11The American Commissioners to Dumas, 9 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : William N. Dearborn, Nashville, Tennessee (1962); copy: National Archives <Passy, September 9, 1778: We received yours hinting that some of your friends wish the commissioners should propose a treaty to your government. It really would be a pleasure thus to cement a union between the two republics, but having received no answer to their letter sent some months ago on the subject to the...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, [22 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extracts (two): American Philosophical Society We have, as you know, made Overtures to the Grand Pensionary. We took that to be the regular Course of Proceeding. We expect an Answer. If he gives us none, we shall naturally conclude that there is no Disposition in their H. H. M. M. to have any Connection with us, and I believe we shall give them no farther Trouble; at least that would be my...
13The American Commissioners to Dumas, 10/16 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives We have received yours of the 2d Instant, with the Declaration sign’d by Mr. Van Berckel, and his explanatory Letter to you, which give us much pleasure, as they show the good Disposition of that respectable Body, the Burgomasters of Amsterdam towards the United States of America, and their Willingness, as far as may...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for the Information you give me of Mr. Lee’s Proposition. I do not think he has any Powers to borrow Money for the United States distinct from ours but he may have Power to borrow for Virginia. I think you acted very discretely in the Business; and I am sorry that such a Proposition should be made, as, if known it might have bad Consequences....
15From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 11 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d duly yours of the 25th Past. The Matter it contain’d was so unexpected & surprizing that I have been at a Loss what to answer till I could make some enquiry & Observation; and I find much Embarassment in the Business. One of the Persons concern’d I am acquainted with. He always appear’d to me a Person of Honor & his friendship has been very Serviceable to...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 19 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Since mine of the 11th inst. I have receiv’d an Appointment from Congress to be their sole Minister Plenipotentiary at this Court, my former Colleagues having or being likely to have other Destinations. I have had frequent conversations with your friend concerning a Loan in Holland. A fit of the Gout has interrupted them these two Days, but his Demands appearing to be...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 12 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library; copy: Library of Congress I lately received yours of Oct. 18. recommending Mr Huet Du Plessis, He left it at my House when I was not at home; and having been these three Weeks past much confined by the Gout, I have not been able to look for him.— I have also received yours of Feb. 23. 26 & March 1. The Informations they contain are very Satisfactory. Mr Deane...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 18 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 3 inst. My Indisposition seems to be wearing off; and I hope will permit me to go abroad in a few Days. Mr. Neufville’s first Propositions were so much out of the Way, that I could not accept them. He required a fifth Part of the Loan to be sent over to him annually during the first 5 years in the Produce of America for Sale, & the Money...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 19 inst. You have my free Consent to communicate the Letters you mention (and any others that I have written) to M. L. Ambr. de F. He is a wise Man & our Friend, and his Opinion & Advice, when he may think fit to give it, cannot but be useful in our Affairs. As to that M. Str. I saw him twice with Mr. de Ne. when I was ill with the Gout;...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I take this opportunity by Col. Hope of sending you some Papers , which you may occasionally make use of to Show the upright Conduct of the Congress, in the Affair of Captures &c. if they have not been already—publish’d— I send also a Copy of my general letter relating to Cap. Cook, which you may show to any american Cruiser that may happen to put into any port near...