1Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Since writing this morning by Capt. Nicholson I have been with Monsr. Peltrier, who informs me that the Vessell is at the mouth of the River, where it seems all Vessells of Burden are obliged to load. She is not yet loaded but there are several Cases of Fusils gone from hence to the Ship, and Monsr. Peltrier expects a Barge loaded with Bales to come down...
2Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Yale University Library The two last days have been employed in going to Painbeuf (about 30 miles hence) examining the Mercury, and returning to Nantes. I have the pleasure to inform you that what I have hitherto seen is very satisfactory, the Mercury appears to be a very good Ship, 7 Years old, burden 300 Tons (Mr. Peltrier thinks 350,)...
3Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library In your instructions to me you mention another Vessell which Mr. Beaumarchais proposes to send to America with Stores, but I can gain no Information of any such Vessell, Mr. Peltrier tells me he knows nothing about it. There is indeed a Ship (the St. Dominique) which Mr. Peltrier bought at the same time that he bought the mercury, and which he is to load on...
4Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have finished my examination of the Mercurys Cargo and have patterns of the several kinds of Goods, which I shall shew you at my return: I have opened in all ten Cases and Bales and find them in good order. The last Lighter Load of Goods will be ready to go to the ship tomorrow morning, and I hope to include in it all the provisions &c.; by the common...
5Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure to inform you that the last Lighter went to the Ship yesterday afternoon on board of which are all the provisions &c. except live Stock, which will be bought at Painbeuf. She is cleared at the Custom house and I hope will have all ready to heave up her anchor by monday. I shall go to her on sunday morning to give a last look and hope to...
6Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 25 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just informed that the amphitrite is at last gone, she sail’d yesterday morning at 7 oClock. I have recd. Letters from Monsieur Du Coudray of the 22d and 23d Instant, by which I find he has sent me 7 officers and their Baggage; He names 4 for the 3 I agreed to take, and afterward 3 more, two of which he says are more necessary than even the Fusils and...
7Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was astonished on saturday Evening to find that Mr. DuCoudray had returned to Nantes. As we were late for the Tide (the loss of which would have been the loss of a day) I came away without seeing him: Mr. Peltier tells me he has positive orders from Mr. Demontieu (which are given with your approbation) that if Mr. Du Coudray should come to Nantes to...
8Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 29 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library My last was written on board Ship at Painbeuf, after sealing it Mr. Niver came on board and I repeated to him my offer to take 4 passengers. I told him to avoid giving any preference, they might settle among themselves either by Lot or otherwise who those 4 should be. He returned without deciding whether he would go or not. The Wind having fail’d us the...
9Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I last had the pleasure of writing to you I have been employed in collecting information relative to shipping, and am sorry that I cant give you any expectation of procuring a Vessell ready built and fitted that will answer for a packet Boat. I have already mentioned two that are here but I apprehend you will think them too large. I have since seen a...
10Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 13 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon examination of the Concord, her Inventory was found very deficient, those things which we thought would be a diminution of her price of at least 5000 Livres were not in her. It seems the owner has lately fitted out a large Ship for the Coast of Guinea and has taken from one to supply the other. This determined Mr. Peltier to purchase the Count de...
11Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed is from Mr. Lee who set off this Morning, for Bourdeaux. The Dispatches &c. went with Mr. Morris to paimbeuf yesterday and are I hope by this time on board. I have the pleasure to inform you that an american Frigate supposed to be Capt. Weeks has sent a prize laden with Codfish into l’orient; This news comes by a Gentleman who arrivd from...
12Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I went to Painbeuf on Sunday and returned hither last Evening. Mr. Peltier and myself went on board the Count de Vergennes and gave the necessary Directions. As I consider Dispatch of the utmost Consequence, I desired that as many Workmen as could be procured should be immediately employed. These are at present Scearce, but as a little more expence is no...
13Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 22 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor of your Favours by Messrs. Portail &c. There is no opportunity for them to embark exceept via St. Domingo, unless the packet Boat should be sent. I say nothing to them of the Count de Vergennes as you do not express an Intention that they should go in her. They do not seem to like to go in a Ship under american Colours least they should be...
14Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society That you may be able to judge of the Quality of the arms when remounted I have ordered one of each to be sent by the messagerie which will come directed to Mr. Carmichael in the same manner as the samples of those sent by the Mercury did. The workmen are constantly at Work upon the Ship, and Shipackers are also at Work on the Bales, all is going on as fast...
15Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour of your Favour of the 25 by Mr. Francis. As I have but a moments time I must beg leave to refer you to tomorrows post for a more particular Answer, the principal intention of this is to inform you that Mr. Morris has sold four of the prizes (all except the packet Boat) Vessells Cargoes &c. &c. for about 90,000 Livres, all risque of reclaim...
16Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library My two last contained the necessary Information relative to the Fuzils &c. which upon a second View I have seen no reason to alter; I am assured that there are a full number of Bayonetts Locks &c., rather more than less. There must be many new Ramrods which will cost about 12 sous each at the manufactury. If you make this Bargain please to be very...
17Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 6 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library The principal occasion for troubling you at present is to inform you that on account of the great Demand for Government every large anchor in this place is engaged. We shall find the other sizes easy enough, but unless you can obtain from the minister 2 Anchors of 2400 wt. and 2 of 2200 wt. our purchase I fear will be by so much incompleat. By advice from...
18Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 8 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I don’t hear farther relative to the purchase of Mr. Montieu’s Fusils I conclude that you do not intend to put any on board the Count de Vergennes, so propose to put in her as much salt as will answer for Ballast. I have lately been looking over some Memoires about Mr. Montieu’s process and find that these Fuzils cost him at the rate of 25 sous each for...
19Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have began to load the Ship. The salt is at Painbeuf and we are here loading the first Lighter with some Bales and the Cordage which is near all made, the Bales that were here are all reduced, and tomorrow the workmen will begin to reduce those that are just arrived from orleans; the Letter from thence informs us that about 50 more will be ready to come...
20Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In answer to my Express, Capt. Wickes informed me that he should set off the next morning for Paris: his Letter is dated the 16th. The inclosed was this day received from Mr. Lee under Cover to Mr. Shweighausser; please to deliver it. Capt. Young still remains windbound. A Ship is arrived in the River from america, but as the Capt. is not yet come up we do...
21Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am still without any of your Favours which I confess gives me great uneasiness as I am apprehensive that my Letters have miscarried. The last I received from Mr. Deane which was 23 days in coming encreases this Suspicion: if you have not received one by every post this must be the Case as I have written by every one. I have the pleasure to inform you that...
22Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 27 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library When the Count de Vergennes was bought it was thought that she would be much too large for her Cargo, and you in consequence ordered purchases sufficient to fill her. In determining what would be sufficient, we had only for our guide the goods that were left here, and those advised from orleans, and we made our...
23Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 1 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I received your favour of the 27 ultimo advising of the purchase of the arms &c. in Mr. Montieu’s magazine, which as soon as possible shall be all counted and the real quantity of each kind with the Tools &c. &c. exactly asscertained. In looking over your Letters I observe you have made a mistake of the pen in...
24Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I had the pleasure of writing to you yesterday since which Capt. Adams is arrived express for [from] Boston and now setts off with his packets for Paris. If I did not think myself absolutely obliged to stay here untill I have orders to return I should be tempted to set off with him, as a few hours Conversation might...
25Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library When I wrote last the Cutter was arrived tho’ I did not know it. As soon as I received your orders I lodged the necessary ones at painbeuf for the Capt. when he should arrive. He had then come up to town and of course did not receive these orders ’till he returned to his Vessell. This little accident has been...
26Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library Since writing by this days post I have received the inclosed plans and Memorandum from Messr. Jean henry Wilfelsheim & Compy. who wish to be employed to build in some port in the Baltic Sea ships of war on account of the Congress if they or you for them will give orders. They say that they can do this in a very advantageous manner that being the Country...
27Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library The Thérese sailed as I wrote last and was at St. Nazare the 26th, the Wind continuing fair she has no doubt continued her route. You may date the Departure of Capt. Hammond at nearly the same time as the Therése overtook him at St. Nazare. I have a Letter from Mr. Rumsey which says he expected to sail the next day....
28Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Capt. Nicholson is by this time alongside of Capt. Wickes under his american Colours. I have not yet collected all the Bills but I imagine this armament will cost you upwards of 300 Louis exclusive of what we were obliged to pay to the french Sailors from Havre and advance Wages to the present Crew which may amount...
29Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I recvd. your favour per Courier with the several packets mentioned in the List. I thank you for the honour you do me in committing your dispatches to my Care and I will do my best endeavour to execute the Business to your satisfaction. Had the Wind been fair Capt. Adams would have sailed immediately but it has been...
30Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 31 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I arrived here late last Evening. The Mere Bobie has not taken in the Bales I ordered, on account of a difficulty which the Custom House Officers have made relative to the Duties, but on application to the Directeur des Fermes I have so succeeded, that I am in hopes to have them aboard this evening, and wind permitting, she...