1371From Benjamin Franklin to [the Chevalier de Kéralio?], 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
French translation: Public Record Office Lord Stormont, when he sent this translation to London with a dispatch of December 6, described the recipient as Franklin’s intimate friend. We are inclined to think that friend was the Chevalier de Kéralio who has not yet appeared in our volumes but whom Franklin had certainly met either through John MacMahon at the Ecole Militaire, or the dowager...
1372Conrad-Alexandre Gérard to the American Commissioners, 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress Once the news of Saratoga arrived, the French government lost no time. This polite note arranged a meeting the next day, which revealed that a turning point had come in Franco-American relations. Gérard began the interview by telling the commissioners that Maurepas and Vergennes had sent him to congratulate them and to ask for any...
1373John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives I had the honor of writing to you yesterday by post under cover by Mr. Williams. I inclosed copies of two letters which I wrote you previous to my departure from Portsmouth, together with a plan which I drew up at Philadelphia on the Regulation and Equipment of our infant Navy. I now inclose you a letter which I had the honor to receive in charge from the Secret...
1374To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomtesse de Faudoas, 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettés, Monsieur, que la Personne du monde qui vous est le plus attachée vous dise combien elle partage la satisfaction que vous eprouvés dans ce moment cy. J’aurois bien desirés me joindre à mes parents pour vous faire mon compliment. Recevés le Monsieur et mes regrets de ne pouvoir Vous reiterrer moy même les sentimens que je vous ay voué pour toujours...
1375To Benjamin Franklin from [Barbeu-Dubourg], [5 December? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En attendant que j’aille vous faire mon sincere compliment sur vos succes, ce que je compte faire demain, Mon cher Maitre, voicy une Ode que je suis chargé de vous presenter, et ensuite l’auteur, qui est M. Courtney Melmoth Ami du Dr. Lettsom. Notation: Du Bourg sans datte Identified by the hand as well as by the “cher Maitre.” We assume that he wrote...
1376To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I take the liberty of inclosing two introductory letters Addressed to you in behalf of my Lieutenant, who since his embarkation into the service in July last under my Command hath behaved with becoming dilligence and Attention to duty. Should I have the honor of being called to Paris or should any Alteration immediatly take Place in my Command I shall have an...
1377To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pray be so good to lett me know whether or no you have received authentical News last Tuesday from america or any news at all talking of a battle between Genel. Washington and Genl. Howe. A Gentleman told me yesterday that a friend of his homme digne de foi told him that being at Passy two Days ago he was by you when you received News from america of a...
1378Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais to the American Commissioners, [6 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Je recois, Messieurs, une Lettre de Messieurs Bérard freres de Lorient qui me confirme que vous leur avez donné des ordres positifs et réitérés de vendre la cargaison de l’amphitrite et de n’en remettre les fonds qu’à vous seuls. Ma situation souffrante ne me permet pas d’entrer dans de grands détails, mais cette cargaison m’appartient et je...
1379Jonathan 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,...
1380To Benjamin Franklin from Duboisviollette, Genevois & Cie., 6 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS or LS : American Philosophical Society Having made an agreement with Mr. John King in behalf of the Common Wealth of Wirginia for a quantity of Salt to be deliver’d in James River, per our Ship the Algonquin, as you’ll be pleased to See by the inclosed Contract, this Ship is quite ready Since a fortnight to put in Sea, only expecting a fair Wind, having for Pilote for the American Cost Mr....