Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 13 March 1780
From: Carmichael, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Madrid 13 March 1780.
I did myself the Honor of writing to you from Cadiz and since by M. Girard and therefore shall not repeat the information which those Letters and that Gentleman will have given you; on the 25th. of last month I transmitted to Mr. Jay the King’s Determination which was communicated to me by his Excellency the Count de florida Blanca & to himself in a Letter from the above mentioned minister; the manner in which the Communication was made was very polite and I was informed that altho’ it did not suit the King Dignity or that of Congress, that M. Jay should appear in his public Character until the object of his Mission & the Interests of Spain had been fairly discussed and decided on, yet that we should be received and treated as Strangers of Distinction and as such might appear at Court, Accordingly I have made use of that Permission and was present at the basamanos on Occasion of the Birth of the Prince & ranged myself in the Circle of foreighn Ministers. I have seen nothing but what appears to be reasonable in the Conduct of the Minister with whom I have had the Honor to converse, yet I cannot help laminting every Circumstance which retards the Business on which we are sent. This is the Present State of affairs here on which I intreat your advice, in order that I may communicate it to M. Jay as early as Possible, I must also intreat you to give me such Information of the Situation of Affairs in your Department as may be necessary for us to know. I am informed that Considerable Perparations are making for an Expedition to the West Indies or America or both from Spain, my mode of conveyance doth not allow me to enter into particulars, of which I have however had an Opportunity of advising Congress, I do not know where or how to address M. Adams or otherwise I should do myself the Honor of writing to him, both from a Principle of Duty and Inclination. Altho’ it is not my good fortune to be immediately under your Direction, I flatter myself that you will add one other obligation to the many already conferred on me, by honoring me with your Advice while I remain here, I beg you to mention me in the proper manner to Monr. Gerard and to others who think well of me and to believe me with much respect. Your Obliged & most humble Servant
(signed) Wm. Carmichael.

P.S. As I know you will have the safest Opportunity of Writing to America Shortly in case my Letters to Congress may miscarry you may not think it improper to communicate the Contents of this Letter.
his Excellency Benjn. franklin Esqr.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 13 March 1780
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
La Haie 13e. Mars 1780
Le certificat dont il est question dans ma Lettre ci-jointe à Mr. le gd. Pre. d’Hollde. est celui dont je vous envoyai copie en son temps de la part de Mr. Jones. Ainsi il est superflu d’en joindre ici une autre.
Hier il arriva un Exprès d’Angleterre, avec la nouvelle que les cargaisons des navires Hollandois chargés de chanvre & goudron & autres provisions navales de cette espece, escortés par le Contre Amiral de Byland, & saisis par les Anglois sous Fielding, ont été déclarés de bonne prise, & confisqués par conséquent en Angleterre & qu’on délibere encore Si [torn: les vai]sseaux mêmes ne seront pas aussi confisqués. Voilà donc à la fois la piraterie & l’insulte complete.
D’un autre côté, Mr. Swart Résident de la Rep. à Petersbourg vient d’écrire à L.H.P. une Dépêche, qui fut lue hier à l’Assemblée & trouvée si intéressante, qu’on l’a faite Commissoriale, pour délibérer sur le contenu, qui apprend à L.H.P., que la Cour de Petersbourg voit avec indignation les excès que les Anglois commettent sur mer, ceux en particulier qu’ils se sont permis dernierement contre une flotte Hollandoise en violant manifestement le Droit des gens, & les mensonges qu’ils débitent partout, comme si la Russie étoit portée pour eux; tandis que le contraire est vrai, & que Sa Maj. Russe non seulement désapprouve hautement leur conduite, mais est disposée & inclinée de plus à entrer avec tous les neutres dans les mesures les plus propres à rendre les mers plus sures, & la navigation commune à tous plus respectée.

Je tiens tout cela de notre Ami: ainsi, Monsieur vous pouvez compter dessus.
Ceci, & l’entretien du St. avec le Pce. de Gallitzin Envoyé de Russie, & le Courier dépêché à Petersbourg en conséquence, nous promet quelque changement de scene important; mais, dit notre Ami, 873. OEUP ZQMBEXCGTNU, fait ici tout ce qu’il peut (& il peut beaucoup) pour soutenir ici les Anglomanes; sans lui qui retient le St——, & lui fait faire triste figure, on auroit déjà pris des mesures vigoureuses.
Je suis avec tout l’attachement respectueux que vous connoissez, Monsieur Votre très humble & très-obéissant serviteur
Dumas
Paris à Son Exce. Mr. Franklin,

Mr. Carmichael m’a écrit le 25 Janvr. dernier de Cadix, avoir remis un paquet pour moi à Mr. Gerard. Je ne l’ai pas encore reçu. Si Mr. Gerard est à Paris, voudriez-vous bien avoir la bonté, Monsieur, de lui faire demander les papiers qu’il peut avoir pour moi?

Addressed: à Son Excellence / Monsieur B. Franklin Esqr. / Min. Plenipe. des Etats-Unis / &c. / Passy./.
Notation: Dumas, la haie March 13. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Estaing, 14 March 1780
From: Estaing, Charles-Henri, comte d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris ce 14. Mars 1780.
Les occasions de faire sa cour á Monsieur franklin, et de profiter de ses bontés, sont trop precieuses a M d’Estaing pour en perdre aucune; il a l’honneur de l’assurer de son respect, et qu’il redeviendra demain avec grand plaisir Citoyen de Passy pour diner avec lui.

Notation: M. D’Estaing Paris ce 14. mars. 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Henri-Maximilien (Henry) Grand, 14 March 1780
From: Grand, Henri-Maximilien (Henry)
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Paris ce 14 Mars 1780
Le désir bien vif que j’ay d’aller au devant de tout ce qui peut vous être agréable, m’a fait prendre en considération les moyens qu’il y auroit d’applanir les Obstacles qui se présentent pour vous empecher d’eprouver dans cette partie qui vous regarde personellement, de la Gestion des Fonds du Public, la même satisfaction qui resulte pour vous de pouvoir compasser, & vous rendre raison à chaque instant de vos autres Operations; comme celle ci n’est malheureusement pas entierement votre Ouvrage, elle ne scauroit avoir les memes agrémens.

Il s’agiroit d’extraire de cette gestion touttes les Opérations où vous avez participé: mais come ouvrage épisodique, comme partie dont les raports sont engagés d’une maniere particuliere avec celle qui a precedé; la chose est, je crois, impraticable.
Il y avoit à vôtre arrivée plusieurs comptes de Fournisseurs de commencés; plusieurs marchandises d’expédiées, plusieurs payements de faits; & les Mandats que vous signates alors, soit individuellement ou conjointement, en faveur de ces Fournisseurs, ne servoient pas à acquitter uniquement de nouvelles Fournitures, mais étoient le rembours des précédentes, en tout, ou en partie; ce qui vous lie par là avec touttes les operations qui ont pu précéder, & qui s’enchainent de cette maniere les unes dans les autres.
Ce n’est donc que par la Reddition du compte général que vous pouvez opérer votre décharge particuliere, ce qui ne dépendra pas de mes Soins & de mon assiduité d’accelerer; l’arrivée de Mr. Dean abrégeroit de beaucoup ma tâche, & cette raison de retardement peut servir pour engager Mr. Johnson à differer son voyage a Paris.
Je suis avec Respect Monsieur Vôtre très humble et très obeisst. Servr.
Hy. Grand

Monsieur votre petit Fils voudra bien me faire scavoir par la Petite Poste si je dois neanmoins me rendre a Passy jeudi.

Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur Le Docteur / Franklin / Passy
Notations: H. Grand 14 mar 1780 / H Grand


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, 14 March 1780
From: Kéralio, Agathon Guynement, chevalier de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur.
à L’Ecole Rle. mre. Le 14e. mars, 1780.
En ma qualité de Secretaire intime de notre céleste amie, j’ai l’honneur de vous rappeller de sa part la promesse que vous Lui avés faite de Lui procurer pour ses enfants des Lettres de crédit sur la nouvelle angleterre. Dans ce cas elle desireroit une Lettre de 24,000 l.t. pour chacun d’eux; elle en a déja Sur Les isles; mais ou je suis bien trompé, ou L’Escadre de Brest n’ira point dans ces parages.
Notre bonne amie vous prie encore, Monsieur, de lui assigner un jour pour venir diner avec elle.
J’ai eu aujourd’hui des nouvelles de Brest en date du 8e. On a ajouté à L’Escadre Le césar de 74 et L’ardent de 64; il ÿ a eu aussi ordre d’armer plusieurs fluttes de la marine royale qui valent mieux que des batiments de transport.
Une Lettre de cadix du 17e fev. dit qu’il falloit encore 7 à 8 jours aux Espagnols, avant de pouvoir sortir. Festinant lenté.
Rendés toujours justice, je vous en supplie, à la Tendre Vénération avec laquelle je suis, Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur.
Le CHR. De Keralio

Notation: Keralio—Mars 14.80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 14 March 1780
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Versailles le 14 mars 1780.
J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, Monsieur, une Lettre qui a été écrite à M. Amelot Secretaire d’Etat par M. de Blossac Intendant du Poitou, au sujet du Sr. William Campbell qui demande la permission de resider a Poitiers; Les details que donne M. de Blossac sur ce qui regarde cet étranger et les Certificats joints à la Lettre, me portent a croire de même que lui, qu’il ne sauroit y avoir d’inconvenient a accorder cette Permission; Je n’ai cependant pas voulu répondre à la demande, sans savoir ce que vous en pensez; Comme le dit S. William, Campbell, Irlandois de Nation, se dit attaché aux Etats Unis de l’Amerique, qu’il a obtenu le droit de bourgeoisie à New York ainsi qu’il le justifie et que dans ces derniers tems il a fait un domicile d’environ deux ans à Paris où vous vous avez peut-être eu Occasion de le connoitre, Je vous prie en ce cas de me marquer ce que vous pensez de son personnel et de l’objet de sa demande et de me renvoyer les Pieces cy-jointes, pour me mettre en état de repondre a M. Amelot.
J’ai l’honneur d’être tres parfaitement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur.
(signé) De Vergennes
M. Franklin.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 15 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Digges, Thomas

Dear sir,
Passy, March. 15. 1780.
In compliance with your Recommendation, which I very much respect, I have given the Passports desired by Captains Mitchel and Carpenter. All these Businesses give me trouble for which I charge nothing; I hope there fore that the Gentlemen will in return do some thing on my Recommendation, and that is, to let me see their Names in the list of Subscribers for the Relief of their poor Countrymen Prisoners in England.
Please to acquaint Mr. Hartley that I have received his favour and shall answer in a few Days.— The Cartel expected is not yet arrived; I have already written that the English to exchange will be at Morlaix.— I can now only add, that I am ever, with much Esteem, Dear sir, y. m. o. h. Servant
Mr. Digges.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Eastern Navy Board, 15 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Eastern Navy Board

Gentlemen,
Passy 15. Mar. 1780
I acquainted you in a former Letter, that there were great Misunderstandings between Capt. Landais and the other Officers of his ship. These Differences arose to such a Height, that the Captain once wrote me, he would quit the Command rather than continue with them. Some of them leaving the Ship, that Disturbance Seem’d to be quieted. But there has Since arisen another violent Quarell between him and Captain Jones.— These Things give me great trouble, particularly the latter, the Circumstances of which I am under a Necessity of Communicating to you that Measures may be taken for putting properly an End to it by a Court martial, If you find that step necessary.
Soon after the arrival of our little Squadron in the Texel, I had a Letter from Commodore Jones complaining highly of Capt. Landais, and mentioning that he was advised to put him under Arrest in order to his trial by a Court Martial (for which however there was not a sufficient number of Officers in Europe) but he would do nothing in it till he heard from me, I had another from Captain Landais complaining of Come. Jones, and begging me to order Enquiry into the Matter as soon as Possible. I received also a letter from the Minister of the Marine, of which the following is an Extract, viz.
Je suis persuadé, Monsieur, que vous n’aurez pas été moins touché que moi de la perte du grand nombre de volontaires françois qui ont été tués dan le combat du Bonhomme Richard contre le vaisseau de Guerre Anglois la Serapis. Cet evenement est d’autant plus facheux, qu’il paroit que si la fregate americaine L’alliance avoit secondé le Bonhomme Richard, en combatant en même tems, l’avantage remporté par le Commodore Jones auroit été plus prompt, auroit couté moins de monde et n’auroit pas mis le Bonhomme Richard dans le cas de couler bas trente six heures après le combat. Le Capitaine de cette fregate ayant tenu une conduite très extraordinaire, je ne doute pas, Monsieur, que vous ne lui mandiez de se rendre aupres de vous pour en rendre compte, et que dans le cas où vous reconnoitrez que c’est par sa faute que la Victoire a couté tant de sang, vous ne jugiez à propos d’en informer le Congress, a fin qu’il fasse rayer Ce Capitaine de dessus la liste des Officiers de sa marine. &c.
Upon this, & with the advice of a very respectable friend of Capt. Landais Mr. De Chaumont who thought sending for him to come to Paris in order to [hold] an Enquiry in to his Conduct, would prevent many inconveniencies to the Service that might attend a more public Discussion. I wrote to him, Oct. 15. acquainting him with the principal heads of the Charges against him, and directing him to render himself here, bringing with him such Papers and Testimonies as he might think useful in his justification. I wrote at the same time to Comme. Jones, to send up such Proofs as he might have in support of the Charges against the Captain, that I might be enabled to give a Just account of the affair to Congress. In two or three Weeks, Capt. Landais came to Paris, but I received no Answer from Come. Jones; After waiting some Days, I concluded to hear Capt. Landais on the 15 of November without longer Delay. And that the Impartiality of the Enquiry might be more clear I requested the above named a friend of Capt. Landais, and Dr. Bancroft a friend of Comme. Jones, to be present.

With this I send the Minutes that were taken on that Occasion.
The Justification Capt. Landais offers in Answer to the Charge of Disobedience of the Commodore’s Orders, seems to call on me for an Explanation as what relates to these I had given Capt. Landais. The Armament was made at l’Orient. Mr. De Chaumont was present there and had the Care of it. I was necessarily at a great Distance, and could not be consulted on every Occasion, and I was not on the following. A convoy being wanted for some Merchant ships to Bordeaux, and our Squadron being ready and there being time sufficient, it was employ’d in and performed that Occasional service. The Alliance and Bonhomme Richard afterwards at sea, ran foul of each other in the Night, the latter receiv’d great Damages, and all returned to L’Orient. The state of the Crew as well as that of the ship making it at first doubtful whether the Bonhomme Richard, might not be long detained in Port, I was apply’d to for the Conditional Order I gave on the 28th. of July to Capt. Landais.— I could not foresee that he would think a Cruise, for which he was to take on Board six Months provisions, and during which he was to be under the orders of comme. Jones, was accomplish’d by the little trip to Bordeaux and the Return abovemention’d and that he was therefore no longer under those Orders, Nor could I imagine that a Conditional order for cruising alone, in case the Bonhomme would not be ready in time, would if She was ready and they sail’d together be construed in to an Exemption from that subordination, in a Squadron, which regular Discipline and the Good of the service requires, otherwise, I should certainly have removed those misapprehensions, by fresh and very explicit Orders. How far Capt. Landais is justifiable in those Interpretations and his Consequent Conduct, must be left to his proper Judges.
The absence of Commodore Jones, and of all the Witnesses, so that none of them could be cross-examin’d, have made this Inquiry very imperfect. You will perceive that Contradictions appear in the Evidence on both sides in some very material Points. Those with my Ignorance in the manoeuvring of Ships engag’d and their possible operations under all the Variety of Circumstances that wind, Tide, and Situation afford, make it as impracticable for me to form, as it would be improper for me without authority to give, a Judgment in this affair. I will only take the liberty of Saying in favour of Capt. Landais that, notwithstanding the mortal Quarrel that arose betwen them at sea, it does not appear to me at all probable he fired into the Bonhomme Richard with Design to kill Capt. Jones. The Enquiry tho’ imperfect, and the Length of it, have however had one good Effect, in preventing hitherto a Duel betwen the Parties, that would have given much Scandal; and which I believe will now not take place, as both expect Justice from a Court Martial in america, I have the honour to be, Gentlemen &c.
Honble. the Navy Board for the Eastern departmt.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 15 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gérard, Conrad-Alexandre

Dear Sir,
Passy, Mar. 15. 1780.
I congratulate you most Sincerely on your safe arrival after so many fatigues and Perils and on your happy Meeting with your family and friends. I long to embrace and Welcome you in Person but have been prevented, partly by an unwillingness to intrude on Those first hours, which you might wish to Spend with your nearer Connections, and Partly by Accidental Business. Please to let me know by a line when you can see me with the least Inconvenience. I am ever with the sincerest Esteem and Respect, Dear Sir, y. m. O. & m. h. S.
Mr. Gerard


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 15 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias

Sir,
Passy, March 15. 1780.
I thank you for your Care in sending my Packet which I received. I congratulate you most cordially on the safe return of your good Brother. The American News papers will give you the honourable Sentiments & Testimonies of Public Bodies with regard to him; inclos’d I send you those of my friends and Correspondents which I have extracted from their Private Letters to me imagining they might afford you some Pleasure. With great Esteem I have the honour to be, Sir &c.
Mr. De Renneval,


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 15 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

Sir
Passy, March 15. 1780
I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me yesterday, & have perused the Papers inclosed with it relating to William Campbell. They are undoubtedly genuine Papers, but I know nothing more of the Person, having never seen him, or heard any thing of him during his residence in Paris that I can recollect. I return the Papers, and am, with the greatest Respect. Your Excellency’s most obdt. and most humble servant
Mr. De Vergenes.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 March 1780
From: Cooper, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir,
Boston March 15th. 1780.
As it is uncertain when this Letter will be delivered to you, or whether it will ever reach you, and as I write you more directly by a Vessel just going to Bilboa, I shall now only mention, That the Desire of my Countrymen of good Families who go abroad is so ardent to have the Honour of an Introduction to you, that I often find it irresistable. Your Benevolence I know will lead you to indulge such a Desire, not only as it flows in a good Measure, from that uncommon Respect for your personal and public Character with which They are impressed, but may also serve to promote some valuable national Purposes.
Mr. Appleton to whom I give this Letter is the Son of Nathaniel Appleton Esqr of this Town, Director of the Continental Loan Office in this Place, and highly esteemed among us for his public and private Virtues. The Son is no Dishonour to his Family, and few young Gentlemen here have established a Character equally amiable. I hope his Behavior abroad will answer the Expectations of his Friends.
With every Sentiment of Respect & Affection, I am Sir, Your obedient humble Servant
Samuel Cooper.
His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr.

Addressed: His Excellency Benj: Franklin Esqr / Minister Plenipotentiary from the / States of America / at the Court of / Versailles.
Notation: Dr. Cooper Mar 15 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 15 March 1780
From: Digges, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr Sir
London 15 Mar. 1780
I expect this will be handed to you, in the course of a few weeks, by a particular Friend of mine, Mr Willm Burn of the house of Messieurs Burn & sons of Lisbon: He is the Gentleman, whom in two late letters I solicited the favour of You to procure a Passport for (to be sent under cover to Messrs. Freres Aubert Tollot & Co. Turin) that would enable Him to travel in France & stay a short time in Paris; which place He is desirous of seeing before He finishes a Tour He has been some months upon.
As I have mentiond Mr Burn to You in my former letters, I need only at present recommend Him to your usual civility and attention. You will find Him a good friend to the Liberties of mankind in general, & a Well-wisher to the cause of America;— In some instances He has been servicable to that Country, and in a particular manner friendly to those Citizens of it, who have accidentally visited Lisbon; among whom I am a grateful example.
I am with great regard Dr Sir Your Obligd & Obt Servant
Tho Digges

Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin / at Passy / near / Paris
Endorsed: Mar 15 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from M.A. de Sonnemaens, 15 March 1780
From: Sonnemaens, M.A. de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Son Excellance
Venlo le 15 mars 1780
Nous prenont la lieberté d’Ecrire a votre Excellance pour nous informer appre notre frere jean hanrÿ Barron de Wolff, Sortan du Service de Sa Majesté Prussien, par la Reduction que Sa Majesté a fait, et par la Recommandation de votre Exellance il a ou le Bonheur de venier aide Camp chez Monsieur Le genneral de vassenton, et comme nous trouvon a faire le partagé de la famille nous auron bessoin de Savoir ou il ce trouvé. Nous avon bien Recu de lettre daté de Nantes du 2 de Novembre 1777 quil Est parti et un lettre daté du 29 avril 1778 de Niebor de Nord Carrolien mais depeu nous avon aucune Nouvelle de luÿ, priant votre Excellance de faire le plessier a notre famille dinformer pour que nous luÿ pouvont luÿ Ecrire au Suget du partage de la famille que nous vouderon faire et a qui nous pouront remetter Sa portion, votre Exllance nous randera le plus grand Service du mond, nous recommandan notre frere et a nous a votre Exellance Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Servant
M: A: De Sonnemaens Née Baronnesse De Wolff


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Pierre] Richard, [after 15 March 1780]
From: Richard, Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[after March 15, 1780]
Notes qu’a l’honneur de présenter le Sieur Richard, à Son Excellence Monsieur L’Ambassadeur des Etats-unis.
Son Excellence voudra bien accompagner la Lettre que j’ose lui remettre pour Mr. Bingham, d’une recommandation pour qu’il veuille terminer toutes les affaires dont il a eu la bonté de se charger pour moi; c’est un ami dont la négligence ne doit être attribuée qu’aux malheurs des circonstances, & qui ne mérite, je pense, aucun reproche.
Puisque son Excellence veut bien envoyer mon mémoire au Président du Congrès, ne pourroit-elle pas demander l’acquit en entier des 16600 Dollars, comme un objet qui m’étoit dû depuis la fin de 1777, & que mes Correspondans ont gardé dans leurs mains, jusqu’en janvier 1779: elle pourroit en meme tems faire valoir mon Zele & les services importans que j’ai rendus à la Martinique aux Américains. Dans le cas où l’on auroit égard à la recommandation de Son Excellence, on pourroit, pour plus de facilité, convertir cette créance en un contrat à constitution de Rente dont l’intérêt seroit payable à Paris; S’il en étoit autrement, Son Excellence voudroit bien alors prier le Président du Congrès d’ordonner le remboursement de ce qui me sera alloué entre les mains de M Bingham porteur de ma procuration, qui m’en fera la remise de suite.
Si son Excellence jugeoit à propos de charger M Bingham de Sa lettre pour le Président du Congrès, il seroit plus à portée d’en solliciter le résultat.
Dans le cas où son Excellence auroit besoin de moi, ma résidence est chez M de Courcelles, rue Vantadour, bute St. Roch. [in another hand] à Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bidé de Chavagnes, [before 16 March 1780]
From: Chavagnes, —— Bidé de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[before March 16, 1780]
Laccueil favorable et les bontés que jay eprouvé dans votre patrie, mont penetrés de la plus vive reconnoissance envers vos compatriottes nos bons alliés, je desirerois pouvoir avoir lhonneur de l’exprimer dans toutte sa force a votre excellence et que les circonstances pussent me permettre de vous presenter moymême mes respects et les voeux sinceres que je forme pour la prosperité de votre nation, et faire connoissance avec leur illustre chef a qui jay lhonneur dassurer que je me suis trouvé trop heureux de pouvoir faire parvenir lettres, paquets, et une petite boette que l’on ma remis a boston pour son excellence et dont monsieur de vallois veut bien se charger. Jignore si monsieur johns adams, sa famille, mr. denas et allain sont de retour a versailles et si ils ont etés aussi contents de moy que je lay eté de les posseder et passer en france, leurs estimes et amitiés me sont cheres ainsi que celles de messieurs le general ancohks, le docteur couppa de tous les habitans et habitantes de boston, et si dans le courant de cette année il se trouvoit dans les operations combinées de la cour de france une mission pour l’amerique septentrionalle je serois bien jaloux den estre chargé ou de my joindre, les circonstances me mettroint peut estre a même de vous estre utile et de contribuer a la prosperité de vos armes, tels sont mes veritables sentiments pour votre nation dont je ne cesse de chanter les louanges. Je prie votre excellence d’en estre bien persuadé ainsi que du profond respect avec lequel jay l’honneur d’estre de son excellence Le tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
Bidé DE CHAVAGNEScapne. des vaux. du roy de france.Cy devant commandant la fregatte la sensiblequi a eté 3 mois ½ a boston


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 16 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Cooper, Samuel

Dear Sir,
Passy March 16. 1780.
I received your kind Favour by Capt. Chavagnes, which I communicated to the Minister of the Marine, who was much pleased with the Character you give of the Captain. I have also yours of Nov. 12. by your Grandson, who appears a very pretty promising Lad, in whom I think you will have much Satisfaction. He is in a Boarding School just by me, and was well last Sunday, when I had the Pleasure of his Company at Dinner with Mr Adams’s Sons, & some other young Americans. He will soon acquire the Language; and if God spares his Life, may make a very serviceable Man to his Country.
It gives me infinite Satisfaction to find that with you, the wisest and best among our People are so hearty in endeavouring to strengthen the Alliance. We certainly owe much to this Nation, and we shall obtain much more, if the same prudent Conduct towards them continues. For they really and strongly wish our Prosperity, and will promote it by every means in their Power. But we should at the same time do as much as possible for ourselves, and not ride (as we say) a free horse to Death. There are some Americans returning from hence, with whom our People should be upon their Guard, as carrying with them a Spirit of Enmity to this Country. Not being liked here themselves, they dislike the People. For the same Reason indeed they ought to dislike all that know them.
With the sincerest Respect & Esteem, I am ever, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately
B Franklin
Dr. Cooper


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cyrus Griffin, 16 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Griffin, Cyrus

Sir,
Passy, March 16, 1780.
I have just received the letter you have done me the honor to write to me, and shall immediately deliver the packet it recommends to my care. I will take the first opportunity of mentioning to Mr. Gerard what you hint, relative to our not entertaining strangers so frequently and liberally, as is the custom in France. But he has travelled in Europe, and knows that modes of nations differ. The French are convivial, live much at one another’s tables, and are glad to feast travellers. In Italy and Spain a stranger, however recommended, rarely dines at the house of any gentleman, but lives at his inn. The Americans hold a medium.
I have the honor to be, &c.
B. Franklin.
To C. Griffin, Esq.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 16 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hopkinson, Francis

Dear Sir,
Passy, March 16, 1780.
I thank you for your political Squibs, they are well made. I am glad to find you have such plenty of good powder.
You propose that Kill-pig, the butcher, should operate upon himself. You will find some thoughts on that subject in a little piece called “A merry Song about Murder,” in a London newspaper I send herewith.

The greatest discovery made in Europe for some time past is that of Dr. Ingenhausz’s relating to the great use of the leaves of trees in producing wholesome air; I would send you his book if I had it. A new instrument is lately invented here, a kind of telescope, which by means of Iceland chrystal occasions the double appearance of an object, and the two appearances being farther distant from each other in proportion to the distance of the object from the eye, by moving an index on a graduated line till the two appearances coincide, you find on the line the real distance of the object. I am not enough master of this instrument to describe it accurately, having seen it but once; but it is very ingeniously contrived.

Remember me respectfully to your mother and sisters, and believe me ever, my dear friend, Yours most affectionately,
B. Franklin.
F. Hopkinson, Esq. Philadelphia.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 March 1780
From: Digges, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr. Sir
17 Mar 1780
This will be handed you by a Capn. Jno Snelling a native of Boston tho for many years past He has been employd in the Streights Trade to & from London. He is well recommended to Me as an honest Amn. meaning to push out to his Home thro France, & as he wishes to take yr. advice about proceeding to Nantes &ca. I have given him a seperate introductory line to you.— He knows nothing of former plans. Since Capt C——r left me, I have wrote you a few lines by post the 7th & 10th Ints. and am in dayly expectations of Capt C——rs return; His Employer Mr. M——ll is gone to Ireland & has done nothing. As far as I have recommended the granting some late favors from You, I have not the least doubt the transactions are bona fide intended for the purposes mentiond—ie getting home property. I dont mean by saying this, that some of the partys did not carry more than they had property to purchase. In the two instances wch. I lately recommend they were various persons (every one natives & Citizens of A——a) concernd. I would not on any accot be aiding to any other set of Men to obtain similar advantages for illicit trade. I never had, nor ever shall have, (without I am reducd to such necessity for getting out myself) the least concern directly or indirectly in these adventures, but meerly recommended them to benefit some deserving A——ns who could not easily get out other ways, & from thinking such measures rather beneficial than other ways to my Country. They were people whom I had proofs were honest, & having a few hundreds of their own got credit for a few hundds more, & so pushd out four or five in a Ship. Mr. L——th of Bale. was an exception to this he came purposely to Europe to recover a debt of upwds. of 3,000£ due his Father— He got it & carryd out double that sum from having an extensive Credit. You know the circumstances of the last recommendations; If it succeeds there will go two or three honest men out with Capt. C——r, & these will be all that I know any thing of, for I beleive there will be then left here none others who deserve such oppertunitys.
I hope the box of books forwarded abot a fortnight ago has got safe. They were seemingly well packd & forwarded to order. An acquaintance Snor Ma——ll——n took that oppertunity of forwarding to you a brown paper parcel wch. also containd books.
If you have not already done it please to ansr. my letter of the 7th Int. on the subject of the Bills of Exa. as I want to know whether or not they are good before I forward them on. A line by Common post to Mr Wm. S. C——h (as you once before directed or if under cover to Mr. H——gs——n) will oblige me. Their tenor & dates are as follow

No.
  25
  —23d Feb’79
  a first bill to Jona Warner Esqr. 30 Dollars Countersignd Nichs. Gilman for New Hampshire

  No
  26
  —do—
  Do— to Do.— 30 D—

  No
  27
  —do—
  second bill to Do— 30— Do

  No
  166
  15 Feby. 79
  second bill to Do.—24 Counterd Natl Appleton Massachuts

  No.
  173.
  23d Febr 79—
  first bill to Petr. Boilston Adams 24 Dolls—Do—Do—

138 Dollars

I wish to know if these bills are good or not as they are left with me by a poor man for that purpose.
Nothing new since the Cartel saild the 5 relative to the Prisoners there are 86 left at Plyo. 68 of whom have pardons ready agt. the return of the Ship to that place & by that time the pardons for the 18 others (among whom Capt M——y is one) will be forwarded down.
I have nothing yet decided abot. the medal for the Duke de Croy my friends Mr. Jones is on a circuit & Mr Paradise is sick & has no ansr. since the affair was stated to Mr Banks.
Those Gent. who came over on Parole in the two last Cartels seem quite easy under their breach of that parole, & seemingly now give themselves not the least trouble about procuring or abiding by the terms of their agreement. It is singular with what ease & facility an Englishman can break his parole to Americans, & how lavish they are of the words scoundrells & villains, when there is the least appearance (wch I beleive there never has been) of Americans doing the like by them. Surely those lately returnd parole Prisors., 139 in numr., should be in some measure calld upon to abide By their parole Agreement, wch was a written one & cannot be misunderstood; I think the mode of requiring by publick advertisement, the People so releasd, to render themselves to you accordingly, would not be an improper one. The two Capns of the Packets (the Kings Officers) and the Mr. Barry a Secy to Govr. Dalling are long since returnd to their occupations the latter gone to Jama. & the two Capns. got other packets for that station. Should the Yankies once more take them, I think their chance would be but a shabby one. I am on all occasions Yr. very Affect & obt Servt.
P. Drouillard

If you can with propriety oblige me in procuring a French Passport for Mr. Wm. Burn of Lisbon, now on a tour in Italy, & who wishes to see some parts of France & Paris, meerly as a Traveller; It woud be a very singular obligation to Him & me. He does not want to go to any Sea Ports, or where he may be suspected, but, I beleive, meerly the common route from Turin to Paris or any other capital Town worth visiting. The Pass to be inclosd in a letter to Him, and put under Cover A Messrs. Messrs. Freres Aubert Tollot & Co. Turin, where Mr. Burn will be in the course of a fortnight or 3 weeks.

Mr. Burn is a principal in the House of Messrs. Burn & Sons at Lisbon, & is taking that tour meerly for his pleasure. He is a very worthy man whom I intimately know. He has done much business with Messrs. Willing & Morris, Cunningham & Nesbin, J Wharton, and others of the principal people in Phia & other parts of Ama.— Is a good friend to the cause of that Country & the only house in Lisbon whh. has, since the disputes, openly acted in favour of Ama. In one instance, to my solicitation, He sent some Cargoes of salt at the period it was most essentially requisite. He will be on any other occasions servicable to Us, and as He deserves much from me & my Country, I have not only askd this favour of you but given him a seperate line of introduction should he obtain his wish of being permitted as an Englishman to visit Paris. If such pass can be got, I should be obligd to you to forward it on as soon as is convenient by Post as his stay in Turin will not be very Long. The House of Messrs. Burn & Sons is a well establishd & very substancial one in Lisbon; should you or any friend want to make use of one in that place I know of none more fit.
Please to forward the inclosd to Capn. H——ns, as it may be very satisfactory to him to hear What has been transacted since his departure & that his baggage is all arrivd safe at ostend.
Since writing the inclosd, Mr Paradise has been with me; He says Mr. Banks on receiving the paragraph of yr. Letter relative to a medal being given to the Duke de Croy, said He could not possibly recommend the giving one to that Gentn., as it would lead to a variety of similar requests &ca. Mr. B—— read to Mr. Paradise a letter wch I am to receive in a day or two & forward to you. He has couchd it in very handsome & liberal terms to you, & speaks properly of the Congress, but persists in his old opinion that a gold medal cannot be given to that body without additional proofs, that it was by their order or Recommendation that orders were given to the American Cruisers to shew favor to Cap Cook &ca &ca. You will be a better judge when you receive Mr Banks’s Letter which I hope will be in a few days, if not by this conveyance.

Addressed: Monsieur Monsieur / B. F——n / Passy
Endorsed: March 17. 80
Notation: Mar 17. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 17 March 1780
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Lahaie 17 Mars 1780
Je n’ai qu’un instant pour profiter de l’occasion d’un Exprès que Mr. Gillon envoie à Paris, & vous envoyer la belle & rare copie de l’Acte original de l’Union d’Utrecht, dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler à Paris que je le destinois pour les Archives du Congrès, auquel je serois bien aise qu’il pût parvenir promptement mais sans trop risquer: car il est très-difficile de se procurer des copies de cela, ayant été imprimées aux dépens de L.H.P., qui n’en ont fait la distribution qu’entre eux.
Les épreuves de caracteres m’ont été remis pour vous par Mr. Enschédé.
Les deux Dialogues socratiques Sophyle, & Aristée sont de la façon d’un de mes Amis; j’en suis l’Editeur; & j’espere qu’ils vous plairont.
I 475. 621. 873. 134. 610. 193. 17. & I 942. 807. 470. if I can. My 1st. Letter will tell you more of it.

Je suis avec un très respectueux attachement Monsieur Votre très humble & très obéissant serviteur
Dumas

P.S. Ayant su de Mr. Gillon, que Mr. Jones va partir incessamment de l’Orient pour l’Amérique avec l’Alliance, je prends le parti de charger ce même Exprès d’un paquet que je vous prie de faire passer à Mr. Jones: C’est un de mes paquets pour le Congrès.
Passy à S. E. Mr. Franklin

Notation: Dumas la haie, March, 17. 80


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 18 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jones, John Paul

Dear Sir,
Passy Mar 18. 1780.
I received your Letter relating to the Bullets of the Engineer in Denmark, and shall write thither accordingly. I have also just received yours of the 13th. Mr Ross writes to me, that he finds a Difficulty in passing the Goods to you, from l’Isle Noirmoutier. I do therefore now desire you, if practicable, to call at or off that Island, in order to take them on board; their speedy and safe Arrival in America being of the greatest Consequence to the Army.
I have sent my Dispatches by Mr Wharton, who set off Yesterday Morning. When they arrive, and you have got the Cloth on board, I know of nothing to retard your proceeding directly to such Port in North America, as you shall judge most likely to be reached with safety. If in other Respects equal, Philadelphia is to be preferr’d.
I wish the Prize Money due to your People could be paid before they go. I have spoken often about it. As to the Prizes sent in to Norway, you know they were deliver’d back to the English by the Court of Denmark. I have reclaim’d them by a strong Memorial, but have yet received no Answer, and it is doubted whether we shall recover any thing, unless by Letters of Marque and Reprisal from the Congress, against the Subjects of that Kingdom, which perhaps in the present Circumstances, it may not be thought proper soon to grant. The Ship of War that you took, are I hear to be valued, the King intending to purchase them. And the Muster Roll of the Bonhomme Richard is wanting, in order to regulate the Proportions to each Ship. These Things may take Time: I have considered that the People of the Bonhomme, may want some little Supplies for the Voyage; and therefore if these Proportions should not be regulated and paid before you sail, and you find it necessary, you may draw on me as far as, twenty four thousand Livres, to advance to them for which they are to be accountable; but do not exceed that Sum. I do this to prevent as much as in me lies, the bad Effects of any uneasiness among them; for I suppose that regularly all Payments to Seamen should be made at home.
A grand Convoy I understand sails from Brest about the End of this Month or Beginning of the next. It is of great Importance to the United States, that not only the Alliance, but the Merchant men that may sail under her Convoy, should safely arrive there. If it will be convenient and practicable for you to join that Convoy, and sail with it ’till off the Coast, I wish it may be done. But leave it to your Discretion and Judgment. I have no farther Instructions to give, but committing you to the Protection of Providence, I wish you a prosperous Voyage, & a happy Sight of your Friends in America, being with great Esteem & Regard, Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
W. T. Franklin for B. Franklin
Honble Comme. Jones.

Endorsed: From his Excellency Dr. Franklin Passy March 18th 1780—No. 20.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 19 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bondfield, John

Sir,
Passy, March. 19. 1780.
I received yours offering the Govr. Livingston and mary fearon for the service of the United States. Understanding little about shipping, I leave those Matters to Mr. de Chaumont and Mr. Williams. I have spoken to the former, and given him your letter. He is gone to Versailles to Day, where some Points are to be considered relating to The transport of the Goods, and he will be able to give you an Answer to morrow.
I have the honour to be &c.
Mr. Bondfield


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, [19 March 1780]
From: Alexander, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear sir
[March 19, 1780]
I send you adjoined the Certificate you desire, and am perfectly convinc’d from Conversations I have since had with Mr. Pultney that no body was authorised to hold the Language which has been imputed to him on that Subject; and I have a high Opinion of his Candour and Worth. I know it must be painful to him, to be brought into question in Matters of fact with Persons he esteems. I could wish that this Matter may receive no farther Publicity than what is necessary for your Justification.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Reed: Three Letters, 19 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Reed, Joseph

I.
Sir,
Passy Mar. 19. 1780.
I have just received the Pamphlet you did me the Honour to send me, by Monsr Gerard, and have read it with Pleasure, not only as the clear State of Facts, do you Honour, but as they prove the Falsehood of a Man, who also shewed no regard to Truth in what he said of me, viz. that I approved of the Propositions he carry’d over. The Truth is that his Brother Mr Poultney came here with those Propositions & communicated them to me, after stipulating that if I did not approve of them, I should not speak of them to any Person. I told him frankly, on his desiring to know my Sentiments that I DID NOT approve of them, and that I was sure they WOULD NOT be accepted in America. But, says I, there are two other Commissioners here, I will if you please, shew your Propositions to them, and you will hear their Opinion. I will also shew them to the Ministry here, without whose Knowledge & Concurrence, we can take no Step in such Affairs. No, says he; as you do not approve of them, it can answer no Purpose to show them to any body else; the Reasons that weigh with you will also weigh with them: therefore I now pray that no mention may be made of my having been here, or my Business. To this I agreed; and therefore nothing could be more astonishing to me than to see in an American News Paper that direct Lye in a Letter from Mr Johnstone joined with two other Falshoods, relating to the Time of the Treaty, and to the Opinion of Spain. In Proof of the above I inclose a Certificate, of a Friend of Mr. Pultney’s, the only Person present at our Interview; & do it the rather at this time, because I am informed that another Calumniator (the same who formerly in his private Letters to particular Members, accused you with Messrs. Jay, Duane, Langdon & Harrison of betraying the Secrets of Congress, in a Correspondence with the Ministry) has made this Transaction with Mr Pultney, an Article of Accusation against me, as having approved those Propositions. He proposes, I understand to settle in your Government. I caution you to beware of him; for in sowing Suspicions and Jealousies, in creating Misunderstandings and Quarrels among Friends, in Malice, Subtility & indefatigable Industry, he has I think no Equal.
I am glad to see that you continue to preside in our new State, as it shows that your publick Conduct is approved by the People. You have had a difficult Time, which required abundance of Prudence; and you have been equal to the Occasion. The Disputes about the Constitution seem to have subsided. It is much admired here and all over Europe, and will draw over many Families of Fortune, to settle under it as soon as there is a Peace. The Defects that may on seven Years Trial be found in it, can be amended, when the Time comes for considering them.—
With great and sincere Esteem & Respect, I have the honour to be, Your Excellency’s, most obedient & most humble Servant.
B Franklin
His Exy. Jos. Reed Esqre.

Notations in different hands: Dr. Franklins Letter May 19. 1780 / Passy.

II.
Sir
Passy, Mar 19. 1780.
I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance and Civilities, Monsr le Chevalier De Chastellux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known & esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick Happiness shews him the Friend to Mankind, and as such intitles him wherever he goes, to their Respect and good Offices. He is particularly a Friend to our Cause & I am sure your Excellency will have great Pleasure in his Conversation.
With great Esteem & Respect
His Ex. Jos. Read Eq. Prest. of Penna

Notations in different hands: Dr. Franklin Passy. May 19. 1780 / Introducing Marquis De Chastellux

III.
Sir,
Passy, March 19. 1780.
The Chevalier D’Oyré Captain in the Royal Corps of Engineers, being about to embark with The Troops for America, and as possibly the Operations of War may lead or Permit him to visit Philadelphia, I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s Civilities as a Gentleman of Excellent Character in this Country, and a friend of our Cause. With the highest Esteem and Respect, I have the honour to be, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant.
His Excelly. Joseph Reed Esq. President of the state of Penn.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 19 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Ross, John

Dear Sir,
Passy, March 19. 1780.
I received yours (without Date) in which you mention a Desire that the alliance could come off Nourmautier to take in the Cloth. I have written to Captain Jones to do it if practicable. Perhaps the Mary fearon or Govr. Livingston or both may be taken up for the Publick service. I shall know to morrow, and if so shall write to you to ship the other Things in those Vessels. The Money is impossible. I am with much Esteem, Dear sir, &c.
Mr. Ross.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 19 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

I.
Sir,
Passy Mar 19th. 1780.
I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance & Civilities, Monsr. le Chevalier De Chastelleux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known and esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick Happiness shews him the Friend to Mankind, and as such intitles him wherever he goes to their Respect & good Offices. He is particularly a Friend to our Cause, and I am sure your Excellency will have great Pleasure in his Conversation.
I have the honour to be, with great Respect Your Excellency’s most obedt & most humble Servant
B Franklin
His Ex. Genl. Washington.

Endorsed: His Excelly. B. Franklin Minr Plenipoty. 19th. Mar 1780

II.
Sir
Passy, March 19. 1780
Count Christian and Count William de Deux Ponts Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of that Name are now about to embark for America. As Possibly they may before their Return visit your Army, I beg leave to introduce them to your Excellency and to Recommend them to your Civilities as young Gentlemen well known to me, of Excellent Character and zealous Friends to our Cause and Country, With the highest Esteem and Respect, I have the honour to be, Your Excellency’s &c.
Gen. Washington, and the same for Prisidend Reed.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Ross et al., 19 March 1780
From: Ross, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Lorient Marh. 19th 1780
The Humble Petition of three Men late belonging to the Continential Ship Reprisal Lambert Weeks Esqr. Commr. Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioners has just arrived from Mill Prison in Plymo. being Exchanged in the Adventure Carteel upon our Arrival at Morlaix we received thirty two Livres to bear our Expences to Lorient and now we are arrived here we are destitute of money & Cloaths.
And now Sir to Convince You we have Prize Money and Wages due to us for several Cruizes I shall now relate to your Excellency the Number of Prizes we have assisted to take in the said Ship—
In the first Place we all Entered in the Reprisal in the Month of April 1776 at Philadelphia we lay at Cape May and thereabouts for the Space of two months then we Carried Mr. Byngham to Martinica where we had an Engagement with the Shark Sloop of War upon our Passage to Martinica we took three Prizes and they arrived safe at Philadelphia for those Prizes I dont Expect to receive any Money in France, from Martinica we then returned to Philadelphia again and in the Month of September 1776 we sailed for France with your Excellency on board said Ship on our Passage we took two prizes and Carried them into Quibberoon Bay where your Excellency Landed from thence we went to Nantz and refitted our Ship and Cruized off the Land’s End of England and took three Briggs a Ship and the Swallow Packett which we fought for all those arrived safe at Lorient here we cleaned our Ship and sailed to Nantz and joined Company with the Brige. Lexington Henry Johnson Esqr. Commander also the Dolphin Cutter——— Nicholson Esqr. Commander after making up the Squadron we all sailed together to Cruize in St. Georges Channell where we took several Prizes in one of those Prizes taken by the fleet we your Petitioners were put on board the Prize John and Thomas the 21st. June 1777 and was retaken 29th of the same Month nigh to the Penmarks on the Coast of France by the Hawk Letter of Mark Capt. Gribble Commander Mr. Thos Norwood was our Prize Master who made his Escape with several others from Prison Saml. Ross Prize Master’s Mate Thos. Dwyer and Joseph McMullen Mariners there were ten in Number of us some entered on board an English Man of War some ran away from Prison and there is but us three Vizt. Saml. Ross Thos. Dwyer and Joseph MacMullen the latter is quite deaf occasioned by sickness in the Prison where we were Confined two years eight Months and upwards.

I have been informed by one of my Acquaintance that came from Philadelphia lately that one of the Reprisal’s Crew that was retaken in a Prize and Carried to Forton Prison and made his Escape from thence and got to Philadelphia he petitiond to the Congress for his Prize Money that the Prizes were sold for in France and he Received for Answer he must apply to his Excellency Doctr. Franklin in France where the Prizes were condemned.
I was informed that Mr. Gour Lattee was Agent for the five Prizes brought into Lorient and inquiring for him I found his Cheif Clark and he told me that the whole of the Business was put into Mr. Morris’s Hands at Nantz. Now that your Excellency would be pleased to Order the Agent to pay us our Prize Money that is due to us for the Prizes sold in France and render us an Account of what we have and what we are to Receive in France to satisfy the Agents at Philadelphia.
And that you would take this Matter into your Consideration is the earnest Desire of your most Humble Servants
Samuel RossThomas Dwyer X HIS MarkJosh. McMullen X HIS Mark

Notation: Petition of three Men belonging to Capt. Weeks L’Orient March 19. 80


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Leonard Lafitte, 20 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lafitte, Leonard

sir,
Passy 20. mar. 1780.
I received The Letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 11th. Instant. The loan office Bills of which you send me a List, have not as yet been presented for acceptation, when they appear, I Shall give particular attention to the Indorsements in order to prevent their being paid if they should not have come through the proper Channel.

My Grandson is very sensible of your kind Remembrance of him and desires me to present you his respectful compliments.
With great Esteem I have the honour to be &c.
Mr. Lafitte Negt. Bordeaux.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 20 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sartine, Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de

sir,
Passy, March 20th. 1780.
In compliance with your Excellency’s Opinion, express’d in the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 14th. of October last, that I should send for Capt. Landais to Paris, to give an account of his Conduct respecting the late Engagement with the Serapis, where in it had appear’d to your Excellency, “that if the Frigate Alliance which he commanded had seconded the Bonhomme Richard by engaging at the same time, the Advantage gaind by Commodore Jones would have been sooner obtain’d, have cost fewer lives, and not have left the Bonhomme Richard in such a Condition, as to sink in 36. Hours after the Combat”: I immediately wrote to the Said Capt Landais, acquainting him with that and other Charges against him, and directing him to render himself here, and to bring with him such Evidence as he could obtain and should think proper for his Justification: and I wrote at the same time to the Commodore acquainting him with this step, and directing him to send me the Evidence he had, to support the Charges against Captain Landais contain’d in his Letters. Capt. Landais who had also himself desired of me to order an Enquiry, was necessarily detain’d some time after in Holland, Sundry Accidents such as the Delay of Commodore Jones’s expected Proofs, and the indisposition at different Times of my Self and Capt Landais, have drawn the Enquiry to a Length unexpected; and after all, I find so much Contradiction in the Declarations of the Parties, and the written Evidence adduc’d in support of them; and such an Insufficiency of marine knowledge in my self, when all the Possibilities are to be considered of this or that Manœuvre of a Ship under the various Circumstances of Wind, Tide and situation; that I cannot presume, even if I had authority for so doing, to condemn the Conduct of Captain Landais, or to advise the Congress to cross his Name from the List of their Sea Officers. His regular Trial will be before a Court Martial consisting of a competent Number of Such officers, which can only be found in America; and to that I must therefore refer him. That Court will judge how far he is chargeable with Disobedience to orders, Delay in coming to the assistance of the Commodore, or Neglect of taking the Merchant Ships. I will only venture to give your Excellency one Opinion of mine in his favour, that his firing into that ship instead of the Serapis, if that fact should be found clear, could never have been the Effect of Design, but merely from accident occasioned by the Night, or the natural spreading of Shot. For tho’ it appear’d in the Course of the Enquiry; that a mortal Quarrel had arisen during the Cruise between the Commodore and him, Human Nature is not yet so depraved, as to hazard the killing of many, for the Chance of hurting one; nor is it probable that if Captain Landais had given such Orders, his People would have obey’d them.— All I can farther do, is to transmit to Congress Copies of the Minutes of the Enquiry; with the Papers produc’d, and to leave Capt. Landais at Liberty to return to America in order to a Trial. The Enquiry, imperfect as it is, has however had one good Effect, the preventing a Duel in Holland between those Officers, which might have proved fatal to one or both of them, and would at best have occasion much inconvenient Rumour, Scandal, Dispute and Dissention prejudicial to our Affaires. With the greatest Respect I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Excellencys, most obedient and most humble servant
B Franklin

I have found your Character of Landais very just une bien mauvaise tête.M. de Sartine.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, 20 March 1780
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
on Board the hermione 20h March 1780
We are Again Going to Sail, But no News about our cloathing— What is Become of it, I Cannot Guess, and am extremely sorry that they are not Arriv’d— I hope the Whole will be soon Sent to America, and this intelligence will I dare Say Be very Agreable to the Army.
In Wishing You A Good health, and the accomplishment of any thing You May desire, in Wishing for Myself the Continuation of Your Much esteem’d frienship, I have the honor to be with the Most perfect Respect and tendrness Your affectionate
Lafayette
I Beg You Will present My Compliments to Yr Grand Son and mr de Chaumont.

Notation: Marqs. La Fayette 20 mar 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 21 March 1780
From: Holker, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Rouen 21 of March 1780
I did not faill Informing my Self of the Preseis of laid as Sould in this Marquit which youl find here inclosed, which my friend Garvey Sends me, and I know no one more Capable of making the Purchas as he chifly buys all with Redy mony, having a Considerable Capital in hand, & In caise you send me any further orders on this head I certinly shall apploy to him, who I am sure will serve you to the outmost of his pouar. My wife I found much better, and She mends apease by my presence &c we bouth desire and wish to see you here. No one Living woud be More wellcom or doe us more pleaseure, so See and make a trip here with Our friend Mr. Choment this Summer & wee shall strive to make you happey. I ever am Dear Sir your most Obedt & very humble servt
J Holker


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 23 March 1780
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured & Dear Sir
at the Hague 23 Mar. 1780.
Mr. Gillon will bring or forward you two packets; in one of which is the rare, elegant & authentic copy of the Utrecht Union, destined for the records of Congress, with some philosophic books for your entertainment. The other is for Captain Jones, & contains a packet for the honourable Robt. Morris, which I beg the favour to be forwarded before the sailing of the Alliance. If Mr. Gillon himself, or his man, will go there. This would be a good occasion.
I must beg another favour of yr. Excy. Viz. to let me know, as soon as possible, if You have received, in a Letter from me dated febr. 25, another Letter of mine for Mr. Carmichael, & what is become of it; has it been sent away to Madrid. I am extremely uneasy on account of this Letter, & Shall be so till I receive your Answer.
153. 17. 134. is to 135. the 812. 873. 433.

I am with great respect, Honored & dear Sir your most obedient & humble servant
Dumas

Addressed: His Excellency / B. Franklin, Esqr., / Min. Plenipe. of the / United States, &c. / Passy./.
Notation: Dumas, la haie March 23. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from François-Marie d’Angelÿ and Other Commission Seekers, 25 March 1780
From: Angély, François-Marie d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

As Rochambeau’s army was gathering at Brest in the spring of 1780, Franklin received several letters from officers seeking to join “Washington’s army.” D’Angelÿ (d’Angély), whose letter is printed below, wants permission to raise light infantry and cavalry troops in America to complete General Washington’s army.
De Flaghac, writing from Strasbourg on March 26, is a captain in the dragoons but without appointment. He has asked Montbarey for a three year leave and permission to join “Wagginston’s” army. He would prefer the rank he has in France but if necessary will serve as a volunteer. He asks Franklin’s help in obtaining a favorable reception. He does not flee a failed business, nor does he go for his own advantage; he is motivated by honor and a desire for instruction. He is writing to Sartine for passage but will even take a merchant ship, French or Dutch. The slightest delay is contrary to his desire to make the most of this very interesting campaign.
Three days later Captain baron de Gaisberg and Lieutenant Ferdinand de Stahel write from Baborz, near Mohács, Hungary. There they serve the Empress Queen in a regiment of light cavalry, but yearn for the liberty only partially present in their native country and look to America whose promise of happiness for the many includes the prospect of military advancement, which the peace at home has closed to them. They ask Franklin to secure for them positions in the army and they enclose a letter to Washington. Gaisberg, twenty-eight, is from a distinguished family but is a younger brother. Stahel is a young man and during a stay in Paris met Sainte-Foy, who will surely give His Excellency the necessary information.
On April 15 the chevalier de Baillivy writes from Paris to request a meeting for himself and his brother, both about thirty years old. They have served in France thirteen or fourteen years and have good certificates. He mentions briefly a plan to go to the United Colony to obtain employment.
The sieur de Pommereuille is more specific about de Baillivy’s plan. He writes in English from Paris on May 18, apologizing for not having made use of the permission Franklin gave him last year to call on him. He asks for a letter to John Paul Jones recommending de Baillivy, “an ancient disbanded muskeeteer without the least fortune,” of noble extraction, and with a highly favorable certificate from the Earl of Montboissier, his former commander. De Baillivy wishes to accompany Mr. Jones, regardless of rank, provided he be employed.

M. Nartus writes from the Hôtel de Toulouse in Paris on May 17 to inquire about M. Pommier de L’Etang. Enchanted with Pommier’s stories of the sea and his country, Nartus resolved, perhaps precipitously, to quit a station for which he felt no strong disposition, and to follow Pommier. Nartus has quarrelled with his family over the haste of his actions, and so asks Franklin to help him with his goal of serving in the United States.
M. Duclos, retired after fifty-seven years in the Light Cavalry of the King’s Guard as first maréchal des logis and mestre de camp, writes from Corbeny near Laon on May 24. He recommends for service in the American army his relative Davesne, twenty-nine years old, réformé from the same company. Davesne “est de la plus belle figure possible, et a De Lesprist beaucoup.” Franklin “peut sans faire informé a Monsieur de Mongardé,” major of the company, who will surely recommend him too.
Writing from Buda (Budapest), on June 7, Baron Janus Zreny would also like to serve in America, preferably as an officer. He claims no military experience but encloses six pages of his reflections on the likelihood of America’s winning the war and his advice for a political and military victory. He speaks French, German, Latin, Italian, Polish; he will quickly learn English as he has some knowledge of it already. If Franklin judges him capable of an officer’s rank, he is to write “au plus vite” care of the abbé Zinner, préfêt at the Académie royale thérésienne in Vienna.
Closer to home two gardes du corps of the comte d’Artois write from Versailles on June 13. De Potot and Desgrange, currently in the service of His Royal Highness, ask Franklin to recommend them to Congress for military service as lieutenants, the rank they have enjoyed for five years. Since their only desire, however, is to be of service to the allies of their august sovereign and to acquire experience in the military art, they will gladly accept whatever employment is judged suitable. They do require an advance for their travel costs or at least the promise of a reimbursement. They will produce certificates from their commanders and obtain leaves of absence.

Monsieur
Paris ce 25e Mars 1780
Si j’eusse cru qu’il me fallut des protections pour parvenir jusqu’a Votre Excellence, j’en aurois eu certainement. Je me presente a vous avec confiance pour offrir mes services aux etats unis d’amerique; les circonstances reveillent un desir que j’ay formé depuis le commencement de la guerre et je desire que vos vues puissent favoriser mon zele.
Je Suis entré en 1755 officier au service du Roy de Prusse en 57 J’etois Capitaine d’un Bataillon d’Infanterie de troupes legeres; J’ay fait toute la guerre en cette qualité, et quoyque j’eusse alors peu de theorie de mon metier, je passois pour un bon officier. Le prince d’anhalt Bernbûrg avec qui j’etois fort lié m’engagea vers la fin de 1761 a passer avec luy en Dannemarc ou il etoit general Major. Je fus fait Chef d’escadron et Major d’un Regiment de hussards qui fut levé cette meme année. Cinq ans aprés, Mr de St germain trouvant la Cavallerie danoise trop pesante me tira du Regiment ou j’etois pour me mettre dans la meme qualité dans le Regiment Royal Cuirassiers afin d’introduire dans ce Regiment des evolutions plus souples et plus legeres. En 1769 l’Imperatrice de Russie ayant demandé au Roy de Dannemarc quelques officiers qui eussent fait la guerre, le Roy me mit du nombre des volontaires qui luy furent envoyés. Ayant appris la langue du pays a mon arrivée a l’armée Russe, je fus fait le 1er Janvier 1770 Lieutenant Colonel du Regiment de siberie Carabiniers. On detacha a l’entrée de la Campagne un escadron de chaque Regiment de Cavallerie de l’armée dont on me confia le Commandement et je me trouvai avec 12 escadrons de 175 hommes chacun a l’avant garde de l’armée, sous les ordres du general Bauer. Le bonheur suivit si bien mes entreprises, que l’Imperatrice crut faire une bonne acquisition en m’attachant entierement a son service, elle me decora elle meme de l’ordre Militaire, elle m’offrit un Regiment de Carabiniers, une terre en livonie, une place de page pour mon fils qui n’avoit encore que neuf ans, et une somme d’argent Considerable pour amener ma femme et mon fils en Russie: Je ne pus accepter ces propositions qu’après avoir été en Dannemarc prendre le consentement du Roy, il me l’accorda avec des marques de sa satisfaction. Je revins en Russie, j’entrai en possession de ce qui m’avoit eté promis, et je fis de mon mieux pour meriter l’opinion qu’on avoit conçue de moy.
J’etois commandant d’une partie des nouvelles acquisitions de l’Imperatrice dans la Lithuanie, lorsqu’on m’y amena les officiers françois faits prisoniers a Cracovie. Les services que je leur rendis exciterent la reconnoissance du Cardinal de Rohan alors ambassadeur de france a Vienne. Ce prince me flata de l’espoir de jouir en france d’un sort heureux. J’avois besoin de prendre des bains pour me refaire des blessures et des fatigues de la guerre, j’en obtins la permission, j’eus l’imprudence d’aller a Vienne et a Paris pour m’assurer du sort que je pouvois esperer en françe en quittant la Russie. La somme que j’avois pretée aux officiers français m’ayant été adressée a Petersburg par le Cardinal de Rohan a Mr frederichs Banquier de la Cour, celuyci en fit part a l’Imperatrice: elle conçut des soupçons sur ma fidelité, et a mon retour en Russie je fus arrêté et mis en prison: après deux mois de detention, tous mes papiers ayant prouvé mon innocence; mais démontré en meme temps les vues que j’avois de rentrer en france, l’Imperatrice me depouilla de tout ce que je possedois, et je me trouvai après avoir perdu 70 mille livres de rente, sans autre ressource que celle que j’avois lieu d’attendre des bienfaits de la france. Elle m’a accordé un brevet de Colonel qui ne m’attache a rien et ne me donne aucune existence, avec une pension de 5000 l.t.; et Votre Excellence verra la verité de ce que viens de luy dire par la lettre de Mr le Mal. du Muy et par le brevet ci joints.
N’ayant malgré les promesses du Roy aucune esperance de pouvoir etre employé dans ma patrie et ne pouvant supporter l’inaction dans laquelle je suis forçé de vivre Je desire servir ses alliés, et etre utile a la Cause commune. Vingt ans d’un service continuel, deux guerres difficilles dans lesquelles j’ay eu quelque sucçés me donnent l’esperance d’en avoir encore d’autres. Je suis fort et robuste, Je possede parfaitement l’allemand, passablement l’anglois, et si j’obtenois la permission de lever en Amerique un Corps de troupes legeres, moitié a Cheval et moitié a pied, espece de troupes qui manque je crois a l’armée du general Washington, j’oserois me flater d’etre utile a son armée. Je ne marchande point sur le grade, le titre sous lequel je pourrois remplir les objets, que l’ignorance des circonstances et des lieux ne peut que me faire entrevoir, m’est parfaitement indifferent. Si Votre Excellence daigne accueillir mon zele, je la suplie de ne point s’en rapporter a moy sur les services que je suis en etat de rendre et je luy demande la faveur de permettre a Mr le Baron de Viomenil d’aller luy parler de moy. Je prens sur moy d’obtenir la permission de la cour de france de passer en Amerique, je ne demande que votre protection pour ne point aller dans ce paÿs la comme un homme sans aveu; mais soit que Votre Excellence accepte ou refuse mes offres, je la supplie de m’accorder un instant d’audience.
Je Suis avec Respect Monsieur de Votre Excellence Le tres humble et tres obeissent Serviteur
D’angelÿ

Notation: D’angely Paris ce 25 mars 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 March 1780
From: Bache, Benjamin Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Mon cher bon papa
Geneve ce 25 Mars 1780
Je vous avouë qu’il y a Longtemps, que je ne vous ai écrit, Mais il y a encore plus longtemps, que je n’ai eu de vos nouvelles; j’aurois aimé que mon cher cousin ou mon ami Cochran m’eussent ecrit; si vos ocupations, comme je le pense, vous empechoient de le faire Monsieur Marignac et moi aurions été tres en peine, si nous n’avions pas eu de vos nouvelles par les Gazettes & par madame arthaud, à qui Madame Grand en avoit donné et chez qui je dinai lautre jour, elle me fait toujours beaucoup d’amitié ainsi que Madame Cramer, a qui j’ai les plus grandes obligations, elle me tient lieu de mère; si vous avès des nouvelles de mon cher Papa, & de ma chere mama, je vous prierois de men donner, & de les assurer, quand vous leur ecrirés de mon respect, et de toute ma reconnoissance. Je fais tous mes efforts, Mon cher bon Papa, pour vous conter [contenter?], aussi. Je sens toutes vos bontés pour moi, & je ne cesserai d’être avec gratitude et un profond respect. Votre tres humble et tres obeiant serviteur et petit fils
Benjamin F B

Notation: B.F.B. to Dr. F—Geneva March 25. ’80
A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin Ministre / Plénipotentiaire des Provinces unies de L’Amérique au près de / Sa Majesté très chrétienne / recommandé à Monsieur Grand / Banquier rüe Montmartre / A Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Condorcet, 26 March 1780
From: Condorcet, Marie-Jean-Antoine-Nicolas Caritat, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur et très illustre Confrere,
Ce 26. Mars. [1780]
Vous aviez eu la bonte de me promettre de m’envoier des lettres pour recomander a vos amis d’amérique le Prince Emmanuel de Salm. Vous m’avez oublié. Cependant il part demain et je voudrais bien avoir Les lettres ce matin.
J’ai oublié de vous parler d’un point essentiel, du cheval de monture en trouve-t-on en Amérique de bien dressés, qui soient un peu grands (le p. de Salm a près de Six pieds) et qui aient la vigueur Convenable. On disait que le general Du Coudrai avait été noié par la faute de son cheval américain.
Recevez mes excuses de la peine que je vous donne, et daignez agréer, Monsieur et très illustre Confrere, les sentimens de respect et d’attachement que je vous ai voués.
Le Mis. DE Condorcet

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 March 1780
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

This document alludes to Jonathan Williams, Jr.’s, relationships with two key figures in Franklin’s life: Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont and Edward Bancroft. All three men were involved individually and with one another in private business ventures, Williams arranging for the shipping of thousands of livres worth of assorted goods to America. But Chaumont, as becomes clear in the present letter, had now turned openly hostile to the American agent, accusing him of incompetence and intentions to mix private ventures with public business.
The reasons for this hostility seem to go beyond the men’s rivalry for control of the Congressional order for supplies, evident in our published documents. They were also in competition over private business. A French merchant reported that Chaumont was piqued with the maison Williams for charging him such steep commissions. Besides, sniped the writer, Williams had generally fallen out of favor as a result of his marriage, which was not widely approved.
Williams knew that Chaumont suspected him of increasing his own profits at the Frenchman’s expense. But, as he told Bancroft, he charged Chaumont less than his usual commission: 7½ instead of 10 per cent. For Bancroft, however, he charged a token 1 per cent for the shipment of two particular trunks.
At a moment when cargo space was at a premium, Williams and Bancroft had initially arranged for these trunks to sail with the military supplies. One of them was to go with Lafayette and the second with John Paul Jones on the Alliance. Their contents? Jewelry, gold and silver lace, black and white silk lace, thread lace, silk stockings, ruffles, embroidered buttons, silk handkerchiefs, and gloves, worth 22,225 l.t. 15 s., in the first case, and 23,535 l.t. 12 s. in the second. Bancroft consigned both trunks to Jean Holker in Philadelphia, with strict instructions to sell them only when conditions favored making a substantial profit and to keep the entire operation absolutely confidential: some people might be malevolent, others might be jealous.
The shipping plans soon changed, however. Williams told Bancroft, on the same day as he wrote the present letter to Franklin, that he had arranged to freight entirely on his own a schooner which would sail under convoy of the Alliance. It would carry a variety of goods that had been waiting for safe convoy, including packages for Chaumont and Bancroft’s second trunk. Trunk No. 1 would be shipped on the King’s flûte Barbue, 20, part of de Ternay’s squadron, and de Ternay himself had agreed to take charge of the key.
Had Chaumont learned that Williams was involved in an ongoing scheme to profit by selling French luxury items in America? Was he one of those who Bancroft feared would be “malevolent”? It is possible that the Frenchman’s recent threat, which Williams related to Bancroft (see our annotation, below), is an indication that he may have at least suspected that Williams was standing to profit handsomely in ventures from which he himself was excluded, ventures of which Franklin would certainly not have approved.

Dear & honoured Sir
Nantes March 26. 1780
My last Letters to Mr de Chaumont will show you the State of affairs here. I do all that man can do but nobody can do impossibilities and I ought not to be blamed for what I can’t help. Mr de Chaumont has been a little severe with me and passed on me unjust and undeserved Reflections, but I am sure they do not come from himself so have already forgotten them. It is kind in Friends to state an accusation & give Room for exculpation, instead of drawing conclusions which must be erroneus when an accusation is False.
I am afraid my Letter to Mr Paulze has not yet been delivered, as the Farmers have ordered me to be condemned to pay all the Duties & they state as a Favour that the Goods are not seized. I have written to Mr Chaumont fully about this matter & must beg you and him to see it properly arranged, for else I must pay Duties on what the Farmers themselves if they were properly informed would not desire to receive. I have recvd Mr Bondfields Proposition but he is at present at L’orient he is expected this Evening & my next shall inform further on this Subject.— Capt Kendrick who has been long here from Prison is desirous of going to America by an Opportunity which now offers but he cant get away without his Board is paid. Mr Schweighauser has done it in part but he declines paying the whole as he says you have been informed that Capt Kendrick might have gone away before. By Capt Kendricks Representation this does not appear to be the Case, & I shall be glad if you will order the whole of his Board to be paid as other Prisoners have been. I have advanced him for all his Cloths & other supplies he being an old Acquaintance. He commanded one of the Privateers which took the two West India men that were afterwards given up to the English.
I am ever most dutifully & Affectionately Yours
Jona Williams J
Doctor Franklin
Addressed: A monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des / Etas Unis de l’Amerique / en son Hotel a Passy pres / Paris
Notation: Jona Williams May 26. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 27 March 1780
From: Mecom, Jane
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Brother
Warwick 27 March 1780
I have red yrs of Octr. 25 & rejoyce you continue in helth & have so many Comforts about you the Agreable situation of yr Dwelling, Beautifull Gardens, & yr choice of the best of company. I often form to my self an Idea of; & wish you could Injoy them hear with the same Benifit to yr Native country. You are happy in that you can never want friends go where you will, & as far as it is posable for any created being will Remain in Fashion but if the Artists that have taken yr Face have varied as much from each other as that affixed to yr Philosophacal Papers done in France some years ago from the coppy, it will apear as changeable as the moon, however if it is call’d Dr Franklin it will be revered. In my last leter I wrote to beg a couple of those Prints, or Bustos, Ither which is thought most Like you & that can be Easest or saifest conveyd. I seldom meet with any thing in the Newspapers but what is to yr honour, that of the mechanice Rust served only to make me Laugh.
I understand your Commodore Jones has been ordred to Depart out of Holland with his Effects & Fleet. I hope he got off saif. Since the Enimie have Evacuated Newport we have Injoyd. peace & quietnes as to them, but the depreciation of our curency makes grat Difeculties & it seemes they cannot be Remedied while the war Lasts.
I have sent in the French Friggett that mr Adams went in a small box of soap containing but 2 Doz I thought I could have made a little more beter but I dont think I have suckceded. I have however sent another small box down to mr williams which I intend this Leter to go with you will be a Judg which is best when you git them & if Ither will be fitt to make presents of. I hope however to make another tryal when the wether Groes warm the second box contains 2 doz & seven.
I think I am fortunate that you have rec’d so many of my Leters. I hope the soap is also got saif to you. Shall be glad to know what you think on it when you have tried it. I was obliged to manage it in some Perticulars different from Useal method for want of convenience. Shall Rejoyce if it ansures the End you wishd. to have it for. Be it as it will let me know. Remember my Love to Temple & to Benny when you write to him. I am Ever yr very affectionate and obliged sister
Jane MECOM
Addressed: Doctr Franklin / at Passy near Paris / France


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 March 1780
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & honoured Sir
Nantes March 27 1780
Mr De Chaumont has sent me Mr Bondfields Letter to you with authority to freight his Ships on the same Conditions as the King Freights which Mr Bondfield supposes to be 25 l.t. pr Ton & Insurance out & home without Premium.
As it does not appear by Mr De Chaumonts Letter that he understands more than Insurance out & that at a certain Premium I did not think myself authorized to comply with Mr Bondfields Conditions, more especialy as the Terms the King allows are so various that no precedent can be fixed. I have therefore brought him to decisive Terms & put them in form of an agreement to which you will please to give your Assent or negative. If you approve of them please to sign the Approbation at the Foot of the Agreement in order to give me proper authority to execute the Conditions.— I do not know how you could do Better & was it not for the Insurance Back I should think the terms exceeding easy, the Insurance is however the only motive these People have to enter into such an Agreement for they really do not gain by the Price of the Freight their Outfitts are so exceeding heavy.
Mr De Chaumont ordered me to send all I could to Brest but not a Waggon was to be had all being taken for the King. I have however found 50 Mules which I have sent forward with two Bales each. It is my Intention to ship in Pieces whatever may not be made up at the Time the Ships are ready.

In order to save Time for every moment is now precious I send this by the Express half the Expence of which Mr Bondfield has agreed to Pay.
Please to remember the Affair with Mr Paulze for without an Order from the Farmer I cannot get the Cloaths cleared.—
I am ever Your dutifull & Affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J
Notation: Jona Williams March 27. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Admiralty, 28 March 1780
From: Board of Admiralty
To: Franklin, Benjamin

  Board of Admiralty Philadelphia March 28th. 1780.
  Sir
By the annex’d list you will perceive the present disposition of the Continental Navy in North america. The detachment of four Ships to gaurd the Harbour of Charles Town has subjected our Coasts to the depredations of the enemys armed vessels from New York who of late have frequently appeared in our Bays and made many Captures.
For these reasons the Board think it will be necessary that the frigate Alliance should be forthwith Ordered to proceed for this port, and should any Supplys for our Navy and Army be ready in France a part may be sent in the Alliance and the residue on other armed Vessels under her Convoy.
I have the honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedt Hble servant
Fra: Lewis by order

P.S. The board woud be highly obliged to your Excelly to send them a set of drafts of the New ships in the Royal navy of France for the use of our Master Builders.—
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Gridley, 28 March 1780
From: Gridley, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Nantes 28th March 1780.
It is some time since, I requested the favour of Mr. Jona Williams to write you for an Order, Pass, or some kind of paper in my favour, to enable me to obtain a passage to America on board the Frigatte Alliance; which Mr Williams judged with me was a Necessary & regular application, but he has received no Answer.
There are other Vessells going to America, in which I can take a passage, but as I have for a long time been in a bad State of Health, I think the Alliance most to be preferr’d, as there is a Doctr. on board, which the other ships have not, & I possibly may be in great want of one, without which, I may prehaps suffer, altho I have the greatest reason to think the Sea air will be of infinite Service to me.
Mr John Williams who intended going in the Alliance, has alter’d his plan & is going to Carolina, his Birth on board her, will be therefore Vacant, and if your Excellency will do me the favour, to expedite me a paper of the kind, you will infinitely oblige him, who has the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most obedt. & Very Humble Servant
Joseph Gridley
His Excelly. Benja. Franklin Esqr.
Addressed: Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Plenipotentiary at / Passy
Notation: J. Gridley March 28. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 28 March 1780
From: Hodgson, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear sir
London 28 Mar: 1780
I wrote you on the 10th Current to which I beg to be referred— Since when I am much concerned to find that the Cartel Vessell is returned from Morlaix without a single prisoner in Exchange— I heard this from Plymo & have since been desired to go to the Sick & Hurt office who confirmed the Acc’t. They appear to be very much disgusted at the proceeding & say it is a breach of Faith— It was out of my Power to give any other Answer than a general one— that I imagined it was some mistake or neglect of office that I was firmly persuaded it was not your Intention, or consistent with your Character to deceive, the French Commissary of Marine at Morlaix gave the master of the Vessell a Certificate purporting that he had Rec’d 100 American Prisoners, but that he had no English prisoners in his power to return but that an Acct shou’d be kept with Monsr de sartine qui en avoit Conferre avec Mr Franklin— Those are the words. I hope Sr you will furnish me with such an explantion of this Affair as shall be satisfactory and expedite future exchanges at present untill the Affair is cleared up all further progress in this business must be put a Stop to— I am with great Respect Dr sir your most obedt sert
William Hodgson
Addressed: A / Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / à / Passy
Notation: William Hodgson London March 28. 80.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 28 March 1780
From: Peters, Richard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Philadelphia March 28th. 1780.—
I was yesterday honoured with your Letter of the 25 Octr 1779 being the only Letter I have been favoured with from you these two Years past. I cannot express my Gratitude & Thanks for your obliging Favour which has relieved my Mind from much Anxiety on my Father’s Account. I send you a Bill for thirty Guineas & the Bill you mention shall be paid as soon as I can find Mr Trecesson or it is presented. I hear he has left Col Armand & gone to the W. Indies to join his Regt. If so I will have the Money remitted there as no Doubt it will be equally agreeable. If finally I cannot find that Gentleman, I shall send the Money to you & will take the earliest Oppertunity of remitting the Ballance which I yesterday thought I should have been enabled to do, but an unfortunate Accident prevented my recieving a Sum of Money the purchase Monies of two Houses of my Father’s which I agreed to sell but the Bargain was not perfect & the Houses caught Fire & were consumed. Not having heard from you I thought you had either not recieved my Letters or had not been able to effect the Purpose I troubled you about. I am therefore unprepared suddenly to fulfill your Request, but shall not fail both on Motives of Gratitude & Justice to do it & I hope it will soon be in Power. Both my Father’s & my own Estate have suffered so much by the Enemy & the Depretiation that it is with no small Difficulty any Revenue is raized either from his Estate or mine tho we have Property of considerable Value. This I mention to you as I would not tresspass on your Goodness to make any farther Advances ’till I enable you from hence so to do, & it hurts my Feelings that you should lay a Moment out of your Money longer than the public Circumstances delay its being sent. Nothing shall impede my reimbursing you, but the Bills you mention for Interest Monies are engross’d by the Merchants whose Profits enable them to give enormous Exchange & indeed the Certificates drawing this Interest are chiefly bought up by the Traders. I beg the Favour of your forwarding the enclosed Letter to my Father. I have avoided in it the subject of politics. It relates to his private affairs which considering his Situation ought to be settled & I could wish if thro’ your Correspondent you could do it that you would be pleased to drop a Hint of the Necessity of his making a Settlement on his Family here who have taken a decisive part on the American Side of the Question.
I trouble you with a Letter to Mr Carmichael which I pray You to forward.
I enclose you a Reciept for a Sum of Money I was obliged to pay for a Mr Girard who was recommended by you to me at the Instance of a Monsr du Bourg. He left me without the Means of Defence after having told me that he had left a Monsr Buard to adjust the Matter. Whether he is a Fool or a Knave I cannot tell but rather incline to think his Conduct proceeded from Folly. Buard however denied his having any Means of Payment but as he was interested in the same Business he left me also in the Lurch. They have both used me extremely ill as I became their Bail from mere Motives of Civility to Strangers. I had the priviledge of settling the Matter at 4 for 1 as my Case was hard. Exchange between Specie & Currency was from 10 to 12 for 1. The Demand against Girard was near £19. in Specie or 6 & ⅓d half. If you can find Girard or can obtain it from his Friends I pray the Favour of you to do it & place what you get to my Account. The principles of Settlement I leave entirely to you. I dont mean that this shall interfere in the least with the other Affair. I beg your Forgiveness for the Trouble I am obliged to give you & am with every Sentiment of Gratitude & Esteem your obliged & obedt Servt
Richard Peters
Dr Franklin
Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin / Minister Plenipotentiary of / the United States of america / Passi / near Paris / Hond by Mr Meyor


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas: Two Letters, 29 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric

I.
Dear Sir
Passy March. 29. 1780.
I did receive the Letter you mention to have enclos’d for Mr. Carmichael in yours of the 25th. of february. I had before received a Letter from him Dated at Cadiz, acquainting me that he was just Setting out for Madrid, and desiring I would send him a Credit there for 200 Louis. Mr. F. Grand, our Banker here had undertaken to do this with his Correspondent a Banker there. I not knowing how to address your Letter to Mr. Carmichael at Madrid, sent it to Mr. Grand’s to be put under his Cover to his Banker who might deliver it to Mr. Carmichael, as he would necessarily find out his lodging to acquaint him with the Credit. The Day after sir George Grand was gone for Holland his Brother came to me and Expressing a great Deal of Concern and Vexation, told me, that sir George seeing that letter on his Desk, said this supercription is Mr. Dumas’s Handwriting; and some time afterwards came to him with The Letter in his Hand open, Saying this Letter is full of ingratitude (or some Words to that purpose) and I will carry it to Holland and show it to the Ambassador; and that he had accordingly carry’d it away with him not withstanding all that was or could be said to the Contrary. That it gave him infinite Pain, to acquaint me with this action of his Brother, but he thought it right I should know the Truth. I did not mention this to you before hoping that upon Reflection sir G. would not show the Letter to The ambassador, but seal it up again and send it forward; and I was desirous to avoid increasing the Misunderstanding between you and sir George. But as I understand by yours to Mr. Bowdoin that he has actually done it, I see no reason to keep it longer as a Secret from you.
If I had known it to be a Letter of Consequence, I should nevertheless have taken the same Method of forwarding it not having the least Suspicion that any Person in that house would have taken so unwarrantable a Liberty with it. But I am now exceedingly Sorry that I did not rather send it to the spanish ambassador’s.— Let me know in your next what you may think proper to communicate to me of the Contents of it.
I am, with great Regard, Dear sir &c.
M. Dumas.

II.
Dear Sir,
Passy Mar. 29. 1780.
It is some time Since I have written to you having nothing material to communicate: But I received duly your several Letters of Feb. 1. 18. 15. [i.e., 25] March 2. 11. 13. 17. & 23. and thank you for the Intelligence they contain. The last has this minute come to hand, & I shall answer it separately.
I pray you to assure Mr. FLX, OPB, NLZPAAPC of my Respects, and that it was only on one Pacquet for him that I put my Name, when I thought to have sent it by a friend. The baseness of the Post-Office in opening it, surprises me. No other Letter for him has since pass’d thro’ my hands.— If any others come to me for him, I Shall Send them under Cover to you.
The Tuite you mention is not a North american but a West Indian, i.e. a Native of one of the English sugar Islands. 17. is not 21. [i.e., 54] of 196. X. P. acts only for 824. Ca.
I forwarded your Letter to Capt. Jones. I do not know which of his English Pilots it was, that Is mention’d in yours of the 657.ry. I know he has been generous to an Excess with them. Explain to me if you please the fact that is the Subject of that Letter, and who Mr. Gordon is.—
I am curious to know what the states will do about the Confiscation of the Goods taken in Pryland’s [Bylandt’s] Convoy.
I received your large Packets, that for Capt. Jones Shall be carefully sent him. I thank you for the Philosophial Pieces, which I will read attentively as soon as I have a little Time.

Please to present my thanks to Mr. Enchidi for his curious specimen of Characters, and request him to send me the Price of the following Articles, by the pound weight, and what is the Proportion between the Holland and the English Pound Weight.
Non parel (Fr. Mignonne) Romein and Curiyt
Caractere de Finance.
Dubbelde Descendiaan Geschreven Schrift—
  Dubbelde Garmond Geschreven Schrift.
Descendiaan Duits N. 1.
Garmonts Duits.
Brevier Duits.—
M. Dumas


Title: Certification of a Signature, [29 March 1780]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

[March 29, 1780]
I do hereby certify that the Signature P Henry to this Instrument is truly the Hand-writing of the Governor of Virginia. At Passy, this 29th Day of March 1780.
Minister Plenipotentiary OF THE United StatesAT THE Court OF France


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 29 March 1780
From: Banks, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Soho Square March 29 1780
By the hands of Mr. Paradise I have receivd a copy of the instructions for the Protection of Captn. Cooke which you circulated among the Armd Vessels of your Friends in N America. I perus’d the paper with the Greatest pleasure for having never doubted my self that the liberal & enlargd sentiments I had always admird in your mind remaind there in full lustre. I could not but rejoice at the triumph which such an indisputable proof afforded me over those who warp’d by politicks or party wish’d to entertain a different opinion of your character.
Give me leave then as the Friend of disinterested discovery & of Captn. Cooke, to return you my warmest thanks.
Permit me also as President of the Royal Society to thank you in the names of many of our most valuable members who abstracting themselves from all less general considerations fix their whole attention upon the great Object of Science & would take the most publick method of conveying to you their acknowledgements were they not sensible that such an act might be wilfully misunderstood.
Some Medals are preparing to be struck in memory of our late Friend the Royal Society will intreat the King of France to accept one at their hands as a testimony of the high sence they entertain of his Generous orders in favor of that excellent navigator it would give me pleasure to learn that the Congress issued similar orders if they did I shall rejoice in the opportunity of transmitting to America the like permanent token of our regard & gratitude.
Adieu my Dear Sir beleive my Mind incapable of being Led astray by the influence of political opinions. I respect you as a Philosopher & sollicit the continuance of your Friendship in full Persuasion that all your actions are conformable to your most Conscientious Ideas of rectitude whatever my wishes may be as a native & inhabitant of a country with which you are at war. Your Faithfull & affectionate Hble Servant
Jos: Banks