851Richard Oswald to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and five copies: Public Record Office; LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library (two), Library of Congress, National Archives (two), North Carolina State Division of Archives and History; press copy of copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives You may remember that from the very beginning of our Negotiation for Settling a Peace between Great...
852James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 1 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, August 1, 1778: The Boston and her three prizes sailed this morning. Captain Tucker accidentally mentioned to me your orders to load some goods, but as the wind was fair he decided not to wait for them. I can freight them for you at reasonable terms on a French ship I am sending to America next month. I am much obliged to Mr. Franklin for...
853Dumas to the American Commissioners, 3 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 3, 1778, in French: Our friend has warned Mr. Baker, the secretary of the Amsterdam Admiralty, that if the Admiralty’s preliminary advisory serves to weaken the protest to the English court he will communicate the action to the entire business community. Such an action would...
854Sartine to the American Commissioners, 26 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library On m’a remis, Messieurs, la Lettre que vous avez pris la peine de m’ecrire au sujet de la détention à Bordeaux de la Barque la Jane Capt. William Castle. Sur l’assurance que vous me donnez qu’elle apartient à un citoyen des Etats unis et qu’elle est destinée pour ce Pays, j’ai rendu compte au Roy de votre demande; et d’après l’aprobation de Sa M[ajest]é il va...
855Jno. Walke to the American Commissioners, 17 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Misfortune to Inform you that the Dispute Between Mr. B. and my Self was only Determind 15th Inst. After a Detention here of three Months and upwards. The Determination of the Parliment was that I had Leave to Depart Bourdeaux with my Vessell and Each party to pay for what Ever Expence we have been at for the Sute which has made the Matter faull...
856Ebenezer Smith Platt to the American Commissioners, 21 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Paris, April 21, 1778: The petitioner recounts his role in obtaining the gunpowder landed at Savannah in 1775, and his subsequent arrest and imprisonment in Jamaica and in England. He was released through the efforts of a committee for American prisoners, arrived in Paris destitute, and asks help in getting home.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI ,...
857Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 22 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honour to lay my Accounts before you, I left the general one unfooted intending to compleat it after Examination. I now send it properly closed and settled to the 30th May 1778. You have also inclosed the account of the Magazine, Invoice of Arms repaired, and your general Account since that Period, all settled to the 10th September 1778, Balance in your Favour seven thousand...
858Conrad-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...
859Dumas to the American Commissioners, 8 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft); Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, December 8, 1778, in French: English funds [government bonds] have fallen in value, and letters from England increase the qualms of those holding them. Amsterdam has printed and distributed copies of its protest against the resolution of November 18. This has shocked the English party. This morning the French...
860J. D. Schweighauser to the Commissioners, 24 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received but Yesterday the Letter with which you have honoured me the 14 Instant, covering one the 17th. for Capt. Richard together with the Bill of Loading and Invoice of 895 Barrels of Rice and thirty one of Indigo shipped by Mr. A. Livingston of Charles Town and Subject to your particular orders. I imediatly have been to Mr. Peltier du Doyer who I knew had the Care and direction of...
861Richard Price to the Commissioners, 18 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Price returns his best thanks to the Honourable Benjamin Franklin, Arthur Lee, and John Adams Esquires, for conveying to him the resolution of Congress of the 6th. of October last, by which he is invited to become a member of the united States, and to give his assistance in regulating their Finances. It is not possible for him to express the Sense he has of the honour which this resolution...
862Gourlade & Moylan to the American Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The present only serves to advise you of the arrival this day of the Schooner Dauphin from Boston wch. place she left the 16 November last. Amongst the different Dispatches for Court and private letters wch the Owners of this vessel recommended we shou’d see the Cap: deliver the Commissary there did not appear any to your address, and the only news she...
863Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 12 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <On board the Boston , Port Louis, July 12, 1778: The Frenchmen I took on at Bordeaux have given me much trouble. When we arrived here eight of them got shore leave; their sergeant complained so much of their treatment that the King’s officers, including General La Touche of Lorient, came aboard yesterday evening to ask them whether they would stay or go...
864Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 22 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, September 22, 1778: When I laid my accounts before you, I left the general one open pending its completion; I now send it, closed and settled, up to May 30, 1778. You will also find accounts of the arms magazine, invoice of arms repaired, and the general account from June 1 to September 10, with a balance in your favor of 7,386 l.t. 18 s. 9 d. I...
865Dumas to the American Commissioners, 10 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (incomplete draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Je crois vous avoir dit déjà que je donne aussi copie au Su[bstitut] des Extraits que je vous envoie, et que cela lui fait grand plaisir. Jamais on ne m’a parlé avec plus d’ouverture, qu’après avoir vu l’Extrait ci-joint de Paris. On m’a avoué enfin, que toutes les apparences sont pour une guerre...
866James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 4 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, May 4, 1778: A schooner arrived today from Virginia with news that the state levies were leaving at the end of March to join Washington’s army. Spirits were good and the army well clothed, but all the ports were blockaded.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 80–1.
867Sartine to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress <Marly, June 3, 1778, in French: I have your letter of May 16 and must decline your request for a frigate to protect ships sent to America by Basmarein & Raimbaux; His Majesty does not wish for the moment to detach any for private purposes.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 180.
868William Lee to the American Commissioners, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, September 17, 1778: I wish to confer with you on an important and profoundly secret subject; I will wait on you at any hour tomorrow at noon or afterwards when you are alone.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII . Lee had been in Paris several days and planned to remain there no longer than three weeks: Ford, Letters of William Lee , II , 472,...
869Jonathan Trumbull to the American Commissioners, 29 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress <Hartford, May 29, 1778: This comes by Capt. Robert Niles of the Spy , a state schooner, who brings dispatches from Congress. Lead is in short supply here; please load as much on the Spy as the Captain thinks wise, and advance him what he needs for his expenses and wages.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 169–70. For...
870Peter Collas to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Passy, October 8, 1778: Last August 6 I left here for Nantes and sailed on the 29th for Boston on the Dispatch , Corbin Barnes, master. I was captured on September 1, and taken into Guernsey; I made my way from there to England and finally to Calais. My trunk was searched and a number of articles were held on the supposition that they were made in England....
871Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As thier hath ben a moust Valueable Whale fishry discoverd by the people of England Since the preasent contest with America and a thing of the utmoust Consequence to the above poeple—if it is your minds to destroy it I Should be glad to give you all the information that is in my Power to affect the Same. I have ben in the busaness my self and was very Senceable I was doing Rong, therefore...
872William 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...
873David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners: Memorial, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives The proposition which has been made for an universal & unlimited reciprocity of Intercourse & Commerce, between Great-Britain and the American United-States, requires a very serious Consideration on the part of Great-Britain, for the reasons already stated...
874The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai communiqué á M. de Sartine, Messieurs, la Lettre, par la quelle vous demandez qu’il soit donné escorte aux Batimens en partance qui Sont destinés pour les Ports des Etats Unis. Ce Ministre vient de me repondré qu’il n’est point possible d’accorder cette Escorte pour toute la traversée, mais que les Batimens en question seront conduits jusqu’aux parages qui pourront les mettre a l’Abri des...
875Robert R. Livingston to the American Peace Commissioners, 25 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the favor of your joint Letter by the Washington, together with a Copy of the preliminary Articles —Both were laid before Congress— The Articles have met their warmest approbation, and have been generally seen by the People in the most favorable point of view. The steadiness manifested in not treating without an express acknowledgment of your Independence previous to a...
876Puchelberg & Cie. to the American Commissioners, 26 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <L’Orient, August 26, 1778, in French: We refer to our letter of the 24th and to the arrival of the General Mifflin , Captain Daniel McNeill. McNeill wishes to sell the recaptured French ship [ Isabelle ]. Since his commission and those of his officers conform to Captain Tucker’s, it may be necessary for him to report his captures to Tucker and divide the...
877James 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...
878Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12[-14] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 12[-14], 1779: The States of Holland reassemble tomorrow. The French ambassador has received an express message from his court. January 13: I learn that Amsterdam will have permission to trade with the French West Indies, and I have been authorized to inform certain friendly merchant houses of this....