21——— Boux to the American Commissioners, 26 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous avez appris par mon oncle les raisons qui me font rester a terre et l’imposibilité qu’il y à que je puisse partir sur le lion comme vous me l’avez ordonné par votre derniere. Vous avez aussi sçu les petites mortifications que j’ai eu avec le Capitaine Nikleson. Je ne vous cacherai pas que je suis aise qu’il ne se soit pas trouvé de place pour m’y...
22Boux to the American Commissioners, 7 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous est rendu conte Messieurs Du premier marché aresté pour la construction D’un Vaisseau, et c’et avec un plus grand plaisir que je vous ennonce la parole donnee pour un segond, qui ne coutera que 200 milles florins, c’est a Dire plus de 35 milles franc de france de moins que le 1er. J’espere que cette semaine les deux contrats seront passé pour...
23William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 31 June [30? 1 July?] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society Gustavus Conyngham, when last heard from, had been in prison with his crew in Dunkirk. On June 2 Deane asked Gérard that they be released and permitted to return to America, and on the 12th they were at large and working on their new ship, the cutter Revenge . On the 30th Carmichael arrived, as he says here, with instructions; they were ostensibly from the...
24William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 12 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society In my last I transmitted you an account of the Extraordinary conduct of the Captain of one of the British Ships of war laying in this road. That Ship joind by two others block up the road so as to make it impossible for any vessel to quit this port without being taken by one or other of them. The detention of the vessel formerly belonging to Mr. Hodge...
25William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have this day renderd an account to Mr. Deane of the Sums disbursd by me on the Public service; I would have given it in sooner, but that I wishd and hopd to have had it in my power to have reimbursd the Whole. I render it to Mr. Deane because the money was cheifly expended under his orders and directions. I offer to become accountable to the Honorable the...
26William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I arrivd at this place last night in forty four hours from Paris. The Vessels which it was intended I should stop saild eight days ago, and it is most probable that the court knew of that circumstance because it is confidently asserted a french Frigate convoyd them as far as Ushant. Mr. Williams immediately took the proper steps to profit by your advices had...
27William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 10 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I have had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 7th of July and am sorry that you have not had an opportunity of yet applying to the Minister on the subject of Mr. Hodges vessel. The bond required was to give security here that the vessel should not cruise against the English. The Expressions of the Ministers letters were so vague and General that the...
28Geoffroy Chalut de Verin to the American Commissioners, [before 6 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Chalut de Verin prie Messieurs Franklin, Monsieur Dean et Le Chevalier Lée de lui faire l’honneur de venir diner [mardi 6] janvier Jour des Roix. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Benjamin Franklin / A Passy The farmer general: above, XXIV , 348 n. The “Jour des Roix” or Epiphany, Jan. 6, must have been in 1778: a year earlier BF was not in Passy, and a year...
29Chaumont to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont a l’honneur d’informer Messieurs les deputés du Congrès qu’il peut leur procurer deux cents milliers de salpestres de l’inde pres a L’orient a soixante le quintal pareil a celuy qu’il a deja procuré a M. Dean payable en lettres de change acceptées sur Paris Londres Amsterdam Bordeaux ou Nantes. Il faut unne prompte décision parceque les...
30Francis 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...
31Francis 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...
32Francis 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...
33The Commerce Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: American Philosophical Society; transcript: Library of Congress The Honorable William Lee Esqr. having been appointed a Commissioner to the Court of Prussia, and Mr. Thomas Morris having been removed from the Commercial Agency, Congress have empowered and directed us to write to you, desiring you would appoint one or more suitable Persons to be...
34The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 7 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Inclosed are duplicates of Commissions and Instructions for William Lee and Ralph Izard Esqrs and Triplicates of Letters No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Since our last No. 6 a Variety of Circumstances in the military Department have happened, many of which are so intricate and unfinished as not to...
35The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Haverford College Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have the pleasure of inclosing to you the copy of a letter from General Gates containing the circumstances of a Victory gained over General Burgoyne on the 7th. This event must defeat the main views of General Clinton in proceeding up Hudsons River. He has, it is true, got...
36The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Maine Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We shall follow your example in confining this letter intirely to yours of May 26th. respecting the Loan, and Mode of raising it by appropriation of vacant lands. It remains doubtful yet whether there is any vacant land not included within some one of the thirteen states; And it...
37The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) In this we send you an Account of the most Material Matters which have happened in the Military department. The Enemy about ten weeks ago sent a large Party and destroyed some Continental Stores lodged at Peeks Kill the value not great, and retreated immediately after. They afterwards made an Attempt...
38The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 2 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Since ours of Octr: 31st. the enemy have by repeated efforts at last overcome our defences on the Delaware below Philadelphia, and we hear they have got up some vessels to the city; but we incline to think they will be interrupted much in their opperations on the river by the Cheveaux de Frize and the cold...
39The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives On April 17, 1777, Congress renamed the committee of secret correspondence the committee for foreign affairs, and we adopt the new title at the beginning of this volume. The commissioners, however, did not learn of the change for months to come, because they received no word from the committee until September. The present...
40The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 2 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Since our last No. 5th. of the 26 Ult. which mentions the Enemy being retreated to Amboy, we have to inform you that General Washington dismissed the Militia except about 2000 and likewise countermanded the reinforcements of 3000 Men from General Putnams Camp at Peeks Kill. We suppose Genl. Howe to be...
41The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 13 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress Though the Dispatches prepared some Time since are not gone, we think it best to write you again, and give you an exact Account of the Situation of our Army and military Affairs to this Time. You were formerly made acquainted that, immediately after our important Victory at Princeton on the 3d of...
42The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 26 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Since our last of 18th. Inst. in which you were informed of the Enemy being encamped at Somerset Court house eight Miles from Brunswick We have the pleasure of acquainting you that on the 19th at Night they made a precipitate retreat therefrom to the last mentioned place, and on the Morning of the 22d...
43The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We mean in this letter to give you a succint view of the state of our military affairs. You must long before this reaches you have been made acquainted with the signal success of the american arms in the northern department, particularly the several Engagements in that quarter previous to the surrender of...
44The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 31 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives We have the pleasure to enclose to you the Capitulation by which Genl. Burgoyne and his whole army surrendered themselves prisoners of War. This great event might have still been greater had not the operations on Hudson’s river below Albany rendered it apprehensible that Sir Harry Clinton might come to the relief of Genl. Burgoyne as he had urged his way up to...
45The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 12 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives Not having received any letters from you since the 26 of May we were severely chagrined yesterday upon the arrival of Capt. John Folgier, who, under the name of dispatches from the Commissioners at Paris, delivered only an enclosure of clean white paper with some familiar letters, none of which contained any political intelligence. You will see by the...
46The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 1 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives This will be delivered to you by Colo. Ewing of Baltimore in Maryland, who goes to France on affairs of commerce, and whom we recommend to your civilities as a Gentleman of worth, who has in arms contended for the liberty of America. We are &ca. Signed All the indications are that the Colonel carried the committee’s important dispatch of the day before, and that...
47The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 6[–9] October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Maine Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Since ours to you by return of the Packet from New Hamshire and duplicates by Mr. McCreary from Maryland, we have not written, nor have we received any of your favors during the last two months, except a letter of old date (Apr. 29th) signed by Mr. Deane and Doctr. Lee. Capt....
48The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives As we wish the subject of this letter to be well attended to and understood, we shall confine ourselves intirely to the business of such french Gentlemen as have returned without getting employment in north america and particularly those of Monsr. du Coudray’s Corps. Whatever may be the Clamour excited by...
49The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 30 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and duplicate: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress We have delayed sending this Packet from a daily expectation of hearing from you, as some letters from France make mention of a quick Sailing Vessel by which we were to receive despatches. Tho’ it must be agreeable to you to hear frequently from us, yet as our Letters by being taken might be...
50The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 8 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: University of Virginia Library, Library of Congress, National Archives At the Time this will be delivered to you, Bills of Exchange will also be presented for your acceptance drawn by the Honble. Henry Laurens Esqr. of Charlestown S. Carolina who was elected President of the continental Congress on the first day of this month; of which we...
51The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
52The 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...
53The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Amerìcan Commissioners, 30 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; Haverford College Library; LS without postscript: Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1958); AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives (two) The military defeats that had followed consistently on the Battle of Long Island, and had brought the British so near Philadelphia that Congress had fled to...
54The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners to France, 24 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copies: Library of Congress; National Archives The Congress having Committed to our Charge and Management their Ship of War called the Reprisal, Commanded by Lambert Wickes Esqr. carrying sixteen Six pounders and about one hundred and twenty Men, We have allotted her to carry Doctor Franklin to France and directed Capt. Wickes to proceed for the...
55The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; draft: Harvard University Library We have the honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress that is of great Importance to the public Service, which has suffered considerably the last Fall, and during this Winter, by the insufficient manner in which our Soldiers were clothed. Having found much Delay heretofore in getting Cloth made up, the Congress desire that 40,000...
56The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives; draft: American Philosophical Society The events of war have not since our last furnished any thing decisive. The enemies Army still remains encamped upon the hills near Brunswick, and still our Troops continue to beat back and destroy their Convoys insomuch that we understand their Horses dye in numbers, and we have reason to...
57The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress; Yale University Library Captain Hammond having been detained longer than we expected, furnishes us with an opportunity of giving you the information we have since our last received from the Army, thro a Committee of Congress left at Philadelphia; for we have yet had no regular accounts from General Washington. On the 2d....
58The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress We are commanded by Congress to transmit Copies of their Resolve of the 13 instant to all the Gentlemen abroad that hold correspondance with any of their Committees. The Necessity of Such a resolution and due attention to it, is fully evinced by the heavy expence america has been put to by many Gentlemen received into their...
59The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
60The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
61The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
62Gustavus Conyngham to the American Commissioners, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I wrote you last I went on a Cruze and fell in with the Brig Gracieux Mr. Augustin Letournois from London Bound to Spain with A Cargoe of Dry Goods the most of the Bills of Lading Consignd to Order. On my Asking the Capt. if he new that his Cargoe was British property or not he made Answer. I seen where he Loaded and that I had a Good prize. On this...
63David & Son to the American Commissioners, [16 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society The Success of Baltimore John Nicols Master coming from Maryland is arrived here yesterday with 140 Hogsheads of tobacco. This vessel was destined for Nantes or Bordeaux, but having been chased by three Men of war without Colours and which we believe to be the three that saild last from Brest, the said Capt. taking advantage of the night got clear and is...
64Debrissac de Saxey to the American Commissioners, 18 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I congratulate myself very much of the happiness of your acquaintance on my last Stay in Paris of your token of friendship of your trust and the preference you are willing to give us of the orders for you or friends when they wille call for concerning the linen of this fabrick. You ought to receive in this month your commissions from America. I take the...
65Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 30 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives Comme Interessée dans Le Navire et Cargaison, dont Les papiers ci Incluse font Mentions, Nous prenons la Libertée, Messieurs, de vous Les remêtre, et de vous recommander tres particulierement cette afaire afin que par votre pouvoir, Le dit Navire (dont nous vous protestons, q’auqune autre Nation que hollandaise, est Interessee) soit rendue aux Proprietaires. Ils est...
66Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts to the American Commissioners, 8 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We had the honnour to write You Our Last on the 21st of Last monthy since which we are honoured with Your moast Esteemed favour of the 23 of Last month in answer Serves that we are Greatly obliged to you for the Goodnes you have had to forward the papers Send you and as we are willing to send according Your good advice the Duplicat to our frends in st....
67Dumas to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Envoyé les nouv[elles] de Hambourg du 10e, le Mercure de Janvier et l’article de Nantes 6e fevrier dans la gazette de Leide Suppl[ément] No. 14 &c. The news from Hamburg was doubtless another report from his correspondent in Berlin; the one in his letter of Feb. 10 came via Hamburg. The issue of the Mercure is impossible to trace. The news...
68Dumas to the American Commissioners, 28 November 1777: abstract (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook abstract: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Envoyé les feuillets du Mercure Novembre sur le Genl. Arnold, &c.; et la Gazette de Delft sur le même. Les Barrils expediés à Mr. Holker à Rouen. Extrait de la Lettre de Lalande et Finje. Probably the Mercure historique et politique , The Hague. The shipment of butter and cod.
69Dumas to [the American Commissioners], 21 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook summary: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Envoyé les Extraits des dernieres Dépêches de Petersb. Dantsic Stockh. Berlin, Vienne, Ratisbonne, Paris et Lisbonne. Item l’Extrait de la Lettre importante de Messrs. Delalande & Fynje d’hier 19e d’Amsterd. sur laquelle je demande prompte réponse. &c. Jacob de la Lande and Hendrik Fynje were Dumas’ business associates in trading ventures...
70Dumas to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Je ne saurois plus longtemps résister à la tentation de vous écrire, que j’éprouve à chaque ordinaire, et à laquelle je succomberois régulierement, si la crainte d’être importun, plus qu’utile, ne me retenoit. Enfin la joie de pouvoir vous féliciter des succès de nos amis l’emporte sur cette crainte. Trois...