1Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine to the American Commissioners, 5 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Versailles, July 5, 1778, in French: As I need Captain Jones for a certain expedition, I would like him to remain here. If this does not prove inconvenient, please leave him at my disposal, and give the command of his vessel to his second.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 265.
2Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine to the American Commissioners, 26 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library <Versailles, April 26, 1778, in French: When the Boston arrived, the King’s order to treat American warships as those of an ally had not reached Bordeaux. Such ships must identify themselves when they enter harbor as men-of-war; private vessels never receive a salute.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 57–8.
3Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine to the American Commissioners, 5 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives J’ai l’honneur, Messieurs, de vous envoyer un mémoire qui m’a été adressé d’Alresford, par un Chirurgien François pris sur le Batiment Americain Le Gest. Si les Etats unis ont adoptés quelques precautions pour faire passer des secours à leurs Sujets, detenus en Angleterre, je ne doute pas que vous ne les...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 8 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Un Corsaire nommé l’union de l’Amerique, qui a été expedié de Dunkerque avec une Commission du Roi, mais équipé avec des Americains et des Irlandois étant chassé dans le Port de St. Malo a été arrêté par ordre de la Cour, et on dit que l’équipage doit être envoyé à l’Orient pour être mis àbord les vaisseaux du Roy qui sont dans ce port. Voilà, Monseigneur, le rapport...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 6 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress; National Archives (two) Les circonstances exigent, Monsieur, que l’Expedition de l’Escadrille aux ordres de M. Jones soit terminée au Texel, il paroit indispensable de donner une nouvelle destination aux differents bâtiments qui la composent. Vous étez le maitre, Monsieur, de disposer de la fregate Americaine l’alliance d’après les vues que vous pouvez avoir...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 2 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Orders which your Excellency did me the honor to inform me (in your Letter of the 13. of January last) were sent to all the Ports, for receiving into his Majesty’s Prisons, the English Prisoners brought in by our Cruizers, have not it seems arriv’d at Brest. For I have just received a Letter from M. Schweighauser of Nantes, who has the Care of the Prisoners taken...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer une lettre que le Sr. Samuel Will detenu à Carhaix m’a fait passer, et par la quelle il represente qu’ayant été pris par le Corsaire le Ranger au mois d’avril 1778. Il a été oublié dans l’Echange qui a été fait des Prisonniers Americains , et en conséquence il demande sa liberté. Je vous prie de vouloir bien donner vos ordres...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 20 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; copy: Library of Congress In compliance with your Excellency’s Opinion, express’d in the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 14th. of October last, that I should send for Capt. Landais to Paris, to give an account of his Conduct respecting the late Engagement with the Serapis, where in it had appear’d to your Excellency, “that if the Frigate...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 3 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 19 du mois dernier par la quelle vous me marquez que plusieurs Americains qui, après avoir été pressés en Angleterre, ont été pris sur des Vaisseaux de cette nation et conduits dans les Prisons de France desireroient entrer au Service des Etats unis. J’ai deja accordé au Capitaine John la...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 28. du mois der [dernier]. Le Roi à qui j’ai rendu Compte de la demande que vous me faites de permettre au Batiment parlementaire destiné à l’Echange des Prisonniers Americains et Anglois, d’aborder dans le port de Morlaix, a bien voulu consentir à lui accorder cette permission; J’ai...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 8 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je joins ici, Messieurs, un Manuscrit en six cayers, ayant pour titre, lettres de plusieurs Membres du Congrès &c. que l’on desire de faire imprimer. Je n’ai point voulu y donner mon Consentement sans vous l’avoir communiqué auparavant. Je vous prie en consequence d’en prendre lecture et de me marquer, en me le renvoyant ce que vous en aurez pensé. J’ai l’honneur...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 31 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives Nationales M. de sartine fait ses complimens à Monsieur franklin, et a l’honneur de le prévenir qu’il vient d’etre rendû un Arrêt du Conseil portant que la Requête du Sr. Walpole sera communiquée aux Srs. Alexander pour y répondre dans la quinzaine; les choses demeurant en même état où elles étoient avant l’Ordonnance de M le Comte de Durat les Srs. Alexandre ont écrit à M le...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 13. de ce mois, celle que vous avez écrite à l’agent des Etats unis à l’Orient et je me suis empressé de lui faire passer le Commissaire de la Marine dans ce port. Je doute qu’elle soit arrivée assez promptement pour que cet Agent ait remis au Capitaine du Navire Anglois...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 18 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have examined the Papers which your Excellency did me the honour to Send me the 11th. of last Month relative to the Prizes and Ransoms taken by the american Privateer the Black Prince, and am of Opinion that the Same are good being taken from the Enemies of the United States. I therefore pray your Excellency to give such Directions relating thereto, to the admiralty...
15Sartine to the American Commissioners, 10 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, August 10, 1778, in French: Since I wrote you on July 29 the commissaire des classes at Nantes informs me the American agent there has entrusted him with some British prisoners. M. de la Porte, intendant at Brest, has written me that the cargo of the Ranger’s prize is spoiling. I await your reply in order to...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 11 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received and read with great Pleasure the Letter your Excellency did me the honour to write to me the 26 past, acquainting me with his Majesty’s Goodness towards the Sieur Giddins, who had the Misfortune to lose his Brigantine by the Mistake of a Battery at Guadeloupe. I beg you would present and make acceptable to his Majesty my most thankful Acknowledgements for...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 13 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Le S. Cher. [Sieur Chevalier] Bernard de Marigny, Monsieur, qui vous a écrit la lettre que vous me renvoyez est un Officier qui jouit d’une tres bonne Reputation et votre recommandation en sa faveur ne peut qu’ajouter au desir que j’ai de lui procurer les graces dont ses services sont susceptibles. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec une parfaite consideration, Monsieur, Votre...
18Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 18 July 1778: résumés (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two of each), Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, July 18, 1778, in French: Letters from Lorient tell of the trouble between the commander of the Boston and the French volunteers and sailors in his crew, of whom twenty-eight—twenty-five volunteers and three apprentices—have been sent ashore. Their grievance was against the first lieutenant and two other...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have immediately given, and send inclos’d, the Order to Capt. Jones, which your Excellency has done me the Honour to demand of me. I have received a Letter from Mr Dargent, Deputy of Trade for the Province of Picardy, enclosing a Memorial, which I beg leave to submit to your Excelly’s. Consideration. With the greatist Respect I am. Y. Excelly: m. o. & m. h. S. We...
20The American Commissioners to Sartine, [16 May 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <[Passy, May 16, 1778:] Basmarein, Raimbaux & Cie. informs us that it has applied to the government for a frigate to defend its commerce and make reprisals for its losses; we request that it may have one, and will give the ship a commission and a letter of marque.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 123. The...
21Sartine to the American Commissioners, 1 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; Library of Congress (two) <Versailles, October 1, 1778, in French: For certain reasons I am asking His Majesty to grant Mr. Fagan passports for three British ships to carry goods from France to England. I request you to grant him whatever documentation he needs for protection against privateers. The merchandise involved consists only of goods belonging...
22The American Commissioners to Sartine, 30 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives In Answer to your Excellencys Letter of the Twenty fifth of this Month, We have the Honour to inclose, four Papers, with Blancs to be filled as your Excellency may have occasion. These Requests being all the Protection in our Power to give, We hope will have the desired Effect and We have the Honour to be &c In JA ’s hand.
23Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives; (II) copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 2. de ce mois. Je sais que vous chargés vos Agens dans differens Ports du Royaume de fournir aux prisonniers Americains echapés, ou revenant d’angleterre, les objets dont ils peuvent avoir besoin à leur arrivée; mais il ne paroit pas...
24The American Commissioners to Sartine, 15 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 15, 1778: We refused M. Bersolle’s previous draft until he had sent his accounts. He then billed us for a thousand louis advanced to Capt. Jones on his arrival. Again we refused, because we had not authorized the advance and, when the Captain wrote that he could not feed his...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 19 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec La Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 16 de ce mois, les pieces relatives au Brigantin Américain le Whim, entré à l’Isle de Rhé pour se reparer après avoir fait côte pres de Trance en Poitou. Je me suis empressé de faire passer ces pieces au Conseil des Prises et je ne doute pas que ce Tribunal ne rende son Jugement le plus...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 12 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, de vous prevenir que le Paquebot Anglois l’heureux armé en Parlementaire vient d’arriver au Port de l’Orient, et comme le nombre des Prisonniers qui sera remis en Echange au Capitaine de ce Batiment ne sera pas égal à celui qu’il a apporté en France, J’ai pensé que vous pourriez profiter de cette occasion pour renvoyer en Angleterre les Prisonniers...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 17 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress A friend of mine in England, who has been servicable to me in negociating the Exchange of American Prisoners requests that I would endeavour to obtain the Release of one of his friends now a Prisoner in france. The Person is thus described John Stephenson of hull Master and Owner of the ship Sally; taken on the first of July, by a Lugger Privateer of Bretagne, named...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 6 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have the honour of Sending your Excellency inclosed, an extract of a Letter I have lately recd. from London, desiring the release of certain Prisoners therein named, taken by American Privateers, & now confined at St. Omers. Being desirous of repaying as soon as possible the Prisoners I owe, for those I recd. from England some time past, & being promised that if...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 7 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your Excellency will perceive by the inclosed Extract of a Letter to me, from Messrs. Parsons Alston & Co. of Martinique, that certain Prisoners made by American Vessels, & carried in there were with others taken by French Vessels, sent to France via St. Domingo in order to be exchanged. If the sd. Prisoners are arrived, or when they do arrive, I desire your...
30The American Commissioners to Sartine, 13 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 13, 1778: We are sorry for the delay in answering your letter of July 29. We are of opinion that the regulations are very good but wish to make the following observations. We propose that judges of admiralty in America because of the size of their jurisdictions be permitted to delegate their authority....