30511Christopher Gadsden to the American Commissioners, 15 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot deny myself the Pleasure of endeavouring to introduce the Bearer Commodore Gillon to your Notice. He hath been always very active in promoting the American Cause and been of great Service to it in several respects as well generally, as particularly to this State and our Assembly during its last Sitting appointed him Commodore of our Navy and in...
30512Sartine to the American Commissioners, 15 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, July 15, 1778, in French: Among the English prisoners on Belle Isle, taken from ships in French ports, are two who say they are Americans, James Niggins of Charleston, and John Selby of Baltimore. They want to be freed and sent home. They were on the Hancock , they say, en route to Charleston from Nantes when an...
30513To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [15 July 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mess. Kossakowsky et Strestsky gentilshommes Polonnois qui vous remettront ce billet mon Illustre Docteur nous donnent à diner à Mde. Le Roy et à moi Jeudy prochain avec plusieurs académiciens. M. Strestsky nous fera voir ses curieuses experiences sur l’air inflammable dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler. Vous devriez être de la partie et ces Mess. le...
30514To Benjamin Franklin from “Pierre Libertati” and Other Commission Seekers, 15 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Once France entered the war, its eager young men had an obvious outlet for their martial energies. Many of the commission-seekers, henceforth, come from abroad—even from England—but there remains a trickle of French applicants, special cases who turn to Franklin for help. A seasoned officer addresses Franklin on July 24. Captain C.F. de Wiebel, once in the...
30515To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 15 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
On my Return from Mt Vernon to this Place, I found the Packet, containing your Letter and Deed. I am much oblidged to you for the Trouble you have taken, to have a new Deed made out, from yourself to Me. It was the Method I proposed, but my Uncles Bassett and Dandridge thought it best, to have the Deed made from you to Henry; I shall be in no Hurry to have your Deed acknowledged, unless a good...
30516From George Washington to William Dobbs, 15 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
A considerable fleet of french men of War, chiefly Ships of the line, has just arrived at Sandy Hook, under the command of Admiral Count D’estaing. As the Admiral is a Stranger to our Coast, and is come for the purpose of co-operating with us against the Enemy, it is absolutely necessary that he should be immediately provided with a number of skillful pilots, well acquainted with the Coast &...
30517To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
This moment Colonel Armand & a major Ottendroff called at my quarters, and being about to set out for the Army, the Major desires I would write your Excellency that he is exceeding sorry for leaving the service the last year, and wishes you would over look it; that he desires again to serve in the Army. He has made several applications to the Navy Board to serve in the navy; he is now...
30518From George Washington to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 15 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I desire you immediately to select Fifty of your best Bullocks, and give orders to have two hundred Sheep if to be procured and a parcel of poultry purchased in the most convenient part of the Country. They are intended as a present to the Count D’Estaing Admiral of the French Fleet now laying off Sandy Hook. You are to send them to the Coast as expeditiously as possible, and upon giving...
30519The Commissioners to Sartine, 16 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 16 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:164 . The Commissioners told Sartine that the congress and the authorities in Massachusetts would be notified of his request, but that the presence of British warships on the Newfoundland and Halifax stations might make assistance to...
30520The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 16 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 16 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:163 . The Commissioners notified Schweighauser of Thomas Simpson’s appointment to command the Ranger and ordered him to provide Simpson with whatever he might need to prepare for sea. The Commissioners also informed him that the...