1381John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 3 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, October 3, 1778: No ships have arrived from America; that none have come from [South] Carolina is to be expected because of the embargo on rice, but many French vessels are in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, even if American ships are lacking. A ship belonging to Mr. Ross was sold here. The crewmen who shipped for the round trip demand...
1382Thomas Grant and Joses Hill to the American Commissioners, 3 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, October 3, 1778, with two paragraphs in French: We the first and second mates contracted on May 3 for us and eight other sailors of the snow Nancy , Edenton, North Carolina, James Morrisson master, to sail for Spain or France, load the ship and return to the united provinces. We were advanced a month’s wages in dollars and in July, on arrival in...
1383To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 6 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
You have often complaind that taking care of the public Papers, and having the business of the Commission done in your rooms; was an unequal share of the public burthen apportiond to you. Whatever may be my sentiments on that point, yet to remove, as far as I can with propriety, all cause of discontent; I am willing to appropriate a room in my House for the meeting and deliberations of the...
1384John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time to advise of the Arrival of a small Cutter from Baltimore which place they left 14 Augt. and the Capes the 23d. No advices when he left the Coast of Comte dEstaings operations. Another Cutter is in the River from the same port there probably may be letters on board. The fierre Rodrigue from Virginia they left within a Days run of Rochefort...
1385Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recu Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 26 du mois dernier, par laquélle vous appuiez la demande de M. Izzard ministre des Etats unis en Toscane, qui reclame des effets chargés sur le navire anglois le Nil pris par le corsaire de Marsielle le Cesar. C’est par erreur que vous avez cité dans votre lettre, l’article 16 du traité fait entre sa majesté et les...
1386Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received, gentlemen, the letter that you did me the honor to write the 26th of last month, in which you support Mr. Izard, United States Minister to Tuscany, in his request for the restitution of certain belongings carried aboard the British vessel, the Nile, which was captured by the Caesar, a privateer from Marseilles. It is by error that in your letter you have cited Article 16 of...
1387To John Adams from James Warren, 7 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As I keep no Copies of the Letters I write to you, and have been so Careless as to keep no Memorandum of them I cant recollect either the Number or Contents. But this I am certain of, that they are both Numerous and Lengthy, and that I have not received a Single Line from you. This is equally a subject of Complaint among all your Friends, and I am to be satisfied while I dont find myself...
1388Sartine to the American Commissioners, 7 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, October 7, 1778, in French: I have received your letter of September 26 supporting the request of Mr. Izard for the restitution of his belongings. I do not see how the commercial treaty applies in this case as Mr. Izard’s name is not mentioned in the bill of lading and...
1389To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of 2d. instant, in which you desire to know if I think there is room to hope that our Legislators will pass such Laws as will apply the money hitherto spent in articles of Luxury, towards the discharge of the National Debt; or “that the People have, or can be persuaded to acquire those qualities which are necessary to execute such Laws.” It is with the greatest...
1390Peter Collas to the Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
The 6 of August last I weant from hence to Nants Intended for Boston and on the 29th sailed from Nants for Boston On board of the Dispatch, Coben Barns master and On the ferst of September was Captured by the Ennemies and Carred in to Guernsey, from there I gott to England and made the best of my way for France. At my Arivall a Calais where According to custom my Trunk was Searched and in it...
1391Domenico Caracciolo to the Commissioners, with a Contemporary Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je Suis persuadé, qu’il est dèja a Votre Connoissance, que le Roi de Deux Siciles mon Maitre à Ordonnée de tenir Ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente Nations, et aussi des Pirates, je vous prie de me faire Savoir les Couleurs du...
1392Domenico Caracciolo to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am persuaded that you already know that the King of the two Sicilies my master, has ordered the ports of all his dominions to be kept open to the Flag of the United States of America, for which reason, to avoid every possible mistake at this time, when the Seas are covered with the privateers of different Nations, and likewise with Pirates, I request you to inform me of the Colours of the...
1393John Ross to the Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
By the tuisdays post, I had the honor of your favour 30th. Ultimo now before me. And I find thereby, a want of Authority, deprivs me of either instructions or Advice from you in the concerns of the Public, farther thin what respects the large Sume of money put into my hands by the Honorable the Commissioners. It has been all along my own Opinion, that am only responsible to the Honorable...
1394Domenico Caracciolo, Marchese di Villamaina, to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Je suis persuadé, qu’il est deja a votre Connoissance, que le Roy des Deux Siciles mon Maitre á ordonné de tenir ouverts les Ports dans tous ses domaines au Pavillion des Etats Unis de L’Amerique au moyen de quoi pour eviter tous espece d’equivoque dans ces tems, que la mer est couverte des armateurs de differente...
1395Peter Collas to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Passy, October 8, 1778: Last August 6 I left here for Nantes and sailed on the 29th for Boston on the Dispatch , Corbin Barnes, master. I was captured on September 1, and taken into Guernsey; I made my way from there to England and finally to Calais. My trunk was searched and a number of articles were held on the supposition that they were made in England....
1396John Ross to the American Commissioners, 8 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; copies: National Archives (two); transcript: National Archives <Nantes, October 8, 1778: I have yours of September 30 indicating that I am to be deprived of the commissioners’ advice beyond that concerning the money extended me. It has been my position all along that I am responsible only to Congress but I fail to see why you have charged me with...
1397Tristram Barnard to the American Commissioners, [after 9 October 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[Paris, after October 9, 1778]: A valuable whaling business has been established by the English since the onset of hostilities with America. If you intend to destroy it I could give you adequate intelligence. I was involved in this business but quit, aware that I was doing wrong. Fifteen whaling ships, manned primarily by Americans who would gladly return...
1398To John Adams from William MacCreery, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the pleasure to write you a few Lines just before my departure from Nantes, and afterwards on my arrival at this place. Two Small Vessels arrived here from Baltimore a few days ago. They had both long passages, the latest dates I had by them was the 16th. of August, and the only news contained in them, That a large Number of Vessels had got into Chesapeak Bay, which occasion’d a...
1399Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your humble petionner hath ben from America this four years in the English Services though not in Goverment Services of any kind nither have I any kind of pretentions or clames to any honour in Supporting the just cause of America any further then Releveing many prisoners with Money and means to make thare Escape from England. Therefore wishing to be of more Services then I have ben I have a...
1400Tristram Barnard to the Commissioners, 9 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
As thier hath ben a moust Valueable Whale fishry discoverd by the people of England Since the preasent contest with America and a thing of the utmoust Consequence to the above poeple—if it is your minds to destroy it I Should be glad to give you all the information that is in my Power to affect the Same. I have ben in the busaness my self and was very Senceable I was doing Rong, therefore...
1401Tristram Barnard to the American Commissioners, 9 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[Paris], October 9, [1778]: For four years this humble petitioner, away from America, has been in English, though not in government, service. My only claim to supporting the American cause is the relief I have given to many prisoners. I want to serve by transporting goods to the rising American states, and request a pass from London to Spain for this...
1402Ralph Izard to the Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have just been favoured with a communication of M. de Sartine’s Letter to you of 7th. instant, in which I am referred to a course of Law for the recovery of my Baggage, on board the Ship Nile, carried into Marseilles by a French Privateer. This I can not approve of, as my claim is founded on an Article in the Treaty which expressly declares that the goods of an American put on board of an...
1403——— Bailly aîné to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Reponse que me Raportent par le Courier de ce jour mes Banquiers et que vous leur aves fait a de quoy m’etonner. En vous faisant passer la lettre D’advis de votre representant a la Martinique Mr. Bingham, que Je trouvay dans Celle de Mr. J. Hurlot qui y est le mien, J’eus l’honneur de vous ecrire et de vous dire que je connoissois beaucoup M. Villiam...
1404John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day receivd from Mr. Livingston a Letter wherein he requests I would apply for a Letter of Mark for the Ship bought for him. I shall esteem the favor of you to forward one to me by the first Post I expect he will be ready for Sea by the first November. The Ship is called the Livingston, in Honor of Governor Livingston, the late Mr. P....
1405Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, October 10, 1778: Mr. Sartine’s letter to you of the 7th, in which I am referred to the courts to recover my baggage, has just reached me. I disagree, since my claim is founded on an article of the treaty guaranteeing the return of American goods without delay and on demand. I am the more surprised as the minister, well aware that my name was not on...
1406To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have hoped for Leisure to answer your favor as fully as, in my own Vindication, it demands. There are matters touched in it, which imply a Censure upon me, which a recapitulation of facts, I am satisfied, would convince you is unjust. But as I dispair of sufficient Leisure for some time, I must content myself with replying to what is immediately necessary. A desire to remove as much as I...
1407Daniel McNeill to the Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
After my Arrivall here I applyed to the Agent to recive the prisoners who promised he would the next morning, upon which I sent them a Shoar, but they ware refused to be Landed by the Comadant for want of Orders from the Ministry to that purpose, therefore was oblidged to Carry them onboard again, but shall not be able to Carry them out of France without turning at least twenty Americans a...
1408Gabriel de Sartine to the Commissioners, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Je n’ay point oublié, Messieurs, L’Intéret que vous prenez a M. Jones et la Demande que vous avez faite de lui accorder un Batiment armé qui puissé le transporter en Amerique. Le Roi a qui j’en ai rendu Compte est disposé a donner cette facilité a ce Capitaine. Mais Je desire prealablement de Scavoir s’il sera possible de composer de Matelots Americains l’Equipage du Batiment qui sera fourni a...
1409Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have not forgotten, gentlemen, the interest you took in Mr. Jones and your request that he be granted an armed vessel to carry him to America. The King, to whom I have rendered a report, is disposed to give the captain this facility. But I would like to know, beforehand, if it would be at all possible to make up the crew of the vessel, which will be provided Mr. Jones, from American sailors,...
1410To John Adams from William Whitmarsh Jr., 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being a Townsman of yours and having suffered in the Grand Cause I have Made my Aplication To Mr. Coffyn in Behalf of the United States of Amirica for a Small Sum of Money sufficent to Bear my Exepences while in France which will be no Longer then I Can Geet a Vessell Bound To America which By the Assistance of Mr. Coffyn I hope will not be Long. Sir My affairs Stands thus — I was Taken a...