1051Gérard to the American Commissioners, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Connecticut Historical Society; AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai recu la lettre que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’ecrire avec celle qui y etoit jointe et dont je suis chargé de vous remercier. Voici le paquet dont les deux passagers voudront bien se charger. Il est adressé au Commissaire ordonateur de la marine. On ne lui mande pas leurs noms, et celui de Deane...
1052Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society This Letter is design’d for the particular purpose of giving my Opinion respecting the Ship Duras which Mr. Berard wrote to you about when I was in Paris. She is a large old East India Ship in want of very considerable repairs, which I think would be very expensive and after all be an old Ship, not very fit for our use in her present position; If she was cut...
1053Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In expectation of hearing from you I have only at present to inform you that I am just returned from Painbeuf, and have had the pleasure of seeing as fine a Ship as any of her size in any Navy. I am in expectation of seeing Capt. Nicholson soon and if our obstacles are removed I shall soon finish the Expedition; the Ship is all rigged, Guns mounted and...
1054To Benjamin Franklin from B. Giraudeau, 20 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <La Rochelle, December 20, 1777, in French: Our merchants’ desire to expand their commerce in conjunction with yours is resulting in shipments to New England from all our ports. I want to send my ship, the François of 350 tons, Jean de La Fontaine master, to Virginia or Maryland, but have no connections in that part of New England. He would have a warm...
1055To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Wilhelm Abraham Jaeger, 20 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfurt-on-Main, December 20, 1777, in French: I have a powder mill with twenty-six mixers, and am planning a new one on the model of an oil mill with perpendicular stone mixers, as in the enclosure. Ordinary stone may produce explosions; I experimented with marble and found that it apparently did not. A foreign powder-maker whom I met told me that it is...
1056To Benjamin Franklin from [La Rochefoucauld], [20 December? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Au moment où j’allois hier, Monsieur, envoier l’Extrait que j’avois fait de vos nouvelles, j’ai reçu le No. XXXIII . des Affaires d’Angleterre et d’Amérique qui contient tous ces détails; en conséquence je me suis borné à y envoier la lettre de M. Washington; vous trouverez ci jointes vos deux lettres Angloises à l’une desquelles il manque une feuille que...
1057To Benjamin Franklin from George Walton, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having but lately returned from Congress, where I have been ever since you left America, and Captain Dunn and Mr. Curlis being about to depart from this State to France, I do myself the honor and pleasure of congratulating you upon the great and signal successes of our arms this campaign. The two defeats of General Bourgyne’s whole army, and the subsequent...
1058Reculès de Basmarein & Raimbaux to the American Commissioners, [before 16 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society The house of Basmarein & Raimbaux was going through difficult times. A dynamic man in his early thirties, Basmarein was full of schemes; he had helped Lafayette make his getaway on the Victoire , organized a packetboat service, opened a branch in Charleston, sent more than sixty ships to America in eighteen months. But his losses were tremendous, possibly...
1059William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have this day renderd an account to Mr. Deane of the Sums disbursd by me on the Public service; I would have given it in sooner, but that I wishd and hopd to have had it in my power to have reimbursd the Whole. I render it to Mr. Deane because the money was cheifly expended under his orders and directions. I offer to become accountable to the Honorable the...
1060Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, [21 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee’s Compliments. Mr. Girard appeared much surprizd at the doubt about the frigate, as he had sent the necessary Dispatches to Passi yesterday which made it plain that no alteration had taken place respecting the frigate at Bordeaux. He thinks Mr. Beaumarchais shoud be desird to bring in his Account, and that we shoud send it to Count V. who will...
1061To Benjamin Franklin from W Hayes, 22 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I flatter myself an explanation of the Inclos’d paper, with you will be a sufficient excuse for the Liberty I have taken; to Sollicit you in favor of an Orphan; whose Father I belive had the Honor of a place in your esteem, which was the late Mr. Huske M:P: for Malden in Essex; who unfortunately Died in this Town in very Indigent Curcumstances, in...
1062John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Your esteemed favor of the 17th. I have recived. I wish to leave the Ranger in such a situation as to expect to find her nearly ready for Sea on my return, as I think it will be for the intrest of the Service that I should then proceed with her alone Unless an Additional force can be very soon procured. Should circumstances Admit, an Additional force may be...
1063Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and copy: University of Virginia Library; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Nicholson is gone to Painbeuf to see his Ship. I inclose a Letter he has written to Mr. Dean, since which I find the expected orders are arrived and we are now to meet no Difficulties. Your orders relative to M. Montieu’s Cloaths are too late as they are already gone on board. I had not your...
1064To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Walpole, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for your very kind remembrance of me, and for your valuable present to my Son. He is extremely flatter’d with it and as his desire to preserve an impression of your person shew’d some virtuous disposition in him, I hope he will study and imitate your conduct if he should ever be called to the service of his Country. The Confidence which the...
1065To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Barer of this is Mr. George Searle at whos request I gave him this, your address. He is the Person that has advanc’d the Twenty guineas for my Bill on you, of this date, drawn for the Use of Mr. Platt and is otherways our good Friend, and I have once more the honour to Subscribe my Self your honor’s most oblig’d humble Servant Addressed: To / Miss Phebe...
1066——— Boux to the American Commissioners, 24 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Vous voudrés bien prendre en récommendation que J’ai quité Le service du roy auquel J’etois attaché pour entrer à celui des Etats de l’amerique septentrionale. Je me suis rendu en conséquance à vos ordres, et relativement au grade de lieutenent de Vaisseau dans la marine de Etats unis En Hollande pour y diriger la construction d’un Vaisseau que vous y faisiés...
1067John Ross to the American Commissioners, 24 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Your very respected favour of 18th Inst: I received by Capt: Nicholson. Contents thereof I duly Note. The Safe arrival of the Hamburgh vessel, you may suppose gave me pleasure, and tho at L’orient when I had advice of it, I embrace’d the first post to give you the earliest Notice, recept of which you acknowledge in this now before me. I must take the liberty to...
1068To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Ballainvilliers, 24 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous addresser, Monsieur, une lettre pour Monsieur De La fayette mon ami. Si vous voulez bien la lui faire tenir je vous en aurai, Monsieur, la plus grande obligation. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec des sentimens d’estime et de respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur. Endorsed: Ballainvilliers 24 xb. 77 Simon-Charles,...
1069To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Nunez de Tavarez, 24 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Gazette de la Haye du 17: de ce mois annonce que vous aves conseillé aux Medecins de Paris les cendres de Tabac comme specifiques contre l’hydropisie. Voudriés-vous bien Monsieur, me marquer la Dose et la methode de les administrer? Je vous en aurai de l’obligation au delà de toute Expression, car je suis a portée de soulager l’humanité gemissante, a...
1070Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, [before 29 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thot before this to have given you an acct. of our departure; nothing Hinders but wind and weather. Shall forward the accts. &c. at my Departure, and write you fully; I recivd Mr. Franklines Inclosing Mr. Boudiens; also a Letter from Mr. Lee Informing of a spy’s being in Lorient; the time of sailing and the way I intend to go is a matter that remains...
1071Stephen 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,...
1072Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Besides the general Letter which I wrote you respecting our Business with Gourlard, Berard & D. Montplesire, I cannot in Justice to Mr. Berard to whose particular management all the Business which concerned the Raleigh was left omit giving this particular Letter. He has transacted every matter to my entire satisfaction like a man of Honour, a Man of...
1073To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Baudouin, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Je recois la lettre que vous me faittes l’honneur de m’ecrire avec celle qui y etoit jointe, je vais la traduire aussitot et je l’enverray demain a Mr. de Sartine par son courier. Dans cette occasion comme Dans toutte autre, vous me trouverés toujours pret a vous convaincre de toutte la veneration et du respect avec lesquels je...
1074To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Estaing, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Count d’Estaing presents his dutys to the truly right honourable Benjamin Franklin and desires, if it is possible, the favor of his Excellency’s presence but for Nonday near only: he begs pardon for that trouble, Mr. Franklin will be so good as to guess the reason of it: the other Excellency is very deep upon the Punctilio, and it is probable his Higness...
1075To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I thank you for your very friendly and prudent consideration of my situation in this Country with respect to correspondencies on the subject of the unfortunate differences between the Country and America. Free communications on this subject are by Law interdicted which I think to be one of the greatest misfortunes of the present times. If those who are lovers of...
1076To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 25 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is a particular Friend of mine. A Mr. Roegler of Leipsig. A long Acquaintance with him myself, as well as the general Sufferage of More who have that Pleasure, confirm me in the Opinion of his being a particularly worthy Character. As such, I take the Liberty to recommend him to an Honor he was very desirous of; that of being introduced...
1077To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [on or after 31 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voulez vous bien mon cher Docteur que je vous fasse demander s’il ne vous est pas resté des papiers du manuscrit de M. le Comte de Lacepede sur l’Electricité car je n’ai trouvé parmi ces papiers que le 3 le 4m et le 9 mémoire et selon la table il y doit en avoir 1 2–5, 6, 7, 8–10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Recevez mille et mille complimens. Addressed: a Monsieur...
1078To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Lacepède, 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai osé me flattér que le celebre monsieur francklin voudroit biên agrêer les memoires que j’ai l’honneur de lui envoyér sur un sujét de physique dans lequél les plus sublimes verités lui ont été devoilées: ils font partie, Monsieur, d’un ouvrage plus etendu auquêl je mets dans ce moment cy la derniere main, et que je ne manquerai pas de vous offrir aussi,...
1079To Benjamin Franklin from Lavabre, Doerner & Cie., 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Messieurs Lavabre & Doerner ont l’honneur de presenter leurs obeïssances a Monsieur le Docteur francklin et luy envoyent cy inclus une Lettre pour luy qui leur est venuë par le Courier d’amsterdam. Ils prient en même tems mondit sieur francklin de vouloir bien Remettre au porteur les Lettres de Recomandation qu’il a eu la bonté de promettre au sieur Doerner...
1080Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 27 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Credit you have been pleased to establish for me at M. Grands being all employed, I have to request you to give me another Letter of Credit on him. I cannot fix the precise Sum that will be necessary but I imagine about 200,000 Livres will be sufficient for the completion of what Business I have at present in hand. Be that as it may the Funds shall be...
1081To Benjamin Franklin from George Arnold, 27 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Mainz, December 27, 1777, in German: Germany in general and this region in particular wait impatiently for news of the brave Arnold’s exploits. He may be a native of this city. If he is the son of a butcher here, if he was once a Franciscan monk, if he went to America with Montgomery in 1773 and wrote me then, if he got a papal dispensation to leave his...
1082To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Banchars & Cie., 27 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Prague, December 27, 1777, in French: We offer you the services of our glassworks. They turn out glass for windows, the table, wine bottles, mirrors and frames, floors, chandeliers, and for ornamenting carved wood and ironwork. We export through Hamburg to the Mediterranean and the north as well as to Spain, and should be glad of your orders together with...
1083To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, [27 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Accablée d’affaire Monsieur, et obligée d’aller a Versaille, il ne m’a pas ete possible de trouver un instent de libre pour avoir l’honeur et le plaisir de vous aller voir cette semaine. Je me dédomagerez de cette privation. Mais en attendent je vient vous rapellér la promesse que vous m’avéz fait de m’accorder un jour dans la semaine prochaine pour venir...
1084To Benjamin Franklin from William Millener, 27 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I think it proper to a quant you of my Bad Misfortune. I sailed from Virginea in a sloop Called the adventure to Martineco and on my passage holm was taken by a frigate Called the Boreas Commanded By Charles Thompson. He did not give me time to get aney of My Clothes out of the sloop and was brought to England in plymouth and Was put on board of a guarde...
1085To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 27 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and duplicate: American Philosophical Society As Mr. Deane has been recalled by Congress, it is uncertain wether he may be in Paris when this arrives, therefore I inclose it to you, in order that you may read the Contents of a letter I wrote to Congress Yesterday and of another to him of this Date, after which you will please to forward or deliver them to him. By these you will discover...
1086To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer Smith Platt, 27 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to make you an humble tender of my most Sinceer, and Unfeigned Thanks, for your great Goodness in taking Notice of, and Releiving me under my present sufferings in the Glorious Cause of American Liberty. And beg the Continuance of your favour towards me in future, that if any Exchange should take place between the English Prisners, and the...
1087To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you two letters last Summer in which I mentioned the feu Gregois and the Comte de Rostaing. I wish I had known by a single line That They came Safe to Hand. This goes by that Gentleman who is a Genl. officer of Artilery, and a Man of great Worth. If You will venture to take a friend of my recommending I recommend Him to you. He was sent out as...
1088To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Cantini, 28 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, December 28, 1777, in French: I enclose a letter for you from a merchant of this city, and will forward your reply.>
1089To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier d’Haudouin, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si j’avais eté certain de vous trouver a passy, j’aurais eû l’avantage d’aller vous porter le signalement que je vous adresse; s’il peut vous etre utile vous pouvez, Monsieur, disposer de mon amy a qui je feray passer vos intentions, ou si vous voulez en conferer avec moy, je suis a vos ordres que j’attends en vous priant de me croire avec de respectueux...
1090To Benjamin Franklin from Frère ——— Moüézy, 28 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bergerac in Périgord, December 28, 1777, in English: I know you are busy, and shall make my request brief. If you are passing by the Carmes billettes , would you alight and ask Father Gautier, the provincial of my order, to forgive me my failings (which are easily condoned) and send me to my native Brittany? Permit me to congratulate you on the success of...
1091Gourlade & Monplaisir to the American Commissioners, 29 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Nous nous empressons de vous informer que les deux frégates du congrès Le Raleigh et L’Alfreid ainsi que le Shloup le Mars sont appareillés cet après midy, sur les Trois heures avec un Bon vent de nord èst qui promet de favoriser Beaucoup leurs projèts. Nous ne devons pas vous Laisser ignorer qu’elles sont accompagnées de La frégatte Du Roi La Silphyde dont...
1092James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 29 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Ships Raley and Alfred are now at Sea. They parted this afternoon about three o’Clock with a fair wind which appears likely to continue, and will I hope enable them to get well clear of the Land before day light tomorrow. Captain Holmes in his Sloop went under their convoy, and a French Sloop of War saild at the same time, the Commander of which told...
1093William Carmichael to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I arrivd at this place last night in forty four hours from Paris. The Vessels which it was intended I should stop saild eight days ago, and it is most probable that the court knew of that circumstance because it is confidently asserted a french Frigate convoyd them as far as Ushant. Mr. Williams immediately took the proper steps to profit by your advices had...
1094Dumas to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Mes dernieres, du 12e., 16e. et 19e. de ce mois, répondoient à celles du 4 et du 8, dont Mr. A. Lee a eu la bonté de me favoriser. Aujourd’hui j’ai l’honneur de vous donner avis, que Mr. le grand Facteur partit d’ici vendredi au soir, après m’avoir fort recommandé de continuer mes visites chez son substitut pendant son absence, et de lui...
1095Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Your Favour of the 27th Inst. was handed to me last Evening by my good Friend Mr. Carmichael. I am extreemly sorry to inform you that all the proposed measures will be useless, as the Ships in Question sailed at least 8 days ago under Convoy of a french and an english Frigate. I went however to M. Montaudouin and from him immediately to the Lieut. General...
1096To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Le Franq, 30 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Montreuil-sur-Mer, December 30, 1777, in French: It would be glorious for me if my son, Antoine-Maximilien-César, should distinguish himself in the American service. The young man of twenty-one left Martinique last February for New England as second in command of an American ship, and wrote me from Baltimore in May that he had accepted a second lieutenancy...
1097To Benjamin Franklin from J. (I.?) Washington, 30 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <The Hague, December 30, 1777, in French: Only your kindness can help me out of my dilemma. We carry the name of the great General, and our family is English with a coat of arms. I have been assured that the General was English, and have written him a letter enclosing the coat of arms; you would oblige me by forwarding it. My grandfather came here and...
1098To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Conway, 31 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am happy to have room to Congratulate you on Late Success of our arms in america and feel a double satisfaction to find by the papers publick that my husbend has been fortunate Enough to exceeded his zeal et bravery on Some occasions. If it true that mr. alien hath one letter for me, of my husband, I not had she, and I desire with all my heart receiving....
1099To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 31 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mad. de forbach s’empresse de faire un Milion de remerciement a Monsieur francklin de l’exelant livre qu’il a bien voullu lui envoyér, et de l’honeur et le plaisir qu’il veut bien lui faire, de venir diner samedis prochain chez elle. Elle espere qu’il voudra bien lui amennér Monsieur son petit fils. Elle serois tres aise que Messieur dean et Lee voullusent...
1100To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, [before 15 June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont à L’honneur de rèprèsenter à Messieurs les Ministres plènipotentiaires du Congrès que les Marchandises d’Europe seront à des Prix Excessifs en amerique pendant la Guerre, si on n’ouvre pas aux Nègociants un moyen d’aprovisionner L’amerique à meilleur Compte. Fait Une aune de Drap qui coute en Europe 20 l.t. revient en amerique à 80 l.t. a...