1Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 9 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, July 9, 1778: I refer you to my letter of yesterday. This is to enclose a certificate from the admiralty court, to counter to some degree Poreau’s insinuations against me. Tomorrow I send three other certificates and if they are insufficient will furnish whatever further proof you require; meanwhile Mr. Amiel will give you particulars.> Published...
2Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 30 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, June 30, 1778: Six Russian ships of the line are reported to have arrived in England, with six more to follow; the officers are British and the crews Russian. Three are ordered to be docked and surveyed in Sheerness, three in Portsmouth.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 244.
3To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 28 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty for your Excellencys information to annex a Copy of a letter I receiv’d from Ostend mentioning the arrival there of the London Gazette which contains the King of Englands manifesto, against the Dutch, & his proclamation ordering Commissions to be issued to his subjets to take and bring in all Dutch ships, with orders to his Courts of...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous écrire la presente qui vous sera remise par les nommés Whipple Crow & Binjamin Hocum tous deux americains qui ont été pris sur le navire brign la Polly de Rhode Island et conduits a Bristol d’ou ils se Sont sauvés des prisons & sont arrivés ici manquant de tout, comme ils cherchent a retourner en Amerique, Je leurs ai fourni pour le...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 9 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous ecrire la presente laquelle vous Sera remise par le Sieur Thomas Connoly Americain Lequel a eu le malheur d’Etre pris dans le navire Le Blear Mc Clanaghan a Son Passage de L’orient a Philadelphie par un corsaire de Guernsey auquel endroit il a été conduit prisonnier. Il a trouvé le moyen de S’echaper & de Se rendre ici, & Comme il...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 6 inst, whereunto please to be referred. Agreable to my promise, I here inclose the two Bonds respecting the privateers Black Prince Capn. Patrick Dowlin and the Black Princess Capn. Edwd Maccatter, Sign’d by Mr. Riviere l’ainé, of Gravelinnes, and Messr. John Francis and Charles Torris of this place,...
7Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 7 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, July 7, 1778: I refer you to my letter of the 5th. Mr. Amiel has given the people here time to carry out the plan they put before you, but they failed; he then gave me your letter of June 26. I might explain the conduct of those who tried to impose on you and wrong me, but the outcome vindicates me; I leave the explanation to Capt. Amiel. If any...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 23 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous ecrire la presente, laquelle vous Sera remise par les Sieurs John Kemp & Alexr. findals tous deux americains; le premier Capitaine & l’autre pr. Lieutenant de la goelette le Greyhound sur laquelle ils ont été pris par la fregate le Rawley, et conduits en Angletterre, d’ou ils se sont sauvés des prisons, et sont arrivés ici manquant de...
9Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 23 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I take the liberty to enclose a Copy of the Memoire I made last year at the request of M. Carmichael on the advantages the port of Dunkirk offers to the American Trade. I Submit to your Superiour Judgement to decide weither my Ideas may contribute to extend the Commerce and navigation of the United States, and to take [ torn: such?] Steps as may answer that...
10To John Adams from Francis Coffyn, 2 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
The bearer Thomas Beer has been obliged to flee from England on account of his having assisted the american prisonners to Escape. I have represented his case to his Excellency Dr B. Franklin, who has autorised me by his letter of 22d august of which I here inclose a copy, to pay this man ten guineas to help him to Holland, with his wife and two young children; I hope your Excellency will be...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 29 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour to remit your Excellency per my letter of 17th. instant, three receipts for £309. 8. I paid to Sundry prisonners arrived here from England, & to advise your Excellency of my drafft for £.1257. 8. to the order of Messrs Vandenyver Freres & Cie. to which I beg leave to refer. Coll. Wm. Richardson having been obliged to go to Bruges, to...
12Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 19 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honnor of writing to you yesterday referring to my letter of 8 instant which I beg leave to confirm. This cheafly Serves to inform you that Capn. Pilartry, (or some such name) of the Brig la Marie Françoise of Quimper which arrived here last night, reports that he met on the 15th instant off Portland a fleet of 21 ships of the line and 5 or 6. frigats bound to the westward but had...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 8 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer to my last letter of 29. ultmo. covering Three receipts for £.696—[ l.t. ] I paid to Sundrys. Being since deprived of your Excellencys favours This cheafly serves to inform your Excellency That nine american Seamen having broke out of the prison at Deal, carry’d off a boat which was lying on the Beach, in which They got into Calais, &...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 5 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur d’addresser la presente a votre Excellence Laquelle luÿ sera remise par le Capitain William Gibbons cydevant commandant le navire americain les quatre amis de Boston Lequel a eu le malheur d’Etre pris par les anglois allant d’amsterdam a Boston, il vient d’arriver ici d’Angletterre, et il se propose de se rendre aupres de votre Excellence...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 16 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I duly receiv’d the honnor of Mr. H. I. Franklin’s letter dated 14th. ultmo. covering a Commission, instructions, and other papers for the Cutter Black Prince, Stephen Merchant Commander, which I intended to carry to Dunkirk, to deliver the same to said Captain, and to get the bond Executed by Mr. John Torris, owner of said privateer; but first a Sudden...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 24 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor to address your Excellency by my last letter of 11th. inst, 13 receipts for monies disbursed for Sundry american prisonners, & to advise of my drafts on your Excellency of £. 894. 8.—., & at the Same time to communicate Capn Coreil’s request to obtain a passport for his brig General Washington to proceed to Philadelphia; being Since...
17Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Craving your referrence to the letter I had the honnor of writing to you yesterday, I take the liberty to inclose a Copy of an other of same date which I address’d to Mr. Silas Dean, as I have this day learn’d from M. Nesbitt that said Gentleman has left Paris; I humbly beg you would be pleased to give me your Sentiments on the contents, and confirm the orders which Mr. Dean has formerly given...
18Francis 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...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous ecrire la presente, laquelle vous sera remise par Mr. Samuel Mansfield, Capitaine au Service des Etats unis de L’amerique; Lequel a été pris dans le brigantin Rizing States et conduit a Pool en Angletterre, d’ou il s’est Sauvé des prisons, il est arrivé ici manquant d’argent, comme il désire Retourner en sa patrie, je lui ai fourni...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn: Two Letters, 9 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer to the letter I had the honour to address your Excellency on the 3d. inst. being since deprived of your Excellencys favours, the purport of this is cheafly to inform your Excellency, that M. Stephen Merchant late Captain of the black prince has resign’d the command of Said privateer, and return’d me the Commission your...
21Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 9 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I beg leave to refer you to the letter I had the honor of writing to you yesterday. This cheafly Serves to inclose a Certificate from the officers of the Admiralty Court of this Town, which I hope will in Some measure obviate the bad impression Poreau’s false insinuations may have occasion’d; however as I am determined to fill the measure to the brim, I shall take the liberty to send you...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 16 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library J’ai l’honneur de vous ecrire la presente laquelle vous sera remise par les nommés William Stevenson Et George Cabot tous deux matelots Americains pris sur differens navires et conduits en Angletterre d’ou ils se sont sauvés des prisons, et sont arrivés ici manquant de tout, comme ils cherchent a retourner en leur patrie, je leurs ai fourni pour le...
23Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 30 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to crave your referrence to the letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 22d. instant being Still deprived of your long wish’d for favours, the Sole motif of this, is to inform you, that one John Gibson Master of an English Smuggling vessell which arrived here this morning, tol’d me that Six Russian Ships of war vizt. three of 90, and three of 74 guns, are arrived in...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 15 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency has given me too many proofs of his goodness towards me, to allow me to hesitate troubling him on a matter which occasions me Some uneasiness, and on which I now take the liberty to ask his candid oppinion. Your Excellencys kindness towards M. Saml Wharton of which I was a wittness during my last stay at Paris, inspired me with So much...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 29 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor to address your Excellency on the 27. ultmo. and to remit two receipts together £432.—.—. paid to sundry american prisonners, to which I beg leave to refer; being since deprived of your Excellencys favours, This cheafly serves to inclose a receipt for £144.—.— I paid to one Mr. Macnamara Lieutenant of the artillery in the Service of the...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 3 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La presente Sera remise à Votre Excellence par Monsieur Thos. Wynns, qui avec Son Jeune frere qui l’accompagne ont eu le malheur d’etre pris par les Ennemis, au mois de Septembre dernier en se rendant de l’amerique à Bordeaux Sur un navire dans lequel ils etoient interessés. Ils ont eu l’addresse de Se Sauver des prisons d’angleterre, et ils Se proposent de...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 29 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreable to The unfortunate Captain Conynghams request, I have The honour to enclose a Copy of a letter I received from him dated Mill prison the 10th. inst, The general protection your Excellency chearfully grants to those who suffer by the calamities of The warr, and the particular attachment, you have allways profess’d, for The man who now claims your...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 16 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I beg leave to refer to the letter I had the honour of addressing your Excellency the 24th. Sepber. last, per which I Sent two receipts for £.672.—.— paid to Sundry american prisoners, and advised your Excellency of my draft for £.1530. 3. 9. in favour of Vandenyver freres & Cie. A Severe attack of the gout which has kept me confined to my room for near...
29Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 23 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Referring to the letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 14th. instant whereas the Treaty you have gloriously concluded in the name of the united and Independant States of America with the Court of France, is no more a mistery Since it has been declared by his Christian Majesty’s ambassador to the British Ministry, I hope you’ll indulge the liberty I...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 2 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour and Satisfaction to inform your Excellency that the Serapis, the Palas, & Countess of Scarborough frigates with the Brigantine Vengeance, arrived Safe this evening in our road. Mr. Ricot who commands the Countess of Scarborough, has wrote a few lines to Mr. Cailliéz, and agreable to his request, we have immediately Sent them pilots and...