1From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, [before 1 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Hôtel des Commissaires-Priseurs, Paris (1970) ; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Pour vous faire mieux comprendre la force de ma Demonstration que vous ne m’aimez pas, je commence par un petit Conte. Un Mendiant demandoit d’un rich Eveque un Louis en Aumone. Tu es un Extravagant: On ne donne pas des Louis aux Mendiants. Un Ecu, donc. Non: c’est trop. Un Liard, donc:—ou vôtre...
2Friday June the 15th 1781. (Adams Papers)
This morning Mr. Dana, Mr. Thaxter, brother Charles and myself went to Kaa’s, to see Mr. Jennings and Mr. Bordly. We found Mr. Searle there; he has just arriv’d from the Texel; where he has been since saturday. We stay’d sometime there and then went to take a ride; we went out of the Haerlem Port, and rid round by the side of the outer Cingel and came in again into the Leyden Port. After...
3From John Adams to the President of Congress, 15 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The long expected Courier has at last arrived at the Hague from Petersbourg. The Contents of his dispatches are not publick, but all hopes of immediate assistance from the armed Neutrality seem to be dissipated. The Question now is what is to be done next. Some are for Alliances with the House of Bourbon and America: but a thousand fears arise. France, the Emperor and the Republick have...
The united States of America, To all to whom these Presents shall come send Greeting. Whereas his most Christian Majesty our great and beloved Friend and Ally hath informed us by his Minister Plenipotentiary whom he hath appointed to reside near us, that their Imperial Majesties the Empress of Russia and the Emperor of Germany actuated by Sentiments of Humanity and a desire to put a Stop to...
5II. Joint Commission to Negotiate a Peace Treaty, 15 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled. To all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting. Whereas these United States from a sincere desire of putting an end to the hostilities between his most Christian Majesty and these United States on the one part, and his Britannic Majesty on the other, and of terminating the same by a peace founded on such solid and equitable principles...
Instructions to the Honble. John Adams Benjamin Franklin John Jay Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson ministers plenipotentiary in behalf of the United States to negotiate a Treaty of Peace Gentlemen You are hereby authorized and instructed to concur in behalf of these United States with his most Christian Majesty in accepting the Mediation proposed by the Empress of Russia and the Emperor of...
7Continental Congress to the American Peace Commissioners: Two Commissions, [15 June 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I) DS : American Philosophical Society (three); D (draft): National Archives; (II) copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society (three), William L. Clements Library; D (draft): National Archives In late May, 1781, the Austrian and Russian courts, invited by Britain to mediate its war with France and Spain, proposed terms to serve as a basis of...
8Continental Congress to the American Peace Commissioners: Instructions, [15 June 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress (two), National Archives (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, Charles E. Feinberg, Detroit (1957); L (draft): National Archives; LS : Philip D. Sang, River Forest, Illinois (1959), Massachusetts Historical Society You are hereby authorised and instructed to concur in behalf of these United States with his most...
9To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 15 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères My Cousin Mr Samuel Hartley has thoughts of taking a journey to Paris upon some mercantile business and having myself a month or two without engagements to dispose of it has occurred both to him and to me that I shd like very well to accompany him. However I think it best to inform you of this, that I may...
10To Benjamin Franklin from John Witherspoon, 15 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (two): American Philosophical Society The Committee of foreign Affairs lately wrote your Excellency on the Subject of my Son John Witherspoon who was Surgeon to the Letter of Marque De Graaff taken at St Eustatius and sent to England as I have been informed in the Alcmene Man of War requesting you to use your Endeavours to obtain his Release upon Parole and his Exchange as soon as...