241The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 20 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and one transcript: National Archives <Passy, July 20, 1778: The Spy brought us the ratified treaties with France. On the 17th we exchanged ratifications with the count de Vergennes; copies are enclosed. War is not yet declared but hostilities have already commenced, the British and French fleets are at sea, and we hourly expect news...
242The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 16 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society <Passy, July 16, 1778: We enclose a letter from M. de Sartine that we promised to communicate to Congress. We have no doubt— > See the preceding document and Sartine’s letter of July 14. The draft, without the incomplete second sentence, is published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 164. This letter, as explained there, was never sent; the...
243The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 19 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and transcript: National Archives <Passy, May 19, 1778: We enclose for the consideration of Congress a copy of a letter from the comte de Vergennes, and of a letter enclosed with it.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 103. That above, May 15, about the misconduct of an American privateer.
244From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having had so short Notice of this Opportunity, I can only have the Honour of writing a few Lines, and of inclosing a few News Papers. If the Dispatches of the Commissioners, have not met with uncommon ill Fortune you must before this Time, have received the important News of the Treaty, as well as authentic Information of the Agonies of G.B. Whether she will plunge herself, with uniform and...
245From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 1 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform Congress, of my Safe Arrival in this City in the Frigate Boston after a most dangerous, and distressing Voyage of Six Weeks and four Days. The Situation of Things in Europe is so critical, at this Moment that, notwithstanding I am exhausted with the Fatigues of the Voyage, I am determined to proceed, the Day after Tomorrow, on my Journey to Paris. By all that I...
246Franklin and Silas Deane to the President of Congress, 8 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; transcript and two copies: National Archives; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Sheffield City Library We have now the great Satisfaction of acquainting you and the Congress, that the Treaties with France are at length compleated and signed. The first is a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, much on the Plan of that projected in Congress;...
247From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 23 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Having been Absent, on a Journey, I had not the Honour of receiving your Letters, until Yesterday when one of the Twenty Eighth of November inclosing a Resolution of Congress of the Same Day, and another of the third of December inclosing a Commission for Dr Franklin Dr Lee and Myself to represent the United States at the Court of France, were delivered to me in Boston. As I am deeply...
248The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives This will be delivered to you by M. de Coudray, an Officer of great Reputation here, for his Talents in general, and particularly for his Skill and Abilities in his Profession. Some accidental Circumstance, I understand, prevented his going in the Amphitrite; but his Zeal for our Cause, and earnest Desire of promoting it, have engag’d him to overcome all...