41Dumas to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Mes dernieres, du 12e., 16e. et 19e. de ce mois, répondoient à celles du 4 et du 8, dont Mr. A. Lee a eu la bonté de me favoriser. Aujourd’hui j’ai l’honneur de vous donner avis, que Mr. le grand Facteur partit d’ici vendredi au soir, après m’avoir fort recommandé de continuer mes visites chez son substitut pendant son absence, et de lui...
42Jonathan 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...
43Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Rendu compte des mêmes rapports de la Lettre précédente. Prié encore qu’ils m’écrivent des choses obligeantes pour Mr. Van Berckel. Instruction pour conserver le beurre. Demandé des nouvelles de Mr. Symeon Deane. We have again silently expanded his abbreviations. The previous letter is that of Dec. 30; the instructions about butter are those...
44James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of advising you the 29th. ultimo of the departure of the Raleigh and Alfred Frigates. I am now to inform you, that in consequence of your power to me dated December last, I apply’d to Mr. Gourlade of this place on the subject of it; as much from a desire of complying with your and Mr. Chaumont’s intention, as judging him worthy of that...
45John Ross to the American Commissioners, 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I had the honour to address you on the 24th Ultimo. Since without the pleasure of any of your favours. The Scarsity of many necessarys in America, and the practibility of adopting plans less inconvenient and expensive to the Country then have been pursued for some time past to the manifest prejudice of the United States in numberless respects, I shoud be...
46Gustavus Conyngham to the American Commissioners, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I wrote you last I went on a Cruze and fell in with the Brig Gracieux Mr. Augustin Letournois from London Bound to Spain with A Cargoe of Dry Goods the most of the Bills of Lading Consignd to Order. On my Asking the Capt. if he new that his Cargoe was British property or not he made Answer. I seen where he Loaded and that I had a Good prize. On this...
47John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
48[John Thornton]: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [between 5 and 8 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Harvard University Library In Company with some American Gentlemen, it was dropped in conversation that it was surprising the Commissioners at Paris Knowing the deplorable situation of the American prisoners confined in the several prisons in England, that they had not sent them any relief; this induced me to wait no longer for an answer from Lord North, to run all risks and to set off...
49Geoffroy Chalut de Verin to the American Commissioners, [before 6 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Chalut de Verin prie Messieurs Franklin, Monsieur Dean et Le Chevalier Lée de lui faire l’honneur de venir diner [mardi 6] janvier Jour des Roix. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Benjamin Franklin / A Passy The farmer general: above, XXIV , 348 n. The “Jour des Roix” or Epiphany, Jan. 6, must have been in 1778: a year earlier BF was not in Passy, and a year...
50Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 6 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I am just returned from Painbeuf where I have been with Capt. Nicholson to quiet a Discord between the french and americain Sailors, which we have in a great measure effected; and I hope the Steps agreed on between the Commissary at Pain beuf, the Commander of a french Vessell of War, and ourselves, will soon put an end to it. We have offered free Liberty...
51James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 7 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer you to my letter of the 2d. instant, and altho’ I am not yet in the situation you prescribed for me to transact your Bussiness here, I am nevertheless induced, as well from the season of the year, as the reports of Captains Thompson and Green, to inform you; that the Ship Durass of near Eight hundred Tons Burthen, which is here for...
52John S. Harmanson to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is about 8 Weeks since I arrived here with a resolution of going home to Virginia which I informed Mr. Deane and Mr. Lee of. About the time I got to Bordeaux Capt. Walke of Virginia arrived with whom I concluded to go home, but unluckily for me he has not got away as yet, having been detained some time on Account of a Law Suit with Mr. Barton of this...
53Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have received your Favour of the 3d Instant. I have concluded as the shortest and cheapest way to send a Boat out with a French Officer from this place, who has my particular orders relative to his Business. I find that the person you direct me to consult with is returned to [ blank in MS ] I shall therefore write you from thence in a day or two, to which...
54The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 12 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives Not having received any letters from you since the 26 of May we were severely chagrined yesterday upon the arrival of Capt. John Folgier, who, under the name of dispatches from the Commissioners at Paris, delivered only an enclosure of clean white paper with some familiar letters, none of which contained any political intelligence. You will see by the...
55Intelligence from Brest, 12 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
D : National Archives This is the first in a long series of intelligence reports to Franklin or the commission. Most were forwarded to Congress and are now in the National Archives; the few that are not there are copies, the originals of which were either forwarded and subsequently lost or for some reason not sent. We handle all these reports in the same way as letters from commission-seekers....
56David & Son to the American Commissioners, [16 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society The Success of Baltimore John Nicols Master coming from Maryland is arrived here yesterday with 140 Hogsheads of tobacco. This vessel was destined for Nantes or Bordeaux, but having been chased by three Men of war without Colours and which we believe to be the three that saild last from Brest, the said Capt. taking advantage of the night got clear and is...
57Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, [19 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society On my arrival at Brest I went to the Commandant of marine to ask permission for the Ship to go to St. nazare to which I received a refusal for want of orders. I represented to the Commodore (at Quiberon) the inefficacy of the Convoy if we had not liberty to go to St. Nazare. That he said he could not help as the Commander at Painbeuf was not under him...
58Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor to address you my last the 15th. inst. advising you the arrival of Two wounded Seamen taken in the Lexington, and by a former I inform’d you on a Seperate slit [slip] of paper of the Taking of the Brigantine l’aimable Reine Capne. Paul Berthelot, bound from Martinico to this port, by the Swan Capn. Wm. Meadows, which carry’d her to New...
59William Lee to the American Commissioners, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Virginia Historical Society As you have now furnish’d me with the copy of the Treaty, I do not know of any reason for remaining here any longer, therefore propose setting out for Vienna in two or 3 daies to execute my appointment at that Court, provided you will supply me with the necessary funds to bear the expence of my Commission. The money will not be immediately requisite, as a...
60The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We mean in this letter to give you a succint view of the state of our military affairs. You must long before this reaches you have been made acquainted with the signal success of the american arms in the northern department, particularly the several Engagements in that quarter previous to the surrender of...
61Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society In Consequence of your letter of 12th: Instant we have acquainted Mr. Beaumarchais we were ready to account with him for the whole Proceeds of the Cargo of the amphitrite of which we have already remitted to him part of the amount and Shall continue. If our accounts of disbursements for the two frigattes have exceeded your expectations you cannot with any...
62Dumas to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Le Morceau de la Gazette de Leide d’aujourdhui, que je joins ici, vous fera voir que vos ordres, reçus par la Lettre de Mr. A. Lee, du 12e., ont été remplis conformément à vos desirs. S’il avoit dépendu de moi de prévenir absolument toute sortie de recrues Allemandes, il n’en seroit certainement pas parti un seul...
63James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I had the honor of writing you the 7th. Inst. I am deprived of the receipt of any of your favors. There are letters this day in Town from Morlaix advising the arrival there of a vessel from Baltimore, which place she left the 10th. of December last, and the Capes of Cheasapeake the 14th. Dec. the Captain of which (it is said) reports that New York and...
64Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 20th. instant, was dictated with that Eagerness I feel myself prompted to communicate to you every occurence which comes to my knowledge, and which I imagine may be agreable to you; the report it contain’d of an action between Genl. Gates and Genl. Cornwallis was then currant here, and was confirm’d to me by...
65Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague La présente est une suite de celle que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire vendredi passé 23e. à l’adresse de Mr. A. Lee à Chaillot près Paris, rue bataille No. 5. Depuis ce temps j’ai fait d’autres découvertes, que j’ai communiquées au Substitut, qui m’en a su gré; et je n’hésite pas de vous en faire part aussi, parce que ce qui se passe en Baviere...
66John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform you that from Paris I reached this place in 56 hours. As I have in my possession repeated Orders from Congress to Afford Aid and protection to the American Commerce, I conceive it to be my duty to give my best protection and safe conduct to the Squadron with Supplies now nearly in readiness to sail from hence, until they are at...
67John Ross to the American Commissioners, 29 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives The present unhappie situation of Mr. Thomas Morris American Commercial Agent, now dangerously ill, and according to the opinion of his Phisician not likely to recover, oblige me to address you Honble: Gentlemen, that the necessary step may be adopted immadiately, to prevent the Worst of consequences to both Public and Private...
68Gérard to the American Commissioners, 30 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai recu avec la lettre dont vous m’avés honoré, la traduction que vous avès bien voulu me faire remettre. Je rendrai compte du contenu de votre lettre et je travaillerai sans delai à l’examen de la traduction. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec une consideration respectueuse Messieurs Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur Addressed: A Messieurs /...
69James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 30 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am not honor’d with the receipt of any of your favors since my last to you of the 23d. current. I am this day informed, that Government has order’d 2,000 Seamen to be raised in Nantes and 2,500 more in St. Malo, besides a number of Bakers of this Town, which are all to proceed immediately to Brest; likewise, that there are positive directions in all the...
70Gérard to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Translation reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution . . . (revised ed.; 6 vols., Washington, D.C., 1857), I , 472 I have acquainted his majesty’s ministers with the fresh demand respecting the 11th and 12th articles of the treaty of commerce. The king having approved these two articles, agreeable to your unanimous wishes, they can not be...