1The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We enclose extracts of our letters today to Mr. Williams and Capt. Jones. Please give us advance notice of any large projected expenditure, so that we may decide whether we have the money for it; we are determined not to run into debt or make commitments we cannot honor.> Published in Butterfield, John...
2The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 6 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 6, 1778: We have directed Captain Whipple to apply to you for himself and his prize; please furnish the Providence with whatever she needs, but exercise the frugality that our distressed circumstances require. You ask how you should act toward the customs. In general our warships must comply with the law;...
3The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 10 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 10, 1778: We approve your refusal to pay William Morris 1,200 l.t. ; pay no one without our orders. Give the captains goods, for repairing their ships or feeding their men, and a suit of clothes for each to be charged against his pay. Dispose of Captain Whipple’s prize, if she arrives, as you and he think...
4The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 23 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; National Archives <Passy, June 23, 1778: Thank you for your letter of the 18th and its information about freight. We have ordered Captains Whipple and Jones to return home, carrying as many arms and stores as possible. Enclosed are Congressional resolutions to govern you in distributing the prizes of the Providence and Ranger , the Drake belongs...
5The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 9–10 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 9–10, 1778: We enclose an order on Desegray, Beaugeard fils & Cie. of Lorient for saltpetre, to be shipped to America as soon as possible. July 10: We also forward Mr. Williams’ order on Mr. Cossoul for articles to be shipped in the same way. > Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 147. In...
6The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 13 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 13, 1778: Load the Boston with whatever Capt. Tucker will take, and particularly with as much lead as he can carry and you can supply.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 160.
7The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 16 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 16, 1778: We have ordered Lieut. Simpson, commanding the Ranger , to sea as soon as possible; please furnish him promptly with what he needs. The British prisoners on these ships are to be left behind, in such custody as you advise; we shall try tomorrow to get the ministry’s orders for their lodging.>...
8The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 22 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies: National Archives Captain Robert Niles of the Spy at Brest, has occasion for fourteen or fifteen Tons of Lead, which you will be so good as to order on board his Vessell, and if he should request any other Articles to make up a Cargo for the united States you will please to order them on board, out of those Merchandises or Arms &c....
9The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 27 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We recd. yours of the 22d Inst. acquainting us that Capt. Reed in the Baltimore has bro’t from 40 to 50 hhds. of Tobacco consigned to you by the Committee of Commerce. We have advice of the same from the Committee, who let us know that the Qty. is 49 hhds. which they have order’d to be sold and the Money held at our...
10The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 29 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have directed the Captain’s Read and Barnes to apply to you for such Cargoes as they can take for America, and for such Necessary supplies as they may demand, which We desire you to do with all possible Expedition and Frugality. We are &c.
11The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Massachusetts Historical Society; copies (two): National Archives We desire you will furnish Lieut. David Walsh with twelve Guineas taking triplicate Receipts from him payable to the president of Congress or his order. We are Sir Your most Obedient On Oct. 8 Franklin accepted a draft of Welsh’s for 176 l.t. , dated July 22: Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 361.
12The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 22 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, August 22, 1778: We received yours of the 18th. Tell Mr. Bersolle he must send us his accounts and vouchers before we will pay him; we hope for his sake as well as ours that he will not proceed to the indecent violence you apprehend. Dispose of the saltpetre as speedily and inexpensively as possible. Mr. Hall...
13The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 13 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 13, 1778: The Thérèse , whose cargo is assigned to us, has arrived at Nantes. We wish to sell the cargo and reserve the proceeds for a particular purpose. We request and impower you to sell the cargo, transmit an account, and hold the proceeds for our orders. M. de Sartine informs us he has taken...
14The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 27 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, October 27, 1778: We have received yours of September 27 and approve your handling of the Thérèse and her cargo. We think you should sign the receipt to Mr. Williams, through the words United States, and omit what follows. He should discharge any demands against him and notify us, who stand behind him, without the...
15The American Commissioners to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 1 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We have receivd the enclosd from Made [Madame] Gerard Spouse of M. Gerard, Ambassador of this Court to the United States. She is a Lady that we much respect & if by any means you can procure her the satisfaction She requests you will exceadingly oblige Sir yr. most &c P.S. Any expence you may be at shall be thankfully repaid. A M. Schweighauser. American...
16The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 4 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) <Passy, November 4, 1778: We have at last seen M. Bersolle’s accounts. According to the resolutions of Congress, all captured vessels of war belong to the officers and crew, who in fact receive a bounty for every man and gun on board. Congress never intended to be accountable for further expense on account of these prizes. Every...
17The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 25 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies, National Archives In Answer to your Letter of the Seventeenth Instant, We desire you would Ship to America, all the Goods belonging to the united States, of any Sort.—and consequently to write for no more Workmen, but dismiss, immediately, all that remain if any. We can give you no Directions about the Articles “entreposed” for the...
18The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) The Cargo of the Brig Morris Captain Gunnison, is to be weighed and an account taken of it and transmitted to Us and the Cargo itself delivered to the Farmers General, as the former was, taking their Receipt. If the Brig is in the service of Congress she may take the Remainder of the public...
19The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 4 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, January 4, 1779: We acknowledge your undated letter, and refer you to ours of the second of this month. We cannot furnish Gilbank with more money; perhaps our protest of his bills will convince him. We have applied for the convoy with the greatest possible urgency. We approve your...
20The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 2 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives We communicated your Letter of the 19th past to M. Paulze one of the farmers general who manages the Tobacco Affairs of that Company; he said he would write to their Officers not to make unnecessary difficulties, but to receive the Tobacco rejecting only what was absolutely spoilt. And with Regard to the...
21The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 9 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have recd yours of 16 January.— in Answer to that Part of your Letter, which relates to your concerns with the Honourable the Committee of Commerce, We have to inform you that every Transaction of theirs must be kept Separate from those affairs which are under our Direction. Therefore your...
22The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 10 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Harvard University Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) Capt. Jones has represented to us his desire & Intention of returning to the Countess of Selkirk, some Plate which his People took from her house. We apprehend that Congress would not disapprove of this Measure, as far as it should depend upon them; and We therefore consent on the...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 16 February 1779 [i.e., 17] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your favor of the 11th inst. is before me. There are so many Difficulties about the Saltpetre, and as I do not learn that it is at Present much wanted in America, I am half inclin’d to dispose of it where it lies. Be so good as to inquire what it will fetch, & send me word. You will be so good as to comply with the Orders of the Navy Board, respecting the fitting of...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duely receiv’d yours of the 18, with Advice of your Drawing for 58407 l.t. 14 s. 0 d. as the Ballance of your Acct with the Commrs. I shall accept your Bills when they appear. In settling M. Williams’s Accounts, M. Lee insisted on having all the Vouchers in support of each Article produced here. How far this is agreeable to the Customs of Merchants I know not, but...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d your favor of the 23d, & thank you for your kind Congratulations & good Wishes. I am told that Saltpetre is now worth 14s. I desire you would get as good a Price for it as Possible for the Benefit of the States, & sell it immediately, remitting Bills to me for the Amount. I know not well the Circumstances of the Prize sent in by the Alliance and therefore...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 2 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The enclosed from Mr Adams I suppose acquaints you with his Intention of embarking at your Port for America. I am confident you will readily afford him all the Assistance in your Power, that he may be well accommodated at Nantes and in the Ship Alliance. I have the honor to be Sir &
27From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 11 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favors of the 2d & 6th. inst. Inclos’d is a Copy of a Letter I receiv’d from M. de Sartine relating to the Prisoners on Board the Patience. His Excy.’s positive Orders to receive them on shore went on Monday Last, directed to M. Le Comte d’Orvilliers. I have just received assurances from England that a Vessel is actually gone to Plymouth to take...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 16 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I understand that there is a Case of Goods in your Hands, which belongs to Mr. Simeon Deane, but was delivered to you on a Supposition of its belonging to Congress. Please to redeliver the said Case to M. Jona Williams, taking his Receipt for the same. I have the Honor to be &c— JW had first reported the mix-up more than three months earlier: XXVIII , 221–2. In...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 19 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received your favour of the 16 inst. I think it right that those poor Prisoners who want necessary Clothing shou’d be supply’d. Humanity requires it. I send you herewith Copies of several Letters written to Capt. Landais by which you will see that he has for some Time had the most positive Orders from me to take your Directions and make the greatest...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 5 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favour of March 20 & one of a Post preceding without date. Your Orders to Capt. Landais to finish his Refitt at Brest were good, if he could obtain Permission & Conveniencies there: But I have understood that it could not be, and he writes me of the 28 past, that he proposes sailing for Nantes in 8 Days. I approve much of the Orders you have...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 8 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favour of the 3d. inst. I am glad to hear of the Arrival of the Prisoners, & doubt not of your finishing the Exchange as soon as possible. You will, no doubt, answer the Letter of the Commrs. in acquainting them as they desired with the Particulars of the Treatment the English Prisoners have received here. I will endeavour to send you by next...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 21 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received yours of the 8th inst. I approve of the Assistance you have afforded the American Prisoners. You will consult with M. Adams and take his Directions for what may be farther necessary. I have accepted your late Bills for Livs, and am with great esteem &c— Missing. The prisoners had recently arrived on the cartel ship Milford , and on April 22 JA oversaw...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 15 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favour of the 27th. past, & the 1st. & 6th. of May. In these Letters there are several Things upon which you ask my direction, such as the Demand of the Mate and Seamen of the Brigt. Morris, the Propriety of Sending away the Same Brig without Convoy or detaining her till the next, and the Affair of the Swedish Captain’s not having...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 21 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 5th. Inst. acqg. me with your Drafts on me for 91,414 l.t. 16. 10. I shall pay them as they appear,— except so much of them as are founded on the Commn. of 5 per Ct. charged in your Accts. on the Delivery of the tobaccos, which I cannot allow being well informed that one per Ct. in such Cases is the Usage and fully sufficient. I request...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 25 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly the Letters you did me the honour to write me of the 10th. Instant, and another of the 20th. The Objection I made was not to your Commission of 5. per Cent for the general Business, tho’ I am informed that is higher than the Custom; but as I understand, it was settled so with you by Mr. Lee, I had no Intention to propose an Alteration, leaving that to...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 24th. Instant with regard to the American Prisoners returned, I refer you to mine of the 25th. in which I mentioned, that I wish’d them to be treated both officers & Seamen with the same kindness that was shewn, with the Approbation of Mr. Adams to those of the first Transport.— But as to the Payment of any Wages which they may say is due...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 9 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It appearing on the Examination of Mr. Ross’s Accompts, that the Committee are very considerably indebted to him, I conceive you may Safely Settle with him the accts. you have with the Committee agreable to Orders received by him from Robert Morris Esq. I have the honour to be &c. Ross had represented in Nantes Morris’ firm of Willing & Morris, and the orders...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I yesterday received your favour by Mr. Schorndorff with the Packets for Mr. De Vergennes and myself. I have acquainted the Minister with The Opportunity of writing by the return of the Mercury, and shall not unless he desires it, keep her here Longer than may be necessary on her own Account. I have a Letter also from The Navy Board of Boston; but as they make no...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 13 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer M. De Guio having been an officier in The American Service and brought Prisoner into England, I request you would procure him a Passage to Boston if convenient in the Mercury Packet. He will pay the Captain for his passage on his arrival there; having considerable arrearages of pay due to him. I have the honour to be, Sir &c. Jean de Guio, a Canadian to...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 17 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have now before me your favours of july 31. & Aug. 19. Your testimony with Regard to Mr. Wam. Lee, is fully Sufficient to remove the Suspicion of his Sharing in your Commission. I mention’d it not as a Charge against him, but as an Excuse for you; 5 per Cent being, as I understood more then double of what is usual. I could wish I had nothing to do with mercantile...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 24 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received your favour of the 18th. the Letter addressed to Mr. De sartine which I Omitted mentioning before was also deliver’d. The extracts you send me are of Letters, which were written, to check the Extravagant Demands of Officers, Such as that of Wm. Morris, and Others; money having been taken upon our account at divers Ports of france by Americans and...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Please to furnish Capt. Elisha Hart with the Same sum you advanced to the Officers Prisoners, who came over in the first Cartel with the approbation of Mr. Adams, taking his Promissory Notes for the Same per triplicate, payable to the President of Congress, or his Order. I have the honour to be, Sir
43From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 30 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Last I had the honour of receiving from you was without date, But it contain’d your additional Explication or Reason in support of the second one per Cent. with which I acquiesce. I do not find that you have yet rectified the Charge of 5. per Ct. on more than one of the Cargoes of Tobacco. I now send the remainder of the Dispatches for Capt. Samson, wishing him a...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 20 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your favour of Nov. 11. inclosing Capt. Samson’s Receipt for the Packets & Bills of Lading. This with your subsequent of Nov. 27. containing your accounts are now before me. I approve of your Charitable Care of the sick man Edward Slade and the poor Girl. Please to inform me if you know, how they came in to Europe. Is the Girl incapable of doing any...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I last Night received your respected Letter of the 20th. Instant; inclosing one from Capt. Landais to which the Within is an Answer sent open for your Perusal. I should make no Objection to your Supplying the Alliance with such Provisions as might be necessary for the present Subsistance of the People that are on board her, many of whom are exchanged Prisoners, honest...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress In order to have the old arms, conveyed to America in the cheapest manner, I request you to have the Gun Barrells Locks Bayonnetts & Iron or brass furniture of them closely packed in small Cases so as to take up the least Room possible. The Cases may be the exact length of a Gun Barrell & being about a foot broad & deep they...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I daily received yours of the 15. Instant. By a Letter from Mrs. Gourlade and Moylan dated the 10th. I am assured that they never refused to continue supplying the Alliance with the necessary Provisions: Therefore a Charge from your Correspondent at L’Orient on that Account, will not be rightly brought against me. In my last I mentioned that I might possibly in the...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 10 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress On Tuesday the 8th. Instant, sundry Bills drawn by you upon me, amounting to upwards of 30,000 l.t. were presented at my House, and an immediately [immediate reply?] urged. Being that Day at Versailles, and not returning till late in the Evening, I gave my answer the next Day that having no Advice of the said Bills and not knowing on what account they could be drawn,...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 24 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yesterday the Honour of your Letter of the 19th. Instant, where in you mention my having paid your former Accounts of Disbursements on the frigate Alliance and other Vessels, which you suppose was done with the approbation of Congress. The Congress have never yet had the Opportunity of giving their Opinion of those Accounts, and if they had Approved of...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 7 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This is to request you would write to Messrs. DeSegray & Company to forward the Saltpetre by land to L’Orient, where M. Williams will be ready to receive it & ship it with other Goods in his Hands for America. By doing this immediately you will much oblige me. With great Esteem I have the Honour to be,