3181Henry Waldegrave Archer to the American Commissioners, 14 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, June 14, 1778: I want to join the American Army and become a citizen. Although I am an Englishman I did not enter the King’s army, because it would have meant fighting my conscience; that army will probably become the instrument of despotism. In the United States, on the contrary, the disciplined soldier and the free citizen are compatible. I want...
3182John Lloyd and Others to the Commissioners, 21 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
We had the honour to receive your letter of the 13th of this month in due course, and are thankful for Your Honours polite attention to us. We are obliged for the transmission of the Copy of the letter which Your Honours received from His Excellency The Count de Vergennes, and with pleasure observe, that in consequence an application had been made to His Excellency, to request, that the Convoy...
3183Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 24 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this Day compleated the Inventory of the magazine of arms and presented it to Mr. Schweighauser for him to sign the Receipt at the Bottom. We are agreed as to quantity and number but he declines engaging to receive the articles for Reparation remaining to be supplied without your orders. I therefore request you to give your Directions accordingly that I...
3184Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 3 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is Mr. Ebenezer Platt; with whose sufferings in the cause of America you are not unacquainted. He has lately got released from his confinement in consequence of a Petition from the Committee for American Prisoners. Mr. Platt is desirous of returning to his Country; and every mode but the one through France being stop’d I have taken the...
3185Thomas Bell to the American Commissioners, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sailed from Philad. the 6 of Sept. I Recd. no Letters from the Committe of Congress. The privet Letters I Recd. from Mr. Deane and the Honbl. Richard Henery Lee & Mr. Carmichell as to the dispatches for the Court of France I Recd. them from Monsr. Gerard as to Aney Other Letters I Recd. non— Gentln. I shall Sail Shortly for Philad. If you have Aney...
3186James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 11 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this moment informed by a Gentleman from Brest, that the Ranger Frigate Cap: J. Jones arrived in that port with a prize of 16 Guns the 8th. Instant after laying a Town on the Coast of Ireland under contribution. I have not yet learned any further particulars of his Voyage, but I suppose Cap: Jones will inform you of them when he gets ashore. I have the...
3187The Comte de Vergennes to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 18 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
The effects of Dr. James Smith of New York have, gentlemen, finally been found. They are at the customs office at Calais and consist of a package containing 12 table cloths and 12 knives and forks of iron with silver ferrules. If Mr. Smith plans to bring these goods into the Kingdom, he cannot avoid paying the regular charges, but if he intends to return them to America, then he will be free...
3188Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 23 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I had the honour of writing you December 12 1778 inclosing a Letter from Messrs. Horneca Fitzeau & Co. relative to 13 Bales cases and Barrells marked No. 1 to 13 which are the property of Mr. Simeon Dean and which were delivered to Mr. Schweighauser on a supposition that they belonged to the commissioners as mentioned in my said Letter. I have not had the honour of an answer on this Subject. I...
3189Samuel Tucker to the American Commissioners, 14 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <On board the Boston , Port Louis, July 14, 1778: A letter of the 8th from Mr. Livingston tells me that a prisoner exchange is possible. I enclose a list of those on board, and a list of men recaptured, I suppose, in one of my prizes; the other two have already arrived. I am waiting on orders to join Capt. Whipple. He tells me he will be ready by the 20th...
3190C. W. F. Dumas to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 8 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
The calm of which I spoke in my letter of the 2d has ended much sooner than I had anticipated. There already had been uneasiness for several days about the fall in the English funds, and the letters from England have increased the qualms of our fundholders. On the other hand, the refusal to publish the great city’s protest against the resolution of 18 November has forced this city to print and...
3191John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 28 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft: National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 28, 1778: M. de la Prévalaye, who commands here in the absence of the comte d’Orvilliers, has just told me that he can no longer furnish a guard for the Ranger prisoners detained aboard the Patience . Unable to depend on the Ranger ’s officers, I had arranged for a guard with...
3192Daniel Blake and John Lloyd to the American Commissioners, 19 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Being informd that some malicious person, or persons, have been, and are still endeavoring, by the most infamous means, to deprive Mr. J. D. Schweighauser of his good name, and being apprehensive that the intention is to prejudice him in the estimation of the Honorable Commissioners, we think it an act of Justice due to injurd Merit, to acquaint you, that we have...
3193Dumas to the American Commissioners, 20 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 20, 1778, in French: Returning here, I learned from our friend that the Provincial Assembly by majority vote has resolved against providing convoys and in favor of the Admiralty’s advisory. Amsterdam has inserted a formal protest, which it demands be published, because the...
3194——— Boux to the American Commissioners, 24 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Vous voudrés bien prendre en récommendation que J’ai quité Le service du roy auquel J’etois attaché pour entrer à celui des Etats de l’amerique septentrionale. Je me suis rendu en conséquance à vos ordres, et relativement au grade de lieutenent de Vaisseau dans la marine de Etats unis En Hollande pour y diriger la construction d’un Vaisseau que vous y faisiés...
3195Dumas to the American Commissioners, 4 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, September 4, 1778, in French: Mr. van Berckel and I propose an ambitious initiative for which we need supporting papers. Please send either a proposal for a general treaty of amity and commerce or a declaration that you desire the Netherlands to conclude with the United States a treaty similar to the American...
3196Tristram Barnard to the American Commissioners, 9 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[Paris], October 9, [1778]: For four years this humble petitioner, away from America, has been in English, though not in government, service. My only claim to supporting the American cause is the relief I have given to many prisoners. I want to serve by transporting goods to the rising American states, and request a pass from London to Spain for this...
3197John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 16 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; AL : United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: National Archives <Brest, May 16, 1778: The local admiralty will apparently delay the sale of the Ranger ’s prizes; I therefore have to draw on you through M. Bersolle for 24,000 l.t. to distribute among my officers and men. They need to provide for their families in America, who will expect clothing, etc., by...
3198John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 16 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, June 16, 1778: Mr. Emery has heard from Capt. Conyngham that he arrived at Coruña from Cadiz after taking four prizes. The Boston reportedly fell in with two privateers and took one; the other escaped. Jersey privateers have taken two ships off the Spanish coast. A vessel reached Lisbon that had passed d’Estaing’s squadron off Terceira on May 23....
3199Dumas to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Mes dernieres, du 12e., 16e. et 19e. de ce mois, répondoient à celles du 4 et du 8, dont Mr. A. Lee a eu la bonté de me favoriser. Aujourd’hui j’ai l’honneur de vous donner avis, que Mr. le grand Facteur partit d’ici vendredi au soir, après m’avoir fort recommandé de continuer mes visites chez son substitut pendant son absence, et de lui...
3200Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 29 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour of sending you an extract of a Letter received from Charles Town, in South Carolina, dated the 12th. of February. “A dreadful fire broke out in the morning of the 15th. January, the North end of Union-Street, which has consumed the most beautiful part of the Town. Upon the alarm’s being given, a number of people with all the engines were...
3201Dumas to the American Commissioners, 6 January [i.e. February] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Je crois toujours bien faire, de vous communiquer les intelligences, authentiques comme les ci-jointes, que les circonstances me permettent de me procurer. Je me prescris pareillement, de suivre toujours, quant aux adresses de mes Lettres, et des enveloppes, les premiers ordres que j’ai reçus de Mr. Deane lors...
3202Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 13 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Harvard University Library, Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives, University of Virginia Library M. Lée m’a addressé le 12. du mois d[ernier], Messrs., un mémoire en faveur du Sr. Stevenson qui desiroit d’obtenir la permission de se rendre a la gadeloupe pour y recouvrer les sommes qui luy sont dûes; M. de...
3203Millin de La Brosse to the American Commissioners, 20 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a deux mois que vous m’avés promis une réponse au mémoire que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous présenter; je l’attends encore. J’ai bien appris de Monsieur le Comte de Maillebois que vous aviés dessein de terminer mon affaire, mais comme vous n’avés point fixé de terme, je me vois obligé de vous demander quelque chose de plus positif. Suivant une de vos...
3204Fairholme & Luther to the American Commissioners, 30 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d we make bold to send you a copy of what we wrote yesterday to Mr. De Saint Cristau one of the Farmers General with regard to a cargo of fish taken in the Brigg the Lord Grovenor by the Continental Friggat the Providence Capn. Abraham Whipple. At the first arrival of the above prize, we got liberty to put the fish on Shore for to export it to Spain,...
3205Abraham Whipple to the American Commissioners, 2 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library <Nantes, July 2, 1778: I received your letter of June 23 on the 30th; my orders are all that I could have wished. Officers and men are working with a will to get the ship ready, which she should be by the end of this month. I have space for more than the fourteen bales of blankets that Mr. Schweighauser has for me, and should...
3206Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 21 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd. your favour of the 16th Instant too late to answer it by the return of Post. I shall observe your Directions relative to shipping on board the Grammont. I hope she will be able to take all the Cloaths and Hose that remain, but I shall not get a single Case of arms on board and I have at least 300 in the magazine ready to ship. Inclosed is the...
3207Jean Peltier-Dudoyer to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Sur les ordres de Messrs. De Montieu Proprietaire du Navire L’amphitrite et de Beaumarchais Proprietaire de la cargaison, Je me suis transporté ici Pour retirer l’un et L’autre des mains du Sr. Berard, celui-ci m’ayant dit qu’il étoit Porteur de vos ordres Pour disposer de cette cargaison. Je me suis contanté de le sommer de me la délivrer a quoi Il n’a eu...
3208Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 2 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d is a Letter which I most ernestly desire you will deliver to the Minester of Marine. You will Judge from the Contents we have not been Treated in a manner agreeable to the Character we appear in. I think the Honour of the united states violated in this Instance, and must if Posible demand satisfaction; in my Person, as their officer I represent the...
3209Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 14 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai mis Sous les yeux de Roy, Messieurs, les Raisons qui pouvoient determiner Sa Majesté à accorder la Liberté au Sujets des Etats Unis prissoniers en France; mais elle à pensé Sagement que cette Faveur ne devoit être acordée qu’à ceux qui ont été pris Sur des Batimens americains et forcés de servir contre leur patrie. En Consequence, Messieurs il Seroit nécéssaire que vous prissiez la Peine,...
3210Hezekiah Ford to the American Commissioners, 30 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paimboeuf, June 30, 1778: Captain Turner learned on his voyage that two Connecticut privateers, out of Boston, fell in with two British letters of marque bound to the West Indies, and after a sharp engagement captured both. The cruisers off this coast have deterred me from sailing on Mr. Ross’s ship; unless you have dispatches for me, which would justify...
3211William Lee to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfurt-on-Main, December 15, 1778: It occurs to me it would be serviceable to have an agent at the congress of French and Russian ministers which I mentioned in my letter of the 9th. This agent might counteract the schemes of Britain and if not bring Russia entirely over to our interests at least render her attachment to our enemies less forceful. I...
3212John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Bordeaux, May 8, 1778: Vessels from Georgia have arrived with news that a shipment of specie had been landed from Havana; the state’s currency is greatly inflated. Friends in Cadiz write that the government is making it difficult for them to sell Conyngham’s prizes, and ask whether the ships might be addressed to me; what am I to tell them? I assume from your...
In the letter which you did me the honor to write to me the 28th. of last month, You recall the promise which the King has made in the 8th Article of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce signed the 6th. February last, to employ his good offices with the Regencies of Barbary, to procure for the subjects of the United States, every security in the Meditteranean for their Commerce and...
3214John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
We have received the letter that you did us the honor to send the 31st of last month, but which did not arrive until the 15th. In our letter of the 7th, we acknowledged the receipt, from Mr. Whitall, of the book containing 205 promissory notes of the United States of America, each for 1,000 florins current payable on 1 January 1788 and accompanied by 10 of 50 florins for the interest of 5...
3216John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 3 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We are yet without any Arrivals from any part of America, from Carolina as an embargo is in force for the exporting of Rice, it is not extraordinary, but from all the other Provinces some Vessels may be expected as there are many french Vessels in Virginia Maryland and No. Carolina, should vessels belonging to the States be wanting, which I apprehend is rather the Case, some of the other ought...
3217The Eastern Navy Board to the American Commissioners, 8 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress <Boston, June 8, 1778: At the direction of the marine committee we have provided the schooner Dispatch , Capt. Barnes, in order to bring you packets of great importance forwarded by the Council of this state. We hope they arrive safely, and ask that you furnish the captain the necessary supplies, expenses while in port, a month’s...
3218Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 8, 1778: After the capture of the English warship Drake , Capt. Jones appointed me to take her to Brest. I enclose a copy of his instructions. On May 5, while she was in tow, he ordered me to cast her loose and—so we all understood—make my own way to port. We were chased by a brig, tried to rejoin the Ranger , and did so early in the...
3219John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 8, 1778: The privateer schooner Success arrived this morning. Her master, Captain Attwood of Virginia, reports d’Estaing sailed from Chesapeake Bay for New York on July 9, leaving behind five frigates. When English prisoners are brought here by privateers, your authority is not invoked as to whether they should be set free or not, and...
3220James Lovell to the American Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress Congress having foreign Affairs now under Consideration, I shall not write to you on that Subject, more especially as it is quite uncertain how the present Papers will be conveyed to you. Nor shall I pretend to unravel to you the Designs of the Enemy. They are very inscrutable: The Printers know...
3221John Lloyd to the American Commissioners, 4 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, February 4, 1779: Although I am not authorized to answer your letter of January 26 to several “American Gentlemen,” I feel compelled to acknowledge its receipt. The reason it is not done jointly is the reluctance of the Gentlemen to give any advice on the subject of free ports, fearing censure from their countrymen. The weather is moderating, and...
3222John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time to advise of the Arrival of a small Cutter from Baltimore which place they left 14 Augt. and the Capes the 23d. No advices when he left the Coast of Comte dEstaings operations. Another Cutter is in the River from the same port there probably may be letters on board. The fierre Rodrigue from Virginia they left within a Days run of Rochefort...
3223James Jay to the American Commissioners, [25 April? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society When a man is seriously attached to a public Cause, and has uniformly given the most decisive proofs of that attachment, he cannot be indifferent to the treatment he receives from those who have the management of Affairs. Men sometimes flatter themselves that they may pass off what they please on the weakness or credulity of others. It is only to undeceive...
3224Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 13 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, April 13, 1778: I enclose a copy of my letter of yesterday to Mr. Deane, who I now learn from Mr. Nesbitt has left town. Please give me your opinion of the contents, confirm his order to provide for American prisoners and seamen, and let me know whether I may still draw on Mr. Grand. I congratulate Mr. Adams on his safe arrival.> Published in...
3225Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 29 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Paris, September 29, 1778: A number of years ago, in London, I came upon a manuscript book of the commissioners of the English navy. It contains accurate descriptions of the ships and their equipment then in commission as well as calculations for their repair and the duties of their officers. Conceiving this...
3226Sartine to the American Commissioners, 11 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Messieurs, de vous prevenir qu’il sera envoyé incessamment à Nantes une Fregate du Roi chargée d’escorter de ce port à l’Isle d’Aix, les Bâtimens destinés pour les Colonies Françoises d’Amerique. Si ceux qui sont chargés pour les Etats unis, veulent profiter de cette Escorte pour se joindre au Convoi de l’Isle d’Aix, il leur sera accordé la même...
3227Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have at present to inform you of the arrival of the Frigate Ranger Capt. Jones with the Duplicates of the Dispatches I sent you by Mr. Austin. This Ship left portsmouth the 1st of November but brings not a syllable in addition to what we have had, and as Capt. Jones tells me that his Dispatches were on board before Mr. Austin sailed, I conclude that the...
3228Etienne D’Audibert Caille to the American Commissioners, 14 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En qualité de Negociant Français qui a maison de commerce à Salé, et qui souhaite l’occasion de pouvoir donner des preuves de son zéle pour le service des Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale, j’ai l’honneur de vous informer, que le Sieur William Hodge de Philadelphie et le Sieur Guillaud habitant de Charlestown dans la Caroline, m’aiant témoigné que les...
3229The Comte de Vergennes to the Commissioners, 6 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
J’ai communiqué à M. de Sartine, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 24. du mois dernier. Ce Ministre vient de me répondre, qu’il n’est point possible de vous promettre qu’il Sera donné des escortes particuliéres aux batiments destinés pour les Etats-unis jusques aux ports de l’amérique Septentrionale ni même jusques audelà du méridien des Açores; mais que vos...
3230Desegray, Beaugeard fils & Cie. to the American Commissioners, 8 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If we are Somewhat late in our Congratulations Concerning your Glorious transactions with the French Ministry, We hope you won’t take it amiss; and that you will not doubt of our most sincere Wishes for your welfare and happiness, as also for the Continuation of the Union and good harmony betwixt the United States of America and France. We have had here of...