101Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library The Thérese sailed as I wrote last and was at St. Nazare the 26th, the Wind continuing fair she has no doubt continued her route. You may date the Departure of Capt. Hammond at nearly the same time as the Therése overtook him at St. Nazare. I have a Letter from Mr. Rumsey which says he expected to sail the next day....
102[The Marine Committee of Congress] to the American Commissioners, 29 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Should you see this Letter it will be forwarded to you by Thomas Thompson Esqr. Commander of the Raleigh, Frigate in the Service of the United States of America. This Ship was built in New Hampshire where is no Foundreys for Casting Cannon and the distance from the places where they are Cast to Portsmouth where the frigate now lies is so great that we think it better to...
103Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Capt. Nicholson is by this time alongside of Capt. Wickes under his american Colours. I have not yet collected all the Bills but I imagine this armament will cost you upwards of 300 Louis exclusive of what we were obliged to pay to the french Sailors from Havre and advance Wages to the present Crew which may amount...
104The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 2 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives On April 17, 1777, Congress renamed the committee of secret correspondence the committee for foreign affairs, and we adopt the new title at the beginning of this volume. The commissioners, however, did not learn of the change for months to come, because they received no word from the committee until September. The present...
105Pierre Penet to the American Commissioners, 6 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon. thomas morris viens de me communicquer la lettre qu’il viens de recevoir signé de Mrs. Francklin, Diane, et Lée, ma surprisse feus grande lorsque j’en eus fais lecture. Il faut Messieurs que l’on vous aye bien male informmé de moy et mes commettans pour que tout a cou, sans nous en prevenir vous fassiéz retirer des affaires des mains de Mr. S. Sollier...
106Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I recvd. your favour per Courier with the several packets mentioned in the List. I thank you for the honour you do me in committing your dispatches to my Care and I will do my best endeavour to execute the Business to your satisfaction. Had the Wind been fair Capt. Adams would have sailed immediately but it has been...
107The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
108William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 19 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Above is Copy of my last Respects, since which have received none of your esteemed favors. The Subject which I alluded to in my last, is in regard to the Sale of our Produce, which the French Merchants at present absolutely refuse to purchase for the European Market; as many of their Vessels have been already visited, and American Produce which has been...
109The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 30 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and duplicate: American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress We have delayed sending this Packet from a daily expectation of hearing from you, as some letters from France make mention of a quick Sailing Vessel by which we were to receive despatches. Tho’ it must be agreeable to you to hear frequently from us, yet as our Letters by being taken might be...
110Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 31 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I arrived here late last Evening. The Mere Bobie has not taken in the Bales I ordered, on account of a difficulty which the Custom House Officers have made relative to the Duties, but on application to the Directeur des Fermes I have so succeeded, that I am in hopes to have them aboard this evening, and wind permitting, she...