251Nathaniel Dowse to the American Commissioners, 5 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, May 5, 1778: I sailed from Virginia as master of the Mercer , with tobacco consigned by Congress to the Delaps. On May 4 my crew mutinied and took me in to Whitehaven, where I was imprisoned until I escaped and found a vessel that arrived here yesterday. I tender you my services. Several local merchants have made me offers, but I shall wait until...
252Dumas to the American Commissioners, 5 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 5, 1778, in French: I send translations of two letters from Germany; the Grand Facteur has also sent copies. I have received strange news from France, but you doubtless know about the pettifogging, etc., that goes on there. Yours of the 30th has just arrived, and I shall call on the Grand Facteur and our friend...
253Marie Silvestre Grand to the American Commissioners, 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mme. Grand presante une requette a Messieurs Les Deputés assemblés pour luy accorder un jour pour luy faire l’honneur de venir Diner ches elle a commencer des samedy Prochain son demenagement ne luy ayant pas permis de le faire plutot. Addressed: A Leurs Excellences / Messieurs Les Deputés / De Lamerique septentrionale Mme. Ferdinand Grand. The date set was...
254The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 6 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Messieurs Franklin, Lee and Adams present their respectful Compliments to his Excellency le Comte de Vergennes, are extreamly sensible of his good Offices in obtaining the King’s Orders relating to the Presentation of Mr. Adams to his Majesty on Friday next, and will do themselves the Honour of waiting on his Excellency on that Day agreable to his...
255Dumas to the American Commissioners, 7[–15] May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 7[–15], 1778, in French: I showed your letter of the 30th to the Grand Facteur, who urged me to delay presenting your communication to the Grand Pensionary; Vergennes had written that it was premature and might be construed as French pressure. I disagreed but had to comply. May 8: The Grand Pensionary was told...
256John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Bordeaux, May 8, 1778: Vessels from Georgia have arrived with news that a shipment of specie had been landed from Havana; the state’s currency is greatly inflated. Friends in Cadiz write that the government is making it difficult for them to sell Conyngham’s prizes, and ask whether the ships might be addressed to me; what am I to tell them? I assume from your...
257William Lee to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Worthington C. Ford, ed., Letters of William Lee . . . 1766–1783 (3 vols., Brooklyn, N.Y., 1891), II , 429–30. I have been detained here longer than was intended by a personal application from one of the King of Prussia’s ministers. I have now received an answer from Berlin, which informs me that his Majesty chooses for the present to decline acknowledging the Independency of...
258Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 8, 1778: After the capture of the English warship Drake , Capt. Jones appointed me to take her to Brest. I enclose a copy of his instructions. On May 5, while she was in tow, he ordered me to cast her loose and—so we all understood—make my own way to port. We were chased by a brig, tried to rejoin the Ranger , and did so early in the...
259Franklin and John Adams to Monsieur and Madame de Lafreté, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messrs. Franklins and M. Adams are extremely sorry that they were not at home when M. and Mad. de la Freté did them the Honour of calling at Passy. They are engag’d to morrow and every day next Week: but if it should be convenient to M. and Made. de la Freté, they will do themselves the Honour of dining at Suréne on Monday the 18th. Instant, which is the...
260John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; AL : American Philosophical Society, United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: National Archives <Brest, May 9, 1778: I arrived last night with the British warship Drake , and will soon give you an account of the cruise. I have almost two hundred prisoners, but there is danger they may be surrendered without an exchange. I plan to refit the Drake as fast...
261James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 11 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this moment informed by a Gentleman from Brest, that the Ranger Frigate Cap: J. Jones arrived in that port with a prize of 16 Guns the 8th. Instant after laying a Town on the Coast of Ireland under contribution. I have not yet learned any further particulars of his Voyage, but I suppose Cap: Jones will inform you of them when he gets ashore. I have the...
262Jonathan 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.
263John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 12 May 1778: Letter and résumé (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just time in Compliance to Mr. Livingstons request to write your honors that an offer has been made him of a vessel to be compleatly fitted and armed provided your Honors will grant a Commission. His desires in this appears to spring from the advance it would give him of rank at his Arrival in America. If this should meet your...
264Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <The Hague, May 12, 1778, in French: I shall not speak of my compliance with your orders of April 30 until I have more to tell. Your sealed letter I have been unable to present because a wind from the west prevented me. I have persuaded my friends to send a single ship to America, uninsured to preserve secrecy, and have promised to recommend them. >...
265The American Commissioners’ Passport for Joseph Waldo and Thomas Brattle, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Boston Public Library Nous Benjamin Franklin, arthur Lée et John adams deputés plenipotentiaires des treize états unis de L’amerique septentrionale pres sa majesté tres chretienne, Prions tous ceux qui sont a prier de vouloir bien laisser passer surement et librement Messieurs Joseph Waldo et Thomas Brattle Ecuyers Americains et Sujets des dits Etats, allant en Angleterre par Calais sans...
266James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer you to my last of the 11th since which I received a letter from Lisbon dated 21st. April of which the following paragraph is a copy. “The Peace and Plenty Privateer from Belfast, has brought in here the Brig Dolphin Cap: Turner, bound from Boston to Bilboa with 135 Hhds. of Tobacco a parcel of Rice tar and Staves. She is about 140 Tons...
267Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 13 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two copies: Library of Congress <Versailles, May 13, 1778, in French: The farmers general have informed me that Capt. Tucker of the Boston has refused to allow their agents on his vessel because she is a warship. We must know whether she is, or merely a privateer; once you have established that, she will be treated like the ships of...
268The American Commissioners to Sartine, 14 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, May 14, 1778: American warships have hitherto taken between four and five hundred prisoners, who were released because we could not confine them in France. Now Capt. Jones has brought into Brest nearly two hundred, whom we should gladly exchange for our seamen in England, but who we fear will be released in...
269The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 14 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress; copy and transcript: National Archives <York, May 14, 1778: All goes well with us, and we are preparing for either war or peace. Our enemies have fostered doubt about our perseverance, but the enclosed report of Congressional action in rejecting British...
270The Massachusetts Board of War to the American Commissioners, 14 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress Your esteem’d favours of the 21 December per Mr. Dean 12th. February per Capt. Senneville, and 17th of same Month per Capt. Courter, we had the Honor to receive. Agreeable to your request, we have furnished Capt. Courter with every necessary for his Journey to Congress, on which he set out the 7th. Instant, being the second day after...
271The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 15 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives; transcript: National Archives; two incomplete copies: Harvard University Library Your pressing request for 5000 Hhds. of Tobacco, is a matter as embarrassing to Congress as to yourselves. Their anxiety to get it to you is as great as yours to receive it. We have already lost considerable Quantities in the...
272Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 15 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two); transcript: National Archives J’ai l’honneur Messieurs de vous envoyer la copie d’une lettre ecrite à M. de Sartine par le Consul de France a Madere. Vous y verrez toutes les circonstances de la conduite qu’un corsaire americain nommé Jean...
273The Commissioners to Vergennes, 16 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
We had this Morning the Honour of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of the 13. Instant relative to the Boston Frigate. We beg leave to assure your Excellency that the Frigate called the Boston, now at Bourdeaux, is a Ship of War belonging to the 13 United States of North America, built and maintained at their Expence, by the Honourable Congress. We therefore, humbly presume that his Majestys...
274The American Commissioners to Sartine, [16 May 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <[Passy, May 16, 1778:] Basmarein, Raimbaux & Cie. informs us that it has applied to the government for a frigate to defend its commerce and make reprisals for its losses; we request that it may have one, and will give the ship a commission and a letter of marque.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 123. The...
275The American Commissioners to Thomas Simpson, 16 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We have received your State of your Arrest. As you cannot be tryd here according to the regulations of Congress we have desired Capt. Jones to procure you a Passage to America by the first Opportunity and provide you with whatever may be necessary for your defence. We are sorry for this event and hope you will be able to justify your conduct. We are &c....
276The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 16 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, May 16, 1778: We received this morning your letter of the 13th about the Boston , and assure you that she is an American warship maintained at the expense of Congress. The King’s reply to the farmers general will, we assume, accord with international usage.>...
277The Commerce Committee to the American Commissioners, 16 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress <York, May 16, 1778: We enclose a contract with Theveneau de Francy as agent for Caron de Beaumarchais. You will please liquidate and send the property of the accounts of Roderigue Hortalez & Co., taking care to distinguish the property of the crown from the company’s private property. We send an invoice of the articles to be...
278John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 16 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; AL : United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: National Archives <Brest, May 16, 1778: The local admiralty will apparently delay the sale of the Ranger ’s prizes; I therefore have to draw on you through M. Bersolle for 24,000 l.t. to distribute among my officers and men. They need to provide for their families in America, who will expect clothing, etc., by...
279Members of the Drake’s Prize Crew [to the American Commissioners], 16 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We the subscribers (persons put on board the Drake by Capt. Jones’s order, from the Ranger, to man her, under the Command of Lieut. Simpson,) do hereby testifie, that when a sail was seen on Our Lee quarter at Day Light in the morning of the 5th. May, the Drake (then in tow by the Ranger,) was hail’d from her, and ordered to Cast Off and to make the best of...
280Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being too much indisposd to come to Passi this morning, and thinking the subjects of the enclosd Letters of pressing importance; I have sent you what I think shoud be written. You will make such Alterations as you think proper. But if the subordinate Servants of the public continue to obey or not obey our Orders as they please—to act as they will, without taking our orders—to involve us in...
281The American Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, 17 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society <Passy, May 17, 1778: We wish you to pay money from our joint account only on our joint order, and to send us all letters addressed to Mr. Deane on the business of the commission.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 129–30; the annotation explains the squabbling within the commission that elicited the draft, in Arthur Lee’s hand, and prevented...
282The 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...
283Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Chaillot, May 17, 1778: Because I am not well enough to come to Passy I send you my drafts of important letters; alter them as you wish. If our subordinates disregard our orders, and involve us in debt without accounting for what they spend, we and the public suffer.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 130.
284Charlotte and Peter Amiel to Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Amiel present Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Mr. Adams, will do themselves the pleasure to accept their obliging invitation for next Friday. Addressed: Doctor Franklin / Passy For the husband see the note on Lee to BF above, April 2. The Amiels were frequent dinner guests of the commissioners; so was Jonathan Loring Austin, who also accepted on...
285[Vergennes] to the American Commissioners, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai rendu compte au Roi, Messrs., de l’assûrance que vous me donnez que le Boston, qui se trouve dans le port de Bordeaux, est une frégate appartenant aux Etats-unis et armée par les ordres du Congrès. S. M. a décidé en conséquence que ce vaisseau éprouveroit le même traitement qui est d’usage à l’égard de ceux de toutes les autres...
Paris, 18 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:102 ; ordered printed by the congress as a broadside (illustration facing p. 99 ). This letter was signed by Adams and Franklin because, according to Arthur Lee in his Letterbook ( PCC , No. 102, IV, f. 7), “this Intelligence was sent...
287The American Commissioners to Any Governor or Member of a Council or House of Representatives of an American State, 18 … (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Pennsylvania State Archives, Public Record Office; two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, May 18, 1778: We have received reliable word that eleven British ships of the line are at St. Helen’s, near Portsmouth, bound for North America. You are requested to forward this letter as...
288Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 18, 1778: Mr. Schweighauser writes Capt. Jones that I pretend to an authority that is his, by right of a letter from Mr. William Lee, to dispose of the Ranger ’s prizes in this port. I came here to help Capt. Jones, and have not interfered in commercial matters. The Lord Chatham will either be sold by the admiralty or entrusted to M. Bersolle;...
289The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 19 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and transcript: National Archives <Passy, May 19, 1778: We enclose for the consideration of Congress a copy of a letter from the comte de Vergennes, and of a letter enclosed with it.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 103. That above, May 15, about the misconduct of an American privateer.
290The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 19 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and transcript: National Archives <Passy, May 19, 1778: We have received your letter of May 15 with its enclosure, and have forwarded copies of both to Congress. Justice, we have no doubt, will be promptly done.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 103 and discussed...
291Dumas to the American Commissioners, 19 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 19, 1778, in French: From my letter of May 7–15 you will have learned of my progress in publicizing the friendly disposition of the United States. The Grand Pensionary has been most adroit. We believe that he shares our views; he has given copies of your letter in private to all the members of the provincial...
292Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 21 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je reçois dans le moment, Messieurs, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19. pour m’informer que vous avez rendu compte au Congrès des Etats Unis des plaintes renfermées dans le Raport de M. de la Ruelliere Consul de France à Madere. Je vous prie d’agréer mes Remercimens de l’usage que vous avez bien voulu faire de la Communication que je vous en...
293Dumas to the American Commissioners, 22[–26] May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 22[–26], 1778, in French: The Grand Pensionary wants to acknowledge your letter but cannot give you, until authorized, your due titles; he has offered to communicate verbally through me, and I shall wait until I can furnish him a copy of the treaty. Our friend [van Berckel] wants to know how the British...
Passy, 22 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:110 . Citing the usual practice under the law of nations of allowing six months after the commencement of hostilities for subjects of both sides to remove their property, Adams and Franklin requested that, if possible, the General Court...
295The American Commissioners: Petition to the Massachusetts Council and House of Representatives, 22 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Clements Library, University of Michigan; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 22, 1778: Mr. Joseph Parker of London has asked us to write to you about his property in a vessel that has been in public hands since the spring of 1775. We have reason to think that he is a worthy man, a friend of America; further detention of his property will ruin...
296The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 23 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives A pilote being wanted to conduct an Advice Boat to America, if you have in your Ship a suitable Person that can be spared, the Commissioners request, that you would permit him to go on that Service. We have the Honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants. Endorsed: from the American...
297Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 23 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I take the liberty to enclose a Copy of the Memoire I made last year at the request of M. Carmichael on the advantages the port of Dunkirk offers to the American Trade. I Submit to your Superiour Judgement to decide weither my Ideas may contribute to extend the Commerce and navigation of the United States, and to take [ torn: such?] Steps as may answer that...
298The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We thank you for your intelligence reports. Your bills on us will be paid when we have received and examined your accounts; please present the latter monthly so that we do not acquire more debts than we can pay, of which there is considerable danger.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 116.
299The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft) and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We congratulate you on your success and safe return. Until we hear about an exchange of prisoners we advise you to keep yours securely confined. If we can get an equal number of American seamen to man the Drake she will add to your strength, whereas sending...
300The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We enclose extracts of our letters today to Mr. Williams and Capt. Jones. Please give us advance notice of any large projected expenditure, so that we may decide whether we have the money for it; we are determined not to run into debt or make commitments we cannot honor.> Published in Butterfield, John...