1To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 22 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A considerable time has elapsed since I had the honour of conversing with you on the subject of the Proclamation, and Manifesto of 3d. Octr. issued by the British Commissioners in America. Every attempt should be made to prevent their carrying their bloody purposes into execution. The more I think on the subject, the more I am convinced that it would be proper for the Representatives of our...
2Shubael Gardner to the Commissioners, 22 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Gentlemen you will Excuse all in these From one that is not used to adress in Such undertaking as the present. But Being prompt By your known Com’ and abilatys I hope you will Accept my offering as Simple as it may appear. There has Sundry men Belonging to the united States of North America Ben Brought in here that knowd Not what to Do Being in a friendless place they Being monyless have...
3Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 22 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
Vous etes sans Doute informés, Messieurs, qu’il arrive souvent dans Les Ports de france des sujets des Etats-Unis qui s’échappent des Prisons d’Angleterre, et comme La plupart de ces Marins se trouvent depourvus des Choses les plus necessaires, plusieurs Commissaires des Ports ou vous n’avez pas d’Agent et qui ont deja fait quelques Avances a des sujets des Etats-Unis echappés des Prisons...
You are undoubtedly aware, gentlemen, that United States citizens who have escaped from English prisons often arrive in French ports, and since most of these sailors find themselves without articles of first necessity several Commissioners of Ports where you have no agent and who have already made some advances to these escapees request me to authorize them to furnish these objects. I request...
5“Conseils aux Ministres Anglois”: A Satire Possibly by Franklin, [c. 22 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique , vol. XIII , cahier LII , pp. xxvii–xxxi While no direct evidence links Franklin to this satire and his contributions to the Affaires were infrequent, we believe he may have written this piece. Its subject matter is the October 3 manifesto of the Carlisle commission, in which Britain threatened to use every means in her power to destroy the...
6Shubael Gardner to the American Commissioners, 22 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <London, December 22, 1778: I am not used to making addresses of this kind; please excuse my errors and accept my simple offering. Many Americans who have been brought here have entered the British whale fishery to save themselves from having to serve on men of war. None would have done so if there had been an alternative; I believe they would all return to...
7Laborde Lissalde to the American Commissioners, 22 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pour nous conformer à l’article 11 du Réglement du 27 Septembre dernier nous avons l’honneur de vous addresser la déclaration que vient de rendre pardevant nous le Sr. Néhémie Story cidevant chef de prise du Senaut anglois l’Esperance de Bristol chargé de morue, qui, ayant été pris par le Sr. Jean Leach commandant le corsaire le francklin de Salem et...
8Sartine to the American Commissioners, 22 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress <Versailles, December 22, 1778, in French: You are undoubtedly aware that American seamen escaping from English prisons often arrive in French ports without the basic necessities. I can instruct the commissioners in ports where you have no agents to treat these men as they would French escapees. Regarding British prisoners taken by Americans, I propose they be...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pickerin, 22 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This wil inform you of my Arrival here again, after a short Cruize of 18 days, during which time I have taken two Prizes—the one a Brigantine from Newfoundland Loaden with dry Codd Fish—The other a Dutch Dogger from Barcalona Loaden with Nutts—bound for London. Notwithstanding the Dutch Captain first Possitive Declaration when I took him on Board the Ship...
10General Orders, 22 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial whereof Majr Genl Lord Stirling was President held the 4th of July last at Brunswick and at other times and places afterwards by Adjournment for the trial of Majr Genl Lee on the following charges. First—For disobedience of orders in not attacking the Enemy on the 28th of June agreeable to repeated instructions. Secondly—For Misbehaviour before the Enemy on the same...