Title: Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1780
From:
To:

Now that Franklin was distributing printed promissory note forms to prisoners receiving assistance, we will no longer publish individual promissory notes as sample documents. Instead, in this and subsequent editorial notes, we will take notice of each person, the date on which he received a loan, and the sum.
Printed forms survive from thirteen escaped prisoners for the months covered by this volume. On March 11, Franklin gave three louis apiece to Benjamin Ashton and George Girdler. Two days later he gave six louis apiece to Nicholas Bartlett and Peter Duhard, both from Marblehead, Francis Robins, from Boston, and Capt. William White. The baron d’Arendt received 25 louis on May 18. On May 23, Franklin gave one louis to James Tille (or Tilee), and on May 27 (or possibly the 23rd) he gave two louis to Frank Foster of Portsmouth, Virginia. On June 8 the baron de Wulffen signed a note for 20 louis, and on June 25 William Hammond and Benjamin Hyland each received two louis.
Five men signed notes handwritten for them by L’Air de Lamotte. Jeremiah Peirce, of Rhode Island, received four louis on March 22. On April 3, Franklin gave David Gardner, of Boston, two louis. John McFarland, of Boston, and Redmond Conningham Henderson, of Philadelphia, received a joint sum of five louis on April 26. On May 4, Nathaniel Harrington received the same amount.
The Alphabetical List of Escaped Prisoners records sums given to two men whose promissory notes have not survived. On April 6 Franklin gave four louis to Benjamin Robert Chew. Elias Ellwell, on April 14, received a mere 12 l.t., half a louis.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Coder: Memorandum, [before March 1780]: résumé
From: Coder, Henry
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<[before March, 1780], in French: I feel sorrier every day that my suggestions of two years ago were not accepted. Had we been allowed to attack under the American flag the English sailing in the Mediterranean, as I proposed, we would have destroyed their commerce. If Sartine had given me the twelve hundred deserters for which I had asked, I would have created an auxiliary corps allegedly financed by Congress—in truth by me—and together with Captain Jones we would have landed near Exeter, raised immense contributions, and burned some important port. We could have captured 300 or 400 rich people who come to bathe at Britinston [Brighton] and used their horses to seize the principal residents of Sussex in order to bring them to Passy as hostages. We could have forced the King of England to recognize American independence and also captured Jersey and Guernsey, but instead Sartine gave the men to the Prince of Nassau, with humiliating and expensive results. Lafayette’s proposed expeditions to the very places I had suggested also came to naught.
About a month ago I sent Sartine a note to suggest that our Channel fleet be placed under the joint command of d’Orvilliers and du Chaffault. If instead of risking the fleet in the Channel this late in the season they put it in a position to intercept British commerce and menace Ireland, they can draw the British into battle. We could then use a squadron of four ships of the line, four frigates, and two fire ships under the command of Captains Jones and Cornix to escort a landing party of 4,000 men to Sussex. After luring the British there, they could reembark in forty-eight hours and capture Plymouth. Meanwhile other forces could capture Jersey and Guernsey and then attack Portsmouth. This would compel the English to sign whatever peace we want. If the neutral powers object we could pretend that the ships were yours; no one could blame you for making reprisals. Sartine merely sent his thanks via his secretary, M. de La Croix, and that is that.>


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jones, John Paul

Dear Sir,
Passy March 1st. 1780.
I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 25. & 28th past.
I am glad to learn that you can take a Quantity of the Cloathing and Arms: and that you can accommodate the 4 Gentlemen I had mentiond to you. M. De Sartine desires also a Place for a Passenger that goes on some Business from him: I make no doubt of your Willingness to oblige that Minister. I could wish also that you would find Room for Mr. Brown of S. Carolina, who is about returning there.
I do not know that I have Authority to give the Order you desire to Lieutenant Rhodes. But if you and he agree in the Transposition proposed I have no objection to it.
Capt. Landais has demanded of me an Order to you to deliver him his Trunks and Things that were left on board the Alliance. I find him so exceedingly captious and critical, and so apt to misconstrue as an intended Injustice every Expression in our Language he does not immediately understand, that I am tired of writing anything for him or about him, and am determined to have nothing further to do with him. I make no doubt however, that you will deliver his Things to any Person he may impower to receive them, and therefore think such an Order unnecessary.
I have not as yet received an Answer to the Memorial I sent to the Court of Denmark, reclaiming the Prizes sent into Norway, and deliver’d up unjustly by that Court to the British Consul. I have not heard that they have yet left Bergen. I hope we may yet recover them or their Value.
There is a Mr Lockyer, who has served 22 Years in the British Navy as a Master, and having met with some Injustice would go to America, in hopes of finding Service there. He wishes to go with you, and if you can give him any Employment on board it will be very agreable to him.
Dr Bancroft being by this time with you will take all the Steps possible to promote your Refiting, and forward the Payment of the Prize Money. I do not comprehend what the Weight of Metal has to do with the Division unless where Ships are fitted out by different Owners.
I hope your Indisposition will soon be over, and your Health restablished, being, with sincere Esteem Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant.
B Franklin
Hon Capt. Jones.

Notation: From his Excellency Dr. Franklin Passy March 1. 1780


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Pierre Landais, 1 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Landais, Pierre

Sir,
Passy, March 1. 1780
I receiv’d the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 28th. past.
Inclos’d I send you the certificate I gave you the last time I saw you to justify your stay in Paris till the Time of its Date, You left it on my table.
As I do not understand that Capt. Jones has refused to deliver your Things, or that any Application has been made for them, an Order to him from me seems unecessary. I am persuaded that if you send an Inventory of Them to any friend you may have among the officers of the Ship, or in L’Orient, impowering him to receive them, you may have them without difficulty.
I suppose that Besides the money you received in Holland, and the 50. Louis here, you have since had 100. Louis more to defray your Expences in coming from Holland, Staying here, and going to America, which I imagine is sufficient. As to your Prize Money and Wages, the Payment of them does not belong to me.
It is not in my Power to give you a Passage to america. Many Vessels are now going, and if you have a desire of rending your self there to obtain a Trial, you may doubtless easily find a Passage among them.
I have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
Capt. Landais.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, [1 March? 1780]
From: Chaumont, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[March 1, 1780?]
M. de Chaumont a L’honneur d’envoyer a S. Ex. la depesche cy Jointe de M. Dumas, et La Lettre de M. Landais pour Scavoir Ce que S. Ex. veut qu’il Reponde.
M. De Chaumont Croit que M. Jones n’a lair de Chercher a estre employé en france que pour pouvoir dire en amerique qu’il ne Couroit pas après Le Commandement de L’alliance.

Notation: M. de Chaumont.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 1 March 1780
From: Hartley, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear friend
London March 1 1780
Having been very much chagrined with the delay of the Cartel I writ some time ago a very pressing letter to the admiralty earnestly requesting them for the sake of humanity to quicken the ceremonious forms of office. They have sent me notice of their compliance & that another vessel is under sailing orders; probably by this time sailed. They add in their letter to me “We shall be much obliged to you for endeavoring to have an equal number of British prisoners taken by American vessels assembled at that place (viz Morlaix) to be returned in her.”— Having received yours of the 2d of febry. I consider that point as secured and let us understand once for all tht the prisoners will always be found at Morlaix. The forms of office are intolerable when they aggravate the Miseries of war to Extremity— For instance when my patience is worn out beyond enduring, I write to the Board of Sick & Hurt to beg & entreat that they will proceed. In a fortnight perhaps I receive an official answer— “We have referred your letter to the Lds of the Admiralty & have their Lps. [Lordships’] order to proceed & to request that you will procure for us the precise Number” &c &c. There go 3 months more. Let me therefore explain to you that untill you advertise me to the Contrary I shall always understand that any Cartel ship of ours will find 100 prisoners at Morlaix; upon that ground I may prevail; but when they can say to me, “What you told us two months ago may not be so now” I am baffled in the importunity with wch I wish to press forward the deliverance of my friends and fellow creatures from captivity.
There is nothing that gives me so much pain as to see any cases in which Nations think themselves compelled by what are called the Laws of war to supercede the feelings of humanity. I have at length received an answer to the proposition of the parole Exchanges at Sea in the negative. The argument is stated to me thus. That the proposition gives a greater advantage to an American Captor than to a British, (a competition wch it shocks me even to recite) because an american by discharging prisoners, may in one cruize take half a dozen prizes, whereas a British Captor not being justified under the laws of his Country to discharge prisoners cannot have the same advantage of accumulating prizes. This is the argument. I grieve for the Consequences as augmenting the miseries of mankind in war. I have on the other side urged the arguments of humanity, and I shall still continue to represent them viz the Laws of god & the rights of humanity versus the horrid Laws of war—
As to other parts of your letter of the 2d of febry. I shall take some future opportunity. But mark one word now. There is no man in the world so fully convinced as I am or who can give such full testimony as I can do of your principles, as well for effecting a safe and honorable peace, as for an inflexible integrity and adherence to engagements. Weigh these words. Take them as my testimony. It is possible that at some time hereafter they may be more fully explained.— Now mark another word. I have studied very much in my letters to you to convey the principles wch guide my thoughts & conduct; viz reconciliation upon principles of humanity equity honour and the Strictest justice to all parties. Fiat justitia et ruat cœlum. Let justice be sifted out to the nicest scruple of equity & honour, & let that justice [torn: be] the foundation of peace. Verbum sapienti. Your affecte
DH


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Du Marquet and Other Applicants for Emigration, 1 March 1780
From: Du Marquet, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

The first applicant for emigration during the months covered by this volume, whose letter is printed below, is torn between his patriotism and a desire to provide his children with an upbringing appropriate to their birth.
On March 4 a discalced Carmelite friar named Father Paulus writes in Latin from Saint Peter’s Church in Marseilles, wishing to emigrate to the “most blessedly united provinces” where he will offer ecclesiastical services to Catholics and whatever is required to those of other faiths, either now on the battlefield or later when peace returns. He is thirty years old, healthy and robust enough for any kind of service. Originally from Würzburg where he did his studies, he has spent three years in Mannheim, and is in Marseilles to serve the German nation and learn French. With a favorable reply from Franklin, he will obtain leave from his superiors in Germany.
A group of well-off people calling itself “la société requerante,” writes on May 9 to request Franklin’s protection and advice concerning the plan they have formed to establish a colony in America. They ask Franklin if their conditions can be met:
1. Complete freedom of conscience.
2. A geometric square mile of fallow land in a temperate, fertile, healthful region.
3. The privileges enjoyed by other inhabitants.
4. The administration of their domestic affairs without the intervention of any legislative authority except in cases of life or death.

For their part the members agree to submit to the general laws of the republic not in conflict with articles 1, 2, and 4. They direct Franklin to respond care of Monsieur de Kemtenstrauss, chevalier du St. Empire, poste restante at Munich.
On May 14 Fontaine writes from Fribourg to ask what inducements will be offered to people of talent who wish to emigrate to America. In a postscript he adds that if Franklin wishes to know who is writing him, he may obtain information secretly from Augustin Forestier, treasurer of the Swiss Guards at Paris.
Nicholas Barth Reimers, a subject of Catherine the Great, writes in English on June 16. Twenty-seven years old, he was trained as a merchant. After a stay of four years in London and various travels in Germany, he settled at Riga where he quickly lost all his money and had to leave the country. For the past eighteen months he has been in Orleans where trade is slack because of the war. He has no occupation, no prospects, and many debts. He begs Franklin’s help in procuring a place in the service of America. He has a good command of English and German, understands Dutch and French, and can be useful in any department on either side of the Atlantic.
On June 17 Englehard, a surgeon, writes from Brumath, just north of Strasbourg, where he was educated. He has spent thirteen years away practicing his profession. He was many years in Switzerland and in Paris as assistant surgeon in the Swiss Guards of the King. He also knows obstetrics and could be useful in any circumstances. Surrounded by peasants, he is unappreciated and unhappy. He has resolved to go to America if Franklin will assure him of a position, paid travel expenses, and a safe port. He must have an answer by the end of the month, when he is due to leave for Russia.

Monsieur
Bollene—par le pont st. esprit. Ce ler. mars. 1780.
Quoique je n’aye pas l’honneur d’etre Connû de votre excellence vos talents, et vos vertus qui ne Sont ignorées d’auc’un francois m’enhardissent a avoir Celuy de vous ecrire avec la plus entiere confiance.
Je ne Connois l’amerique septentrionale que par les diverses relations que j’en ay lû; le discours (surtout) philosophique et politique de l’etablissement des européens dans le nouveau monde ma donné des etats unis dont vous etes le representant, Monsieur l’idée la plus avantageuse: et me fait desirer de pouvoir un jour aller m’y transplanter avec ma famille. J’ay l’honneur d’etre né gentilhomme; mais ma fortune est si modique que je me verray dans l’impossibilité de pouvoir elever des enfans cheris, (et dont le nombre augmente chaque année) d’une maniere relative a leur naissance. Ma tendresse pour eux, que partage avec moy une femme qui a tous egards merite le tendre attachement que j’ay pour elle m’engage a chercher de reparer par un moyen honnete l’injustice du Sort qui sembloit m’avoir fait naitre pour jouir d’une Situation heureuse.
J’aime ma patrie; je partage avec la nation l’amour merité, et le juste enthousiasme ou elle est pour notre jeune monarque digne descendant d’henry quatre. Mais Ces precieux sentimens la doivent ils me faire rejetter les moyens qui pourroient Contribuer a procurer un sort plus heureux a Ce que la nature, et mon Cœur me disent que j’ay de plus cher? J’en appelle a vous Monsieur vous etes Citoyen, mais vous etes père.
Si votre excellence Croit que mes idées de transplantation puissent se realiser avec avantage j’ose la prier de me dire son avis la dessus. Quelque occupation que puisse vous donner le poste que vous occupés, ne restil pas toujours un moment de loisir a l’homme de bien pour s’occuper du bonheur d’autruy? Si la reponse dont j’ose me flatter que vous voudrés bien m’honorer devenoit pour moy un encouragement a suivre mes projets, je serois flatté de meriter par quelque chose d’utile la bienveillance des nouveaux Compatriottes qui m’adopteroient, et pour Cet effet je proposerois a votre excellence quelques idées dont la reussite que je Crois infaillible procureroit un jour de grands avantages aux etats unis. J’ay pensé qu’il ne me falloit aucun moyen intermediaire pour m’adresser a vous; persuadé que je Suis qu’il est plus digne de vous, et de moy-meme de n’interesser que la sensibilité de votre ame, et l’utilité peutetre dont je pourrois devenir.
Je me reserve Cependant Monsieur lorsquil en seroit tems de me faire presenter a votre excellence par des personnes de Consideration qui ne puissent laisser chès vous aucune idée de mefiance envers moy. Je Crois la chose indispensable si en voulant bien repondre a ma Confiance je dois etre dans le Cas de vous proposer quelques idées.

J’ay l’honneur d’etre avec respect. Monsieur. votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur
Du MARQUET

Notation: Morket Mars 1st. 1780


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Lafayette, 2 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

Dear Sir,
Passy, March. 2. 1780.
I receiv’d with Pleasure the Letter you honour’d me with of the 29th. past, and am infinitely obliged by the zeal and Assiduity with which you have forwarded our affairs at Versailles. The 15000. Arms and Accoutrements are a great article.
I had written to Capt. Jones that Besides the 122. Bales of Cloth, we hoped for that quantity Arms which it was suppos’d he might take as Bellast. I think the Cloathing 4000. suits was also mentioned to him by Mr. de Chaumont. In his last letter to me he says he will take as much as possible and hopes he may be able to cram in the whole. If not your ship can take the rest. I wish much to know where the arms are and when they can be render’d at L’Orient.
Mr. Williams I hear is indefatigable in preparing the Cloathing, and hopes to have the whole 10,000 suits ready by the End of the Month. I wish they could go with you, but that being impossible. I hope we shall get another ship of force to carry them. They are made precisely according to the Directions of the Commitee.
If on seeing the accounts I find I can add a proportion of Cloaths for Officers, which you urge so earnestly, I Shall do it with Pleasure. But from the large and unexpected Drafts often made upon me by Congress, I am become timid. I must take Care of their Credit, and my own, and cannot take hazardous steps, as protesting or not praying [paying] one of their Bills would be attended with great Mischief on both sides the Water. And when I consider the vast Expence occasioned to this nation by the War, I am asham’d to be repeatedly worrying the Ministers by applications for more money.
I ought to let Capt. Jones know as soon as Possible whither the arms are to go with him, as he would Stow them low to serve partly for Ballast. If a Ship can be obtain’d for them and what shall remain of the Cloathing, perhaps it may be as well to excuse the alliance from that article, and let her take more of the Cloathing.
I am told the 122. Bails of Cloath to be shipt by Mr. Ross for the Congress, will by Computation make 7 or 8000 suits. These will be in Addition to the 10,000 making by Mr. Williams. Those Suits will be compos’d of Coat waste coat, Breeches, Overalls, 2 pair of Strokings, 2 pair of shoes, two shirts, two stocks, and a Hat for each man. I think there will also be Buckles. If there be any farther information that you want, let me know, and I will give what I can.
With The sincerest Esteem and affection, I am Dear sir, &c.
Mr. De La fayette.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas: Two Letters, 2 March 1780
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.
Honoured & dear Sir,
the Hague March 2d. 1780.
The Letter I send you a Copy herewith I have just received. The Autor of it having always professed himself a friend to the American cause, though not a more powerfull one than many others, deserves to be managed; & therefore I shall write to him very politely, & offer him, If he has some good ouvertures to make for the credit of America, to convey them, by my correspondence, to you, Sir, & to Congress. His circumstances are now very good, having not long ago got a considerable succession from a relation of his.
Be pleased, dear Sir, after having read my Letter, here inclosed, for Capt. Jones, to close it with a piece of wafer, & send or give it him when you will see or know of him.
I think him too much exasperated against 784 & 166, & not enough aware of the fair promises 64 has made him. I am sure the latter is but an indifferent friend to the two former, to 338 & to 65.
I am ever with a most respectfull attachment Honoured & dear Sir yr. Very humble & obedient servant
Dumas
Passy, his Exc. B. Franklin

Addressed: His Excellency / B. Franklin, Esqr. Minr. / Plenipe. of the United States / &c. / Passy ./.
Notation: Dumas, la haie March 2d. 80

II.
The Hague March 2d. 1780 in the Evening.
This moment our friend tells me in great confidence, that 873. 30 has at last made one principal Step they expected from him, by 705, 26. 884. 873. 783. 64. to sound 394. 274. about an 61. MPGPPX. 880. & 873. 598 PBX. CDLDPC. 322. 795, 26. 873. 183. 610. 578, 28.
388. 236, 27. 935. 388. 385. 884. 787. 884. 873. 783. 64. as a 960 man 601. 581. used to 842. 537. But 833. 388. 236, 27. 470. and 873. 783. 64. has 802. 880. very 214. an 304. 884. 665. 618. 880. PBBLO.
Our friend has this from 873. 783. 64. himself; And 62. 341. 873. 362. 657LBI. They are sure that 867. & OPXWLBN. 942. 39. 884. 873. 541. And a negociation is set on foot for a body of 600. 531, 28. which 878. 262. 601. 878. 942. 606. 322. 874. 560.
This Letter cannot go till to morrow. If there is some other news, I shall add it on the other side of this sheet.

Notation: Dumas la haie March 2d. 80


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 3 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jones, John Paul

Sir
Passy, March 3. 1780
This is to authorize & require you to receive & accomodate in your Ship as Passengers the honourable Arthur Lee & Ralph Izard, Esquires, late Ministers of the Congress at the Courts of France & Toscany. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
To the honourable J.P. Jones Esqr. Commander of the Alliance—

Notations in different hands: Dr. Franklin’s order for our Passage / March 3d. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 3 March 1780
From: Digges, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr. Sir
London 3d Mar. 1780
I recd your favrs. of the 2d. & 9th. Feby very safely, and by a Country man (Capn. Ben Carpenter of the Cartel ship lately from Boston to Bristol) I take the opportunity to forward you a letter from Mr DH which will explain the state of the Cartel; I am in hopes before I seal my letter to also get one from Mr Hodgson; & not unlikely one from Mr Banks about the medal, and also a line from Mr B Vaughan.
Captain Carpenter goes on the same errand with Belt, who is arrivd safe, & will go soon. It may be necessary to inform you that the vessel in which Capn Carpenter came from Boston has been seizd as a prize, & it is yet doubtful whether the owner of Her Cap Hy. Mitchell who is also an inhabitant of Boston, & came in His vessel for the purpose of getting over Rigging Cordage & stores for two vessels He has building in Boston, will get any gratuity made Him for His ship, which He values at £2000.— Capn. Carpenter will be a supplicant to you for a pass for the Brigantine Adventure, Himself Commander, of abot. 160 Tonns & men answerable, which Mr Mitchell will immediately push forward from Ireland to Boston with the above mentiond articles, sail Duck, Tent Canvass, usefull stores, & Provisions. Mr Mitchells friends and Connexions in Ireland will enable him quickly to do this; and as His schemes bear a manifest tendency to do good for Ama, & that He may be in some measure riembursd his loss’s on the Cartel business, I back His Solicitations & request to you, that another pass may be given for the Ship in which He will go himself. He would personally apply to you for it & go thro the necessary forms, but his attendance at the Admiralty every day with His Lawyer & in some hopes of getting a gratuity for the loss of the vessel, prevents Him. If the pass could express this last an armd vessel, it will be the better, & he might do something on his way from Corke. The vessel is calld the ship James Heny Mitchell Commander about 200 Tons Burthen & would be found & fitted as a letter of Marque, provided it is proper, and a Commn can be given by you for Capt Mitchell to act as such. If it can be done I see some good may arrise from the scheme to our Country. I have been much with Capt Mitchell on the Business of the Cartel &ca. and also with Captain Carpenter, & I find them persons every way qualified to be trusted & whom I would wish to serve. Capt. Carpenter will immediately return to me in London & proceed on to Ireland, & will take charge of any thing you may have to send.
Capt B——t got back near the same period with Mr B—r—r, the latter of whom I have not yet seen tho he carefully calld & left your Letters. He is an intelligent good sort of Man, but so buried in ship Business in the City that It may be some time before I can get a sight of Him. As yet I am not acquainted by Mr H——y whether or not he was successful in the persuit He went upon, & wch indeed was so complicated that I did not clearly understand. In B——ts adventure you may rely there is none but Am——ns & those of the right sort, concernd they are chiefly indeed all of them placd in this Country at present by the accidents of war, some prisoners—some left out of Bread by the stoppage of the Fishery &a. &a. but being six or seven in number & not without friends to lend them money, they will carry out full 10,000£ worth of Goods.
I have recd & placed to your Credit the 100£ remittd me. Some days before I got it I had written to my friend at Plyo. to supply Capt Ma——y, to the amot. of 16 or 18 Guins that he might bribe some individual to give up his place to Him in the next Cartel. I think this or something else may be effected for Him & he never has, nor shall he want my aid. The 28.1.10 was paid to Brown & Collison & you have a Rect. inclosd. I have also bought the Dicy & Gramr Cost 35/6 & they will go in a box with other books from Mr Vaughan to Ostend. They are directed to the Care of Monsr. Francois Bowens (Mr Whartons friend) & He has orders to forward them on to you. I employd my friend Mrs. Vaughan to procure the peice of Irish stuff calld independence, at least as much as would make a Ladys suit. I fear by her not sending it to me to day that it cannot be had in London (but must be orderd from Ireland); but if it comes this Evening Capt Carpenter will take charge of it to you. If not, I will send it in an ostend trader to Mr Bowens for forwardance. There will also go with the p s/s(?) stuff the six trios of Augustar, wch Mr B.T.F wrote to me some time ago for.
I am sorry I cannot give you a better accot about the contract for Exche. of Prisoners by the two Cartel ships to Falmo & Bristol. Two of the Passengers in them made some little stir at first but their mouths seem to have been since shut. The two Capns. of the Packets Hill, & Boulderson, did what they could with the board of sick & hurt, but it seems the Exchange as agreed on by the Prisoners could not be complyd with because it was unusual & unofficial, & because a Cartel for that purpose actually existed between Boston & new York. But I beleive this answer will not satisfy the Yankees if ever any of the Prisoners are again catchd in Ama. The Bearer will carry you a list of names & the written agreement instead of complying with which only partial releass are given to four or five out of the 130 wch came in the two Ships— The releases are simply thus a letter to the Commander in cheif at N York to release one person or Gentn., for Mr. Jno Jackson; (this Mr Jackson is a talking sort of a forward lawyer who came in Mitchell) and also other similar letters to a Mr. Barry (an under secy to Govr Dalling) & to the Capns Hill & Boulderson these last are appointed again to Packets and are Kings Commissiond Officers, & Barry very soon after his arrival was sent back with Dispatches to Govr Dalling. The rest are all following their avocations & seem to be quite easy, nor do I find the admiralty have ever thought it requisite to write to New York that an equal number for them should be releasd there. This shall be properly enquird into & you shall know the issue.
I have sent you 10 or a doz news papers by which you will gather the present news & disposition in Parliat Lord N does not seems to hold the majority he used to do in his divisions of that House. The people do not seem at all elated with the success’s & present state of Rodneys fleet. They think it at risque from Don Gastons Squadron. I find only 4 of his ships are to proceed on to the Wt Indies, & but 3 or four to go with Walsingham as Convoy to the Wt Inda. fleet wch will sail abot. the 15th or 20th. but probably 8 or 10 others will see them some distance from the Lands end. There are many fears too abot. the French having the majority of Ships on the Wt Indies next summer & fears are revivd about the safety of Jamaica. The Associations get more & more seriously formidable every day & the ministry are hurt exceedingly with them. If there is not a general reform gone into I make no doubt but there will be soon some capital Rumpus. The Irish are farther than ever from being satisfyd & their parliament seem resolvd to Repeal Poinings Law— to put an end to all appeals to England—to render their judges independant of the Crown—to have a habeas Corpus act—to confine their votes for supplys to the apportionment of New Dutys only—to give bountys on their own Manufactures—to have a mutiny Bill &ca. &ca. all which is very clever for us & must in the end hurt poor old England as she is now generally calld, very much.
Mr Jones being on a Circuit Mr Paradise deliverd yr. Certificate about the orders to Amn. Cruisers not to molest Capt Cooke, to Mr Banks who quibbled & shuffled all he could—by saying it was not an act of Congress, but meerly from yr. own humanity that it was granted, that it expressd but one Ship when there was two, that it was dated a year after the order issued by France &ca. &ca. He has promisd Mr. Paradise a letter for you wch I expect this Evg. & said that a Silver Medal should be certainly given you (gold ones only being given to sovereigns) & that could there be proof that such orders were the deed of Congress they should have a gold medal.
I do not hear or discover the least signs of any troops meant to be sent to Ama there are some going & gone to the Wt Indies the amot not more than 5,000. It is thought Wallace will command a small squadron of frigates and conduct the trade to N York & Quebec wh will likely sail together abot. the 20th. Inst. not unlikely with the Wt India ships. I wish you a large share of health & happiness & am with very high Esteem Dr Sir Yr. obligd & Ob Serv
TD
I send you also a Letter from Mr Taylor of Bath.

Since writing the within, I have seen Capt Mitchells letter to you as well as one to the Council of the State of Massachusets, and they are so explanatory of His business that I need not add a word on that head.
The Letter I expected from Mr Banks, Mr Hodgson, or Mr Vaughan has not come to hand, but I have Recd from Mrs. V the peice of Stuff (Durant) as near the pattern as could possibly be got. It Cost 40/— and the ShopKeeper who brought it me says He could not cut the peice wch. Contains 30 yds.
I do not recollect I have any thing further to say than that I am with the greatest regard Dr Sir Yrs &c &c
The Dicy. and Grammar goes via Ostend with other books from Mr V——n. I shall write to Mr Bowens by the Bearer & if they are arrivd at Ostend & can be forwarded by the bearer they will be sent by Him in the Carriage or Dilligence.

Addressed: His Excelly. / Benjamin Franklin / Passy / pr. favr. / Cap Carpenter
Endorsed: Mar 3. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 March 1780
From: Jay, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Cadiz 3d. march 1780.
On this Day I gave the House of Messrs. Jaques, Louis And Laurt. Le Couteullx of this Place, a Set of Bills on you for two Thousand five hundred and Sixty four Livres Eighteen Sols and ten Donrs. [deniers] payable ninety Days after the Date.

I am Dear Sir with great Regard & Esteem your most Obedient Servant
(signed) John Jay.
His Excellency Dr. B. Franklin.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 3 March 1780
From: Jones, John Paul
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honored and dear Sir,
L’Orient March 3d. 1780.
I had the Honor to write to your Excellency the 21st: & 25th: Ulto.— We have hitherto had no Assistance from the Port and I now hope to get the Alliance ready with out them.— The Arms for the Continent if I am to take them on board the Alliance will be wanted soon as they cannot so well be Stowed after we begin to fill Water.
I wish for the determination respecting the Wine Brig that was taken last Summer bound from Bourdeaux for Dublin for I find that this long Suspence gives great uneasiness and hurts the Service.
It gives me pain to Complain of any man, but you will Judge whether I have not reason when I tell you that M. Schweighauser refuses to settle with Mr: Williams for my part of the Rangers Prizes that have been 22 months in his Hands.— And for which I have not to this instant received any payment.— Whoever behave in that manner deserve a harsher Name than I shall now give them.—
The Conduct of M C. requires at least an explanation. M S—— as I understand Writes that the monies for Settling the Affairs of the Armament lately under my command has been lodged in the hands of a Banker at Paris ever since the begining of November at the disposal of M C.— M C—— has impowered no person here to act in that Business.— He writes this Note in French to Mr: Gourlade by last post— “When you have need of Money draw on me at Four Usances.” —without saying a Single Word to explain for what purpose the money is to be applied:— Besides, no Man I believe can raise Money on M C’s Bills without further Security and a discount.— Why not therefore draw Bills on the Banker with whom the funds are Lodged? And why has he not given Orders to do this much Sooner?— As the Men engaged to serve with me they naturally look to me for their Right and I naturally demand it on their behalf.
I beg Pardon for giving you this trouble.— I would write to M C.— but he has not Answered my last.— I hope however that he will immediately make the necessary and Just arrangements and so acquit himself of the Duty he has Undertaken that I may not be reduced to the necessity of mentioning his Name a Second time to his Superiors.—
Unless you disapprove of the within letter to the Countess of Selkirk I must beg you to forward it by the Surest Conveyance.—
With the highest esteem and Respect I am your Excellency’s most Obedient and most hum Servt.

N.B. As there is a dispute about the Cannon that M: Bonfield sent here from Bourdeaux for the Bon H Richard; and as they were bought very Cheap and are well adapted for the Ships now Building in America, I could take them on board instead of a Quantity of Shingle ballast—If you Can make the necessary Arrangements. The Eighteen pounders are of a good length and Quality and Cost me much pains to procure them.
His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr: &c. &c.

Notation: J.P. Jones. L’orient. March 3. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mancet & Cie. and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, 3 March 1780
From: Mancet & Cie.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A number of people had concrete goods to offer the Americans and some others hoped Franklin would collaborate with or promote their pet project or plan for the new republican states.
The Brest shipowners Mancet & Cie., whose letter is published below, want permission to give Franklin’s name to their new privateer.
Also in the maritime line comes a project on May 6. Eager for revenge on the British for the bad treatment suffered at their hands, Alexandre Morisse submits his plan for the building and outfitting of a privateer to be named La Jeune Dunkerquoise, for which he asks Franklin’s sponsorship. The printed enclosure specifies that instead of equipping this ship the European way with a dozen cannon and three-pound balls, the American system will be adopted: five cannons with six-pound balls and five guns throwing one-pound stone projectiles. Such an arrangement will give attacking power to both sides of the ship and completely hide the sixty-member crew, of which Morisse will be the captain.
Writing from Paris on June 19, the firm of Chrestien & Cie. relates that they have been approached by the deputy of “Machachuset,” who is desirous to procure ninety pieces of cloth from their manufactory in Sedan. Eager as they are to oblige and create ties with Massachusetts, Chrestien would appreciate a conference with the worthy representative of the United States in whom he has the utmost confidence.
The large cloth manufacturing firm of Coulougnac & Cie. (XXXI, 289n) informs Franklin on May 15 that they are now at the head of a consortium of twenty textile-producing firms created solely to facilitate reciprocal commercial dealings between France and North America. Their two main seats, in Lyon (where their letter comes from) and Nantes are ready to handle all the orders that Congress or the States may place either for war purposes or private needs. Payment can be made through accepted drafts on Paris or by exchange for tobacco, indigo, rice, or furs. The goods will be delivered within six months and are guaranteed to be of the best quality. They beg to be recommended to Congress and for their offer to be publicized through the newspapers. Their house in Nantes will easily sell all the goods sent from America. Thanks to their immense resources, they feel able to fulfill governmental wishes on both sides of the ocean.
A Paris wigmaker by the name of Chaumont encloses a printed circular advertising his product on June 14: a naturally curled hairpiece that truly mimics real hair and is held in place by a special pomade that comes in two-ounce sticks. The wigmaker’s innovations have received the approval of the Royal Academy of Sciences.
Writing on May 21 to “Monseigneur de Francklin” from Dieuze in Lorraine, Collignon, a lawyer, member of the academies of sciences of Naples, Munich, Lisbon, and others, announces that the book he has written on clearing uncultivated land has been extremely well received all over Europe. He is now submitting it to Franklin’s “profondes lumieres.” He is also sending a package made up of several copies meant for Congress since he is convinced that the topic of his work will be of the greatest use to the Americans. Please forward it as early as possible.
A rather grandiose scheme—a poem made up of eight cantos of four hundred verses each—is announced by the abbé de Boisrenard, writing on May 5 from Lorges, near Beaugency on the Loire. His enthusiasm for America sustains him but he needs Franklin’s help to settle a few historical points. Who were the first men to conceive the notion of independence? Which American and British generals fought in Lexington and where is Lexington, which he cannot find on a map? Where exactly did General Gates capture Burgoyne? Where was General Lee made a prisoner? Did General Montgomery leave a son? The castle of the Montgomerys still stands and should be bought for that child if he exists.
Still in the literary line, an anonymous correspondent addresses Franklin on April 19. In his enthusiasm for the cause of Franklin’s “compatriottes devenus nos frères,” he has written a memoir “Pour la Gloire du Roy, l’avantage et Lhonneur de ma Patrie,” but he fears that the copies he is sending to Maurepas, Montbarey, and Sartine will never reach those ministers’ eyes—the reason being that his ideas are not expressed in a stylish way. He hopes that Franklin, focusing on the memoir’s substance, will manage to get it published. Seeing it in full or in part, in the Mercure de France, would delight the author.
Equally eager to see his musings appear in the Mercure de France is Talamuth (a pen name?), who fulminates against General Benjamin Lincoln. In an undated letter, he accuses the general of having been corrupted by gold and marvels that a man as enlightened as Franklin should not have foreseen his treason. A lawyer prone to Delphic style and prophetic pronouncements, Talamuth predicts America’s early enslavement unless his counsel, inspired by Reason, is heeded. Only after Franklin gets his “petite dissertation” published in the Mercure de France will he reveal the secret to which he alone possesses the key.
Two Germans, both using Gothic script, have elaborate financial plans for the United States.
Bühring, who writes from Berlin on March 3, wants to be paid for his idea. For the sum of twenty thousand pounds sterling or a piece of land of equivalent value in America where he could settle with his family, he will reveal the plan he conceived to raise money for the United States, money on which no interest will have to be paid. What he has in mind is paper money he would put in circulation; but instead of falling below its value, as the current paper money is doing, his would be equal to real money, or almost. One condition, though: he has to be present to carry out the plan, for the slightest mistake could be very harmful. If the plan fails he asks no compensation.
The other German scheme, presented by Reyhermann, originates on April 7 in Apold, Saxe-Weimar. It describes the alchemistic discovery of a never-ceasing source of gold. This discovery will allow the government to provide, at no expense, for pensioners and widows. The author claims to have sent his manuscript and printed dedications one and a half years ago; they must either have been received or purloined by his enemies. He asks for 6 or 10 Louis d’or in order to pursue his work. In addition to this, there is an undated printed sheet soliciting subscriptions for the publishing of the project.
A man who does not give the slightest inkling of his purpose but merely tells Franklin “que j’ai quelque chose a vous communiquer de tres interessant et tres satisfézant pour vous” is the chevalier de Vosmon who writes from Paris on April 26. He asks very politely for an appointment. Franklin endorsed the note the following day and indicated “That I shall be at home on Wednesday morning, ready to receive him, if he thinks proper then to call upon me.” But there must have been some mixup, for the endorsement continues on May 4: “Wrote again appointing saturday the 6th at 11 or to call on him about 1 the same day.” This May 4 letter is missing but undoubtedly written in response to a May 2 letter from Vosmon renewing his request for an appointment. An undated letter by an unnamed third party reminds Franklin that Vosmon wrote a week earlier and gives his address.
Finally, inventions. A Parisian by the name of de Servandony, writing on March 29, has designed a contraption that allows a battery of canons to be raised twenty to thirty feet above the ground or the sea without much difficulty or expense. He will be glad to present a model of it any time at Franklin’s convenience.
Another bellicose machine is proposed from London, in shakily spelled English, on May 30. The “Ingenious Ingineer” who thought up the deadly systems described therein is called John Cross but the people who recommend him (possibly Cross himself?) simply sign themselves “Your ould Friends in Broadstreet” —Broad Street being where William Hewson and his wife Polly lived.
These recommendations endorse Cross’s invention, meant to preserve their country from a naval descent, and assert it has been tested and found to work. Still, they admit, it did not win the approval of General Williamson, was considered too cruel by Sir Charles Frederick, and was not even studied by General Conway. But Franklin well knows the narrow-mindedness of English placemen who value recommendations over merit. Two broadsides are enclosed, one for his own inspection, the other for the King of France. They both are still among his papers, leading one to believe that Louis XVI did not receive his copy. The ten grimly prophetic engines of death enumerated by the author consist mostly of mines to be positioned in various ways in the sea or within the earth, to be exploded either from contact or at a distance. He also devised a moving battery drawn by horses for the protection of fifty men against a whole army, and a cannon secured in such a way that the greatest enemy force cannot dislodge it.

Monsieur,
Brest Le 3 mars 1780.
Le desir dont nous Sommes animés de partager les Succès et les travaux de tant de Braves Marins qui Se distinguent Contre Nos Ennemis Par les plus Beaux traits de courage et d’intrepidité, nous Engage a recourir à votre Excellence Pour la Supplier d’être favorable à L’armement d’un Corsaire de 22 Canons que nous nous Disposons a mettre en Course contre les Ennemis communs de la france et des états unis de L’amérique.
Nous osons Donc Recourir à votre Excellence pour lui demander la faveur de faire porter à Cette Corvette le Pavillon Américain, et de nous accorder des lettres de marque qui en Secondant nos vues, nous mettent à même de Remplir nos projets. Votre Excellence ajoutera a notre reconnoissance Si elle nous permet de Donner a ce Corsaire le nom de franklin. Ce Nom aussi Cheri que Respecté parmi le peuple Republicain dont vous êtes le representant, n’est pas moins En vénération Chez tous les français qui Savent rendre hommage aux vertus et aux talents qui vous caracterisent. Nous Sommes avec Respect, Monsieur, De Votre Excellence Les très humbles et Très obéissants Serviteurs
Mancet ET Compe.armateurs à Brest

Notation: Mancet & Compe. le 3 mars. 1780. à Brest.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Bancroft, 4 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bancroft, Edward

Dear sir,
Passy, March 4. 1780.
You will see by the enclos’d that a Demand is made of replacing the Things belonging to The Serapis which Comme. Jones borrowed from her and took on board the Alliance when he changed ships. I request you to manage this affair with him in your usual Prudence. I am ever, my Dear friend, Yours most affectionately.
Dr. Bancroft L’orient.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, [4 March 1780]
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

saturday Morning [March 4, 1780]
I am for the last time Going to Versaïlles, My Good friend, and Any Command from You on this occasion will be very well Come— As I am in a great hurry for My departure, Be so kind as to let me know if You want me to Come to Your lodgings to Morrow at ten o’clock or if you choose Better to Call here.
If it is equal to you, I’d thank you for your dispatches for to Night, as I sett off to morrow By twelve o’clock.

Notation: La Fayette


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 5 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de

Sir,
Passy, March 5, 1780
I received with great Pleasure the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me from Boston. I rejoiced to hear of your safe Arrival, and that the Reception you met with in my Country, had been agreable to you. I hope its Air will suit you, and that you while you reside in it, you will enjoy constant Health and Happiness.
Your good Brother does me sometimes the Honour of calling on me, and we converse in English, which he speaks very intelligibly. I suppose that by this time you do the same. M. de Malesherbes did me lately the same Honour. That great Man seems to have no Wish of returning into Publick Employment, but amuses himself, with Planting, and is desirous of obtaining all those Trees of North America that have not yet been introduc’d into France. Your sending him a Box of the Seeds, would, I am persuaded, much oblige him. They may be obtain’d of my young Friend Bartram living near Philadelphia.
You will have heard that Spain has lately met with a little Misfortune at Sea, but the Bravery with which her Ships fought a vastly superior Force, have gain’d her great Honour. We are anxious here for farther News from that Coast, which is daily expected. Great Preparations are making here for the ensuing Campaign, and we flatter ourselves that it will be more active & successful in scope than the last.
One of the Advantages of great States, is, that the Calamity occasion’d by a foreign War falls only on a very small Part of the Community, who happen from their Situation & particular Circumstances to be expos’d to it.— Thus, as it is always fair Weather in our Parlours, it is at Paris always Peace. The People pursue their respective Occupations, the Playhouse, the Opera, & other publick Diversions, are as regularly & fully attended, as in Times of profoundest Tranquility, and the same small Concerns divide us into Parties.— When you left us, we were Gluckists and Piccinists. Within these few Weeks we are for or against Jeannot, a new Actor. This Man’s Performance, & the Marriage of the Duke de Richelieu fills up much more of our present Conversation, than any thing that relates to the War.— A Demonstration, this, of the Publick Felicity.
My Grandson joins with me in best Wishes for your Health & Prosperity. He is much flatter’d by your kind Remembrance of him. We desire also that M. de Marbois would accept our Assurances. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect, Sir, Your &c,
M. de la Luzerne


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 5 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Passy, March 5. 1780
I received but lately the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me in Recommendation of the Marquis de la Fayette. His Modesty detain’d it long in his own Hands. We became acquainted however, from the time of his Arrival at Paris, and his Zeal for the Honour of our Country, his Activity in our Affairs here, and his firm Attachment to our Cause, and to you, impress’d me with the same Regard & Esteem for him that your Excellency’s Letter would have done, had it been immediately delivered to me.
Should Peace arrive after another Campaign or two, and afford us a little Leisure, I should be happy to see your Excellency in Europe, and to accompany you, if my Age & Strength would permit, in visiting some of its ancient and most famous Kingdoms. You would on this Side the Sea, enjoy the great Reputation you have acquir’d, pure and free from those little Shades that the Jealousy and Envy of a Man’s Countrymen & Contemporaries are ever endeavouring to cast over living Merit. Here you would know, and enjoy, what Posterity will say of Washington. For a 1000 Leagues have nearly the same Effect with 1000 Years. The feeble Voice of those groveling Passions cannot extend so far either in Time or Distance. At present I enjoy that Pleasure for you: as I frequently hear the old Generals of this martial Country, (who study the Maps of America, and mark upon them all your Operations) speak with sincere Approbation & great Applause of your Conduct, and join in giving you the Character of one of the greatest Captains of the Age.
I must soon quit the Scene, but you may live to see our Country flourish, as it will amazingly and rapidly after the War is over. Like a Field of young Indian Corn, which long Fair Weather & Sunshine had enfeebled and discolour’d, and which in that weak State, by a Thunder Gust of violent Wind, Hail & Rain seem’d to be threatend with absolute Destruction; yet the Storm being past, it recovers fresh Verdure, shoots up with double Vigour, and delights the Eye not of its Owner only, but of every observing Traveller.
The best Wishes that can be form’d for your Health Honour and Happiness, ever attend you, from Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
Gen. Washington


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Neave & Son, 5 March 1780
From: Neave, Richard, & Son
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Kind Sir
Passey. Sunday 5. March 1780.Chez Le Roi Pattissier Grand Rue
Convinced that His Excellencys time is too much (Just now) engrossed, than to Attend to the Complaint of Individuals Suffering— We beg the Favour of You to take an Opportunity soon of Briefly hinting to him the present Situation of Richd Neave & Son:— Who have been now near three Years in France, Upon a full assurance of a Passage to America wth. Mr. Wharton— As Well as Support from him— Untill Such his departure.— Now that time he Acquaints Us is very near at hand, And that he Cannot Support Us any longer wth. Money nor Can We or Either of Us have a passage to America wth. him.— Now it is Well Known to his Excellency, That the House of Neave & Son have been the Support of the House’s of Baynton & Wharton & Baynton Wharton & Morgan for Many Year’s—from 1757 or 1767—That I Settled Accounts wth. Mr. Saml. Wharton in Augt. 1770. When the Several Ballances due to Us from Them was Upwards of 30,000 [one word illegible] the Greater Part of wch. is due at this day beside’s the Interest— We do Assure you Sr. We never did an Act in England that Should Cause Mr. Wharton’s Embarrassmt. We Suffered much from Creditors whom Neither Mr. Wharton or Ourselves Could Satisfie As to the Safety of their Money—and after paying them 11/6 per £ left them and much property, Rather than Submit to An Act of Bankruptcy that Would not only Involve Us—But Mr. Wharton to their power.— Thus While We have been Ruined by Our Favour to that House, They have been Raising Ample Fortune’s— Wherefore We may say Every Act of Honesty & Friendship is due to Us—from Mr. Wharton— Knowing his Excellencys Freindship towards him We Beg he will Use his Good Offices wth. him, that may Incline him to so much Justice to Us before his departure That We may not be Reduced to Beggery Here, or become troublesome to Any One, Untill We Can meet wth. the prospect of a passage to America. Your Favour herein will Greatly Oblige Sr. Your most h’ble Serts.
Richd Neave & Son

We had thot. of Conveying this to You by the hands of young Mr. Franklin— But on Secd. Thought Judged it more prudent to put it into your Own hands—
RN

Addressed: His Excellency B. Franklin Esq— / &c &c &c
Notation: Rich: Nevve & Son 15 March 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Juliana Ritchie, 5 March 1780
From: Ritchie, Juliana
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir.
Cambray. March 5th. 1780.
Permit me to address You in the freedom of a friend, one who has for many Years sincerely esteemed & respected you for your singular Virtues—tho’ I had never the happiness of a Personal acquaintance with you, such I ever thought a real loss to me, & in the present situation of affairs I find an assencial one. Suffering as I do incessent aggitation of mind without any resource from wence I can derive a certain knowledge of those things that cause my unhappiness.
It is near two Years since I have received any intelligence on the part of my husband— Our letters to each other have been intercepted—or by some other means have all miscaryed during that interval of time by which I am in a state of suspence & intire ignorance of every particuler respecting His situation, otherways then that of His being with the American Troops—but how imploy’d—I know not. What I have suffered—& still suffer from this irksome suspence is not possible to be expressed— I have wrote repeated letters to my friends in England begging to be informed in this point, but they have all been answered in terms to the same purpose Viz. they know nothing respecting the Concerns of Mr. Ritchie— This circumstance has had an effect to increase my fears & apprehensions for His safety. Pardon sir the liberty I take in troubleing you with my concerns— A heart like yours best knows how to pardon an intrusion caused by such a motive. I shou’d not have thus precipitately addressed you— but from certain reports that are circulated here, mentioning a number of officers in the american Troops—that have fallen victims to the British Army, & that a gentleman of the name of Richards—or Ritchie was a mongst the unfortunate. My suffering heart, presages the worst—& my mind is incessently conflicted—in the sad alternative of hope & despair—the latter most prevails when we know the certainty of any Misfortune. Religion & resignation to The Divine decrees—comes to our releif but during suspence—the heart knows no respite from turtures in you sir I rest my dependence for a certain information respecting the situation of my husband, you are too just & good—to deceive me on the part of His fate—be it of a nature to give me pleasure—or pain. I presume sir you have lists—regularly transmited to you, of all the occurrances that take place in the American troops, & if not so—’tis probable—that those Gentlemen who lately arrived at Paris, from America, are well informed of those events &ca. Let me intreat you sir—to make inquiries on the part of Mr. Ritchie’s health—& situation at the time of those Gentlemen’s departure from thence, pray do me the honor to write to me—as soon as possible an account of what information you receive on this head, you will thereby oblige me more then I can express. I beg at the same time—to be informed of the state of your health, which I hope is well, that you may long enjoy that Blessing—with every other you so strictly merrit—is my ardent wish.
I hope Your Amiable Daughter was well when you heard from Her— I fancy by this time she has a fine family of Children. Ah me, I often reflect upon past occurrances—with regret—for their loss— My heart is still in Philadelphia, & the hope of one Day returning to finish my Days there—is my greatest solace.
My time has been chiefly spent in a convent—since I first came to France, where the retirement & stillness has aforded me too much leasure for meloncholy reflections when my fears—pictured to me—the sufferings of those worthy Virtuous People whom I had had the happiness to see & know, under such pleasing circumstances now all involved in the Miseries of a sad warr. May Kind Heaven remove their afflictions.
I purpose leaving this country—& returning to England some time in the course of the next Month, where if I can render you any service, to know your Commands will give me real pleasure. Please to address me at Cambray—where your letter will come safe to her—who’ has the honor to be—with real Esteem Sir Your sincere friend & humble servant.
Juliana Ritchie

I am a shamed to forward to you—so incorrect a scrawl—but I am so afficted with a head ach that I scarce am able to hold my pen.
To Mr. Franklin.

Notation: Ritchie March 5. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 March 1780
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir
Nantes March. 5. 1780.
I beg leave to introduce to your particular notice my Friend Mr Mason of Virginia a Gentleman of a respectable Family & plentifull Fortune by showing him every civility & every mark of Friendship he may have occasion for you will very sensibly Oblige Dear & hond Sir Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J

Addressed: The Hon. / Doctor Franklin / Passy
Notation: J. Williams mar 5 1781


Title: Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioner or Commissioners, 6 March 1780
From: Hopkinson, Francis
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin

Gentlemen.
Philada. March 6th. 1780
Since my last of the 14th. of Jany. the following Setts of Exchange have issued from my Office Viz

    To Pennsylvania

Dolls

  150 setts36 Dolls.No.2218–2367 =5,400

  To New Jersey

Dolls

  50 setts30 Dols.No.2026–2075 =1,500

  50 —36 —2368–2417 =1,800

 3,300

  To Pennsylvania

Dolls

  100 setts—30 Doll.No.2076–2175 =3,000

  100 —36 —2418–2517 =3,600

   6,600

I have the Honour to be Gentlemen, Your very humble servt.
Fras HopkinsonTreasr of Loan

(Original)Honbe. Commrs. at Paris(No. 15)

Addressed: To The Honourable / The Commissioner or Commissioners / of the United States of America / at / Paris / (On public service) / (Original) / To be sunk if in Danger of falling into the Hands of the Enemy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 6 March 1780
From: Jones, John Paul
To: Franklin, Benjamin

L’Orient March 6th: 1780.
I inclose for your Excellencies approbation an extract of a letter that I have received from Sir R Finlay respecting an invention of Bombs that are Calculated to set fire to any Object against which they are discharged from a Cannon.— If they answer the description that I have had they will be an Acquisition of some Consequence to our Marine.— The expence of the Drafts is but triffling and I shall not Scruple to pay it.— I wish you may find the inventor worth of further Attention.— If the Drafts should not reach you before I leave France, please to oblige me by forwarding them to the Care of Mr Morris of Philadelphia.—
With profound esteem and Respect I am your Excellencies most obliged Servt:
Jno P Jones
His Excellency B Franklin Esqr:—

Notation: J.P. Jones L’Orient. March 6. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Tott, [after 6 March 1780]
From: Tott, François, baron de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
[after March 6, 1780]
M. De Lafayette en partant pour L’amerique m’a Confié La Surveillance dune gravure qui represente Le general Washington, et Je crois ne pouvoir mieux repondre a Ses Vües qu’en madressant a vous pour Le choix et le titre des Bils qui presentent La partie historique, faites moy la grace de m’indiquer le moment ou je pouray aller Vous Consulter a cet egard Sans vous etre incomode.
M. De Lafayette devoit aussi, Monsieur, avant Son depart, m’aboucher avec vous pour un petit cathéchisme americain, dont il vous a Sans doute parle et Si vous persistés dans ce projet nous en causerons egalement. Je Seray fort aise que cette Occasion me procure celle de vous offrir L’homage de mon admiration et celuy des Sentimens du tres parfait attachement avec Lesquels jay L’honneur detre Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres Obeissant Serviteur
Le B. De Tott
aux petittes ecuries de La reine rue de Varennes./

Notation: Rott le Baron de.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 7 March 1780
From: Digges, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr. Sir
London 7 Mar. 1780
I am to beg the favour of you to inform me by first post, If the following American bills of Exa. are good ones; They are lodgd in my hands by a Countryman who waits to know their fate; that is, whether others of the same tenor & date have, or have not been paid. A letter sent to the former direction by Post, W.S. C—— at N——os Coffee Ho. with such information will greatly oblige Sr. Your Most Obt. Servant
WS. C

No. 27—
  For 30 Dolls.
  dated feby. 23d 1779—Payle to Jona Warner countersignd Nicholas Gilman for State of N Hampshire—

  26—
  For 30 Dolls.
  dated, payable, & countersignd, as above

  25—
  For 30 Dolls
  Do  Do  Do

  166—For 24 Dollarsdated Feby. 15. 1779—payable to Jonan Warner, countersignd Nat Appleton Massachusts. N.B. the above are all seconds—

  No. 173 For 24 Dollarsdated Feby 23 1779 payle to Peter Boilston Adams, countersignd by Natl Appleton Massachusets bay. N.B. this is a first bill.

138 Drs.

Addressed: Monsieur / Monsieur B. Franklin / Passy
Notations: M. Digges 11. Mars. 1780. Londone. / March 7 1780 / ansd 20. Mar 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 March 1780
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir
Nantes March 7. 1780.
Doctor Bancroft gave me your Favour of the 26 Feb. & Mr Chaumonts Letters desiring me to send as much as I could of the Cloathing to Rochelle with the greatest Expedition. I accordingly went to Work to Bale up what was ready & had loaded two Waggons after a deal of Trouble & Difficulty with the Custom House. When the Waggons went to the Barrier there was a Demand of 1/30th of the Whole value for les Droits dominal of the Duc de Fitz James this would have been a Sum of near 2000 Livres only for those two waggon loads. I consulted with Doctor Bancroft & we determined to prefer water Carriage rather than submit to this exorbitant Demand. I was obliged to allow a Dedomagement to the Waggoners for their expences & loss of Time. I have now got those & a few Bales more on board a small Vessell which goes away to night & I hope will be at la Rochelle in Time. I have done all that was possible to do & have got away but a small quantity at last but I expect it will be as much as the Frigate will take, for Ships of War have in general but little Room. I am convinced of the old proverb “the more haste the worst Speed.” This hurrying away a Part of the Supplys delays the remainder. It is in general best to give reasonable Time for An Operation & I believe in the End it turns out more expeditious.— I did not mistake Socks for Stocks for it is mentioned in the Order “of the same Quality with the Feet of the Stockings.” Being in suspence about the Buckles & knowing the necessity of Dispatch I had ventured to order them. I have since countermanded the Order but I have agreed to take all that are ready, which is reasonable. I have issued but few Bills yet & those only to procure Cash to replace the advances I had made for the Shoes Linnen & workmanship which all require Cash: you have inclosed a List of what I have hitherto issued.— I will keep on the shoemaking but as it goes slowly, when it goes on well I will have Leather ready for the Time of Shipping. I inclose you a Letter for Mr Poulze as you desire it is a Copy of my last, but I have altered the Date.
I will take care of the Boxes of Types as you direct as soon as they arrive.
Mr Gridly one of my arbitrators had desired me to request you to order him a Passage in the Alliance as his Health requires his immediate Return. I told him I would write to you & I wish you may oblige him but I wish more that you may favour my uncle with a Passage out. I have many Reasons for wishing he was with his Family but his long absence is of itself a sufficiently strong one.
I have a few Pounds of Babery or myrtle Wax of which I will send you some by the return of Doctor Bancroft. I shall be obliged to you if you will give me a Receipt how to make Crown Soap of it, I want to try the Experiment & it may serve to make this Wax an Article of Commerce here, at present it is not known.
I am ever with great Respect Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J

My Wife joins in Duty & Love to you. Bien des Excuses a M. Chaumont pour n’avoir pas repondu ses derniers par ce Courier. Je le ferois par l’ordinaire prochain.

Notation: J Williams Mar 7. 80


Title: Intelligence from Paris and Other Places, 7 March 1780
From: Kéralio, Agathon Guynement, chevalier de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

The chevalier de Kéralio forwarded only seventeen intelligence reports to Franklin during the months covered by this volume. After the first one, dated March 7 and printed below, the flow ceased almost completely until late May. When it resumed, the reports were generally quite brief in comparison to those of previous volumes. The other items were the following:
(I) Cadiz, May 28: Eight ships of the line have arrived from Ferrol; the fleet of twenty-eight of the line here was awaiting only their arrival before sailing.
(II) Flushing [in the Netherlands], [June?] 5: The tambour is beating in order to recruit ships’ crews in all our towns. We believe there will be war unless the British (who are detested by ⅞ of the republic) honor their treaty. We have stopped fitting out whaling ships in order not to expose the crews to capture. Crews are so rare that the Jeune Cornélie has not been able to find three sailors here or in Middelburg.
(III) Amsterdam, June 8: Empress Catherine II of Russia has not yet responded to the States General. We hope for more from our own efforts. Everything possible is being done to put the Dutch Navy on a respectable footing. Several vessels have arrived from America bringing news of Lafayette’s arrival.
(IV) Brest, June 8: A convoy left yesterday; its destination is believed to be the West Indies. Another convoy sailed for the Indies from the Ile d’Aix. Work is still proceeding on sending a second division of troops to Rochambeau, but the time of their departure is unknown. At the beginning of the month three ships put to sea; one, from Lorient, is thought to be bound for the East Indies. The destination of the other two is unknown.
(V) Brest, June 12: It is said the two convoys for the West Indies will be combined. Another one is expected to sail tomorrow.
(VI) St. Malo, June 13: A ship from Baltimore at Cadiz reports Congress has reduced $200,000,000 in currency to a fortieth of its former value. Several warships from Lorient and Rochefort have arrived at Brest. Construction of a frigate has begun.
(VII) St. Malo, June 15: Two British frigates are in view but they have not prevented the arrival of a convoy of fifteen sail; two cutters built for Spain are in the roadstead.
(VIII) Dieppe, June 15: The privateer Comte de Maurepas arrived yesterday with a prize. The Le Havre privateer Stanislas has put into Ostend for repairs after a fierce engagement with three British frigates.
(IX) Paris, June 16: All but one ship from a twenty-one-ship convoy from St. Domingue have reached here safely. Also arrived is the Négresse with dispatches from La Luzerne reporting that the siege of Charleston has been lifted, the British army is in retreat, and General Clinton has been killed. Lafayette has reached Boston. The riots in London have ended after causing £1,200,000 damage.
(X) Paris, June 17: Letters written at Martinique on May 5 report Rodney’s squadron has been badly damaged in an April 17 battle and is now undergoing repairs at St. Lucia; Guichen will attack Antigua or St. Christopher.
(XI) Le Havre, June 18: Six men have been killed and twenty-nine wounded aboard the privateer Stanislas during a five-and-a-half-hour fight with a British frigate.
(XII) Brest, June 19: Four British privateers have been captured by French warships. All the ships here except the Northumberland are in the roadstead. The departure of a convoy has been delayed for fear it will encounter the British fleet.
(XIII) Lorient, June 21: The frigates Vénus and Magicienne have brought here four captured privateers and 400 prisoners.
(XIV) Brest, June 22–23: Two India Company ships arrived recently. Orders have been given to the various workshops to hold in readiness enough materiel for forty ships of the line.
(XV) Paris, June 23: News of May 10 from Martinique is that Rodney has refused to fight Guichen and is moored at St. Lucia. Clinton is said to have returned to New York with part of his troops.
(XVI) Dunkirk, June 27: The privateer Union Américaine arrived yesterday with a ransom and a prize; five other privateers are preparing to sail.

Paris, Le 7. mars
Depuis cinq Couriers, on ne reçoit aucune nouvelle de Brest et l’on ignore absolument ce qui S’y passe. Mais en même tems on sait que les Régiments de Bourbonnois, Soissonois, Neustrie, Saintonge, anhalt et Royal-Deux ponts (on nomme encore Boulonnois et Royal Corse) ont reçu ordre de se tenir prèts à S’embarquer. Le Commandement de ce Corps de Troupes est donné, dit-on, à M. de Rochambeau, mais Sa destination est tres inconnue. Jusqu’à présent l’Escadre destinée à le convoyer n’étoit que de six Vaisseaux; on dit qu’elle sera renforcée de six autres et que le tout Sera aux ordres de mr. du Chaffaut. On part [parle] du départ vrai ou faux de ce Général pour donner le Commandement de l’armée navale à M le Cte. d’Estaing. On parle encore d’une Escadre de trois Vaisseaux confiée à M de Bougainville, et M de la Clocheterie doit en commander deux autres pour des expéditions Séparées et Secretes.
Si l’on ignore ce qui Se passe dans nos ports, on n’est pas plus instruit des opérations des Espagnols. On sait Seulement que l’amiral Rodney appareilloit dans la Baye de Gibraltar, le 13 fevrier à 5. h. ½ du soir, et que le 15. à la même heure la flotte Espagnole faisoit des dispositions dans la rade de Cadix pour mettre à la voile; on la dit à la mer et depuis trois semaines on n’a de nouvelles ni des uns ni des autres.
M. franklin a eu des nouvelles de Boston. Deux armateurs américains ont pris Sept batimens chargés de vivres et de munitions de guerre et un Sloop de guerre qui les escortoit. Ce Convoi alloit de hallifax à Penobscot.
M de la fayette devoit partir hier matin: il S’embarque, dit-on, Sur la frégate l’hermione et porte l’habillement et l’armement complet de 4000 hommes.
Le Roi vient de faire dans l’armée de terre une promotion considérable d’officiers Généraux et de Brigadiers./.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Caccia, 8 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Caccia, ——

Sir
Passy, March 8. 1780
I unfortunately mislaid M. Cavalliers Letter, & have totally forgotten the Subject of it, or I should have answer’d it long since. If you can make me recollect the purport of it, I will send you an Answer immediately. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servt.
B Franklin
M. Caccia

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Caccia / a Paris
Notation: Passy franklin du 8. Mars 1780


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 8 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jones, John Paul

Dear Sir,
Passy March. 8. 1780
I received your Favour of the 3d Inst. I find the Arms are to be sent in one of the Kings Ships. I inclose an Order for the Cannon which you say You can take as Ballast. The other Particulars of your Letter I shall endeavour to answer to morrow. With great Esteem I am, Dear Sir, your most obedient & most humble Servant.
B Franklin

A muster Roll of the Bonhomme Richard will be wanted, I understand, in order to divide the Produce of the Prizes.
Mr. Ross having wrote me word that he shall go in the Luzerne, I request you to take in his Stead Capt. Hutchins a very worthy American, who has suffered much for his Attachment to our Cause—
Honble Comme Jones—

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Capitaine / Jones chez M. Gourlade / Negt / à L’Orient
Endorsed: From his Excellency Dr. Franklin Passy March 8th 1780
Notation: an order for the Cannon &c The BH: Richards muster Rolls wanted


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Count Andreas Peter von Bernstorff, 8 March 1780
From: Bernstorff, Andreas Peter, Graf von
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Coppenh. ce 8 Mars 1780.
Si Vous etiés un Homme moins connû et moins consideré, j’aurois eté fort incertain au Sujet de la Lettre que jai eu l’honneur de recevoir de votre part, et qui ne m’est parvenue qu’au 31. du Mois de Janvier. J’aurois pû la regarder comme une demarche calculée à nous mettre dans un nouvel Embarras aussi penible que le premier; mais on ne craint et on ne risque rien avec un Sage tel que Vous, Monsieur generalement respecté par cet Univers que Vous avés éclairé, et connû par cet Amour dominant pour la verité, qui caracterise l’Homme de bien et le vrai Philosophe. Ce sont ces Titres qui feront passer votre nom a la posterité la plus reculée, et auxquels je m’interesse particulierement dans un Moment, ou la Situation des Affaires m’impose la Loi de me depouiller en Vous ecrivant, de tout Caractère public, et de n’aspirer qu’a Vous paroitre ce que je suis bien veritablement, l’ami passionné de la Paix, de la verité, et du merite. Cette Maniere de penser decide non seulement de mes Sentiments personnels à votre Egard, mais aussi de ceux que j’ai relativement a l’Affaire facheuse Sur laquelle Vous avés bien voulû me parler, et qui dès Son Commencement m’a fait la peine la plus sensible. Vous conviendrés sans peine avec moi, Monsieur, qu’il y à des Situations epineuses, dans lesquelles il est impossible de ne heurter personne. Vous estes trop equitable pour ne pas entrer dans la nôtre. On ne se consoleroit pas de s’y trouver, et on ne pardonneroit pas a ceux qui les ont amené, si elles ne fournissoient aussi pas quelquefois l’occasion de s’entendre et de prevenir tout ce qui pourroit faire naitre à l’avenir des Embarras aussi essentiels. Mr. le Baron de Blome Vous parlera sur ce Sujet avec la Confiance et avec la franchise la plus entiêre, et si mes Souhaits peuvent estre remplis, je serai dedommagé de toutes mes peines, et il ne m’en restera que le Souvenir agreable d’avoir eu la Satisfaction de Vous assurer de ma main de cette Estime superieure et parfaite avec laquelle j’ai l’honneur d’estre, Monsieur Votre tres humble et très obeissant Serviteur.
A. Bernstorf

Endorsed: Danish Minister’s Letter in Answer to my Memorial


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Jean Besongne, 9 March 1780
From: Besongne, Jacques-Jean
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Rouen le 9 mars 1780
J’ai un assortiment assez considerable des meilleurs ouvrages francois concernant L’histoire La morale & les Arts, mon but etant de Quitter Le Commerce de la Librairie, j’ai cru devoir vous demander vos avis et votre protection pour un dessein ou je suis resolu si Vous L’agrez de Risquer une vingtaine de mille Livres ce serait de faire passer aux provinces unies de l’amerique partie de cet assortiment, et d’y Former une maison de corespondance pour les livres du meilleur genre de La Librairie francoise, Si cet essai me reussit je continuerai, s’il ne me reussit pas, je me bornerai La attendant votre decision, et L’honneur de Votre reponse.
J’ai celui d’etre avec respect Monsieur Votre très-humble et tres obeissant serviteur
J J Besongne
impr. Lib. a Rouen


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from J.F. Frin & Co., 9 March 1780
From: J.F. Frin & Co.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Paris 9 mars 1780
Nous avons remis chez M Grand dès le 23 du mois passé 19 effets du congrès sur vous passés à notre ordre ensemble Drs. [Dollars] 648., plus un autre de Drs. 300 no. 247 ce der. à l’ordre de Mr Daniel Crommelin & fils d’amsterdam à qui nous devons le renvoyer quand il sera accepté.
Comme voici 15 Jours que vous avez ces effets, nous présumons, Monsieur, que vous aurez eu le tems de les examiner & que vous etes aujourdhui en etat de nous les faire passer en regle, c’est ce que nous vous prions de faire en réponse, si non ceux passés à notre ordre au moins celui de Drs 300 à renvoyer à nos correspondans d’amsterdam pour leur donner le tems de le négocier ou de nous l’endosser pour le toucher à son échéance.
Nous avons lhonneur d’être avec respect Monsieur Vos tres humbles obéissans serviteurs
J.F. Frin ET Compe.

Nous avons encore remis d’autres effets sur vous à m Grand, aussi passés à Notre ordre, mais comme c’est depuis peu nous n’en parlons pas.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Le Docteur / Franklin / A Passy
Notation: Frin & Company 9 mars 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 10 [March] 1780
From: Brillon de Jouy, Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce vendredi matin 10 [March, 1780]
D’aprés l’attachement que l’on me connoist pour vous mon aimable papa on me tourmente sans césse pour vous demandér des léttres de recomandations pour l’amérique; la crainte de vous importunér me fait refusér asses constament ces sortes de commissions, je n’ai cependant pûë ne pas me chargér de vous en demandér une pour un homme qui appartient et intérésse des gents de mes parents; la petite notte cý jointe vous instruira de ce dont il est chargé la bas et s’il vous est possible de le recomandér á quelqu’un de vos amis de philadelphie, vous rendrés un grand sérvice a qu’élqu’un qu’on m’assure en estre digne il me faudroit cétte léttre aujourd’hui s’il est possible parceque le jeune homme part lundi ou mardi:/:
Je ne pourrai pas vous donnér le thé demain, seriés vous assés aimable pour le venir prendre ce soir ou dimanche, un mot de réponse me feroit grand plaisir surtout s’il m’assuroit qu’en pérdant un des jours que j’ai le bonheur de passér avéc vous vous voulés bien me dédomagér en m’en donnant un autre; mon bon papa tout le monde vous honore vous aime, mais croyés en votre fille, tous ces amours réunis ne font pas la somme du mien, je vous l’ai dit, vous remplacés dans mon coeur un pére que j’adorois; ce coeur trop sensible pour éstre jamais parfaitement heureux vous a choisi, adopté, qui donc jamais óh mon ami vous aimera comme moi? Moi:/:

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / A Passy
Notation: Mr. Dillion des gayeres chargé du service des vivres pour les subsistances des trouppes en Amérique.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 10 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Morris, Robert

Dear Sir
Passy, March 10. 1780
The Bearer M. Billion des Gayeres goes to America in some Employ relative to the Provision for the Subsistance of the French Troops. His Friends have requested of me a Letter of Introduction to some Friend of mine in Philadelphia. As I know of no one so well acquainted with, & so capable of advising in such Affairs as yourself, I take the Liberty of recommending him to your Civilities, as a Person who bears here a very worthy Character. With sincere and great Esteem I am ever, dear Sir, Your most &c
Mr Morris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 March 1780
From: Digges, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr Sir
10 mar 1780
Your favr. of the 26th. ulo. got safe to hand, & I have consulted with Mr. H—— on the mode of distributing your benefactions to some unhappy sufferers— A vessel saild from Plyo. with 100 on the 5th. Int. There remains there but 86 and what is rather singular there is pardons lodgd for 68 of that number agt. the return of the vessel. Means are taking to get the remaining 18 (of wch M——n——y is one) to have pardons also, that there may remain none in that prison after another Embarkation takes place; but the Lord knows when this will take place, as the next Cargoe by the rotine must go from Portso. I have done the requisite for Capt M, and had aided him at least wrote to my friend to do so above a month ago. The Revd Mr Heath—has been a second Wren to those people.
My two friends who first movd the affair in the Rl Society, will do the necessary business as to the medal for the Governor of Picardy.
No news yet from Ama. but it is generally reported Clintons Southern Expedn. has been renderd abortive on accot of a violent gale wch seperated his fleet & has driven one of the Transports wth Hessians on board to St Ives. A packet is arrd. from Jama. wh saild 29 Jany. The homeward bound fleet of abot 40 vessels saild from thence the 24th. with a Convoy of abot 2 fifty gun ships & as many frigates— The treasure taken at Omoa comes in that fleet. That fort has been retaken by the spaniards who have lost a man of War bound thither with stores, peircd for 60 Guns but had only 50 mounted. I am yr. very obt Sert
Alexr. McKinLock

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsr B. F——n / Passy
Endorsed: Mar 10. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 10 March 1780
From: Landais, Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Please Your Excellency
Paris March 10, 1780.
I received the letter you did me the Honour of writing to me The 1st Inst. and the inclosed Certificate, it might have been upon your table When I was at your house but I d’ont recollect of having Seen it at all. I must observe that long before that time I had ask your Excellency for Some money, having Spent what remained of the 50 Louis d’or I first received for my expenses, after I had reimboursed my Self of what money I had took of my own for my Coming to Paris.
I have no officers, on board the frigate Alliance, now under my Command, nor friends enough for to ask them to take the trouble to have my trunks &c. delivered to my direction, and beside they d’ont know, nor my Self at present, what they Contens, all I know is that all the Ship’s papers were in them, and I want [won’t] make my Self accountable for the Ship Expenses, when I may be deprived of them; besides all my own things may have been plundered, and nothing but the trunks left: but all, Capt. and officers are under your orders and will obey them as Soon as your Excellency will take the trouble to write them to have the Said trunk &c. Sealed up and delivered at the agent at L’Orient, where I expect to go peruse and See weither they are all as I left them (for I have to deal with people which have not the best Character in England according to their papers: I was not so either in England or france before your Excellency, Grand Sun, and nepheu had a false letter from Cap Jones printed, against mine: for my part I d’ont judge in the present Circumstances but will not Confide any more) if your Excellency had wrote to me at Texel that the Command of the frigate was to be taken from me, and given to another, I would have Speared you, and my Self, those troubles; but I came as you directed me Confiding in your justice.
As to the Dutch Money I Received in Holand and Since I am in Paris, I am going to make a Short account of what I have Spent out of it Vizt. To go from The Helder to Amsterdam and once to go back at the helder and traveling through Holland I Spent all the money I had had in that Country (my expenses in Amsterdam included), to travel in Flander and france I Spent nineteen Louis d’or out of my own money, So remain But thirty one of the fifty first Louis dor I first received for my dayly Expenses here, I have been here four month, and Compelled to go to Passy at least twenty times and had a Coach what Expense come about fifteen Louis d’or: now my expense for my Self, a Servant, for living, firing, loging, &c for four month amount to Sixty louis d’or; I find that I have Spent ten Louis dor for other Small expenses So I have now left only Sixty four Louis d’or, out of which I will Spent about twenty five to go where to embark, then it will remain twenty nine louis d’or for my expense while I Shall wait the Ship departure & for my provisions &c! So I beg as a favour, Your Excellency would be So good to tell me what I must do for my Passage if I find one, what I have wrote for; for all I believe it Should be procured me by Your Excellency’s order, as it is usual amongst all nations to provide with proper means to have an officer go to be tryed, when accused even if he has been punisched (without proper method taken) before hand, for what he is accused of.
I am Sorry to See Your Excellency Say tis not in his Power to give me a passage for America; I Beg your Excellency to Consider your Power and recollect that by it you had me drawn by your order from the Ship which the Honourable Congress trusted me with, and that you gave it and leave it to my accuser, who is accused him Self by a letter from Capt. Cottineau which you have had into Your hand; Recollect also if you please that I have Shewd you my Commission, and naturalisation, from America, where I then must be Juged:
If your Excellency will not procure me a passage, I must at Least give You my humble thinks for Your advice upon the many vessels You Says are bound to America.
As to my prize money I wish Your Excellency would be So obliging as to lett me know whom I must Aply to for to receive it, that I may reinbourse what money I have Spent, Since I am Come back to Europe. I do’nt imagine Your Excellency would have [me] receive in America in paper money what Come to my Shear, for the Prizes Sold in Europe for hard money, it Should be a poor trade, and I doubt my friends would accept it in return for what money I have drawn upon them. Excuse my error, if you please, but I was told that the Bon homme Richard &c. were belong to Congress, accordingly I imagined that the Congress and crew Shear money was at your Command.
When I have ask’d your Excellency for my monthly pay I thought it just as I have receive none nor any money, not even the postage of letters, since my arrival, and what I have mostly Spent has been when being upon the Ship Duty, but your excellency do’nt judge it proper to grant it.
I Beg as a favour Your excellency would Honour me with an answer as Soon as possible and Sent me by the bearer the reception of this letter.
I am With Respect Your Excellency Most Obedient & most humble Servant
P: Landais
Excellency Bn Franklin Minister Plenypotentiary of the United states of America.

Endorsed: Capt. Landais March 10. 1780 no Friends on board the Alliance


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bennett Lloyd, 10 March 1780
From: Lloyd, Richard Bennett
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
London 10th. March 1780
I have had the honour of your two favours dated the 3d. and 26th of last month— I beg you will accept my most sincere thanks for them and be assured I shall ever have a grateful sense of the trouble I have given you—. The Affair which I wish to communicate, is as follows— An American some time ago informed me that he thought it probable that among other complaints your Enemies mean to lay against you is that a Mr. Alexander (said to be an enemy to America) was frequently passing from Paris to London— and that you was upon such a close intimacy with that Gentleman as to give great room for suspicion— I am well convinced of the paltriness of this accusation, shd. it ever be made, and I pity the Person whoever he may be— However I think it but right you should know the above. I propose to leave England some time in April and shall be glad to hear you have received this safe— Mrs. Lloyd unites with me in best complts. To yourself & your Grandson— Believe me to be, Dear Sir, with the greatest esteem your obliged obt. humble Servant
Richard Btt. Lloyd

Be pleased to make my complts. to Mr. Adams. I wrote to him some months ago, which Letter Mr. Grand promised to deliver—.

Addressed: The Honorable / Benjamin Franklin / &c. &c. &c. / Passy
Notation: LLoyd Richard B. London 10. March 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Leonard Lafitte, 11 March 1780
From: Lafitte, Leonard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
à Bordeaux Le 11e. Mars 1780.
Enhardi par L’accueil honnête et gracieux que vous m’avez fait L’année derniere chez vous, ainsi que vos marques de bonté particuliere, j’ose prendre La liberté de m’adresser à vous à l’occasion d’une Lettre que mon frere Jean Lafitte Cadet et mon associé dans Le Commerce a reçue de Mrs. Jean et Mathias halsted Négociants de La Jersey actuellement rèsidents à Philadelphie, par laquelle ils Lui annoncent L’Envoi de Six Lettres de Change tirées Sur Les Commissionnaires du Congré résidents à Paris dont la notte est ciJointe. Les quelles nous n’avons point reçues quoiqu’on nous Les ait envoyé par Triplicata; C’est pourquoi j’ai L’honneur Monsieur, de vous prier ne Connoissant point à Paris des Caissiers du Congré, de vouloir prendre des informations pour raison de ces Lettres de Change et Savoir Si on ne Les auroit point présentées pour en demander le paiement, ce qui ne pourroit être que par des ennemis du Congré qui les auroient trouvées dans les vaisseaux pris. Veuillez Monsieur Je vous Supplie me faire part le plutôt possible de Ce que vous pourrez en apprendre, afin que nous puissions faire réponse à nos amis, prèsumant par les mouvemens actuels que nous ne tarderons point d’avoir de bonnes occasions pour ecrire dans Le Continant.
Mr. Brillon à qui j’avois adressé une petite Relation de La fête donnée par le Commerce de Bordeaux à l’occasion de lheureux retour de Mr. Le Comte D’Estaing, pour vous La Communiquer, m’a appris par Sa Lettre du 24 Janvier dernier que vous etiez retenû chez vous par un gros Rhume; Je Souhaite que vous en Soyez entierement delivré et que vous jouissiez de la meilleure Santé.
J’ai L’honneur d’Etre avec Respect Monsieur Votre très humble & Très obèissant Serviteur
Leonard L Lafitte

Oserai-je vous prier, Monsieur, de vouloir faire agréer mes hommages à Monsieur votre petit fils qui Comme vous m’a Comblé dhonnêteté et dont je conserve toujours Le doux Souvenir & La plus Sincere reconnoissance./.
Monsieur francklin

Notations in different hands: Lafitte Bordeaux le 11 Mars 1780 / Ansd. 20 Mar 80


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 12 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Landais, Pierre

Sir
Passy, March. 12. 1780.
I received this Day the Two Letters you did me the honour of writing to me dated the 10th. and 11th. Instant.
Having already twice answered very clearly and explicitly your demand about your Things, it seems unecessary to say any thing further on that Head. I have written long since to Capt. Jones to deliver them to any Person you may authorise to demand and receive them. If you please you may give that authority to the agent you mention. I have also already often answered your demand of my procuring for you a Passage to america.
M. de Chaumont having had the Payment of all Expences in Equipping the Squadron, will I suppose have the Payment of the Prize Money. None of it will pass thro’ my hands.
After the continual Quarrels between you and the People of the Alliance from the time of your taking the Command of her at Boston; after the repeated written complaints made to me by you of the officers, and by the officers of you during all the Time from your arrival in Europe to your Departure on your last Cruize; after having acquainted me in Writing with your Resolution not to Continue in the Command with such Officers, and expressing the Same Disposition in discourse to Mr. Chaumont, after being as you say 4. Months in Paris in all which time you never gave the least Instruction of a Wish to return to her, nor desired any thing of me relating to her but to have your things out of her it is really surprising to be now told that the officers and Crew like you for their Captain and that they hate their Present Commander (of whom however they have not made to me the least Complaint) and to have now for the first time a demand from you of being replac’d in that ship, made only when you know she is just on the Point of Sailing. The demand however may perhaps be made Chiefly for the sake of obtaining a Refusal, of which you seem more earnestly desirous, as the having it to produce may be of service to you in America. I will not therefore deny it to you, and It shall be as positive and clear as you require it. No one has ever learnt from me the Opinion I formed of you from the Enquiry made into your Conduct. I kept it entirely to myself. I have not even hinted it in my letters to America, because I would not hazard giving to any one a Bias to your Prejudice. By communicating a Part of that Opinion privately to you It can do you no harm for you may burn it. I should not give you the pain of reading it, if your Demand did not make it necessary— I think you then so imprudent, so litigious and quarrelsome a man even with your Best friends, that Peace and good order and consequently the quiet and regular subordination so necessary to success are where you preside impossible. These are matters within my observation and comprehension, your military Operations I leave to more capable Judges. If therefore I had 20 ships of War in my Disposition I should not give one of them to Captain Landais, The same Temper which excluded him from the french Marine would weigh equally with me, of course I shall not replace him in the Alliance.
I am Assur’d however that as Captain of a merchant ship you have Two very good Qualities highly useful to your owners— viz Oeconomy and Integrity for these I esteem you, and have the honour to be sir, &c

P.S. I have passed over all the charges made or insinuated against me in your Letters and angry Conversations because I would avoid continuing an altercation for which I have neither Time nor Inclination. You will carry them to america where I must be accountable for my Conduct towards you, and where it will be my Duty If I cannot justify myself, to submit to any Censures I may have merited. Our Correspondence, which cannot be pleasant to either of us, may therefore if you please, end here.
Honble. Capt. Landais.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to J.F. Frin & Co., 13 March 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: J.F. Frin & Co.

Gentlemen
Passy, March 13. 1780.
I beg pardon for detaining your Bills so long. It was occasioned by the greatest number we happened then to have upon hand, and the time necessary to examine them all. Yours are now sent to Mr. Grands, accepted as of the Day on which they were presented; excepting the Two drawn in favour of Nath. Terry for 18. Dollars, and nath Brown for 36. Those Gentlemen, cannot regularly be paid by me, unless you will indemnify me in Case of any future Demand. I have the honour to be, with respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and most humble servant
BF.
Messrs. J. J. Frin and Compe.