51From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 14 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Procedures of the admiralty of Morlaix Which your Excellency did me honour to send me, relating to the prises and Ransoms taken by the black Prince. With Great respect I am Your Excellency most Obedient and most humble Servant.
52Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 14 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives J’ai mis sous les yeux du Roy, Messieurs, les raisons qui pouvoient determiner sa Majesté a accorder la liberté aux Sujets des Etats unis prisonniers en France. Mais elle a pensé sagement que cette faveur ne doit être accordée qu’à ceux qui ont été pris sur des Batimens americains et forcés de...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 14 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress;(II) copy: Library of Congress Mr. L’Amiral, Monsieur, m’a fait passer un memoire qui lui à êté adressé par le nommé françois Vermeille qui represente que s’etant embarqué sur le Corsaire Americain le Revanche en 1777. il fut mis avec sept autres Marins sur une prise qu’ils conduisoient à Bilbao lorsqu’ils ont êté repris par...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 11 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr De Sartine a l’honneur d’envoyer à Mr. Franklin une Lettre pour M. de la Granville Commissaire de la Marine à l’Orient pour qu’il soit delivré un Passeport à la Dame Angloise recommandée de Mr le Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de l’Amerique et Mr. De Sartine a l’honneur de l’assurer de son très sincere Attachement./. Jean-Charles-Bernardin Charlot de La...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 2 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer ci joint un mémoire imprimé qui m’a été adressé par les armateurs du Corsaire François qui faisoit partie de l’Escadre du Commodore Paul Jones. Ils réclament leur Part dans la totalité des Prises faites par cette Escadre combinée; Ils établissent leurs prétentions sur des faits qui paroissent mériter votre attention; Je vous...
56Sartine to the American Commissioners, 16 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives; two transcripts: National Archives <Versailles, August 16, 1778, in French: In answer to your letter of the 13th on the question of prizes and prisoners, I enclose a copy of the regulations with revisions to articles 2 and 14. I will at all times receive with pleasure your...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 8 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received the honour of your Excelly’s: Letter of the 3d. Instant. I am very Sensible of the King’s Goodness, in granting Liberty to the Americans who have been taken Prisoners in the English Service as by that means his Majesty Lessons the Number of the Prisoners that may be exchanged for his own Subjects; and I think we ought whenever we can Show our Gratitude...
58Sartine to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two), National Archives (two); transcripts: National Archives (two) <Versailles, September 21, 1778, in French: I have received your letter of the 17th. I knew that the principle of reciprocity in the matter of recapture would meet with your approval. The regulations of Massachusetts of which Capt. McNeill informed you are...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 1 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je crois devoir vous prevenir, Monsieur, que M. Boucault Commissaire à Morlaix me marque que le Corsaire la Princesse Noire lui a remis 26. otages et 16. prisonniers Anglois. Je vous prie de ne pas differer de me faire connoitre si ce Commissaire peut remettre ces Prisonniers, a titre d’Echange pour le Compte des Americains, au Capitaine du Parlementaire Anglois la...
60The American Commissioners to Sartine, 25 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: Archives de la Marine Nous avons l’honneur d’adresser à V.E. la copie ci jointe de la lettre que nous avons reçu de M. Langdon, de Portsmouth, ville de l’Etat de New-hampshire. Nous serons très satisfaits si l’avis qu’elle contient peut être utile à V.E. Tout ce que nous pouvons dire c’est que nous ne doutons pas que M. Langdon ne soit très capable d’exécuter ce qu’il propose; Et...
61To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 14 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu des Représentations, Monsieur, de la part des Armateurs du Corsaire Madame, du port de Granville, au Sujet de 23. Etrangers provenant du Corsaire qu’on fait passer à l’Orient pour l’armement du Sr. Paul Jones; Ils demandent ou que ces Etrangers leur soient rendus, ou de leur rembourser les Avances qu’ils leur avoient payées, les ayant engagés à de hauts...
62Sartine to the American Commissioners, 11 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Messieurs, de vous prevenir qu’il sera envoyé incessamment à Nantes une Fregate du Roi chargée d’escorter de ce port à l’Isle d’Aix, les Bâtimens destinés pour les Colonies Françoises d’Amerique. Si ceux qui sont chargés pour les Etats unis, veulent profiter de cette Escorte pour se joindre au Convoi de l’Isle d’Aix, il leur sera accordé la même...
63From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 7 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Agreable to the Letter your Excelly. did me the honour to write me of the 5th. Instant I Sent the orders desired to Capt. Jones, under Cover to Mr. Dumas who will take Care to deliver them. I have to thank your Excellency for your favour to Capt. foligny, in giving him a Lieutenancy. I flatter myself that he will do honour to your Appointment. Please to accept my...
64The American Commissioners to Sartine, 11 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; National Archives (two) <Passy, July 11, 1778: We received your Excellency’s letter of the fifth regarding Captain Jones, and we readily consent to place him at your disposal.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 158.
65The American Commissioners to Sartine, 3 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 3: We enclose a list of duties paid in Bordeaux on supplies for the Boston . Such payment is unusual for warships, and we ask you to regulate the practice in future. The captain of the Ranger has put his prizes into the hands of the intendant or commandant at Brest, and...
66From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine, copy: Library of Congress I thank your Excellency for expediting the Orders relative to the Sale of the Serapis. I suppose similar Orders are gone to Dunkerque for the Sale of the Countess of Scarborough. If not I beg you would be pleased to send them by the Bearer; as the Daily heavy Charge that must arise on a Delay of Dispatching the Alliance, makes me anxious to...
67To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 14 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai lu, Monsieur, avec beaucoup d’attention la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 20. mars dernier au Sujet de l’Enquête que vous avez fait faire sur ce qui s’est passé entre le Commodore Jones et le Capne. Landais. Puisque vous avez trouvé beaucoup de Contradiction dans les Declarations des parties, et dans les preuves Ecrites qu’elles ont...
68To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 13 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire par laquelle vous me demandéz un Passeport pour un Batiment Anglois destiné a transporter de Plimouth ou Portsmouth des Prisonniers Americains, qui doivent etre debarqués à Morlaix; Je l’ai fait expedier sur le champ, et j’ai l’honneur de vous l’envoyer ci joint. J’ai l’honneur...
69Sartine 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...
70Sartine to the American Commissioners, 7 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, October 7, 1778, in French: I have received your letter of September 26 supporting the request of Mr. Izard for the restitution of his belongings. I do not see how the commercial treaty applies in this case as Mr. Izard’s name is not mentioned in the bill of lading and...
71To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 24 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur,avec la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 17. de ce mois par laquelle vous me demandez la liberté du Sr. John Stephenson Captne. du navire anglois la Sailli et prisonnier à Angers. L’intérêt que vous prenez à ce prisonnier m’engage a donner des ordres pour qu’il soit mis en liberté. Le Sr. Cradock Taylard Americain pour lequel...
72The American Commissioners to Sartine, 2 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (three), Library of Congress <Passy, January 2, 1779: We are obliged for the concern you expressed on December 22 for the American prisoners escaping from England. Our agents in Bordeaux, Brest, Lorient, Nantes and Dunkirk, as well as a volunteer in Calais, assist them. We will reimburse your commissaries engaged in this relief as we...
73The American Commissioners to Sartine, 10 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies: National Archives <Passy, September 10, 1778: Captain Daniel McNeill of Boston retook a French vessel [the Isabelle ] held by a Guernsey privateer more than three days. He brought her into Port Louis where he has met with difficulties selling her and her cargo. In keeping with His Majesty’s interest and the treaties between our two...
74The 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...
75From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank your Excellency for the Appointment of a frigate to escort the Ships from Nantes to the Isle of Aix, and the Assurances of Protection to our Vessels who may join the Convoy there. Our Frigate the Alliance, is order’d to prepare for returning immediately to America. If your Excy. should think fit to send some Dispatches by her, they may probably go safe, as she...
76From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 30 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; copy: Library of Congress I am under the greatest Uneasiness to find, that great Part of the Cloathing sent to Brest to be shipt for America, was left behind, and that the Alliance alone has not sufficient Room, to receive it with the Arms and Gunpowder, which the King has been so good as to order for us, and which are all so much wanted in the American Armies. A...
77From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 27 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am much obliged to M. deshayes, Commissaire des Classes a Cherbourg, for the Care your Excellency informs me he has taken of the poor Americans that have escaped from England and arrived at that Port. I shall desire him to send me his Account of the Expence he has already been at in relieving them, that I may discharge it; and I shall request him to continue his...
78From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 4 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your Excellency will perceive by the inclosed Passports the Grounds on which they were given. The Person to whom they were granted is apprehensive that they will not be a Sufficient Protection against French armed Vessels, & desires to have like passes from your Excellency, which if there is no impropriety, I beg may be granted to him. With great Respect, I have the...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Les Arrangemens, Monsieur, que M. Le Duc de la Vauguyon Ambassadeur du roi en Hollande, doit prendre avec les Etats généraux, pour la libre Sortie du Texel, des Bâtimens François et Americains qui s’y trouvent rassemblés, pouvant exiger que les Prisonniers Anglois faits sur les navires Marchans, et actuellement à bord de la Fregate des Etats unis, l’alliance, soient...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 23 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress L’Intendant de la Marine à Brest, Monsieur, m’a prévenu qu’il avoit fait avancer par le Trésorier de ce port à Mr. James Searle, Colonel au Service du Congrès arrivé depuis peu sur un Bâtiment Americain, une Somme de 2,400 l.t. dont cet Officier avoit besoin pour se rendre à Paris. Je vous serai tres obligé des soins que vous voudrez bien vous donner pour que cette...
81From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 26 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress As soon as I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of Writing to me relative to the Exchange of Capt. John Bell & his Son, I wrote to the Owner of the Black Prince to know if they were not Hostages for the Ransom of their Vessel. I have now received an Answer, that they are not Ransomers, but merely Prisoners, their Brigantine Hopewell having been...
82To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 18 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 8. de ce mois relativement à 16. Americains qui se trouvent parmi les prisonniers provenant du Sénegal et qui desireroient entrer au Service des Etats Unis. Une des Conditions expresses de la Capitulation acceptée par M. Le Duc Lauzun portant que tous les prisonniers seroient renvoiés en...
83To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 27 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, La lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 23. de ce mois. J’ai rendu Compte à Sa Majesté des ordres que vous avez bien voulu donner au Sr. Landais Capitaine de la Fregatte Americaine l’alliance, de conduire au Port de l’Orient le Batiment qu’il commande. Sa Majesté desire que cette fregatte soit reunie au Vaisseau le Bonhomme Richard...
84To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 7 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) copies: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le deux de ce mois relativement aux 16. prisonniers qui ont été remis par le Capitaine du Corsaire la Princesse Noire de Mr. Boucauld Commissaire à Morlaix vous verrez, Monsieur, par la Lettre que je viens de recevoir les raisons qui l’ont determiné à ne pas remettre ces...
85From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress As our Prisoners now exchanging are chiefly at Portsmouth and Plymouth and the Distance between those Places & Nantes is double of that between them and Morlaix, and a great Part of the Voyage to Nantes, being in the Bay of Biscay, which will be very inconvenient to the Cartel Ship and other Poor Passengers, in the Winter Season, I am...
86From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; incomplete copy: Library of Congress J’ay receu La lettre que Vostre Excellence m’a fait L’honneur de m’ecrire Le 17 de ce mois, Sur unne lettre qu’elle a Reçue du Lieutenant general de L’amirauté de Vannes et de L’orient, qui L’informe que J’ay ecrit au dit Lieutenant general pour que le Vaisseau le Serapis Soit vendu par devant Les Juges de Cette amirauté. J’ay...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 20 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives La Difficulté, Monsieur, de recevoir des Nouvelles de l’Amérique Septemtrionale, et de donner de celles d’Europe au Congrès me fait desirer que vous suspendiez le départ pour l’Amerique Septemtrionale, de la frégate des Etats-unis, l’Alliance; parceque le Roi a ordonné qu’il fût préparé une de ses frégates pour porter en Amérique...
88The American Commissioners to Sartine, 2 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of yesterdays Date, requesting Us to give to the Sieur Fagan all the Security in our Power, for three Vessells, to transport the Merchandises of France to England. We have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency, that we have accordingly given the Sieur Fagan, three...
89From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I return herewith the Letters of Mr. de la Villehelis and de la Dame de st. Maurice which your Excellency did me the honour of communicating to me the 15th. Instant. I begin to have a bad Opinion of this Mr. Lock he has written me a Letter, in which he pretends to be an American, but it is so written as to make me suspect the Contrary. I knew nothing of the Damsel Des...
90Sartine to the American Commissioners, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Messieurs, avec la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 2. de ce mois, celle qui y étoit jointe et le mémoire du Sr. Darrel. Je suis surpris des Difficultés qu’il a éprouvées à l’Occasion de la Désertion de ses Matelôts; et je m’occuperai des Moyens d’y remedier a l’avenir. Il sera plus facile de le faire lorsqu’il y aura des Consuls des...
91Sartine to the American Commissioners, 14 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives (three); transcript: National Archives <Versailles, July 14, 1778, in French: The inhabitants of the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon may receive few or no supplies, and be in great distress, if some of the victualers I have sent are intercepted; and by the time we hear of it there will be no remedy....
92To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 27 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer les procedures instruites par les Officiers de l’Amirauté de Brest concernant la prise le jeune Domnique, et huit rançons faites par le Corsaire Americain le Prince Noir. Vous savez, Monsieur, que le Conseil des Prises n’a pas jugé convenable de prendre connoissance de ces Sortes de procedures; et je vous prie de m’accuser la...
93The American Commissioners to Sartine, 1 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have the Honour to inclose to your Excellency, a Letter We have this day recd from Nantes, together with a Representation from Mr The Congress have not as yet appointed any Consuls in any of the Ports of this Kingdom, and they have not invested Us with Power to appoint such officers. We expect...
94To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, Archives Nationales; press copy: Library of Congress; (II) copy: Archives Nationales J’ai eu l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous marquer par ma Dépêche du 26. May 1779, que Je chargeois les Administrateurs de la Guadeloupe, de regler, d’après les Connoissances qu’ils pourroient se procurer sur les Lieux, L’indemnité que le Roy vouloit...
95The American Commissioners to Sartine, 5 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, November 5, 1778: We received your letter of the fifth of this month, but since the memoir concerning the French surgeon was omitted, we cannot give you an adequate answer. The United States has no official policy for prisoners in England. We have loaned small sums to those who have escaped English captivity to...
96Sartine to the American Commissioners, 22 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress <Versailles, December 22, 1778, in French: You are undoubtedly aware that American seamen escaping from English prisons often arrive in French ports without the basic necessities. I can instruct the commissioners in ports where you have no agents to treat these men as they would French escapees. Regarding British prisoners taken by Americans, I propose they be...
97Sartine 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...
98From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 29 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I have received a Letter from Mr. Wm. Bingham, Agent for the Congress at Martinique, covering the inclosed for your Excellency, and giving an Account of an unhappy Mistake, in which a Vessel belonging to some Subjects of the U. S. was sunk by one of the Batteries of Guadeloupe, & 17 of the People drowned. I request your Excellency would take the Matter into...
99To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien écouter M. Doumer , porteur de ma lettre, que j’ai chargé de vous entretenir d’une affairre a laquelle Je prends interêt. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec Beaucoup de considération, Monsieur, votre trés humble et trés obéissant serviteur./. Endorsed: M. de Sartine concerning M. Dommer Notation: De Sartine Paris 11e 9bre....
100From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 22 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer waits upon your Excellency for the order you were so good as to promise on thursday last, for the sale of the Prizes taken by the squadron under Commodore Jones. He waits here for that order only and the ship must be detained at a great expence till it can be executed. With the greatest Respect I am your Excellency’s, most obedient and most humble servant....