15. To Hendrik Calkoen, 9 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The fifth Enquiry is, whether a voluntary Revolt of any one or more of the States, in the American Confederation is to be apprehended: and, if one or more were to revolt, whether the others would not be able to defend themselves? This is a very judicious and material Question. I conceive that the answer to it is easy, and decisive. There is not the least danger of a voluntary Revolt, of any...
2To John Adams from Francis Dana, 9 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I reached Leide in the Scout at 6. o Clock, and finding it impossible from thence to get to Roterdam that night in a Scout, I took a Carriage, and rode on to that place, where I arrived between 10 and 11 Clock at night. There I luckily found a French Gentleman who was bound for Antwerp; with him I took another Carriage at Rotterdam, and tho’ the road was exceedingly bad, we got on within one...
3George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 9 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Bergen County [ New Jersey ] October 9, 1780 . States that the idea of a tour of Europe with Franklin after the war would be tempting if domestic affairs were not so urgent. Asserts that the American military and political situation is such that the country can only be saved by either peace or money from America’s allies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the China portrait of Washington in good order, But no other you mention. Nor has the Picture of the good Bishop ever yet appeared, I begin to be in pain about it, having heard nothing of it from any Place on this Side of the Water, and I have more than one Reason for setting a high Value on it. Your Favour of the 20th. & 29th. past came duly to hand, and...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I received yours of 29th. Sept. & 3d. Oct. It is a very good Addition you made to your Memoire for the Ministers of Russia & Sweden. I am glad to find you are again on such good Terms with the Ambassador, as to be invited to his Comedy. I doubt not of your continuing to cultivate that good understanding. I like much your Insertions in...
6From Benjamin Franklin to David Gregorie, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 30th. past. The king having by a late Ordinance directed the Council of Prizes to take Cognisance of Causes arising from the Conduct of Privateers fitted out in France by his Subjects, tho’ under American Commissions, I apprehend that your proper Application for Redress will be to that Council. As you...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Gardoqui & fils, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have long been made sensible by many Instances, of your Friendship for America, & of the kindness you have Shewn to many of my Countrymen; I beg you to accept my thankful acknowledgements. We have an Exchange of Prisoners here with England, which gives us Americans for all the English taken by American armed Vessels. I have heard from time to time of English...
8From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 20th. Past, containing the account of Prisonners as it stands between the Board & me. I do hereby agree that Capt. Scott of the Golden Eagle Privateer, taken by Capt. Harrabin of the General Pickering, and carried into Bilbao, and allowed to go to England on his Parole, be considered exchanged by one of the 119 Americans Landed at...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Connolly McCausland et al., 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours dated the 10th. past, Tho’ the Commissioners of Sick and Hurt did not think fit to release any Actual Prisoners in Exchange for you, perhaps they may be willing to receive you in part Payment of a Debt I owe them of English in Exchange for Americans they have already delivered here. In that Case, on your sending me their Receipit as for four Persons,...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress Besides the Pleasure of their Company, I had the great Satisfaction of hearing by your two valuable Friends, & learning from your Letter, that you enjoy a good State of Health. May God continue it as well for the Good of Mankind as for your Comfort. I thank you much for the second Edition of your excellent Pamphlet. I forwarded that you sent to...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Ruston, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received and read with Pleasure your Thoughts on American Finance, and your Scheme of a Bank. I communicated them to the Abbé Morellet, who is a good Judge of the Subject, and he has translated them into French. He thinks them generally very just, and very clearly exprest. I shall forward them to a Friend in the Congress. That...
12From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Viel, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai appris par une Lettre du ministre de la marine, que le bateau sur lequel six americains se sont echappés d’angleterre il y a quelque tems, avoit été vendu et que cette vente n’avoit produit que 34. Livres: que les frais relatifs à cette vente et autres depenses montoient à 139 livres que vous avez eu la bonté d’avancer. Comme vous n’avez reçu que le produit du...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Chaumont: Two Letters, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prie Monsieur franklin de me donner un mandat sur M. grand payable au quinze Novembre prochain Sur M. grand pour me Servir de valeur a mes acceptations des traittes de William pour Compte du Congrès. Endorsed: Demand from M. de Chaumont of an Order on Mr Grand, for Money to pay his Acceptations of Mr Williams’s Bills. Oct. 9. 1780 Je prie M....
14To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Conkling, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Gentelman that Waits on Your Excelency With this Letter is An Officer with me in the Brign. Whim the Season Being fair Relapts so that in A few weeks more shall Not be Able to Git my Cargo from La. France this fall thair fore have sent Mr. Pinkham to wait on Your Excelency And pray Your Excelency to Asist him in Obtaining An Order as soon as posable for...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Dana, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The five enclosed bills were this day deliver’d me under cover— they are the property of Mr: Jona: L. Austin. I shall commit them to the care of Mr: Saml: Bradford who goes on for Nantes (by the way of Paris) where he will meet with Mr. Austin. I have requested him to present the Bills for acceptance. Mr Adams is at Amsterdam where I am about going...
16To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wish it was in My power to Give you some Grand intelligence from this part of the world—But Considering the Naval Superiority which the Ennemy have hitherto kept on our Coasts, You will not wonder at our finding it Rather difficult to Cooperate against Maritime points, or such points as are at an immence distance from us. The Arrival of the french Succour...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We begg leave to thank your Excellency for her most obliging favour of the 1st. instant, promising to honour our draufts in the manner we have mention’d, and which we will Continue in Consequence; when any other bills will appear, we propose to follow exactly your Excellencys orders in mentioning the summs, except when a protest should be enthreathend, in...
18To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Jersey Historical Society; draft: Library of Congress I was very much obliged by the letter which you did me the honor to write me by our amiable young friend the Marquis De La Fayette, whose exertions to serve this Country in his own are additional proofs of his zealous attachment to our cause, and has endeared him to us still more. He came out flushed with expectations of a...
19General Orders, 9 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] For the day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Glover[,] Colonel Wyllys[,] Lieutenant Colonel Mellen[,] Major Wallbridge[,] Brigade Major Pettingell Colonel Moylan with his regiment of Cavalry will take post near the little falls and Major Parr with his Corps at the Notch; and both will patrole on the roads towards Newark and Aququakanung. The Marquis de la Fayette will post Major Lee’s...
20From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 9 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was very much obliged by the letter which you did me the honor to write me by our amiable young friend the Marquis De La Fayette, whose exertions to serve this Country in his own are additional proofs of his zealous attachment to our cause, and has endeared him to us still more. He came out flushed with expectations of a decisive campaign and fired with hopes of acquiring fresh laurels, but...
21To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 9 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the request of General Gates I transmit your Excellency the enclosed Papers No. 1, 2, 3 & 4 this Day received. I have the Honor to be with the highest respect your Excellency’s obedient humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 15. GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote Huntington on 15 October . The enclosure docketed “No. 1,” from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates to Huntington...
22To John Jay from Silas Deane, 9 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
This is my fifth Letter since my arrival, and having received no Acknowledgment from you of the Rec t : of any one of them I am a little uneasy for the Fate of them in particular for that which inclosed a Letter from Don Juan to the Minister;—my last was of the 18 th Ult o . in which I wrote you my Sentiments on political Affairs, nothing New has since occurred to induce a Change. Letters are...
23To James Madison from Joseph Jones, 9 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). I think you acted very prudently in declining to press on the part of Virginia the Resolutions I left for the Consideration of Congress, had I been present I should have done the same as I had no intention when they were offered that Virginia should appear anxious about them whatever my opinion might be as to their propriety or Justice. I meant to leave them to the...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 9 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As we are much Distress’d for Carriages to Transport Provisions and Stores for this Army; I must beg Leave to request, Your Excellency, will prevail upon the Executive of Virginia to Order a Brigade of Ten Waggons from each of the Neighbouring Counties of this State from Mecklinbourg < Hallifax, Pittsylvania, & Henry > North Westward to Transport Stores, and provisions < from Taylors Ferry to...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 10[–12] October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je commence cette Lettre aujourd’hui, mais vraisemblablement je ne l’enverrai qu’après demain dans l’espoir de pouvoir y ajouter quelque chose sur ce qu’on aura dit ou fait dans l’Assemblée d’Hollde. En attendant je vous dois prévenir d’une incorrection & d’une omission qu’il y a dans le compte que j’ai eu l’honneur de...
266. To Hendrik Calkoen, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The sixth Task, is to shew that no Person, in America, is of so much Influence, Power, or Credit, that his Death, or Corruption by English Money could be of any nameable Consequence. This question is very natural, for a Stranger to ask, but it would not occur to a native American who had passed all his Life, in his own Country: and upon hearing it proposed, he could only Smile. It Should be...
277. To Hendrik Calkoen, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your seventh Inquiry is, whether the common People in America, are not inclined, nor would be able to find sufficient means, to frustrate by Force, the good Intentions of the skilful Politicians? In answer to this, it is sufficient to say, that the Commonalty have no need to have recourse to Force, to oppose the Intentions of the skillful: because the Law and the Constitution authorize the...
28To John Adams from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Since my letter of the 6th there has been no material incident relative to Mr. H. L——s Commitment; nor is the rigour of his confinement abated. No person whatever can speak to Him but in hearing and sight of the two attending Messengers. It is said the Secy. of States order will produce admittance to his room, but nothing else. Some of his torey relations, and a Mr. Manning a Merchant of the...
29To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 10 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany [ New York ] October 10, 1780 . Is still confined to his room with gout. Reports that British forces “were collected at St Johns to make separate attacks on the Grants, Saratoga and the Mohawk river.” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
30George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 10 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 10, 1780 . Regrets “that this campaign has not been productive of such important advantages as we had reason to flatter ourselves.” Is “not sanguine about any enterprise, which is connected with maritime dispositions.” Approves detention of Colonel Christopher Greene’s regiment. Sends news of execution of Major John André. Df , in writing of H, George...