Benjamin Franklin Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="American Commissioners" AND Recipient="Conyngham, Gustavus" AND Period="Revolutionary War" AND Correspondent="Lee, Arthur"
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-26-02-0254

The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, [before 19 April 1778]

The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham

AL (draft):3 Library of Congress

[Before April 19, 1778]

Sir:

The interest which the public has in the vessel you command makes us regard her as a continental Ship of war. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Ross have therefore no right to direct or controul you. Neither had Mr. Deane alone any right to dispose of the vessel; nor of the produce of the prizes you made, as Monsr. Lagonere informs us he has done.4 You will give us an account for the future of your plans and proceedings; and the Individuals who may be concernd in her, (for we know not who they are nor how far they have contributed) will have their share when they prove their right. We are &c.

To Capt. Cunningham

Notation by John Adams: Sketch of a Letter to Capt. Cunningham

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

3In Arthur Lee’s hand, his suggested draft of the commissioners’ more restrained letter of the 19th, which immediately follows.

4Deane had authorized Hodge to take direction of the ship and Lagoanere to dispose of the prizes: Deane Papers, II, 263, 375.

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