(I) L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress; (II) L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives <Versailles, January 9, 1779, in French: I have received your undated letter. We will take its contents into consideration as...
I have received, gentlemen, the undated letter that you did me the honor to write. Rest assured that we will, as much as circumstances will permit, take its contents into consideration. You may rely on the sincere interest that the King takes in the prosperity of the United States. I have the honor to be very perfectly, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant LbC ( Adams Papers...
I have communicated to M. Sartine, gentlemen, the letter in which you request that an escort be provided for the vessels about to sail, which are bound for ports in the United States. This minister has just replied that it is not possible to provide an escort for the entire crossing, but the vessels in question will be conducted to waters where they can be safe from the attacks of enemy...
4John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor to pay my respects to you the 1st. Instant since which am without any of your Commands. The Convoy for the French Islands left this yesterday and with them three small Cutters for the States of America. We have a Vessel from Edenton arrived at Bayonne sail’d in October of course no News only Tobacco is at ten pounds that Currency the hundred weight by which the Traders in...
5John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <Bordeaux, January 9, 1779: Yesterday the convoy for the French islands sailed, accompanied by three small cutters for the United States. From a vessel arriving out of Edenton I have learned that tobacco is £10 per hundred weight in American currency. American prices are extraordinarily high because of the excessive emission of...
6The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la Lettre, Sans datte, que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire. Ne doutez pas que nous ne prenions son contenu en Consideration, Selon que les Circumstances le permettront: Vous en avez un sûr garant dans l’interet Sincere que le Roi prend à la prosperité des Etats-Unis. J’ai l’honneur d’etre tres parfaitement, Messieurs, vôtre très humble et tres obeissant Serviteur
7The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai communiqué á M. de Sartine, Messieurs, la Lettre, par la quelle vous demandez qu’il soit donné escorte aux Batimens en partance qui Sont destinés pour les Ports des Etats Unis. Ce Ministre vient de me repondré qu’il n’est point possible d’accorder cette Escorte pour toute la traversée, mais que les Batimens en question seront conduits jusqu’aux parages qui pourront les mettre a l’Abri des...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Greenleaf, 9 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Williams favours me with an opportunity of addressing a few lines to you upon a subject very interesting to me— I have an only son, by name Thomas, who is now a prisoner in Portsmouth gaol, & has been so for several months. My request to you is, for your Influence to get him exchanged, if possible, & put into such public service as he is capable of; He...
9From George Washington to Richard Peters, 9 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 7th instant—As there is not probably a sufficiency of Mittens for the whole Army, a partial distribution would occasion uneasiness among those who were not supplied. Instead therefore of a general delivery, I should think it better to have them lodged with the Cloathiers attending the Army to be delivered out occasionally to detachments going upon a duty that...
10II. The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Some late Proceedings of the Enemy, have induced us, to submit a few Observations to your Excellency’s superior Lights and Judgement. His Britannic Majesty’s Commissioners, in their Manifesto of the 3d of October, have denounced “a Change in the whole Nature and future Conduct of the War,” they have declared “that the Policy as well as Benevolence of Great Britain, have thus far checked the...