1251Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Mr. Morriss returned from Painbeuf yesterday morning, I immediately went to him to repeat in person what I had before written to him. He told me that no person in Europe had power to controul him, that therefore the orders I had, were without sufficient Authority, and ’till he could see powers from Congress superiour to...
1252Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 11, 1778: You will have heard the news of Capt. Jones. He needs about £2,000, he tells me, to equip the Drake before the French court intervenes; he can only draw on you.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 107–8.
1253Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 3 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been for several Days down to the Ship and left her at St. Nazare. I have done with both the French Ships. I beg you will please to apply for an order to wait in Quiberon ’till all the Ships join else I am afraid the Brune will be left. Poor Mr. Morris has finished his affairs in this world. I am much concerned at being absent, but every care was...
1254Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 8 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I don’t hear farther relative to the purchase of Mr. Montieu’s Fusils I conclude that you do not intend to put any on board the Count de Vergennes, so propose to put in her as much salt as will answer for Ballast. I have lately been looking over some Memoires about Mr. Montieu’s process and find that these Fuzils cost him at the rate of 25 sous each for...
1255Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 6 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have kept the Duplicates of the Dispatches to this Time in Expectation of a private Hand, that failing I am now obliged to send a Man on purpose, but in the least expensive way. If you have no further commands for him please to discharge him directly; he is not to return Post unless you order him so to do. The minister lately sent orders to stop the Lion,...
1256Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to inform you that Capt. Jenkins is just arrived from Nantucket. His last Accounts from Boston were the 25 Decr., at which time nothing material had happened. He left nantucket 6 Jan. He reports that Gen. Lee was exchanged for Gen. Prescot, the army were in high Spirits, and in want of nothing. Gen. Washington had no Intention of going into Winter...
1257Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was astonished on saturday Evening to find that Mr. DuCoudray had returned to Nantes. As we were late for the Tide (the loss of which would have been the loss of a day) I came away without seeing him: Mr. Peltier tells me he has positive orders from Mr. Demontieu (which are given with your approbation) that if Mr. Du Coudray should come to Nantes to...
1258Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Soon after my last was seal’d I heard of the arrival of the Annonyme and yesterday morning went to painboeuf with Capt. Hynson to examine her. He will write you particularly on this Subject and by his Letter you will be better able to form a judgment, but so far as I am capable of giving an opinion I must say this...
1259Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, [3 March 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last of the 28 Ultimo I have recvd. advice that the Duchesse of Grammont still remains at St. Nazarre. I hear that two Ships of War which were designed to join the Fleet are returned to Rochfort, we have therefore judged proper to detain the Grammont ’till further orders, in hopes that you will be able to obtain these Ships for a new Convoy: Mr....
1260Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 23 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have drawn on you in favour of Monsr. L’Escuyer 22d Augt. at one Usance for 6192. 17. 8 which please to honour; this Draft is for a quantity of tricot and Lining on which I have deducted 11 months Discount having bought it at a years Credit. A Bill was presented to me the 20th Inst. drawn by S. Smith at Plymouth for £12 Sterling; I know nothing of this...
1261Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Agreeable to the orders of Mr. Dean and Mr. Lee I have the honour to transmit Capt. Adams’s Deposition properly authenticated. I have no american News, there being no Arrivals since my last, but I have just heard a melancholy account of Capt. Wickes having foundered on the Banks of Newfoundland. This I am much disposed to disbelieve, and the more so as I...
1262Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library My last informed you of the Steps I had taken in Consequence of the orders you have been pleased to honour me with since which Mr. Ross has returned from Bordeaux. Agreeable to your Directions I have consulted With him and told him what I had done which he does me the honor to approve; but as it appears to him that Mr. Morriss’s instructions are...
1263Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, April 28, 1778: I have received a consignment from M. Grand, which he tells me was shipped on your account; what do I do with it? I have also received 196 swivel guns for which you paid Mr. Merckle; they are the worst I ever saw and should be sold for scrap. From the same source come muskets and parts for them. Of the clothes, arms, etc., remaining...
1264Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I went to Painbeuf on Sunday and returned hither last Evening. Mr. Peltier and myself went on board the Count de Vergennes and gave the necessary Directions. As I consider Dispatch of the utmost Consequence, I desired that as many Workmen as could be procured should be immediately employed. These are at present Scearce, but as a little more expence is no...
1265Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society <Nantes, January 23, 1779: I have not received an answer to my request of December 12, 1778, concerning the incorrect shipment by Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie. of Simeon Deane’s goods. It was mistakenly supposed they belonged to the commissioners, and they were delivered to Mr. Schweighauser. One of the thirteen cases remains with him. Please order that case...
1266Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 20 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have recvd the Honour of your Favour of the 9th Instant, and observe your Readiness to rectify the Mistake relative to Mr Simeon Deans Goods. The manner you propose would be extreemly agreeable to me if it was practicable, but as most of the Goods are doubtless consumed it is not possible to return them. The Sail Cloth was used in France to make Sails for...
1267Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Yale University Library The two last days have been employed in going to Painbeuf (about 30 miles hence) examining the Mercury, and returning to Nantes. I have the pleasure to inform you that what I have hitherto seen is very satisfactory, the Mercury appears to be a very good Ship, 7 Years old, burden 300 Tons (Mr. Peltrier thinks 350,)...
1268Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library In your instructions to me you mention another Vessell which Mr. Beaumarchais proposes to send to America with Stores, but I can gain no Information of any such Vessell, Mr. Peltrier tells me he knows nothing about it. There is indeed a Ship (the St. Dominique) which Mr. Peltrier bought at the same time that he bought the mercury, and which he is to load on...
1269Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; copy: University of Virginia Library The Fleet sailed from Quiberon the 25th Instant, but the Winds have since been rather unfavourable. I am extreemly sorry to inform you that the Duchesse of Grammont is according to appearance left behind. This Ship sailed three Weeks ago to join the Fleet, but being badly stowed was obliged to put back. She has since been...
1270Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have recvd. a Letter from Capt. Thompson Commander of the Rawleigh Frigate by which I find the prizes made by the two Ships consisted of 750 hhds. Sugar 325 Puncheons Rum 70 Plank Mahogany 15 Casks of Coffee and the two Ships which Capt. Nicholson tells me are 500 and 800 Tons Burden. This Property was sold for 9700 Sterling, which I take to be about ⅓ of the...
1271Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives In December last I recvd at Nantes from Messrs Horneca Fitzeau & Co of Amsterdam sundry merchandise on accot of Mr Grand as appeard by the Invoices, immediately on their arrival I wrote to Mr Grand to know their Destination, his answer was that his name was only lent & that the Goods were for Accot of the Commissioners, I...
1272Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 22 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor of your Favours by Messrs. Portail &c. There is no opportunity for them to embark exceept via St. Domingo, unless the packet Boat should be sent. I say nothing to them of the Count de Vergennes as you do not express an Intention that they should go in her. They do not seem to like to go in a Ship under american Colours least they should be...
1273Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have the pleasure to inform you of the happy return of the Mercury in 23 Days. As there are no public dispatches from Congress nor the appearance of any important action, and as the post goes out as soon as I could send a Courier, I think it best to save that Expence: the amphitrite arrived safe in portsmouth,...
1274Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Your Favour of the 27th Inst. was handed to me last Evening by my good Friend Mr. Carmichael. I am extreemly sorry to inform you that all the proposed measures will be useless, as the Ships in Question sailed at least 8 days ago under Convoy of a french and an english Frigate. I went however to M. Montaudouin and from him immediately to the Lieut. General...
1275Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I yesterday drew on you two Drafts at one Days Date the first in favour of Messrs. Montaudouins for 1000 l.t. the second in favor of the Chevalier de la motte d’aubigné for 3000 l.t. 4000 l.t. which please to Honour. My Last informed you of the order I had given for 8 large anchors, as to the price these will cost I...
1276Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 30 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library My last by the Post informed you of the return of the Mercury and the summary of the News she brought. I now send you a number of papers which did not come to my hands ’till to day being brought by one of the Ships Officers. The Captain tells me that about the 10th or 12th of May Capt. manly with a Frigate of 36...
1277Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By my Letter to day I am in expectation of Dispatches for Young which may perhaps be sent off before you receive the last important Express. I take the earliest opportunity to inform you that it will be my wish, in that case, to detain Capt. Youngs dispatches ’till I hear from you supposing you will choose to make some addition to them, and I request that...
1278Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library My last was written on board Ship at Painbeuf, after sealing it Mr. Niver came on board and I repeated to him my offer to take 4 passengers. I told him to avoid giving any preference, they might settle among themselves either by Lot or otherwise who those 4 should be. He returned without deciding whether he would go or not. The Wind having fail’d us the...
1279Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am still without any of your Favours which gives me much uneasiness the importance of several of my last being very considerable. I am again informed by Mr. Grand that my Bills remain unapproved which I am sure must be only owing to the hurry of Business, but I beg you to attend to it, as Delay may hurt the Credit of my Paper. I have the honour to be very...
1280Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 19 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library In my last I omitted mentioning that the number of Swivels which the Cutter left was six, when I went to Paris they were all on Shore, but Capt. Nicholson took some of them again I suppose for want of sufficient to make up his number, I having purchased but 8. The Persons with whom I was in treaty with for the Duc...