21The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have considered your plan and think it will be proper to send it to Congress for their Approbation. We desire you will purchase and ship on public Account in the best and cheapest Manner 28 Iron Cannon of 24 pound Ball and 28 of 18 lb. You will be so good as to send one set of Bills of Loading to us and another to...
22The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We have heard of your arrival at Brest with a prize, and are surprisd that you have not given us an Account of that and of your other proceedings. We desire you will not take any measures relative to the prizes and prisoners you may have made except in securing them, nor incur any considerable expence without our orders. Upon the receipt of this you will...
23The American Commissioners to John Young, 2 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society You will receive by Mr. Moylan dispatches for Congress, which you will secure ready for sinking in Case of Danger. On your Leaving the River Nantes it has been recommended as the safest to keep well in with the Coast of France until you can leave the Continent intirely. Of this you will be the best judge. We advise you to avoid speaking with every Vessel on...
24The American Commissioners to [John Paul Jones], 15 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives Whereas we understand that Capt. Jones has in View to strike a Stroke upon the Enemy that may be greatly to their Damage, but in its nature not probably profitable to his Ship’s Company, unless some Reward be received from the Congress adequate to the Service done, And we being of Opinion that Rewards in such Cases are not only necessary for Encouragement, but are...
25The American Commissioners to John Ross, 13 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) <Passy, April 13, 1778: We are unable to comply with your request because the papers are Mr. William Lee’s; he is in Frankfurt, where you may be able to reach him by letter. Neither can we make further advances. We wish you to account for the goods bought with the funds we provided, but we cannot make a complete settlement; the...
26The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 10 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, June 10, 1778: Please send us a return of your prisoners, with ranks and names, for an exchange proposed by the British court. We have your account of the disagreement among your crew, and will shortly give you our opinion.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 135; for the...
27The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 3 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, June 3, 1778: We have had numerous letters from Lieut. Simpson, and certificates from officers and others about him; although we do not wish to judge him, the certificates are most favorable to his character. Confining him anywhere except on the Ranger seems to us unjustifiably severe. We desire you to release him on...
28The American Commissioners to John Ross, 30 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Detroit Public Library; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (four); transcript: National Archives <Passy, September 30, 1778: We received yours of September 22. We have no authority to give you orders or advice beyond what concerns the large sum of money advanced you by the commissioners some time ago for which you refuse to account. We have nothing to...
29The American Commissioners to John Gilbank, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have receivd your Letter of October the Sixth, and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum. But as We have already lent you as much Money as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we...
30The American Commissioners to Benjamin Gunnison, 14 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have written to Mr John Daniel Schweighauser of Nantes, to receive your Cargo and dispose of it; but he writes us that he is apprehensive you will require a Letter from us to you. This is therefore to authorize and direct you to deliver, the Cargo of the Morris to Mr....