John Jay Papers
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William Temple Franklin to John Adams and John Jay, 22 November 1781

William Temple Franklin to John Adams and John Jay

Passy, 22d. Nov. 1781.

Dear Sir,

Since the Letter I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 19th. Inst,1 the Duke de Lauzun is arrived at Versailles from Virginia, with the glorious News of the combined Force of America & France having forced General Cornwallis to capitulate. The English Garrison marched out of York Town on the 19th of Octr. with the honour of War, & laid down their Arms: the Troops consisted of about Six thousand Sailors & Negroes 1800, 22 pair of Colours, & 170 Pieces of Cannon, of which 75 were of brass.— Besides which, a Vessel of 50 Guns with a considerable Number of Transports were burnt. These are the only particulars which have as yet transpired of this important Event. In a few Days will be publish’d the Articles of Capitulation, when I shall immediately forward them to your Excellency.

Hoping that your Negociations may partake of the good Effect of this Victory, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Excellencys affectionate & obliged humble Servant

W.T. Franklin2

Press copy of ALS, MHi: Adams. C, DLC: Franklin.

1. See W. T. Franklin to JJ, 19 Nov., ALS, NNC (EJ: 7831).

2. For the suggestion that BF had given his grandson the privilege of communicating this news to bolster his claim to recognition as the mission’s secretary, see PBF description begins William B. Willcox et al., eds., The Papers of Benjamin Franklin (39 vols. to date; New Haven, Conn., 1959–) description ends , 36: lx.

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    Jay Papers
    Title
    William Temple Franklin to John Adams and John Jay, 22 November 1781
    Author
    Franklin, William Temple
    Recipients
    Adams, John
    Jay, John
    Date
    22 November 1781

    Reference

    Cite as
    “William Temple Franklin to John Adams and John Jay, 22 November 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jay/01-02-02-0267. [Original source: The Selected Papers of John Jay, vol. 2, 1780–1782, ed. Elizabeth M. Nuxoll. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012, p. 640.]