2041From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and William Jackson, 18 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is a Copy of a Letter from Coll. Laurens to me, which I have given to Major Jackson, to shew to his Excellency Dr. Franklin. I should think it most adviseable for Major Jackson to lay the Accounts of the Indian before his Excellency, and pray him to authorize, Major Jackson or Mr. De Neufville to draw upon him, for the Amount, in case of my absence, from this Republick, which may become...
2042To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 17 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two press copies: American Philosophical Society; copy: R.M. Salter, London (1979) J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 10 de ce mois. Je n’ai pris aucune part à l’emploi que M. Laurens a fait des six millions que le Roi a accordés au Congrès; ainsi j’ignore parfaitement...
2043To Benjamin Franklin from Gustavus Conyngham, 16 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With pleasure I can informe you that Once More I have Obtained my Liberty After Many Difficulties, Mrs. Conyngham being Arrived in france Some time past I expect She may be on the way to england. Should she be in Paris You Will be kind to Give her thiss information, I shall Waite heare to I have the Pleasure to heare from you, I hope Shall be Able to...
The united States of America, To all to whom these Presents shall come send Greeting. Whereas his most Christian Majesty our great and beloved Friend and Ally hath informed us by his Minister Plenipotentiary whom he hath appointed to reside near us, that their Imperial Majesties the Empress of Russia and the Emperor of Germany actuated by Sentiments of Humanity and a desire to put a Stop to...
2045II. Joint Commission to Negotiate a Peace Treaty, 15 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled. To all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting. Whereas these United States from a sincere desire of putting an end to the hostilities between his most Christian Majesty and these United States on the one part, and his Britannic Majesty on the other, and of terminating the same by a peace founded on such solid and equitable principles...
2046III. Instructions to the Joint Commission to Negotiate a Peace Treaty, 15 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Instructions to the Honble. John Adams Benjamin Franklin John Jay Henry Laurens and Thomas Jefferson ministers plenipotentiary in behalf of the United States to negotiate a Treaty of Peace Gentlemen You are hereby authorized and instructed to concur in behalf of these United States with his most Christian Majesty in accepting the Mediation proposed by the Empress of Russia and the Emperor of...
2047Continental Congress to the American Peace Commissioners: Two Commissions, [15 June 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I) DS : American Philosophical Society (three); D (draft): National Archives; (II) copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society (three), William L. Clements Library; D (draft): National Archives In late May, 1781, the Austrian and Russian courts, invited by Britain to mediate its war with France and Spain, proposed terms to serve as a basis of...
2048Continental Congress to the American Peace Commissioners: Instructions, [15 June 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress (two), National Archives (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, Charles E. Feinberg, Detroit (1957); L (draft): National Archives; LS : Philip D. Sang, River Forest, Illinois (1959), Massachusetts Historical Society You are hereby authorised and instructed to concur in behalf of these United States with his most...
2049To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 15 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères My Cousin Mr Samuel Hartley has thoughts of taking a journey to Paris upon some mercantile business and having myself a month or two without engagements to dispose of it has occurred both to him and to me that I shd like very well to accompany him. However I think it best to inform you of this, that I may...
2050To Benjamin Franklin from John Witherspoon, 15 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (two): American Philosophical Society The Committee of foreign Affairs lately wrote your Excellency on the Subject of my Son John Witherspoon who was Surgeon to the Letter of Marque De Graaff taken at St Eustatius and sent to England as I have been informed in the Alcmene Man of War requesting you to use your Endeavours to obtain his Release upon Parole and his Exchange as soon as...