1201Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 13 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon examination of the Concord, her Inventory was found very deficient, those things which we thought would be a diminution of her price of at least 5000 Livres were not in her. It seems the owner has lately fitted out a large Ship for the Coast of Guinea and has taken from one to supply the other. This determined Mr. Peltier to purchase the Count de...
1202John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 5 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, December 5, 1778: A brig owned in La Rochelle arrived here December 2, having left Boston November 4 and having sailed thirty-six hours with Admiral d’Estaing. Rumor had it that the fleet was to attack Halifax. Another vessel equipped by Chaumont’s friend, Decater, arrived at Auray, having sailed with the admiral until November 7 when she...
1203John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor to pay my respects to you the 1st. Instant since which am without any of your Commands. The Convoy for the French Islands left this yesterday and with them three small Cutters for the States of America. We have a Vessel from Edenton arrived at Bayonne sail’d in October of course no News only Tobacco is at ten pounds that Currency the hundred weight by which the Traders in...
1204John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed you have copies of letters which I had the honor of writing you from Portsmouth the latter of which could not have reached your hands as I understand that the mail was destroyed. I sailed from Portsmouth the 1st. Ulto. and arrived safe in this River in the Ranger the 2d. Current having taken two brigtines from Malaga laden with Fruit for London. I...
1205John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 17 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Monsieur Le Norman who left this yesterday I had the Honor to advise you of the ill State of Health of Cap. Ayres and of my apprehendtion of his incapacity to proceed. I am more confirmd in my doubts his Physicians assuring me it will be imposible for him to resist the sharpness of the Air and the fatigue of the Passage, and of which he appears himself...
1206Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, June 18, 1778: I received your letter of the 10th to all captains bound for America, and am communicating it to two such captains here; they will sail in late June and early July. You may wish to send further intelligence by them, and I will, if you approve, send any that I get from England. Forty-five sail westward bound, some large men of war,...
1207[The American Commissioners]: Memorandum [for Vergennes], 28 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library On the 19th of November, the Congress resolved, That 100 brass Cannon 3 pounders 50 6 pounders 50 12 pounders 13 18 pounders 13 24 pounders
1208The American Commissioners to Sartine: Two Letters, 7 January 1779: letter and résumé (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have the Honour to inclose your Excellency two Memorials concerning a French Vessell retaken from an English Privateer by An American Privateer the Hampden commanded by Captain Pickering. As there is nothing in either of the Treaties between his Majesty and the united States,...
1209William Lee to the Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Conformable to the resolution of Congress, of which a Copy is inclosed, I have drawn on you the 4th instant for Twenty four Thousand Livres at One Months date payable to Mr. Grand, which you will please to pay due honor to, by acceptance and payment when at maturity, and place the same to the Account of Congress. ’Tis generally beleived that a Congress will be held in the course of the Winter,...
1210Dumas to the American Commissioners, 3[–14] February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis mes deux Lettres de la fin de Dec. et du 21e. Janvr., dans la dernière desquelles je vous ai rendu compte des lettres reçues du commis de la Maison que vous savez, et de ma présentation au Facteur, j’en ai reçu une autre du premier, dont voici copie. La haie 21e. Janvr. 1777 “J’ai l’honneur de vous informer que je partirai demain, &c.”...
1211John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <Bordeaux, January 9, 1779: Yesterday the convoy for the French islands sailed, accompanied by three small cutters for the United States. From a vessel arriving out of Edenton I have learned that tobacco is £10 per hundred weight in American currency. American prices are extraordinarily high because of the excessive emission of...
1212The 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...
1213John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 15 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 15, 1778: The cutter Tartar , Captain Southcomb, arrived yesterday from the York River, which it left on July 29. Southcomb reports d’Estaing had taken five English frigates and that New York was closely blockaded and would doubtless fall. [ Postscripts: ] Captain Ayres died on the 13th; I had him buried as decently as is allowed to...
1214Abraham 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...
1215Gérard to the American Commissioners, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Connecticut Historical Society; AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai recu la lettre que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’ecrire avec celle qui y etoit jointe et dont je suis chargé de vous remercier. Voici le paquet dont les deux passagers voudront bien se charger. Il est adressé au Commissaire ordonateur de la marine. On ne lui mande pas leurs noms, et celui de Deane...
1216American 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...
1217James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 22 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Bingham of Martinico inclosed me the letter that accompanys this, which I received this post. As I presume he gives you the necessary information of his department, it is needless for me to trouble you with the copy of his letter to me. I have therfore only to add that I am with respect Honorable Gentlemen Your assurd humble Servant Addressed: A...
1218Lambert 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...
1219The American Commissioners to John Ross, 13 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) <Passy, April 13, 1778: We are unable to comply with your request because the papers are Mr. William Lee’s; he is in Frankfurt, where you may be able to reach him by letter. Neither can we make further advances. We wish you to account for the goods bought with the funds we provided, but we cannot make a complete settlement; the...
1220Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, 25 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I arrived here Thursday Morning 4 O’Clock where I found Capt: Weeks was gone for L’Orient. Have sent Express as I was much fatigued, Shall wait here for Capt. Weeks’s orders, which when I receive shall instantly set off for Bourdeaux and make every possible dispatch agreeable to your Instructions. Capt: Hammond has not as yet gone he now lays at the mouth...
1221The Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, 9 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
We have received your Letters of the 12 Decr. and 23 of January. In the first You propose that We should write to Messrs. Horneca and Fitzeaux to pass the Amount of the Goods you mention to our Debit. In that of 23 of January, you propose that one of the Cases Still remaining in Mr. Schweighausers Hands should be delivered to you, and that We should give orders to Mess. Horneca &c. to replace...
1222[Dumas] to the American Commissioners, 25 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis ma Lettre du 14e. de ce mois, j’ai eu plusieurs fois la plume à la main pour vous écrire; mais n’ayant rien de pressant à vous marquer, je me suis contenu, de peur d’être importun. J’espere que Mr. Franklin jouit de sa retraite en parfaite santé, et qu’il aura le loisir de m’écrire de là plus...
1223The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la Lettre, Sans datte, que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire. Ne doutez pas que nous ne prenions son contenu en Consideration, Selon que les Circumstances le permettront: Vous en avez un sûr garant dans l’interet Sincere que le Roi prend à la prosperité des Etats-Unis. J’ai l’honneur d’etre tres parfaitement, Messieurs, vôtre très humble et tres obeissant Serviteur
1224The American Commissioners to Jean-Joseph Carié de Montieu, 25 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We had the Honour last Night of your Letter of the 22d, and should be glad to oblige you with the four Ancres you mention, but large Anchors are So Scarce in America and our Countrymen are So distressed for Want of them, that We hope you will excuse Us upon this occasion, as We are about Shipping them home imediately....
1225The American Commissioners to Thomas Simpson, 16 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (two) <Passy, July 16, 1778: We have wanted to settle disputes among the Ranger ’s officers for some time, and at last have the pleasure of sending you a letter from Captain Jones which allows us to reinstate you on board the Ranger . Upon receipt of this, you will take command of the Ranger as first lieutenant, join...
1226The American Commissioners to J. Rocquette, T. A. Elsevier, & P. Th. Rocquette, 23 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 18th. under Cover of Messrs. F & A Dubbledemuts We received, are obliged to you for your offers of Correspondence and for Accots. of the Price of Sundry Articles of American Produce at your Port. Please to inform us if the Indigo you mention at 50 to 70 Stuyvers per lb. is Carolina growth or other, and what the Difference if any between that...
1227Dumas to the American Commissioners, 7 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (incomplete draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief La Traduction ci-jointe des dernieres Lettres que j’ai reçues d’Allemagne, peut vous interesser surtout à l’égard de la proposition des canons à vendre. Le grand F[acteu]r m’a paru y faire une attention particuliere. L’extrait de Liege ne doit pas moins vous intéresser, non seulement à cause de l’insigne...
1228Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 9 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour of the 3d Instant and am much obliged for your Attention to the Contents of mine. As you have not been very particular in regard to the Sale of the Dolphin, it will not be in my power to execute that business without more particular instructions on that head. First I shall be glad to know wheather you would Sell her as she is Arm’d or...
1229The 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...
1230The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 10 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, June 10, 1778: Please send us a return of your prisoners, with ranks and names, for an exchange proposed by the British court. We have your account of the disagreement among your crew, and will shortly give you our opinion.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 135; for the...
1231Marie-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...
1232Sartine 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...
1233The American Commissioners to John Philip Merckle, 9 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have recd. several letters from you written in a menacing Stile, as if we had failed in the fulfilment of our engagements with you; you must be sensible we never were privy to any Contract with you nor accountable for any thing you had contracted for. But the sole motive of our paying the Ballance due Messrs. Delaps was as well to extricate you, as to...
1234Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, [before 31 July 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dubourg attendra vendredi 31e juillet Messrs. Franklin, Lée et Adams chez Esprit Libraire au Palais royal a deux heures precises, pour avoir l’honneur de les conduire en une maison du voisinage, ou on sera tres flatté de les recevoir. BF ’s old friend and former translator. This note was written on the verso of a letter from Genet of July 23 which, we are...
1235Jonathan 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...
1236Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Les grandes joies sont muettes, ainsi que les grandes douleurs. Je vous félicite de tout mon coeur; et Dieu benisse l’Am. unie. En reponse à la Lettre de Mr. A. Lee du 4e. je n’ai rien eu de plus pressé que d’envoyer sur le champ aux gazettiers, tant françois que holl[andois], copie fidèle et exacte, sans changer, ajouter, ni retrancher un seul mot,...
1237Sartine 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...
1238Dumas to the American Commissioners, 9 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, September 9, 1778, in French: The Assembly of Holland yesterday debated Amsterdam’s proposal opposing an increase in the size of the army. I will translate and send you a copy of the proposal. Mr. van Berckel criticized the Grand Pensionary and suggested I press him for an answer to your letter. I told him I could...
1239The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society The quantity of Stores you have on hand and the difficulty you find in shipping them induces us to accept of Mr. Monthieus proposal of taking his Goods out of the Mercury and loading intirely with the Stores of the public. Mr. Montieu has made that offer taking the same rate of Freight for the whole as was agreed for the quantity actually loaded already. We...
1240The American Commissioners to Samuel Tucker, 19 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library The Bearer of this, Captn. Livingston, is understood by us to be well qualified for the Office of Lieutenant in your Ship. If upon discoursing with him, you should be of the same Opinion, you will fill up with his Name the enclos’d Commission and date the same upon the Day. We leave this Matter to your Judgment; for tho’ we have a good Opinion of the Gentleman...
1241Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 18, 1778: Mr. Schweighauser writes Capt. Jones that I pretend to an authority that is his, by right of a letter from Mr. William Lee, to dispose of the Ranger ’s prizes in this port. I came here to help Capt. Jones, and have not interfered in commercial matters. The Lord Chatham will either be sold by the admiralty or entrusted to M. Bersolle;...
1242The Commissioners to Gabriel de Sartine, 7 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency did Us the Honour to inform Us, sometime ago, that in order to obtain the Liberty of Americans, taken on board of English Vessells by his Majestys ships it was necessary, that We should inform your Excellency, that they had been made Prisoners by the English and forced into their service. We accordingly request the Liberty of William Berry, William Keating, John Williams,...
1243The American Commissioners to Baron Schulenburg, 14 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Thomas Gilcrease Foundation, Tulsa, Okla. We have the honor of inclosing the Declaration of the Independancy of the United States of North America, with the Articles of their Confederation; which we desire you to take the earliest Opportunity of laying before his Majesty, the King of Prussia; At the same time We wish he may be assured of the earnest desire of the United States to...
1244Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 21 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received information that the Ship Nile, Captn. Goldsmith has been taken, and carried into Marseilles. She was bound from London to Leghorn, and had on board Twenty Packages of Baggage belonging to me. These Packages are marked, and numbered in the following manner AB A Monsieur Monsieur Antoine Martinelli Negotiant, pour remettre a Monsieur l’Abbé Niccoli a Livourne No. 1 a 20. My own...
1245The American Commissioners to Sartine, 19 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We beg your Excellencys Pardon for delaying the inclosed Paper So long.—We had the Honour of your Letter in Season, but by some Means or other it was, not attended to so Soon as it ought. In JA ’s hand. One of the copies at the National Archives is in Ford’s hand. The enclosures that might have...
1246Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 2 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor of writing to you the 14th. ultimo by Mr. Jonathan Nesbitt, to which I take the liberty to refer, being since deprived of your respected favours, this cheafly serves to inform you of the arrival at this place of Capn. Henry Johnson, late Commander of the Continental Brigantine Lexington, and Eliazad Johnson Capn. of the Brigantine Dolton...
1247The American Commissioners to Vergennes: Letter and Memoir, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS and copy : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (II) LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency a Memorial of very great Importance to the United States, to which We beg your Excellency’s Attention and a favourable Answer. We have the Honour to...
1248The Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Co.: A Translation, 31 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
We take the opportunity of Mr. Whitall’s visit to convey to you a leather-bound book containing 205 promissory notes, each worth 1,000 florins, making a capital fund of 205,000 florins lawful money of the Netherlands, to be paid on 1 January 1788 at your residence with, in addition, 10 coupons of 50 florins in interest for the year, the whole payable to the bearer and signed by us. You will...
1249The Commissioners to Vergennes, 28 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
There are several Subjects, which we find it necessary to lay before your Excellency; to which we have the Honour to request your Attention. At a time when the Circumstances of the War may demand the Attention of Gouvernment, and without doubt call for great Expence, we are very sorry to be obliged to request your Excellency’s Advice respecting the Subject of Money but the Nature of the War in...
1250Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 10 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the letter I had the honor of writing to you yesterday by Capn. Amiel, I inclosed a Certificate from the officers of the Admiralty. This serves to cover the three other Certifficates I promised in the Said letter, Vizt. one from the Bourgmaster and Magistrates, one from the President and Counsellors of the board of Commerce, and an other from the Judge...