17661The American Commissioners to Joseph Hynson, 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library This letter was written to a man already committed to betraying the commissioners. Their letter to Nicholson above, January 26, instructed him to buy a cutter at Boulogne or Calais and send her to Le Havre; if he failed to find a suitable one he was to try Dover or Deal. He went instead to London, met his friend Hynson there, and obtained a cutter, which was...
17662The American Commissioners: Memorandum for the Farmers General, 17 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society Messrs. Franklin and Deane, having considered the Proposition of the F G dated the 15th Inst. and willing to serve and oblige them, will agree to the Articles proposed with this Addition, viz. Article 7. If the Tobacco in America can be purchased at such a Rate, as that with the Addition of all Charges and Losses in purchasing and transporting it to...
17663[The American Commissioners]: Memoir [for Vergennes], [c. 8 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
D : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The situation of the United-states, require an immediate supply of Stores of various sorts, of which a proportion of Military for the opening and supporting the coming Campaign. Vessels or Ships belonging to the United-States cannot be procured, and if they could, the Danger and Risque would be very great. Diffuculties have arose at the...
17664The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 13th: is before Us. Mr. Deane wrote you on the subject of Arms &c. belonging to Mr. Montieu in Nantes we wish you to send Us as early as possible an Acct. of your survey and your Estimate of the value of the Whole on the best Information You can Obtain. Also supposing the Fusils whose Barrels may answer for further Use in the Continental Army...
17665The American Commissioners to Commanders of American Armed Vessels, 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives This circular letter was a companion piece to the commissioners’ memorandum to the French and Spanish courts below, November 23, and had been equally long under consideration. Lee presented his draft of the letter to his colleagues on the 9th. An argument developed over how to interpret the old maxim that free ships make free goods: Lee’s draft had apparently...
17666The American Commissioners to Thomas Morris, 31 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Mr. Wm. Lee, who has been prudentially detain’d here some time by certain Circumstances relative to the commercial Affairs of the Congress, sets out now to join you at Nantes, being appointed by the Committee to act with you in those Affairs. We make no doubt but you will immediately communicate to him a full and clear State of them, and proceed in your...
17667The American Commissioners: Memorandum for Vergennes and Aranda, 25 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; LS : Archivo Historico National This memorandum, under its calm surface, conveys a sense of depression; and the commissioners had reason to be depressed. They seem to have become suddenly aware that they were in deep financial trouble, because they had made commitments that they did not have the money to honor and that Congress could not....
17668The American Commissioners to Lambert Wickes, [25 February? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete (?) copy: Connecticut Historical Society Your first we did not receive till eight days after it was dated, your last of the 19th last Evening. We wish to know if the Captns. who have so little regard to their Parole sighnd a written parole or not. If they did we advise you to show it to the Intendant and desire they may be obligd to live up to it. We have applied to the British...
17669The American Commissioners: Memorandum for the French and Spanish Courts, 23 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Archivo General de Simancas; DS (draft ): Princeton University Library; copy: Archivo Historico Nacional This memorandum had been in preparation for more than a fortnight. On the 8th Franklin had made the original draft, now lost, and Lee had suggested changes that his colleagues accepted; on the 9th the document was ready to be copied and...
17670[The American Commissioners]: Memorandum [for Vergennes], 28 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library On the 19th of November, the Congress resolved, That 100 brass Cannon 3 pounders 50 6 pounders 50 12 pounders 13 18 pounders 13 24 pounders
17671The American Commissioners to John Philip Merckle, 9 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have recd. several letters from you written in a menacing Stile, as if we had failed in the fulfilment of our engagements with you; you must be sensible we never were privy to any Contract with you nor accountable for any thing you had contracted for. But the sole motive of our paying the Ballance due Messrs. Delaps was as well to extricate you, as to...
17672The American Commissioners to Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, [10 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress We had the honor of receiving in due time your Letters of the 30th. of Octr. last, together with the Papers annexd. It gives us much concern to find that any persons belonging to America shoud be chargeable with having acted with such violence and injustice. But as it appears they have sent with the Vessel the Papers which will prove the illegality of their...
17673The American Commissioners: Certificate for a Supercargo, [29 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS and draft: American Philosophical Society To all Persons in Authority in any of the United States of America. The Ship Harmony of Bordeaux, Francis Barboutin Captain and M. Duler Supercargo being bound to the Continent of North America with Merchandize, and uncertain under the present Circumstances what Port she may be able to make; we hereby request that you would Favour the said M. Duler...
17674To Benjamin Franklin from American Gentlemen in France, [March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; draft and transcript: National Archives The Glory acquired to the American Arms and the injury done to the Common Enemy of France and America, by the Squadron lately under Commodore Jones have afforded us very great Satisfaction, and this would be sensibly increased in our minds and advantageously Communicated to our Countrymen on the other side of the Atlantic,...
17675Enclosure: [Conditions of the Sales of the Lands], [25 June 1796] (Hamilton Papers)
The Conditions of the Sales of the Lands belonging to the Am Iron Compy on the 10. 11 & 18 Decemr. 1795 was Vizt ¼ To be paid to Peter Goelet on or before 11 OClock to Morrow Morning ¼ On the first tuesday in April next with Lawfull Intrest. ¼ On the first tuesday in October next with Lawfull Intrest. And the Residue on or before the first tuesday in April 1797 with Lawfull Intrest.
17676Petition to the American Commissioners from American Merchant Captains, 9 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society To their Excellencies the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Court of France. The Memorial of the Captains of the American Merchant Vessells now at Nantes and the neighbouring Ports, Humbly Sheweth. That your Memorialist apprehend more Danger of Capture by the Enemy on this Coast, than in the whole passage beside. That as this...
17677The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 30 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great Britain, present their Compliments to M r. Hartley. They regret that M r. Hartley’s Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America, at the Place appointed for the Signature of the others. They will nevertheless have the Honour of waiting upon Mr. Hartley at his Lodgings at Paris, for the...
17678The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 29 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Propositions made to M r Hartley for the Definitive Treaty— 1 st To omit in the Definitive Treaty, the Exception at the End of the 2 nd Article of the Provisional Treaty, viz, these words, “Excepting such Islands as now are, or heretofore have been within the Limits of the said Province of Nova Scotia[”] Article 2 dly The Prisoners made respectively by the arms of his Britannic Majesty and the...
17679American Peace Commissioners to Richard Oswald, 7 November 1782 (Jay Papers)
In answer to the letter you did us the honor to write on the 4 th . ins t . we beg leave to repeat what we often said in Conversation, viz. that the Restoration of such of the Estates ^ of Refugees, ^ as have been confiscated, is impracticable; because they were confiscated by Laws of particular States, & in many instances, have passed by legal titles through several hands— Besides, Sir, as...
17680The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet with cordial Returns on our Part; and we sincerely rejoice with you in that event; by which the Ruler of Nations has been graciously pleased to give Peace to our two Countries. We are no less ready to join our endeavours than our wishes with...
We have rec d . the Letter ^ w h ^ you did us the Honor to write on the 18 th . Inst, together with the Passports mentioned in it. His britannic Majesty’s Proclamation of the 14 th . Instant has our entire Approbation, and we have the honor of transmitting to You, herewith enclosed, a Declaration perfectly correspondent to ^ with ^ it. It appears to us important to both Countries that a System...
17682American Peace Commissioners’ Answers to David Hartley’s Propositions for the Definitive Treaty, 29 June 1783 (Jay Papers)
To the 1 st . This Matter has been already regulated in the 5 & 6 th . Articles of the Provisional Treaty to the utmost extent of our Powers: The Rest must be left to the several States. 2 d All the Lakes, Rivers, and Waters, divided by the Boundary Line or Lines between the United States and his Britannic Majesty’s Territories, shall be freely used and navigated by both Parties during the...
17683The American Peace Commissioners to Ivan Sergeevich Bariatinskii and Arkady Markov, [ante 16] July 1783 (Adams Papers)
To their Excellencies The Prince Bariatinskoy, and M r De Markoff Ministers Plenipotentiary from her Majesty the Empress of all the Russias. The Subscribers, Ministers Plenipotentiary, from the United States of America, for making Peace with Great Britain, have the Honour to inform the Ministers from Her Majesty the Empress of Russia, that the United States of America, on the fifteenth day of...
17684American Peace Commissioners to Lafayette, 27 November 1782 (Jay Papers)
We have rec d . the Letter you did us the Honor to write on the 25 th . Inst. Our Country has had early & repeated Proofs both of your Readiness and abilities to do her Service— The Prospect of an inactive Campaign in America, induced us to adopt the opinion, that you might be more useful here than there—especially in Case the Negotiation for peace on the Part of France & England, should be (...
17685The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25 th: of March and 21 st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have been approved & ratified by Congress, and we regret that the Manner in which that Business was conducted, does not coincide with your Ideas of Propriety. We are persuaded however that this is...
17686The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30 th. of November 1782, and we are ready to exchange Ratifications with his Britannic Majesty’s Ministers as soon as may be. By the same Articles it is stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty shall with all convenient Speed, and without causing any...
17687American Peace Commissioners to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 18 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25 th . of March & 21 st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have been approved & ratified by Congress, and we regret that the Manner in which that Business was conducted, does not coincide with your Ideas of Propriety. We are persuaded however that this is...
17688American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the honour to inclose you a Copy, were compleated on the thirtieth of last Month. To Us, at this...
17689The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 29 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Answers to M r Hartley’s six Propositions for the definitive Treaty To the 1 st This Matter has been already regulated in the 5 th and 6 th Articles of the Provisional Treaty to the utmost extent of our Powers: The Rest must be left to the several States— 2 d. All the Lakes, Rivers and Waters, divided by the Boundary Line or Lines, between the United States and his Britannic Majesty’s...
17690American Peace Commissioners to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 27 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
The Definitive Treaties between the late belligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity M r . Hartley (Successor of M r . Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition either his own or ours to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay in answering, thro’ Negligence perhaps since they have heard our Ports are open,...
17691The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour of transmitting herewith inclosed an Extract of a Resolution of Congress of the 1 st May last, which we have just received. You will perceive from it that we may daily expect a Commission in due Form for the Purposes mentioned in it, and we assure you of our readiness to enter upon the Business, whenever you think proper. We have the Honor to be with great Respect and Esteem...
17692American Peace Commissioners to Henry Laurens, c. 24 August 1783 (Jay Papers)
We have rec d . your Letter of the 9 Aug t . last Inst. and entirely approve of the Packets having proceeded on her Voyage immediately on your leaving her. We fear however that our consenting to your Proposition of going over to England in her, caused you more Trouble than convenience; especially as it deprived you of your carriage at a time when you had a Journey to make. We have perused your...
17693American Peace Commissioners to the President of Congress (Elias Boudinot), 10 September 1783 (Jay Papers)
On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties ^ were concluded, ^ between all the late belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Britain. We most sincerely, & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on this happy Event, and we hope that the same kind Providence which has led us thro’ a vigorous War, to an...
17694The American Peace Commissioners to the President of Congress, 10 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties were concluded, between all the late belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Britain. We most sincerely & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on this happy Event, and we hope that the same kind Providence which has led us thro’ a vigorous War, to an honorable...
17695American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Jay Papers)
We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30 th : of November 1782, and we are ready to exchange Ratifications with his Britannic Majesty’s Ministers as soon as may be. By the same Articles it is stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty shall with all convenient Speed, and without causing any...
17696American Peace Commissioners to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Robert R. Livingston), 14 December 1782 (Jay Papers)
We have the honour to congratulate Congress on the Signature of the Preliminaries of a Peace between the Crown of Great Britain & the United States of America, to be inserted in a definitive Treaty so soon as the Terms between the Crowns of France & Great Britain shall be agreed on. A Copy of the Articles is here inclosed, and we cannot but flatter ourselves, that they will appear to Congress...
17697American Philosophical Society Memorial to U.S. Congress, [7–10 January 1800] (Jefferson Papers)
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. The Memorial of the American Philosophical Society, Respectfully Sheweth, That this Society, instituted for the promotion of useful knowledge, understanding that the Legislature of the Union have under their consideration a bill for taking a new census of the inhabitants of the United States, consider it as offering...
17698To Thomas Jefferson from American Philosophical Society, 3 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The wishes of the American Philosophical Society have been again unanimously expressed that you would continue to fill the Presidential chair. The interest you take in the advancement of the Society, and the liberal manner in which you have ever contributed to the purposes of the Institution, encourage the most flattering expectations that this expression of their respect and esteem will not...
17699To Thomas Jefferson from the American Philosophical Society, 7 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the Pleasure of informing You, that, at the annual Election of Officers of the American Philosophical Society for promoting useful Knowledge, held at Philadelphia, on the 6th. Instant, You were chosen President of that respectable Institution. The Society, Sir, cannot soon forget the Loss they sustained by the Death of the late worthy and ingenious D. Rittenhouse; but, after expressing...
17700Election to the American Philosophical Society, 21 January 1785 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 January 1785 . JM was nominated twice by Jefferson in 1784 for membership in this society ( Boyd, Papers of Jefferson Julian P. Boyd et al., eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (18 vols. to date; Princeton, N. J., 1950——). , VI, 542, 556). He was elected to membership on this day along with Manasseh Cutler, Thomas Paine, Richard Price, Joseph Priestly, and twenty-four others ( Pa. Gazette...
17701To Thomas Jefferson from the American Philosophical Society Held at Philadelphia For Promoting Useful Knowledge, 7 … (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophic society on the 5th of January last held their first annual election under the act of incorporation by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and I have it in charge to inform your Excellency, that they have elected you a Councellor for two years. The powers of the Council are to “be described, fixed and determined by the statutes, laws, regulations and ordnances of the...
17702To George Washington from American Philosophical Society, 12 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The American Philosophical Society, which boasts the name of your Excellency in the list of their Members, are happy in this opportunity of presenting their Congratulations on the establishment of Peace. While they anticipate the influence of this event on the important object of their institution, they contemplate with pleasure, that the Arts and Sciences, those friends to learning and...
17703Election to American Philosophical Society, [14 February 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
To all Persons to whom These Presents shall come, Greeting. The American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for promoting useful Knowledge, desirous of advancing the Interest of the Society by associating to themselves Men of distinguished Eminence, and of conferring Marks of their Esteem upon Persons of literary Merit, have Elected The Honourable Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the...
17704To George Washington from the American Philosophical Society, 12 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The American Philosophical Society, desirous of expressing due Regard for Preeminence in Science and Virtue, have directed an Eulogium to be prepared in the Memory of their late President, Dr David Rittenhouse; which is to be pronounced before the Society, on Saturday next, the 17th inst. at 12 o’clock, in the Presbyterian Church, in High Street. It is particularly requested, that the...
17705American Philosophical Society to Thomas Jefferson, 20 January 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophical Society , after having, at Several periods, withstood your Solicitations to be withdrawn from their presidency, have at length, with great reluctance, felt themselves obliged to yield to the decided resignation exp r essed in your letter of the 23d. of november last , and have, accordingly, elected doctor Caspar Wistar to that office. The important connection which...
17706Peter S. Du Ponceau to Thomas Jefferson, 1 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I am ordered by the Historical Committee to inform you that they have caused to be transmitted to you a Copy of the first Volume of their Transactions, which I understand the Bookseller has already forwarded by Mail. This was rather done irregularly, their order having been anticipated by one of their officers. I have now the honor to request in their name your acceptance of the Book as a...
17707American Prisoners in Dinan to the American Commissioners, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the under Subscribed Persons having Received Your kind favour of the 15 Inst: who are the only [Santuaries?] under God we Rely on, nor do we desire our liberty from other hands than yours; being in Reallity Americans, who are farr from Imposeing upon Your Clemency (or this Goverment) and willing to Stand or fall by our Countrys Cause, as we are well...
17708To Benjamin Franklin from the American Prisoners at Dinan, 15 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Petition of the under Subscribed Americans Confined in Dennant Castle—Humbly Sheweth, That your poor Petitioners, Imboldened by your Destinguished Character for Justice, and well known Zeal for our Countrys cause, Once More, Beg leave to lay our Circumstances before you, Being of Opinion our Former Petitiones Unfortunately Miscarryed—as We never...
17709To James Madison from American Prisoners of War, 24 July 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 July 1813 , “ Nassau Prison Ship, Chatham (England) .” “We Conceive ourselves in duty bound (at the present crisis) As a Class of Unfortunate Citizens of the United States of America, to Acquaint your Excellency with the following train of circumstances in regard of themselves that has occurred since surrendering themselves up as Prisoners of War to the respective Commanders of British...
17710To James Madison from American Prisoners of War, 20 July 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 July 1813 , “ On Board H M Prison Ships in Chatham. ” “This comes from prisoner of war that are Subjects of the United States that have been imprest into H B M Service from his country and friends and have been a long time from thear country and have sence the war broke out between amarica and great Briton gave ourselves up as prisoner of war and have had for the same had very bad wage for...