251Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 31 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed you by Monsr. Le Baron De Cadignun, whom I beg leave to introduce to your Acquaintance and hope you will render him all the service in your power, as he has been very kind and ready to render me every Service in his power for which I am much obliged, as he has been very Buissy in preventing the Paris orders from being rigorously executed...
252The American Commissioners to George Washington, [August or September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, a young Nobleman of great Expectations and exceedingly belov’d here, is by this time probably with you. By some Misapprehension in his Contract with the Merchants of Bordeaux he was prevented from using the Produce of the Cargo he carried over, and so was left without a Supply of Money. His Friends here have sent him over about £500...
253Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 1 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 25th. July Came safe to hand. As to French Seaman who are Now in Goal, they do not Deserve Pitty as they were sent out of the Way preveous to the Officers Comeing on board to look for them and they went the Next day and delivered themselves up to the Judge of the Admiralty who put them all in Prison. I am very glad to find you approve of my...
254[Ferdinand Grand]: Draft Contract for the American Commissioners, 1 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Nous soussignés en vertu de nos pouvoirs donnons ordre et pouvoir á Mr. [ blank in MS ] de nous procurer au mioeux possible et le plus promptement que faire se pourra quatre flutes de Guerre Comme Celle qui se construit en hollande. Nous nous engageons en Consequence de fournir les fonds et les avances necessaires à sa requisition; nous en rapportant á tout...
255Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have just received your favour of the 28th Ultimo and shall take care to observe all your Directions with the greatest Exactness, but I must first inform you of a most vexatious turn our Affairs relative to the Duc de Chartres are about to take unless we can sufficiently oppose the Design. When I bought this Ship...
256Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 3 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered by Monsr. Becard a Very Worthy and respectable Merchant of this place and is disposed to enter into the American Trade. As he will Confer with you personally on this Subject, I shall refer you to him for the particulars of his Intentions on this head. As this Gentleman has been very Kind in rendering me every Service in his power at...
257Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters of Introduction, 6 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be presented you by Monsr. De Foligné Commander of a french Frigatte belonging to Mr. Montieu. He is lately arrived, after a successfull Voyage, from South Carolina, and comes to Paris on Business. I beg leave to introduce him to you as a Gentleman of exceeding good abilities in his profession and much attached to the american Interest, which he...
258The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Inclosed are duplicates of Commissions and Instructions for William Lee and Ralph Izard Esqrs and Triplicates of Letters No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Since our last No. 6 a Variety of Circumstances in the military Department have happened, many of which are so intricate and unfinished as not to...
259Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Mr. DeSeGray has informed me of his sending an Account of the Seize and quantity of Cordage Sufficient for a Ship of 64 or 74 Guns I think it Needless to add any thing on that head. We are now all ready and Clear for Sailing, only wait your Orders, Our powder is Stop’d in the Magazine and will not be deliver’d without a positive Order from the Minester...
260Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library The Day my last was written I purchased the Ship in question for 55500 Livres and by her excellence and fitness for our purpose, I hope she will sufficiently make up for the Loss of the Duc de Chartres. I have this Day drawn on Mr. Grand in 6 different Drafts for 15000 Livres and have advised him accordingly, which please to desire him to honour; this makes...
261John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having a small Sloop call’d the Mongomery Robt. Willis master, that I propose to send back to America Arm’d, not having a Commission for her which I apprehend lays in your power to grant, I take the Liberty to make application to you for One. I propose her to mount Six four pounders to carry thirty Men and otherways properly equipt. I am not determin’d if I...
262William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society; AL : American Philosophical Society By a Sloop of War Sailing this Evening for Brest, I have only Time to communicate to you the important News that has been received to Day by a Vessel which Sailed from Salem the beginning of July and brings a Gazette of the 3d of that Month which mentions, that Gen. Howe after having made a Junction of Some of his Troops...
263Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just Setting off for St. Mallo where Mr. Williams thinks I had better spend about 3 Weeks, in order to be out of the way and give time for our new ship to be built. I Shall have Capt. Tanner here to overlook as much as is needfull, or we dare appear in. He is an Experienced man in Ship building and A Compleat Draughts man. I shall send you the draught...
264Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my last I omitted mentioning that the Vessell from North Carolina was from Edington and the Capt. said he saw the account of the affair at Brunswick in a Newspaper which he unfortunately did not bring with him. This news we afterwards began to doubt, because the News from England which confess’d to have recvd. Accounts so late as the 23 June, did not...
265The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 12 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library After Wickes’s squadron was sequestered on July 15 and Conyngham sailed from Dunkirk two days later, the commissioners’ relations with Versailles might have been expected to improve. Instead they grew worse, largely because Conyngham disobeyed his orders and took prizes. When one was recaptured, and most of...
266Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 12 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will inform you of my present unhappy Situation. The Judge of the Admiralty have receiv’d orders of the 6th. Instant from the Minester at Paris, ordering them not to Suffer me to take any Cannon Powder or other Millatary Stores on board or to depart from the port on any Consideration whatever without further Orders from Paris. In consequence of those...
267Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 15 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This serves to informe You of my Arrival at this Place the Day before Yesterday from Nantes, which Place I left the 11th. Inst., at which time I wrote informeing You of the Same. Capt. Wickes has recomended Mr. Elliot, his Lieut. of Marines, to go out with me as Capt. of Marines, if this shou’d meet with your Approbation You will be pleased to send me A...
268Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 15 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered by my very good Friend Mr. Beaugear, who has been very kind in rendering me every Service in his power since his Arrival, as I have recommended his House here in a former letter have but little to add on that Subject, they Continue to do every thing in their power to Assist me and makes my detention as Agreeable as possible. As their...
269Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 15 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With the inclosed I recvd two large Packets, one for Congress the other for Gen. Washington, which cost 10 livres Postage. I shall send them forward by next opportunity unless you forbid it, but I think proper to inform you of it. I am with the greatest Respect Gentlemen Your obedient Servant Addressed: To / The Honble Silas Deane Esqr / Paris Notation: Mr....
270William Lee to the American Commissioners, 18 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library; copy: Virginia Historical Society; two copies of extracts: University of Virginia Library Yesterday arrived here The Brig Liberty Capt. Herbert with 108 hogsheads of Tobacco on Account of the State of Virginia consign’d to J. Gruel & Co. She left Virginia July 10th runing the fire of 5 Men of War that guards the mouth of the Bay of Chesapeak. The Capt. is a...
271Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, [after] [19] August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Public Record Office Should have wrote you e’er this! I had no subject to write upon, knowing you have enough else to do besides reading a Scrawl, which signified nothing. Yours of the 19th Inst. came safe to hand, have to say I have done tolerable well with the French Sailors, many of them finding I would pay them no money have decamped; others (some few) have gone on board....
272The American Commissioners to William Lee and Thomas Morris, [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress This letter was almost unquestionably not sent. It was to be in answer to a now missing one of the 16th, in which Lee and Morris claimed, according to Arthur Lee, that the powers given to Jonathan Williams to handle prizes were incompatible with their own agency and should be withdrawn. Deane and Franklin were ready to do so, as they say here, but proposed to...
273The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Prize of Capt. Wickes, which we ordered into your Hands, we desire you will deliver up to the Disposal of Mr. Lee; and are Your humble Servants Notation: Letter to Mr Williams This is also in BF ’s hand and was clearly intended to accompany the preceding letter; like it, we assume, it was not sent.
274Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 22 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should be very glad to know my future destination and how I am to Act in regard to the proceedings of the Admiralty Officers at this port. If I am not dispatched Soon think it Will be Necessary to hawl the Ship on Shore again and Clean her as She is very Dirty and will not Sail without being Clean. I am informed Capt. Green of Philadelphia is Now at...
275Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 23 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have drawn on you in favour of Monsr. L’Escuyer 22d Augt. at one Usance for 6192. 17. 8 which please to honour; this Draft is for a quantity of tricot and Lining on which I have deducted 11 months Discount having bought it at a years Credit. A Bill was presented to me the 20th Inst. drawn by S. Smith at Plymouth for £12 Sterling; I know nothing of this...
276Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour of the 19th. Instant which in some Measure has given me releaf in respect to Complying with orders from the Minester at Paris, which will be Strictly attended to, on my part, but am very Sorry our Necessities obliges us to Submit to our present hard Fate. However hope you will Contrive to get me away as soon as possible, as I Can...
277The American Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, [26 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress On August 21 Vergennes answered the commissioners’ letter of the 12th by a note to Grand. They would be well advised, the Minister said, to write him about Hodge and the retention of the American privateers. Franklin did not know what to say in the letter, he remarked to Lee three days later, because he had had no part in the business of Conyngham, which had...
278The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society The matter-of-fact tone of this letter, and of the virtually identical one to Wickes that follows, conceals the fact that the commissioners had sustained a major defeat. Conyngham’s cruise infuriated Whitehall: on August 19 Stormont delivered a demand that Wickes’s squadron leave port, and Vergennes expected a British declaration of war. Naval patrols were...
279The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We conclude by this orders are recd. for permitting you to depart for America on condition of not cruising in these Sea’s nor returning into the Ports of France with the reprisal. We therefore desire you to put your ship into the proper state for sailing, and to supply her with the Provisions necessary for the Voyage. We must wait to know from you what...
280The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Having obtained permission for the Dolphin to sail for america on condition of her not Cruising in these sea’s nor returning again to the Ports of France you will equip her for sailing with all the Expedition Possible. We have agreed to appoint Capt. Brown to the Command of her, if agreable to him, let him take the Charge of her and put her in a proper...
281Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day drawn on you two drafts the first in favor of L Escuyer at one usance for 3801.15. the second in favor of Peltier Du Doyer at four Usances 2764.7: 6566.2. The first of these drafts is in payment for some Lining for the Soldiers Cloaths, and the last in payment for some Sail Cloth for the Lions Sails. I have recvd. part of the Soldiers...
282The American Commissioners: Certificate for a Supercargo, [29 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS and draft: American Philosophical Society To all Persons in Authority in any of the United States of America. The Ship Harmony of Bordeaux, Francis Barboutin Captain and M. Duler Supercargo being bound to the Continent of North America with Merchandize, and uncertain under the present Circumstances what Port she may be able to make; we hereby request that you would Favour the said M. Duler...
283John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of writing to you from hence the 3d day of June last Copy whereof is here inclosed. Congress have thought fit to put the new Sloop of War therein mentioned, now called the Ranger under my command, and have authorized Genl. Whipple, Colo. Langdon and myself to appoint the Officers. When I took this command, the middle of last month, I found...
284Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 31 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this day received orders from the Minester of Marine at Paris, Notified me by the Comissary and Judge of Admiralty to depart the port imeadiately and not to enter again on any Consideration. I was much surprized to receive those orders without a line from you. I told them I would Sail the first fair Wind and am now preparing for Sea, as fast as possible,...
285[Ferdinand Grand]: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [before 25 September? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library This document, on the evidence at hand, cannot be precisely dated. It was written to help the commissioners draft the one that follows, their memorandum of September 25 to the Bourbon courts, which they had been considering for almost a month. On August 29 Arthur Lee received a letter from John Berkenhout, a close friend from their student days together...
286William Lee to the American Commissioners, 6 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Virginia Historical Society The 4th. two little boats arrivd here from Virginia (private property) which they left the 4th. of Augt. They bring the Papers with the Congress account of the evacuation of Ticonderoga, which is inclos’d, with some other Papers which the passenger Mr. King will bring with him as he sets out for Paris on Sunday or Monday next. Mr. K. who seems to be an...
287Lambert Wickes and Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 6 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We your humble petioners beg leave to inform you of the distressed Situation of our Brother Officers now Prisoners in England, particularly John Nicholson Esqr. and his Officers who was taken in the Sloop Hornet in the Service of the United States of America and Thomas Norwood and Nine Men that was put on Board of one of our late prizes, who was taken and...
288The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 8 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: British Library, Harvard University Library, National Archives (three) It is long since we had a Line from you, the last received being of the Date of [ blank in MS ] per Mr. Reed. We suppose from the same Causes which have occasioned your hearing so seldom from us, the Difficulty of finding safe Conveyances, and sometimes the Loss of the Dispatches by the Way. Mr. Lee informs you, we...
289The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours informing us of your being ready for sea we recd. and by Capt. Bell advise you to settle your accts. of Disbursements and give Bills on us for the amount forwarding to us at the same time copies thereof, after which you are to take the first favourable opportunity to go for America endeavouring to make either the Port of Portsmouth in New Hampshire or...
290The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We recd. yours informing of your being ready for sea and that orders had been recd. for your leaving the Port. We hope this by Capt. Bell who goes express will find you still at St. Maloes. We send by him Dispatches for America which you will take the Charge of and have them ready for being sunk in case of accident. We advise your settling the Bills for...
291William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 9 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Above is Copy of what I had the honor of writing you the 11th Ulto. Want of Opportunities has been the Cause of my not forwarding to you some important News which I received some Time ago from St. Eustatia. You will please to find inclosed Copy of a Letter from a French Gentleman in that Place, with the Translation of some Extracts from American Gazettes,...
292The American Commissioners to Veuve Cornic & fils, 10 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, früher Preussischer Staatsbibliothek, Berlin; copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have directed Capt. Johnson to draw on Us for the Amount of the Sums furnished by you for his Disbursements, which Bills will be duly honored. In Answer to Yours, to Doct. Franklin, We have to assure You that We have ever had the fullest Confidence in Your...
293Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 12 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour of the 28th. Augt. Since which I have wrote you two letters and have received no Answer. As the Admiralty begins to be very pressing in Insisting on My Imediate departure, I am afraid they will hardly permit me to Wait the Arrival of your dispatches unless they Come Very Soon, As I expect to be Sent out of Port the first fair Wind. I...
294The American Commissioners: Certificate for a Ship, [14 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS with alterations: New York Public Library; copy (?) with alteration: British Library To the Commanders of Ships of War or other armed Vessels belonging to the United States of North America, or to any of the Subjects of said States, This Certifies, That the Ship Elizabeth [ altered from : Richard Penn, Isaac All] at present Commander or whoever may command her for the time being is owned by...
295Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 15 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will informe You of our worthy friend Capt. Wickes leaving this Yesterday Eve with a fine Easterly Wind. The Dolphin Capt. Brown Sailed in Company. At Sun Setting they Discharged their Pilots, when they were clear of the Rocks &c. Since which the wind has Continued fresh from the Eastward, so that I make no doubt that by Noon this Day (a Monday) he is...
296Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, 16 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Public Record Office Your agreeable favours of the 9th Inst. was handed me by Capt. Bell with the different packets and letters to morrow morning shall sail God willing. I forward by Capt. Bell my accounts I find a Ballance. I find in favour of the Congress which I shall give Credit if I find no Errors. If any shall settle the same with the Agent in America. As everything has gone...
297Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 16 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I am just Setting off for Nantes. Have Setteled Accounts with Messrs. Desegray Beaugeard fils & Co. for the Disbursements of the ship Dolphin and have drawn on You for the amount of the Same 4703.10.0 Livres. I have taken fifty Guineas of this Amount along with me in case I Shou’d not find Mr. Williams at Nantes. I shall as usual give the Dolphin Credit for...
298Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my leaving St. Malo I wrote You giveing You an Account of the Sailing of the Reprisal and Dolphin. Capt. Brown Arrived here in the Dolphin the Night before last, and Agreable to his Orders from Capt. Wickes, Under french Colours, and to the Address of Monsr. Peltier as Comeing from St. Austatia, but haveing no Clearance from that Place or any other...
299The American Commissioners: Memorandum for Vergennes and Aranda, 25 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; LS : Archivo Historico National This memorandum, under its calm surface, conveys a sense of depression; and the commissioners had reason to be depressed. They seem to have become suddenly aware that they were in deep financial trouble, because they had made commitments that they did not have the money to honor and that Congress could not....
300Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 28 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library I have the Honour to Acquaint you that we had a fine passage off the Coast of America. The third Day after Sailing I fell in with and took a small Schooner from New York bound to Hallifax in Ballast except 20 Barrels flour, 275 Spanish milled Dollars, 137 Counterfeit 30 Dollar Bills in imitation of the Bills emitted by Congress May 10th. 1775, and 40 7 Dollar...