give me the Commission if you will give in the...
96To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of your advice and kind offer of reccommendation, I have conversed with Mr. Shweighausser relative to a plan for establishing a House here to transact american Business. His proposition is to take the Firm of J Williams & Co. myself being the ostensible person and he the acting partner, thereby keeping it wholly seperate from his other...
97Jonathan Williams, Jr., to William Temple Franklin, 15 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The americans here do not understand the 23d Article of the Treaty, & I request you will as soon as may be do me the Favour to explain, whether, By the Canary Islands is meant only the Latitude of those Islands, & thus on a line of Latitude, Ships may in one month be in Safety in any Longitude if not to the Southard of the Canaries; or whether it is meant...
98To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Prizes are given to the English by Special order of the King, in consequence of which I have stopped payment on their account, and this day turned away a Bill of 945 Livres; but I am grown prudent when too late, and am now very much in advance. The loss of the money is the least inconvenience in this matter, for the pretence of being here to refit and...
99To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have not written you since the 14 Instant because everything has been here in such a State of Confusion and Suspence and I chose to say nothing ’till I could say something decisively. I must now inform you that there is no prospect of Capt Jones’s regaining the Alliance, she is under Groix and nothing but fair Combat and...
100Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library My two last contained the necessary Information relative to the Fuzils &c. which upon a second View I have seen no reason to alter; I am assured that there are a full number of Bayonetts Locks &c., rather more than less. There must be many new Ramrods which will cost about 12 sous each at the manufactury. If you make this Bargain please to be very...