61From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 1 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Commodore Gillon has shown me a Project for reducing the English Force in Georgia, by the Help of some Ships from hence. I am not sufficiently a Judge of Military Operations to speak positively of it. I can only say that in my Opinion the Advantage arising from its Success would be very great to the Common Cause; and that the extensive Confidence which appears by his...
62The American Commissioners to Sartine, 27 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; four copies: National Archives <Passy, September 27, 1778: We received yours of the 21st relative to the retaking of the Isabelle by Captain McNeill. Since comte d’Estaing has probably retaken American vessels from the English, we should soon have intelligence on how this was handled. In the meanwhile we have advised Captain McNeill to turn over...
63The American Commissioners to Sartine, 16 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 16, 1778: We shall take the first opportunity to send to Congress and the government of Massachusetts your letter of the 14th; it will, we are confident, lead to exertions for the relief of the islanders. Success is undoubted if British warships are withdrawn from the area; if not the difficulty will be...
64The 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,...
65From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 22 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Enclos’d Papers containing much information of the State of the garrison at St. John’s in Newfound land, and of the fortifications there. The Loss of Military Stores by the late great Fire &c &c. I thought it my Duty to communicate them to your Excellency as they may be of use if perhaps an attempt against that Place Should be intended. They were taken in one of...
66From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 26 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Votre Excellence voudra bien recevoir mes Remerciemens pour La Reception favorable dont elle a honoré le Commodore Gillon qui en est on ne peut plus satisfait. Il est echoué sur Les Cotes de France dans Le Mois de Janvier dernier un Vaisseau Anglois nommé l’Amphitrite. Il y avoit a bord de ce Vaisseau trois Matelots Americains qui s’y etoient embarqués a Londres pour...
67From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine: Three Letters, 16 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I), (II), and (III) copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the Honour of writing to me the 14 Instant relating to some foreign Seamen which had been engaged for the Madame of Granville, but are now with Capt. Jones. The Demand of the Owners of that privateer seems to be just; and I shall write by the first Post to Capt. Jones to give them satisfaction either by...
68From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 2 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer cy joint la traduction d’une lettre que je viens de recevoir du Capitaine Conklin qui se plaint beaucoup de la Detention de sa Cargaison par l’Amirauté des Sables d’Olones. Votre Excellence a deja eu la bonté de me promettre la main levée de cette Cargaison, mais restant toujours dans la même Situation, je prie V. E. de vouloir bien...
69The 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...
70From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 5 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; copy: Library of Congress Having just received these Letters under Cover to me from New- England, I Send them immediately to your Excellency. Being with great Esteem, and Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Sert. Endorsed: M d F expédies la réponse a toutes les lettres que j’ai recuës de M de la Touche pour la faire partir par l’ariel...
71From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 18 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress By Letters I am daily receiving, I find there are in various Prisons of France a number of American Sailors, who having been forced into the english Service and since taken, remain confined with those of that Nation; but are very desirous of serving their own Country, in any of our Ships of War; and to that end, request I would obtain their Discharge from their...
72The American Commissioners to Sartine: Three Letters, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (II) LS : Archives de la Marine; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives; (III) LS : New York Public Library; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have the Honour of your Excellencys Letter of the 14 of this Month informing Us, of his...
73The American Commissioners to Sartine: Two Letters, 18 August 1778: letter and résumé (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; (II) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives The Administration in England have agreed to an Exchange of Prisoners with us, and propose that it shall be made at Calais. They will accordingly furnish us with a Pasport for a Vessel to bring the Prisoners from Brest to Calais, if we procure a similar one for their...
74From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je prends la Liberté d’introduire aupres de votre Excellence le Commodore Gillon de la Caroline Meridionale. Cet Etat l’envoie en France pour y negocier une Affaire tres Importante. Il desireroit soumettre quelques Propositions aux Lumieres de votre Excellence, & je me flatte qu’elle voudra bien lui accorder une Audience favorable. J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec beaucoup...
75The American Commissioners to Sartine, 17 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (three) <Passy, September 17, 1778: We received today your letter of the sixteenth relative to the recapture of the Isabelle . We agree with your Excellency’s sentiments on reciprocity between the two nations. Unfortunately we have no access here to United States’ law. A copy of your letter and our answer will be sent to...