151The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 8 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two copies: Archivo Historico Nacional The Commissioners from the Congress of the United States of America, beg leave to represent to your Excellency, that it is near a year since they had the Honour of putting into your Hands the Propositions of the Congress for a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with this Kingdom, to which, with sundry other...
152The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies with variations: Harvard University Library, National Archives (two) We are very sensible of the Protection afforded to us and to our Commerce since our Residence in this Kingdom, agreeable to the Goodness of the King’s gracious Intentions, and to the Law of Nations; and it gives us real and great Concern, when any Vessels of War,...
153The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We beg your Excellency’s Permission to make an appeal from the Judgment of the Admiralty at Nantes which ordains a confiscation of two Prizes (British Westindia Ships) taken legally on the high seas by two American Privateers, and that Your Excellency will be pleased to request his Majesty to suspend the Departure of those Prizes, and their...
154[The American Commissioners]: Memorandum [for Vergennes], 28 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library On the 19th of November, the Congress resolved, That 100 brass Cannon 3 pounders 50 6 pounders 50 12 pounders 13 18 pounders 13 24 pounders
155The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 5 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library. On Sunday, January 5, the commissioners went to Versailles. That evening they sent a brief note to Vergennes asking for an audience on Monday morning. Such an interview in the spotlight of the court would have been quite different from the previous clandestine meeting in Paris, but the idea never seems to...
156The American Commissioners to George Washington, [August or September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, a young Nobleman of great Expectations and exceedingly belov’d here, is by this time probably with you. By some Misapprehension in his Contract with the Merchants of Bordeaux he was prevented from using the Produce of the Cargo he carried over, and so was left without a Supply of Money. His Friends here have sent him over about £500...
157The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library; three copies, one incomplete: National Archives We have appointed Mr. Williams to take the Direction of such affairs at Nantes as are more particularly within our Department and accordingly advise you to address yourself to him for any assistance You stand in want off in the Disposition of your prizes or your other Concerns. You will give directions to Capts....
158The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, [25 February? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete (?) copy: Connecticut Historical Society Your first we did not receive till eight days after it was dated, your last of the 19th last Evening. We wish to know if the Captns. who have so little regard to their Parole sighnd a written parole or not. If they did we advise you to show it to the Intendant and desire they may be obligd to live up to it. We have applied to the British...
159The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We conclude by this orders are recd. for permitting you to depart for America on condition of not cruising in these Sea’s nor returning into the Ports of France with the reprisal. We therefore desire you to put your ship into the proper state for sailing, and to supply her with the Provisions necessary for the Voyage. We must wait to know from you what...
160The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We recd. yours informing of your being ready for sea and that orders had been recd. for your leaving the Port. We hope this by Capt. Bell who goes express will find you still at St. Maloes. We send by him Dispatches for America which you will take the Charge of and have them ready for being sunk in case of accident. We advise your settling the Bills for...
161The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut Historical Society, University of Virginia Library Yours by Capt. Nicholson are before us. Mr. Deanes Lettres of yesterday proposed passing a Sale of the Lyon and sending her out as french Property, that is that she go down the River as commanded by the french Captain, and that Captain Nicholson instead returning to Nantes go directly to meet her at the mouth of the River...
162The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Prize of Capt. Wickes, which we ordered into your Hands, we desire you will deliver up to the Disposal of Mr. Lee; and are Your humble Servants Notation: Letter to Mr Williams This is also in BF ’s hand and was clearly intended to accompany the preceding letter; like it, we assume, it was not sent.
163The American Commissioners to [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 19 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library Yours of the 24th we received and have wrote M. Morris requiring a Copy of his Commission. This with the Steps you have taken is all that at Present, appears necessary. You may take Capt. Thompson’s Paper; But make no Discount; and Hold it in your hands untill further Orders. As to the Duc de Chartres We submit the Price of her to your Judgement which must...
164The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library The commissioners had been plagued from the start by the lack of regular and reliable communication with America. On April 1 they had signed a contract with Chaumont for establishing a packet service; now, a month later, the service was ready to start as soon as the first packet arrived from Morlaix and took on her cargo....
165The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [25 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society In answer to yours respecting the Fusils &c. we inform you that an offer being made by Mr. Montieu of the whole of his stock at Nantes at 200 and forty thousand livres made us think it worth inquiring into. Your answer and stating is particular. You say there are 15400 gun barrels for infantry 8200 ditto for Rampart Fusils &c. afterwards 7700 Rampart...
166The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Having obtained permission for the Dolphin to sail for america on condition of her not Cruising in these sea’s nor returning again to the Ports of France you will equip her for sailing with all the Expedition Possible. We have agreed to appoint Capt. Brown to the Command of her, if agreable to him, let him take the Charge of her and put her in a proper...
167The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We desire you would advance to Capt. Paul Jones, of the Ranger, five hundred Louidores, for which your draught upon us will be paid. We are Sir Your most Obedient Servants (Signed) Notation: From the American Commissioners Letter of Credit Passy January 10th 1778 recd. Passy January 10th. 1778 To cover wages and equipment for the Ranger: Morison, Jones , p. 124. Jones...
168The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 13th: is before Us. Mr. Deane wrote you on the subject of Arms &c. belonging to Mr. Montieu in Nantes we wish you to send Us as early as possible an Acct. of your survey and your Estimate of the value of the Whole on the best Information You can Obtain. Also supposing the Fusils whose Barrels may answer for further Use in the Continental Army...
169The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society You are desired to get from Capt. Adams a particular Account of his being taken, in which he must ascertain as exact as is in his Power at what distance he was from the Coast of France when he was first Chased and when he was actually taken. He must make oath to his narration and send it up to us by the first Courier. If you have knowledge of other Vessels...
170The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society The quantity of Stores you have on hand and the difficulty you find in shipping them induces us to accept of Mr. Monthieus proposal of taking his Goods out of the Mercury and loading intirely with the Stores of the public. Mr. Montieu has made that offer taking the same rate of Freight for the whole as was agreed for the quantity actually loaded already. We...
171The 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...
172Agreement between the American Commissioners and Louis-Guillaume-Servais des Hayes de La Radière, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft) : American Philosophical Society Whereas le Sr. Laradiere Major du Corps Royal du genie, in the Service of his most Christian Majesty, not having obtain’d his Leave of Absence when the Agreement between us and Messieurs le Chevalier du Portal, de Laumoy, and Gouvion, was concluded, viz. on the 13th of this Instant, could not become a Party by signing the said Agreement, but having...
173The American Commissioners: Contract with Jean-Joseph Carié de Montieu, [6 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: British Library In February, 1777, Congress sent a large order for military supplies, including 40,000 uniforms and cloth for as many more, which the commissioners acknowledged in late April. They then moved rapidly. Although they signed no contract before this one, they placed orders many weeks earlier. On April 27 they agreed with Chaumont and Jean Holker, one of the inspectors general...
174The American Commissioners: Receipt for Money from the French Treasury, 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We the underwritten, Ministers plenipotentiary from the Congress of the United States of America, do hereby acknowledge, that we have received of Mons. Micaut d’Harvelay, Garde du Tresor Royal, the Sum of Five Hundred Thousand Livres, Money of France. Witness our Hands, The loan discussed in the preceding letter. Joseph Micault d’Harvelay...
175The American Commissioners: Contract with Rey de Morande, 31 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
DS and draft : American Philosophical Society We cannot explain this document. It is among Franklin’s papers, he and his colleagues signed it, and he endorsed it; but we can find no trace of the Cadiz merchant with whom it was supposedly made, or of cannon bought from any Spanish suppliers at this time. One of the central points of this agreement, furthermore, is to barter tobacco for guns;...
176The American Commissioners and the Farmers General: Contract for Tobacco, [24 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; copy: National Archives In the light of the previous negotiations, this is a remarkable document for the commissioners to have signed. It passed over in silence two main points on which they had been seeking concessions: insurance and transportation; by agreeing to deliver the tobacco in France they tacitly assumed the risks of the sea and responsibility for shipment...
177The Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives; copies in French and English: Massachusetts Historical Society, Harvard University Library, National Archives; copies in French: Archives du ministère des affaires étrangères (draft), Harvard University Library, Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Traité d’Amitié et de Commerce The most Christian King, and the thirteen United States of North...
178The American Commissioners: Three Covering Notes for Captured Mail, 10–11 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): University of Virginia Library; (II) two copies: University of Virginia Library; (III) copy: Harvard University Library The first fruit of Gustavus Conyngham’s cruise in the Surprize was the capture of the Prince of Orange , the packet from Harwich to the Netherlands. She yielded some two thousand letters, dispatches, and bills of credit, which were forwarded to Franklin. Some...
179Agreement between the American Commissioners and Jacques Boux, 12 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Yale University Library Jacques Boux had achieved an eminence in the French navy remarkable for one who was not of noble birth. The government had called on him in 1771 for advice in reorganizing naval administration, and the following year had promoted him to capitaine de vaisseau. In 1776, however, a new minister shelved his suggested reforms and substituted others. Boux, annoyed at...
180Contract between the Secret Committee and Silas Deane and Others, 19 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: South Carolina Historical Society; copy: Connecticut Historical Society We normally summarize contracts of the secret committee signed by Franklin, but this one is important enough to be printed in full because it was the initial reason for Deane’s going to France. Soon after he lost his seat in Congress in October, 1775, and thereby his membership in the secret committee, he began to...
181Agreement between the American Commissioners and Duportail, Laumoy, and Gouvion, [13 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; draft: American Philosophical Society; transcript: National Archives Franklin presumably approved this commitment to the three Frenchmen, and to La Radière four days later; but he soon came to regret the whole business. “I was concerned in sending the 4 Engineers,” he wrote eight months afterward, “and in making the Contract with them: but before they went, I had...
182The American Commissioners: Contract with ––– Mercier for the Repair of Arms, 30 May 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society <Charleville, May 30, 1777, in French: Mercier will engage at least forty qualified workmen to come to Nantes as soon as possible. He will contract with each of them at a fixed price, not to exceed 2 l.t. 2 sols for each gun that needs to be dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled; any new work will be done as cheaply as possible. He will obtain parts from the...
183The American Commissioners: Two Resolutions, 2 February 1777, 5 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) DS and draft DS (incomplete); (II) ADS : all University of Pennsylvania Library The context of these resolutions is the commissioners’ memorandum to Vergennes of February 1, in which they urged France to enter the war. Their instructions gave them almost no practical leverage for achieving that end, and they were considering how far they could stretch the instructions. Congress had...
184The American Commissioners: Memorandum for the Dutch, [before 31 March 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: the Marquess of Abergavenny, Eridge Castle, Sussex (1955) When the Ancestors of the present Inhabitants of the United States of America first settled that Country, they did it entirely at their own expence; The public of England never granted one Shilling to aid in their Establishment. Georgia is an exception for which public grants have been made. Had any such grants been ever made they...
185The American Commissioners and the Farmers General: Proposed Tobacco Contract, 15 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society MM. Les plenipotentiaires du Congrès ont propose de livrer aux fermiers généraux dans le courant de cette année 4000 B. de Tabacs rendus dans les ports de france au prix de 8 s. la livre de Tabac net poids de Marc. Ils ont demandé qu’il leur fut avancé par les fermiers generaux La Somme de Deux millions de Livres, dont moitié seroit remise dans trois mois et...
186The American Commissioners: Memorandum for the Farmers General, 26 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society Les Plenipotentiares du Congrés, apres une Deliberation maturée, ne peuvent pas accepter le Prix offert par les Fermiers Generaux, ni faire aucune autre changement dans leur derniere Propositition. In reply to the farmers’ communication of the previous day. In BF ’s hand.
187Contract between Chaumont and the American Commissioners, 1 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : New York Public Library; DS and AD (draft): American Philosophical Society Conventions de Messieurs Frankelin et Dean et Lee deputés du Congrès des etats unis d’amerique avec le Sr. Leray de Chaumont. Le Dit Sieur de Chaumont equipera tous les mois a compter du mois de may prochain pendant un an, un pacquebot ou vaisseau propre a porter les Depesches des Dits Srs. Deputes de france en...
188The American Commissioners: Certificate for a Ship, [14 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS with alterations: New York Public Library; copy (?) with alteration: British Library To the Commanders of Ships of War or other armed Vessels belonging to the United States of North America, or to any of the Subjects of said States, This Certifies, That the Ship Elizabeth [ altered from : Richard Penn, Isaac All] at present Commander or whoever may command her for the time being is owned by...
189The American Commissioners and Chaumont: Draft of a Contract for Packets, [March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Les amis du Congrès proposent a ses deputés en france d’expedier touttes les semaines un paquebot de 60 tonneaux au moins pour Boston pour porter leurs depesches et la personne a qui ils les confieront. Les deputés seront libres de charger dans chasque Paquebot vingt tonneaux de Marchandises qui seront estimés 80000 l.t. et pour lesquels ils payront 10% de...
190Negotiations over Tobacco between the American Commissioners and the Farmers General: Two Documents, 9 January 1777 and … (Franklin Papers)
(I) D : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: American Philosophical Society; incomplete copy, Harvard University Library. (II) AD (draft): American Philosophical Society On January 9 the commissioners met with a committee of the farmers general to begin negotiations for a tobacco contract. The agenda of that meeting, or the product of it, was written questions from the farmers...
191William Stevenson and the American Commissioners: An Exchange of Three Letters, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL , (II) L , (III) AL : Harvard University Library We print the letters together because they are an entity: the first elicited the second, the second the third, all on the same day. The first was to the commissioners; the second was from, and the third to, Franklin and Deane alone. This was the second quarrel between Lee and his colleagues over who should carry copies of the...
192The Franco-American Treaty of Alliance, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives; copies in French and English: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), University of Virginia Library; copy in French: Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid The hope of concluding this treaty and the one that follows had been the commission’s mainstay for fourteen months, but negotiating them took less than three weeks. Gérard began the discussions on...
193[Duportail and the American Commissioners]: Memorandum on Terms of Service, [11 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society 1. M. de Portal demands to be at the Head of the Corps d’Ingenieurs in America: and under the Orders only of the General, or the Commander in chief in the Place where he may be. 2. He demands a Rank superior to that he enjoys at present, which is Major in the marine Infantry. 3. He proposes to take two Captains of the same Professions with him: to whom should...
194The American Commissioners: Request for Payment from the Farmers General, [before 30 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Pennsylvania Library Nous soussignés tant en notre nom que comme fondés des pouvoirs des colonies unies de l’Amérique Septentrionale prions M. De St. Marc Receveur général des fermes du Roy à Paris de payer au Trente May préfix à M. Grand Banquier demeurant à Paris que nous avons à cet effet choisi et désigné la somme d’un million de Livres pour le premier terme convenu et...
195The American Commissioners: Instructions to John Thornton, [11 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library The mistreatment of American prisoners of war in England had long been on the commissioners’ minds. In February they had suggested to Lord Stormont an exchange, and the Ambassador had not replied. In April they had sent him depositions to back their claim that the British were behaving like savages, and to...
196The American Commissioners: Memorandum for the French and Spanish Courts, 23 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Archivo General de Simancas; DS (draft ): Princeton University Library; copy: Archivo Historico Nacional This memorandum had been in preparation for more than a fortnight. On the 8th Franklin had made the original draft, now lost, and Lee had suggested changes that his colleagues accepted; on the 9th the document was ready to be copied and...
197The American Commissioners: A Public Announcement, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Jonathan Loring Austin had ridden post haste from Nantes with his dispatches. On Thursday morning, December 4, he paused in Versailles for an hour’s sightseeing, and then at 11:30 A.M. he arrived in Passy. Rumor had preceded him, or so the story goes, and the commissioners were waiting in the courtyard. “Before he had time to alight Dr. Franklin addressed...
198The American Commissioners: Certificate for a Supercargo, [29 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS and draft: American Philosophical Society To all Persons in Authority in any of the United States of America. The Ship Harmony of Bordeaux, Francis Barboutin Captain and M. Duler Supercargo being bound to the Continent of North America with Merchandize, and uncertain under the present Circumstances what Port she may be able to make; we hereby request that you would Favour the said M. Duler...
199The American Commissioners’ Interview on January 8 with Gérard: Four Documents, 1778 (Franklin Papers)
This meeting, in Deane’s quarters in Paris at six in the evening of January 8, was the commissioners’ reward for all the frustrations of the previous year. Vergennes had announced to them on December 12 that France was ready to negotiate, but three weeks of silence followed while the court attempted to secure Spanish participation. Then, when Madrid made clear that it had no intention of...