1Barbeu-Dubourg: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [after 21 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society M. D. propose a Messieurs F. D. et L. de leur faire des avances soit de draps, soit de fusils (du modele de 1763, controllés et tirés des propres magazins du Roy) pour la valeur de trois cent mille livres tournois, a condition que ces Messieurs lui fourniront en retour des tabacs de Virginie et de Mariland pour pareille somme, bien entendu que les achats...
2The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
3From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of the 8th Instt. The loss of the Island of Rhode Island gives me much concern, though an event that could not be well guarded against. I am happy that most of the Stock had been removed and wish the Cannon had been also brought away, our want of ’em by reason of our late losses, being great. Nothwithstanding this descent and the intelligence of more Ships...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Gabriel Montaudoüin de la Touche, 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici une lettre qui m’a êté addressée pour vous de Bordeaux. Je suis bien fâché que vôtre depart m’ait privë du plaisir de vous avoir a diner, comme vous m’en aviés flatté. C’eut êté une grande satisfaction, et un grand honneur pour moi. J’espere que quelque bonne circonstance nous procurera l’avantage de vous revoir dans nôtre bonne ville. Vous avés vû...
5To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bertin, [before 9 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Bertin prie Messieurs Francklin et Lée de luy faire l’honneur de venir diner chez elle Samedy 9 May 1778. Addressed: A Monsieur/ Monsieur Francklin / a Passy. She was the niece by marriage of Henri-Léonard Bertin, former comptroller general of finances, and was said to have had considerable influence at court. John Adams, who acquired a high regard for...
6To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry Hugh Fergusson], [21 December? 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Fergusson presents compliments and wishes all happiness to doctor Franklin. He takes the liberty to send this card to doctor Franklin, to congratulate him on his safe arrival in Paris. Mr. Fergusson would be much obliged to doctor Franklin could he condescend to name an day and an hour when Mr. Fergusson could have the honour to personaly pay his...
7To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kermorvan, [after 21 December 1776 and before 27 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Instruit par le public du passage de mon frere vers les insurgens vos Compatriotes; j’ai ecri a Messieurs De Montaudoüin freres Negotians a Nantes pour me faire part si il etoit vrai qu’il eût passé a L’amerique sur leurs vaisseaux, et m’informer, s’il etoit possible, de son existence ou de sa mort; ils m’ont repondû que Reccomendé par vous lors de votre...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Etienne Bertier, [before October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le P. Bertier présente ses respects et ce livre à l’illustre Mr. Franklin. Un de ses confrères est charmé de cette occasion pour avoir l’honeur de connoître personellement un homme qu’il connoît depuis long-tems par sa réputation et par ses écrits. Addressed: Optimo Doctori / Franklin / A Passy Father Bertier was BF ’s confrère both at the Académie des...
9To Benjamin Franklin from the Maréchal-Duc de Mouchy, [before 23 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’accepte la proposition de Monsieur francklin pour jeudy 30 Avril et le prie de vouloir bien se charger de le dire a M. son fils, a M. Adams, et a M. Lée. Je lui en serai tres obligé Great-uncle of the marquise de Lafayette and one of the heads of the House of Noailles. His son, the Prince de Poix, had called on BF and Adams soon after the latter’s arrival...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Gruel, 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai pris la liberté de vous ecrire par M. de Basmarein frere de mon neveu. Je luy ai recommandé de vous presenter ma lettre sitôt son arrivée a Paris. J’ose esperer, Monsieur, que vous trouverés bon qu’il profite de vos bontés, et qu’il vous assure quelque fois de ses respects pendant le sejour qu’il fera en la capitalle. J’ay eû l’honneur de vous informer...
11To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I take the earliest Opportunity of expressing my sincere Congratulations on your safe Arrival in France. An Event of the greatest Importance to all America, and particularly regarding your own personal Safety; As the Resentment of your and our Country’s Enemies is not in the least abated, and They would have exceedingly rejoiced, If one of their Cruizers had...
12To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Estaing, [after 21 December 1776 and before 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. le Comte destaing est venut pour avoire l’honneur de voire Mr. franklin et luy demandere sy y pouras avoire un Momant deudiance [d’audience] demain sur les 9 h. edemie 10 h. du matin. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Docteur, ancien membre / Du Congrés Général Des états unis de / L’amerique, en son hotel / A Paris . Charles-Henri, comte d’Estaing...
13From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of the 13th Instt and wish you may have succeeded in your intended scheme to dislodge the Enemy from Heckensec bridge. In my Letter of the 18th I transmitted you a Copy of a Letter from the Council of the Massachusets Bay advising that 6000 men were coming from that State under Genl Lincoln to supply the place of the militia which had returned Home and of their...
14Orders to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having countermanded the March of the three Eastern Regiments under the Command of Lieutt Colo. Vose and directed them to Halt at Morris Town in the Jerseys where I am informd that Colo. Ford at the head of a body of Militia has taken Post. You are to repair immediately to that place & take upon you the Command, not only of the above Regiments, but of the Militia also, and therewith to give...
15From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this Evening favoured with yours of the 19th from Chatham. I not only approve of the disposition you made of the three Regiments under Colo. Vose, because I think it was a very judicious one, but I had, previous to the Receit of your Letter, determined upon exactly the same plan, and had sent Orders to Colo. Vose to halt at Morris Town, that he might afford protection to the well affected...
16From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt. The remissness of the Inhabitants remaining in the City, to turn out at this alarming crisis, to erect Works for their own defence, is astonishing to the last degree. It surprizes me much, that any set of men can be so regardless of their own interests and security. They may flatter themselves, that this conduct will profit...
17From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor[s] of the 7th and 12th of this inst. The first chiefly relates to your wishes, that the Troops of the State of Connecticut whose time expires on the first of January, may, by intreaties and promises of reward be induced to stay beyond their times. Past experience has repeatedly convinced us, that Troops at the most favorable season of the year, and well supplied...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Two Persons returned Yesterday from the Jerseys, who inform me, that there is a very great body of the Enemy in, & around Brunswick, but they could not ascertain the Number—one of them say’s, they were sending off Provisions &c., towards N. York. They made strict enquiry about Boats, but could not hear, of any preparations of the kind. Another Person from Crosswicks informs me, that he saw a...
19To George Washington from Robert Morris, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding there are several British Men of War cruising in our Bay, the Continental Sloop Independance Commanded by Lieutt Robinson has pushed through & got up here yesterday afternoon There is onboard 856 Blankets which were intended with many others now expected in, for the use of the new enlistments, but the inclement weather and the severe duty the Troops now under your Command have...
20To George Washington from Azariah Dunham, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
21 December 1776 . Gives a detailed account of his service since 12 June 1776 as a deputy commissary general in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and he complains of having “been put to unnecessary Dificulties” by a shortage of funds. “I am nearly £6000 in advance for Supplying the Army from the best estimate I can now make a very trifle in hand have no oppertunity of communicating my case to the...
21To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Honor of yours of the 16th & 18th Instant. I have the Pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that on the 19th Instant a Detachment of our Troops Consisting Partly of Continental Troops and Partly of the Militia of Orange and Ulster Counties, having marched Down to the English Neighbourhood in the night Deceived the Sentinel and Surprised the Out Guard of Colonel Buskirks...
22Orders to Carpenter Wharton, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lay in Provisions for Twenty thousand Men—at the following Places—and in the following quantities. At York Four Months. At Lancaster Two Ditto[.] At Mill Town Ten days. Besides the Provisions at these places, which are to be considered as Magazines, you should have some deposited on the Roads leading from Lancaster to Winchester in Virginia—And from the Head of the Bay to Alexandria in the...
Present: Leonard Gansevoort, Chairman; Zephaniah Platt, John Jay, William Duer, Esqrs. . . . Whereas this Committee have been credibly informed and have good Reason to believe that David Van Schaack & Peter Van Schaack Esq rs ., Mess rs . John Stevenson, Cornelius Glen of the City & County of Albany have long maintained an equivocal Neutrality in the present Struggles and are in General...
24Editorial Note on a Charity Appeal, [before 15 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Broadside: American Philosophical Society Among Franklin’s papers in the American Philosophical Society is a one-page printed invitation to the “Assemblées de Charité,” held at the Grand Châtelet on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon of Holy Week, April 15–17, 1778; it was in a packet that Franklin endorsed “Notes and Invitations.” The assembly was a religious service followed by a...