451The 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...
452Gourlade, 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...
453Dumas 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...
454James 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...
455The American Commissioners to [Gerard], 30 January 1778 [i.e. 27] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; ALS (draft) or copy: University of Virginia Library We have concluded to make no farther Propositons for the present Treaty. We only wish the Word Sovereignty may be inserted in the two Places propos’d, if not thought absolutely improper. We have the Honour to be with the greatest Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants We print the...
456Francis 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...
457Dumas 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...
458John 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...
459To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The background of this note was Lee’s dispatch from England to the committee of secret correspondence of June 3, 1776. William Carmichael was supposed to deliver it but did not for more than two years; he and Silas Deane opened it, kept it, and used it, Lee believed, to cause trouble for him. The statement about the episode that Lee enclosed with his note is...
460John 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...
461Gérard 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 /...
462James 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...
463Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 30 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two LS : University of Virginia Library; copies: Harvard University Library, South Carolina Historical Society More mature deliberation and fuller lights upon the subject, have satisfyd me that I was wrong in receding from my opinion against the admissibility of the 12th. Article in the proposd commercial treaty. I shoud therefore think myself neglectful of...
464Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Harvard University Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (four), University of Virginia Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We have maturely considered your Letter of the 30th past. And tho’ we cannot see the mischievous Consequences of the 12th. Article which you apprehend, yet conceiving that Unanimity on this Occasion is of...
465Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I enclose you a note of the price of Arms in the King of Prussia’s Manufactory, sent me by the Baron Schulenburg; with information that the Director had orders to let us have whatever we orderd. He says they will come cheaper if we do not want them so highly finishd as the King requires them. Shoud you think it proper that any of them shoud be sent to...
466Gérard 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...
467Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I arrived here from England after effecting my escape from Mill Prison. I have in Company Capt: Eleazer Johnson of the Dalton. I am going on to Dunkirk as fast as possible. Shall be Obliged to your Honours if you’d let me know whether it will be necessary for me to come to Paris. I shall wait at Dunkirk for your answer. I shall not now endeavour...
468The Navy Board for the Eastern Department to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Having presumed to draw a Bill on you in favour of Mr. William Dennie a merchant of this Town for one hundred pounds Sterling, it becomes necessary to Appologize for this Step by Explaining the reasons of our Conduct, which otherways must Appear very extraordinary, as we have neither the Express Orders of Congress for it or have...
469The American Commissioners to Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, 3 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Mr. Dorsius of Charlestown South Carolina is a Gentleman we would recommend to you as one much employed, and of Confidence, and one very proper to act for you in your Affair at that Place. Should Mr. Dorsius be engaged in other Business, or should he or his Friends be so interested in that Privateer which made Prize of your Vessel (which is possible) that...
470The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 3 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: National Archives We have just receivd information that Mr. Thomas Morris, at Nantes, one of the commercial Agents of Congress, is at the point of death; and that his Papers, on that event, will be taken possession of by the Officers of the Crown. As some of these Papers may very materially concern the public business, we beg an Order...
471Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 3 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been for several Days down to the Ship and left her at St. Nazare. I have done with both the French Ships. I beg you will please to apply for an order to wait in Quiberon ’till all the Ships join else I am afraid the Brune will be left. Poor Mr. Morris has finished his affairs in this world. I am much concerned at being absent, but every care was...
472Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 5 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When Congress did me the honour to send me a Commission, and Instructions for the Court of Tuscany, they did not inform me to whom I was to apply for money to bear my expenses. I therefore think it proper to apply to you, to know if you have any money belonging to them in your hands, and if it is agreeable to you for that purpose to give me a Letter of...
473The Franco-American Treaty of Alliance, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives; copies in French and English: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), University of Virginia Library; copy in French: Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid The hope of concluding this treaty and the one that follows had been the commission’s mainstay for fourteen months, but negotiating them took less than three weeks. Gérard began the discussions on...
474The Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives; copies in French and English: Massachusetts Historical Society, Harvard University Library, National Archives; copies in French: Archives du ministère des affaires étrangères (draft), Harvard University Library, Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Traité d’Amitié et de Commerce The most Christian King, and the thirteen United States of North...
475The American Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We hereby request That you would pay Such Bills as shall be drawn on you upon Our Acct. by the Honl. Wm. Lee Esqr. or the honl. Ralph Izard Esqr. for any sums they may have Occasion for To the Amount of Two Thousand Louis D’orrs to each of them. We are sir Your most Obedient Humble Servants (Signed) Notation by Franklin: Letter of Credit written to M. Grand for Messrs...
476John Ross to the American Commissioners, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I had the honour to address you on the 29 Ulto. on the business of Mr. Thomas Morris late Commercial Agent now deceast, and tho not as yet favoured with your answere, doubt not Your attention to those measures, Proper to command possession and a liberty of Inspection into those Books and papers now under Seals. The Ship La Brune under the direction and command of...
477The Commerce Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: American Philosophical Society; transcript: Library of Congress The Honorable William Lee Esqr. having been appointed a Commissioner to the Court of Prussia, and Mr. Thomas Morris having been removed from the Commercial Agency, Congress have empowered and directed us to write to you, desiring you would appoint one or more suitable Persons to be...
478Dumas 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...
479John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 10 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Harvard University Library, National Archives (two) I had the honor of writeing to you from Nantes the 27th ulto. The affair of Quiberon (which I did not then know of) is now in every Brokers mouth. Strange! that nothing can remain Secret. Should I find that Force likely to depart within a few days I will Avail myself of its protection, especially...
480The American Commissioners to John Ross, 11 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 6th. came to hand in Course; as Mr. W. Lee will be with you before the receipt of this we refer you to him for what has been done as to the Late Mr. Morris’s Papers &c. In regard to the Ship purchased by you, Commanded by Capt. J. Green which you Offer to assign over to the Public account we are content that you do it and Charge the amount to...