Benjamin Franklin Papers
Documents filtered by: Recipient="American Commissioners" AND Period="Revolutionary War" AND Period="Revolutionary War" AND Date="1778-04-08"
sorted by: date (ascending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-26-02-0191

Desegray, Beaugeard fils & Cie. to the American Commissioners, 8 April 1778

Desegray, Beaugeard fils & Cie.5 to the American Commissioners

ALS: American Philosophical Society

St. Maloe’s 8th. April 1778.

Most Honourable Gentlemen

If we are Somewhat late in our Congratulations Concerning your Glorious transactions with the French Ministry, We hope you won’t take it amiss; and that you will not doubt of our most sincere Wishes for your welfare and happiness, as also for the Continuation of the Union and good harmony betwixt the United States of America and France.

We have had here of late nothing material about American affairs, which has been the Cause of our silence. An english Privateer has been seen these 2 or 3 days since in our and Grandville’s neighbourhood, but we know there must be some French fregates, lately sent out from brest in search of her and other hostile Vessels.

Here is, Gentlemen, a Copy of a letter wrote to us By our Friend Mr. J. D. Schweighauser of Nantz by which he seems to have been appointed to represent the American Agent in Britany;6 We’ll be glad to Know if that letter is exactly conform to your orders, as we intend never to act Contrary to them. We begg the Continuance of your Kind dispositions for our House, and to be thought with all sincerity and Greatest Respect Most Honourable Gentlemen Your most Obedient and Very humble Servants

Desegray Beaugeard Junr. & Co.

The Honble: Messrs. Frankelin, Dean & Lee, in Paris

Endorsed: Duseagray Beaugeard & Co abt Mr Schweighauser 8 Ap. 1778.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5A St. Malo firm that has frequently appeared in previous volumes.

6The enclosed letter announced his appointment as commercial agent for the region, and instructed the firm to report to him at once the arrival of any ship belonging to Congress. For his appointment see JW to BF below, April 9.

Index Entries