251Contract between Chaumont and the American Commissioners, 1 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : New York Public Library; DS and AD (draft): American Philosophical Society Conventions de Messieurs Frankelin et Dean et Lee deputés du Congrès des etats unis d’amerique avec le Sr. Leray de Chaumont. Le Dit Sieur de Chaumont equipera tous les mois a compter du mois de may prochain pendant un an, un pacquebot ou vaisseau propre a porter les Depesches des Dits Srs. Deputes de france en...
252The American Commissioners to Lord Stormont, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : the Johns Hopkins University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Public Record Office. We did ourselves the Honour of writing some time since to your Lordship on the Subject of Exchanging Prisoners. You did not condescend to give us any Answer, and therefore we expect none to this. We however take the Liberty of sending you Copies of certain Depositions, which we shall...
253“Model of a Letter of Recommendation of a Person You Are Unacquainted with,” 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Morristown National Historical Park The Bearer of this who is going to America, presses me to give him a Letter of Recommendation, tho’ I know nothing of him, not even his Name. This may seem extraordinary, but I assure you it is not uncommon here. Sometimes indeed one unknown Person brings me another equally unknown, to recommend him; and sometimes...
254From Benjamin Franklin to [Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot, Baron de l’Aulne], 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Cenis being at Bourdeaux, will easily find Ships there bound to some Part of North America, as I am told that scarce a Week passes, in which a Vessel does not sail thither from that Port. He should get the Assistance of some Merchant in agreeing for his Passage, and in purchasing the Provisions for his Voyage: And he ought to take a Sum of Money with him to...
255From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and AL (draft): Library of Congress As I see that the Congress has resolved upon raising 3000 Horse for the ensuing Campaign I hope M. de Cenis the bearer of this Letter, may be of great Use in forming some of the Troops, as he is acquainted with that Service, having been a Captain of Dragoons. He goes over at his own Expence, without the least Encouragement or Promise from me, which indeed...
256The American Commissioners to Lord Stormont, 3 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , November 4–6, 1777. In answer to a letter which concerns some of the most material interests of humanity, and of the two nations, Great Britain, and the United States of America, now at war, we received the enclosed indecent paper, as coming from your Lordship, which we return, for your Lordship’s more mature consideration. The paper was the reply, written on...
257From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Lith, 6 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I have just been honoured with a Letter from you, dated the 26th past, in which you express your self as astonished, and appear to be angry that you have no Answer to a Letter you wrote me of the 11th of December, which you are sure was delivered to me. In Exculpation of my self, I assure you that I never receiv’d any Letter from you of that date. And indeed...
258From Benjamin Franklin to the Conde d’Aranda, 7 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archivo Historico Nacional; ALS (draft): Library of Congress I left in your Excellency’s Hands, to be communicated, if you please, to your Court, a Duplicate of the Commission from the Congress, appointing me to go to Spain as their Minister Plenipotentiary. But as I understand that the Receiving such a Minister is not at present thought convenient, and I am sure the Congress would have...
259From Benjamin Franklin to Charles [?] Rybot, 9 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I believe it is very unusual for one Man to pay another’s Debts without being desired so to do by the Debtor, or knowing that he acknowledges the Sum demanded to be due. Mr. Hood is as much a Stranger to me as he is to you. You have lent him 3 Guineas: I have lent him 30, supposing him an honest Man: By the Account you give me of his Treatment of you, and which...
260From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 14 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr. Guez, being well recommended to me as a skilful Surgeon, and otherwise of good Character for his Morals and Prudence, I recommend him to your Civilities and Advice, which as a Stranger he may have occasion for: And as he has not sufficient to pay his Passage here, and will not be able to provide such a Sum immediately there, I desire you to...
261The American Commissioners to the Comte de MercyArgenteau, 19 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haus-, Hoff-, und Staatsarchiv, Vienna; draft: Library of Congress By direction of the Congress of the United States of America, we have the Honour of informing your Excellency, that they purpose to send a Minister to your respected Court, with all convenient Expedition, properly impower’d to treat upon Affairs of Importance. In the mean time we beg the Favour of your Excellency to...
262The American Commissioners to Baron Schulenburg, 19 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; two copies: Harvard University Library We received the letter which you did us the honour to write to us of the 15th Ultimo and should earlier have replied particularly thereto, but from the daily expectation we had of recieving orders from Congress of the United States on this important subject. We have their commands to inform his Prussian Majesty’s Ambassador here,...
263The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 21 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office You are directed to call on Capt. Wicks on your return, and inform him that We have pursuant to his proposal, ordered the Lexington, under your Command to proceed with him on the Cruise on which he is bound; you will agree with Capt. Wicks, on the place of your Rendevouz, your Signals &c. which you are to take in writing, and carefully attend to. You will also follow...
264From Benjamin Franklin to Jabez Maud Fisher, 21 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Franklin presents his Respects to Mr. Fisher, with Thanks for his obliging Offer of taking Letters under his Care to the Dr.’s Friends in London: but apprehending that a Correspondence with him at present may be attended with some inconvenient Circumstances to his Friends there, he has generally avoided writing to any of them since his Arrival in...
265From Benjamin Franklin to [Pierre-Joseph Perreau], 22 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Mr. Mercley whom your Reverence mentions as having made Promises to Monsieur your Brother, was employ’d as a Merchant to purchase some military Stores for the Congress, but I know of no Authority he had to engage Officers of the Marine, or to make any Promises to such in our Behalf. I have not myself, (as I have already had the Honour of telling your Reverence)...
266From Benjamin Franklin to La Rochefoucauld and the Duchesse d’Enville, 25 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Mr. Franklin rejoices to hear that Monsr. le Duc de Rochefoucauld, and Madame la Duchesse d’Enville, in whose Welfare he is much interested, are both on the Recovery. Art. 4. M. F. thinks the Error is in the Number of Districts, which ought to have been 24. Art. 9. Is also misprinted. It should have been that two Members are to be removed at the End of...
267The American Commissioners to the Marques de Ponte do Lima, [before 16 July 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, British Library The Congress of the United States of America have seen with Concern in the Public Newspapers an Edict of the late King of Portugal dated at the Palace of Ajuda: the 4th of July 1776 wherein the said States are spoken of in Terms of Contumely, and all Ships belonging to their People then in the Ports of Portugal are...
268The American Commissioners to [the Conde de Sousa Coutinho], 26 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and draft: Library of Congress The Congress of the United States of America have seen a paper purporting to be an Edict of his Portuguese Majesty, dated at the Palace of Ajuda, the 4th. of July, 1776. in which the said States are treated with Contumely, their Ships however distress’d, forbidden to enter any Port in his Dominions; and his Subjects every where forbidden to afford them the...
269From Benjamin Franklin to Jan Ingenhousz, 26 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry Huntington Library I find by your Favour of the 2d Inst. that my Letter to you had been stopt in the Post Office. I am sorry I omitted Payment of the Postage; it was thro’ Ignorance. As you mention having order’d your Banker to forward it, I hope you have it before this time. I shall take care of this. It is probable that I shall remain here still some Months, so that if you...
270The American Commissioners to [the Committee of Secret Correspondence], 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We wrote to you pretty fully on the State of Affairs here, in ours of the 12th of March and 19th of this Month, since which there has been little Alteration. There is yet no Certainty of a sudden Declaration of War, but the Preparations go on vigorously both here and in Spain, the Armies of france drawing towards the Sea Coasts, and those of Spain to the...
271From Benjamin Franklin to [John Bradford], 1[-27] May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I received your Favour of Feb. 25. by Capt. Adams. I congratulate you on his safe Arrival with others of our American Ships, it being rather wonderful that so many get in through all the English Men of War actually cruizing in the channel and Bay of Biscay to prevent them. I make no doubt but Messrs. Penet & Morris will take proper Care in disposing of the Cargo...
272The American Commissioners to John Adams, [on or before 5 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With this, you will receive Dispatches; with which you are to sail with all possible expedition. You will enclose the Dispatches in a Box with Lead, and have it always ready to sink, shoud you be in unavoidable danger of falling into the Enemies hands. To prevent this misfortune, you will constantly keep a good look-out, and be very cautious how you approach any...
273The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library The commissioners had been plagued from the start by the lack of regular and reliable communication with America. On April 1 they had signed a contract with Chaumont for establishing a packet service; now, a month later, the service was ready to start as soon as the first packet arrived from Morlaix and took on her cargo....
274From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society It was with great Pleasure I received lately the Letters of my Friends from Boston by Capt. Adams. They were the first that got to hand since I left America. I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my safe Arrival here, and for your good Wishes. I am, as you supposed, treated with great Civility and Respect by all Orders of People; but it gives...
275From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, Sr., 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival here, and shall be happy in finding that our Negociations on this side the Water are of effectual Service to our Country. The general News here is, that all Europe is arming and preparing for War, as if it were soon expected. Many of the Powers however, have their...
276From Benjamin Franklin to John Winthrop, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of Feb. 28. which gave me great Pleasure. I forwarded your Letter to Dr. Price, who was well lately, but his Friends, on his Acct., were under some Apprehensions from the Violence of Government, in consequence of his late excellent Publications in favour of Liberty. I wish all the Friends of Liberty and Man would quit that Sink of...
277From Benjamin Franklin to ――― Adoubeden with a Covering Note to ―――, 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (two drafts): Library of Congress It would be a pleasure to me if I could comply with your Request to place your Son in our American Army. But it is absolutely not in my Power. Some old experienc’d Engineers and Officers of Artillery have been desired from Europe, but they have long since been engag’d and gone. And we have so many young Gentlemen, Natives of our Country, who are desirous...
278The American Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Harvard University Library The Commissioners from the United States of America desire to represent to his Excellency the Count de Vergennes, that they have received Intelligence of a Vessel belonging to the States having been taken by the Culloden, an English Ship of War, close on the Coast of France; and that the same...
279The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
280The American Commissioners: Three Covering Notes for Captured Mail, 10–11 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): University of Virginia Library; (II) two copies: University of Virginia Library; (III) copy: Harvard University Library The first fruit of Gustavus Conyngham’s cruise in the Surprize was the capture of the Prince of Orange , the packet from Harwich to the Netherlands. She yielded some two thousand letters, dispatches, and bills of credit, which were forwarded to Franklin. Some...
281From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 12 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution ... (12 vols., Boston, 1829–30), IX , 317–18. Last night we received a packet from North America with some advices, of which I send you the substance. I see your letters now and then to Mr. Deane and Mr. Carmichael, and thank you for the kind mention made of me in them. I am so bad a correspondent, that...
282News from America, 12 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania This Day arrived an Express from Boston in New England, which brings Advices to the 3d of April. General Washington was well, with the Army under his Command, which was daily augmenting by the Arrival of the new Levies from the different States. There is no mention of any Sickness having been among them. Nor had there been any Attack made upon...
283From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 22 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have just received yours of March 10. and it is the first come to hand from you since my Arrival, tho’ the third you mention to have written. I rejoice to hear that the Family are all well. I did not hear before that they were out of Town. We are all well here. Temple presents his Duty. Ben’s Letter is enclos’d. He dines with me every Sunday and some Holidays....
284The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 25 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; two copies: British Library Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14 and April the 9th (a third Copy of which we send herewith) Mr. Lee tarry’d here some Weeks after his Return from Spain. No News arriving (tho’ we received Letters from you) of any Commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the Necessity of a good Understanding with that...
285The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The Navy of the United States increasing in the Number of its Ships and Force, it is of the utmost importance to direct the Cruises of the Shipps of War which belong either to the States or individuals so as to annoy and alarm the Enemy the most effectually, and at the same Time to encourage Our brave Officers and Seamen by the Value of prizes. The West India...
286From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Communication between Britain and North America being cut off, the French Botanists cannot in that Channel be supply’d as formerly with American Seeds, &c. If you or one of your Sons encline to continue that Business, you may I believe send the same Number of Boxes here, that you used to send to England, because England will then send here for what it...
287From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The above went by Capt. Adams. Since which I received your Favour by your Son, who appears an amiable sensible young Man. I have advis’d his Staying a few Months in France to acquire the Language, which, as we are likely to have more Connection and Commerce with this Nation than formerly, may be of considerable Use to him. He returns to Nantes with Mr....
288From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Jewish Historical Society, New York City I was glad to understand by yours of March 29. that you and your Family continued in good Health and Spirits. You and your Country are engag’d in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your Son John remains at Nantes. His Brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he...
289From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Count Pulawski of Poland, an Officer famous throughout Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defence of the Liberties of his Country against the three great invading Powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia, will have the Honour of delivering this into your Excellency’s Hands. The Court here have encouraged and promoted his Voyage, from an Opinion that he may be highly...
290The American Commissioners: Contract with ––– Mercier for the Repair of Arms, 30 May 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society <Charleville, May 30, 1777, in French: Mercier will engage at least forty qualified workmen to come to Nantes as soon as possible. He will contract with each of them at a fixed price, not to exceed 2 l.t. 2 sols for each gun that needs to be dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled; any new work will be done as cheaply as possible. He will obtain parts from the...
291Concerning Mr. Merckle, [after 2 June? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library J. P. Merckle had arrived in Bordeaux on the Dispatch and had contracted, but not paid for, a small consignment of goods for her return voyage. He had then gone to the Netherlands, and ordered supplies worth far more than the secret committee had authorized him to spend. In February Lee had complained that the Dispatch was waiting in Bordeaux for a...
292The American Commissioners to John Jay, 2 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 ulto. of which we sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send you the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North, is unguarded, the Greenland Whale Fishery and the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Could two or three of our frigates accompanied by...
293To John Jay from the American Commissioners (Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane), 2 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 Ult o . of which we Sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send You the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North is unguarded, The Greenland Whale Fishery & the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Cou’d two or three of our Frigates accompanied by lesser swift sailing Vessels...
294The American Commissioners: Contract with Jean-Joseph Carié de Montieu, [6 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: British Library In February, 1777, Congress sent a large order for military supplies, including 40,000 uniforms and cloth for as many more, which the commissioners acknowledged in late April. They then moved rapidly. Although they signed no contract before this one, they placed orders many weeks earlier. On April 27 they agreed with Chaumont and Jean Holker, one of the inspectors general...
295From Benjamin Franklin to Lauron, 6 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Persons acting in France for the United States of America, had Orders from the Congress to procure and send over 4 experienc’d Engineers and a few Officers of the Artillery. That Commission is executed, and those Officers are gone. The Agents are not authoris’d by the Congress to agree with and send over any other Officers whatever. Nor to promise any Rank...
296From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquise de Senneville, [6 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress It would be a Pleasure to me if I could in this Instance show the Regard I have for your Recommendation. My Answer to M. de Lauron, which I send open for your Perusal, will acquaint you with the Reasons. As soon as I hear of the Arrival of M. le Chevalier Dannemours I shall immediately acquaint you with it. I have &c. The date of the enclosed letter to Lauron,...
297From Benjamin Franklin to [the Duc de La Rochefoucauld], [after 7 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Excuse if you can my detaining these Papers so long. My Time every day is devoured by Applications of Officers and People who would go to America. We have no certain Account of the Arrival of the Amphitrite. We fear she has been destroyed by the English with all on board; as they give us in the Papers an Account of their having blown up a French Ship of 24 Guns...
298From Benjamin Franklin to [George Washington], 11 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I do every thing in my Power to discourage foreign Officers from going over to enter into our Service, knowing well how difficult it is to place them, to their Satisfaction and the public Utility, particularly as most who apply are unacquainted with our Language. The Person who will have the Honour of presenting this Letter to your Excellency, M. le Baron de...
299From Benjamin Franklin to [V Dulongprey, Coney & fils], 12 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I receiv’d your Favour of the 6th Inst. per Capt. Burnell, and am much oblig’d by the Civilities you have shown him. The Prize cannot, as you observe, be sold and Delivered in your Port, it being contrary to Treaties, and to Ordinances made in Conformity to those Treaties; But I suppose it may be done in the Road without the Port, or in some convenient Place on...
300From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 13 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy of each: National Archives The Person who will have the Honour of delivering this to your Excellency, is Monsieur le Baron de Frey, who is well recommended to me as an Officer of Experience and Merit, with a Request that I would give him a Letter of Introduction. I have acquainted him that you are rather overstock’d with Officers, and that his obtaining Employment in your Army is...