29101John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Bordeaux, May 8, 1778: Vessels from Georgia have arrived with news that a shipment of specie had been landed from Havana; the state’s currency is greatly inflated. Friends in Cadiz write that the government is making it difficult for them to sell Conyngham’s prizes, and ask whether the ships might be addressed to me; what am I to tell them? I assume from your...
29102William Lee to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Worthington C. Ford, ed., Letters of William Lee . . . 1766–1783 (3 vols., Brooklyn, N.Y., 1891), II , 429–30. I have been detained here longer than was intended by a personal application from one of the King of Prussia’s ministers. I have now received an answer from Berlin, which informs me that his Majesty chooses for the present to decline acknowledging the Independency of...
29103Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 8, 1778: After the capture of the English warship Drake , Capt. Jones appointed me to take her to Brest. I enclose a copy of his instructions. On May 5, while she was in tow, he ordered me to cast her loose and—so we all understood—make my own way to port. We were chased by a brig, tried to rejoin the Ranger , and did so early in the...
29104To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gléyo La Chesnaÿe, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Comme je suis à la veille De partir pour l’amerique anglaise, et que vous avez bien voulu m’honorer Desja De votre confiance, j’ai pris la liberté De vous offrir mes services. Je commande un brigue De 200 tonneaux et tres bon marchant. Si vous avez quelque ordre à me donner pour ce paÿis soyez assuré, Monsieur, que personne ne pourait les suivre avec...
29105To Benjamin Franklin from Feutry, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Un heureux hazard m’a fait enfin rencontrer, dans une vente publique, L’exemplaire, ci-joint, que je cherchois depuis plus de 15 mois, et dont l’édition étoit épuisée il y a fort longtemps; Je vous supplie de vouloir bien en recevoir l’hommage, et le placer a coté de mes autres foibles oeuvres. Dans ce choix d’histoires, Monsieur, sous le voile de...
29106To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Rïou, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La crainte que Le Capitaine John Paul Jones n’aye pas le moment de vous ecrire par ce courier J’ay L’honneur de vous Doner avis de Son arrivée en ce Port ou Il a amené une fregatte du Roy D’angleterre armé de 20. Canons qu’il a pris a La Mer apres une heure et Demy de Combat sanglant. J’ay L’honneur D’etre avec un Profond Respect Monsieur Votre tres humble...
29107To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts Board of War, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We are honord with yours of the 17th February and made happy in being acquainted by it of the Alliance lately formed between his most Christian Majesty and the united States of America, in which, considering our Scituation, that young Monarch hath evidenced a dignity of Mind, which will be of more lasting honor than can be conferrd by a Crown....
29108La Rochefoucauld to William Temple Franklin, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien reconnoissant, Monsieur, de ce que, au milieu des importantes occupations que vous avez il vous soit resté quelques momens pour vous souvenir de moi. Je voudrois bien mais je ne l’espere pas être le premier à vous apprendre la rentrée ici de votre brave capitaine Jones après plusieurs expeditions brillantes et ramenant une frégate Roiale de 20....
29109General Orders, 8 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
29110To George Washington from George Clinton, 8 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s Letters of the 24th & 30th of April last. In consequence of the first I have given Colo. Cooper, who lives in the Neighbourhood of Capt. Lieut. Crane, directions to use every Means in his Power to recover the Box, alluded to, with it’s Contents. I shall be happy if my apprehension of Danger from the Enemy on the Northern & Western frontiers of this State...
29111Council of War, 8 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a Council of War held at Head Quarters at Valley Forge the 8th day of May 1778, agreeable to two Resolutions of Congress dated the 18th and 27th of April. Present His Excellency The Commander in Chief Major Generals Gates Brig: Generals Knox Greene Duportail Stirling Mifflin Dela Fayette De Kalb Armstrong Steuben The Commander in Chief informs the Council. That...
29112To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 8 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Fitzhugh, 8 May 1778. On 8 June, GW wrote Fitzhugh : “Your favor of the 8th past came duly to hand.”
29113To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 8 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from John Augustine Washington, 8 May 1778. On 10 June , GW acknowledged receipt of a letter from John Augustine Washington of the “8th of May from Berkeley.”
29114May 9. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
This Morning Mr. Joy, Mr. Johonnot, and Mr. Green, came to visit me—Joy who lived at Weymouth, Green Son of Mr. Rufus Green. Dined with Madam Bertin. Michael Joy, Francis Johonnot, and William Greene, formerly of Massachusetts but more lately of London, who were traveling together in France (see note on the following entry). Greene kept a journal of this trip, in which he wrote of this visit...
29115[May 9. Saturday. 1778.] (Adams Papers)
May 9. Saturday. 1778. This morning Mr. Joy, Mr. Johonnot, and Mr. Green Son of Mr. Rufus Green came to visit me. The American Ministers dined with Madam Bertin, at Passi. This Lady is married to a Nephew of Mr. Bertin the Minister, and he holds some lucrative office under the Crown. She has a fine Person and an excellent Understanding. Her Husband is however said to be a great Libertine worn...
29116John Thaxter to Abigail Adams, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your agreeable favour of the 9th. of April. I am so exceedingly hurried in copying the Treaties (which are long beyond bounds) that I have had no time to write you fully. Six Copies of the Treaties are wanted, and it falls to me to make them out, as My Companion is absent. Have you done? Have you done? is the Cry every hour of the day. I am almost tired...
29117To John Adams from Samuel Tucker, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
These with my Regards to your Honour, acquainting you of my receiving your kind Epistle by the Docter and will engage myself to take all the Care possible of the Articles that I may receive of your Worthey friend John Brondfield Esqr. and will see them safe Delivered to Mrs. Adams, please God, I should arrive safe with my Ship after a short Cruze. Pray Sir excuse my not Writing more perticular...
29118John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to acquaint you that I arrived here last Night and brought in with me the British Ship of War Drake of 20 Guns with English Colours inverted under the American Stars. I shall soon give you the particulars of my Cruise in the mean time you will see some Account of it in a letter of this date from Comte D’Orvilliers to Monseigneur De Sartine. I have brought in near Two hundred...
29119To Benjamin Franklin from Monsieur and Madame de Lafreté, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Mad. De Lafreté ont passé hier chez Monsieur Francklin, pour avoir l’honneur de le voir, et lui proposer de venir diner demain dimanche à surênes avec Monsieur son fils, et Mr. Adams. Si ces Messieurs ne le peuvent pas ils sont priés de le faire scavoir aujourd’hui ou demain matin, et de choisir eux mêmes un jour dans la semaine prochaine. Addressed:...
29120Franklin and John Adams to Monsieur and Madame de Lafreté, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messrs. Franklins and M. Adams are extremely sorry that they were not at home when M. and Mad. de la Freté did them the Honour of calling at Passy. They are engag’d to morrow and every day next Week: but if it should be convenient to M. and Made. de la Freté, they will do themselves the Honour of dining at Suréne on Monday the 18th. Instant, which is the...
29121John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; AL : American Philosophical Society, United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: National Archives <Brest, May 9, 1778: I arrived last night with the British warship Drake , and will soon give you an account of the cruise. I have almost two hundred prisoners, but there is danger they may be surrendered without an exchange. I plan to refit the Drake as fast...
29122To Benjamin Franklin from S. and J.-H. Delap, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS or LS : American Philosophical Society We take the Liberty of forwarding you inclosed two Letters that have come to our Hands for you. Two French Vessels have arrived here within these few Days from Charles Town South-Carolina. Do not learn by them there was any thing new. We have the Honor to be with greatest Respect Sir Your most obedient and humble Servants Addressed: To / The Honorable...
29123To Benjamin Franklin from Deucher, Riedÿ & Co., 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We understand that there is a Ship belonging to Bordeaux that is arrived to Bilbao from Virginia, which has conducted there a Member of the Congress, together with a Pilote, and hearing that this Gentleman intends returning to his Country with the Pilote by the first and good opportunity; there is here a very fine Fregate called the Bergere Capt. Saujon...
29124To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I’ve just receiv’d your kind favour of April 28. by which you let me know the paper I wanted is not yet publish’d. I’m afraid there is a mistake Since that very same paper came last night to my hands by a way which I made no great dependance on. I was to take the liberty of informing you of it that you might not be at the trouble of procuring a Copy. I...
29125To Benjamin Franklin from La Blancherie, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous me trouverez bien ingrat de n’avoir pas encore été me mettre à vos pieds et vous témoigner ma reconnoissance. Une multitude d’occupations m’a dérangé jusqu’à présent et m’a privé du plaisir que j’aurois eu à remplir ce devoir. Je vous prie, Monsieur, d’en croire ces protestations et tous les regrets que j’en ai. Je me dédomagerai au premier moment en...
29126General Orders, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The hours appointed for the Exercise of the Troops having been changed makes it necessary to alter the hours appointed for the Drummers to practise which will for the future be from five to six in the morning and from four to five in the afternoon, any Drummer that shall be found practising at any other than the time mentioned above shall be severely punished—The Adjutants of the several...
29127From George Washington to the Board of War, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 6th instant inclosing a copy of a letter from you to Capt. Wm Scull and a Resolution of Congress of the 13th April the employment proposed for Capt. Scull will prevent his completing the Survey which I had directed him to make—and so far interfere with my views—but as he is in the neighborhood of the country which you intend to have surveyed, and the...
29128To George Washington from a Council of War, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having maturely considered the state of facts and representations submitted to us in Council, by His Excellency the Commander in Chief, with a request, that “each member, after a full and candid discussion of the matter in council would furnish him with his sentiments on some general plan, which considering all circumstances, ought to be adopted for the operations of the ensuing campaign.” We...
29129To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning the Enemy came up the River with five armed Vessells, & between twenty & thirty flat bottom’d Boats—they landed at Bordentown & burnt two of Mr Bordens Houses, the two Frigates, & a great Number of other Vessells that were lodged in the different Creeks—they then proceeded up the River, to the lower end of Biles Island, where they remained all night—the few men I had...
29130To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last to Your Excellency was dated the 6th by Sharp. This will be accompanied by a Petition of Lt Colo. Dircks which I am directed to transmit & to request Your Excellency will do or advise therein as Your Excellency shall judge conducive to public service. Also by, several printed Acts of Congress of the 6th Instant contained in a pennsylvania Gazette announcing such parts of the Treaty of...