991The Ranger’s Officers to the American Commissioners, 30 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <The Ranger , May 30, 1778: Our friend and fellow officer, Lieut. Thomas Simpson, was sent aboard the Drake on April 24 to command the prize. His orders were to keep close, and on May 4 he was taken in tow. The next morning the Captain gave chase to a ship to leeward, and Mr. Simpson was ordered to cast off and make sail. He misunderstood, along with his...
992C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 2 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai l’honneur de vous confirmer mes trois dernieres Lettres, savoir celle en forme de Journal, du 7 au 15e May; une autre du 19e; et la derniere du 22 au 26e May. Mr. l’Ambassadeur de France est de retour en bonne santé. Le g—— F—— est d’avis que je n’accepte point, entant que réponse à votre Lettre, celle que le G—— P—— voudra peut-être me faire de bouche quand je le verrai. Mais il...
993C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 2 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to confirm my last three letters, namely that of 7 to 15 May in the form of a journal, another of the 19th, and the last of 22 to 26 May. The French ambassador returned in good health. The Grand Facteur is of the opinion that I should not accept, as a reply to your letter, what the Grand Pensionary will perhaps tell me verbally when we meet. But he expects, as do I, that you,...
994Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, June 2, 1778, in French: The French Ambassador expects, as I do, that you will send me a copy of the treaty in time for the Grand Pensionary to circulate it among the members of the States before they meet on July 1. You will see by the enclosed that war is about to break out in Germany; that will do us no...
995Elijah Hall to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I request your Honours Favour in behalf of the Officers and Men, that you would point out some Method to bring the Prizes to sail, which we took on the late Cruize, as we are much in want of Cloathing and other Necessaries which we cannot do without. Many of Us have Wives and Children now suffering in America, the Time for which most of the People engag’d being now almost expired, and no...
996John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Ultimo I received by Yesterdays post: I frankly ask your pardon for the undue liberty which I took the 16th Ultimo when I ventured to sign a draft upon you for the purpose of supplying the people under my Command with necessary Cloathing &ca.—and I promise you never to be guilty of the like Offence again. I hope you do not however mean to impute to me a desire to...
997Sartine to the Commissioners, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recû, Messieurs, La Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire Le 16 du Mois passé pour demander qu’il soit accordé une fregate du Roi aux frères Basmarin Raimbeaux et Cie. pour etre emploié a proteger Le Commerce qu’ils font a l’Amerique et en même terns user de Represailles pour Les Pertes que Les Anglois Leur ont fait essuyer en dernier Lieu. Je voudrois qu’il me fut possible de...
998Sartine to the Commissioners: A Translation, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I received the letter that you did me the honor to write the 16th of last month, asking that one of His Majesty’s frigates be given to Basmarin, Raimbeaux & Cie. to protect their commerce with America and also for use in retaliatory action for the losses the British have caused them of late. I wish that it was possible for me to be agreeable to your request, but His Majesty wishes, for the...
999Ranger Crew Members to the Commissioners, 3 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
To the honourable the Commissioners of the United States of North America, the Petition of the Jovial Tars Now on board the Continental Sloop of war Ranger, most humbley Sheweth, That your Petitioners regard and love For their Countrey, and dutey to there ancient fore Fathers, have most of them left there wives, and Familey Cruized the wide Atalantick, in the most dangerous places, greatley...
1000Elijah Hall to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <The Ranger , June 3, 1778: I request, for the officers and crew, that you find some way to sell the prizes. We are short of necessities, and have distressed families at home. Captain Jones has deceived us: he tricked us into enlisting for longer than we thought and promised us wages that have not been paid. He put Lieutenant Simpson, whose character is of...
1001John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; AL : United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, June 3, 1778: I promise never again to draw on you for supplying my men with necessities; you do not think, I hope, that I touched a dollar for my own purposes. On my way from America I took two brigantines. Messrs. Morris and Williams sold one in Nantes, and the captors...
1002Sartine to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress <Marly, June 3, 1778, in French: I have your letter of May 16 and must decline your request for a frigate to protect ships sent to America by Basmarein & Raimbaux; His Majesty does not wish for the moment to detach any for private purposes.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 180.
1003John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 6 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am not favord with any of your Commands since the 18th Ultimo. All the advertizements containd therein are at Sea and some of them far advancd on their Passage. I had the honor to write you the 12. 16. 26 and 30th Ultimo per post which I suppose got duely to hand, to the last I shall be confirmd next Post as the honor paid to my drafts will be notified me by the Holders. Since Cap. Tuckers...
1004Sartine to the Commissioners, 6 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Marly, 6 June 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:129–130 ( JA ’s English translation); for the French text, see JA, Works The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author , ed. Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850–1856; 10 vols. , 7:15–16....
1005John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 6 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, June 6, 1778: Since Captain Tucker left I have had to settle additional charges, of which I enclose details. The conspiracy has been diligently investigated by the intendant, but nothing can be proved. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 185–6. He left Bordeaux on May 17 and put to sea on June 6: ibid. , p. 109 n. He is referring back to a...
1006Sartine to the American Commissioners, 6 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society Je suis informé, Messieurs, que le Sr. Bersolle après avoir fait des avances assez considerables au Capitaine Jones commandant la fregate des Etats unis de l’Amerique le Ranger, s’est fait donner par ce Capitaine une lettre de Change dont vous avez refusé de faire acquitter le montant. Comme le Sr. Bersolle se trouve par là...
1007To John Adams from James Warren, 7 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
We are yet in A State of Uncertainty whether you are Arrived in France or England, and Consequently whether you are now Acting As An Embassador or suffering as Prisoner. All we know is that the last Ship from France brings no Account of you tho’ you had been out 7 weeks when she left Rochfort. The Enemy have Circulated a Report that the Boston was taken, and mention the Name of the Ship that...
1008To John Adams from Edmé Jacques Genet, 8 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
The News papers you So kindly transmit me will be carefully perus’d and will afford, I dare say, many interesting articles to my publication which has no other aim than paying to your Country the justice that is due to enlighten’d courage. I had noted in the remembrancer the letters you mention the 1st. of which begins with these words You have no doubt. To be Sure they’ll please excessively...
1009To John Adams from James Lovell, 8 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I fear I omitted to send the Resolve of May 5th. with 3 past Packets. I shall be vexed if it does not reach you with the Ratifications as, on the Timing of it depends much of its Propriety. I was strangely betrayed by its having been dated the 4th. in a mistaken Alteration, when A.B.C. were sent Eastward. By Letters Yesterday from Mr. Beaumarchais I find Mr. Deane is probably on this Continent...
1010The Navy Board for the Eastern Department to the Commissioners, 8 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to the directions of the Honorable Marine Committee, We have provided the Scooner Dispatch, Corbin Barns Master, for the purpose of Conveying to you some Packetts of Great Importance; which are to be forwarded to you through the Council of this State. We have therefore only to wish them Safe to your hands, and to desire that your Orders may be given to furnish the Captain, with such...
1011The Eastern Navy Board to the American Commissioners, 8 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress <Boston, June 8, 1778: At the direction of the marine committee we have provided the schooner Dispatch , Capt. Barnes, in order to bring you packets of great importance forwarded by the Council of this state. We hope they arrive safely, and ask that you furnish the captain the necessary supplies, expenses while in port, a month’s...
1012C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners, 9 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Ma derniere étoit du 2 de ce mois. Vous verrez par les deux traductions ci-jointes à quoi en sont les affaires en Allemagne, et que l’on peut s’attendre, d’un ordinaire à l’autre, à apprendre que les hostilités ont commencé en Allemagne. Il paroît ici, depuis quelques jours, une brochure remplie de déclamations, mal cousues ensemble, contre l’Angleterre, sous le titre Le voeu de toutes les...
1013C. W. F. Dumas to the Commissioners: A Translation, 9 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last was dated the 2d of this month. You will see by the two enclosed translations what the state of affairs in Germany is and that one may expect, any day, to hear that hostilities have begun. In the last few days a pamphlet, badly assembled and filled with declamations against Great Britain, has appeared under the title of Le voeu de toutes les nations, et l ’intérét de toutes les...
1014Dumas to the American Commissioners, 9 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <The Hague, June 9, 1778, in French: The enclosed will show that war in Germany may be expected any day. An anti-British pamphlet has recently appeared, dedicated to Mr. Franklin; it is badly done but has attracted many important readers. I and the Grand Facteur and the Grand Pensionary are all waiting for what I requested; do not be too long about sending...
1015The Massachusetts Council to the American Commissioners, 9 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Archives; copy: Library of Congress We have just received from the Secret Committee of Congress Three Packets directed to the Commissioners of the United States at Paris. We now transmit them by Capt. Corbin Barnes Commander of the Scooner Dispatch bound for Nantz, a Vessel taken up by the Navy Board of the Eastern Department for...
1016Meinert & Cie. to the American Commissioners, 9 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons l’honneur de vous accompagner ci Joint une requete, qui nous a etée envoyée par un malheureux Prisonnier à Brest, pour lequel ou bien sa liberté nous nous interressons, raport à sa nombreuse famille. Daignés Messieurs nous faire part de vos intentions dans la correspondence que vous tiendrés avec Monsieur J.D. Schweighauser. Nous sommes avec...
1017Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I should write to you with a much more cherefull Heart if I knew where to find you, but as yet I have no inteligance which can be relied upon. I have already wrote several times, by different ways. It wants but a few days of four months since the Boston saild and in all that time we have received no inteligance with regard to her but what was a week ago printed in a New York paper, viz. that...
1018Marine Committee to the Commissioners, 10 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
There is wanted for A fifty Six Gun Ship now building at Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire, Twenty eight 24 pounders Cannon and Twenty eight 18 Pounders which We request you will order to be shipped for that Port or the Port of Boston by the first Opportunity. Should the Continental Frigates Boston and Providence be in France when this gets to hand they may take in those Cannon and in...
1019John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives < Ranger , Brest, June 10, 1778: One of the Ranger ’s prizes was, I understand, sold in Bordeaux by Messrs. Delap. I wrote to request that the captors’ share be sent to Mr. Williams at Nantes, so that it might be divided before the Ranger left, but my letter was not answered. Please give orders for the money to be remitted...
1020The Marine Committee to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress <York, Pa., June 10, 1778: Twenty-eight twenty-four-pounders and twenty-eight eighteen-pounders are needed for a ship now building at Portsmouth; please send them there or to Boston at the first opportunity. If the Boston and Providence are in France, they may carry them. In that case please load an equal...