1Francis 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...
2Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 18 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to crave your referrence to the letter I had the honnur of writing to you the 8 instant to the contents of which I am Still waiting with anxiety the favour of your answer. I received last night only under a blank cover your letter dated 10th instant address’d to any Captain bound to America the contents of which shall be carefully communicated and recommended to two Captains...
3Francis 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...
4Francis 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...
5Francis Coffyn to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honnor of writing to you fully the 5th instant, to which I beg leave to refer you. Mr. Amiel having granted to the people who were the occasion of his Journey to Dunkirk, as much time as they required to employ all their ressources to Execute the project they laid before you, and their endeavours proving fruitless, he at last determined to deliver me your much respected favour of 26....
6Francis 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...
7To 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...
8Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor to address you my last the 15th. inst. advising you the arrival of Two wounded Seamen taken in the Lexington, and by a former I inform’d you on a Seperate slit [slip] of paper of the Taking of the Brigantine l’aimable Reine Capne. Paul Berthelot, bound from Martinico to this port, by the Swan Capn. Wm. Meadows, which carry’d her to New...
9Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 20th. instant, was dictated with that Eagerness I feel myself prompted to communicate to you every occurence which comes to my knowledge, and which I imagine may be agreable to you; the report it contain’d of an action between Genl. Gates and Genl. Cornwallis was then currant here, and was confirm’d to me by...
10Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 2 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor of writing to you the 14th. ultimo by Mr. Jonathan Nesbitt, to which I take the liberty to refer, being since deprived of your respected favours, this cheafly serves to inform you of the arrival at this place of Capn. Henry Johnson, late Commander of the Continental Brigantine Lexington, and Eliazad Johnson Capn. of the Brigantine Dolton...
11Francis 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...
12Francis 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...
13Francis 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...
14Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, June 18, 1778: I received your letter of the 10th to all captains bound for America, and am communicating it to two such captains here; they will sail in late June and early July. You may wish to send further intelligence by them, and I will, if you approve, send any that I get from England. Forty-five sail westward bound, some large men of war,...
15Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 19 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Dunkirk, June 19, 1778: A brig that arrived last night sighted a fleet off Portland on the 15th: twenty-one ships of the line and five or six frigates, westward bound. The news strengthens my impression that this was Admiral Keppel’s squadron. A report is current here today that Byron sailed from Plymouth on the 10th. I wait your approval before sending...
16Francis 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.
17Francis 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...
18Francis 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...
19Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 10 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the letter I had the honor of writing to you yesterday by Capn. Amiel, I inclosed a Certificate from the officers of the Admiralty. This serves to cover the three other Certifficates I promised in the Said letter, Vizt. one from the Bourgmaster and Magistrates, one from the President and Counsellors of the board of Commerce, and an other from the Judge...
20To 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...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 12 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 2d. inst, Since which I have been favour’d with your Excellency’s letter of the 4th. As nothing can aford me greater pleasure then to be instrumental in helping your Excellencys charitable & humane vews in favour of the French Sailors who belonged to Capn. Cunningham & who have been Exchanged by the last...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 30 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the last letter I had the honour to write Your Excellency, on the 12th. inst, I am deprived of your Excellency’s favours. In the instructions delivered to Capn. Marchant of the black Prince privateer (for which your Excellency was pleased to grant a Commission,) is mentioned arte. 3d.—that the trial of the prizes made on the Ennemy by the American...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 18 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I duly received your Excellencys much respected favour of 8 inst, in answer to which I have the honnour to inform your Excellency that on a farther inquiry about the condemnation of the prizes brought into the ports of this kingdom by the American ships of war & privateers, I found that there has been a regulation made by the french Court, & publish’d on...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 24 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer your Excellency to my last letter of 18 inst, and have now the pleasure to inform your Excellency That the Cutter Black prince Capt. Merchant arrived this afternoon in this road: one of his officers is comed on shore, who told me that Since their last departure from Brest, they have had but indifferent success, they took only two prizes...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 3 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received the honour of your Excellency’s letter of 28. ultmo. as the Equipment of Capn. Conningham’s vessell required the greatest circomspection at that time, the only person employed in Shipping the French Sailors, who coul’d have confirm’d their claims, was obliged to abscond himself on account of the perquisitions made after him, and he has never been...
26To 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...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Both your Excellencys much respected favours of 15th. Octor. and 22. ultma, are now before me; The former covering Two Commissions instructions &c for the Black Prince & Princess privateers, the armements of which having been retarded by differences arising between the concerned, and the Situation of Mr. Torris affairs having obliged me to take some other...
28To 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,...
29To 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...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 27 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this Thomas Kearl, of Norfolk in Virginia being desirous of returning to his natif Country, apply’d to me to know how he could proceed, I advised him to go to Paris, and from thence to Nantes or Lorient, and tol’d him that he might call on your Excellency to know wether there are any vessells at the above ports bound to America, being well...