1From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris and Francis Coffyn, 18 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me the 20th. of May and The 8th. Instant. I did not immediately forbid Capt. Merchant’s intercepting the Dover Pacquets supposing that if they were protected by this Governement, he would, on their showing him their Passports, discharge them, and if not protected there would be nothing improper in taking...
2From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 8 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received yours of The 9th. past and wrote immediately to England relating to The Prisoners you mention. I do not apprehend there is any more Danger of Their Lives than of any others taken in this War by the English: for if Those Men having formerly been English Subjects is a reason for having [hanging] Them, it is the Same for hanging other American Prisoners,...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 19 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 12th. Instant. I have all along expected the Courts of Admiralty in france would judge of the Prizes without any Intervention of mine. But Since I find it otherwise I have written to Mr. De Sartine on the Subject, and hope your affair will soon be ended to your Satisfaction. I send you here with my judgment of the Prizes and ransoms, to be of...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 23 Instant, and having examined the Procès verbaux Sent me from Morlaix relative to the Sloop Goodwill, and being of Opinion that she is a good Prize, I Send you herewith my Letter to the Judges of the admiralty, at Morlaix, Expressing that Opinion tho’ I must acquaint you that the Circumstance of your firing at her under English Colours...
5From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 2 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Enclosed I Send you the Judgment I have made on the eight Ransomers, the Proces Verbaux being come to hand since my last. I have also received the Proces verbal relating to taken by the black Prince of Salem Captain. I suppose this to be another Vessel. Please to let me know if you have any Concern in it. BF drafted, in language almost identical to the one of Sept....
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received but a few days since your favours of January 17. and 18. I send here with the Commission desired for Capt. Ryan & The fearnot. I heartily wish you and him all the success you desire and deserve. The Bond is to be executed and Left at Mr. Coffin’s, where you will find the Commission, as the English have paid no Regard to the written paroles taken by the...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I send you herewith the Judgments of the Sloop Providence, the Brig. James and Thomas and The Ship Camden also that of the Two Ransomers for the Brigt. success and The Brig. Samuel.— The Proces verbaux relating to The Brig. Owners adventure, and the Brig. Betsey which you mention are not yet come to my hands. As soon as I have receiv’d and perus’d them, I shall send...
8From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 27 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your Letters, of the 13th. 20th and 27. Instant. Inclosed I send the judgement upon the Ship flora and cargo. As to the other Vessels which have been brought in contrary to instructions without a Prisoner to be examined, or any Papers belonging to them, it is impossible that I can condemn them under such Circumstances. There having been time sufficient...
9From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 30 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives In my last of the 27th. Instant, I omitted one thing, I had intended, viz, to desire you would give absolute orders to your Cruisers, not to bring in any more dutch Vessels, tho’ charg’d with Enemy’s goods, unless contraband. All the neutral states of Europe seem at...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 26 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Herewith you have the Judgments on the Prizes the Peter and the Friendship: as to the Betsey, taken in December last, I do not find that Proofs have yet been sent me of her being English Property: and whatever good Opinion I may have of the Uprightness of your Captains, it is not regular that I Should condemn without Proofs. The Instructions require not only the...
11From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 7 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 31st. Past. I hope you will obtain a favourable Answer to your Memorial, which I Shall endeavour to promote. All the Proceedings relating to the Flora will be received by the Council of Prizes, who will decide upon the whole, therefore I can give no farther Orders relating to her Cargo. I enclose the Judgment on the Black Princess’s Ransoms in...
12From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 23 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Inclos’d I send you Copy of an Answer I have received from his Excellency the Comte de Vergennes upon the subject of your Privateers continuing to act under American Commissions. I believe the Shipping french Seamen as well as the taking of the flora, contributed to raise the alarm against you. I trust you will give Strict Orders to your Captains, that for the future...