1From John Adams to John Laurens, 8 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the 28th. of April. I most Sincerely congratulate you, on the most essential Aid you have obtained from the Court of Versailles, who upon this Occasion have done as much Honour to their own Policy, as essential Service to the United States. By a Conduct like this, which it is easy for France to hold, and which does as much...
2Baron d’Arendt to Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens, 26 October [1777] (Hamilton Papers)
Fort Mifflin [ on Mud Island in the Delaware River ] October 26 [ 1777 ]. Discusses plans for defence of Fort Mifflin. ALS , MS Division New York Public Library. This letter is in French. There is no addressee on the MS. In unidentified handwriting on the last page the following is written, “Col Hamilton Col John Larens.” The contents of the letter indicate that it was written to someone at...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 8 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; AL (draft) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress I received your very kind Letter written at Sea off the Coast of Spain. I thank you for the friendly Hint contained in it respecting my Grandson: I see that what you propose for him might have a good Effect; but I have too much Occasion for his Assistance, and cannot spare him to make the Voyage. He...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 4 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society; copies (two): Library of Congress Inclos’d is a Letter I have receiv’d for you. The Seal of the Cover being imprudently plac’d over that of the Letter, and sticking to it, occasion’d it to be almost broke open.—I want to see you about a Letter I have received from New Orleans, which proposes my Paying Drafts to the Amount of 55000 Livres, whereon I...
5From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 21 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I sent you Yesterday some Letters whi[ch] came here for you since your Departure. Mr. Necker is no longer in Place. M. Joly de Fleury succeeds him. I am again applied to for the Expences on the Alliance. Be so good as to draw an Order on me for what you think proper to pay of Gourlade and Moylands Acct. I repeat my Wishes for...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Laurens, 17 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library; copy: Library of Congress Inclos’d is the Order you desire for another Hundred Louis.— Take my Blessing with it, and my Prayers that God may send you safe & well home with your Cargoes. I would not attempt persuading you to quit the military Line, because I think you have the Qualities of Mind and Body that promise your doing great Service & acquiring Honour in...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [April 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Cold in my professions, warm in ⟨my⟩ friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it m⟨ight⟩ be in my power, by action rather than words, ⟨to⟩ convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that ’till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 2 March 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, March 2, 1782. In July 1782, Laurens wrote to Hamilton : “I am indebted to you, my dear Hamilton, for two letters; the first from Albany, as masterly a piece of cynicism as ever was penned: the other from Philadelphia, dated the 2d March.” Letter of March 2 not found. ]
I wrote you fully by the post and have just time to tell you that I have received your letter of the 8th. & that tomorrow morning I set out with the General for Hartford to an interview with the French General and Admiral. My hopes increase, that Guichen is coming to enable us to act. For your own sake, for my sake, for the public sake, I shall pray for the success of the attempt you mention;...
10From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, [4 February 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I had finished my letter when I received a respite of another quarter of an hour which I shall improve in writing you another ⟨let⟩ter. The Marquis thinks the Generals ⟨lett⟩er will have more weight if the Ministry ⟨see⟩ it, as it were undesignedly by you, than if you formally communicate it to them; and with a view to this he has mentioned the letter to them and advised them to ask for a...