The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 12 November 1778

The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn6

AL (draft):7 Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives

Passy Novr. 12 1778

Sir

Your favours of the 15 Octr. and 1st of November We have recd with their Inclosures.8 And We approve of your Conduct and the Reasons of it, excepting Mr De la Plaine.— As he is not in the service of the united States We cannot justify, putting the united States to Expence for his assistance.9 You will please to draw upon Us for the Money you have advanced, when it shall be necessary to you. We have the Honour to be &c—

Mr Francis Coffyn. Dunkirk

Notation by Franklin: Capt. de la Plaigne has a Congress Commission

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

6. The commissioners’ agent at Calais who had frequently assisted escaped prisoners: XXV, 495n.

7. In JA’s hand.

8. Both missing.

9. The Georgia agent is identified in XXV, 234n; he and his entourage had written BF in October (XXVII, 539–42), and were soon on their way to Paris. See his letter of Nov. 16. BF bracketed this sentence and added the notation.

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Source Project: Franklin Papers
Title: The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 12 November 1778
Authors: American Commissioners
Franklin, Benjamin
Lee, Arthur
Adams, John
Recipient: Coffyn, Francis
Date: 12 November 1778

Reference

Cite as: “The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 12 November 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-28-02-0064. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 28, November 1, 1778, through February 28, 1779, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1990, pp. 89–90.]