1From Benjamin Franklin to Hilary Andoe, 4 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 28th. past. The Mr. Lea you mention came here from Dublin expressly, as he assur’d me with many extravagant asseverations, to communicate a Project he had formed of defeating the Fleets and armies of Britain, by playing Water upon them from such Engines as are used to quench Fires. & thereby wetting...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 4 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress In case you furnish Mr de Chaumont with Four hundred Thousand Livres tournois on Account of the Cloths he has sold to me, this shall authorise you to receive the said Sum out of the Aids of Government for the ensuing Year, in quarterly Payments, agreable to the Etat formerly settled, and to retain the same in your Hands in discharge...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 4 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: Library of Congress I am honoured with yours of the 24th. past. I have delivered your Letters to the M. de Castries & M. de Chaumont, and shall strongly sollicit the Payment of the Prize money, which I understand is not yet received from the King. I hope soon to see an End of that Affair, which has met with so many unaccountable Obstructions.— I...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am glad you have settled your affairs to your Mind relating to the Fayette. I hope She will now soon be at L’Orient. M. le Marquis de Castries, desired to know of me if your Request of a Passport for the Arms was agreable to my Views. I answered yes, & that he would oblige me by granting it. I suppose you will receive it by this Post. I wish You to send, either by...