251Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 16 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçû, Messieurs, avec la Lettre, que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire, le 12 de ce mois, la Copie de celle qui vous a été Adressée par M. Schweighausser Agent des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale à Nantes, au Sujet de l’Escorte qu’il demande, ainsi que plusieurs Negociants Americains, pour un certain nombre de Navires qu’ils doivent expedier vers la fin du mois. J’aurois été...
252Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received with the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 12th of this month, gentlemen, the copy of the letter addressed to you by Mr. Schweighauser, agent for the United States of North America at Nantes, on the subject of the escort that he, together with several other American merchants, requests for a number of vessels that they hope to send off toward the end of the...
253John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 16 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, November 16, 1778: Having received no answer from you, I am writing a third time to request money to join my regiment in South Carolina. A convoy is expected and the vessels will be ready to sail. It is the custom of every nation to supply an officer who has been taken prisoner with the amount of his pay to rejoin his station. If this were not so,...
254Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 16 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; Library of Congress (two), National Archives; (II) copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; Library of Congress (two) J’ai reçû, Messieurs, avec la Letter, que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire, le 12. de ce mois, la Copie de celle qui vous a été Adressée par M. Schweighauser Agent des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale à Nantes, au...
255James Smith to the Commissioners, 15 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose you the Testimony of Mr. Anthy. Payn concerning the detention of my Goods at Calis with the names of the Officer by whom they were taken and the Servant of Mr. Payn who was also eye witness to the transaction and lives at the Hotel Lyon d’Argent at Calais. It may be also proper to inform you that a Gentleman who I have been given to understand by Mr. Williams is...
256James Smith to the American Commissioners, 15 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <Paris, November 15, 1778: I enclose the testimony of Mr. Anthony Payn concerning the detention of my goods, which gives the names of the officer who took them and of Mr. Payn’s servant, who was also a witness. Your agent at Calais, together with Mr. Whitall and Miss Farrel were also informed at the time about the case. Mr. Williams...
257Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 14 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai mis Sous les yeux de Roy, Messieurs, les Raisons qui pouvoient determiner Sa Majesté à accorder la Liberté au Sujets des Etats Unis prissoniers en France; mais elle à pensé Sagement que cette Faveur ne devoit être acordée qu’à ceux qui ont été pris Sur des Batimens americains et forcés de servir contre leur patrie. En Consequence, Messieurs il Seroit nécéssaire que vous prissiez la Peine,...
258Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 14 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have placed before the King, gentlemen, the reasons which might convince His Majesty to grant freedom to the subjects of the United States who are prisoners in France. He thought wisely, however, that this favor should be accorded only to those who have been taken on American ships and forced to serve against their country. Therefore, gentlemen, it will be necessary that you take the trouble...
259Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 14 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives J’ai mis sous les yeux du Roy, Messieurs, les raisons qui pouvoient determiner sa Majesté a accorder la liberté aux Sujets des Etats unis prisonniers en France. Mais elle a pensé sagement que cette faveur ne doit être accordée qu’à ceux qui ont été pris sur des Batimens americains et forcés de...
260C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 13 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Les affaires deviennent ici extrêment sérieuses. La résolution (dont ma lettre du 10 vous parle) de refuser les convois aux Matieres marines, n’est pas encore formellement prise ici. On a décidé seulement, que Mercredi prochain on prendra à cet égard une résolution à la pluralité. Mrs. d’Amsterdam ont protesté contre cette pluralité, comme contraire à la Constitution, qui, dans ce cas, demande...
261C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 13 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Things are becoming extremely serious here. The resolution (mentioned in my letter of the 10th) to refuse convoys to naval stores has not yet been formally adopted. It has been decided only that next Wednesday a resolution in this regard should be adopted by a plurality. The gentlemen from Amsterdam have protested against this as being contrary to the Constitution which, in this case, requires...
262Dumas to the American Commissioners, 13 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <[The Hague], November 13, 1778, in French: Next Wednesday a resolution on refusing convoy for naval stores will be decided by plurality vote [of the states of the Province of Holland]. Amsterdam has protested that the constitution requires unanimous consent in this case. Mr. van Berckel and the...
263Intelligence from Havana and Other Places, 13 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
D : National Archives As in past volumes, we print one example of the intelligence reports Franklin received and summarize the remainder. Sent to Franklin by his friend the chevalier de Kéralio, a military inspector with extensive contacts in French ports, the reports for the period covered by this volume increase markedly in both number (fifty-nine in all) and geographical range. Only eight...
264The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last Night, We had a Letter from Nantes a Copy of which we have the honour to inclose to your Excellency. The Subject of it appears to us, of great Importance to the United States, as well as to the Individuals, Frenchmen and Americans, who are interested in the Vessels destined to America, to a considerable Number of Gentlemen and others who are going Passengers in this Fleet, and ultimately...
265The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Alliance between this Kingdom, and the United States of America, is an Event of such Magnitude in their History, that We conceive it would be highly pleasing to our Constituents, to have the Picture of their his Majesty their illustrious Friend and Ally, to be kept in some Public Place where the Congress sits. We would carefully avoid every Thing which would be disagreable to the King and...
266John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having concluded with Mr. Schweighauser for the publick freight the two Ships are ready and will proceed the begining of Next Week for Penbeuf. We have apply’d for a Convoy for the Ships which we have room to flatter ourselves will be granted and will thereby secure their passage from hence to the Loire, as there will be no delay at Nantes in the Loading all being ready both to Ship and Load...
267Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Defleury, Messieurs, m’a réprésenté que son fils unique, s’embarqua en 1776 pour se rendre en Amerique, ou il a servi les Etats Unis dans l’Armée du General Washington, avec assez de distinction pour mériter le grade de lieutenant Colonel, mais qu’ayant ête fait prisonnier et conduit au fort St. Augustin il n’a pas encore pû obtenir son Echange, et il se trouve dans l’Etat le plus...
268Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. De Fleury, gentlemen, has informed me that in 1776 his only son embarked for America where he has served the United States in General Washington’s army with enough distinction to merit the rank of lieutenant colonel, but that having been made prisoner and taken to Fort St. Augustine he has been unable to obtain his exchange and finds himself in a most deplorable state. The distinction this...
269The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Your favours of the 15 Octr. and 1st of November We have recd with their Inclosures. And We approve of your Conduct and the Reasons of it, excepting Mr De la Plaine.— As he is not in the service of the united States We cannot justify, putting the united States to Expence for his assistance. You will please to draw upon...
270The American Commissioners to Sartine, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Last Night, We had a Letter from Nantes a Copy of which we have the honour to inclose to your Excellency. The Subject of it appears to us, of great Importance to the United States, as well as to the Individuals, Frenchmen and Americans, who are interested in the Vessels destined to America,...
271John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 12 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <La Rochelle, November 12, 1778: I concluded agreements with Mr. Schweighauser for the public freight of the two ships [the Governor Livingston and the Chasseur ] which will proceed to Paimboeuf next week. We, like the merchants of Nantes, have applied for a convoy. These two ships will be very valuable; an application from you should insure the convoy. We...
272James Laurens, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return you my sincere thanks for the Pass that you were so obliging as to send me, under cover of a Letter of 23d. Ulto: from Doctr. Franklin. And I am exceedingly mortified at finding myself under the necessity of troubling you again upon this occasion, but the Commandant of this place, informs me, that a Pass from Government is indispensably necessary....
273Sartine to the American Commissioners, 12 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two), National Archives <Versailles, November 12, 1778, in French: M. de Fleury has informed me that in 1776 his only son went to America to serve in Washington’s army, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was captured at Fort St. Augustine, where he is in a deplorable condition. Please consider the father’s request that...
274The American Commissioners to William Hamilton and John Welch, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letters and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum of Money. But as We have already lent you as much, as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we cannot, without a...
275The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have this Moment received the Letter, which you did Us the Honour to write to Us, on the Seventh of the present Month, and We hold ourselves obliged to you for giving Us an opportunity of uniting our Endeavours with yours, to obtain a Sufficient Convoy for the Vessells bound to America for the whole Voyage. It...
276Thomas Bell to the American Commissioners, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sailed from Philad. the 6 of Sept. I Recd. no Letters from the Committe of Congress. The privet Letters I Recd. from Mr. Deane and the Honbl. Richard Henery Lee & Mr. Carmichell as to the dispatches for the Court of France I Recd. them from Monsr. Gerard as to Aney Other Letters I Recd. non— Gentln. I shall Sail Shortly for Philad. If you have Aney...
277The Commissioners to John Gilbank, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received your Letter of October the sixth, and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large sum. But as We have al ready lent you as much Money as We have lent been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, it is not in our Power we cannot without a blameable Partiality to lend...
278C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere, de 4e. partit le 6e. Demain sera un jour important, et qui aura des suites très sérieuses, si Amsterdam mollit Nous savons déjà quel sera l’avis préalable des Amirautés. Le Committé nommé pour conférer là-dessus avec Mrs. de l’Amirauté a fait son rapport, que voici: 1.° On refusera d’entrer en pourparler avec Sir Y. sur le sens des Traités quant aux Matieres de Construction et...
279C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 10 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last, of the 4th, left on the 6th. Tomorrow will be an important day and, if Amsterdam softens its position, will have serious consequences. We already know what the preliminary advisory of the Admiralties will be. The committee named to confer on this matter with the gentlemen of the Admiralty has made the following report: 1. They will refuse to enter into negotiations with Sir Joseph...
280The American Commissioners to John Gilbank, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have receivd your Letter of October the Sixth, and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum. But as We have already lent you as much Money as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we...
281Dumas to the American Commissioners, 10 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 10, 1778, in French: Tomorrow the Admiralty will issue its advisory, refusing to negotiate with Sir Joseph Yorke and insisting on the restitution of the captured ships, but ruining everything by in effect suspending convoys. Our friend seems embarrassed. Another person says...
282The American Commissioners to Jacques Leveux, 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Several Letters of the 26 August, 25 September and 17 October, informing us of Several sums you have advanced to Americans escaped from England. We request you to send Us an Account Stated of all the Disbursements you have made and the Receipts you have taken for the Money; and we consent you...
283Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioners, 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Three ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to inform you that since my last of Sept 18th. I have emitted Loan Office Bills of Exchange as follows Viz To the State New Jersey 10 Setts for 36 Dollr. each Numbered 989 to 998 Inclusive 10 . . do. . . 60 . . . . do. . . . . 328 to 337 — 10 . . do. . .
284The Commissioners to the President of the Congress, 7 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour to inclose a Copy of the Declaration concerning the 11 and 12 Articles of the Treaty of Commerce, which we have received from his Excellency the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in exchange for a similar one signed by us, in Pursuance of the Instructions of Congress. We have also the Honour to inclose Copies of a Correspondence with his Excellency Mr. de Sartine, the...
285J. D. Schweighauser and Others to the Commissioners, 7 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
The repeated Captures of American Vessells, many of which notwithstanding the Convoys we have had off this Coast have been taken the day after their Separation, and the Knowledge obtained by Our Enemies of the time of Our Vessells sailing, which induces them to cruize at a greater distance to watch the Moment that the French Frigates part from their Convoy, incline us to wish for more...
286The American Commissioners to Marie-Nicole Grossart de Virly Gérard, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We had the honor of receivg. yr. commands relative to the Portraits taken & carried into Guernsey. We have accordingly written to Mr. S——r at Nantes, who we hope may be able to recover them. As soon as he shall inform us of the success of his endeavors we shall acquaint you with it. We have the honor &c. French minister Gérard’s wife. In Arthur Lee’s hand. Schweighauser.
287The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 7 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, South Carolina Historical Society, National Archives (two); two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, November 7, 1778: We enclose copies of our declaration concerning articles 11 and 12 of the Treaty of Commerce, correspondence with M. de Sartine on rescues and recaptures, and correspondence regarding negotiations with the...
288Gentlemen at Nantes to the American Commissioners, 7 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, November 7, 1778: Repeated captures of American vessels off this coast induce us to seek more effective protection. The intelligence our enemies obtain about the departure of our ships allows their capture as soon as the French frigates part from their convoy. Not only are supplies to our country threatened, so are the American gentlemen intending...
289Sartine to the American Commissioners, 6 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de M’écrire le 30. du mois dernier. Je vous suis très obligé d’avoir bien voulu me communiquer ce qui vous est revenu sur les avantages que les Anglois tirent de la pêche de la Baleine, qu’ils font sur les côtes du Bresil, à la hauteur de la riviere de la Plata....
290The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 5 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of the 5th. of this Month, but as the Memoire, of the French surgion, which your Excellency proposed to transmit to Us, was, by some Accident omitted to be inclosed in your Letter, We are ignorant of his Case, and consequently unable to inform your Excellency whether it is in our Power to afford him any Relief. If your Excellency, will have the...
291Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine to the American Commissioners, 5 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives J’ai l’honneur, Messieurs, de vous envoyer un mémoire qui m’a été adressé d’Alresford, par un Chirurgien François pris sur le Batiment Americain Le Gest. Si les Etats unis ont adoptés quelques precautions pour faire passer des secours à leurs Sujets, detenus en Angleterre, je ne doute pas que vous ne les...
292The American Commissioners to Sartine, 5 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, November 5, 1778: We received your letter of the fifth of this month, but since the memoir concerning the French surgeon was omitted, we cannot give you an adequate answer. The United States has no official policy for prisoners in England. We have loaned small sums to those who have escaped English captivity to...
293The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 4 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have at length obtained a sight of Mr. Bersoles Accounts, and take this opportunity to communicate to you, our Observations upon them. As by the Resolutions of Congress, the whole of all Vessells of War, taken by our Frigates belong to the officers and Men: nay farther as they have even an Additional Encouragement of a Bounty upon every Man and every Gun, that is on board such Prizes: it...
294C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 4 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere est d’hier. Je viens de chez notre Ami; et je prends le parti, quoique ma Lettre ne puisse pas partir aujourd’hui, de vous rendre notre conversation pendant qu’elle est encore fraiche dans ma Mémoire. Mrs. d’Amsterdam sont revenus avec des instructions vigoureuses de leurs commettants. Ils seront peut-être suivis d’une troisieme adresse plus sérieuse encore que les précédentes. Si...
295C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 4 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last was of yesterday. I have just returned from seeing our friend and, although this letter cannot be mailed today, take the opportunity to give you an account of our conversation while it is still fresh in my mind. The gentlemen from Amsterdam returned with strong instructions from their constituents. This perhaps will result in a third address, even more serious than the previous ones....
296John Gilbank to the Commissioners, 4 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I took the liberty some time ago to write to your Excellency’s informing you of the Situation in which I found myself, and requesting to be supplied with Money for necessary Expences in the manner in my Letter mentioned or otherwise as should seem meet. Not having since that time been favoured with any Answer, I am under the necessity of applying to Your Excellency’s again to be informed, by...
297The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 4 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) <Passy, November 4, 1778: We have at last seen M. Bersolle’s accounts. According to the resolutions of Congress, all captured vessels of war belong to the officers and crew, who in fact receive a bounty for every man and gun on board. Congress never intended to be accountable for further expense on account of these prizes. Every...
298Dumas to the American Commissioners, 4 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 4, 1778, in French: I have just seen our friend and take this opportunity to report our conversation. Amsterdam has sent strong instructions to its representatives and if the evasions continue will use other means, about which they did not wish to tell me. Sir Joseph Yorke has...
299John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 4 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, November 4, 1778: I am applying to you again for money to meet my necessary expenses. Without assistance I can neither avail myself of an opportunity to sail for America nor fulfill my duty to Congress; my attachment to the American cause precludes my receiving help from my family. Had I not been captured on my last attempt to get to America, this...
300The Commissioners to John Ross, 3 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received yours of the twenty seventh of October, inclosing a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of the 11. Aug. 1778. We shall conform ourselves exactly pay the strictest Attention and Obedience to this Resolution of Congress, and to all others, as far as shall be in our Power; and shall be always ready to receive your Accounts and to settle them, and pay the Ballance if any should...