1The Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 26 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 26 June 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:142–143 . The Commissioners left to Coffyn’s judgment the amount to be paid on a surgeon’s bill, approved his proposal to transmit to America intelligence that he had obtained, and advised him either to send the unemployed sailors to...
2The Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 13 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 13 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:159–160 . In reply to Coffyn’s letters of 7 and 9 July (above), the Commissioners noted the “abundant Testimonies of your good Character” and declared that their confidence in him was undiminished. He was informed that whatever news...
3From John Adams to Francis Coffyn, 19 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I Yesterday received, your Favour of the 2d Of this Month by Beers who with his Wife and two Children came to me, in deplorable Distress, his Children having been Sick and detained him on the Road, untill he had Spent his last shilling. This Man never made a greater Mistake than in coming to Holland where at Present, all Business being in a State of Stagnation, Tradesmen in General find the...
4The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 26 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 26, 1778: We have your letters of the 18th and 19th, referring to an earlier one about a surgeon’s bill. Give the surgeon what you think fair, after making the deduction mentioned. We thank you for your news, and approve sending intelligence to America by every opportunity. The seamen you speak of should...
5The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 13 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 13, 1778: Capt. Amiel brought us this morning two letters from you enclosing testimonials to your good character. We had no doubt of it, and your trouble was unnecessary. A letter, it is true, did say that you were “somewhat too busy, in some particular matters,” but this did not prejudice us against you....
6The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives Your favours of the 15 Octr. and 1st of November We have recd with their Inclosures. And We approve of your Conduct and the Reasons of it, excepting Mr De la Plaine.— As he is not in the service of the united States We cannot justify, putting the united States to Expence for his assistance. You will please to draw upon...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 13 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Yours of the 5th. Instant is now before me. I hope the Correspondence between us, as it will henceforth be in one hand, may be carried on with more punctuality than heretofore. I approve of what you have done for our Prisoners, and desire you to continue that Service. Those now with you may be forwarded to Orient, where they will be received on board one of our...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 2 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 17. past and thank you for your kind Congratulations. It will undoubtedly be best to forward all the Prisoners as fast as they arrive, to some Port used by American Ships, and this if possible by Sea, their Land Journies to Paris and thence to Nantes being very expensive. You will settle Mr Fitzgeralds Account according to Justice and draw upon...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, [9 May 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If one Nicolas Davis should come to Dunkirk, and Demand Assistances as an American in distress, I desire you not to give him anything, he having already defrauded us of great sums. I have the honour to be & In BF ’s letterbook the present letter immediately follows two letters dated May 9 and precedes one dated May 10.
10William Temple Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 14 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am Directed by my Grand father to transmit you the enclosed Commission for a Privateer, together with the instructions to the Commander and the bond to be signed by the Owners you are desired carefully to attend to the filling up of the Blanks both in the Commission and Bond. In the Commission opposite to this (✻) mark, after the words “ belonging to ” the owners...