81Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I had the pleasure of writing to you yesterday since which Capt. Adams is arrived express for [from] Boston and now setts off with his packets for Paris. If I did not think myself absolutely obliged to stay here untill I have orders to return I should be tempted to set off with him, as a few hours Conversation might...
82William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 6 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society Herewith you will please to find Triplicate and Copy of my two last Letters to Mr. Deane; but as they are addressed to him in an official Capacity, I have thought proper to place them under your Notice, and shall in future do myself the honor of directing my Letters in the like manner, as I am informed by my last Dispatches from Congress, that you are...
83Boux 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...
84Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library When I wrote last the Cutter was arrived tho’ I did not know it. As soon as I received your orders I lodged the necessary ones at painbeuf for the Capt. when he should arrive. He had then come up to town and of course did not receive these orders ’till he returned to his Vessell. This little accident has been...
85Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library Since writing by this days post I have received the inclosed plans and Memorandum from Messr. Jean henry Wilfelsheim & Compy. who wish to be employed to build in some port in the Baltic Sea ships of war on account of the Congress if they or you for them will give orders. They say that they can do this in a very advantageous manner that being the Country...
86Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 15 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter speaks of preparations for a major American naval move, Wickes’s cruise in the Irish Sea. The commissioners had summoned him to Paris in mid-March, and out of their consultations had come the plan for the cruise. The tiny squadron was to consist of the Reprisal and a cutter, renamed the Dolphin , which had been intended for a packet and was now...
87Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, 25 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I arrived here Thursday Morning 4 O’Clock where I found Capt: Weeks was gone for L’Orient. Have sent Express as I was much fatigued, Shall wait here for Capt. Weeks’s orders, which when I receive shall instantly set off for Bourdeaux and make every possible dispatch agreeable to your Instructions. Capt: Hammond has not as yet gone he now lays at the mouth...
88Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 25 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I left Nantz a Wednesday Evning to Come here and by a letter from you and one from Capt. Johnston I find he Arrived at Nantz soon after my departure. I returned an Answer to Captain Johnston and desired him to Come imeadiately and Join me, but have Since received a Possitive order from the Commissary of this Port to depart the Port in 24 hours. In...
89William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 26 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society Herewith is Copy of my last Respects; Since which have received very little News from America. A Letter from Mr. Morris of March 1st mentions, “that on Sunday last, there was a smart Skirmish between a considerable Body of the Enemy, and a Party of our Troops near Brunswic; Our Loss was inconsiderable, but not so with them; they lost a great many Men, both...
90Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 27 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you last post acknowledging the receipt of your letters by Capt. Johnston and informing you of my Intentions to proceed to Nantz and there wait the Arival of Capt. Johnston. I am very Sorry to inform you of the Mutiny that has happend amongst my People since my Arrival, they have all refused to go to Sea untill they received their prize Money; With...
91Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library The Thérese sailed as I wrote last and was at St. Nazare the 26th, the Wind continuing fair she has no doubt continued her route. You may date the Departure of Capt. Hammond at nearly the same time as the Therése overtook him at St. Nazare. I have a Letter from Mr. Rumsey which says he expected to sail the next day....
92[The Marine Committee of Congress] to the American Commissioners, 29 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Should you see this Letter it will be forwarded to you by Thomas Thompson Esqr. Commander of the Raleigh, Frigate in the Service of the United States of America. This Ship was built in New Hampshire where is no Foundreys for Casting Cannon and the distance from the places where they are Cast to Portsmouth where the frigate now lies is so great that we think it better to...
93Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Capt. Nicholson is by this time alongside of Capt. Wickes under his american Colours. I have not yet collected all the Bills but I imagine this armament will cost you upwards of 300 Louis exclusive of what we were obliged to pay to the french Sailors from Havre and advance Wages to the present Crew which may amount...
94The 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...
95Pierre Penet to the American Commissioners, 6 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon. thomas morris viens de me communicquer la lettre qu’il viens de recevoir signé de Mrs. Francklin, Diane, et Lée, ma surprisse feus grande lorsque j’en eus fais lecture. Il faut Messieurs que l’on vous aye bien male informmé de moy et mes commettans pour que tout a cou, sans nous en prevenir vous fassiéz retirer des affaires des mains de Mr. S. Sollier...
96Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I recvd. your favour per Courier with the several packets mentioned in the List. I thank you for the honour you do me in committing your dispatches to my Care and I will do my best endeavour to execute the Business to your satisfaction. Had the Wind been fair Capt. Adams would have sailed immediately but it has been...
97The 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...
98William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 19 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Above is Copy of my last Respects, since which have received none of your esteemed favors. The Subject which I alluded to in my last, is in regard to the Sale of our Produce, which the French Merchants at present absolutely refuse to purchase for the European Market; as many of their Vessels have been already visited, and American Produce which has been...
99The 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...
100Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 31 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I arrived here late last Evening. The Mere Bobie has not taken in the Bales I ordered, on account of a difficulty which the Custom House Officers have made relative to the Duties, but on application to the Directeur des Fermes I have so succeeded, that I am in hopes to have them aboard this evening, and wind permitting, she...
101John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of acquainting you that in obedience to Orders from the Honorable the Marine and Secret Committees of Congress, bearing date the 9th ulto, I immediately repaired here in Order to proceed in the French Ship Amphitrite from hence to Charlestown South Carolina and thence to France. The intention of the Secret Committee was first to avail of...
102Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library I am sorry to find that poor adams is realy taken I hope the mere Bobie will be more Successfull. I sent the Capt. away yesterday morning she must be therefore now at sea. Capt. Wilson in a Large ship Loaded with 1260 Casks of Rice and a quantity of Indigo on Account of the massachusetts States is Safe arrived from Carolina she has brought nothing Fresh...
103Michael Hillegas to the American Commissioners, 5 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Ever since Congress left this place and return’d to Philada: have I been fixed here, I however hope for Orders to follow them before long. I make no doubt but that you are already acquainted with Congress having established a Continental Loan Office taking Money on Interest. I have just now received five hundred Dollars of William...
104Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 5 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library The Books upon Cavalry did not arrive till to day, they were therefore too late for the Mere Bobie. I shall now put them on board of the Massachusetts, where, as she has 14 Guns and is a very good sailor, I imagine they will be equally safe. Count Polouski and his two companions will also embark in this Ship, the...
105Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library Inclosed are the Accounts of the Dolphins out fitts the amount of Mr. Peltier’s you’ll find answerable to the Bill I drew on you. By the other you will find how the money paid to me (mention’d in Mr. Peltiers Account) has been appropriated. Those sums paid for Capt. Nicholson Orders will appear in his Ships account. I also Inclose Count Polouskies Bill...
106Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Wind still continuing to the Eastward the annonyme is not yet arrived. I hope to hear of her tomorrow. In answer to Mr. Deans favour relative to adams’s Capture I inclose an account I have got from Capt. Porter who is just come to Town. He seems to be a very clever intelligent Man and as I thought my duty to do to a Countryman suffering in the Cause, I...
107Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Intention of this is to ask your Interest in favour of a poor american Sailor who I am afraid will otherwise be executed for Murder. The Fact as it was related to me by his Captain is this. The deceased and the prisoner were going asshore in the Boat with only one oar which the Deceased was sculling with, and being a little in Liquour he fell overboard...
108William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 12 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society Above is Copy of my last Respects, and am still without any of your esteemed Favors. The last Accounts from America were of the 26 April, by which I find the Operations of the Army had not as yet commenced; but it was expected every Day that the Campaign would open. By an Extract of a Letter from Genl. Washington to the Congress, there is reason to believe...
109Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library I am in impatient Expectations of the Models of the Suit of Cloaths that I may sett the Taylors at work. I met with a Manufacturer from Vire who shew me half a dozen pieces of brown and blue Cloth at 7.10 and 8 Livers. I thought them Little inferrior to what you pay 8 and 8.10 for at Paris. I have therefore made a bargain with him for 60 pieces of the...
110The 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...