Yorktown, 24 March 1778. FC ( PCC , No. 79, I). This is Instruction No. 3, which probably reached the Commissioners in late April, having first arrived at Bilboa on a vessel “from Baltimore in 22 days” (John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 21 April , below). In its first communication to the Commissioners since JA ’s departure, the Committee for Foreign Affairs commented on the depreciation of...
2From Benjamin Franklin to James Hutton, 24 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress My dear old Friend was in the right not “to call in question the Sincerity of my Words where I say Feb. 12. we can treat if any Propositions are made to us.” They were true then, and are so still, if Britain has not declared War with France; for in that case we shall undoubtedly think ourselves obliged to continue the War as long as she does. But methinks you...
3From Benjamin Franklin to William Lee, 24 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Maryland Historical Society; copy: Harvard University Library Dr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. W. Lee and informs him, that the Treaty of Alliance, is ordered by the Court of France, to be kept a Secret, ’till they think fit to publish it. Addressed: Honble William Lee Esqr / Chaillot. Or possibly a copy; in WTF ’s hand.
4The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 24 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II): copy and transcript of each letter, National Archives I cannot consent to omit this oportunity of addressing a few lines to you though the state of our military operations affords nothing material. The manners of the Continent are to much affected by the depreciation of our Currency. Scarce an Officer Civil or military but feels something of a desire to be concerned in mercantile...
5Dumas to the American Commissioners, 24 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Voici ce qu’on m’écrit d’Amsterdam en date du 22e. “On soutient aujourd’hui, que la guerre a été déclarée vendredi à Londres contre la France. L’agitation est visible ici: l’un par la crainte pour ses fonds; l’autre par celle que notre république ne soit embarquée avec...
6Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 24 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Since my last of 21st Instant I have nothing to inform your Excellencies relative to Business, the weather having been such as to prevent any operation. The last post from Brest brings accounts of the Return of Monsr. la motte Picquet with his Fleet. He left our Ships in Latt. 42 Longd. 17 with a fine wind which continued fifteen Days. After Seperation...
7General Orders, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Continental Congress have been pleased to appoint Major General Greene Quarter Master General in the Army of The-United-States reserving to him his rank of Major General in the same and John Cox and Charles Pettit Esquires Assistants Quarter Master General, all of whom respectively are to be considered and respected accordingly. At nine ôClock precisely all the Brigades will...
8From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonels Francis Barber and John Brooks, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
With a view of establishing uniformity of discipline and manœuvres in the army, it is in agitation to form an inspectorship distributed among different officers; the Baron Steuben a Gentleman of high military rank, profound knowledge and great experience in his profession, is placed at the head of this department—as Assistants to him four subinspectors are to be appointed who will be charged...
9To George Washington from Captain Stephen Chambers, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since the Sealing of my letter of the 23rd Inst. Mrs Morris’s Daughter call’d on me for the Grey horse taken from her Mother as they were going to move into the Country this day. her Situation induced me to return him tho’ he is mentd to your Excellency in my letter. Mrs Morris informs me that there is a Lady at her house who came out of Philada yesterday who knows two fellows that are gone to...
10To George Washington from Colonel George Gibson, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive Your Excys favour of the 22d currt, It is not in my power to comply with your Excys order respectg the Two British serjeants immediately. the Horses taken with them have been sent to York town on public business from whence they are momently expected, so soon as they arrive they shall be sent off & your Excys orders respectg them Shall be fully comply’d...