31From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 24th. Instant with regard to the American Prisoners returned, I refer you to mine of the 25th. in which I mentioned, that I wish’d them to be treated both officers & Seamen with the same kindness that was shewn, with the Approbation of Mr. Adams to those of the first Transport.— But as to the Payment of any Wages which they may say is due...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 11 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favors of the 2d & 6th. inst. Inclos’d is a Copy of a Letter I receiv’d from M. de Sartine relating to the Prisoners on Board the Patience. His Excy.’s positive Orders to receive them on shore went on Monday Last, directed to M. Le Comte d’Orvilliers. I have just received assurances from England that a Vessel is actually gone to Plymouth to take...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 21 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 5th. Inst. acqg. me with your Drafts on me for 91,414 l.t. 16. 10. I shall pay them as they appear,— except so much of them as are founded on the Commn. of 5 per Ct. charged in your Accts. on the Delivery of the tobaccos, which I cannot allow being well informed that one per Ct. in such Cases is the Usage and fully sufficient. I request...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 25 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Yale University Library This is to request you would Ship all the Stores you have in your Possession belonging to the Public of America, whether in the Arsenal or elsewhere, on board such Vessel or Vessels as shall be pointed out to you by Mr. Jonathan Williams. I have the Honour to be Sir, Your most humble Servant. B.F.
35From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I yesterday received your favour by Mr. Schorndorff with the Packets for Mr. De Vergennes and myself. I have acquainted the Minister with The Opportunity of writing by the return of the Mercury, and shall not unless he desires it, keep her here Longer than may be necessary on her own Account. I have a Letter also from The Navy Board of Boston; but as they make no...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 10 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress On Tuesday the 8th. Instant, sundry Bills drawn by you upon me, amounting to upwards of 30,000 l.t. were presented at my House, and an immediately [immediate reply?] urged. Being that Day at Versailles, and not returning till late in the Evening, I gave my answer the next Day that having no Advice of the said Bills and not knowing on what account they could be drawn,...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress In order to have the old arms, conveyed to America in the cheapest manner, I request you to have the Gun Barrells Locks Bayonnetts & Iron or brass furniture of them closely packed in small Cases so as to take up the least Room possible. The Cases may be the exact length of a Gun Barrell & being about a foot broad & deep they...
38The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 22 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 22, 1778: We received yours of the 18th. Tell Mr. Bersolle he must send us his accounts and vouchers before we will pay him; we hope for his sake as well as ours that he will not proceed to the indecent violence you apprehend. Dispose of the saltpetre as speedily and inexpensively as possible. Mr. Hall...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 7 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This is to request you would write to Messrs. DeSegray & Company to forward the Saltpetre by land to L’Orient, where M. Williams will be ready to receive it & ship it with other Goods in his Hands for America. By doing this immediately you will much oblige me. With great Esteem I have the Honour to be,
40From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 21 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received yours of the 8th inst. I approve of the Assistance you have afforded the American Prisoners. You will consult with M. Adams and take his Directions for what may be farther necessary. I have accepted your late Bills for Livs, and am with great esteem &c— Missing. The prisoners had recently arrived on the cartel ship Milford , and on April 22 JA oversaw...
41The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 6 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 6, 1778: We have directed Captain Whipple to apply to you for himself and his prize; please furnish the Providence with whatever she needs, but exercise the frugality that our distressed circumstances require. You ask how you should act toward the customs. In general our warships must comply with the law;...
42The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 9 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have recd yours of 16 January.— in Answer to that Part of your Letter, which relates to your concerns with the Honourable the Committee of Commerce, We have to inform you that every Transaction of theirs must be kept Separate from those affairs which are under our Direction. Therefore your...
43The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 2 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives We communicated your Letter of the 19th past to M. Paulze one of the farmers general who manages the Tobacco Affairs of that Company; he said he would write to their Officers not to make unnecessary difficulties, but to receive the Tobacco rejecting only what was absolutely spoilt. And with Regard to the...
44The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 23 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; National Archives <Passy, June 23, 1778: Thank you for your letter of the 18th and its information about freight. We have ordered Captains Whipple and Jones to return home, carrying as many arms and stores as possible. Enclosed are Congressional resolutions to govern you in distributing the prizes of the Providence and Ranger , the Drake belongs...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 21 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 12th. Instant inclosing the Bills for 4444 Dollars. As it clearly expresses that it is drawn on public Account, and not on the private Accot. of Mr. Laurens, I have no scruple against paying it with the Approbation of his Son, tho’ not endors’d by him. I enclose that Approbation, with a little Instrument which I request you would...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 25 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly the Letters you did me the honour to write me of the 10th. Instant, and another of the 20th. The Objection I made was not to your Commission of 5. per Cent for the general Business, tho’ I am informed that is higher than the Custom; but as I understand, it was settled so with you by Mr. Lee, I had no Intention to propose an Alteration, leaving that to...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Please to furnish Capt. Elisha Hart with the Same sum you advanced to the Officers Prisoners, who came over in the first Cartel with the approbation of Mr. Adams, taking his Promissory Notes for the Same per triplicate, payable to the President of Congress, or his Order. I have the honour to be, Sir
48The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 22 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies: National Archives Captain Robert Niles of the Spy at Brest, has occasion for fourteen or fifteen Tons of Lead, which you will be so good as to order on board his Vessell, and if he should request any other Articles to make up a Cargo for the united States you will please to order them on board, out of those Merchandises or Arms &c....
49The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 10 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Harvard University Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) Capt. Jones has represented to us his desire & Intention of returning to the Countess of Selkirk, some Plate which his People took from her house. We apprehend that Congress would not disapprove of this Measure, as far as it should depend upon them; and We therefore consent on the...
50The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We enclose extracts of our letters today to Mr. Williams and Capt. Jones. Please give us advance notice of any large projected expenditure, so that we may decide whether we have the money for it; we are determined not to run into debt or make commitments we cannot honor.> Published in Butterfield, John...
51From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d your favor of the 23d, & thank you for your kind Congratulations & good Wishes. I am told that Saltpetre is now worth 14s. I desire you would get as good a Price for it as Possible for the Benefit of the States, & sell it immediately, remitting Bills to me for the Amount. I know not well the Circumstances of the Prize sent in by the Alliance and therefore...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 16 February 1779 [i.e., 17] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your favor of the 11th inst. is before me. There are so many Difficulties about the Saltpetre, and as I do not learn that it is at Present much wanted in America, I am half inclin’d to dispose of it where it lies. Be so good as to inquire what it will fetch, & send me word. You will be so good as to comply with the Orders of the Navy Board, respecting the fitting of...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 8 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favour of the 3d. inst. I am glad to hear of the Arrival of the Prisoners, & doubt not of your finishing the Exchange as soon as possible. You will, no doubt, answer the Letter of the Commrs. in acquainting them as they desired with the Particulars of the Treatment the English Prisoners have received here. I will endeavour to send you by next...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 17 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 8th. Inst. inclosing Letters from America & thank you for your Care in speedily forwarding them. I have since received another acquainting me with the Cargo of the Active, and desiring to know if you may draw on me for what may be wanting to compleat her Cargo back. I have also received a Letter from the Admiralty Board relating to...
55From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 17 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have now before me your favours of july 31. & Aug. 19. Your testimony with Regard to Mr. Wam. Lee, is fully Sufficient to remove the Suspicion of his Sharing in your Commission. I mention’d it not as a Charge against him, but as an Excuse for you; 5 per Cent being, as I understood more then double of what is usual. I could wish I had nothing to do with mercantile...
56The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) The Cargo of the Brig Morris Captain Gunnison, is to be weighed and an account taken of it and transmitted to Us and the Cargo itself delivered to the Farmers General, as the former was, taking their Receipt. If the Brig is in the service of Congress she may take the Remainder of the public...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duely receiv’d yours of the 18, with Advice of your Drawing for 58407 l.t. 14 s. 0 d. as the Ballance of your Acct with the Commrs. I shall accept your Bills when they appear. In settling M. Williams’s Accounts, M. Lee insisted on having all the Vouchers in support of each Article produced here. How far this is agreeable to the Customs of Merchants I know not, but...
58The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, October 27, 1778: We have received yours of September 27 and approve your handling of the Thérèse and her cargo. We think you should sign the receipt to Mr. Williams, through the words United States, and omit what follows. He should discharge any demands against him and notify us, who stand behind him, without the...
59The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Massachusetts Historical Society; copies (two): National Archives We desire you will furnish Lieut. David Walsh with twelve Guineas taking triplicate Receipts from him payable to the president of Congress or his order. We are Sir Your most Obedient On Oct. 8 Franklin accepted a draft of Welsh’s for 176 l.t. , dated July 22: Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 361.
60From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your respected Letter of the 28th. past and shall duly honour the Bills you mention to have drawn for the 4444 Dollars.— I delivered your inclosed to M. Laurens, who will write to you. What Goods he intends to go in the Active are at Nantes, viz, some Chests of Arms & some Medecines, which he thinks will not be a Quantity to make the relanding of the old...