21The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library The commissioners had been plagued from the start by the lack of regular and reliable communication with America. On April 1 they had signed a contract with Chaumont for establishing a packet service; now, a month later, the service was ready to start as soon as the first packet arrived from Morlaix and took on her cargo....
22From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress To get rid of all farther Projects and Propositions which I never understand relating to the Shipping of the Goods, I entrusted you with that Business and impower’d you to freight a Ship or Ships. But I have not succeded, for in yours of the 23d. you send me new Schemes. No other Man of War to go under the Command of Comme. Jones can at Present be obtained. Assist him...
23The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; four copies and two transcripts: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: Your letter of the 18th informs us of a dispute with Mr. Schweighauser about the Ranger ’s prizes, with which you think you are charged until your orders are revoked. Congress authorized Mr. William Lee, and he in turn Mr. Schweighauser, to superintend...
24The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [25 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society In answer to yours respecting the Fusils &c. we inform you that an offer being made by Mr. Montieu of the whole of his stock at Nantes at 200 and forty thousand livres made us think it worth inquiring into. Your answer and stating is particular. You say there are 15400 gun barrels for infantry 8200 ditto for Rampart Fusils &c. afterwards 7700 Rampart...
25The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Having obtained permission for the Dolphin to sail for america on condition of her not Cruising in these sea’s nor returning again to the Ports of France you will equip her for sailing with all the Expedition Possible. We have agreed to appoint Capt. Brown to the Command of her, if agreable to him, let him take the Charge of her and put her in a proper...
26The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Notes, 10 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; incomplete draft: American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives We approve of the Directions given by you to stop the Reparation of the Arms at Nantes paying the Workmen their Wages, Gratifications and Conduct money according to agreement of which you inform us in your Letter July 3 1778. Mr. Williams is desired to send the...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 16th. with one from Mr. Mazzey. I have known him a long time and have always esteemed him an honest worthy man, and a man of substance. I know nothing of his present Situation but what he writes me. I think he is not well us’d by the Gentlemen in whom he had a Credit. But I am too much embarrassed by the multiplicity of Demands upon me to...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Inclosed is the Invoice you sent me & the Order you desired. I have kept Copies. I wish it was in my Power to relieve all the Wants and even to gratify the Wishes of Prisoners, who have suffered in the Cause of their Country. But there are Limits to every thing, and the frequent Intercepting of our Supplies from the Congress by the british Cruizers, has very much...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of the 19th. acquainting me with your Draft in favour of M de Chaumont for 428,330. l.t. The Exigencies of his Affairs had before induc’d me to give him under a Guarantee of the Minister, a Credit with Mr Grand for 400,000 payable quarterly in the ensuing year, which Mr G. discounted for him. I have also...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have just received yours of the 16th. Mr Grand had been with me a few Minutes before, & had shown me your Letter to him of the same Date, advising of the Bills you had drawn on me for 25000 l.t. , in order to face M. de Chaumont’s return’d Acceptances: I order’d the Payment of your Drafts, as I had before of all the...