1From John Adams to William Vernon Jr., 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Correspondence of the Commissioners here is so extensive, that it is impossible for me to do without the Assistance of a Clerk, and Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin who has been so good as to assist me for some Months past is now obliged to leave me, in order to return to Boston. If you are not determined to go immediately into a Compting House, and can think of Spending a little time at Passi,...
2John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Referring to what I had the Honor to write you the 12th Current. Yesterday arrived from Virginia the Cutter Tartar Capt. Southcomb. He left York River the 29th July. Private Letters by him are dated the 21st of same contain no accounts other than them at hand. He reports a report of Comte d’Estaing having taken five English Frigates, that New York was closely blockt up and no doubt of the...
3John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 15 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 15, 1778: The cutter Tartar , Captain Southcomb, arrived yesterday from the York River, which it left on July 29. Southcomb reports d’Estaing had taken five English frigates and that New York was closely blockaded and would doubtless fall. [ Postscripts: ] Captain Ayres died on the 13th; I had him buried as decently as is allowed to...
4To George Washington from Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
this Morning Returnd from Long Island where I find that the Garrison on Lloyds Consists of 250 Men Including Wood Cutters, they Have a Small fort Situated upon a Clift Joyning the Sound, with a Small Entrenchment about three feet in Height, Nearly four Square Abatied on three Sides in about fifteen feet of the Lines & nothing but Musquetry to Defend it, the Garrison Consists Entirely of New...
5To George Washington from Major Alexander Clough, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning I was in formd that genl Clinton had return’d to new york, the former intelligance relating the removel of the arttilery store is conferm’d with this addition, that there remains little on shore, the loss of men by sickness in Adml Byrons fleet is very considerable, at this time there is not less than 460 sick belonging, the Conquerer unfitt for duty, Adml Howe arive’d the last...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Coder, 15 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la Liberté de vous adresser la reponsse que m’a fait Le ministre a La notte que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous comuniquer. Je vous suplie de prendre conoissence, du memoire si joint et s’il vous interesse assés pour Le remettre ou du moins pour en parler a Mr. de Sartine, je vous devrai sans doute la fin d’une persecution, sous laquelle je suis a la...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter informing Franklin of his election as minister plenipotentiary to the court of France; the official notification was not sent for another six weeks. The dissolution of the American commission was not the result of its internal dissensions and inefficiency, but rather of the dictates of diplomatic protocol. This demanded that the...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, [c. 15 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’accepte avec un plaisir infini, ma chere amie, la Proposition que vous me faites avec tant de bonté de m’adopter pour vôtre Pere. Je serai bienheureux en la Parenté d’une si bonne enfante; et comme en venant m’etablir ici, j’ai perdu la douce Compagnie et l’Attention respectueuse d’une Fille affectionnée, cette Perte sera reparée, et j’aurai la...
9To Benjamin Franklin from ––– Gerard, 15 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous etes prié de la part de la R.L.D.St.P. des V. ffrs. de vous trouver jeudy. 17. de ce Mois de 7bre. 1778. à Midy précises à la Loge d’adoption qui se tiendra au Ranelagh de Passy près la Muette. Il y aura réception d’appsse. de Compgne. et de Maitsse. avec Musique, Banquet ensuite et Bal. La Cotisation est de 12 l.t. que vous êtes prié de faire remettre...
10Richard Grinnell to the American Commissioners, 15 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Guernsey, September 15, 1778: Captain Peter Collas and I sailed with Captain [Corbin] Barnes from Paimboeuf August 29. We were captured September 1 by Captain Abraham Bushall who treated us like brothers. We fell in with Captain Niles whose schooner Spy had been taken by a Jersey privateer. Niles and Barnes succeeded in throwing all papers overboard....