201Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Connecticut Historical Society We have the satisfaction to inform you of the arrival in this Road of two Continental fregattes one the Rolly of 32 Guns Capn. Thompson the other Alfred Capn: Hindman of 20 Guns. Both sailed from Portsmouth the 22d. of August last. They have brought under our Island of Groix two Jamaica Men belonging to London taken at the mouth of the channell one the...
202John 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....
203John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, February 2, 1779: Capt. Jason Laurence of the schooner General Arnold arrived here yesterday by a Dutch ship; he had been put on board by the Jersey privateer that captured him. He informs me his ship belonged to General Arnold and was the first launched in Philadelphia since its recapture. He left there on November 4, carrying packets for you...
204Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 3 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. yours of the 23d Feby. by Mr. Defrancy which I am Sorry Come so late, as the Vessels are all gone. He will soon return, when I shall give you as full an Answer as I Can to all your proposals. We have got up to place of Carreening and are now prepairing for that Bussiness; time is now our Own and you may order or dispose of us as you think proper....
205Jean Peltier-Dudoyer to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Sur les ordres de Messrs. De Montieu Proprietaire du Navire L’amphitrite et de Beaumarchais Proprietaire de la cargaison, Je me suis transporté ici Pour retirer l’un et L’autre des mains du Sr. Berard, celui-ci m’ayant dit qu’il étoit Porteur de vos ordres Pour disposer de cette cargaison. Je me suis contanté de le sommer de me la délivrer a quoi Il n’a eu...
206John 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...
207Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 2 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d is a Letter which I most ernestly desire you will deliver to the Minester of Marine. You will Judge from the Contents we have not been Treated in a manner agreeable to the Character we appear in. I think the Honour of the united states violated in this Instance, and must if Posible demand satisfaction; in my Person, as their officer I represent the...
208James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to refer you to my last of the 11th since which I received a letter from Lisbon dated 21st. April of which the following paragraph is a copy. “The Peace and Plenty Privateer from Belfast, has brought in here the Brig Dolphin Cap: Turner, bound from Boston to Bilboa with 135 Hhds. of Tobacco a parcel of Rice tar and Staves. She is about 140 Tons...
209Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, 14 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prens la liberté de vous adresser M. de Vic dont le fils M. de Bois Bertrand etoit passé en Amerique vers le mois de juin ou de juillet 1776 a la recommandation de M. Penet qui lui avoit fait esperer le grade de Lieutenant Colonel ou même de Colonel. Nous avons appris depuis qu’en arrivant au Continent ses services y furent agréés, mais qu’il fut pris...
210John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 15 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 15, 1778: I have been here five days and have neither seen nor heard from Lt. Simpson; but Mr. Hill reports the general rumor that I have been turned out of the service, that Simpson has replaced me with a captain’s commission, and that my letter to you of July 16 was only...
211Vergennes to the American Commissioners, 29 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères <Versailles, April 29, 1778, in French: I passed on to M. Sartine your letter about convoys, and enclose his reply; you will, I am sure, be satisfied with the measures taken. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 73–4. In the hand of Joseph-Mathias Gérard. He and his brother had directed bureaux of...
212Lambert Wickes and Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 6 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We your humble petioners beg leave to inform you of the distressed Situation of our Brother Officers now Prisoners in England, particularly John Nicholson Esqr. and his Officers who was taken in the Sloop Hornet in the Service of the United States of America and Thomas Norwood and Nine Men that was put on Board of one of our late prizes, who was taken and...
213Dumas to the American Commissioners, 21 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, July 21, 1778, in French: I have just received, translated and delivered a German letter to the Grand Facteur. The States General have adjourned and the Prince is leaving for Los in Overyssel. No new instructions were given Count Welderen concerning the British capture of two Dutch ships carrying tobacco for...
214Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my last I omitted mentioning that the Vessell from North Carolina was from Edington and the Capt. said he saw the account of the affair at Brunswick in a Newspaper which he unfortunately did not bring with him. This news we afterwards began to doubt, because the News from England which confess’d to have recvd. Accounts so late as the 23 June, did not...
215John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft: National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 30, 1778: My friend M. de la Porte, intendant, has now agreed to furnish a vessel and send the Ranger ’s prisoners to England, if you consent. This offer is too generous to refuse. The guard will be discontinued unless you procure an order from the minister. As for the...
216Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In obedience to the order of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to send you copies of the papers relating to the brig L’Amiable Elizabeth a french vessel that was deserted by her Crew at Sea and was boarded and taken up by Citizens of the United States and carried into St. Johns in Newfoundland, where she was seized by a public Officer and her cargo disposed of; that you may require...
217Aranda to the American Commissioners: Résumé, [27 September 1784] (Franklin Papers)
LS , translation, and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, [September 27, 1784], in Spanish: I received your letter of the 22nd by the hand of Mr. Humphreys, in which you communicate the intention of the United States of America to establish with his Catholic Majesty an agreement that may be advantageous to the two nations. Certainly such principles as communicated in your letter will be pleasing...
218Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I intend to set out, as soon as my Gout and the weather will permit me, for the Court to which I have the honour of being appointed by Congress. It will be proper for me to be acquainted with such parts of your proceedings at the Court of France as will be of any assistance to me in fulfilling the objects of my Commission. You will therefore be pleased to...
219William Lee to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfurt-on-Main, December 15, 1778: It occurs to me it would be serviceable to have an agent at the congress of French and Russian ministers which I mentioned in my letter of the 9th. This agent might counteract the schemes of Britain and if not bring Russia entirely over to our interests at least render her attachment to our enemies less forceful. I...
220Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioner or Commissioners, 19 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last of Sept 8th the following Setts of Exchange have issued from my Office Vizt. To the State of Connecticut Doll 25 Setts 12 Doll. No. 1655–1679= 300 50 18 1658–1707= 900 50 24 1658–1707= 1200
221John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Bordeaux, May 8, 1778: Vessels from Georgia have arrived with news that a shipment of specie had been landed from Havana; the state’s currency is greatly inflated. Friends in Cadiz write that the government is making it difficult for them to sell Conyngham’s prizes, and ask whether the ships might be addressed to me; what am I to tell them? I assume from your...
222James Laurens, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return you my sincere thanks for the Pass that you were so obliging as to send me, under cover of a Letter of 23d. Ulto: from Doctr. Franklin. And I am exceedingly mortified at finding myself under the necessity of troubling you again upon this occasion, but the Commandant of this place, informs me, that a Pass from Government is indispensably necessary....
223Stephen Sayre to the American Commissioners, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library When I left Berlin, I meant to have come to Paris by the way of Hambourg, and from thence to Rouan by sea; but on my arrival at Hambourgh, I saw more propriety in coming here. I have reason to think I shall remain here the Winter, therefore beg it as a great favour, that you will send such Letters, as are now under your care, to the Danish Minister at Paris,...
224Dumas to the American Commissioners, 13 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <[The Hague], November 13, 1778, in French: Next Wednesday a resolution on refusing convoy for naval stores will be decided by plurality vote [of the states of the Province of Holland]. Amsterdam has protested that the constitution requires unanimous consent in this case. Mr. van Berckel and the...
225John Ayres to the American Commissioners, 29 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, July 29, 1778: I arrived yesterday in 26 days from Boston with a packet for you which ill health prevents me from delivering personally. Mr. Texier, a friend of Mr. Bondfield, has agreed to deliver it. I trust I shall soon recover and will be glad to serve in my capacity as captain in the continental navy. If not, I will await your orders. P.S....
226The Duke of Dorset to the American Commissioners, 24 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
I transmitted without loss of time to the Marquis of Carmarthen, His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Copies of the two Letters which you had done me the honor of addressing to me; and am in consequence authorized to assure you, on the part of His Majesty’s Ministers, of their readiness to take into consideration any proposals coming from the United States that can tend to the...
227The Papal Nuncio to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai rendu compte à ma Cour de l’ouverture contenue dans La Lettre que Vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 22. de Septembre dernier. Sa Sainteté faisant non moins attention à la convenance de Votre proposition, qu’ayant égard à ce que les prérogatives des Catholiques Romains habitans et Sujets des Etats Unis d’Amerique, y sont constamment conservées, m’ordonne de Vous déclarer que tous...
228Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library My two last contained the necessary Information relative to the Fuzils &c. which upon a second View I have seen no reason to alter; I am assured that there are a full number of Bayonetts Locks &c., rather more than less. There must be many new Ramrods which will cost about 12 sous each at the manufactury. If you make this Bargain please to be very...
229Pamphili to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 15 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, December 15, 1784, in French: I communicated to my court the overture contained in your letter of September 22. His Holiness orders me to tell you that all vessels flying the flag of the United States of America will be welcomed in the ports of Civitavecchia, on the Mediterranean, and Ancona, on the Adriatic, with the reciprocal understanding that ships...
230John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
231Dumas to the American Commissioners, 16[-18] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 16[-18], 1779, in French: The French ambassador has informed a number of high officials that Dutch shipping except for that of Amsterdam henceforth will be excluded from French trade privileges. These officials expressed their displeasure, claiming it was unprecedented that France should treat with only...
232Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioner or Commissioners, [on or after 8 December 1780] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society In pursuance of the Resolve of Congress hereunto annexed I have signed fifth sixth seventh and eighth Sets of Loan Office Bills of Exchange of the Numbers and Denominations following Viz. No. 265. 1 Set for 60 Doll. in favor of Sarah Cheeseman dated Octr. 31. 1779 309. 1 120 do. do. 919. 1 120 do. Sepr. 21. 1779 767. 1 12 do. do. 796. 1 24 do. John Woodhull...
233Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 17 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have Recvd. your favor of the 12. Instt. and accordingly communicated your Resolution to Mr. Ross. The prises being now Sold and of Consequence no Business to do on that Account Mr. Ross thinks that it is best for all concernd to avoid making a noise here by any Step on my part. I therefore in compliance to his advice have done nothing new. As the...
234Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my leaving St. Malo I wrote You giveing You an Account of the Sailing of the Reprisal and Dolphin. Capt. Brown Arrived here in the Dolphin the Night before last, and Agreable to his Orders from Capt. Wickes, Under french Colours, and to the Address of Monsr. Peltier as Comeing from St. Austatia, but haveing no Clearance from that Place or any other...
235The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 14 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress; copy and transcript: National Archives <York, May 14, 1778: All goes well with us, and we are preparing for either war or peace. Our enemies have fostered doubt about our perseverance, but the enclosed report of Congressional action in rejecting British...
236[Ferdinand Grand]: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [before 25 September? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library This document, on the evidence at hand, cannot be precisely dated. It was written to help the commissioners draft the one that follows, their memorandum of September 25 to the Bourbon courts, which they had been considering for almost a month. On August 29 Arthur Lee received a letter from John Berkenhout, a close friend from their student days together...
237Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères <Paris, September 21, 1778: I have learned that the ship Nile , Captain Goldsmith, has been taken while bound from London to Leghorn and brought into Marseilles. She carried 20 packages of my baggage addressed to Monsieur Antoine Martinelli, merchant, to be delivered to the abbé Niccoli. My name doesn’t appear on them as this might have...
238Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am still without any of your Favours which I confess gives me great uneasiness as I am apprehensive that my Letters have miscarried. The last I received from Mr. Deane which was 23 days in coming encreases this Suspicion: if you have not received one by every post this must be the Case as I have written by every one. I have the pleasure to inform you that...
239John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 30 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By last Post I was honor’d by William Lee Esq. with his Deputation of Commercial Agent for the Secret Committee of Congress at the Ports of Bayonne Bordeaux Rotchfort and La Rotchell. Permit me in that Character to assure you of my steddy adherence to the instructions I have and may receive and to a due observance of any Orders you may please to command,...
240James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I had the honor of writing you the 7th. Inst. I am deprived of the receipt of any of your favors. There are letters this day in Town from Morlaix advising the arrival there of a vessel from Baltimore, which place she left the 10th. of December last, and the Capes of Cheasapeake the 14th. Dec. the Captain of which (it is said) reports that New York and...
241Gentlemen at Nantes to the American Commissioners, 7 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, January 7, 1779: We believed, in consequence of the “Treaty of Alliance, Friendship and Commerce,” that our commercial engagements would be encouraged and protected by this kingdom. We requested of M. de Sartine and yourselves to solicit protection for a number of vessels destined with valuable cargo for several American states. The Minister...
242Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1786 (Adams Papers)
I arrived here after an agreeable Passage of Five days and was very well received by the Governor, & by the People who seem pleased to see Persons from a Country at so great a distance come to compliment their Sovereign; As the Governor had no orders concerning our going forward, I was obliged to send a Courier to Morocco to demand that Permission, and at the same time wrote to M r. Chiappi of...
243Richard Grinnell to the American Commissioners, 15 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Guernsey, September 15, 1778: Captain Peter Collas and I sailed with Captain [Corbin] Barnes from Paimboeuf August 29. We were captured September 1 by Captain Abraham Bushall who treated us like brothers. We fell in with Captain Niles whose schooner Spy had been taken by a Jersey privateer. Niles and Barnes succeeded in throwing all papers overboard....
244De Scarnafis to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Ayant donné connoissance dans son tems à ma Cour de la lettre, que vous m’avez, Messieurs, fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 22. 7bre de l’année passée, pour me notifier que Vous étiez autorisés par les Etats Unis d’Amerique de traiter avec Sa Majesté le Roi de Sardaigne relativement à des Etablissements de commerce entre les deux Nations, j’aurai celui de vous dire, que le Roi verra avec grand...
245William Lee to the American Commissioners, 6 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Autograph copy: Virginia Historical Society; two transcripts: National Archives In conformity to the general instructions of the secret committee that you should be consulted and advised within all important cases relative to their commercial affairs, and Mr. Thos. Morris joint commercial Agent with me being now dead and as I am just on the point of setting out for Germany, I think it...
246William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 3 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society The arrival at this place of the Continental Frigate the Deane, & the armed Brigantine the General Gates, in order to be careened & refitted, & to procure a fresh Supply of Provisions, has greatly embarrassed me, not having sufficient Funds to answer their Demands. I am therefore under the Necessity of refusing them the necessary Supplies, or of...
247Sartine to the American Commissioners, 15 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, July 15, 1778, in French: Among the English prisoners on Belle Isle, taken from ships in French ports, are two who say they are Americans, James Niggins of Charleston, and John Selby of Baltimore. They want to be freed and sent home. They were on the Hancock , they say, en route to Charleston from Nantes when an...
248Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 31 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed you by Monsr. Le Baron De Cadignun, whom I beg leave to introduce to your Acquaintance and hope you will render him all the service in your power, as he has been very kind and ready to render me every Service in his power for which I am much obliged, as he has been very Buissy in preventing the Paris orders from being rigorously executed...
249John Paul Jones: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [3 July 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library <[July 3, 1778: ] I came to Paris when I learned on good authority that the minister wanted to speak with me on a matter of great utility to the United States. Permission to sell the prizes, or an exchange of prisoners, was not in immediate prospect; and something had to be done to assuage the Ranger’s crew. The minister pledged me to reveal his plan to no one,...
250De Thulemeier to the American Commissioners, 4 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Les Ordres du Roi dont je me trouve actuellement muni, me mettent à même de répondre plus amplement à la lettre dont Vous m’avez honoré, Messieurs, en dernier lieu, et dont je Vous ai accusé l’entrée par la mienne du 11. Février. Sa Majesté Se persuade que l’établissement d’un ou de deux ports francs seroit absolument inutile, d’après la réflexion très juste que Messieurs les Plénipotentiares...