151C. 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...
152The Massachusetts Council to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Marquis De La Fayette having taken leave of this Board, being soon to embark for France, We take this opportunity in justice to his Merit to express our high sense of that Gentlemans Attachment to the American Cause. His exertions & bravery in the Field do him great Honor, which we doubt not the whole Continent have a grateful Sense of, & the prospect of...
153Dumas to the American Commissioners, 4 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <The Hague, August 4, 1778, in French: M. van Berckel has responded to my letter. The Grand Facteur strongly recommended I send you a copy. P.S.: Congratulations on d’Orvilliers’ victory over Keppel; a letter sent to the chevalier [Georges] Grand by his brother informed us of it.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 344–6. Dumas included a copy of van...
154Ameloo, Willemsen and the Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society De jour en jour nous nous sommes flattés de recevoir reponce à la notre du 20 Novembre dernier, et nous ne savons à quoi attribuer ce Silence. Apres votre lettre satisfaisante nous n’avons pas hesités un seul moment de confier nos interets dans vos mains. Nous vous avons parlés sans le moindre deguisement, et nous vous repetons sur tout ce qu’il y a de plus...
155Sartine 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...
156William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not being favor’d with any of your Dispatches since the Arrival of Doctr. Franklin (except a few Lines under Date of the 7 June) I have become very apprehensive of the Fate of the many Letters that I have from Time to Time done myself the honor of writing, and which have generally been addressed under Cover to Messrs. Delaps at Bordeaux. Your not...
157Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, October 10, 1778: Mr. Sartine’s letter to you of the 7th, in which I am referred to the courts to recover my baggage, has just reached me. I disagree, since my claim is founded on an article of the treaty guaranteeing the return of American goods without delay and on demand. I am the more surprised as the minister, well aware that my name was not on...
158Joseph Chase to the Commissioners, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
These are to Request you to give your asistance To Benjamin Clark, William Folger, John Locke, Frances Macy, John Headon, Thorndrick Chase, Reuben Chase, John B and a Numbers of others, Americans Now Prisoners in Different Prisons in France Dinant Mayenne in Britange &c. which I Think are as good Subjects as any America has as I know thay given Numbers of donations to asist the Americans in...
159Sartine to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives J’ai reçu, Messieurs, les quatre Recommandations que vous avez bien voulu m’adresser pour des navires Anglois, et je vous prie d’en recevoir mes remercimens. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec beaucoup de Consideration, Messieurs, votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur Nov. 30.
160James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 8 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, July 8, 1778: Two of Capt. Tucker’s prizes arrived here on the 6th. I passed them through customs as from Portsmouth, New England. I have not had time to hear from Mr. Schweighauser, but have written to ask whether his authority extends to this port. If so I shall deliver them to his order unless you meanwhile instruct me differently. Friction...
161Richard Grinnell to the American Commissioners, 9 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, July 9, 1778: I arrived here last August after serving on the Belle Isle , 74, as a midshipman impressed at sea; a London merchant got me my discharge. I went to Nieuwpoort, and told Mr. Nesbitt that I wanted to be commissioned in Paris and then sail for Brazil to destroy the London fleet there. He put me in touch with Mr. Coffyn, who took my...
162Dumas to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Le Morceau de la Gazette de Leide d’aujourdhui, que je joins ici, vous fera voir que vos ordres, reçus par la Lettre de Mr. A. Lee, du 12e., ont été remplis conformément à vos desirs. S’il avoit dépendu de moi de prévenir absolument toute sortie de recrues Allemandes, il n’en seroit certainement pas parti un seul...
163Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 25 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 25, 1778: I had my mast condemned by a jury of six carpenters, three merchant captains, and Mr. Bondfield. You would have told me, I assume, if you intended to load cargo; I have therefore begun to take in ballast. The King’s officers are enticing men from me for the army; I retrieved five today who were about to embark for St. Martin’s....
164Christopher Gadsden to the American Commissioners, 15 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot deny myself the Pleasure of endeavouring to introduce the Bearer Commodore Gillon to your Notice. He hath been always very active in promoting the American Cause and been of great Service to it in several respects as well generally, as particularly to this State and our Assembly during its last Sitting appointed him Commodore of our Navy and in...
165William Lee to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Worthington C. Ford, ed., Letters of William Lee . . . 1766–1783 (3 vols., Brooklyn, N.Y., 1891), II , 429–30. I have been detained here longer than was intended by a personal application from one of the King of Prussia’s ministers. I have now received an answer from Berlin, which informs me that his Majesty chooses for the present to decline acknowledging the Independency of...
166Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 6 September 1778: résumé and letter (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) copies: Library of Congress, National Archives <Versailles, September 6, 1778, in French: I have received your letter of August 30 last, and have sent M. de Vergennes the passport for the British ship involved in the exchange of prisoners; I shall order your prisoners at Brest kept under closer surveillance until...
167The Massachusetts Board of War to the American Commissioners, 14 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress Your esteem’d favours of the 21 December per Mr. Dean 12th. February per Capt. Senneville, and 17th of same Month per Capt. Courter, we had the Honor to receive. Agreeable to your request, we have furnished Capt. Courter with every necessary for his Journey to Congress, on which he set out the 7th. Instant, being the second day after...
168John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 17 [i.e., 16] August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, August 17 [ i.e. , 16] , 1778: Captain Ayres’s poor health probably precludes his return voyage with your dispatches. Instruct me concerning his successor. Ships like his could transport goods to America quickly; if financial considerations permit, I could execute a partial order. I do not wish to seem presumptuous but I am herewith submitting a...
169Musco Livingston to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 21, 1778: I received yours of –– [August 31], and will answer on my return to Nantes where I have left the relevant papers. I have a very fine ship ready to sail immediately and will gladly take two or three hundred tons of the public goods now at Nantes. Since I am unfamiliar with the terms and conditions of shipment, write me your...
170James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 1 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The restriction Captain Jones has laid the Intendent of Brest under, respecting the prize he sent in there, gives the Admiralty a power over her that will cause infinite delay and very heavy expences on this and every future occasion, if the president [precedent] be admited. I take the liberty of mentioning this matter to you, as I think you may adopt a...
171Daniel McNeill to the American Commissioners, 15 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, September 15, 1778: On my cruise in the General Mifflin I gave chase August 23 to three ships fifty leagues west and north of Ushant Island. I pursued the largest and brought her to at 2 p.m. She was the brig Isabelle from Guadeloupe bound for Bordeaux with a cargo of sugar, coffee and cotton; she had been captured by the Prince of Orange ,...
172Alexander Gillon to the American Commissioners, 25 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, January 25, 1779: I arrived here today from our continent via Havana. I embarked for Spain on November 17; on the 19th instant I encountered a small fleet about fifty leagues east south east of Cape Finisterre commanded by de Grasse, who suggested that I make for Brest with the frigate Fortunée , Capt. Marigny. To expedite the business I am sent on...
173James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Frigate Boston Cap. S. Tucker is return’d to this port yesterday. On her Cruise she had taken four prizes, one of which loaded with Currants and Medecines the Cap. order’d to Boston, and the other three to this port, which are not yet arrived. Mr. Livingston who set out this afternoon for Paris, will inform you the disagreeable cause of this vessel’s...
174C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 16 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Je sais que vous avez reçu mes Lettres des 2 et 8 Dec. J’ai eu l’honneur depuis de vous en écrire 3 autres, du 18–24 Dec., 1–3 Janv., et 12–15 Janv. Hier 15 au soir, au moment où j’avois expédié ma derniere, Mr. l’Ambassadeur me fit chercher, pour aller confirmer de sa part à notre Ami, que ce matin il présenteroit un Mémoire au Président de L. H. P. avec le nouveau reglement du Roi, qui...
175Francis 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,...
176John 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...
177Dumas 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...
178Gabriel 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...
179Jacques 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...
180Ralph 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...
181——— to the American Commissioners, 11 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <On board the Boston , Port Louis, July 11, 1778: Jerome Cazneau, sergeant of marines, obtained shore leave and persuaded the other Frenchmen aboard to quit the ship. He did everything in his power to alienate them from returning to duty. The General, though under orders to assist us, gave them the choice of staying or quitting, even though he was reminded...
182C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 11 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
In reference to my last two letters of the 4th and 9th of this month, I can add today some new information I received from our friend. Tomorrow, during the meeting of the Assembly of Holland, a very important matter will be brought up concerning the depredations recently made by the British on a number of Dutch vessels. All the Amsterdam merchants, as a body, will present an address to Their...
183John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; AL : American Philosophical Society, United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: National Archives <Brest, May 9, 1778: I arrived last night with the British warship Drake , and will soon give you an account of the cruise. I have almost two hundred prisoners, but there is danger they may be surrendered without an exchange. I plan to refit the Drake as fast...
184To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 10 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
I receivd your favor, my dear Sir, by which I perceive you are once more a farmer at Braintree—a real Cincinnatus without being of that noble Body which resembles him in name alone. I am inclind to beleive that you also will be calld from your plough to fill the place of Vice President under the new Constitution. Virginia, I think, will return Gen l. Washington & yourself. If the four new...
185Abraham Whipple to the American Commissioners, 31 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Have the pleasure of acquainting you, that my Ship has been in readiness for the Sea ever since the 25 inst. only wait for a favourable wind, the wind has been to the westward this fifteen days past, which makes it absolutely impossible to get out. These winds blowing directly up the River added to this the water is so...
186Dumas to the American Commissioners, 17 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Algemeen Rijksarchief Envoyé la Dépêche de Stockholm, sur l’établissement des fabriques de Lames, etc. et l’importante Lettre allemande de Berlin 10e Mars, traduite. The Swedish dispatch was doubtless the one in his above of March 13, and the letter from Berlin a continuation of the earlier one there.
187Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 12 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you, on the 2d. instant informing you that the credit which I had received from the Commissioners was exhausted, and that I shoud be obligd to you if you woud let me know whether it was most agreable to you to renew it, or that I shoud draw on you for what money I might have occasion for. As this matter appeard to require no great deliberation, I expected to have...
188Francis 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. . .
189Intelligence from Brest and Paris, 6–13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
D : National Archives We summarize here, according to our practice, the other intelligence reports that fall within the period of this volume. There are only two, both in French and in the hand of the chevalier de Kéralio. The first is from Brest on April 10 with an added letter of the 16th. The report lists 25 French ships of the line that are expected to be ready within ten days; 17 more are...
190The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 15 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives; transcript: National Archives; two incomplete copies: Harvard University Library Your pressing request for 5000 Hhds. of Tobacco, is a matter as embarrassing to Congress as to yourselves. Their anxiety to get it to you is as great as yours to receive it. We have already lost considerable Quantities in the...
191From John Adams to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 13 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday, the Honour of your Favour of the 28 Octr. inclosing a Resolution of Congress of the 22 of the same Month, to which I Shall give all the Attention in my Power. I have great Satisfaction in the Reflection, that I have hitherto endeavoured with much Sincerity, to conform to the Spirit of it. What you recommend to me, viz. to communicate to the Ministers of other Courts, Such...
192Arthur Lee to John Adams, 12 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th of April found me here two days ago, waiting for the necessary preparatives to a definitive treaty of peace & boundary, which in conjunction with some other gentlemen I have undertaken to negociate with the indian nations. To œconomize, by saving the expence of a monthly bounty to which the troops of Massachusetts & N. Hampshire, were entitled, A Majority of Congress...
193Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 20 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
My fever not being yet sufficiently removd to permit me to come to you; I write to you to submit the absolute necessity there is of informing the Minister without delay of the State of our Finances and that the Supply we have askd is immediately necessary. It is possible they may wait for such information before they put the intention we are told they have of supplying us in execution. We...
194Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 17 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Chaillot, May 17, 1778: Because I am not well enough to come to Passy I send you my drafts of important letters; alter them as you wish. If our subordinates disregard our orders, and involve us in debt without accounting for what they spend, we and the public suffer.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 130.
195Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter informing me of the Alteration of your Intention, not having reached my House till some time after the Hour you had appointed for setting out for Versailles, I was gone before it arrived. I informed Count Vergennes, that you were coming, & we waited till 5’ O’Clock under no small Embarressment, especially myself, to conceive what detained you....
196Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 8 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Having not seen the Letter of Mr. Williams to which one of those sent me is an Answer I cannot form any judgment of it. As there are no marks mentiond by which Mr. Deanes claim to any of the Goods in the possession of the public Agent can be ascertaind—as all the Goods in question, were, when receivd, declard to be on account of the public; and as I perceive in the Banker’s Accounts very large...
197Dumas to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Envoyé les nouv[elles] de Hambourg du 10e, le Mercure de Janvier et l’article de Nantes 6e fevrier dans la gazette de Leide Suppl[ément] No. 14 &c. The news from Hamburg was doubtless another report from his correspondent in Berlin; the one in his letter of Feb. 10 came via Hamburg. The issue of the Mercure is impossible to trace. The news...
198Dumas 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...
199Abraham Whipple to the American Commissioners, 19 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <On board the Providence , Brest, August 19, 1778: I wrote you from Paimboeuf on July 31; since then the Boston joined me and on Aug. 8 we proceeded in company to Brest, delayed by unfavorable winds until the 14th. I found here that Lt. Simpson had obeyed my orders of July 24th in quickly preparing for sea. But I was surprised to...
200Schweighauser to the American Commissioners, 24 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives <Nantes, September 24, 1778: I received your letter of the 14th [13th] only yesterday covering one from Capt. Richard, together with the documents relative to the cargo of rice and indigo shipped by A[braham] Livingston of Charles Town. The person in charge of the vessel, M. Peltier du Doyer, tells me that, on orders from M. de Beaumarchais, he has already sold the...