1From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 4 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Sixteen French Sailors who belonged to Cap. Cunningham having been exhanged by the Last Cartel as Americans after an Imprisonnement of near two years, are now on their Way to Dunkirk. As I am quite unacquainted with the affairs of that Ship which were managed between Mr. Deane and M. Hodge, I can say nothing to any Claims made by the People on her Account. Whatever...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 8 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received yours of the 30th. past, which I Should have answered sooner, but that I have been and still am at a Loss what to do as to the Condemnation of the Prizes you mention. In the Commission given to our armed Vessels, they are directed to submit The prizes they may carry into any foreign Port, to the judgment of the Courts of admiralty there establish’d and...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your several favours containing the Claims of Capt. Cunningham’s french Sailors, and The Memoirs relative to the Privileges of your Port. With regard to these Claims, I Shall Send them to Congress, but I observe that they are Simply the Declarations of the People themselves, that an Agreement was made with them for such high Wages with Shares of Prizes and...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 10 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have no objection to the taking the Parole of the Captains or Officers on Condition of the Security you mention. But as the Prisoners taken by arm’d Vessels under our Colours are by giving me a means of exchanging so many of our Country men some satisfaction to me for the Trouble these Vessels occasion me in examining all the Proces Verbaux , making out the...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 15 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Inclosed I Send you the Commissions desired for the Black Prince and The Black Princess. You will be so good as to fill up the Blanks properly and take the Bonds from the Parties, of which I Send one only, not having time to copy it: but that may be done with you for the other Vessel. I have the honour to be Sir &c. Clark believes that BF sent new commissions rather...