401The American Commissioners to Van Berckel, 29 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): National Archives <Passy, October 29, 1778: Some of your propositions can only be discussed in a personal interview. We wish you or someone authorized by you might meet one of us at Aix-la-Chapelle or any other place you may judge more convenient. We also leave to you the selection of fictitious names to be used when meeting.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII . In Arthur...
402The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 29 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, October 29, 1778: We are ready to execute and exchange the declarations concerning the omission of the 11th and 12th articles of the treaty of commerce, and ask you to appoint a day for us to wait on you.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII . In the hand...
403The Commissioners to Daniel McNeill, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We received yours of the 12 Instant relative to your Prisoners. Just at the same Time, was published here the Kings Reglement, on the subject of Prizes and Prisoners, of which We inclose you a Copy. We imagined, this must have arrived with you at L’Orient, so as to make any particular order from the minister unnecessary, for We Supposed from the 7th and 15 Article, that General orders had been...
404The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received yours of the 27th of September, and approve of your Proceedings relative to the Cargo of the Therese, and if any Thing further is necessary for Us to do in that Business you will be so good as to advise Us. We are of opinion that you should sign the Receipt to Mr. Williams, copy of which you transmitted Us, as far as the Words United States, inclusively—omitting all that...
405Jonathan Loring Austin to the Commissioners, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Had it been in my Power to acquaint your Excellencies sooner in what Manner I was to proceed, I should have done myself the Honor of addressing you, before it was too late to receive any further Dis patches from Passy. I have (after waiting here with great Anxeity) received Letters from my Freind, which have determined me to proceed for St. Eustatia, and expect to sail next Wednesday or...
406C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
La respectée Vôtre du 10e. m’est parvenue Samedi dernier. Elle est parfaitement comme il la falloit. Le g F en est fort content. J’ai été le même jour la faire lire á notre Ami, et je lui en ai délivré une copie attestée par ma signature. Elle lui a fait un plaisir extrême; et il m’a assuré, à plusieurs reprises, qu’elle en feroit un très-sensible aux Bourguemaitres de sa Ville, à qui il...
407C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 27 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last Saturday I had the honor to receive your letter of 10 October. It is exactly as it should be. The Grand Facteur is very satisfied with it. I went the same day to read it to our friend and gave him a copy, attested by my signature. He was extremely pleased and assured me, several times, that it would make a very good impression on the Burgomasters of his city, who were anxious to know your...
408The American Commissioners to Daniel McNeill, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, October 27, 1778: We received yours of October 12 concerning your prisoners. On the basis of the King’s regulations on prizes and prisoners, published at the same time, we assumed no special ministerial order was necessary and that officers in the ports were instructed to secure prisoners as provided in...
409The American Commissioners to James Moylan, 27 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We received your Favour of the 12 Instant. You will see by the enclosed to Capt. McNeill, which We leave open for your Perusal, the State of the Affair of the Prisoners. In Case of his being obliged to Sail, before he can receive the Ministers particular orders for their Reception, We desire you would take care of...
410The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, October 27, 1778: We have received yours of September 27 and approve your handling of the Thérèse and her cargo. We think you should sign the receipt to Mr. Williams, through the words United States, and omit what follows. He should discharge any demands against him and notify us, who stand behind him, without the...
411Jonathan Loring Austin to the American Commissioners, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Amsterdam, October 27, 1778: I will sail for St. Eustatia next Wednesday or Thursday, as no direct passage for America is available. Had I been able I would have told you sooner, so you could send more dispatches. I doubt that Admiral d’Estaing is in the precarious situation reported by the English newspapers. American affairs provoke conflicting opinions...
412Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, October 27, 1778, in French: Last Saturday [Oct. 24] I received your letter of October 10. The Grand Facteur is very satisfied with it. Our friend [van Berckel] was pleased and assured me several times it would make a good impression on the burgomasters of Amsterdam. He strongly...
413Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 26 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ai répondu, Messieurs, qu’à la premiere partie de la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 12 de ce mois, et la Seconde partie renferme des objets interessants. Sans doute, il Seroit a desirer que l’on put rendre á leur Patrie les Matelots Americains que l’habitude ou la Violence ont attaché au Service de l’Angleterre, et se procurer le double Avantage d’accroitre les...
414Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 26 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I only responded, gentlemen, to the first part of the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 12th of this month, but the second part also contains some interesting points. Without a doubt it would be desirable, if possible, to return to their mother country those American sailors who, through either habit or violence, had been attached to the English service, and thereby achieve the...
415Franklin or Arthur Lee (?) to Genet, [c. 26 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique XII , part II , cahier LVIII , pp. ccxxv–ccxl On October 24 Genet wrote each of the commissioners asking a response to a number of articles in a New York loyalist newspaper. The Affaires in its cahier dated October 26 (but probably published somewhat later) printed three such responses. The third of these (pp. ccxl–ccxlvii) was a translation...
416Marie-Nicole Grossart de Virly Gérard to the American Commissioners, 26 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library J’avois envoyé a mon Mari, mon portrait et celui de ma fille, sur une Boete que M. Williams de Nantes a fait partir par un vaisseau qui a ete pris et conduit a Grenezay. M. de Chaumont m’a dit Messieurs que vous auriez la bonté pour moi et mon mari d’employer votre Correspondant a Nantes, qui a son gendre fils du Maire de Grenezay pour [racheter?] cette Boete...
417Sartine to the American Commissioners, 26 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress (two) <Marly, October 26, 1778, in French: The second part of your letter of October 12 deserves a response as well as the first, to which I have already replied. Although it would serve a double purpose if all American sailors remaining in British service by inertia or coercion could be returned to their native...
418Richard Grinnell to the American Commissioners, 23 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with Pleasure that I Can Inform your honnours that this Day a Rived heare the Brigg Interprise Capt. Paul Peas from London Bound to the Braizels. She was Taken by Belpoole french frigate of thirty two Guns. I have the pleasure of Informeing your honnours that Capt. Francis Macy in the Ship Pitt from London was Taken the Same time by the Venger french...
419The Massachusetts General Court to the American Commissioners, 23 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Agreeable to the Directions of the Genl. Assembly of this State, I do myself the Honor to transmit One hundred Copies of An Act intitled “An Act to prevent the return to this State of certain persons named and described and others who have left the same and joined our inveterate and Cruel Enemies;” in Order that the same may be...
420Pierre Rïou to the American Commissioners, 23 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Sr. Riou ainé Neg[ocian]t a Brest et Interprette Breveté pour les affaires de Sa Majesté seulement a l’honneur de remontrer tres humblement a Messieurs Les Plenipotentiaires des Etats unies de L’amerique, que Le Corsaire ameriquain Le Hamden de Piscatua sous le commandement de thomas Pickeren Esqr. arivé en ce port y a fait conduire le 6. de ce Mois une...
421The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 22 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have just now the Honour of a Lettre from M. De Sartine dated the 19, which We suppose is his Excellencys Ultimatum concerning your Effects taken in the Nile, and We therefore take the earliest opportunity to inclose you a Copy of it that you may be able to take your Measures in Consequence of it, in which We...
422The American Commissioners to Matthew Ridley, 22 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letter dated Paris September 29 1778, with the valuable Present to the united States of America, of a Manuscript Book of the Commissioners of the English Navy, containing a Description of the Dimensions, Guns, Men &c. of most Ships, in Commission at the Time when it was written. We thank you, Sir...
423John Langdon to the Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Courier d Europe Captain Raffin being ready to sail for France, I have taken the Liberty to mention a matter to you that I think will be of Advantage to our Allies as well as profit to me. My haveing a personal acquaintance with two of your Honors, Encouraged me to take this Liberty. The British Navy were in most part furnished with Masts from this Port. I have lately furnished the Count...
424American Prisoners in Dinan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the under Subscribed Persons having Received Your kind favour of the 15 Inst: who are the only [Santuaries?] under God we Rely on, nor do we desire our liberty from other hands than yours; being in Reallity Americans, who are farr from Imposeing upon Your Clemency (or this Goverment) and willing to Stand or fall by our Countrys Cause, as we are well...
425John Langdon to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Portsmouth, N.H., October 21, 1778: Since the Courier de l’Europe , Captain Raffin, is ready to sail for Europe, I take the liberty of mentioning a matter advantageous to our allies and profitable to me. The British Navy was mostly furnished with masts from this port; lately I have sent to Boston all the masts for d’Estaing’s squadron. Please mention to...
426James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Captain Thomas Bell in a private Vessel belonging to Philadelphia with Tobacco, is arrived here this moment from said Town, which he left the first, and it’s Bay the 10th of September last. He Brings dispatches both for you and for Government which the Commissary will forward for you with his Letters to Versailles. I therefore mention it that you may send...
427Abraham Livingston to the Commissioners, 20 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Pleasure to write you 10th and 22d June, to which please be referred; I therein acquainted you that the Honorable Commercial Committe of Congress had ordered several Vessels to this Port for Cargoes for France. The Officers and Mariners of the Ship Flammand absolutely refused to proceed to this Place from the Massachusetts State. The Mellish was destroyed by the Enemy at...
428Abraham Livingston to the American Commissioners, 20 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Charleston, October 20, 1778: I wrote you on June 10 and 22 that the commercial committee of Congress had ordered several vessels from here. The Flammand ’s officers and crew refused to sail here from Massachusetts, the Mellish was destroyed by the British at Bedford, and the ship Hayfield and brigantine Minerva have been ordered to the West Indies. My...
429Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 19 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, les deux Lettres que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire au Sujet de la reclamation que fait M. Izard des Effets pris Sur le batiment le Nil. Je vous ai observé par ma Lettre du 7 de ce mois, que l’Autorite devoit Seulement Suppléer aux Loix lorsqu’elles etoient insuffisantes; et qu’elle devenoit inutile et déplacée lorsque la Legislation etoit claire et précise. Vous...
430Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 19 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, gentlemen, the two letters that you did me the honor to write regarding Mr. Izard’s complaint about the goods captured on the ship, the Nile. In my letter of 7 October, I indicated that the government would intervene only in such cases where the laws were insufficient and that such an intervention would be unnecessary and uncalled for when the legislation was clear and...
431Sartine to the American Commissioners, 19 October 1778: résume (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two) <Marly, October 19, 1778, in French: I have received your letters about Mr. Izard’s complaints. The ship with its cargo has been declared a valid prize; for the government to meddle with the law would create a dangerous precedent. If Mr. Izard’s request is in conformity with the treaties his claim will be...
432Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 17 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Par la Lettre Messieurs que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 28 aoust dernier, vous avez demandé la main levée de la saisie faite à Calais d’une partie des bagages du Sr. Smith. J’ai pris à cet egard les informations les plus exactes et il en...
433The 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...
434Sartine to the American Commissioners, 16 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two) J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, Messieurs, des Exemplaires du Reglement concernant les Prises que des Corsaires françois conduiront dans les Ports des Etats unis de L’Amerique; et celles que les Corsaires Américains ameneront dans les ports de France. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec une parfaite Consideration, Messieurs, votre très...
435The American Commissioners to Sartine, 12[–15] October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, October 12[–15], 1778: We received your letter of the 7th. We believe the article in the commercial treaty applies clearly, strictly and fully to Mr. Izard’s case. The goods were shipped last April, when two months had not elapsed from the declaration of war. Mr. Izard assures us that his name is in many of the...
436The American Commissioners to Americans Taken on Board of English Frigates, 15 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received a Letter from Mr. Robert Harrison of the 7 Octr. and another from John Lemon, Edward Driver and John Nichols, of the 12, all Prisoners in Dinant Castle, all professing to be Americans who have been first compelled into the Service of their Enemies, and then taken Prisoners by the French. You are not...
437John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 13 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
By Letters this day from Couronna we have advice that the 30th Ultimo arrived at that Port an American privateer of 20 guns. She left Boston 14 August. He reports that Adml. How with the reinforcement he had receivd went down to Rhode Island. He there found Comte D’estaing who on his approach stood out to meet him. A Gale of wind prevented their engageing. Both Fleets sufferd severely by the...
438The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 13 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have the Honour of enclosing to you a Copy of M. de Sartines Answer to our Application in Support of your Demand of your Baggage taken on Board the Nile. We have agreable to your last Letter written again to Mr. De Sartine requesting him to Stop the Sale of the Things till you can make your Objections to their being...
439The American Commissioners to Sartine, [13] October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies: National Archives We had the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 7 Instant to which We shall take the Liberty of answering fully by another opportunity. As you mention that the Prize was condemned on the 20th Mr. Izard is apprehensive that the goods in Question may be sold, before the ordinary Course of Law can prevent...
440John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 13 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, October 13, 1778: We learn from an American privateer which arrived at Corunna on September 30 that Admiral Howe tried to relieve Rhode Island. His and d’Estaing’s fleets were severely damaged in a storm; he has returned to New York and d’Estaing regained his post off Newport. The privateer took two packet boats from which he has brought into...
441The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did Us the Honour to write to Us on the Seventh of this Month, We duely received. In our Letter of the twenty Sixth of the last Month respecting the Goods of Mr. Izard on board the Nile, we cited the Sixteenth Article of the Treaty of Commerce, in Support of Mr. Izards claim, which your Excellency thinks an Error, and that it is the Fourteenth Article which...
442To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have hoped for Leisure to answer your favor as fully as, in my own Vindication, it demands. There are matters touched in it, which imply a Censure upon me, which a recapitulation of facts, I am satisfied, would convince you is unjust. But as I dispair of sufficient Leisure for some time, I must content myself with replying to what is immediately necessary. A desire to remove as much as I...
443Daniel McNeill to the Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
After my Arrivall here I applyed to the Agent to recive the prisoners who promised he would the next morning, upon which I sent them a Shoar, but they ware refused to be Landed by the Comadant for want of Orders from the Ministry to that purpose, therefore was oblidged to Carry them onboard again, but shall not be able to Carry them out of France without turning at least twenty Americans a...
444Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ay point oublié, Messieurs, L’Intéret que vous prenez a M. Jones et la Demande que vous avez faite de lui accorder un Batiment armé qui puissé le transporter en Amerique. Le Roi a qui j’en ai rendu Compte est disposé a donner cette facilité a ce Capitaine. Mais Je desire prealablement de Scavoir s’il sera possible de composer de Matelots Americains l’Equipage du Batiment qui sera fourni a...
445Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have not forgotten, gentlemen, the interest you took in Mr. Jones and your request that he be granted an armed vessel to carry him to America. The King, to whom I have rendered a report, is disposed to give the captain this facility. But I would like to know, beforehand, if it would be at all possible to make up the crew of the vessel, which will be provided Mr. Jones, from American sailors,...
446James Lovell to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress Congress having foreign Affairs now under Consideration, I shall not write to you on that Subject, more especially as it is quite uncertain how the present Papers will be conveyed to you. Nor shall I pretend to unravel to you the Designs of the Enemy. They are very inscrutable: The Printers know...
447Daniel McNeill to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, October 12, 1778: After my arrival I applied to the agent to receive my prisoners; I sent them ashore but the commandant of the port refused them, lacking orders from the ministry. I cannot take them on board unless I send twenty Americans ashore. Since few opportunities for passage exist, this would be a great hardship for men who escaped English...
448James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the receipt of your favors 22d. and 31st. Augst. nothing occur’d worth troubling you with my letters. In consequence of your letter of 31st. August I apply’d to the Commissary of this port, to receive Cap. McNeill’s prisoners, but he refused taking charge of them, as he had no kind of orders to that effect from Government. Cap. McNeill since his...
449Sartine to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), National Archives Je n’ai point oublié, Messieurs, l’intérêt que vous prenez à M. Jonet [Jones] et la Demande que vous avez faite, de lui accorder un Bâtiment armé qui puisse le transporter à l’Amerique. Le Roi à qui j’en ai rendu compte, est disposé a donner cette facilité à ce Capitaine, mais je desire prealablement de savoir, s’il sera possible de composer...
450From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 10 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have sometimes complained, that having no Place appointed for the public Papers, nor any Person to keep them in order, was an Inconvenience and Interruption to the public Business; I have added , that to have the Papers in my Chamber, as they are in disorder, and many Persons going to them at Pleasure, taking out Some, and removing others, was un equal upon me, as making me in a Sort...