51The 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...
52The Secret Committee to John Ross, 27 September 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : New York Public Library <Philadelphia, September 27, 1776: Several vessels bringing clothing have been captured. Please purchase on the best possible terms 10,000 striped blankets, 30,000 yards of blue and brown broadcloth at 3 s. to 6 s. the yard, 3,000 yards of different colors for facings at about 4 s. , and 1,000 pieces of Duffields or the equivalent at about 90 s. Use either funds on...
53The 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...
54The 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...
55The 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...
56The 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...
57The 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...
58The 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...
59The 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...
60The 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...
61The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Arthur Lee, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; two copies and extract: National Archives By this conveyance we transmit to Silas Deane Esq. a Resolve of the Honble. the continental congress of Delegates from the Thirteen United States of America, whereby you are appointed one of their Commissioners for negotiationg a treaty of alliance, Amity and Commerce with the Court of France, and also for negotiating...
62The 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...
63The 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...
64The 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...
65To 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...
66The 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....
67The 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...
68The 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...
69The 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...
70The 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...
71The 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...
72The 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...
73The 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...
74John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
75To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I have the Honor of transmitting to you the enclosed Copy of an Act of Congress of the 23rd. Ulto: Being ignorant of the Gentlemen mentioned in it, and all Information respecting them having been received by Congress prior to my Arrival, I applied to the Secretary for the necessary Intelligence— He this...
76To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 9 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania I enclose you an act of Congress of the 8th. of this Instant June, directing that Bills should be drawn upon you to the amount of three hundred and sixty thousand Livres Tournois for the purpose of importing Military Stores. I have accordingly drawn four setts, payable to the Honble: Henry Laurens, Francis Lewis, James...
77To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [18] June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society (two), Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library, Harvard University Library, His Excellency M. Jacques Delarue Caron de Beaumarchais (1976); copy: Library of Congress I enclose you Acts of Congress of the 5th. and 18th. Instant respecting Bills of Exchange for two Million four hundred thousand Livres Tournois Principal and four...
78To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Proposed Letter, [on or before 2 August 1779] (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): National Archives The Burning of Suffolk in Virginia Fairfield East Haven Green’s Farms & Norwalk in Connecticut together with the Ravages committed in Georgia & South Carolina form a cruel Commentary upon the Proclamation of the british Commissioners. This Proclamation was defended in their Parliament as meaning no more than that in future the War was to be carried on agt. America...
79To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have had the Pleasure of recg. your favor of the 2d. June last. The act of Congress respecting Col Diricks alluded to in it; mentioned no public Business comd. to his Care, but in Compliance with his Request supported by Govr. Trumbul simply recommended him to your notice— As this will be delivered to you by Monsr. Gerard It will be unnecessary to...
80To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Having on the 7th. of November last lost our Masts off the Banks of Newfound Land and been obliged to come to this Place to refit, I am constrained to draw upon you for Part of the Salary due to me as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to his Catholic Majesty, agreable to the Intention of Congress expressed in their Resolution of the 15th. of...
81To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, Library of Congress You have doubtless been amused this month or two past with various Conjectures about the Fate of the Confederacy. She left Chester (on the Delaware) the 18 Octr. bound for France, was dismasted and split her Rudder the 7 Novr off the Banks of Newfoundland. On the 23d following, the officers of the...
82To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Columbia University Library On this Day I gave the House of Messrs. Jaques, Louis And Laurt. Le Couteullx of this Place, a Set of Bills on you for two Thousand five hundred and Sixty four Livres Eighteen Sols and ten Donrs. [deniers] payable ninety Days after the Date. I am Dear Sir with great Regard & Esteem your most Obedient Servant For this firm’s prior...
83To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 14 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress On the 26th. Jany. last at Cadiz, I did myself the Honor of wrinting to your Excellency a Letter, by M. Gerard, enclosing one for the honorable Arthur Lee Esqe. and Copies of others I had written to the spanish and french ministers, and among other things informing you, that several Letters or rather large Pacquets directed to you were in my Possession, with which I...
84To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 27 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress Your Favor of the 7th. Inst. together with a Duplicate of that of the 22d Feby last which I have never seen are come to hand, and give me all that Satisfaction which attends the Removal of Apprehensions of Neglect from those we regard & esteem. I am much obliged by the Readiness with which my Bills were accepted, and am happy...
85To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 28 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In your Letter of seventh Inst. the Receipt of which I yesterday aknowledged by the post, mention is made of a Bill drawn by me upon you for 4564 livs. 18 s. 10 d. which had been persented and accepted and would be duly paid. I did not Yesterday attend to the Sum, but the fact is that none of the Bills drawn by me on you are for that Sum, so there must either be a...
86To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have had the Pleasure of receiving your favours of the 13th. & 25th. of June last. After having recd. Part of the money lodged with marquis d’Yranda, I sent for another Part, not chusing to receive the whole at once, and intending to leave in his hands the Balance due to you. I recd. for Answer that I might receive the whole,...
87To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 16 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library On the 17th. July I wrote a Letter enclosing Copies of several interesting Papers, by Count Montmorins Courier. This Conveyance appeared to me as direct & secure as any I could expect to meet with. I hope you have recd. this Letter. You will percieve from it my Situation, which is really such as to constrain me to repeat my Request for a further...
88To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 8 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress My last to you went under Cover to Monsr. Grand from Madrid. I have not been favored with any Letters from you since the one inclosing a Letter of Credit in my Favor from Mr Grand to Marq. DYranda. Mr. Deane has been long arrived and I have not yet recd. a Line from him. I cannot account for this. Intelligence from Am. might...
89To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 22 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library, Columbia University Library I have lately written to you several Letters. Enclosed is a Copy of one to Count de Vergennes, which Ct. de Montmorin, who also writes to him on the same Subject, is so obliging as to send together with this, by a Courier to bayonne. The Papers you have heretofore recd. from me, with those...
90To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 5 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Altho’ you have not informed me that you had recd. my Letter from St. Ildefonso, yet I find it has not only come safe to your Hands, but that Mr. Grand (to whom I wrote a few Lines by last Post) is actually engaged in obtaining the Object of it. I thank you for this in both the Capacities of American & Friend. How far the Responsibility of the King of Spain may be a...
91To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 25 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your very agreable and friendly Letters I have recd. and shall take an early Opportunity of answering fully.— I have no Reason as yet to think a Loan here will be practicable. Bills on me arrive daily. Be pleased to send me a Credit for Residue of our Salaries.— America rises in the general Estimation here. Tell Mr. Deane I have recd. four of his Letters & written...
92To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 30 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress The Pleasure given me by your Letter of the 2d. Inst may more Easily be conceived than expressed. I am greatly obliged by your Attention to my Embarrassmts. In my last on that Subject which you recd. was a Copy of my Letter to Count D Vergennes from which it appeared that the Sum I shd. have occasion for wd. probably be...
93To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 25 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It was not till the Day before Yesterday, that I recd. Mr. Grand’s Letter, informing me of the Credit you had lodged for me, thro’ him with the Marquis d’Yranda, for £s26,459.2— Your favour of the 2d. Oct. is the last I have had the pleasure of receiving from you. Presuming that the Marquis had been apprized of the Arrangement taken with Mr. Grand for furnishing me...
94To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 21 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Your Favor of the 15 ult. with the Packets mentioned in it, arrived in good order. I regret your long Silence, tho’ I am strongly tempted to rejoice in the Cause of it—a Fit of the Gout, it is said, often prolongs Life. Affairs here begin to wear a better Aspect— I have been promised three Millions of Reals, that is one hundred...
95To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress You will find herewith enclosed an Extract of a sensible priv. Letter I recd. from the Secy of Congress on the Subject of their Finances—you will publish it or not as circumstances may render expedient. A Variety of Circumstances lead me to suspect that Negotiations for Peace are in agitation in pursuance of the Emperors...
96To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 28 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Royal Library, Windsor; AL (draft): Columbia University Library American Credit is again on the Brink of Destruction, and France alone can save it. The Evil is pressing— Details must therefore be postponed. You are not uninformed of the Bills drawn upon me by Congress. I have accepted to the Amount of Dollars and of that Sum have paid . On the 23d December last His Excellency the Count De...
97To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress Notwithstanding my repeated and earnest applications to the Count D Florida Blanca I have as yet been able to obtain only, 34880 dollars of the 150,000 Dollars expressly promised me in Decr. last. He has on the contrary assured me that this promise could not be complied with in less than six Months, it therefore became...
98To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 18 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copy: Library of Congress; two AL (drafts): Columbia University Library; (II) copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library This will be delivered to you by the Baron Giusti, who having been charge des affairs not only of the Emperor, but of the Grand Duke of Tuscany at this Court, is now Returning to Vienna. This Gentleman’s knowledge and acquirements, exclusive of...
99To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 24 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am told an Express will set out this Evening from hence to Paris, & tho’ I have not time say as much as I would wish, I cannot omit this Opportunity of returning you my warmest Thanks for your very friendly Letter by my Courier. Col. Laurens informs me that on his arrival he delivered some Letters he brought from America for me to you— as none of them have as yet...
100To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 30 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have this Day drawn upon Mr. Grand, in favour of the Marqs. D’Yranda for 487,320 liv. Tournois at ninety Days after Date, in order to enable me to pay Bills drawn upon me by Congress which will become due next month. I have by this Days post advised Mr. Grand of this Draft, & have desired him to carry it to your Account. The enclosed is a Copy of the Marquis Acct....