54751To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 23 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having never recd. an answer from your Excellency to any of my letters ever since I left Paris, I should not take the liberty of troubling you again, was I not induced to it by what I think a just motive. Mr. Penet wrote me that he had directed to your Excellency the papers mentioned in my last of 16 August, as soon as he recd. them, which was in July 1780,...
54752To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Royle et al., [23 November 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We who have hereunto subscribed our Names being persons brought up in the Manchester manufactures, and of which we have skill to manage the same particularly the Callico making and printing, with a particular method of Carding and spinning the Cotton, and being dissatisfied with the present Governors of this Country for reasons too notorious to be...
54753To George Washington from Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 23 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The distressed situation of the Hessian Soldiers Prisoners of War in Philadelphia induces me to apply to Your Excellency for a Passport for an Officer to proceed to that City with Money for their Relief under whatever restrictions you may judge requisite; and should the indulgence be granted I would wish to employ Lieutenant Sobbe of my Regiment upon this business. I have the Honor to be Sir...
54754To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 23 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s Commands, I have Visited the Posts of Winchester Fort Frederick, and Frederick Town at which places it was intended the Prisoners taken at the Surrender of York and Gloucester should be confined, and have made such arrangements respecting them as I hope will merit your Approbation. There are at Winchester about 2400 and at Frederick Town about 1400 Rank and...
54755Report on Lafayette’s Return to France, [23 November] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, II, 241–43½). Written by JM. Docketed, “Report of Comee. on letter 22d Novr. 1781. from the Marquis de la Fayette[,] passed Novr. 23d 1781.” The Committee to whom was referred the letter of the 22d. instant from Major General the Marquis de la fayette, requesting leave of absence for the purpose of making a visit to France report the following resolutions That Major...
54756To Thomas Jefferson from William Fleming, 23 November 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I lately passed thro’ Orange in my way to Culpeper, I heard of a British deserter at one Proctor’s, about five miles beyond Orange court house, who is an excellent stone cutter. If you have occasion for such an artist, you may probably engage him by sending to Proctors. I intended myself the pleasure of spending a [d]ay at Monteciello before my return home, but on my arrival at Colo. Champe...
54757From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon with a Letterbook Memorandum, 24 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr Adams presents his most respectfull Compliments to his Excellency, the Duke de la Vauguion, and begs leave to acquaint him, that by the last nights Post he received from Congress Some important Dispatches which it is his Duty to communicate to the Ambassador of France. Mr Adams requests his Excellency, to inform him, what Hour will be most convenient for him to wait on him at the Arms of...
54758From John Adams to Jean de Neufville & Fils, 24 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favour of this days date, together with four thousand florins in cash, 175 being deducted for the 7 Coopons of Interest paid being the amount of four obligations of the United States, disposed of by you. I received at the Same time two obligations with their Coopons, and Seven Coopons for the first half years Interest paid by you. I recd yesterday, by Mr. Thaxter one...
54759From Benjamin Franklin to Dubuysson, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress On reading over again, and reconsidering your Papers, it did not appear to me necessary that I should write to the Ministers in your Favour, the Recommendations you bring directly from Congress being superior to any that could proceed from me; and it would be absurd in me to suppose that mine could add weight to them. Being however truly sensible of...
54760To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am happy in having so good an opportunity as the present to let you know that we are all well; Sally would have wrote, but the Marquis La Fayette’s & General Du Portail’s sudden departure, together with her necessary engagements in the Nursery, will not admit of it an opportunity will present itself in a few days from this port, which she means to...
54761To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The important and decicive success’s Obtaind over the Enemy permits me to pay you my respectful Compliments of Congratulation. It will be difficult for the Americans to express greater sensibility than all Ranks at this City on the receipt of the advice proccured. The Sensation has not yet subsided a delirium appears to Agitate the whole Mass. Illuminations...
54762To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copies: New-York Historical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives Majr Genl Du Portail will have the honor to present this. Congress in consideration of their Long & faithful services in this country have grantd permission to him & Colls. De Laumoy & Gouvion to revisit their friends in Europe for the winter. As the merit of these...
54763To George Washington from Gideon Brownson, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Permit to inform your Excellency, that after my long Confinement in the Enemy’s power in Canada, I arriv’d from thence the 16th ult., having been favoured by an Exchange from the Government of Vermont—Immediately on my Arrival, I waited upon Colonel Warner, who inform’d me that I was considered exempt from Service, upon the Reduction of his Regimt, which took place 1st of January last. Permit...
54764To George Washington from Henry Clinton, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to propose that your Commissary General of Prisoners may be authorised to meet mine as soon as convenient either at Elizabeth Town or Staten Island, in order finally to adjust the Exchange of Lieutt General Burgoyne, for which Proposals have been made some time since; and likewise to treat for the Exchange of Lieutt General Earl Cornwallis, and such other Officers of this Army as...
54765To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I heard with great Concern the domestique misfortune which your Excellency had lately, and in the apprehension that sad event will Retard your arrival here, I take the Resolution to write to you. I beg your Excellency to Receive my most sincere thanks for the letters of Recommendation which you have been so good as to give me for Congress. they have obtained to me the succes of my demands. one...
54766To George Washington from John Hanson, 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing your Excellency copies of two Acts of Congress of the 16th and 22d instant, which being intended merely for your information and sufficiently explicit on their respective subjects, will require no comment. Your Excellency’s favours of the 4th, 6th and 15th instant have been received and laid before Congress. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, Your...
54767To George Washington from David Ross, Jr., 24 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you on the 22d instant—since then the British merchants at this place have requested me to procure from you a short notification, that they will be allowed to carry away Tobacco under sanction of a Flag in payment for the goods they have furnished to the Army agreable to the Certificates which I have granted to them—They conceive it will not be in their power to...
54768From John Adams to the Duc de La Vauguyon, 25 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency, a Copy of the fresh Instructions of Congress of the Sixteenth of August last which I received by the Post the 23d instant. I have also received a further Commission, from Congress, with full Powers, to confer treat, agree and conclude with the Person or Persons vested with equal Powers, by his most Christian Majesty, and their high mightinesses...
54769To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Louis-Bertrand Robineau de Beaunoir, 25 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le moment ou le ciel comble le vœu le plus doux des francais est celui ou sous un autre hemisphere, L’homme a L’ombre des Lys vient de briser la chaine de la Tyrannie: vous jouissez de ce double Bonheur et Quand nous le Celebrons C’est vous procurer sans doute un plaisir bien pur que de vous faire partager notre joie. En Consequence La R. M. L. E. du...
54770To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 25 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
After acknowledging the Honour of your very friendly and polite Letter dated "before york 5 Octr," give me leave most sincerely to congratulate you on our late signal Success over the British Arms under Lord Cornwallis which has afforded me unspeakable Satisfaction not only on account of the additional Laurels it has gain’d to your Excellency in particular and the Army in general, but because...
54771From John Harvie, enclosing a Resolution to Inquire into the Conduct of the Executive, 27 November 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Being Anxious that the Inclosed Resolution of the House of Delegates should reach you as early as possible, I have prevail’d on Capt. Dalton to be the Bearer of it to your House. I should be unhappy to think that any Accident should prevent the State from Deriveing the Advantage of Council from her ablest Citizens, by the Cavil of party on the Illiberality of the Inviduous, wherefore, shall...
54772James Lovell to Abigail Adams, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I shall have an excellent Opportunity to send those Articles of yours, which have been long under my Care, by a Waggon of Genl. Lincoln going in a few days to Boston and perhaps also to Hingham. I feel a Sort of Mortification, at the Air of Negligence which seems to be thrown over my past Endeavors to serve you, by this early Execution of the Promises which our good Friend Lincoln made to you...
54773From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I presume You have a Copy from Congress of their Instructions to me of the 16th. of August: but as it is possible it may be otherwise, I have inclosed one. I have communicated them to the Duke de la Vauguion, who says they are très bien vues, très bien combinées. I shall do nothing in the business, without communicating it beforehand to him, with the most entire Confidence, and recieving his...
54774From John Adams to John Jay, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post, I recieved from L’Orient a sett of fresh Instructions from Congress, dated the 16th. of August, and with the more enjoined to open a Correspondence with your Excellency, upon the subject of them. I presume You have Copy by the same Vessel; but as it is possible it may have been omitted, I shall venture to inclose a Copy, and hope it may pass unopened. I have communicated it...
54775To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honour’d with yours of the 19th. Inst. I received a Letter from Capt. Jackson dated at Bilbao the 12th. in which he mentions nothing of his departing thence for America, so that I should have continued to expect him here, if he had not written positively to you of that Intention. Mr: Barclay, the Consul, too, I thought would have been here before this time, and I know not what detains him...
54776To John Adams from Edmund Jenings, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
Give me leave to Congratulate your Excellency on the late Glorious News received from Virginia and Carolina. It seems to be of the last Importance. The English here are Confounded by it, and I should think the Court of London will not be less so, when it receives it, altho it has had for some Time reason to expect it. The English Minister here sent a Messenger immediately on the receipt...
54777To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
If anÿ man rejoice in the prosperity of the united States i wil hope that me shal not be denied a place amongst them, and I think it mÿ dutÿ to congratulate your Excellencÿ with the complete victorÿ of your arms in the chesapeak-baÿ and the Burgoynishing of that mighty Lord with his many thousand Slaves. Now wil the proud of the British nation be humiliated—now shal a venal and corrupt...
54778From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress I am honour’d with yours of the 19th. Inst. I received a Letter from Capt. Jackson dated at Bilbao the 12th. in which he mentions nothing of his departing thence for America, so that I should have continued to expect him here, if he had not written positively to you of that Intention. Mr: Barclay, the...
54779From Benjamin Franklin to Jean de Neufville & fils, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of your Letter, dated the 12th Instant, wherein you inform me that “the Owners of the Vessels will certainly ask a much greater Advantage on the Freight now, both on Acct of the Season and the Want of Convoy, as on Acct. of the heavy Expences they were put at by Come. Gillon’s leaving their Ships behind; but if Proposals were made...
54780From Benjamin Franklin to John Trumbull, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library I have lately received from your Father for your Use, a Bill of Exe [Exchange] on Paris, at 30 Days sight, to the Amount of one thousand three hundred & fifty Livres Tournois: I this Day sent it to Mr. Grand, Banker, Requesting him to get it accepted & when due to receive the Money & hold the same at the Disposition of your Father or self. I mention’d both, not...