51The American Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie., 9 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Being informed that some Goods which you had purchased for Mr Simeon Deane, and sent to Nantes for a Conveyance, were there by Mistake suppos’d to belong to the Congress, and accordingly taken & sent over on their Account, we hereby request that you would replace those Goods for the Acct of Mr. Deane, charging us with the Amount, and that you would...
52The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Your favours of the 15 Octr. and 1st of November We have recd with their Inclosures. And We approve of your Conduct and the Reasons of it, excepting Mr De la Plaine.— As he is not in the service of the united States We cannot justify, putting the united States to Expence for his assistance. You will please to draw upon...
53The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 29 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and one transcript: National Archives Mr. Livingston received a Commission from us as first Lieut. of the Boston and made a Cruise in her in which she had the good Fortune to take four prizes. He is now obliged to leave the Ship, but we have the pleasure of a Letter from Capt. Tucker in which he gives us an handsome Character of Mr....
54The American Commissioners to Alexander Gillon, 2 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (two), Library of Congress, National Archives We duly receiv’d the Honour of yours of the 25th. past, informing us of your Safe Arrival at Brest, on which We congratulate you. We have had no Advices from America Later than the Beginning of November; nor any thing interesting Since the Departure of Count D’estaing from Boston, the 4th of that Month;...
55The American Commissioners to Ferdinand Grand, 17 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society <Passy, May 17, 1778: We wish you to pay money from our joint account only on our joint order, and to send us all letters addressed to Mr. Deane on the business of the commission.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 129–30; the annotation explains the squabbling within the commission that elicited the draft, in Arthur Lee’s hand, and prevented...
56The American Commissioners to Sartine, 23 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 23, 1778: Mr. Joy Castle of Philadelphia informs us that his bark Jane , William Castle master, and her cargo have been seized at Bordeaux on the King’s order as British property. He is an American citizen, abroad because of sickness in the family, and now wants to return home, where he has an estate. His...
57The American Commissioners to Benjamin Gunnison, 14 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have written to Mr John Daniel Schweighauser of Nantes, to receive your Cargo and dispose of it; but he writes us that he is apprehensive you will require a Letter from us to you. This is therefore to authorize and direct you to deliver, the Cargo of the Morris to Mr....
58The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 9–10 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 9–10, 1778: We enclose an order on Desegray, Beaugeard fils & Cie. of Lorient for saltpetre, to be shipped to America as soon as possible. July 10: We also forward Mr. Williams’ order on Mr. Cossoul for articles to be shipped in the same way. > Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 147. In...
59The Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 6 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives; copies in French and English: Massachusetts Historical Society, Harvard University Library, National Archives; copies in French: Archives du ministère des affaires étrangères (draft), Harvard University Library, Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Traité d’Amitié et de Commerce The most Christian King, and the thirteen United States of North...
60The 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...
61The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 24 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives <Passy, January 24, 1779: We received your letter of the 20th enclosing M. de Sartine’s answer relative to the convoy we requested. We do not understand his reference to the four vessels supposedly mentioned by us and fear he has been misinformed. On December 29 we asked for a convoy. You asked...
62The American Commissioners to [Gérard], 22 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library The News you have receiv’d from England cannot be true. No Treaty would be entred into with Howe by Washington, when the Congress was at hand: And Howe could have no Propositions to make but such as were authoris’d by the Act of Parliament, and had been long since rejected, (viz.) Pardon upon Submission ....
63The American Commissioners to Sartine, 26 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives The Honourable Ralph Izzard Esqr., Minister from the United States to the Grand Duke, having ordered his Baggage to Italy from London has had the Luck to have them taken in an English Vessell, and carried into Marseilles. We have written to the Compte de Vergennes on the subject who refers Us to your Excellency. We...
64The American Commissioners to Abraham Whipple, 6 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Yale University Library <Passy, June 6, 1778: We congratulate you on your gallant encounter with the enemy, and on your safe passage and arrival. Address yourself and your prize to Mr. Schweighauser at Nantes; he will help you repair and supply your ship, but you should exercise the frugality that our distressed...
65The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 29 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have directed the Captain’s Read and Barnes to apply to you for such Cargoes as they can take for America, and for such Necessary supplies as they may demand, which We desire you to do with all possible Expedition and Frugality. We are &c.
66The American Commissioners to Abraham Whipple, 23 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 23, 1778: We have a prospect of exchanging prisoners, and want from you a list of all those you have; we will let you know where to send them for exchange. Load as many arms and goods as you safely can; Mr. Schweighauser will provide them. If he has a ship ready for America,...
67The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 16 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 16, 1778: You will return to America as soon as possible, meanwhile keeping your destination secret. Embrace any opportunity to take prizes or harass the enemy, even if it means going out of your way; the Newfoundland fisheries are one objective, and another is transports on the coast or returning to...
68The American Commissioners to John Ross, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We Recd: yours giving an Acct. of the Arrival of the Goods on which we had not made any Insurance. From the Situation of your Affairs when you wrote Us last, we presume that Your Ship, Capt. Green is ready for sailing. Capt. Nicholson will also be ready in a few Days, We have therefore to propose to you that They go in Company as Capt. Nicholson will be...
69The American Commissioners to Sartine, 22 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, July 22, 1778: We have received your letters of July 15 and 18. Niggins and Selby are unknown to us, but unless something appears to invalidate their story please grant their request. We are sorry for the dispute between two officers of the Boston and some French crewmen. Captain Tucker has sent us his account of the...
70The American Commissioners to S. and J. H. Delap, 24 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 24, 1778: Please send us an accounting of the prize money mentioned in the enclosed letter. > Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 142. That from John Paul Jones above, June 10. The commissioners’ request finally produced results. JW informed them on July 16, below, that he had received the...
71The American Commissioners to Jacques Paulze, 16 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Library of Congress Several Ships have been sent to North America as french Property with Clearances for the French Islands, loaded with Supplies for the United States. Mr. Peltier Du Doyer has accordingly been obliged to make a Submission at the Offices at Nantes to return the acquits à Caution for their Cargoes duely discharged, which was impossible to be done. We therefore beg...
72The American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 7 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, South Carolina Historical Society, National Archives (two); two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, November 7, 1778: We enclose copies of our declaration concerning articles 11 and 12 of the Treaty of Commerce, correspondence with M. de Sartine on rescues and recaptures, and correspondence regarding negotiations with the...
73The American Commissioners to Jonathan Trumbull, 22 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) We received your Excellency’s Letter of May 29. by Capt. Niles with the Dispatches from Congress which you had intrusted him with, in good Order. He had a short Passage of 22 Days, and brought us the agreable News of the Ratification of the Treaties and of their being universally pleasing to our...
74The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft) and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We congratulate you on your success and safe return. Until we hear about an exchange of prisoners we advise you to keep yours securely confined. If we can get an equal number of American seamen to man the Drake she will add to your strength, whereas sending...
75The American Commissioners to Horneca, Fizeaux & Cie., 31 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), University of Virginia Library <Passy, August 31, 1778, in French: We send by Mr. Whitall a book of promissory notes and interest coupons, for 205,000 florins payable on January 1, 1788. You will fill in the blanks in each with the number and date of delivery, likewise the counterfoils, and keep an exact record. Sell the notes...
76The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, with Arthur Lee’s Dissent and Their Rejoinder: Three Documents, 16[–18] … (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library; (II) ALS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library; (III) ALS : National Archives; ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Harvard University Library As it is not in our Power to procure you such a Ship as you expected, we advise you after equipping the Ranger in the best...
77The 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...
78The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 25 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies, National Archives In Answer to your Letter of the Seventeenth Instant, We desire you would Ship to America, all the Goods belonging to the united States, of any Sort.—and consequently to write for no more Workmen, but dismiss, immediately, all that remain if any. We can give you no Directions about the Articles “entreposed” for the...
79The American Commissioners to Jean H. Delap, 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 19th we received Yesterday and immediately enclosed it to Monsieur De Sartine in a Letter of ours, and have not the least Doubt that Justice will be immediately done. The part you have acted merits our Thanks, and Justice to you requires that we should represent it to our Friends in America, which we shall do in our first Dispatches. You on the...
80The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 11 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives We embrace this first Opportunity, to enclose you a Copy of a Letter, We have just had the honor of receiving from his Excellency Mr. De Sartine. We wish you may find Advantage in the Convoy and have the honor to be with very great Esteem & Respect, Gentlemen, &c Of the same date, below.
81The American Commissioners to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 1 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We have receivd the enclosd from Made [Madame] Gerard Spouse of M. Gerard, Ambassador of this Court to the United States. She is a Lady that we much respect & if by any means you can procure her the satisfaction She requests you will exceadingly oblige Sir yr. most &c P.S. Any expence you may be at shall be thankfully repaid. A M. Schweighauser. American...
82The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, [before 19 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The interest which the public has in the vessel you command makes us regard her as a continental Ship of war. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Ross have therefore no right to direct or controul you. Neither had Mr. Deane alone any right to dispose of the vessel; nor of the produce of the prizes you made, as Monsr. Lagonere informs us he has done. You will give us an account...
83The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 5 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have, the Mortification to be informed, that our Answer to your Letter, requesting Us to join, in your Request to the Ministry for a Convoy has never reached you. We have the Honour to Send you a duplicate of that which We wrote you on the Eleventh Ulto. and send forth with. We also inclose Copy of our other Letter...
84The American Commissioners to Vergennes, [before 9 January 1779]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (drafts): Harvard University Library, Massachusetts Historical Society (two); two copies and two transcripts: National Archives The commissioners, particularly Lee and Adams, devoted substantial effort to the drafting of this memorandum asking that a powerful French fleet be sent to American waters. Their efforts were doomed to failure, at...
85The American Commissioners to Sartine, 25 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: Archives de la Marine Nous avons l’honneur d’adresser à V.E. la copie ci jointe de la lettre que nous avons reçu de M. Langdon, de Portsmouth, ville de l’Etat de New-hampshire. Nous serons très satisfaits si l’avis qu’elle contient peut être utile à V.E. Tout ce que nous pouvons dire c’est que nous ne doutons pas que M. Langdon ne soit très capable d’exécuter ce qu’il propose; Et...
86The American Commissioners to [Gérard], 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The Persons going out with the dispatches are Mr. Simeon Deane and Mr. Anthony Knap both of New England. They will set out this Evening for Bordeaux, and will follow Your Orders, which You shall send; inclosed You have a Letter of Credit for the Captn. of Your Ship. We have the honor to be with the utmost respect Sir Your most Obedient and...
87The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; four copies and two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: Your letter of the 18th informs us of a dispute with Mr. Schweighauser about the Ranger ’s prizes, with which you think you are charged until your orders are revoked. Congress authorized Mr. William Lee, and he in turn Mr. Schweighauser, to superintend...
88The American Commissioners to James Moylan, 31 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 31, 1778: We are pleased to hear from you of the good success as well as the adventurous and patriotic spirit of Capt. McNeill. When the prisoner exchange we have been promised is accomplished, his prisoners can be exchanged for a like number of our suffering countrymen. We will inform you when the...
89The American Commissioners to Merckle, [13 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) We have done by our Friends at Amsterdam, who have followed our Orders, every thing that we thought incumbent on us to do relative to your Affairs, and We do not incline to have any further Concern with them. In reply to Merckle’s letter above of March 26, which Lee endorsed as given...
90The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 26 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, January 26, 1779: We received your letter of January 21 yesterday. You ask which ports are free pursuant to the treaty. As yet none have been specifically designated. All French ports are open to all American vessels, and it would not be politic to apply for any further distinctions,...
91The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 16 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 16, 1778: We have ordered Lieut. Simpson, commanding the Ranger , to sea as soon as possible; please furnish him promptly with what he needs. The British prisoners on these ships are to be left behind, in such custody as you advise; we shall try tomorrow to get the ministry’s orders for their lodging.>...
92The American Commissioners to Any Captain Bound to America, 10 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) <Passy, June 10, 1778: Advices from London on the 5th are that Byron’s squadron is still at Plymouth, and is ordered not to sail at present for America. > Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 135. In BF ’s hand. See the commissioners’ warning to state officers above, May 18. Byron,...
93The American Commissioners to Lord North, 12 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Evening Post , January 24–27, 1778 From motives of duty, and an earnest desire of mitigating the calamities of war, we proposed, near a year since, to the King of Great Britain’s Ambassador here, an Exchange of prisoners in Europe. The answer we received must have been made known to your Lordship, and the world will judge of its decency. It would have been honourable for...
94The American Commissioners to William Hodge, 19 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) <Passy, April 19, 1778: Mr. Deane left no account from you of the approximately 100,000 l.t. in public funds that you have received. Capt. Conyngham writes that you have claimed the Revenge as your and Mr. Ross’s property, and the crew writes that you have taken the cargoes of her prizes and have unfairly distributed the prize...
95The American Commissioners to [the Comte de Vergennes], 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères We have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency that we have just receiv’d an Express from Boston, in 30 Days, with Advice of the total Reduction of the Force under General Burgoyne, himself and his whole Army having surrendered themselves Prisoners. General Gates was about to send Reinforcements to Gen. Washington, who was near Philadelphia...
96The American Commissioners to Richard Price, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library By one of the latest Ships from America, We had the Pleasure of receiving from Congress, an attested Copy of their Resolution of the sixth of October in these Words That the Honourable Benjamin Franklin Arthur Lee, and John Adams Esqrs or any one of them, be directed forthwith to apply to Dr Price, and inform him, that it is the Desire of Congress to consider him...
97The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Notes, 10 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; incomplete draft: American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives We approve of the Directions given by you to stop the Reparation of the Arms at Nantes paying the Workmen their Wages, Gratifications and Conduct money according to agreement of which you inform us in your Letter July 3 1778. Mr. Williams is desired to send the...
98The American Commissioners to Sartine, 11 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; National Archives (two) <Passy, July 11, 1778: We received your Excellency’s letter of the fifth regarding Captain Jones, and we readily consent to place him at your disposal.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 158.
99The American Commissioners to William Lee, [22–26] September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September [22–26], 1778: We have considered the papers you submitted, including the project of a treaty between the Netherlands and the United States. As Congress has appointed no commissioner to deal with their High Mightinesses, we have taken and will continue to take all suitable measures to further...
100The American Commissioners: Memorandum for the Dutch, [before 31 March 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: the Marquess of Abergavenny, Eridge Castle, Sussex (1955) When the Ancestors of the present Inhabitants of the United States of America first settled that Country, they did it entirely at their own expence; The public of England never granted one Shilling to aid in their Establishment. Georgia is an exception for which public grants have been made. Had any such grants been ever made they...