Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 18 September 1779
From: Coffyn, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hond. Sir
Dunkirk Sepber. 18th. 1779
I duly received your Excellencys much respected favour of 8 inst, in answer to which I have the honnour to inform your Excellency that on a farther inquiry about the condemnation of the prizes brought into the ports of this kingdom by the American ships of war & privateers, I found that there has been a regulation made by the french Court, & publish’d on the 27 Sepber 1778, it consists of 15. articles concerning the formalities to be observed respecting the prizes carried into the ports of the united States by the french ships of war & those brought into the ports of this kingdom by the Americans, a Copy of which regulation, I take the liberty to inclose. By the 11th. article your Excellency will observe that the same formalities are prescribed to the masters of the American prizes, as those mention’d in the 42d article of another regulation of the 24th June 1778. concerning the captures made by the french privateers, and that the officers of the Admiralty in the port where the prizes arrive, are order’d to instruct the process, and to send the Copys with the original papers to the Deputees of the united States at Paris.
As your Excellency is pleased to mention that you do not find that you have any authority to try any causes of the kind, I am apt to think that the condemnation is refer’d to the Judgement of the Courts Establish’d for that purpose in America, and that your Excellency is to forward to such Courts the papers which the officers of the Admiralty are directed to send to your Excellency. But as the sending of these papers to America, would naturaly be attended with delays, it Seems that the Legislator of this law, in order to avoid the prejudices which a long lapse of time might occasion, before the condemnation is received, has permitted the Sale by the 10th & 12th. articles. The officers of the Admiralty at Morlaix refusing to sell the prizes of the black prince before the condemnation is produced, makes me think that they are not acquainted with the said regulations, I therefor advised the owners of said privateer to send a Copy of it to their Correspondent at Morlaix, and in consequence present a petition to that Court to demand the Sale and if they still persist in their refusal, I will inform your Excellency of it, and I dont doubt but on applying to the Minister of the marine Department, he will immediately give orders to the said officers to conform to the said regulations. I am Sorry that I have been under the necessity to trouble your Excellency on this matter, but Justice as well as the frequent applications made to me by the owners of said privateer, has embolden’d me to transmit their representations to your Excellency. In order to avoid the same trouble & difficulties in future, I advised them to take french Commissions for the black prince & princess, but they objected that it was not practicable for the following reasons. The french privateers are only allowed to have one third part of the crew foreigners, and the above two vessells are intended to be navigated by American & Irish Seamen only; the black prince is now recruiting on the coast of Ireland as many hands as will be necessary to man the princess, they speaking the same language, they may Easely pass for americans in case they should be taken and thereby avoid the punishment they would be Exposed to suffer, if they were taken with a french Commission; and I may venture to add, that if they could not obtain one from Congress, for the black princess which is now fitting out here, they would prefer to go back to Ireland notwithstanding the danger of being impress’d and sent on board an English man of war. Besides their conditions on board the American ships are more advantageous as they share one half of the prizes, whilst they have but one third in those taken by the french Ships, more over they shew the greatest reluctance to serve on board the latter, the difference of the language & customs are obstacles they can not get over.
On the other hand the successes of the black prince and the interruption he causes to the English navigation in the Irish Channell where in the course of three months he has taken upwards of thirty vessells, which has not been paralell’d by any other before, shews the advantage the publick may reap from these armements, they deprive the Ennemy of a number of resolute fellows, who instead of being usefull, to them, turn their arms against them, and I dont doubt if they meet encouragement here, they will be followed by a great many of their Countrymen; an other object which merits some consideration, is that if the above two privateers can cruize together, they will be able to bring a number of prisonners which will serve to Exchange against the Americans now labouring under a desagreable captivity in England.
I submit all these considerations to your Excellency, they are not dictated by any personnal advantage as I have not the value of a shilling interest in these privateers, the only object I aim at, is the publick good, and I leave to your Excellencys wisdom to decide wether there is, or is no inconveniency to comply with the request of the owners of said privateers; they have all along flatter’d themselves that they would obtain a Commission for the black princess, and I Supose it was in that Expectation that they have run themselves into an Expence of about 100,000 livers for her outfitts which they would be exposed to lose if it is not granted.
I hope your Excellency has received my letter of the 9th inst. covering a memoir of the farmers general, and another in answer to the same from the Chambre de Commerce. For a farther proof that the pretentions of the farmers are ill grounded, I take the liberty to inclose the Copys of Sundry arrests, which are the basis of the priviledges the town of Dunkirk enjoy’d as a free port since the year 1662.
I have the honour to remain with due respect your Excellencys Most obedient & most devoted humble Servant
Frans. Coffyn

P.S. As the black prince is Expected to arrive here soon, and probably will bring some prisoners, I request your Excellency would mention wether I am to provide for their maintainance, in that case how much they are to be allow’d per day. The french Gouvernment allows the English prisoners 14 s. per day, which I think is sufficient.

Notation: Mr. Coffin Sept. 9. 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 18 September 1779
From: Hartley, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

To Dr F——
Sept 18 1779
I think it very probable that the Exchange of prisoners upon acct. by certificates at Sea may take some time in considering & arranging if consented to by the British Ministry. In the mean time as I hear that the second Cartel ship is come back, I write one line to you just to suggest that if you can succeed in obtaining Morlaix for the port of Exchange & will send me a passport for Morlaix, I think a third Exchange may take place while this new proposition is under Consideration. I do not know that it will take much time for discussion but I have already experienced Ministerial delays. In the mean time I wish to hasten another cargo. If the next cargo shd still be for Nantes, pray signify this to me by the return of the Mail.
I have now a favour to ask of you upon my own account. Some friends of mine at Hull viz the Corporation of the Trinity house have writ to me to desire that I wd endeavour to obtain the release of Mr John Stephenson Master & owner of the ship Sally & a younger Brother of the Trinity house & a Burgess of Hull. They do not specify to me when taken or where he is or whether captured by french or American. When I obtain farther particulars I will transmitt them to you. In the mean time if you can hear where this Mr Stephenson is, & cd assist me in procuring his release I shall be much obliged to you. I shall probably write to you again soon. I am &c
DH


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 18 September 1779
From: Morris, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Philada. septr. 18th. 1779
I have never rec’d a line from you in reply to the letters I wrote you & Mr. Deane in Decemr. 1777 and confess it surprized me a little, but the matter is entirely cleared up by the receipt of your favour of the 19th Feby last as in a P.S: thereto you mention having answered my said letters which had been entirely satisfactory, desirous of retaining your good opinion you may be sure I was well pleased at the expressions in this postscript; the business recommended in the body of that letter falls under the management of my Friend Mons Holker but you may depend on my attention to all Your recommendations. The Chevr Luzerne has not yet reached this City, but he sent me your Letter of the 2d June last, the Character you give him is very agreable & I hope he may compensate for the loss of Mr Gerard who carries with him the perfect esteem of all Men not biassed by Selfish or Party Views. I shall pay the attentions in my power to the Chevr Luzerne both on account of your recommendation his own Merits & Public Station—
Mr Gerard will no doubt give you every information respecting our situation here he knows it well & I dare say will do it impartially. My opposition to the Constitution of this State & opposition to Parties in Congress has procured me abundance of unmerited abuse, but supported by conscious innocence & unshaken Integrity I have never failed to get the better of my Enemies on the day of tryal—
With the best wishes for your health & happiness I remain Dear Sir Your most Obedt & very hble servt.
Robt Morris
His Excy Benjn Franklin Esqr Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America at the Court of Versailles

Addressed: To / His Excelly. / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Minister Plenipotentiary / of the United States of / America at the Court of / Versailles / per The Ship Confederacy
Notation: Robt. Morris Sept 18. 79


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cabanis, 19 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Cabanis, Pierre-Jean-Georges

à Passy, ce 19 7bre ’79.
Mr. Franklin est fâché d’avoir causé le moindre tort à ces beaux cheveux, qu’il regarde toujours avec Plaisir. Si cette Dame aime à passer ses Jours avec lui, il aimerait autant à passer ses Nuits avec elle; & comme il lui a déjà donné beaucoup de ses jours, quoique il en avait si peu de reste à donner, elle paraît ingrate de ne lui avoir jamais donné une seule de ses nuits, qui coulent continuellement en pure perte, sans faire le bonheur de personne, à l’exception de Poupon. Il l’embrasse neantmoins bien serrement, parce qu’il l’aime infiniment malgré tous ses défauts.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Cabbanis, pour être / montrée à notre Dame / d’Auteuil.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 19 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Torris, John

Sir
Passy, Sept. 19. 1779.
I received yours of the 12th. Instant. I have all along expected the Courts of Admiralty in france would judge of the Prizes without any Intervention of mine. But Since I find it otherwise I have written to Mr. De Sartine on the Subject, and hope your affair will soon be ended to your Satisfaction. I send you here with my judgment of the Prizes and ransoms, to be of use to you as far as it Shall be found valid. I desired Mr. Coffin to acqnt. me why our Commissions were desired by your Cruizers rather than the french? but have not yet his Answer: If any Circumstances make it absolutely necessary for you, I will endeavour to oblige you, being much pleased with the Activity of Capt. Merchant. As long Nights are coming on, and a Night Glass may be very useful to a Cruiser, in order to keep sight of his Chase, I would present him with an Excellent one I have if I knew to send it to him. I have the honour to be, Sir
M. Torris Dunkirqe.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 19 September 1779
From: Greene, Catharine
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Very Dear Friend
Warwick Septr the 19th 1779
The first time I wrote you Since you have been in France was in the greatest hurry with my Bunnet on Just going a Journey. Which is the only one I Can ever hear you have Received which incorages me to imbrace a nother moment in allmost as great a hurry Just to tell you we are well Spoues and Family and Friends. Except our Dear mrs Mecom Who for a fortnight has been worried a good deal with the Assme and her old Cough She is now with Jenny. When we have the Emtyest house We Send for her to Stay with us She Cant Bear Company as She used to do We love her and She loves us. Capt Colás and Spoues has been up which gave her a good deal of Pleasure. He gave us an agreeable history of Doctr Franklin Which is Pleasing to us as we love to hear of your health and yr Releaving us from the Brittish Yoke &c &c Mr Greene has Receivd your favor and the Dittoes from mr Williams that is they are at Providence the State the Books from you Mr Greene writes you as Soon as an hours Leisure he has Company Now he Joyns me in love and Regard as does My Children Samey Ward Ray Continues at Schoo Near Newbury and they Say makes good Improvement Pleas to Remember us to Your Grandson with you and Benny when you write. Mrs Mecem had a letter from Mrs Bache this Summer which gave a Pritty Particuliar account of the family which I Seamd to be interested in I am Calld upon God Bless you My Dear Friend and Permit me to Subscribe my Self yr Very affectionate friend
Caty Greene
Doctr Franklin

Notation: Caty Greene. Warwick Sept. 19. 1779.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 20 September 1779
From: Digges, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr. Sir
Sepr. 20. 1779
I have written you the 3d. Int by Post, the 4th. by the Chaplain of the Russian ambassador at Paris, & the 6th. Int. by a person who purposely went to you on some business, & whom I am now in hourly expectation of hearing from. Since writing these sundry letters, I have found means to communicate with Capt C. whom You desire in Yr. last letter of the 10 Augt. I may give some help and assistance to. I have had three letters from him & the treatment He speaks of & describes is realy shocking. He was brot. over all the way in Irons, & put into the first Prison (amidst the scoffs hisses threats & insults of a Mob, at which he cryd with rage & indignation) with only a common sailors thin jacket, one check shirt Trowsers, & pr. of Shoes. As soon as I heard he was at F——h, I got a frd to petition for his removal to Mill Prison which was granted, & where he has recd my two last letters, after having verbally describd his wants to a friend of mine who supplyd him with some Cloaths when he was shippd from Falo. I have informd Him of your request to give him help, & he is extreemly thankful for it. He writes me that the Cloaths he stands in need of, his common maintainance, (for our subscripn fund has now got very low), and a few guineas to serve as occasion may offer, will make the sum he may want forty pounds or upwards, of which He has sufficient to repay in the hands of people in Nantes & Cadiz. I have given orders to a very worthy man of Plymo. to look towards the proper supply to him of Cloaths and a little money, & he is now well off for the present. I shall draw as I last did on you for that sum, & remit his order on me for so doing when He forwards it; which I expect He will by next post. You will please to give orders to Mr Grand to be attentive to the bill, which will be drawn by me on Him without mentioning your name, for the more safe negotiation of it here.
The last Cartel arrivd at Plyo. some days ago, & Interest is now making to let the whole 190 Prisors. now there go in the next trip, in order to save a second voyage to that port; but I am fearful it will not do; as they say at the Office, there are no more prisoners for this Excha. in France. There is 140 odd at Forton, and about 30 at Pembroke.
I have left Mr Wh——ns direction, with my papers in a safe & distant quarter, or I would write to Him by this Conveyance about his friend Capt. Hutchins. It is too dangerous to do it by post, or I would have wrote to both of you more frequently & explicit. Since my last of the 6th. Int. the junto who set as Examiners Judges &c &c. ie Sr. J. F, Lord G. G. Mr De Grey, & Mr Knox, have found means, thro the assistance of a person who lodgd in the same house with Capt H——, and Capt Grant & Peisley who betrayd Him, to get at an Iron Chest which Mr. W——n left under care of Hutchins, and wch. was broke open before the junto & the papers strictly Examind. Wherever those papers or Capn. H——s’s had references to other names, the papers of those other persons have been examind or the holders of them strictly enquird about. The papers & books of Mr Neave have been taken; two young men I beleive formerly his Clerks were taken up; also a Mr. Bundy who was confind a night or two & is releasd. Mrs. Carr a Milliner in Covent Garden was before the junto & dischargd after many questions about Mr. W——n, Mr. E——s, Capt H Miss Stafford &c &c. Miss Stafford (who had time to secret some papers) was in prison one night; her house strictly searched, & very scrutinous enquirys of what she knew? of Mr. W——n, Mr E——s, Mr. Ell——n, Mr D——s, & others. Mr W—— to whom I beg you will communicate this, can inform you of these connexions. The Evidence has turnd out much to the disapointment of the junto; for they fully expected to criminate some others, & get a publick Execution of some Miscreants as they are pleasd to call all those who are averse to their measures. I do beleive the proofs against Capt H are not sufficient to authorise his being tried, for the key to the Cypher in which he wrote, has been destroyd. There is no knowing what degree of mischief may attend him if brought to a Court martial. Mr. E——s and Mr. E——n are naturally uneasy & if they were ever wrote to by Mr. W——n, he should now be cautious how he writes.
I wish to have some name given me to direct to you under, for tho I always inclose to Monr G——d, I am obligd to express to him for whom the letter is, and this may be a risque in the Post Office. I requested this favr. in my last letter of the 6th. by Mr S——y, and if he bears not the ansr. to me, it may be done by common post in a single letter, wrote in any hand, for I shall know from whence it comes, and directd a monr. monsr. Wm. Singleton Church Nandos Coffee House Londn.— A careful hand at Ostend to put letters under cover to, may also be very useful. At Amsterdam I use the Gentlemen whom I forwarded the box of books to. If you know of any means by which I can be useful, I hope you will not spare me, & you may depend upon my attention to any thing you may request.
We have not a word of news from the West Indies since the late Gazette. Since the two grand fleets in Europe have got into their respective ports, there is nothing talkd of but the miserable situation of our affairs in the West Indies; and Amea. is now of too trifling consequence even to be ever mentiond. I beleive the prospect from the Continent is full as gloomy as that from the Islands, but nothing authentic is given to us from authority altho ships arrive frequently at Corke from N York. It is said ministry have accots from thence to the 17th. Augt. and that the Garrison was inactive, had done nothing, & were anxiously expecting the arrival of Adl Arbuthnot with his 4 ships of the line and 3180 Recruits. This fleet was spoke with in the neighbourhood of Bermudas the 6th Augt. & they were in extreem want of water. Notwithstanding this miserable picture in the West, bad accots from the East, and a still more gloomy prospect at home, the Stocks are getting up, on accot of a general Report that has got abroad of a serious mediation in your quarter from Russia & Holland for Peace, on the terms of American Independence.
It was in every ones mouth last week that the Cabinet had determind to withdraw the army from N York & Rhode Island, & send them to the Wt Indies. It is now said the army from R Island only is to be sent: a Frigate was dispatchd a day or two ago to that quarter, not improbably (I think) with an order for its evacuation. It has been long the language of ministerialists that this post was of no consequence, & that 3,000 men have been kept there doing nothing for these two or three years.
Our homeward fleet seems to be snugg in harbour for at least some weeks, if not the winter, that under Adml Ross may be soon heard of on the coasts of France, or probably in Ireland, to conduct safe home the Eight India men & a rich manilla ship carryd into Ireland. It consists of 3 of the Line, 3 fiftys & Eight frigates. Paul Jones has given much alarm to the Coasts of that Country, but as yet has done no mischeif; here he is lookd upon as already taken by Ross’s Squadn.
I am yr. very obt. & obligd Servt.
V.J. Drouillard

I expect this will be put safe into a foreign Post office by a young Genn. who having finishd His Education here is pushing to his native home via Holland & St. Eustatia— He bears a paper parcel (from a friend in Mincing Lane) for you & which He will contrive to forward by some private hand from Amsterdam to Paris, in case he finds none, it will be left with Messrs. Grand & Co of Amsm. to be forwarded to You.
Since writing the Inclosd, I have got a letter from Mr W——n which informs me that the Cartel Ship has been at Portso above a fortnight & that there has been no step taken towards her resailing with another Cargoe of Prisoners. The Capt. of this vessel says there are no more American-capturd Prisoners in France in or near the Ports of the Ocean, but that there are several in St. Maloes Havre, & Dunkirk. The Agent at Nantes says there are no more in any Ports of France, but that there are considerable numbers at Bilbao St Andero and Corunna, but there Exchange would require a Spanish passport.
If your multiplicity of business will allow you to look towards procuring such a passport I wish most cordially Sir you would do it; for I am certain it would have a most happy effect. You can scarcely immagine the distress another winters confinement may bring on these unhappy people, for our subscription is very nearly expended, & in the present state of things it is hardly to be expected we can get more money by opening the subscription. The money raisd, never extended, & consequently could not be applyd, to any but those in actual confinement; the consequence of this is, that any American sailors in distress, hiding from the press gangs, or who have found means to liberate themselves, generally fly to me, and drain me exceedingly of Cash: I should not think this a hardship, could I possibly get money from home or borrow it here on easy terms. I have spent larger sums on them & other purposes than may be strictly prudent, and the fear of being still further distressd by them, & to try to get them releasd by Cartel, is my principal motive for now troubling you. There shall be nothing wanted on this side to expedite the Exchange or to help them.

Endorsed: Sept. 20—79
Notation: Digges Sept 20. 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Rocquette, Elsevier & Rocquette, 20 September 1779
From: Rocquette, Jacques, Elsevier, T. A., & Rocquette, Pieter Th.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir!
Rotterdam 20 September 1779
Inclosed a parcell which we recd. for you by way of St. Eustatia, by which conveyance we also recd. one for A: Lee, Esqr. which you’ll also find Inclosed, we desire you to deliver it to that Gentn. if with you, or to forward it to him where he may be.
We have the honour to be with the most respectfull regard Sir! Your very humble Servants
J. Rocqúette T.A. Elsevier, & Brothers Rocqúette
Benjn. Franklin Esqr. at Paris

Notation: J. Roquette A. Elsevier and Brothers Roquette Rotterdam 20. 7bre. 1779.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 20 September 1779
From: Vaughan, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dearest sir,
London, Septr. 20th: 1779.
There was some little tumult when I sent you the last printed pacquet, (which however missed two opportunities of going) and therefore you had no letter.— By the present opportunity I wish to inquire your opinion as to the time of appearance. I am for the present moment; the bookseller for deferring: But as my opinion will rule, I wish without giving reasons, you would express a hint which way I ought to give that opinion.— As to a neat bound-up copy, you shall shortly have one; but at present the time is too short.
We are in the state here of none acting, but many wishing, and more permitting change, were it to appear; but John Bull, as to act & deed, is still asleep; spreading out his lubber length for any to tread on that choose, whether acquaintances or not.— In winter we shall see whether the great are more inclined to good sense than formerly, but I know them well enough to do more than doubt them. I am quite tired with them; but I am, as ever, my dearest sir yours most everlastingly & devotedly.

P.S. I shall, after looking at another Aurora or two, send you a farther conjecture on that subject.— Mr: Crawford’s book on heat is most admirable. I shall put his system on a sheet of paper & send it, with remarks; and as it will save you prodigious trouble I wish you to wait for it, a fortnight or so. I read anew last night Newton’s Optical queries, which are indeed very powerfully written; but I hope Mr. Crawford as he grows older, will be one of you.— Mr: Henly certainly cut his throat most deliberately. His family endeavored to talk him into quiet, but in vain: He cut the veins with a pen-knife, and at last lay in a posture to drain into the chamber-pot.
I shall thank you for the immediate return of my three manuscripts on Jamaica, vapor, & the vis inertiæ. If you think any passages worth your farther attention, they shall be copied & sent you, if you will mark them out: But I ask for those MSS, because being my own amanuensis, I really felt it too much trouble to take other copies for myself and was moreover in haste at the time of sending to you asually.

Notation: B Vaughn Sept. 20. 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 21 September 1779
From: Vaughan, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dearest sir,
London Septr. 21. 1779.
I beg the favor very particularly of you to give a letter of recommendation for Langford Lovell Esqr. (who gives the inclosed account of himself) addressed to the Govr. of Dominica. I should esteem it an addition to the favor, if you would yourself inclose a duplicate of such letter to Mr Lovel in Dominica, by some safe conveyance; as in such case, by means of the copy you convey & I convey, he will be in bad luck if he does not receive his recommendation safe. The family connections of this gentleman in the West Indies are considerable & respectable, and his friends here very amiable and such as I wish to oblige very much. He is a relation of Mr Richard Oliver. I am as ever, my dearest sir, yours most devotedly
Benjn. Vaughan

I beg the favor of the inclosed request being granted by the first opportunity.
  I am very much distressed by not having M. Dupont’s table or map of the System of the Œconomistes, which you had the goodness to promise to procure for me. I could not get it myself, nor by any of the very various people I have made use of. I therefore again have recourse to you.

Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. F.
Notation: Vaughn Sept: 21. 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ann Conyngham, 22 September 1779
From: Conyngham, Ann
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
Philadelphia September the 22th 1779
In what manner shall I apologize for the liberty I now take, but sertain I am you will excuse me when you now that I am the Wife of the unfortunate Capt. Conyngham, one who I beleve you are not unacquanted with. In what language shall I address you Sir to endeavour to save the life of the best and tenderest of Husbands. To you Sir, I look up for redress in hopes it may be in your power in sum measure to appeas the wrath of his enimies. If thay would one moment think of the distress of an afflicted wife, if they had not lost every feeling of that humanity, which once characterized Britons: thay seartainly could not be so cruell as to part us for ever: Oh! what must be his feelings at this moment, to be confined in a strange place, where he has not one friend, to whom he can realy on, waisting his health and spirits in hopeless grief—and at last Compleating the measure of his sufferings, by an ignominious Death— Good God my hart shudders at the thought— Forbid it Heaven— Is it posable no means can be procured for his safty, am I never more to behold the man I love, my only comfort, and my only hope, my only support, under every affliction and distress—
Pardon me Sir, if I request the favour, of your forwarding the inclosed as directed: as they will be the means of affording some relief to my dear Gusty— Your distingushed character for benevolence and humanity has imbolden’d me to take this liberty—
I must inform you Sir, that Capt Conyngham was Commander of the Cutter, Revenge, who was taken in April, carried into New York, from thence sent to England, to have his tryal—
This, I presume, will be a sufficient motive with you, to procure justice for him, and to afford some consolation, to Hond Sir, your most obedient and most devoted—
Ann Conyngham

Addressed: A Ms. / Ms. Docr. franclain / Ministre Plenipotenteri / a La Court / De france
Notation: Ann Conynham 21 Sept 79


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 22 September 1779
From: Nesbitt, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
L’Orient Septr: 22d: 1779
By the Brig Retalliation Captn: Kollock which left Philada: the 10th: August, I have receiv’d Letters informing me that Captn: G: Conyngham late Commander of the Cutter Revenge, had the misfortune to be taken last Spring by the Galatea & sent into New York, from whence he has been sent to England with a design to have him try’d for Piracy.— They pretend to say that he took the Harwich Packet without having any Commission which your Excellency must know to be false, as I believe you were in Paris at the time that his Commission & orders were deliver’d him.— The Commission under which he Acted as Captn: of the Revenge is dated, I apprehend, after the taking of the Harwich Packet. It is on this Circumstance without doubt, that the Charge of Piracy is founded. His first Commission was taken from in Dunkirk after he was put in Gaol, & sent up to Paris, and I think was lodg’d in the hands of Monsr: le Comte de Virgennes. I have to request that your Excellency will do every thing in your power to prevent this poor fellow from suffering. Considering the smallness of his Vessell, & the difficulty he labour’d under when he first left France, he has done a great deal for the service of his Country. He has done so much harm to the Enemy that he can expect no mercy at their hands, & if they can find any pretence whatever, they will certainly destroy him. Captn: Kollock informs me that he was sent home in Irons. I should certainly have heard from him was he not closely confined.— I once more take the liberty to recommend this unhappy Mans case to your Excellencys particular attention.
I have the honor to be, wth: great respect. Your Excellencys most Obedt: most hble Servt:
Jonatn: Nesbitt

Addressed: Son Excellence B: Franklyn Esqr / a son Hotel / a Passÿ
Endorsed: Ansd—
Notation: Jona. Nesbitt Sept. 22. 79 rele. to Cunningham


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 23 September 1779
From: Bondfield, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Bordeaux 23 Sep 1779
I have the Honor to forward by the Express going with the dispatches receivd by the same Conveyance the Inclosed packets arrived last Evening by Cap Benin(?) from Boston he saild from that port the 25 August, he reports that by a considerable reinforcement arrivd at Ponobscot our People were oblidged to destroy their Shiping and abandon the attempt against that establishment to the Enemy.
Our Ships the Governer Livingston & Mary Fearon are arrived in Virginia the Chasseur as advised in my former is taken and sent into New York.
I have the Honor to be with due respect Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant
John Bondfield
To His Excellency Benj Franklin Esq

Notation: Bondfield John 13. Sept. 1779.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 23 September 1779
From: Torris, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honnd: Sir
Dunkerque 23d. September 1779
I have received with due respect & gratitude your Excellency’s most Esteemed favour 19th Inst.
We apprehend that your Excellency’s Judgement there in Joined, for the Brig Dublin Thomas Griffitths, & for the 11. Ransoms taken by the Black Prince, will Suffice, & the request there in made to the admiralty, will, I hope, determine them without hesitation to Sell, because, previous, a few posts past, by the advice of the Worthy Mr. Coffyn, we Ordered our Correspondant at Morlaix, to petition the Admiralty to Sell both Prises, in Virtue of The Reglement of the 27th. Sept. 1778., & in Case of a refusal to protest against them for all dammages &ca.— I have Sent This Judgement & demand of your Excellency, per yesterday post; & If the process of the Admiralty was Contrary to our Expectations, I shall have The Honnour to Inform your Excellency thereof.
Your Excellency has omitted in the Judgement, to relate The first prise of the Black Prince. Capt. Marchant Carried into Morlaix The 22d. June Being The Sloop the Good Will from London to Cork, William Power Master; & also the Ransom of the brig Three Sisters for £73 Stgn. Geo: Crooker master Geo: Hooper Ransomer now at Carhaix.
This Omission Might make Some alteration, & I beg of your Excellency to Send me an other Judgement for them, per the return of Post, According to the procés Verbal of the admiralty at Morlaix Here Inclosed & to Include the 8. new Ransoms, The Ransomers for which are in Carhaix & were Landed at Brest the 22d. of august, & there Examined by the admiralty, as per List of them Subjoined.
Mr. Coffyn has promised me, to address to your Excellency the Strong Motives that Induced me to Sollicit american Commissions for my Vessells; & Indeed, my Brave Irish Friends wou’d not fight under french Colours, & the Consequences attending Same, wou’d no ways allow my principles of Humanity, to prompt them to Cruize otherwise. Thus, I hope your Excellency’s Human & generous disposition, have allready determined the Sending to the Generous Mr. Coffyn, the waited for Commission from Congress. I may give all assurances to your Excellency, you will have as much Satisfaction from the honest & brave Macatter, as you are Now pleased to Express with The Hero Luke Ryan, a part owner & my particular & worthy friend, who is the Real Capt. of the Black Prince, Stephen Marchant is but the Ostensible one, & by all the accounts from Board, every time She Comes to Harbour, he is proved to be but an advanturer, neither Sea man Nor Soldier: Everybody is So much tired of him, that the whole Crew are resolved at the Expiration of the 3. months Cruise they are engaged for, to desarm, & to beg of your Excellency to grant the deserving Mr Ryan a Commission in his own Name, for the new armement of The Same Cutter, which, being Joined by the Black Princess, will Certainly perform Wonders & prove a Terror to their Ennemys.
The Night Glass your Excellency’s Generosity intend sending to the Commander of the Black Prince, Shou’d be directed to Mr. Luke Ryan, to my Care, as I Expect the Vessell here daily. A Letter of Apology from your Excellency Joined to the Present, will flatter Mr. Ryan more than any thing in the World & raise his Spirits to the Highest pitch.
I am with Veneration & respect Honnd. Sir Your most oblidged, most obedient & most Humble Servant.
J: Torris

P.S. The only French privateer from this port that Ventured to the West, which is Commanded by Mr Royer has retaken the Brig Orange tree & Carried her Into Morlaix. The People on board Informed Mr. John Diot that our 21 men Brave prisonners, taken from the Black Prince’s Prises, had been put in Guernsey Jail, where they attempted their Scape, which prompted their removal to plymouth or to portsmouth, where They are most Cruelly used. They are the best of the Men, & thro’ ill usage & Strong Sollicitations, am afraid they might be induced to Serve on Board The English men of War. If we had them here for the Black Princess, ’twou’d do Immense Good to us all & to america. Let me humbly Petition your Excellency, to have them Exchanged first of all, & Sent to Dunkirk as Soon as possible. T’wou’d be doing an act of Justice & Good Policy, to preffer these Brave men in a Circumstance where They Can be So Very usefull to the power They Swore allegeance to. We have all reason to Believe false & without any foundation the report of the Black Prince Being taken./.

Notation: Mr. Torris Sept 23. 1779


Title: Passport for Cyprian Sterry and John Smith, [24 September 1779]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

[September 24, 1779]
To all Captains & Commanders of Vessels of War, Privateers, & Letters of Marque, belonging to the United States of America, or to any of their Allies.
  It being represented to me, and appearing by good Testimony that Cyprian Sterry, & John Smith Junior, Natives of America & Subjects of the United States, having recovered Debts due to them in England to a considerable Amount, which Property they are desirous of transfering to their own Country, by vesting it in such Merchandise as may be most useful to the Publick Service there, as coarse Woolens, Linnens, & other Clothing fit for the Army; &c. and proposing to purchase in London the Brigantine Hope of about 120 Tons, to transport the said Goods; And the Congress having by a special Resolution for that purpose permitted the Importation from the English Domins. of the Property of the Inhabitants of America, or of Persons who are about to become Inhabitants in any of the said States; I do therefore request that if the said Brigantine Hope commanded by Thomas Holland, manned by about Eight Seamen, and having on board the said Messieurs Sterry & Smith, should in the Course of her said Voyage from London to America be met with by you, you would let her pass freely, with her Company, Passengers, Goods & Merchandize, without any Let, Hindrance, Seizure or Molestation whatsoever. Given at Passy, this 24th Day of September One Thousand Seven hundred and seventy nine.

Notations: Pass-port given to C. Sterry— & nearly the same to W. Johnston & Walter Belt / On the 25th of Sept Mr Sterry took the Oath of Allegiance to the U. S.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bond, 24 September 1779
From: Bond, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Philadelphia Septemr. 24. 1779
The Departure of your very worthy & very Sensible Friend, the Sieur Gerard affords me an Opportunity of telling you, that your Thursday Night Associates had the Pleasure of hearing from Mr. Joseph Wharton of your Health & affectionate Remembrance of them, who also told us we might Expect to See You again amongst Us, an event which would give us the highest Satisfaction. Luke Morris Says we cannot do without You & that you must Come. Hugh Roberts desires me to tell you he is become Old, or he would Write to you, he does not concern himself with Public Affairs, he is So much Engaged in Monthly Meeting, Committees & Setting Negroes free, he Scarcely goes to the Point twice a Year, and is become a real Philosopher. Phil Syng is well. S. Roads is a good Whig & Sends his love to You. Poor Israel is no more; his loss to the Quakers is Great; there is a great Revolution among us, the Great are become little, & little Great; The Poor are the happiest People Among us. Our Poor house & Hospitals are almost untenanted. I can Scarce Support my Clinical Lectures in the latter, without hiring the Sick to go into it: And shall be Obliged to give up my Demonstrations of MidWifery, for Want of Subjects in the lying in Wards. Mr. Gerard was elected a fellow of the American Philosophical Society. We presented him with an elegant Certificate, & a Volume of the Transactions neatly & emblematically bound with which he Seemed Pleased. From Seeing the many Objections yet made to Inoculation especially in France, a Country I love, I wrote an Essay in Defence of it, & presented it to my Kind Friend the Minister, who will Shew it to You, I am Certain the Contents of it are important; but I fear it is incorrect, being wrote in haste under perpetual Interruptions of Business, I therefore beg you to give it a friendly reading &ca.
When General Howe came to the Banks of the Delaware I Sent my Family with good Mrs. Venables to Allentown near Bethlehem, where they remained very Conveniently for two Years. I am now happy with Mrs. Bond & my Grand Children about me. Mrs. Martin & her two Children are in Burlington; they all present their Love to You. I hope the Prospect of a more frequent literary Correspondence betwixt us & Europe brightens, & that we shall be Soon again furnished with the Improvements & Publications of the learned World, Which we Should be extremely Obliged to them & You, for I am dear Sir Your very affectionate humble Servt.
Th Bond.

Notation: Th: Bond 24 Sept 79


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 25 September 1779
From: Bache, Sarah Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & Honoured Sir
Philada. Sepr: 25. 1779
We wrote to you fully some days ago, but Mr Gerard staying longer than he expected gives me an opportunity of telling you we still continue well, and of sending you some more Newspapers, it has been my earnest wish that Mr G: might be detaind a few days longer still, as I wanted him to stand Godfather to a little stranger that is hourly expected, and is to be named after one of their most Christian Majesty’s. I must beg you my dear Papa to make the request to him and desire he will name some body to stand proxy, in my present situation I could not have it mentioned to him before he left Philad:— The Queen has so many names, one of them will be honour enough, I must beg you to say which will be the most pleasing to you—
The enclosed Petition, and which I could not get off sending, is wrote by a person that came down to Congress, from the people of Vermont about their Land and has always been employ’d to represent them, and tho he does not want understanding, is one of the greatest oddities in the world, Mr B: told him it was an improper time when France was doing so much for us, and that all the other towns that were burnt would think their claim’s to Charity equal, that the United States would take the matter up, but he will not be said nay, I would have given a good deal if Temple who used to delight in Originals, had heard him converse and read his petition—
Mr Bache has been to wait on the new Minister, who told him my things were coming on with his baggage, I wish they would arrive before Mr G: goes, as he spared me eight yards of fine white flannel last winter when it was not to be bought, and I wish’d to return it, but as there is no chance of my having that in my power now, shall I beg the favor of you to return it to him with my best thanks—
Mr Wharton gives us very pleasing accounts of your Health and Spirrits, that they may long continue is the constant prayer of your Dutiful and Afectionate Daughter
S Bache


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Vincenzio Martinelli, 25 September 1779
From: Martinelli, Vincenzio
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
a Florence ce 25me. septembre 1779
Monsieur Jan Batiste la Bordet natif de Pau en Bearne a l’occasion de retourner a la Patrie a eu la complaisence de se charger d’une petite brochure sur les Colonies Angloises Americanes que j’ai dernierement publièe pour instruire mes Compatriots des motives qui ont cause leur presente dispute avec l’Angleterre. Comme j ai compilé dernierement l’Istoire d’Angleterre que j’ai dediè a monsr. Thomas Walpole chez qui vous m’aurè rencontrè quelque fois a dinner. J’ay crus de mon devoir de vous en offrir une Copie comme a l’heroique liberatoeur des ces honorables Nations. Je finiray en recamandant a votre protection l’honnete et ingenieus porteur que j’ay connu fort bien digne dêtre encouragè et protegè par les Personages de votre merite.
J’ay l’honneur d’etre de votre excelence le tres humble et tres obeissant ser.
Vincenzio Martinelli


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 26 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

Sir,
Passy Sept. 26. 1779.
I received Yesterday Evening the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me, together with the Pacquet for M. De la Luzerne, which I shall take Care to forward with my Dispatches. I could have wished it had been possible to have written something positive to the Congress by this Opportunity on the Subject of the Supplies they have asked, because I apprehend great Inconveniences may arise from their being left in a State of Uncertainty on that Account, not only as the Hope or Expectation of obtaining those Supplies may prevent their taking other Measures, if possible, to obtain them, but as the Disappointment will give great Advantage to their Enemies external and internal. Your Excellency will be so good as to excuse my making this Observation, which is forced from me by my great Anxiety on the Occasion.

With the greatest Respect, I am, Your Excellency’s, most obedient & most humble Servant.
B Franklin
M. Le Cte. De Vergennes.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 September 1779
From: Jay, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Pha. 26 Sep 1779
I have had the Pleasure of recg. your favor of the 2d. June last. The act of Congress respecting Col Diricks alluded to in it; mentioned no public Business comd. to his Care, but in Compliance with his Request supported by Govr. Trumbul simply recommended him to your notice—
As this will be delivered to you by Monsr. Gerard It will be unnecessary to enlarge on american Politics or Intelligence. This Gentleman has done essential service to the Alliance, and by the wisdom of his Conduct done much towards binding the two nations to each other by Affection whose union at first resulted from motives of Interest. I am happy to assure you that similar Ideas of You prevail & extend in this Country as well as the one you are in—
The Chevalier de LaLuzerne has brought with him many recommendatory Letters. Few will be more useful to him than yours— If he treads in the Steps of his Predecessor, they will lead him to the Hearts of the Americans— My Endeavours shall not be wanting to render this Country agreable to him.
You will oblige me by continuing this Correspondence and by believing that I am with great Esteem & Regard your most obt. & hbl Servt
Docr Franklin

Notation: To Doctr. Franklin 26 Sep 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Maussallé, 26 September 1779
From: Maussallé, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
a Paris ce 26. 7bre. 1779.
Je suis chargé d’avoir L’honneur de vous voir pour une affaire qui interresse un Negociant de Dunkerque dont j’ay la confiance, et qui vous a été renvoyée par M. De sartine. Je vous prie de m’indiquer le jour et l’heure de votre commodité auxquels je pouray me rendre chez vous a cet effet.

Je suis avec Respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
Maussalléavocat aux ConseilsRue Montmartre vis avis la Jussienne

Notations in different hands: Maussalé 26. 7bre. 1779. / Ans’d


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 27 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric

Dear Sir
Passy, Sept 27. 1779
I received your favour of the 21th. and one before acquainting me with your Safe arrival, which gave me great Pleasure. You Shall have the Treaty and my few Remarks very soon. I inclose four of our latest Newspapers, which contain some Intelligence from Carolina, the Particulars of the taking of the fort at Stony Point, and the Devastations made by the Enemy in Connecticut. I am ever. Your affectionate friend And most obedient servant
BF
M Dumas.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard, 27 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Izard, Ralph

Sir
Passy sept. 27. 1779.
As Soon as I knew you were in Paris I Sent you a Copy of the Congress Resolution of the 6th. of august respecting their Commissioners in Europe being desired so to do by the Committee of Correspondance from whom I had just received the Original. But I received with it no “Orders from Congress to pay you any Money,” nor can I think myself authorised by that resoluton to make any Such payment, their being not a word in it to that purpose; and if it did authorise me; it does not enable me.— But on the other [hand] there is a Part of it which directs that every “commissioner who has been entrusted with public money Shall transmit without Delay his Accounts and Vouchers to the Board of Treasury in order for settlement.” Till Such settlement is made I conceive it cannot be known what or whether anything is due to you.
I recollect upon this Occasion a Promise I made you of complying with your Request in giving you a Copy of the Drafts of a Letter I proposed to the Commissioners to send you last January, in answer to a fresh Demand you then made of more Money. I now fulfill that promise by inclosing it and have the honour to be Sir, &c &c
Honble. M. Izard.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, [27 September 1779]
From: Barbeu-Dubourg, Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Mon cher Maitre,
[September 27, 1779]
Vous etes prié de vous souvenir que vous avez promis d’aller apresdemain (29e. 7bre.) chez M Cochin a Chatillon, et meme de tres bonne heure pour raison. Neuf heures n’est pas trop matin. Si vous avez la bonté de me prendre en passant, je me tiendrai prêt pour cette heure.
Autre chose. Un jeune homme de 16 ans, fils d’une des bonnes amies de Madame de Cheminot part jeudi pour faire une promenade en Amerique, et specialement aux Antilles. Comme quelque aventure pourroit le pousser vers le Continent, on souhaiteroit qu’il pût se reclamer de vous, et qu’a cet effet vous vouliez bien lui en donner quelque espece de permission, en le chargeant d’une lettre ouverte adressée a qui il vous plairoit, et qu’il pût montrer dans telle ville des Etats unis où il aborderoit. Il n’est question que d’etre annoncé comme un jeune homme honnete et bien né. Il n’a d’ailleurs ni pretentions ni besoins. Il part assez bien muni d’argent et de lettres de change.
Il s’appelle Jean Baptiste Charles Pinon Duclos de Vulmer, et il est fils du Directeur des vingtiemes de la province de Champagne.
Me. de Cheminot qui vous prie de cela est une de vos amoureuses les plus passionnées; et espere que vous ne l’oublierez pas. Si elle n’etoit enrhumée, elle auroit saisi cette occasion pour aller vous voir. Je suis avec le plus tendre respect, Cher Ami, votre tres humble, tres fidele et tres zelé serviteur
Dubourg


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 27 September 1779
From: Priestley, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Calne Sep. 27. 1779
Though you are so much engaged in affairs of more consequence, I know it will give you some pleasure to be informed that I have been exceedingly successful in the prosecution of my experiments since the publication of my last volume.
I have confirmed, explained, and extended my former observations on the purification of the atmosphere by means of vegetation; having first discovered that the green matter I treat of in my last volume is a vegetable substance, and then that other plants that grow wholly in water have the same property, all of them without exception imbibing impure air, and emitting it, as excrementations to them, in a dephlogisticated state. That the source of this pure air is the impure air in the water is evident from all the plants giving only a certain quantity of air, in proportion to the water in which they are confined, and then giving more air in fresh water. I also find that the water before the plants have been confined in it yields impure air, and afterwards pure air.
From these observations I conclude that the reason why my sprigs of mint &c sometimes failed to purify air, was their not being always healthy in a confined state; whereas these waterplants are as much at their ease in my jars as in the open pond.
I have made many other new observations, but they are chiefly of a chymical nature, and not worth while making the subject of a letter; tho, when you see an account of them in my next publication, I flatter myself you will think some of them curious and important.
As the expence of my experiments is necessarily considerable, Dr Fothergill (who, in a very obliging manner, interests himself much in them) has, of his own motion, engaged a few of his friends to contribute about 40£ per Ann to assist me in defraying the expence. Indeed, without this assistance I must have desisted altogether. While I had but a small family I suffered myself to be drawn by my success into expences that now appear to have been rather imprudent.
I have been made very happy by the communication of your very ingenious paper on the Aurora Borealis, and by several accounts of the good state of your health and spirits. May this long continue— Yours most sincerely
J Priestley


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 28 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Coffyn, Francis

Sir
Passy, Sept. 28. 1779.
I received your several favours containing the Claims of Capt. Cunningham’s french Sailors, and The Memoirs relative to the Privileges of your Port. With regard to these Claims, I Shall Send them to Congress, but I observe that they are Simply the Declarations of the People themselves, that an Agreement was made with them for such high Wages with Shares of Prizes and are not confirmed by any testimony of Persons concern’d in that Equipment, which methinks they ought to be. The just Privileges of your Port I hope you will be able to maintain. I am fully Satisfied by your former Memoir of its Conveniency for the American Commerce, and I make no doubt but you will in time have a large Share of it. I thank you for the Copy of the regulation relating to Prizes. By this Post Mr. Torris will receive all that he desires, except for the last 8 Ransomers, I having been little instructed as to the Part I am to act in such Business; he will here after meet with no delay in his business from me.
In compliance with your Recommendation I Shall also Send commission for the Black Princess. As to the Maintenance of Prisoners these Privateers may bring in to your Port, you will find that Matter arranged in the same regulation of sept. 27. 1778. Article 15.— With great Esteem I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient and most humble servant
BF
M. Coffin, Dunkirque.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 28 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sartine, Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de

Sir,
Passy Sept. 28. 1779.
As our Prisoners now exchanging are chiefly at Portsmouth and Plymouth and the Distance between those Places & Nantes is double of that between them and Morlaix, and a great Part of the Voyage to Nantes, being in the Bay of Biscay, which will be very inconvenient to the Cartel Ship and other Poor Passengers, in the Winter Season, I am desired to request of your Excellency, if it may be granted without inconveniency, a Passport for the next Cartel, permitting her to land the Prisoners at Morlaix. This Favour will the more oblige me, as I find the English make a difficulty of continuing the Exchange on that Account.
With the greatest Respect, I am Your Excellency’s, most obedient and most humble Servant.
B Franklin
His Exy. M. De Sartine.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 28 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Torris, John

Sir
Passy Sept. 28. 1779.
I received yours of the 23 Instant, and having examined the Procès verbaux Sent me from Morlaix relative to the Sloop Goodwill, and being of Opinion that she is a good Prize, I Send you herewith my Letter to the Judges of the admiralty, at Morlaix, Expressing that Opinion tho’ I must acquaint you that the Circumstance of your firing at her under English Colours created some Difficulty with me and you should caution your Captains not to be guilty of the like Error again; for it is Said that in such cases tho’ the Ship taken Should be adjudged a good Prize the Share of the Captain and Owners would be legally confiscated.
As to the Ransoms you mention I Send you herewith my Judgmt on that of the three Sisters; But for the 8 New ones, I do not find that the Proces Verbaux relating to them have yet been Communicated to me, and therefore I cannot at present give any Judgment concerning them.
The Papers are preparing for the Black Princess and will be sent in a few Days: as well as the Night Glass.
Your 21. Men will be exchanged as soon as possible. The more Prisoners you bring in, the Sooner that Exchange will be effected.— Wishing you continued Success, I have the honour to be Sir &c. &c.
Mr. Torris Negociant a Dunkirque.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 28 September 1779
From: Thomson, Charles
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
In Congress Septr. 28. 1779
I have the honor to inform you that Congress have this day elected his excellency Samuel Huntington esqr. their president. I am Sr Your humble Servant
Cha Thomson secy.
Honble Benj Franklin Esqr.

Endorsed: Cha Thompson Sept. 28. 1780 notifying the election of Mr Huntington as President of Congress.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron von Steuben, 28 September 1779
From: Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, baron von
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Head Quarters West Point, Sept. 28th. 1779
I take the Liberty of transmitting you a few Copies of the Regulations published last Winter for the service of the Infantry. As this Work has been made under my Direction, I must let you know that Circumstances have obliged me to deviate from the Principles adopted in the European Armies, Such as the formation in Two Ranks, the Weakness of our Battalions &c. Young as We are, We have already our prejudices as the most ancient Nations, the prepossession in favor of the British service, has obliged me to comply with many Things, which are against my Principles. However, We have now fixed Regulations, which will at least produce an Uniformity in the Service, & our System, tho’ imperfect, is far preferable to having none.
I leave it to your other Correspondents to give you an Account of the present State of our Army; If they tell you that our Order & Discipline Equals that of the French and Prussian Armies, do not believe them, but do not believe them neither, if they compare our Troops to those of the Pope, & take a just medium between those two Extremes. Tho’ we are so young that we scarce begin to walk, we can already take Stoney Points, & Powle’s [Paulus] Hooks with the point of the Bayonet, without firing a Single Shot. This is very premature, yet we have still many Weaknesses which bespeak our Infancy. We want, above all, the true meaning of the Words Liberty, Independence &c that the Child may not make use of them against his Father, or the Soldier against his Officer.
I will say nothing of our Political Affairs. These do not fall within the verge of my District. All I can assure you of, is that the English will not beat us, if we do not beat ourselves.
As I receive no Letters from Europe which pains me Very much, I have taken the Liberty to direct my friends & Correspondents to address my Letters to you. I rely on your goodness for transmitting them.
I am with great respect & Esteem Dear Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant
His Excellency B. Franklin, Esq; Minr Plenipoy: &c &c.

Notation: Doctr Franklin Sept 1779


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Gentlemen at Nantes, 29 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gentlemen at Nantes

Gentlemen
Passy, Sept 29. 1779.
I received your Report. I am much obliged to you for the Great Pains and Care which you have taken in examining and adjusting the Accounts of Mr. Williams and beg you to accept my thankful acknowledgments. I shal not fail to acquaint the Congress, with your services being with much Esteem and respect Gentlemen
Messieurs Joshua Johnson, &c.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Elisha Hart, 29 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hart, Elisha

Sir
Passy, Sept 29. 1779.
I received yours, and I do by this Post request M. Schweighauser to furnish you with the Same Supply that has been received by other officers in your Situation. It is not much, but the great Number we have to relieve from time to time obliges us to be more Sparing than we Should otherwise be. I wish you safe home to you friends and Country, and I have the honour to be Sir,
Capt Eisha at Mr. Schweighauser, Nantes


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Nesbitt, 29 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Nesbitt, Jonathan

Sir
Passy, Sept 29. 1779.
Capt. Conyngham has not been neglected. As soon as I heard of his arrival in England, I wrote to a friend to furnish him with money he might want, and to assure that he had never acted without a Commission. I have been made to understand in answer that there is not intention to prosecute him, and that he was accordingly removed from Pendennes Castle and put among the common Prisoners at Plimouth to take his Turn for Exchange the Congress hearing of the Threats to sacrifice him put 3 Officers in close Confinement to abide his fate, and acquainted Sir George Collier with their Determination, who probably wrote to the British Ministers.— I thank you for informing me what became of his first Commission. I Suppose I can now easily recover it, to produce on Occasion.— Probably the Date of that Taken with him being posterior to his Capture of The pacquet, made The Enemy think they had an advantage Against him.— But when the English Governement have encouraged our Sailors intrusted with our Vessels to betray that Trust, run away with the Vessels, and bring them into English Ports, giving such Traitors the Value as if good and lawful Prizes, it was foolish Imprudence in the British Commodore to talk of hanging one of our Captains for taking a Prize without Commission. I have the honour to be, with Great Esteem Sir
Mr. Nesbit.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 29 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sartine, Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de

Sir
Passy, Sept. 29. 1779.
I have received the Proceedings of the admiralty at Brest concerning the young Dominique Prize, and eight Ransoms made by the Black Prince Privateer which your Excellency did me the honour of Sending to me the 27th. Instant. With the greatest Respect I am, Your Excellency’s most
M. De Sartine.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Schweighauser, Jean-Daniel

Sir
Passy Sept. 29. 1779.
Please to furnish Capt. Elisha Hart with the Same sum you advanced to the Officers Prisoners, who came over in the first Cartel with the approbation of Mr. Adams, taking his Promissory Notes for the Same per triplicate, payable to the President of Congress, or his Order. I have the honour to be, Sir
Mr. Schweighauser


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Treasury, 29 September 1779
From: Board of Treasury
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Philadelphia, Treasury-Office, September 29th. 1779
The inclosed Resolutions were referred by Congress to the Board of Treasury with Direction to take Order thereon.
The impractibility of executing the Work in this part of the World obliges the Board to forward them to you with an earnest request to have the Medals voted struck as soon as possible with such Devices as may be judged emblematical of the Occasions which excited the Notice and obtained the Thanks of Congress. They are also desirous that the Dies of the different Medals, should be sent by the first Opportunity to America, in Order to be lodged with this Board.
Colonel Fleury will have the Honor of delivering you a Duplicate of this Letter and should he arrive in France previous to the Execution of this Order his Assistance may be of Use to the Medallist as he hath been either a Gallant Actor on the Spot, or an Attentive Observer of the Scenes of the Events and their important Consequences.
I have the Honor to be, Sir, With the greatest Respect, Your most obedient and Humble Servant
Rob. Troup.Secretary
By Order of the BoardHonorable Benjamin Franklin Esqr. Minister Plenipotentiary of the United-States of America at the Court of France—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Marchant, 29 September 1779
From: Marchant, Stephen
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sr/
Dunkirk Sepr. 29th. 1779
I take the Earliest Opportunity of Acquainting your Excellency of my Safe Arrival at Dunkirk in the Black prince. After Dangers both from the Enemy and bad weather, we are Safe Arrived and hath ten prisoners in Dunkirk Goal. I am just setting off to Ostend to take the Command of a Frigate of 26 Guns called the Countess of Berigin, but expects in a few Days to have the pleasure of Waiting upon yr. Honoure. Excellency at Passy with the Journal of my whole Cruize along with me we burnt in the Last Cruize Some of the Enemy’s Ships, run others ashore the whole Account of which I shall with all Expedition Carry with me to Paris as soon as I return from Ostend, my kind Compts. to yr Excellencies Nephew and the rest of the American Gentlemen at Paris I remn. with all Duty yr. Excellencies most Obedient Hhble. Sert.
Stephen Marchant

Addressed: To / His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin, Minister / for the United States of North America / at the Court of France / at Passy / near Paris
Notation: Capt. Marchant Sept 29. 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 29 September 1779
From: Wharton, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris Wednesday Sepr. 29/79
Mr. Wharton presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and returns the Journals of Congress, and News papers with Thanks. He does not find any Paper upon the Subject of back Lands. Upon Enquiry, and looking over his Invoice Book, He finds, That Copper in Sheets, was in the year 1770, from 87/6 to 90/ Sterling per hundred;— of 112 pds. to the hundred. Mr. Wharton thinks there has been little Alteration in price, if any, since that Time.

Addressed: A Son Excellenc / Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Passy
Notation: Wharton Paris 29. 7bre. 1779.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Cuming, 30 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Cuming, James

Sir
Passy, Sept. 30. 1779.
I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 22d. Inst. Several Parcels or Packets have lately come to my hands from Mr. Lovel Sent by different Vessels and I make no doubt but those you mention were among them.
If the Bills you write about were originally drawn in favour of Mr. Thorp, his Letter to you relating to them may perhaps be nearly equivalent to an Indorsement, and be Sufficient to justify my accepting them without an Indorsement. It may not be quite regular, but I am desirous of accommodating you. I therefore wish you would attach that Letter to The Bills when you present them.—
I inclose a Letter for Mr. Lovel, of which I pray your care, I have the honour to be Sir, &c &c.
BF.
Mr. James Cuming Negociant a L’Orient.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 30 September 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lee, Arthur

Sir
Passy Sept. 30. 1779.
I received but Yesterday Morning just as I was going out of Town; the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me dated the 26 Inst. respecting my supplying you with Money for your Support in Spain. As I cannot furnish that Expence, and there is not, in my Opinion, any likelihood at present of your being received at that Court, I think your Resolution of returning forthwith to America, is both wise & honest.
With great Respect, I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
Honble. Arthur Lee Esqr—

Notations in different hands: B. Franklin to A. Lee Sep 30th. 1779. / Sepr. 30th. 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cyrus Griffin, September 1779
From: Griffin, Cyrus
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Philadelphia September. 1779.
I do myself the honor to enclose a packet of letters which being carried by your Servant to the place directed will greatly oblige me. We thank you for the trouble of attesting a Bond executed by the late Earl of Traquair. This Letter will be conveyed by Mon. Gerard, a most valuable and most amiable man indeed! and who has given all the satisfaction possible in his public and private Character. No doubt you were astonished how any part of Congress should wish that all the Commissioners might be recalled to Philadelphia: it was for the purpose of explaining those unhappy dissentions and animosities which have arisen among them; and tho yourself would have left Europe at a most critical period, yet returning to France with accumulated honors after receiving the blessings of America and convincing Congress in what path to walk upon this unhappy and most disgraceful business, perhaps the whole matter impartially considered the united States would have found great benefit if such a plan had taken place. The French are a gay people and entertain a good deal; I am afraid Mon. Gerard has thought the Delegates in Congress were rather deficient in that respect; but really the expence of every article is so very enormous, and the allowance from the different States so very trifling, that a person of a handsome American fortune could not entertain frequently without absolute ruin in the period of two or three years—and especially since some of the states think it best for their delegates to live in seperate houses. In the course of conversation you would do some of us a singular favor to hint this matter to Mon. Gerard—since it has the appearance of not paying proper Civilities to a man of his worth and elevated station.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Sert.
C. Griffin
Copy.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Henri-Maximilien (Henry) Grand, [before October 1779]
From: Grand, Henri-Maximilien (Henry)
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[before October, 1779]
Mr. Hy. Grand a lhonneur d’assurer Monsieur le Docteur Franklin de son Respect, & de le prier de vouloir bien le mettre a même de faire reponse a une Dame Angloise qui est venu passer cet Eté a Paris, & qui etant a la Veille de son depart pour Londres desire obtenir un Passeport de Monsieur Le Docteur Franklin. Elle se nomme Le Beillard, & est de la Connoissance de Mr & Mme. Grand.
Monsieur Wm. T. Franklin a mis une petite Notte a 2 traittes
du Loan office de
   150+1500 l. t.}
  en 2des. du 26 avril 1779. Mr. hy. Grand ne la pas bien comprise. Elles sont neanmoins acceptées.

Addressed: Grand / a Monsieur / Monsieur Le Docteur / Franklin / Passy.
Notation: Grand.—


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 1 October 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bache, Richard

Dear son
Passy, Oct. 1. 1779.
The Bearer, M. Jean Babtiste Charles Pinon Duclos Vulmer, is a young Gentleman of Good family and good Character, who goes to America for the Sake of Seeing that part of the World as a traveller, Your Civilities to him as a stranger of merit will much oblige. Your affectionate father
B Franklin.
Mr. R. Bache


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Lafayette, 1 October 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

Dear Sir,
Passy, Oct. 1. 1779.
It is a long time since I did myself the honour of writing to you: But I have frequently had the Pleasure of hearing of your Welfare.
Your kindness to my Grandson in offering to take him under your Wing in the Expedition is exceedingly obliging to me. Had the Expedition gone on it would have been an infinite advantage to him to have been present with you so early in Life at Transactions of Such vast Importance to great Nations. I flattered myself too, that he might possibly catch from you Some Tincture of those engaging Manners that make you so much the Delight of all that know you.— Accept hower my warmest and most grateful Acknowledgements.—
I Send you enclos’d a Newspaper containing the Particulars of Waynes gallant attack of Stoney Point. This is good News. But it is follow’d by some bad the Loss of our little Squadron from Boston at Penobscot, which it is said our People were obliged to blow up.— I hope Count d’Estaign’s Arrival in America will give us our Revenge. Six thousand Troops are ordered to the West Indies to secure your Conquests, and I hope make more. But I do not hear of any Intention to send any to our Country. I have no Orders to request Troops, but large ones for supplies. And I dare not take any farther Steps than I have done in such a Proposition without orders.— Accept in Beehelf of the Congress my Thankful Acknowledgements for your Zeal to serve America. Occasions may offer which at Present do not appear, wherein your Bravery & conduct may be highly useful to her. May every felicity attend you is the wish of dear Sir, Your. A. and m. o. servt.
BF.
Mr. Le Marquis De Lafayette.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 1 October 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

Sir,
Passy Oct. 1. 1779
I received the Letter your Exy did me the honour of writing to me of the 25th past, inclosing a Memorial relating to the Claim of two Corporals of the Artillery to Shares of the Prize Ship the Fox, taken by the Boston Frigate, on board of which they were, and assisting in the Action. Nothing appears to me more just than that Claim, if the Facts are as stated in their Memorial; and I shall therefore transmit it to Congress, who will, I doubt not, take Care that Justice be done them. But I have always understood that the Fox was retaken before she got into Port; and I never heard of any Money or other Things of Value taken out of her, which I think Mr. Adams would have mentioned to me if it had been true. Indeed it was never usual for Merchant Ships to carry Money from England to America so much more Profit was to be made by carrying Merchandize. However the Matter will be duly inquired into.
With the greatest Respect I am, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
M le Comte de Vergennes.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Duc de Villequier, 1 October 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Villequier, Louis-Alexandre-Céleste d’Aumont, duc de

Sir
Passy, Oct. 1. 1779.
I return herewith the Queries you did me the honour to send me, having written the Answers in the Margin. If they are satisfactory to you it will be a pleasure to me, being with great Respect Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant
M. Le Duc De Villequier.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Montgomery, [between 1 October and 12 October 1779]
From: Montgomery, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
[between October 1 and October 12, 1779]
Presuming on the aquaintance I had the Honour of having with your good Self as well as with Mr Adams at Passy in Sept 78 I Without Invitation Addressed your Eccellancy the 26th of June last Advising that I had been Confounded amongst the English houses here and put under Arrest with them having My Effects Embargoed by the Governour on the first Notice of a War with England, but on Making a Representation to the Minister of State that I had been always Registerd here in the list of Foraign Merchents as an American and also Producing your Certifycate of My being Such he Immediately dispathed a Courier Extraordenary with Orders for My Relacemente, of which I also had the Honour of Advising you, I again wrote from Madrid the 12th Augt. that I had been Ordred by the Count de Ricla to Retire inland 20 Lagues in Consequence of a General Order Given by his Majesty against the English and Irish Catholicks Naturalized in this Countrey amongst Whome I again found My Self Confounded, I then Apleyed in Person being well introduced to the Count de Florida Blanca to Whome I Shewed My Certifycate from the Plenipotentiarys of the united States on which he withdrew De Ricla’s Order and desired me to Return to Alicante, of which I had the Pleasure of Advising you also Each time Requesting you would Condesend to Confirm my Certifycate of Allegiance, but to my Great Mortifycation I have yet had No kind of Answer to any of my Letters, It is with the utmost distress I find my Self Abandond by the Onley Gentleman in Europe from Whome I would Either Ask or Expect Protection as I Cannot Suppose that a Gentleman of Mr Franklins Knowledg in the world tho in the Most Exalted Station Could think it beneath him to Write a Merchant of the first Credit and Reputation, I fear he May have Some Motive for his Silance of which I am Intirely Ignorant. Tis True Spain does Not yet Acknowledge Publickly the Independancy of America but Tacitly they do by Tolerating their Vessels in all their Ports and Harbours, and puting them on the footing of those of any other freindly Nation. As well as any other Subject I find I am Entitled to all the Protection the Government I belonge to Can Give Me, and in Europe have None to Ask it from but your Excellency which I hope will Not Onley Pardon My Inportunitys but also afford me all the Releif in your Power, I Pointed out in My last Respects that a Letter from the Count de Aranda to Count de Ricla in My favour would Certainly have the desired Effect, but Should you find that Improper to be Asked and not think Me Impertinent for Presuming to Dictate farther I would Request you will Give Me a fwe Lines to the French Embasador at this Court who I beleive has Orders to Assist and Protect the Subjects of the united States as Much as in his Power.
I am here to fore Since my Intervew with Count Floridablanca Living Quietly and My Business Regular, but as the Irish and English Catholicks here are in a fwe days to Retire 20 Lagues from the Coast I am Certain I Shall be Oblidged to March Same time they do if I am Not favoured with Some timeous Releif from you, I beg Sir for Gods Sake that you will diegn to Give Me your Protection as I have No Other Suport It being Impossible I Can have any Releif from the Congress before I May be Ruined here, please Consider also that I am the first American House Established in this Countrey which I hope will be Some Inducement to your taking Notice of Me Which Shall Ever be Remember’d with True Affection by Sir Your Eccellencys Most Obedt Humble Servant
Robt Montgomery
His Eccelly Benjamin Franklin Esqr.

Notation: Robt Montgomery.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Scot, 1 October 1779
From: Scot, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Ser
Leorient 1st Octr. 1779—
I Am at this time Necessiated to apply to your honnour for protection in my preasent Condition and I hope Ser you will excuse the freedom I has taken. I am Ser, a subject to the states of Ammerica and has Been since the Commencment of the war. I Came to Nance in the General washington where I Contracted a Disorder and Before I was Recoverd the Vessle saild and left on shore I heard from there that there was some Ammerican Vessels in leorent. I Gote from the Commisonarey a pass and Came to this place and as there was no Ammerican Vessels when I Came I was Obligd to goe on Board a french privateer where I served my Cruise wich was for six months and on applyin for my freedom to ship on Board some of our Vessels in this port the turnd me over to a french man of War and on my Refuseing to serve, the has Committed me to prison as an english prisoner, where I has Been 5 Days with out aney thing to eat or Drink.
I has not aney thing to eat or Drink onless what the english prisoners Gives me out of there allowance to Keep one from starving, wich is not much Beetter with them. I have made my application to the Commisonarey how tells me he has nothing to Do with it. I hope your honnour will Consider my Circumstance wich is Moste wretched at preasent and what adds more to my Missery is my wife and three small Childern I left Behinde me in Baltemore fellspoint. There is two more with me In my preasent Condittion wich enterd on Board the Cruiser with me one the mate of a Brig belongin to Boston the Other has Been two years six months prisoner In england and was exchangd—the first Carteel. We Ser lays our Cause at your Honour Discreetion and Hope you will Consider our preasent Condittion and Release us from this wretched place wich is the prayers of your most Obednt Huble Servant
William Scot

P.S. we expects Orders every Day to Be Marchd with the Other prisoners to some other prison

Addressed: To / the Right Hounerable Dr / Franklin Ambasedor of / the United States of / Ammerica / Paris
Notation: William Scot Oct 1. 79


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Anna Maria Shipley, 1 October 1779
From: Shipley, Anna Maria
To: Franklin, Benjamin

St. James’s Place Ocb. 1st. 1779
As I have this Moment heard of a conveyance for a letter I cannot omit intruding a few lines on you to say how much & gratefully I felt your goodness in writing to me by Mr Jones. & at the same time to tell you of the welfare of a Family that esteems your friendship amongst their most valuable blessing & wishes & prays with the greatest sincerty for yr peace & happiness. I left all well in Hampshire last week. I am now going with this family into Northamptonshire ’till the meeting of Parliment. Adieu my dear Sir with more esteem & admiration than I can express. Believe me affetly. Yrs.
A M S

Addressed: Doctor Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edme-Jacques Genet, 2 October 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Genet, Edme-Jacques

Dear Sir,
Passy Oct. 2. 1779
I received last Night, the two Pieces of Metal sent me by our good Friend Mr Bridgen, and handed to me by your Care. Please to accept my Thanks. If you can easily forward to him the enclosed Answer to his Letter, you will much oblige me.
With great Esteem, I am Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble servant.
B Franklin
M. Genet.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 2 October 1779
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Torris, John

Sir
Passy, Oct. 2. 1779.
Enclosed I Send you the Judgment I have made on the eight Ransomers, the Proces Verbaux being come to hand since my last.
I have also received the Proces verbal relating to  taken by the black Prince of Salem  Captain. I suppose this to be another Vessel. Please to let me know if you have any Concern in it.
Mr. Torris.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 2 October 1779
From: Bache, Sarah Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr and Honoured Sir
Philadelphia October 2d: 1779
This Letter will be handed you by Coll Fluery, who is not only a Hero but a man of merrit, the same which took the Standard at Stony point, he is a favorite of General Washingtons, and Baron Stuben’s the latter of which Gentlemen introduced him to Mr B: and me, one of the papers you sent over was to enquire him out, he says he has wrote often to his Freinds, Mr Bache was to have given him a letter to you but is now out on business that will detain him near the whole day, he desired I would introduce Coll Fluery to you who is to call this morning for the Letter— The publisher of the American Magazine wrote to you some time ago, to desire you would send him some news papers, and sent you some of his first numbers, I suppose you have never receiv’d them, I now send six, not that I think you will find much entertainment in them but you may have heard there was such a performance and may like to see what it is, besides its want of entertainment may induce you to send something that may make the poor mans Magazine more usefull and pleasing, tell Temple the Cave of Vanhest is a very romantic decription of Mr and Mrs Blair’s House and Family, the young ladies that the traveler decribes and is in love with are Children one seven months younger than our Benjamin and the Venus just turnd of five, Mrs Blair was in town last Week enquired very kindly after you both, and beg’d when I wrote to remember her afectionatly both to you and Temple, as I have mention’d her living in the Country you may think it some other Mrs Blair, tis necessary to tell you tis my old Friend Suky Shippen, who has never return’d to town since they were driven out by the Enemy but has rented a farm on the Raiton—as Mr. Gerard is still detain’d I shall have it in my power to write to you again in a few days— I am my dear Papa your Dutifull and affectionate Daughter
S Bache

Addressed: His Excellency / Dr: Benjamin Franklin / Minister Plenepotentiary from the / United States of No. America at the / Court of Versailles / Favord / by Colle. Fleury


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Chalut and Arnoux, 2 October 1779
From: Chalut, abbé ——,Arnoux, abbé ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

passy samedi 2 8bre [1779]
Les abbés de Chalut et Arnoux ont l’honneur de faire Leurs Compliments respectueux à Monsieur franklin et de le prier de leur donner des nouvelles de sa santé à laquelle ils prennent le plus grand interest.
Si Monsieur franklin a reçu le Courier de l’europe Les deux abbés Le prient de leur en procurer la lecture ils seront fort exacts à le lui renvoyer.
pour Monsieur franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 2 October 1779
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & honoured Sir
at the Helder near the road of TexelOct. 2. 1779
Here I am since several days, like Robinson Crusoe, confined in an obscure Corner of this Country, without any body to converse with, but bare Downs, Rabbits, stubborn men, ugly & peevish women, looking out every moment & praying for northerly winds, which only can bring me your friend; at present they are still contrary, blowing from the south parts.— My Instruction ordered me to wait at Amsterdam. But then our friend could have been here 2 or 3 days before I could have reached him; & now the very moment he comes, I will be able, with a boat that is ready for the purpose, to go and deliver him your Letter &c. as wel as to inform you of his arrival & circumstances, without loosing time. I think therefore I may confide, that this measure of mine will have your approbation, & that of your friends; considering moreover, that it costs no more than if I was staying at Amsterdam. However, if the wind should become favorable in a few days, & notwithstanding it none of our friends appear 7 or 8 days after it, then I would think that they had taken another course; & in that case I would leave this station & return to Amst. &c. after having left here good orders to be exactly informed of what should generally happen afterwards.
The following is an Intelligence given me a few days ago. I transcribe it in the proper terms it was delivered to me
“La livrance des fusils, bayonnetes, bandoulieres &c. faite par Mrs. Fiz—& Gd. il y a environ 2 ans, leur a coûté flor. 7. 5s. & ils les ont vendus aux Américains flor. 13. 10s., piece. Ils y ont gagné très-gros; car la Livrance a été considérable. On offre de me produire le compte du fabriquant, qui, dit-on, est de Liege.”
One of the circular Letters of Mr. Bache sent me by Mr. Wm. Franklin I have given to Mrs. Jean De Neufville & Son, at Amsterdam.
I am with great respect, for ever, Dear & honoured Sir, Your most obedient & humble Servant
Dumas

P.S. This was written yesterday 1st in the evening. This morning, being the 2d. I have the pleasure to find the wind turned Nord-West, which is the most favorable we can wish. Now if nothing material happens, till this evening, this Letter will go so as it is hitherto. To morrow, if things require it, I can write another; for the post goes but Monday from Amst. to France.
His Exc. B. Franklin &c.

Addressed: His Excellency/ B. Franklin, Esqr. Minister/ Plenipotentiary of the United/ States,/ Passy./.
Notation: Dumas. Octr. 2. 1779


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 2 October 1779
From: Holker, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Montigny 2 of Octobr 1779
Mr. Garvey an Internet friend of mine sends me the Inclosed, beging I woud write you and Solesit your Goodness for one Mrs Butler who has been tooke by the Black Prince and lost som Bonds and affects, the Vallou of which she asteems at 50, pounds, and offers that same to have them back.
Youl oblige me very much my Good friend If youl Intrest your Self in this affeare, as M. Garvey is a perticular friend of mine, and in caise it does not depend upon you, to send me back the leter, and let me know to whom I may apploy. My wife begs I wood Present you her Respects, as I doe, & wishing you every one happeness you can wish or desire being. My Dr. Sir your Most Obed & very humble Sevt
J Holker

P.S. Allthoug I am very angree with your Grand Son, I beg mine to him, and tell him Il pardon him on conditions when he passeis at Reuen he will call upon me
To his Excellency Dr. franklant

Notation: J Holker Oct 2. 79


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Turing and Son, 2 October 1779
From: Turing, James, & Son
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Middelburg 2d. Octobr 1779
Your Excellency will we trust pardon Our boldness in adressing you on the present Occasion, And we therefore without further apology for the intrusion, beg leave to acquant you that Our Vessel De Brunetta Cap’n Thomas Griffiey with a cargo of Wine & Fruit from Oporto was Seized upon, on the nineteenth of August in Lat: 49”11 Long: 7”3 from Teneriffe by the General Mifflin Privateer of Boston Capt Badcock, who after taking Out the Captain & Crew, as well as Some boat loads of the Cargo, Saying they were in want of those Articles, Sent the Brunetta with the remainder & a Ship’s Crew of the Privateer Men, to Boston; And meeting afterwards with a Portuguese Vessel, they put the Captain and two Passengers on board her and detained the Papers & Documents belonging to the Vessel; Of all which, with the further occurrences of their Voyage, the Captain on his Arrival here took a Protest, of which we now beg leave to hand your Excellency the Authentic Copy, as well as a Duplicate of the Bill of Sale which together with the other Papers, the Captain was told, were found to be in rule, notwithstanding which, the Vessel & Cargo was made a Prize of.— We purchased this Vessel from Some Friends in Bordeaux Septembr. 1778. for the purpose of Conveying Beef from Ireland to this place, from whence it was Sent to Bordeaux, as we did above 6000 barrels last Season, doubtless destin’d for the American Markett or the French West India Islands: We had a Similar project formed, on a Still larger Scale this year, & had in the mean while Employ’d Our Vessels in other lines & among the rest, the Brunetta, a couple of Voyages to Oporto; The Captain of which is a Dutchman born, & has Papers in the utmost rule, So that we cannot Conceive, what motive could have induced Capt. Badcock to make a Prize of her.
We in consequence of this Illegal Capture, now beg leave to lay Our Serious Complaints before your Excellency, requesting your Excellency’s Interest & protection, to procure from Captain Badcock a Satisfaction adequate to the injury he has done us, and to the infringement of Neutral property by a quick and prompt restitution; And we need but Advert to the public Opinion to Assure Ourselves, that we Shall receive from your Excellency’s Patronage, the justice we now demand.
We make bold at Same time, to Offer your Excelly. Our best Services in this Country, & have the honor to Remain, with profound respect Sir Your Excellency’s most Obedient humble Servants
James Turing & Son

P.S. We beg leave also to inclose the bill of Lading.

Notation: Samuel Turing & Son. Midelburg. 2. Oct. 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 3 October 1779
From: Coffyn, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hond. Sir
Dunkerque Octor. 3d 1779.
I received the honour of your Excellency’s letter of 28. ultmo. as the Equipment of Capn. Conningham’s vessell required the greatest circomspection at that time, the only person employed in Shipping the French Sailors, who coul’d have confirm’d their claims, was obliged to abscond himself on account of the perquisitions made after him, and he has never been hear’d off since; but I dare say that Mr. Hodge who had the manegement of said vessell, will do these people justice. I was informed at the time that they was promised the wages and shares of prizes stated by their declaration, but as their engagement was not made in my presence, I can not certiffy it myself.
What your Excellency is pleased to Express respecting the just priviledges of this port, is very pleasing, and makes me hope that your Excellency conscious of the advantages the American Commerce may reap from them, will help to maintain the Same.
I have communicated to the Commissary of the Marine the copy of the 15th. article of the regulation of the 27. Sepber 1778, respecting the English prisonners brought in by the American Ships, to which he promised to conform. The Said Gentleman tol’d me that a person of this place has made an application to him to obtain the enlargement on parole of a Captain and officers of a vessell taken by the black prince, on giving the same Security of one hundred guineas, for a Captain, and Seventy five guineas for an officer, to be forfeited in case they should break their parole, as is practised with the prisoners taken by the French ships of war; I promised him that I should write to your Excellency about this matter to request your excellency’s oppinion, and in case this favour should be granted wether the Commissary or I must receive the Security.
Mr. Torris Seems to be well pleased with the manner your Excellency has Settled the business of the prizes & ransomers of his privateer Black prince; he has received advise last night that two of the prizes call’d the San Joseph a Spanish vessell which had been captured by a Bristol privateer, and the brig Hopewell from Norway, have been retaken and carry’d to England.
Inclosed your Excellency will find an acknowledgement sign’d by five prisoners Capt. Marchant set at liberty on condition that an equal number of Americans shall be exchanged for them, Capn Merchant tol’d me that the receipts of the other prisonners he Sett at liberty have been Sent to your Excellency from Brest & Morlaix. Annex’d is a list of the 10. which were landed here, & committed to the care of the Commissary, the other have enter’d with him at Sea. I also inclose a copy of the report Capn. Marchant made at the Admiralty, on perusal your Excellency will find that considering the Smallness of this privateer, she has caused a great deal of arm to the Ennemy’s trade, which makes me hope that her next cruize in company with the Black Princess for which your Excellency is pleased to promise a Commission, will still be more Successfull. Your Excellencys compliance to my recommendation in this occasion, requires my gratefull acknowledgement, I shall endeavour to merit this additional favour, by my Zeal & Sanguine wish to be usefull to the States Your Excellency so worthily represents in this kingdom.
I beg leave to refer your Excellency to the letter I wrote yesterday to M. De Chaumont respecting the Intelligence received of the Successes of the American Squadron in the German Ocean, the capture of the Two Frigats the Seraphis of 44 guns, and the Countess of Scarborough of 20, with the destruction of the greatest part of the Fleet from the Baltick under their convoy, gains Credit, and I hope will be confirm’d by next post; as the wind has for some time blown from the South west quarter, I hope Commodore Paul Jones will have reached the Coast of Norway to repair the dammages his ships & prizes receiv’d in the engagement before the English Squadron of the Edgar of 74 guns, the Dromadary & Diamont frigats with the Speedy packett, sail’d from the Downs in quest of him. Any further intelligence I may receive about these ships, shall be immediately communicated to your Excellency; interim I have made the needfull dispositions to give them every necessary assistance, if they should make their appearance on this Coast.
I have the honour to remain with profound respect Your Excellencys Most obedient & most devoted humble Servant
Frans. Coffyn
His Excellency D. B. Franklin at Passi.

Notation: Frans Coffin Dunkeque 5. 8bre. 1779.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 3 October 1779
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Oct. 3d. 1779.
Copy from New-Lloyd’s List, No. 1097, receiv’d this morning from Amsterdam, Tuesday 28 Sept. 1779
Hull, Sept. 25. The Seraphis frigate, & Countess of Scarborough armed Ship, having the Fleet from the Baltic under Convoy, were attacked, between Flamborough-head & Scarborough by Paul Jones’s Squadron, when after a severe engagement, in which the Seraphis lost her Main-Mast, Bowsprit, Mizen Topmast, & otherwise much scattered, as was also the Countess of Scarborough, they were both taken; the Merchant-Ships separated during the action. Part took Shelter on the Coast near Scarborough, & two are arrived at Hull.— A valuable Ship, bound to Quebec, was taken on the North of Scotland; also a Letter of Marque of Leverpool; & several other prizes were taken & sunk off Whitby by Jones’s Squadron.

Dear & honoured Sir
from the Helder, Road of Texel 3d. Oct. 1779. at 6 a Clock in the Evening.
I congratulate you with all my heart with the above Intelligence; & I think I can congratulate you also with the very apparent arrival to morrow morning of the victorious squadron on this Road; for there are at least 5, if not 7 men of war, at anchor, at the very entrance of this road, the greatest of which has his colours flying, of which, at Such a distance, we can only distinguish here, that they are not the colours of this country, & I think I may guess that they are American colours; for my telescope, if not my imagination gives me red & white lines, & a blue Square in the head corner. The Nordern wind, that has favoured them hitherto, is not so good for them to come quite within the capes. This night I shall hear more of them; & if the post is not then gone, you shall have it. To morrow very early in the morning, if the wind should still hinder them to come near us, I shall hire a sailing sloop, & go to them, provided I am sure that they are our friends.
I have your last favour of the 27th. past, with the pensylvania papers, & another written Extract, for which you have my hearthy thanks. They are a very welcome entertainment for me in those Desarts.
I am in a hurry, with great respect, for ever Dear & honoured Sir yr. most obedient & humble servant
Dumas
I guess the two prizes to be with them; for I see one them without his Main mast.His Exc. B. Franklin

Addressed: His Excellency/ B. Franklin, Esqr. Min. Plenipo:/ of the united States &c./ Passy.
Notation: Dumas. Oct. 3d. 1779