9571From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Gontier de Biran, who will have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Merit and Distinction at this Court, as a Gentleman of Family, and of excellent Character for his Morals, Prudence, and Attention to the Duties of his Profession as a Soldier. He is desirous of improving himself in that Profession, under...
9572To Benjamin Franklin from William Day, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with the Greatest pleasure I embrace this Conveyance, per Monsier Rochette who says he has the Honour of being personally Known to You, and has promised to deliver my Letter himself. The Thought that it was my duty (to inform You of the Occurrences of my Cruize) must appologize for my Freedom of troubling a Gentlemen of Your Character with a scrawl,...
9573To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Vicomte de Tarride, 3 September 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Pau in Béarn, September 3, 1777, in French: The vicomte de Tarride, a young man of twenty-two, was réformé after three years’ service and decided to join the Americans. About a month ago he sailed from Bayonne on a Boston ship. I hope I may ask for him your protection and letters to your countrymen. If you think proper, I will send the duc du Châtelet’s...
9574To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Larguier des Bancels, 2 September 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Rochefort, September 2, 1777, in French: The justice of your cause and our long standing animosity against the British bind our nation to yours, and I expect at any moment a treaty of friendship between them. My sojourn here has brought me daily stories of Frenchmen going to America, where I am sure they are welcome; can you tell me whether they go with...
9575To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de La Merville, 2 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre probité et votre Reputation me Repondent de votre honneteté sur un procedé qui ne peut vous appartenir. Le nommé le noir qui est encore a mon service me demande son congé disant que vous l’avés arreté a 200 l.t. de gages et d’autres proffits. Comme il a ma livrée sur le corps il ne peut estre en monsieur frankelin de prendre a son service un valet...
9576To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Trezarrieu, 2 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We print this letter, from the Spanish Mediterranean port of Alicante, because it is the first example of a type that soon became common. As the likelihood grew that American independence would be maintained, Trezarrieu’s isolated request for a consulship gave place to a flood of applications. These we shall résumé together in future volumes as we now...
9577To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Marin Beaugeard, [before 1 September? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Beaugeard, Tresorier des Etats de Bretagne, prie Messieurs Francklin Pere et fils de lui faire l’honneur de venir diner chez lui lundi prochain premier septembre. Reponse s’il vous plait. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Maison de / M. Le Ray de Chaumont / A Passy pres Paris The year could alternatively be 1783, but 1777 is more plausible because...
9578From Benjamin Franklin to [ ――― Saintmartin], 1 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I duly received yours of the 26th past, and am much concern’d at the Disappointment you complain of. But as I am totally unacquainted with Mr. Ceronio or his Connections, and have no Instructions relating to him or his Operations; and as Mr. Morris is not under the Direction of the Commissioners from the Congress residing in France, being only employ’d by a...
9579To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [1 September 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Madame Brillon fait dire a son aimable papa que le jour est pris pour allér au sallon et déjeunér chés monsieur Vérnet jeudi; mércredi on prendra l’heure et les arrangemens. Madame Brillon prie le bon papa de venir a 6 heures précises prendre le thé mércredi parceque monsieur Wattellét et madame le comte viénnent ce jour la disnér avéc elle. Si le papa...
9580To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway, 1 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am most trouble and perplex for the news ill, that I See in the gazette of Europe. It is true that our friends have to quit ticonderago? I hope not, and as I Suppose that you are instructed better that me, I pray you Dear Sir, do me the kindness of to get me out anxiety were I am upon our friends and upon my dear husband. You are dear Sir all my Comfort,...
9581To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Sowden], [1 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last post I had the honour to write and forward you a Letter to the care of that Young Gentleman who was charged about ten weeks since with the delivery of my Large packet for Messrs. Rumsey and Gordon jointly, and who, in a Line that accompanied it to Yourself, I told You had lived many Years with me. As it is of importance You should have that Letter, I...
9582To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway: Two Notes, [August? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These two undated notes, we believe, were written in the order in which we print them, and between hers of April 14 from Ville-d’Avray, near Sèvres, where she was no doubt visiting a friend, and that below of September 1 from her home in Auxerre. These two can be assigned with some confidence to a single month, August. The first note refers to a battle...
9583To Benjamin Franklin from Lebègue de Presle, [August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me suis engagé la derniere fois que J’ai eu l’honneur de vous voir, a vous communiquer quelques details sur le coup de foudre dont a ete frappée la salle d’assemblée de Purfleet; mais je n’ai pu le faire plutot parceque le dessein necessaire pour entendre le rapport etoit chez le graveur. Je vous envoye Monsieur la premiere epreuve avec les circonstances...
9584Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 31 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this day received orders from the Minester of Marine at Paris, Notified me by the Comissary and Judge of Admiralty to depart the port imeadiately and not to enter again on any Consideration. I was much surprized to receive those orders without a line from you. I told them I would Sail the first fair Wind and am now preparing for Sea, as fast as possible,...
9585John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of writing to you from hence the 3d day of June last Copy whereof is here inclosed. Congress have thought fit to put the new Sloop of War therein mentioned, now called the Ranger under my command, and have authorized Genl. Whipple, Colo. Langdon and myself to appoint the Officers. When I took this command, the middle of last month, I found...
9586To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 30 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I found a coach, very easy and very strong, which can keep 4 persons. The bargain, which I was able to make, is to pay 9 livres a day till the 18th and than 6 Livres a day afterwards. Thus if we stay on our journey 16 days, it will cost us only 6 louis d’ors. I am sure it will be impossible to meet with a more reasonnable bargain, as commonly I am assured a...
9587The 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...
9588To Benjamin Franklin from Friedrich Barnzen, 29 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Hamburg, August 29, 1777, in German: Your exalted qualities, well known even here, lead me to offer myself as a useful American subject. I was born in Hamburg, have fluent German and Dutch and a reading knowledge of French, and was trained to commerce from my youth; my money is gone, through misfortune, but my good name remains. I was in the Prussian...
9589To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Bedot Fils Ainé, 29 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il m’est aussi doux qu’honorable de vous offrir mes Services dans la partie des Souliers que j’ai toujours traitée. Mes amis de Montauban Ms. Revellat freres m’ont assuré qu’il entroit dans Vos combinaisons d’en commettre: je vous offre de La Marchandise Solide et bonne d’aprés les modeles qui vous seront envoyés, et pour lesquels Vous Vous deciderés. J’en...
9590The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society The matter-of-fact tone of this letter, and of the virtually identical one to Wickes that follows, conceals the fact that the commissioners had sustained a major defeat. Conyngham’s cruise infuriated Whitehall: on August 19 Stormont delivered a demand that Wickes’s squadron leave port, and Vergennes expected a British declaration of war. Naval patrols were...
9591The 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...
9592The 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...
9593Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day drawn on you two drafts the first in favor of L Escuyer at one usance for 3801.15. the second in favor of Peltier Du Doyer at four Usances 2764.7: 6566.2. The first of these drafts is in payment for some Lining for the Soldiers Cloaths, and the last in payment for some Sail Cloth for the Lions Sails. I have recvd. part of the Soldiers...
9594To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did not intend to trouble you any more about Capt. Wickes’s Sailors, but the only obstacle to the Settlement, now is whether they as deserters are intitled to their prize money, and Capt. Wickes does not think (as you will see by his Letters inclosed) that he can do it without an order from you; the Fact is that Capt. W has given these men a sort of...
9595To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Chariot, 27 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Charlot, neveu de Monsieur Charlot cy devant chef du Bureau de la Guerre, a l’honneur de présenter son respect très-humble à Monsieur franklin, et le prie de lui marquer le jour et l’heur qu’il pourra le Voir. A l’hôtel de Monseigneur le Grand Ecuyer de france au Carousel A Paris In effect an undersecretary, and an influential one; his bureau was charged...
9596The American Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, [26 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress On August 21 Vergennes answered the commissioners’ letter of the 12th by a note to Grand. They would be well advised, the Minister said, to write him about Hodge and the retention of the American privateers. Franklin did not know what to say in the letter, he remarked to Lee three days later, because he had had no part in the business of Conyngham, which had...
9597To Benjamin Franklin from [Peter Allaire], 26 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <London, August 26, 1777: He reports intelligence, gathered from one of Germain’s secretaries, about Howe’s and Burgoyne’s forces, the impact in England of the Battle of Trenton and of the capture of the Fox , friction between North and Germain, public puzzlement at the number of officers returning from America, and the likelihood of an insurrection in...
9598To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 26 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Stay’d a day longer in the Country as I had proposed. I recieved now my lettres from London, and can set out for an excursion, whenever you pleas. As I have some business to perform to day in town, I can’t have the pleasur of seing you. I intend to Come to morrow at three o clock at Dinner in purpose to consult you upon the intended sell of my stock and...
9599From Benjamin Franklin to ――― Brillon, [before 25 August? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Franklin fait bien de Compliments a M. Brillon, et desire d’être informé ou demeure M. Hennet. Addressed: A Monsr / Monsieur Brillon BF and Hennet had been negotiating about supplies for some time before the latter’s first dated letter, Aug. 25, which immediately follows.
9600To Benjamin Franklin from François-Auguste-Pompée Hennet, 25 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai donné, aussitôt la demande que vous m’avez faite des 4000 sabres, les ordres pour qu’on les disposat le plus promptement possible. Je recois dans l’Instant la réponse et on me marque qu’ils seront prêts dans deux mois, mais qu’on ne pourra en fournir que 2000 semblables au modele que jai eu l’honneur de vous remettre; qu’on pourra, si cela vous...