361Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this day received yours 26th. Decemr. and shall pay due Attention to the Contents thereof. I shall emeadiately proceed for port L’Oriont and Execute that Bussiness and make my report Accordingly, as soon as possible. I shall take particular Care to Send my letters as you Direct and all my Letters will be directed to the Honourable Doctor Franklin, untill...
362Intelligence from Brest and Paris, 6–13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
D : National Archives We summarize here, according to our practice, the other intelligence reports that fall within the period of this volume. There are only two, both in French and in the hand of the chevalier de Kéralio. The first is from Brest on April 10 with an added letter of the 16th. The report lists 25 French ships of the line that are expected to be ready within ten days; 17 more are...
363Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have just received your favour of the 28th Ultimo and shall take care to observe all your Directions with the greatest Exactness, but I must first inform you of a most vexatious turn our Affairs relative to the Duc de Chartres are about to take unless we can sufficiently oppose the Design. When I bought this Ship...
364Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 25 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library M. Peltier has recvd. his Instructions from M. Montieu, but they are not exactly similar to yours, M. Montieu intending to put all his Goods on board the Chalotais, and I prefer putting as much of yours as I can on board of this Ship, which by the tenor of your agreement it appears I have liberty to do. However rather than have any further Difficulty or...
365Jonathan 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...
366William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 10 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I have had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 7th of July and am sorry that you have not had an opportunity of yet applying to the Minister on the subject of Mr. Hodges vessel. The bond required was to give security here that the vessel should not cruise against the English. The Expressions of the Ministers letters were so vague and General that the...
367Baron Schulenburg to the American Commissioners, 15 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Benjamin F. Stevens, ed., Facsimiles of Manuscripts in European Archives Relating to America, 1773–1783 (25 vols., London, 1889–98), VII , no. 656. J’ai recu la lettre que vous m’avez faite l’Honneur de m’addresser le 14 passè et Je n’ai pas manquè d’informer Le Roi de L’empressment que temoignent les Colonies Angloises de L’Amerique septentrionale, a ètablir avec nous un...
368Gérard to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Translation reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution . . . (revised ed.; 6 vols., Washington, D.C., 1857), I , 472 I have acquainted his majesty’s ministers with the fresh demand respecting the 11th and 12th articles of the treaty of commerce. The king having approved these two articles, agreeable to your unanimous wishes, they can not be...
369Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I send inclosed the agreement made with the proposed Captain of the Lion which I request you to sign your approbation of and return by the next post. The Sum is as small a one as I could possibly agree for, and I hope you will not think it too much. When 5 and 6000 Livres has been given, this does not seem very extravagant. The articles relative to the...
370Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 3 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library Inclosed is a Letter from Capt. Nicholson by which you will see the number of prizes is much less than the prize master here told me. I hear that one is Arrived at Dunkirk I have as yet heard nothing of the other Six. Mr. Morris Returnd from Bordeaux the day before yesterday. I sent the prize master to him Explained the reason of my Conduct and gave up...
371William 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...
372Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 7 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you the 3d. by post and the 5th. by Mr. De Francy. I have not received any of yours since Mr. De Francy’s Arrival. I should be glad of a Line from you, informing of your intentions in regard to my further distination. We are now all ready to heave down and only Wait for good weather, the Weather has been very bad this last Week or that Job would...
373Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 3 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered by Monsr. Becard a Very Worthy and respectable Merchant of this place and is disposed to enter into the American Trade. As he will Confer with you personally on this Subject, I shall refer you to him for the particulars of his Intentions on this head. As this Gentleman has been very Kind in rendering me every Service in his power at...
374Conrad-Alexandre Gérard to the American Commissioners, 5 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress Once the news of Saratoga arrived, the French government lost no time. This polite note arranged a meeting the next day, which revealed that a turning point had come in Franco-American relations. Gérard began the interview by telling the commissioners that Maurepas and Vergennes had sent him to congratulate them and to ask for any...
375Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed is from Mr. Lee who set off this Morning, for Bourdeaux. The Dispatches &c. went with Mr. Morris to paimbeuf yesterday and are I hope by this time on board. I have the pleasure to inform you that an american Frigate supposed to be Capt. Weeks has sent a prize laden with Codfish into l’orient; This news comes by a Gentleman who arrivd from...
376Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 23 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received none of your favours by the two last posts. Things remain in the same Situation here as When I wrote you last. We are Suffered to go on and refit, but very Slowly the Tradesmen of this port Work but very slow and we Cannot hurey them Much for fear of being Stop’d. I think we Can be ready to Sail by the first of Next Month if not Stop’t here....
377Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 24 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have bought the Duc de Chartres for 70,000 l.t. payable at 4, 5 and 6 months but I was obliged to Submit to a Conditional Sale that if before the day of my purchase she should be ready sold in Paris the bargain is Void but if Accounts of Such a previous purchase do not Arrive by next Tuesday the bargain with me to be good and as the time betwen this...
378The Massachusetts Council to the American Commissioners, 31 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Above you have a Copy of our last, since which we have received from the Secrett Committee of Congress Three Letters addressed to you, and they request that we would forward them by any Vessel going to France, but under the Care of a discreet Person to be employed by us at Continental Expence to go Passenger. We have employed Mr....
379Dumas to the American Commissioners, 10 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (incomplete draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Je crois vous avoir dit déjà que je donne aussi copie au Su[bstitut] des Extraits que je vous envoie, et que cela lui fait grand plaisir. Jamais on ne m’a parlé avec plus d’ouverture, qu’après avoir vu l’Extrait ci-joint de Paris. On m’a avoué enfin, que toutes les apparences sont pour une guerre...
380François-Auguste-Pompée Hennet to the American Commissioners, 26 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. hennet a l’honneur de saluer Messieurs Francklin et Deane et de les prier de vouloir bien lui faire savoir s’ils ont eu avis de l’arrivée à Nantes des fusils qu’il y a fait expedier de la manufacture de Maubeuge, pour leur compte et par leur ordre. M. hennet est chez M. Brillon où il attendra la réponse de ces Messieurs, il se randra chez eux si ils...
381Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have bin Waiting Ever Since I wrote you Last for the Inventory of St. john and have not Recd. It yet therefore Conclude Mr. Gourlade has Sent it forward for Parris. Captn. Nicholson Arrivd here yesterday and produc’d your Instrucktions to him concerning the vissiting and Inspecting the Ships at L Orient. But I think I have Done Everything that Captn....
382John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform you that from Paris I reached this place in 56 hours. As I have in my possession repeated Orders from Congress to Afford Aid and protection to the American Commerce, I conceive it to be my duty to give my best protection and safe conduct to the Squadron with Supplies now nearly in readiness to sail from hence, until they are at...
383John Ross to the American Commissioners, 26 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Extract and transcript of extract: National Archives The Ship three friends ownd by Mr. Williams & Co. being detained still here owing principally to the want of hands, will am in hopes from the assurances of the Capt. and owners depart tomorrow . . . I have since advisd them (the Committee of Congress) of the change of property in the Ship La Brune in Consequence of your accepting of the Ship...
384Conrad-Alexandre Gérard to the American Commissioners, 6 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society; Library of Congress On desireroit qu’on voulut bien suspendre la Communication du Memoire signé contenant des Demandes particulieres. On aura l’honneur de prevenir du Moment ou elle pourra se faire. En attendant on pourroit se borner a faire Part du Memoire d’Eclaircissemens relatif a l’etat des Choses en Amerique, ainsi que des Pieces qui y sont...
385Georges Grand to the American Commissioners, 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society J’arrivai avant hier soir en bonne santé, avec mon Compagnon de Voyage, malgré les mauvais chemins et la difficulté des passages. Nous avons commençé à visiter les Chantiers, et nous allons tout de suite, entrer en conférences avec les meilleurs Constructeurs, pour traitter et faire metre la main à l’ouvrage; il ne manque ni de matériaux ni de bons...
386William Lee to the American Commissioners, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Virginia Historical Society As you have now furnish’d me with the copy of the Treaty, I do not know of any reason for remaining here any longer, therefore propose setting out for Vienna in two or 3 daies to execute my appointment at that Court, provided you will supply me with the necessary funds to bear the expence of my Commission. The money will not be immediately requisite, as a...
387James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 2 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of advising you the 29th. ultimo of the departure of the Raleigh and Alfred Frigates. I am now to inform you, that in consequence of your power to me dated December last, I apply’d to Mr. Gourlade of this place on the subject of it; as much from a desire of complying with your and Mr. Chaumont’s intention, as judging him worthy of that...
388Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 10 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I drew on you yesterday in favour of Messrs. Montaudouin for 3000 Livres. I have to pay for the Reparation of what arms have been hitherto purchased and being liable to some small demands I wish to keep a little sum in my desk. Agreeable to your order about making preparations for the Cloaths, I have purchased 300...