Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Van der Oudermeulen, 22 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Oudermeulen, Cornelis van der

Sir,
Passy. 22. June. 1780
I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me, the 15th. Inst. containing the Sketch of a Plan for commerce with America by establishing there and in Europe Companies with Privileges for that Purpose, upon which you desire my Sentiments.
I cannot from so small a Sketch understand fully the Extent of your Plan: But I will mention what occurs to me in Perusing it.— There is no doubt but that Merchants in Europe may if they think fit, form themselves into Companies for carrying on the Commerce of America, with such Privileges as they can obtain from their Sovereigns; but the general Principle in America being for a free Trade with all the World, and to leave every one of their Merchants at Liberty to prosecute it as he may judge most for his Advantage, I do not think such Companies can be established there with any exclusive Rights or Privileges. And this open commerce being free to all Nations, and more profitable to Europe than to America, which can very well subsist and flourish without a Commerce with Europe; a Commerce that chiefly imports Superfluities & Luxuries; it concerns those Nations principally to protect that Commerce, in which Protection there is no doubt but France will bear her Part; but that she should take the whole upon her, is too much to be ask’d or expected by America. We have besides a common Opinion, that Business is best manag’d and to most Advantage by those who are immediately interested in the Profits of it; and that Trading Companies are generally more profitable to the Servants of the Company than to the proprietors of the Stock, or to the Publick.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Sert
signed. B. Franklin
M. Van der OudermeulenCopy.

Notation in Franklin’s hand: Papers & Letters Relating to a Company propos’d to be formed in Europe for the American Trade


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 23 [i.e., 22] June 1780
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Paris June 23d. [i.e., 22] 1780
I have this Day the honour of a Letter from his Excellency the Comte De Vergennes, on the subject of the Resolutions of Congress of the Eighteenth of March, concerning the Paper-Bills; in which his Excellency informs me that the Chevalier De La Luzerne has Orders to make the strongest Representations upon the Subject.
I am not certain whether his Excellency means that such Orders were sent so long ago, as to have reached the hand of the Minister at Congress, or whether they have been lately expedited; if the latter I submit it to your Excellency, whether it wou’d not be expedient to request that those Orders may be stopped until proper Representations can be made at Court; to the end that if it can be made to appear, as I firmly believe it may, that those Orders were given upon Misinformation, they may be revoked, otherwise sent on.
Your Excellency will excuse this because it appears to me a matter of very great Importance. The Affair of our Paper is sufficiently dangerous and critical and if a Representation from his Majesty shou’d be made, Advantage will not fail to be taken of it, by the Tories, and by interested and disappointed Speculators who may spread an Alarm among many uninformed People so as to Endanger the public Peace— I have the honour to be with much Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
John Adams
His Excellency Dr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 22 June 1780
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Lahaie 22e. Juin 1780.
Quelle funeste nouvelle nous venons de recevoir. Charlestown pris; & toute la Garnison (6000 h.) prisonniere. Cette derniere circonstance est pire que la perte de la Ville. Il auroit mieux valu abandonner celle-ci; & avec les 6000 h. empêcher l’ennemi de pénétrer dans le pays qu’on auroit par-là sauvé & conservé: au lieu que le voilà exposé aux courses de l’ennemi; & les Etats Unis privés de la quote part que cette riche Province fournissoit à la Caisse commune. Mais à quoi servent d’inutiles regrets? Si ce n’est à augmenter la douleur de ce fatal évenement, qui consterne tous nos amis ici, nuit au crédit de l’Amérique, & releve celui de l’ennemi. J’en suis malade, & ne trouve de soulagement qu’à mêler ma douleur avec la vôtre. Je me persuade néanmoins, que ce coup ne sauroit changer la destinée de l’Amérique, & que finalement l’ennemi restera la dupe de l’histoire. Le gd. F——r, qui s’est adouci à mon égard, & que j’ai déjà visité 2 ou 3 fois, est aussi de ce sentiment.
Pour faire voir que ce coup n’abat point les Américains, ni leur serviteur ici, J’ai porté aujourd’hui copie de votre Lettre aux Armateurs, & de celle à l’Amirauté de Cherbourg au G—— P—— avec cette courte Lettre.
“M. Les 2 pieces ci-jointes m’ont été envoyées de Passy, pour en faire l’usage que je croirai convenable ou nécessaire. Je les crois dans le cas de devoir être communiquées à V. E., & de ne pouvoir que Lui être agréables, puisqu’elles interessent les sujets de cette République. Je suis avec un profond respect, &c.”— (Le tout sous un couvert cacheté que j’ai laissé à son Domestique.) Le gd. F——r & notre Ami approuvent cette démarche. Notre ami est fort affecté du malheur de Charlestown. Je l’ai rassuré tant que j’ai pu sur les suites. Je ne saurois me rendre raison de cette catastrophe, qu’en supposant qu’il y a eu de la trahison.
J’attends de votre réponse, Monsieur, quelque beaume pour la plaie qui saignera jusque-là. Je suis, dans le malheur comme dans le bonheur, Monsieur, avec le plus respectueux attachement Votre très humble & très obéissant serviteur
Dumas

Passy à Son Exc. M. Franklin

Notation: Dumas la haie Juin 22. 80.
Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur B. Franklin, Esqr. / Min. Plenipe. des Etats-unis / &c. / Passy./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Vandenyver frères & Cie., 22 June 1780
From: Vandenyver frères & Cie.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Paris ce 22 Juin 1780
Nous avons recu la Lettre que vous nous avés fait Lhonneur de nous ecrire le 28 may der [dernier] avec La Copie du Jugement pour le Navire La flore et Son chargement, nous avions esperès quil auroit eté plus favorable aux proprietaires du dernier, mais nous L’avons envoyés Sur le champ a Cherbourg pour le faire mettre a execution et ce n’est quen datte du 17 de ce mois quon nous mande que le Navire est dechargé et en etat de repartir pour la hollande mais quil est retenu par le défaut de Ses passeports et autres papiers de bord qui nont pas eté renvoÿés a L Amirauté du dit Lieu.
Nous Supplions Votre Excellence d avoir la bonté de faire tenir les dits passeports Connoissemens et autres papiers par premier Courier a Lamirauté de Cherbourg pour que le Navire puisse mettre a la voille et Se Soustraire aux dangers dont ce port paroit etre menacé.
Nous Sommes avec le plus profond Respect Monsieur Vos tres humbles & tres Obeissants Serviteurs
Vandenyver FRÈRES &  Comp
a Monsieur franklin a Passy

Notations in different hands: Vandeniver freres, Paris 22. Juin 1780. / Ansd


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 22 June 1780
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Versailles le 22. Juin 1780.
M. Dumont, Monsieur, qui vous est annoncé par M. Le Duc de la Vauguyon desire que je me joigne à cet Ambassadeur pour vous engager à l’entendre. Je defère Volontiers à sa Sollicitation et je profite avec plaisir de cette Occasion pour vous renouveller les Sentiments distingués avec lesquels J’ai l’honneur d’être. Monsieur, votre tres humble et très obeissant Serviteur.
(signé) De Vergennes
M. Franklin.


Title: Invitation to the Fête Apollonienne, [before 23 June 1780]
From: Société Apollonienne
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[before June 23, 1780]
FêteApolloniene à St. Cloudle 27. juin 1780
On partira à 7. heures du matin en Batelets. Musique Militaire Sur l’Eau à midi, assemblée académique jusqu’à une heure et demie. Il y sera fait lecture de divers morceaux d’Eloquence et de Poësie. Il y aura exposition de differens ouvrages de Peinture, de Sculpture, d’Architecture et de Gravure. A deux heures Le Banquet, Ensuite Concert et Divertissement champêtre.
Les Billets d’entrée ne pourront servir que pour les Personnes dont ils porteront les noms, et qui seront inscrites Sur le Régistre du Comité établi pour veiller au bon ordre de la fête.
Les Billets des Dames leur seront remis chés elles par un des membres du Comité.
Il ne sera donné des Billets qu’à ceux qui seront sur la Liste des personnes invitées à la fête, et on n’en délivera aucun aprés le 23. Juin./.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 23 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lee, Arthur

Sir,
Passy, 23 June 1780.
I received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me, the 23th. Inst: informing me of the Passport I had before given you being expired and desiring another. Inclosed I have the Honour of sending it to you.
With great Respect, I am sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant
BF.
Honble. A. Lee Esq.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 June 1780
From: Jones, John Paul
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honored and Dear sir
L’orient June 23d. 1780
I by the last post gave you an account of the events here respecting Captain Landais and the Alliance, and inclosed all the necessary papers to explain circumstances.— Yesterday the Serapis was publicly sold for I think 240,000 livres.— Mr. Williams and myself have been looking after a ship on freight to transport from France the remainder of the 5 a 600 Tons of public stores that are now so much wanted in America.— No Merchant Vessel however can be found here for the purpose. There will remain 400 Tons after the Ariel is filled up; for the estimation that M. De Chaumont has made is short more than half the quantity of the reality.
I know his self Sufficiency would laugh at this, were I alone in thus widely differing from him, but when he knows that my Calculation does not exceed that of the Commandant and Commissary here he ought to have modesty enough to confess that he is unacquainted with Marine affairs. The Serapis will be Masted and fitted for sea in a very short time, as soon perhaps as the whole cloathing &c can be collected here.— Mr Williams assures me that no suitable Ship can be had on freight even at Nantes nor any where else in the Kingdom to his knowledge.— If the Government would condescend to lend the Serapis, that Ship armed in Flute, would with the Ariel armed for War, Just answer the purpose, and there would be no Room in either ship left vacant— The Serapis might carry her lower Battery in the hould & might sail with 150 Men, the two ships might sail in Company and would be a good protection for the Stores, against any of the Enemies Cruising Ships.— The Serapis might be full armed and manned for War immediately on her Arrival in America, and might with the Ariel and some other Continental Frigates be sent without loss of time directly from America on some of the services, that are hinted at in the Project that I had the honor to present to Government, This last Idea you know agrees with your Opinion on the services proposed in my Project; I therefore hope you will support it with your Credit, and I am convinced that if adopted it will be Productive of very good Consequences.
As to manning the Serapis and Ariel, I believe firmly that little or no difficulty will be found in effecting it, 300 Men will be sufficient for both Ships. There are an Hundred Officers and Seamen now here on shore, and on board the Alliance that belonged to the Bon Homme Richard, besides from 50 a 80 of the Volunteer Soldiers, who are still waiting here at their own expence, in hopes of serving again under my Command, and from the hourly applications that are made to me here, if I had authority, I could soon compleat the remainder.
I am with real Affection & Profound respect, Your Excellencys Most Obliged and Most Humble Servant
Jno P Jones

M De Thevenard has this day sent a new requisition to Captain Landais for the Seamen &ca on board the Alliance, who served with me in the Bon Homme Richard. I have recd. yours of the 17th.— Money would make the people of the Alliance do anything.
His Excellency. Benja Franklin Esqr. & &

Notation: J.P. Jones L’Orient June 23. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 June 1780
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir.
L’Orient June 23. 1780
I have received your Favour of the 17 Inst and should be happy immediately to execute your Orders, but the Frigate Alliance has not only fled and deprived us of her Assistance but the Bonhomme Richards men are in her & are loaded with Irons because they want to join their old Commander. Thus does this Fool & madman sacrifice the dearest Interests of our Country, by following the pernicious Councils of your late Colleague. It is in my Opinion beyond a Doubt that Landais Brain (if it ever was right) is turned, and AL moves the distracted machine taking Care however to keep the Springs out of Sight.—
I do not find the possibility of freighting merchant Ships. I have consulted M. de Thevenar the Commandant of this Port, and I have the pleasure to find his Opinion & mine agree; The Bulk of the Stores is not less than 500 Tons and I think rather more; the Ariel when she is armed en guerre cannot carry more than 150 Tons of these Goods, from 3 to 400 Tons will then remain. There are here belonging to the King the following Ships which have no actual mission. The Serapis (bought for the King yesterday at 240,000 l.t.) The Terpsicore a fine Frigate acknowledged to be the best Sailor in the Marine, rather old but now fitting and may be soon compleat. La Chimere a good Frigate but will require too long an outfitt— Either of the two first of these Ships may be ready to go with the Ariel and if armed as a Transport will at Once carry out the whole of the Stores to our suffering Country— Please to look at the Letter I wrote you from Nantes just before my Departure reccommending the new Frigate there and the manner of arming her, that plan may be executed either with the Serapis or the Terpsicore and it is approved by the Commandant here as well as by Capt Jones. It will cost little more than to freight, even if you could freight, & the Ship so much gained; if then you would buy either of these Ships of a private Person why not of the King? and if you could get money of Government to pay for them, or pay for the Freight if you could hire why can’t Government give a Ship at once or let one? Where lies the difference? To enforce this reasoning we may surely return to our old argument “their Kindness in assisting us with the means to procure Cloathing is lost if we can’t get that Cloathing out.”

I would set off to see you if it was not for the Situation of Mrs Williams. You know she has already made one miscarriage and she is now three months gone with very alarming appearances of a second misfortune.—
I am ever with the greatest Esteem & Respect Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J

As to the propriety of drawing on Mr de Chaumont rather than you I never understood more of it than his Directions to have it so, and as you refered me to him for Orders I supposed you understood each other, the Reason he gave me was that your political capacity was incompatible with these commercial Transactions.—
JW

Endorsed: M. de Chaumont’s Reason given to Mr Williams for drawing on him.— Mr W. suppos’d I had agreed to it.—
Notation: Jona Williams June 20 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 14 [i.e., 24] June 1780
From: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Versailles le 14. Juin [i.e., June 24] 1780.
M. Le Cte. de Vergennes a remis avant hier, Monsieur, une Lettre pour vous à M. Dumont qui desireroit fort de vous entretenir; S. Ece. vous seroit infiniment obligé si vous vouliez bien lui dire si le dt. Dumont vous a éffectivement vû, et lui confier les Ouvertures qu’il peut vous avoir faites. Mon Exprès a ordre d’attendre votre Reponse.
J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un parfait attachement, Monsieur, Votre très humble et tres obeissant serviteur.
(signé) Gerard De Rayneval.
M Franklin.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard de Rayneval, 24 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias

Sir
June 24. 1780
The Person who calls himself Dumont was with me yesterday Evening, bringing Notes to me from M. de Vergennes & M le Duc de Vauguyon. He said his Business was to solicit a Supply of 4000. Stand of Arms to be landed in the West of England, for the Use of the Petitioners who were become sensible that Petitioning signified nothing, and that without using Force it was impossible to prevent the total Loss of Liberty and the Establishment of arbitrary Government in England; that the Appearance of 4000 Men in Arms, would be sufficient to draw together a great Body from different Parts, the whole Nation being dissatisfied with the present Government; that even the Army was disaffected, & the Navy so much so, that Admiral Geary had been ordered to put to Sea with the Fleet, to prevent a Revolt which was apprehended among the Seamen. I mention’d the Difficulty of Landing such a Quantity of Arms in England, without being observed, & Troops sent to seize them, or to defeat the People that should undertake to use them, before they could be disciplin’d; and that it was not probable such an Aid could be obtained, without its being well known whose Hands the Arms were to be put into, what Persons of weight were likely to be concern’d, and other Circumstances that might satisfy there was a Chance of Success. He said all relating to the Reception & Use of the Arms was already arranged; and Persons of Note concern’d in the Affair, would discover themselves as soon as they could be assur’d of obtaining the Supply: but otherwise it was dangerous & could not be expected. He desired me to forward & favour the Business if my Opinion should be asked; but made no particular Offers or Ouvertures to me. I do not know him. He ask’d my Opinion of the Design. I told him I could form none, without knowing more Particulars of it than he had communicated, and also the Persons who were to conduct it. He said he was to see M. de Vergennes, & that he would call again upon me after that Interview. If he communicates any thing farther worth Notice, I shall immediately acquaint Mr de Vergennes with it, to whom be pleased to present my sincere Respects. I have the honour to be, with perfect Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
M. de Raynevall


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade & Moylan, 24 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gourlade & Moylan

Gentlemen,
Passy, June 24. 1780.
I received your favour, acquainting me with a Desertion from the Alliance and your having stopt the People. Your Letter is not before me, having put it with other Papers into the Hands of Messrs. Adams and Dana, and requested their Advice, they being, much better acquainted with maritime Law than myself. I cannot therefore answer it fully till next Post. This is just to acquaint you, that I approve of your discharging such as had enter’d into no Engagement, tho’ they had received Relief in their Necessities. The Prisoners who came exchanged from England, are freemen and may engage with who they please: but if they are immediately wanted to help out with the Stores to be sent to Congress in the Alliance and Ariel, Commodore Gillon surely will forbear enticing them from that Service.
By the enclosed Note which came in yours, it Should Seem that Provisions for the Alliance have been Stopt, and that the Signature J.P. Jones is a Mistake for P. Landais. If the Stoppage has not been a measure of Government I could wish it taken off as Landais will otherwise obtain them from Mr. Schweighauser’s Agent by Virtue of a former Order to Schweighauser from the Navy board and that will bring an Expence upon me. Besides it will seem hard that the Poor People exchanged Prisoners and other honest men on board, should be famish’d for the folly of that Gentleman.
I have the honour to be Gentlemen &c.
Messrs. Gourlade and Moylan.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 24 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Landais, Pierre

Sir
Passy, June 24. 1780
You have written several Letters peremptorily demanding of me the Prize Money which you say is due to the People of the alliance and in yours of the 16th. which I have received thro’ the Hands of Mr. Schewighauser, you speak of time lost by the Delay of that Payment to the Prejudice of the Interest of the United States. Your two first Prizes were Swedish Ships, the Owners of one of them demands 500£ Sterling, and those of the other upwards of 60,000 Livres, damages on account of illegal Capture. Another if I remember right was a Brigantine from Ireland under Protection of the king’s Passport, which I apprehend is already or will be adjuged no good Prize and Perhaps Damages will also be demanded. The three Prizes sent into Norway have been delivered up to the English by the Danish Government, and not a farthing received on their Account, or even promised. I do not recollect any others but the Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough which you know were not sold when you wrote your last Letter, and therefore none of the Produce of Such Sale could be in my Hands, or in the Hands of any body; nor do I intend ever to meddle with the Receipt or Payment of any such Money. But your Letters tho’ directed to me are written to be read in America where the facts not being known, it may seem from those Letters that I had Money in my hands which I unjustly detained.— As to the prejudicial Delay of the sailing of the Alliance, it has been owing to the mutinous Declarations of the People, which you have promoted, (as appears by your having interlined one of their Papers with your own Hand and Signature) that they would not weigh an Anchor &c. till they were paid, the utermost farthing of their Prize Money &c and the Sale not being till the 22d. of this Month, such Payment was as before impossible.
The other Particulars in your Letter I Shall answer by next post, and I am, Sir, &c.
Capt Landais


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 24 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Schweighauser, Jean-Daniel

Sir
Passy, June 24. 1780.
I last Night received your respected Letter of the 20th. Instant; inclosing one from Capt. Landais to which the Within is an Answer sent open for your Perusal. I should make no Objection to your Supplying the Alliance with such Provisions as might be necessary for the present Subsistance of the People that are on board her, many of whom are exchanged Prisoners, honest and good Men who ought not to suffer famine for the folly of that Gentleman: But the king having given Orders for paying all the necessary Charges of that Ship during her present Rélache at L’Orient, I do not see why the Application has been made to you, unless the Provisions furnished ever since her Arrival there have been lately Stopt, which I have not heard; because this is unnecessarily bringing a present Expence upon me, which I am ill provided to bear, besides commencing a new Account of Disbursements in another House, that will rather tend to confuse the affair, and answer no good Purpose, I Shall therefore write by this Post to L’Orient, requesting that if the Provisions have been stopt on Acct. of Capt. Landais Misconduct, they may nevertheless be continued, for the sake of the Poor People.
With regard to the Goods in the Arsenal it has long been my desire that they Should be Shipt to America. If it was not before ordered, I now request you would take the first good Opportunity of doing it. The old Iron I must leave to your Judgment, and as you think it better to dispose of it, the Charge of transporting it being more than it is worth, I desire you will sell it as well as you can.
Your other Letters I will fully answer in a few Days. I have constantly paid your Drafts; and have the honour to be, Sir.
M. Schweighauser.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 24 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

Sir,
Passy June 24. 1780
In consequence of the enclosed Letter which I have received from M. Adams, I beg leave to request of your Excellency, that the Orders therein mentioned if not already sent, may be delayed, ’till he has prepared the Representations he proposes to lay before you on that Subject, by which it will appear that those Orders have been obtained by Misinformation.
With great and sincere Respect, I am, Your Excellency’s most obedt & most humble Servant
B Franklin
His Exy. M. le Comte De Vergennes

Notation: rep. le 30 Juin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, [after 24?] June 1780
From: Neufville, Jean de, & fils
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honourd Exy
[after] June [24?] 1780.
We have gott the honour to trouble your Excellency with the explication of Sevall. bills drawn on the Honourable Henry Laurens Esqr. Comissioner fr. the United States of North America residing in Amsterdam, we have since ask’d a fourthnight that we expected an Answer butt an English house having presented a bill the 24th. send word today that she would have it protested, we have return’d(?) the bill copy’d with …
 … certify by this present that the … above is a Copy was …
This … which influences it may … Excellency to Accept of … again to prevent those … and if we had gott some … Excellency about … then that by … your Excy should … on all such bills as … this we fell upon as the only … of a publicq protest however … that your Excellency will … some [?] that we may delay … as long as possible in hopes that Hy Laurens[?] may arrive Soon, Resolved that before this bill which only bears fr. five hundred fifty Gild. should be protested we will Accept of it;
How farr our Caracter answers fr. the benefitt of the American Cause from principle, we have shown sufficiently to your Excellency and the whole world, we will continue in the same manner of thinking where there may be an occasion to show it; our private conections in America already are something large. We have in three days gott Lately three Vessells with Tabac from one house in Alexandria butt we should be … of the two Republicqs that … to render every good office to the … Any notion of we … all Regard. … Excellency’s most … faithfull humble Sts
John DE Neufville & Son


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 25 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jay, John

Sir
Passy, June 25. 1780.
Mr. Ross having been employed by the Committee of Commerce to purchase Goods for the Use of the Army, has advanced and engaged his Credit for near 20,000£ Sterling more than he has been supply’d with by that Committee; several ships they had sent with Tobacco for that Purpose having been taken, and what arriv’d having been previously mortgag’d to the farmers General so that they could not be applied to his Use. He is much distressed by this Disappointment. I would help him if it were in my Power, but the funds I have, are not more than sufficient to pay the Congress Bills for Interest. He has requested me to recommend him to your Excellency, which I do most heartily, that if you should be enabled by any Loan or Subsidy put into your hands, to extricate him, you would do it; as he has been a faithful Servant of the Publick, and I am persuaded the Congress would approve of any Assistance you may afford him. His Accounts have been examined here by Skilful and impartial Persons, and found perfectly just and regular.— I have the Honour to be, with great Esteem and Respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
His Excellency. J. Jay Esqe. &c.

Endorsed: Dr Franklin 25 June 1780 Recd 8 July 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Montbarey, 25 June 1780
From: Montbarey, Alexandre-Marie-Léonor de Saint-Mauris, prince de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Versailles Le 25. Juin 1780.
Vous savés, Monsieur, que j’ai donné des Ordres le 1er. avril dernier pour qu’il fût delivré au Capitaine Paul Jones, des Magazins de l’Artillerie du Port Louis, pour être embarqués sur la Fregate l’Alliance en Armement à l’Orient; 15. mille Fusils de Soldat et cent Milliers de Poudre; il a été deja remis 67. Caisses de fusils et 20. Milliers de Poudre. Mais une Contestation s’étant élevée pour le Commandement de cette Fregate entre les Srs. Paul Jones et Landais, celui ci s’en étant même mis en possession en vertu du Pouvoir qu’il dit en avoir du Congrès et l’ordre que j’avois addressé pour faire remettre les dits Effets, portant que la Delivrance en seroit faite au premier, nominativement, le Directeur de l’Artillerie a cru devoir faire suspendre la delivrance du Surplus, jusqu’a ce qu’il fût informé au quel de ces Capitaines il auroit à la faire. Je vous prie donc, de vouloir bien, aussitôt la Reception de ma Lettre de me faire connoitre celui des deux qui doit commander cette Fregate, afin que j’autorise ce Directeur à lui faire remettre ce qui reste à livrer suivant la Reconnoissance qu’il en prendroit.
J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un parfait attachement, Monsieur, Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur.
Le Pce. DE Montbarey
M. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 25 June 1780
From: Moylan, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honor’d Sir
L’Orient 25th. June 1780
In consequence of the Note that you forwarded me with two Letters, one adress’d to the Honble. Cap: Landais late Commander of the Ship Alliance, and the other, to Lieutent. James Degge and the other Officers of the said Ship I gave immediate advice of their reception and that I was ready to deliver them agreeable to my instructions. No other notice being paid to this advice, than a messuage from Captain Landais desiring I shou’d go on board the Alliance, (wch. for a few days before he had possess’d himself of the command) there to deliver them. I thought proper at that period to reject the proposal, from a suspition of his intention of injuring my freedom. But concluding, the contents of those letters to be of interesting import to the United States of America and that they had remain’d in my possession three days, further unsaught for; I resolved with the advice of some friends to go on board the ship Alliance and there deliver them according to your orders. On the 18th. of this month I went on board her for this purpose, accompany’d by Mr. Jonathan Williams and there acquainted Cap: Landais with the object of my Bussiness and that on his signing the receipt wch. I presented him agreeable to it’s copy here inclosed, I wou’d deliver him the letter. The receipt he read more than once and consented to sign it; but when he had begun his signature, as you will see, he abruptly turn’d round & told me he wou’d not receive the Letter, because it was adress’d to the Late Commander of the Alliance. This he said on returning me the proposed receipt and his letter remains in my possession untill further orders from you regarding it. Lieutenant James Degge recd. the one adress’d to him for wch. you will find the receipt inclosed.— It wou’d be tedious to mention the threat’s used by Captain Landais on this occasion both to Mr. Williams & myself. I will therefore only add, that he will authenticate the relation I now give you of this affaire, and that my time (wch. has been very disagreeably employ’d since then,) did not admit my giving you sooner advice thereof wch. I pray your excuse for.
I have the honor to be respectfully Hond. Sir Your most obt & most humble St
James Moylan

The Honorable B. Franklin Esqr. American Ambassador &c. &c.

Notation: James Moylan L’Orient June 25. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Wulffen, [c. 25 June 1780]
From: Wulffen, Jean Henry, baron de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monseigneur
[c. June 25, 1780]
Bien vivement penétré Des Soins, que Votre exellence, a pris La peine de Se Donner a mon occasion; je Serois bien enchanté que vous Daignassiéz reçevoir L’etendue de ma vive reconnoissance, qui egaleroit Les biens faits Signalés, que j’ai eprouvés de votre Bonté et qui ne Sortira jamais de ma mémoire.
L’objet qui m’intéresse, est le Certificat que vous à remis L’embassadeur Du roy de Prusse, qui m’est indispensable, pour parvenir en hollande.
Je Suplie Votre Exellence de Vouloir Bien me le délivrer n’ayant D’autre Empressement à mon arrivée que De vous le faire repasser De Suite. Je me plais à vous renouveller ma recconnoissance, et L’etendue Du plus profond respect. J’ai L’honneur D’etre avec La Plus parfaite Soummission De Votre Exellence Le plus humble & Le plus obeissant Serviteur Monseigneur
Baron Johan HENRICH De Wülffen Captain de cavallerie aux services Le unis lâ d’amerique
A Son Excellence Monseigneur De Franklin ministre Plenipotentiaire Des Etats unis D’ameriqueA Son Exellence


Title: Queries for John Adams, [before 26 June 1780]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

[before June 26, 1780]
M. Adams, after having perused the inclosed Papers, is desired to give his Opinion on the following Questions.

1st. Whether Captain Landais, accused as he is, of Capital Crimes, by his Senior and late Commanding Officer, after having apparently relinquished the Command of the Alliance frigate, by with drawing his Effects from the same, after having asked and received money by Order of the Minister Plenipotentiary, in order to transport himself to America, and take his Trial there, upon the said Accusation, and after having for that Purpose, in writing, requested a passage to be procur’d for him, was intituled, at his pleasure, to retake the Command of the Alliance, (contrary to the positive order of the Minister Plenipotentiary, whose orders the said Landais was by the Navy Board instructed to obey), and to dispossess his successor, the oldest naval Officer of the United States, in Europe, who had commanded the said frigate near eight months, and brought her to the Port where she now is?
2dly. Whether the Conduct of Captain Landais, at L’Orient in exciting the Officers and Seamen of the Alliance, to deny the Authority of Captain Jones under whose Command they had voluntarily come, and remained there, and encouraging the said Seamen to make unlawful Demands on the Minister Plenipotentiary for the United States, and to enter into a mutinous Combination, not to put to Sea with the Alliance until the said Demands should be complied with, thereby retarding the Departure of the said frigate and of the Public Stores, on board, be not highly Culpable?
3dly. Whether after Captain Landais’s late Conduct and the manner in which he has retaken the Command of the frigate Alliance, it be consistent with good order, Prudence, and the Public Service, to permit him to retain the Direction of her, and of the Public Stores intended to be sent with her, accused as he is of Capital Crimes by his late Commodore, and for which if he arive in America, he must of Course be tried?

Endorsed: from Dr Franklin. June 1780.
In Franklin’s hand: Queries


Title: Franklin’s List of Papers relating to the Alliance, [before 26 June 1780]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

[before June 26, 1780]
List of Papers.
N° 1. Letter from the Navy Board. Dec. 21. 1778. mentioning the Orders to Capt. Landais to obey the Orders of Mr Franklin
2. Second Letter from the Officers of the Alliance complaining of Capt. Landais Feb. 2. 1779. Note, Another in stronger Terms was receiv’d & sent to America.
3. Another from Ditto complaining of Short Allowance March 3. 1779
4 Letter from Capt. Landais complaining of his Officers. May 15. 79
5 Answer, on that Subject
6. Marquis de la Fayette & Col. Gimot, on the same, speaking of the Animosities as dangerous

7. Orders to Capt. Landais to join Capt. Jones, and put himself and Ship under his Command April 28. 1779
8 Letter from Capt. Landais, he complies with the Orders, May 12. 79
9 Farther Orders to Capt. Landais July 28. 1779—
10 Letters between Capt Jones & Capt Landais at Sea. Refusal [to] obey Orders.
11 Lieut Col. Wuybert’s Certificate of such Refusal & other Misbehavior
12 Capt Ricot, of the Vengeance; his Certificate of Ditto.
13 Officers of the Vengeance their Certificate of Ditto.
14 Mr. Mease’s Certificate of ditto
15 Charges against Capt. Landais from Commodore Jones, attested by Officers
16 M. de Sartine’s Letter desiring an Enquiry into Landais’ Conduct
17 Letter to Capt. Landais, calling him to Paris.
18 Letter to Navy Board relating to the Enquiry.
19 Letters to Capt. Landais, answering about his Things left on board the Alliance. Feb. 12, & March 1, 1779.
20 Letter from Capt. Landais, demanding to be replac’d in the Alliance March 11. 1780
21 Answer to Ditto. March 12. refusing
22 Letter from Capt. Landais at L’Orient
23 —from Officers of the Alliance April 12, 1780
24 —from Do. May 31.
25 —from Do. June 7.
26 Mutinous Paper sign’d by 115 of the Sailors of the Alliance interlin’d & sent to BF. by Capt Landais
27 Letter to Capt. Landais, June 7.
28 Letter to the Officers June 7.
29. Orders to Capt. Landais & the Officers, sent by Advice of the Minister of the Marine.
30 Letter from Capt. Landais with a Copy of his Commission. June 16. 1780

31 —from Mr. Wharton
}
relating to the Proceedingson board the Alliance

  32 —from Mr Nesbit

  33. —from Mr Moylan

34 —from Capt. Landais June 14. that he is advis’d by the principal Americans, will keep the Vessel and follow the Orders of the Secretary of the Navy Board
35 Capt. Jones’s Acct of the Proceedings of Capt Landais
36 Letter from Commodore Gillon, enclosing Copy of one to M. de Sartine & one to Capt. Landais
37 Mr Moylan’s Letter relating to Sailors entic’d from the Service of the States by Comme. Gillon.
38 Queries on the whole.
List of Papers relating to the Alliance Frigate


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Montbarey, 26 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Montbarey, Alexandre-Marie-Léonor de Saint-Mauris, prince de

Passy, June 26. 1780. 7. a Clock.
I have just received the Letter your Excellency did me the Honour of writing to me yesterday concerning the fusils and Powder the Delivery of which had been ordered into the Hands of Commodore Paul Jones, then Commander of the alliance frigate. As he is at Present deprived of that Command, and these Stores are exceedingly necessary to be sent as soon as possible to America. I am obliged to request your Excellency to order as much of the Remander as can be taken in by that Ship to be delivered on board her to the Commanding Officer for the Time being, to whom I shall give Orders to receive and take Charge of the same. I am, with greatest Respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most h. S.
Prince de Montbarey.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 26 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Torris, John

Sir
Passy, June 26. 1780.
Herewith you have the Judgments on the Prizes the Peter and the Friendship: as to the Betsey, taken in December last, I do not find that Proofs have yet been sent me of her being English Property: and whatever good Opinion I may have of the Uprightness of your Captains, it is not regular that I Should condemn without Proofs. The Instructions require not only the Papers, but one Prisoner at least for examination to be brought in with each Prize. This has been in several Instances neglected. Pray give strict Orders to your Captains to be more observant.
I gave a Copy of my Judgment on the Flora to the Attorney for the Owners. Perhaps they too may have some Objections, or desire some Explanations, and it would be most convenient for me to consider the whole together. I have not yet heard from them, but probably I may soon; when you shall have my Answer:
When a Commission was ask’d for the Princess, I was told that Cruizing together, there would be more convenience to stow and bring in Prisoners; but the contrary has happen’d fewer being brought in than before. The Prisoners to exchange for Americans are all the Advantage I have for my Trouble in reading and examining the Admiralty Papers, and for the vast Expence of Postage those Pacquets of Papers, and the Correspondence relating to the Captures, occasion me. Not one American Prisoner has ever been return’d me from England in consequence of the Paroles given by the English Prisoners discharged at Sea. So that if that Practice is continued, I must decline farther Concern in the affair and withdraw the Commissions. The Instructions ought to be observed in that Instance, as well as those above mentioned.
I congratule you on the success of the Fearnought Capt. Ryan; and have the honour to be Sir.
M Torris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 26 June 1780
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Paris June 26. 1780
I have read over all the Papers in the Bundle left with me, numbered to thirty seven. I have also read the three Queries stated to me.
These Queries I apprehend can legally be answered only by Congress or a Court Martial: and therefore it would be improper in me to give any answer to them, because the Papers will appear before Congress or a Court Martial, who can judge of them better than I. They will also hear Captain Landais which I cannot do. My Opinion therefore would have no Weight either before the one or the other Tribunal—or supposing it to be admitted to be read and to have any Weight it ought not to be given, because I cannot be legally either a Witness or a Judge.
I cannot however think that the Instructions of the Navy Board to Captain Landais to obey the Orders of the Minister Plenipotentiary, contain Authority to remove him, without his Consent, from the Command of a Ship committed to him by Congress, because the Navy Board themselves had not as I apprehend such Authority.
Since those Instructions were given, as I was informed at Boston, Congress have given to the Navy Board Power, upon any Misbehaviour of an Officer, to suspend him, stating to Congress at the same Time a regular Charge against him— But I do not find among these Papers such Authority given to any Body in Europe, nor do I find that any regular Charge against Captain Landais has been stated to Congress.

There has seldom if ever been in France a sufficient Number of Officers at a time to constitute a Court Martial, and our Code of Admiralty Laws is so inadequate to the Government of Frigates for any Length of Time in Europe, that it is presumed Congress in future will either omit to put Frigates under any direction in Europe, or make some Additions to the Laws of the Admiralty adapted to such Cases—for there is an End of all Order, Discipline and Decency, when disputes arise and there is no Tribunal to decide them, and when Crimes are committed or alledged, and there is no Authority to try or to punish them.
I have not observed among these Papers any clear Evidence of Captain Landais Consent to leave the Command of the Ship and therefore upon the whole, rather than bring the present disputes about the Alliance to any critical and dangerous decision here, where the Law is so much at a loose and there can be no legal Tribunal to decide, I should think your Excellency would be most likely to be justified in pursuing the mildest measures, by transmitting all the Papers and Evidence to Congress or the Navy Board for a Trial by a Court Martial and ordering the commanding Officer of the Alliance with the Stores and Convoy as soon as possible to America.
I give this Opinion to your Excellency, to make what use of it you think proper.
I have the Honour to be, with great Respect, sir your most obedient and humble Servant
John Adams.
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr, Minister Plenipotentiary

Notations in different hands: June 26. 1780. / Answer to the Queries. / recd 11½ A.M. June 26. / John Adams


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Necker, 26 June 1780
From: Necker, Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris Le 26. Juin 1780.
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19. de ce mois les deux memoires qui y étoient joints. L’un concerne M.M. Bondfield Haywood et Compe. qui demandent la Permission d’envoyer aux Isles Françoises deux de leurs Navires sous Pavillon Americain. Ces Négociants m’avoient déja présenté cette Demande, Je leur ai marqué le 12. de ce mois qu’il falloit un Passeport dans cette Circonstance et qu’ils devroient pour l’obtenir s’addresser à M. De Sartines. Le second mémoire est relatif à M.M. P. French et neveu de Bordeaux: ces Négociants se plaignent d’une saisie de 9. Boucauts de Tabac manquant à la Cargaison portée par les connoissements du Navire la Pedggy; ils m’avoient également fait passer leurs Représentations. J’ai chargé les Fermiers Gx. [Généraux] de me rendre Compte de l’affaire, J’attends leur reponce pour donner une Décision et je ne manquerai pas de vous en faire part.
J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un sincere attachement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur
(signé) Necker
M. Franklin.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton et al., 26 June 1780
From: Wharton, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
L’Orient 26 June 1780
We understand some Persons in the Town have written to the Ministers of France, That the Americans, who are here approved Captain Landais’ Conduct in Possessing Himself of the Frigate Alliance, which you had committed to the Charge of the Honorable Commodore Jones. For the sake of Truth, and undeceiving those,—Whom such Misrepresentations may have deceived,— We think it necessary to explain ourselves explicitly on this Subject. We have deeply lamented, Sir, the Behaviour of Captain Landais and his Advisers in agitating so unseasonable a Dispute, opposing your Orders, and ruining the Measures Your Excellency had adopted for the Supply of our Army with Cloaths &c and the Convoy of the American Vessels (laden with Merchandize, wherein our Friends and ourselves are interested to the Amount of near two Millions of Livres) Which We have detained here at a very heavy Expence in full Dependance on it. The Discretion and unexampled Bravery of Commodore Jones yielded us a reasonable and pleasurable Confidence, That our Vessels would arrive in Safety.— But now We feel, We assure you Sir, The utmost Doubt, and anxiety for the Preservation and arrival of the Publick Stores and our property.
We have the Honor of being Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
Saml. WhartonJona Williams J Tho. BellMatthew MeaseTho. HutchinsJames Moylan./.Jonatn: Nesbitt J. Grubb
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.

Notation: Letter from Saml Wharton &c to Doctr Franklin June 26: 1780 No 5


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 27 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bache, Richard

Dear son,
Passy, June 27. 1780.
I have just received yours of may 2. with the Newspapers which you sent by M. Mease. He sent them up from the L’Orient, not coming to Paris himself. I have desired that you might send me the German Newspapers, but I suppose the Letters did not get to hand. Pray take them in, and send them by Duplicates. They will much oblige some of my friends among the foreign ministers— I wish also to have some Graffs of the Newtown-Pippin when it is Seasonable to cut them. They may be sent in a Tin Case solder’d up tight. When I was last in Philadelphia, Mr. Miller printed a little Book, containing a Number of Phrases of the Delaware Indian Language: I want a Copy of that. Send one by two or three different Ships, that I may be more sure of receiving them.
You have never given me a particular account of the State in which you found my Papers that were entrusted to the Care of M. Galloway. There were among them 8. Volumes of manuscript Collections concerning Agriculture, manufactures, Commerce, &c which I much valu’d. They cost me 60£ Sterling. There were also all the Books of my Letters containing my publick and private Correspondence during my Residence in England. I wish to know whether these are left or taken away.— I shall Show every Civility in my Power to the Persons you recommend, particularly Messrs. Fox and Foulk. If the Regimt. of deux Ponts, or its Col. & Lieut. Colonel should come into your Parts, I recommend earnestly those two Gentlemen to your best Services. They are sons of a Lady my very dear Friend, Madame la Comtesse de Forbach, Dowager of the late Prince de deux ponts, whose Nephew I formerly recommended to you. I have wrote all about Ben in my Letter to Sally. We continue well, & I am ever Your affectionate father
B Franklin
M. Bache

Addressed: To / Richard Bache Esqr / Postmaster General of the / United States of Ama / at Philadela. / [In Franklin’s hand:] Private
Notation: B.F. to RB. June, 1780


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 27 June 1780[–12 August 1780]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bache, Sarah Franklin

Dear Sally
Passy, June 27.[–August 12] 1780.
I received your pleasing Letters of Nov. 14. Mr. aston whom you recommended to me has been here, and I treated him with the Civilities you desired. I was glad to hear that William, Betsy & Louis, tho’ the two latter are yet Strangers to me, were all well & lively. Will was always lively. Tell me what Improvement he makes in his Learning. He ought to read and begin to write by this time. I hope to have a Letter from him soon. Ben writes to me often. He is very glorious at present, having obtained the Prize of his School for a best Translation from the Latin into French; which was presented to him in the Cathedral Church by the first Magistrate of the City. I send you his Letter and his Master’s containing the News of this Important Event. He gives a Treat on the Occasion to the rest of the Scholars for which I shall pay with much Pleasure. If this gets Safe to your hand, you will receive with it a little Portrait of him, sent me by a Lady that is his friend. I inclose one of her Letters. I received the Newspapers you were so kind as to send me by M. Gerard, but you may imagine they were very old before I got them. Lately I have got some fresher with yours of may 2. giving me the good Tidings of your Child’s being safely thro’ the Small Pox. M. Mease himself by whom you sent that Letter is not yet come to Paris. Messrs. Foulk and Fox are just arrived, & will do Temple & me the favour to take a family Dinner with us. Letters by them from a number of my old Friends, occasion me much Pleasure in renewing the remembrance of them. I continue in health, but have too much to do.— The Congress have kept me in constant Expectation of being assisted by a Secretary; but he has not yet appeared, and Temple and I are absolute Drudges. I am ever My dear Child, Your affectionate Father
B Franklin
Temple present his Duty.

  [in Franklin’s hand:] Augt. 12. All continue well— BF.
  Mrs. S. Bache.
  Addressed: Mrs. S. Bache / Philadelphia


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 27 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jones, John Paul

Dear Sir,
Passy June 27. 1780. 6 oclock PM.
I have this Minute received yours of the 23d. The Letter you mention having sent me by the last Post, inclosing the necessary Papers to explain Circumstances, is not come to Hand; so that I am much in the dark about your present Situation. I only learn by other means, that the Alliance is gone out of the Port, and that you are not likely to recover & have relinquished the Command of her. So that Affair is over. And the Business is now to get the Goods out as well as we can. I am perfectly bewilder’d with the different Schemes that have been proposed to me for this purpose by Mr Williams, Mr Ross, yourself and M De Chaumont. Mr Williams was for purchasing Ships; I told him I had not the Money, but he still urges it. You and Mr Ross proposed borrowing the Ariel. I joined in the Application for that Ship. We obtained her. She was to carry all that the Alliance could not take. Now you find her Insufficient. An additional Ship has already been asked and could not be obtained. I think therefore it will be best that you take as much into the Ariel as you can, and depart with it. For the rest I must apply to the Government to contrive some means of transporting it, in their own Ships. This is my present Opinion. And when I have once got rid of this Business no Consideration shall tempt me to meddle again with such Matters, as I never understand them.
With great Esteem, I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
Honble. Come. Jones.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Commodore Jones / chez M. Moyland, Negt / à L’Orient

Notation: From his Excellency Dr. Franklin Passy, June 27th. 1780


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, [27 June 1780]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Landais, Pierre

Sir,
[June 27, 1780]
You are hereby directed to receive on board the said Frigate as many Cases of Fusils and as much of the Gun powder, ready to be delivered to you by Order of his Excellency the Prince de Montbarey, Minister of War, as you can conveniently Stow, giving a Receipt for the same; and the same, together with the Powder, Arms and Cannon, already Ship’d, to transport to Philadelphia; and deliver the whole to the Board of Admiralty there for the Use of the Congress for doing which this Order Shall be your Warrant.
Given at Passy this 27th Day of June 1780.
(signed) B. FranklinMinister P. &c. &c.
To the Commanding Officer for the time being of the Frigate alliance belonging to the United States of North America.

Notation in Franklin’s hand: Copy of the Orders sent to Capt. Landais


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 27 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sartine, Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de

Sir,
Passy June 27. 1780.
I am very thankful to his Majesty in Behalf of the suffering Owners of the Brigantine Fair play: for his Goodness in ordering to be paid them Fifteen Thousand Livres out of your Treasury. But as that sum is conceived by your Excellency to be a favourable Allowance, in consideration that the Misfortune happen’d by the Fault of Capt Giddins, and the Owners apprehed there was no fault on his Part, (being so informed by Depositions upon Oath) and none was mentioned or supposed in the Governor of Guadloupe’s first letter to your Excellency on the Subject, I fear they will think the Sum very small as an Indemnification for the Loss of their Vessel, valued at 26,666⅔ Spanish mill’d Dollars or 6,000£ Sterling. I therefore request your Excellency would be pleased to examine with some attention the said Depositions and the Valuation (of which I enclose the Duplicates) and if on the whole you should judge the matter improper to be offer’d at present for his Majesty’s Reconsideration, you would at least favour me with the Informations that have been sent to your Excellency from Guadaloupe of the blamable Conduct of the Captain: as by communicating those Informations to the Owners, I may more easily satisfy them of the Favourableness of the Sum his Majesty has been pleased to grant them.

Your Excellency will perceive by their Letter, which I send herewith, that they desire Mr: Jonathan Williams of Nantes might receive for them the Sum that should be granted. I am therefore farther to request that your Excellency would be pleas’d to give Order to your Treasurer, to accept and pay his Drafts for the said fifteen thousand Livres.
I am with great Respect, Sir, Your most Obedt & most humble Servt:
(signed) B Franklin.
M. de Sartine.Copy

Notation: Copy of Dr: Franklins Lett: to Monsr: De Sartine June 27th. 1780


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 June 1780
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan Jr.

Dear Jonan.
Passy, June 27. 1780.
To get rid of all farther Projects and Propositions which I never understand relating to the Shipping of the Goods, I entrusted you with that Business and impower’d you to freight a Ship or Ships. But I have not succeded, for in yours of the 23d. you send me new Schemes. No other Man of War to go under the Command of Comme. Jones can at Present be obtained. Assist him in getting out with the Ariel after that you and Mr. De Chaumont may unite in finding some means of sending the rest of the Goods. You and he can agree and assist each other; but there never can be any Union of Counsels or Endeavours between the Commodore and him.— I was told that if we would obtain the Ariel, she would do our Business. I join’d in the Application and we obtained her. Now she is too Little and another is wanted. I will absolutely have nothing to do with any new Squadron Project. I have been too long in hot Water plagu’d almost to Death with the Passions, fegaries and ill humours and Madnesses of other People. I must have a little Repose. This to yourself and believe me ever. Your affectionate Uncle

P.S. If the Alliance is not totally gone, you have inclos’d an Order which I promised the Prince de Montbarey to send down for her Reception of more arms &c. tho’ I fear She will be carry’d into England, either by her Crew or by an Enemy.
Mr. Williams


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 27 June 1780
From: Genet, Edme-Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
a Versailles ce 27. juin 1780
Par le désir du Commodore Paul Jones j’ai fait traduire et remis à Mgr. de Sartines toutes les pieces contenues dans le paquet ci joint que j’ai l’honeur de vous addresser.
J’ai l’honeur d’etre avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur
Genet

Notation: Genet, Versailles 27. Juin. 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Myrick, 27 June 1780
From: Myrick, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Excellent Sr,
St Maloes June, 27th. 1780
I having Recd. Commission as Capt. to Cruize against the English in the Cutter called the American Union Mounting 4 Carriage and ten Swivel Guns, most of the Crew and myself being formerly on board of the Black Prince Privateer under the Command of Capt Marchant and Capt Dowlin, their Commission Signed by yr Excellency our Prize Money we have given Power to Mr. Poreau & Compy. of Dunkerque to Receive the same when paid by Mr Torris, our Commission is French, but as all of us are American Subjects Claims yr. Excelency’s protection in the following Case we left Dunkerque May 30th, on our Cruize, which we Continued in the Channell when on the 26th Inst. at 3 in the Morning was Chased by two English Frigates and one Cutter who Continued the Chase for 8 hours untill we got Safe into this port. This day has Recd. Orders from the Commissary of this port that our privateer is Stopped in this harbour by Order of Mr. Sartine— Claims as Americans Yr. Excellencys timely Assistance to twenty four of us here detained, yr. Excellency’s Commands we are Ready to obey, Remains with Respects to yr Nephew and the Rest of American Gentlemen
Yrs
Joseph Myrick

Addressed: His Excellency Benjamin / Franklin, Minister for the / United States of North America / at Passy near Paris
Notation: James Myrick June 27. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Montbarey, 28 June 1780
From: Montbarey, Alexandre-Marie-Léonor de Saint-Mauris, prince de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Versailles Le 28. Juin 1780.
Je vous donne avis, Monsieur, qu’en consequence de la Lettre que vous m’avéz fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 25. de ce Mois, J’ai mandé à M. de Malherbe Directeur de l’Artillerie, que le Commodore Paul Jones n’ayant plus le Commandement de la Frégate l’Alliance, c’étoit au Commandant actuel de ce Batiment que devoient être remis les 15,000 fusils et les 100. Milliers de Poudre que M. Minard De Saleux avoit eu Ordre au Commandant actuel de fournir une Réconnoissance des d. [dits] Effets, sur la remise qui lui en sera faite.
J’ai l’honneur d’être très parfaitement, Monsieur, votre très humble et tres obeissant Serviteur
(signé) Le Pce. De Montbarey.
M. Franklin.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Puchelberg & Cie., 28 June 1780
From: Puchelberg & Cie.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Lord,
L’Orient 28h. June 1780
We beg leave to inform your Excellency, that we are authorised by the officers and Crew, of the American fregatte the Alliance, by way of procuration to be their lawfull Atorneys and agents, to Receive all the money that may be found due to them by way of prizes, made by the said fregatte alone or in company with other vessels.
We are desired to acquaint Your Excellency of this, and to ask of your Excellency the money that is due to them of the prizes Brigs Fortune & May flower, that were sold about last September, their part of the prize Ship Serapis, lately sold and whether the Countess of Scarborough, that was into Dunkirk is sold, also if the prizes sent into Bergen are paid for, that they may Receive their proportion of those.
We beg Your Excellency’s Information and assistance in behalf of this ship and Remain with the greatest Respect My Lord Your Excellencys Most obedient humble Servants
Puchelberg & Cie.

Notation: Puchelberg L’Orient 2. June 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 29 June 1780
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Paris June 29th. 1780
I have the honor to inclose a Copy of the letter of the Comte De Vergennes, to me, of the 21st. of this Month, and a Copy of my Answer to his Excellency of the 22d.
This Correspondence is upon a subject, that has lain much out of the way of my particular pursuits, and therefore I may be inaccurate in some things, but in the principles I am well persuaded I am right— I hope that things are explained so as to be intelligible, and that there is nothing inconsistant with that decency, which ought in such a Case to be observed.

If your Excellency thinks me materially wrong in any Thing, I shou’d be much obliged to you to point it out to me, for I am open to Conviction.
This Affair in America is a very tender and dangerous business, and requires all the Address, as well as Firmness of Congress to extricate the Country out of the Embarrassments arising from it: And there is no possible System, I believe, that cou’d give universal Satisfaction to all, but this appears to me, to promise to give more general satisfaction than any other that I have ever heard suggested. I have the honor to be with much Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
John Adams
I have added Copies of the whole Correspondence.His Excellency Dr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 June 1780
From: Digges, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dr. Sir
London 29. June 1780
Since my letter of the 8th Int. by Mr Barnet, I have wrote you the 10th. & 23d. Instants; and hearing that my Lisbon friend Mr. B, whom I took the liberty to introduce to You, is about this period to Leave Paris, I am in some hopes of getting by him a line from you, which may answer three or four requests I have made in late letters: I mean in respect to Dr. Upton Scotts Pass for His Baggage in case He is taken by an Amn. Privateer on the voyage to N York He meaning to push out in the next fleet to that place in order to get to Annapolis, which pass I took the liberty to apply to you for by Post the 30th of last month;— For a Spectacle glass that would sute your sight in order to oblige a Genn. who means to present you with a pair made of Cherokee Cristal; To know what I am to expect relative to a request for a full length drawing or picture of Your self which is wanted for the purpose of getting a good print; and also to know what hopes of release remain to our captive Brethren &ca.

I advanced Mr Jas Barnet £12:12:0 on a bill He gave me on Monsr. Rey De Chamont, & I find from my friend Mr Bowins at Ostend He made further use of my introduction and took up a few guineas more of Mr B on a similar bill. I should be obligd to you to give Mr. Barnet a hint to have these two Bills taken care of, for I am not in circumstances to bear well the protest of them. I am led to give this hint to Him from having lately experiencd inconveniences of protests on four bills, amotg [amounting] to upwds. of 60£, given me by americans in a similar situation to Barnet, on people in Nantes & Bilboa; as well as one lately given me by an acquantance of Barnets who drew for 10 Guineas on his unkle in Scotland, & who declard He would pay the bill of no Reebel.
Nothing of any consequence has come to my knowlege from the west since my last, save an accot. from the West Indies of a second Brush between the French & English fleet, in which the English Ships sufferd most tho they remaind as is the boast here Masters of the Sea. A Packet from St Kitts the 25th. May, brings accots, which from the collecting the whole, stands pretty nearly thus. On the 13th of May Rodney descried the French fleet to windward of Him & not far distant, when Martinique bore W by No. 12 Leagues; The french apparantly meaning to ply to windward & to get into Martinique. After much manoeuvring the Van of the English fleet (six Ships the best sailers from being copperd) got up with & attackd the Rear of Monsr. Guichens Squadron. The other part of Rodneys fleet being rather distant on accot of light winds could not get up, till the English Ships were pretty roughly handled, particularly the Conqueror the Cornwall & another, who were mauld considerably, tho not so disabled as to be obligd to quit the Seas;— On the getting up of the other ships of Rodneys fleet, it is said the French retreated back to Guadeloupe leaving Rodney, as they express it in the City, Lord Paramount of the Seas. The accots go to no further particulars than that the English lost in the engagement 220 Men killd. Every person but the immediate dependants & runners of ministry look upon the accots. as a very bad one, and one strong suspicion of it is, that the Government give the public no Gazette accots of the action altho the packet brought dispatches. The Gents at Loyds look a little black upon it, & visibly seem to fear for the Islands as well as the Ships on their way out. This news, as well as the present situation of things in consequence of the late curious Insurrection, would have thrown a deadly damp upon the spirits of the whole Country, had it not been for the oppertune arrival of what they call good news from South Carolina. It is impossible for me to describe to you how much the minds of the people are elated at it, & how universal the opinion now is, That america must in consequence be subdued; That the whole southern Colonies must fall; That is a certain fact that of No Carolina have submitted; That the Congress are routed by an Insurrection at Phila; The french Minister obligd to fly &ca. &ca &ca— These reports, all aided by the assertions of Ministry, and even hinted by them in the House of Commons as Facts, have had an effect on the minds of the people which you may better guess at from knowing their folly, than I can describe. They have Servd to raise the Stocks above three pr Ct. and to bring over a number of people, who thought rationally before, to an opinion, that the game is totally up with America, That Rebellion there has got its death blow, & that one years vigorous war more will assuredly bring that Country to the unconditional submission to this. You cannot think sir, how generally this opinion possess’s even the better & more thinking sort of people as well as the Houses of Parliament. In the Debates on Hartleys last motion for terms to be offerd Ama. the ministry were more impudent than ever; & did in very plain terms persuade the House, that all which I have before stated abot. the distressd situation of America were facts.— Genl. Conway (whom I do not mean to mention as a virtuous or good Character) did as much declare that the last farthing of this Country ought to be tryd against Ama. & that if ten would not do send 20,000 Men more to reduce it rather than offer Independence now.
You may depend upon it (and I wish to impress it upon Your mind) that every remaining exertion in the power of this Country will be sent forth against America— Fleets & armys will be sent to ruin if they cannot subdue it, provided fleets & armys can be got; and they will effect in great measure the ruin of other places in america, provided france & Spain do not act more vigorously at Sea, and go to work instead of making a Parade. I fear much from the discontents in america with regard to non assistance of Ships from their allies. Five ships of the Line cruising on the Coasts south of Phia. in the months of March, April, or May, would have effectually securd Chas Town & capturd a British army— The very same mischiefs will happen in No Caroa. & Virga if those Coasts are not guarded & protected this summer. One Engs. Line of Battleship (wch has been for months lying up at Hallifax) and six or eight of the size of 44 Gs [guns] & frigates, have been all the Force of England in Ama since the month of Feby. & with this trifling naval guard, they are conducting small armys to Quebec, Hallifax, & other parts of the Coast. Adml. Graves with 8 of the line may be expected to arrive at N York about this period, & his intention is to watch the movements of Tierneys Squadron. Our Idea here is that when walsinghams fleet of six Ships gets to the Wt Indies the Engs. will be superior to the french by 3 Ships.
You, who have often laughd at the follys of this Country would wonder now at the infatuation that seemingly possess’s every one— The Exultation abot. Chas Town & the supposd excellent state of their affairs in america surpasses all belief, in short they are as much upon Hobby as ever they were since I had any knowlege of them. If one may judge rightly from the actual state of things against this Country as well in america & the West Indies as in Europe in general, one would be apt to think, that before many weeks are elapsd they would be flung from this hobby & be as much in the dumps as Englishmen are used to be on the receiving bad news. I wish you every blessing & am with the most sincere regard Sir Yr very ob Sert

P.S. A frd. is to put this in the Post office at Amm. [Amsterdam]

Notations: June 29. 1780. / June 29. 80


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Cabanis, [30 June 1780]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Cabanis, Pierre-Jean-Georges

Dear Sir,
[June 30, 1780]
Daily expectation of having a printed copy of the enclosed paper to send you (which I did not receive till last night) has made me too long omit answering your kind letter of the 10th of last month. I imagine you may collect from it all that is necessary to be known in order to erect properly a conductor for securing a house from lightning. A private dwelling will not require such complex and costly machinery as the lofty Tower of Strasburg. A simple rod of iron of half an inch in diameter, tapering to a point, and extending nine feet above the highest part of the building, and descending into the earth till four or five feet below the surface, will be sufficient. We often talk of you at Auteuil, where everybody loves you. I now and then offend our good lady who cannot long retain her displeasure, but, sitting in state on her sopha, extends graciously her long, handsome arm, and says, “la; baisez ma main: je vous pardonne,” with all the dignity of a sultaness. She is as busy as ever, endeavoring to make every creature about her happy, from the Abbe’s down thro’ all ranks of the family to the birds and Poupou. I long for your return, being with great and sincere esteem, Yours most affectionately,
B Franklin.
Present my respects to your father and my thanks for getting so valuable a son. My grandson joins his compliments.To M. Cabanis fils dated Passy, June 30, 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 30 June 1780
From: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias
To: Franklin, Benjamin

à vles. [Versailles] le 30 Juin 1780
Monsieur franklin trouvera ci-joint la lettre originale de M. adams; M. de Rayneval le prie de vouloir bien la luy renvoyer, aussitôt qu’il en aura fait tirer copie.

Notation: De Raynval, Versailles le 10. Juin 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 30 June 1780
From: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Versailles le 30. Juin 1780.
Je n’ai reçu qu’hier, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 24. de ce mois.

Vous demandez, en conséquence de l’invitation que vous en a faite M. Adams, que les ordres donnés à M. le Chev. de La Luzerne relativement à la resolution du Congrès du 18. mars dernier soient revoqués ou au moins suspendus, parceque ce Plénipotentiaire est en état de prouver que ces ordres ne sont fondés que sur de faux raports.
M. Adams m’avoit adressé dés le 22. une très longue discution sur la matière dont il s’agit; mais elle ne renferme que des raisonnements abstraits, des hypotéses et des calculs qui n’ont que des bazes idéales ou, tout au moins, étrangères aux sujets du Roi, enfin des principes qui ne sont rien moins qu’analogues à l’Alliance qui subsiste entre sa Majesté et les Etats-unis.
Vous pouvez juger par là, Monsieur, que les prétendües preuves annoncées par M. Adams n’étoient point de nature à nous faire changer de sentiment, ni, par conséquent, à opérer la revocation ou la suspension des ordres donnés à M. le Chev. de La Luzerne.
Le Roi est si persuadé, Monsieur, que votre opinion personnelle sur les effets de la resolution du Congrès, pour ce qui concerne les étrangers et surtout les françois, différe de celle de M. Adams, qu’il n’apréhende pas de vous mettre dans l’embarras en vous requerant d’apuier auprès du Congrès les réprésentations que son Ministre a été chargé de faire à ce Senat; et pour que vous puissiez le Faire avec une entière connoissance de cause, Sa Majesté m’a ordonné de vous envoier copie de ma lettre à M. Adams, des Observations de ce Plenipotentiaire et de La réponse que je viens de lui faire. Le Roi s’attend que vous mettrez le tout sous les yeux du Congrès, et Sa Majesté se flatte que ce Sénat imbu d’autres principes que ceux que M. Adams a développés, convaincra Sa Majesté qu’il juge les françois dignes de quelqu’attention de sa part, et qu’il sait aprécier les marques d’intérêt que Sa Majesté ne cesse de donner aux Etats-unis.
Au surplus, Monsieur, le Roi n’indique pas au Congrès les moïens qui pourroient être emploiés pour indemniser les françois porteurs de papier monnoye; Sa Majesté s’en raporte entièrement à cet égard à l’équité comme à la sagesse de cette Assemblée.
J’ai l’honneur d’être très parfaitement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur
De Vergennes
M. franklinM. Franklin

Notations: Letter from Ct. de Vergennes to Doct. Franklin June 30. 1780—with 5 Numbers from 1 to 5 inclusive / Origal Letter from Count Vergennes to Dr Franklin.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, [c. June 1780]
From: Alexander, Bethia
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce mardy matin [c. June, 1780]
Une Dame, qui j’aime assez quoique je la connois peu, vient de m’ecrire, mon cher Docteur, pour me demander une grace qui malheureusement depende de vous. Je dis malheureusement car je vous connois tant d’occupation que je n’ai entrepris de vous ecrire qu’a regret—voici L’affaire—Madm: la Comtesse Dillon a plusieurs de ses amis, et je crois même son Mari sur L’escadre de Monsieur de Terney qu’on croit etre destiné pourL’amerique, elle voudrois pouvoir leurs donner de tems en tems de ses nouvelles mais elle ne sait pas comment s’y prendre, c’est sur cela qu’elle demande votre avis et votre aide— Voyez, mon cher Docteur, si vous voulez entreprendre de lui faire part des occasions qui se trouverons pour ce pays Lâ, et de dire au Soin de qui elle doit adresser ses lettres.— Mon: le Comte Dillon s’est si bien battu contre nous autres pauvres Anglois, que sa femme merite a ce qu’il me semble, cette petite service de votre part—si vous etes du même avis faites le moi savoir par une petite ligne—et dites moi en même tems si j’ai encore quelque place dans votre Coeur,? ou si les quatres Grands lieus qu’il y a entre vous et moi m’en ont tout a fait chassée? Rappellez moi au Souvenir de Madame Helvetius, et ses amis— Adieu mon cher Docteur que vous m’aimez toujours ou que vous ne m’aimez plus je serois pour la vie Votre affectionnée
Bethia Alexander

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin—Passy / Pres / Paris


Title: Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1780
From:
To:

One new account begins during the period covered by this volume.
XXIX. Franklin’s Account with Congress, October 4, 1780, to April 4, 1781: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 3 pages. An account in William Temple Franklin’s hand recording Franklin’s official expenditures, including his salary payments and sums given from his “Private Purse” for which he drew reimbursement. These entries are duplicates of items recorded in other accounts, but the personal expenditures will be a particularly valuable record for the period after the Cash Book ends.
We also offer a summary of entries from Franklin’s accounts that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but that provide insights into his private and public life between July 1 and November 15, 1780.
Account XVI (Cash Book, XXVI, 3.)
This is the last volume that will be covered by the Cash Book, whose final page contains entries through mid-October. If Franklin continued this account in another ledger, it has not survived.
The expenses of the typefoundry continue to be the most consistent entries. Weekly salary payments to the staff (Hémery, Bieuville, Rocque, Madelon, and Garre) stopped from mid-July to mid-August, at which point Madelon was replaced, first by Baudegon, then on September 23, by Sophie. Draonet supplied wood in early July, and Hémery was paid twice for metal, on August 26 and again in mid-October.
Franklin noted some of the sums he loaned on behalf of Congress or gave outright to prisoners. Apart from the loan he extended to Duplessÿ, the only other entry was for “Three poor Frenchmen, who had been in the American Service, made Prisoners & just returned from England.” He gave them 72 l.t. on October 4.
Jean L’Air de Lamotte received 600 l.t. on August 7, wages for his first six months’ work as “Clerk.” Franklin paid for visits to the baths, bought fruit and flowers from a “Gardner” and an “Old Woman” on September 2, and subscribed to L’Esprit des journaux français et étrangers on September 17.
  Account XXIII (William Temple Franklin’s Account of Family Expences, XXIX, 3).
In this account, the household staff and local tradesmen take center stage. Arbelot and François, as usual, are compensated for their own food when they serve their masters at dinners away from home. Coimet, the cook, and François receive payments for “wages and wine,” and Mme Le Mare collects half-a-year’s payments for “washing & mending.” Franklin settles accounts with Brunel, the carpenter, Bernard the glazier, La Pierre the tinsmith, and Chabert, who has made him a pair of shoes. Cabaret continues to supply the household with stationery.
On July 4, Franklin purchases six volumes of Mémoires … des Chinois from the Parisian bookseller Nyon ainé, and on July 30 acquires “a Piece of new invented Black Silk” from M. Perron. On July 15 he pays duty on two cases that had arrived from Ostend, and on September 24 he settles the account of Honoré-Thomas Bligny, who furnished frames and prints. (Bligny published the engraving that is the frontispiece of this volume and showed a proof to Franklin on July 14; see the List of Illustrations.) In October Franklin buys a pair of plated candlesticks, purchases wax tapers, sends six yards of fine flannel to be dyed, and has his watch cleaned. He also pays 240 l.t. on October 8 to assist Thiery de la Veau, “on his Notes,” to return to his family in Boston.
In August, Franklin receives a number of deliveries of spirituous beverages. A gift of wine from Jonathan Williams, Jr., arrives on August 10, Boutard the limonadier furnishes 150 bottles of beer on the 12th, and Franklin orders 50 bottles of champagne on the 19th. All of this can be chilled thanks to the “Person who furnished the Ice during the Summer,” who receives 24 l.t. On November 13, the purchase of a pair of crutches signals that he is recovering from his attack of gout.
  Account XXV (Account of Postage and Errands, XXXII, 3).
Coimet, the cook, once again kept the records for the months covered by this volume. Letters are posted almost daily, and errands in Paris are run nearly that often. Coimet arranged for a carriage for the wine sent by Jonathan Williams, Jr. (see above). The only other expense is 15 s. on August 15 for sawing a load of wood.
  Account XXVII (Accounts of Public Agents in Europe, XXXII, 4).
Only a few entries, for sums paid by Ferdinand Grand on Franklin’s order, are unrecorded elsewhere. On July 10, Mr. Roger received 440 l.t. 18 s. 6 d. for “Gold, Silver & Copper Medals struck by Order of Congress.” On September 2, Franklin paid his overdue subscription fee to the Courier de l’Europe, and on September 18, the wine merchant Bousie’s account was finally settled: 294 l.t. for what he had supplied to Silas Deane in 1778. Miss Chaumont received what was due her for the hire of horses and carriages.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, 1 July 1780
From: Amezaga, Ignace d’Urtado, marquis d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

paris Le 1er jlle [1780]
Jay toujour Monsieur, étté a chantilly ce qui ma empeché, d’aller vous rendre mes çivilité, monsieur amelot ma baucoup demondé de vos nouvelles ainsy que sa femme, sil dine Lundy prochain, ches eux, vous devries y venir, en me faisant avertir davançe.
Sy vous dines ches vous dimanche Jaurois bien envie daller vous en demonder; faite moÿ faire, un petit mot de reponçe par Le garçon ministre; qui est Monsieur, votre petit fils; a qui Je vous prie de faire mes compliments.
Je Loge rue du bacq vis avis Les convalesçent:
Receves Les assurançe de La veneration, et de L’attachement, avec Le quel Jay Lhonneur dettre Monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
U[RTADO] M[ARQUIS] D’AMEZAGA

Notation: Damedraga Paris [1st. jy]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Colonel M. de Sonnemaens, 1 July(?) 1780
From: Sonnemaens, Colonel M. de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Venlo July 1(?). 1780
I had the honour upon the 28th of June 1780 to recive your Honored answer to my letter, out of the mentioned date apears that it is impossible within the preschribed 14 days that this our answere the requered nor desired effect can satisfay. Nevertheless we are surprised our Brother Johan Henry Baron de Wolff etz. etz. dos, or did not derect follow your Counsell, being you are the only person capable to give him good Councell not allon, but lykeways to provide him according to his Rang, Quality, and Merit compiting and necessair for all Brave, Dapper Gentlemen Millitair officers generaliter Usewall. Thus done we advise him, and are very desirous he Should come over and stay here, till all his wounds be wholy heeled, Then he having Eleven of them it may be suposed that till such time his wounds are heeled he is not able to serve. This being all we can say there about at this time, only take the liberty to recomend him to your High protection and at the same time heartely to thank you for the honour you have don us, offering reciproque service in case any occasion ther too happen. Where with we have the honour with all imaginable respect to name our selves.
Sir.
Your Most Humble and most Obliged Servant.
M: De Sonnemaens Collonel


Title: Intelligence from Paris and Other Places, 1 July 1780
From: Kéralio, Agathon Guynement, chevalier de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

During the period of the present volume Franklin received through the courtesy of his friend the chevalier de Kéralio eight intelligence reports; Franklin forwarded them, when the opportunity permitted, to the United States, as he had done with some 260 earlier reports. These were the last that Franklin bothered to send. Their cessation was not a great loss to Congress. Often little more than gossip, their information was outdated by the time it reached Philadelphia. As in past volumes we publish the first intelligence report and summarize the remainder.
(I) Bayonne, July 25: On the 19th an English prize made by the Comte d’Artois entered this port; it was the Charming Nancy of Portsmouth, carrying salt beef, rice, flour, and some woolen cloth to Gibraltar.
(II) Brest, July 26: Two recently arrived Swedish ships were visited off Ushant by a fleet of twenty-two British ships of the line. A frigate and a lugger have been sent out to reconnoiter and it is possible that the seven ships of the line here will wait to sail until their return. Commandant Hector has received a letter from Naval Minister Sartine, telling him of the impending arrival of a convoy from the Baltic escorted by several warships of the northern powers. The King desires us to receive and assist any ships that wish to enter port. Letters from Lisbon report the capture of the frigate Artésienne.
(III) Brest, July 31: The ships of the line Hector and Vaillant have arrived from Lorient.
(IV) Paris, July 31: We have learned from London that the French frigate Capricieuse sank after being captured by the British frigates Prudente and Licorne. A courier from Madrid reports that Admiral Cordoba’s Cadiz fleet of twenty-two Spanish and nine French ships of the line has sailed, reportedly for a cruise of ten or eleven days. A squadron from Toulon has arrived in the bay of Cadiz with a convoy.
(V) Paris, August 6: The arrival of the Toulon squadron and convoy has been confirmed. There are various indications that the French fleet will winter in Cadiz. It is said that the formal siege of Gibraltar will begin this autumn. The combined Spanish-French fleet is cruising between Cape Spartel and Cape Ste. Marie. The frigate Etats d’Artois has been captured by a 50–gun British ship. A courier from Bordeaux reports the arrival of the Fier Roderigue and a convoy of eighteen ships. When it left Chesapeake Bay on June 26 there was not yet any news of Admiral Ternay. The marquis de Lafayette received a most flattering welcome in Boston. The frigate Hermione on which he had traveled subsequently captured three prizes and fought off two British ships; her captain was wounded.
(VI) Bayonne, October 5: A letter from Madrid informs us that Admiral Antonio de Ulloa’s squadron of four ships of the line and two frigates has brought into La Coruña as prizes two British ships of the line and a frigate.
(VII) Bordeaux, October 9: On Tuesday the 5th [i.e., 3rd] a privateer frigate from this city arrived with three British prizes. It is reported that the Spaniards have captured two British ships of the line and several frigates.

Paris Le 1er. Juillet [1780]
M. le Cte. d’Estaing part dimanche pour aller, disent bien des gens, prendre le Commandement de la flotte combinée de Cadiz. Ils se fondent Sur ce que ce Général a eu depuis peu plusieurs conférences avec M. de sartine. D’autres prétendent qu’il va tout simplement aux eaux de Baréges, pour consolider la guérison de la blessure qu’il a reçüe l’année passée, et que les conférences qu’il a eües avec M. de sartine, n’ont eu d’autre objet que d’obtenir des graces pour les officiers de son escadre.
Un paquebot arrivé à la Corogne, et depeché de la floride occidentale à apporté la nouvelle de la prise du fort de la mobile par les Troupes d’Espagne; que le général Campbel s’etoit retiré; que le General Galvez marchoit vers Pensacola qu’on ne prévoïoit pas devoir tenir longtems, et que les prisonniers faits au fort de la Mobile etaient au nombre de 300. hommes de troupes réglées et d’une centaine de milice.
On parle d’une Lettre de M. Joubert commandant en second à la martinique, dans laquelle il est dit que l’escadre de M. de Guichen etoit venüe au Nord de la Martinique, qu’elle y avoit embarqué un renfort considérable de Troupes de débarquement, et que de là elle avoit fait voile vers la Barbade.
Une Lettre de st. Eustache du 15. mai arrivée à Amsterdam, annonce la prise de la Barbade par M. de Guichen. Une lettre précédente du 3. mai annonçait Son débarquement dans cette Isle./.

Notation: Intelligence recd. from Doctr. F March 12 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Former Crewmen of the Bonhomme Richard Aboard the Alliance, 2 July 1780
From: Former Crew of Bonhomme Richard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
July 2d. 1780. On board the Alliance.
We take this oppertunity of accuainting your honour of our Cituations at present, we have ben in Irons since Wednesday last and likewise on half Allowance, set side Grog & that we have none. Not withstanding it our determine to remain prisoners untill we go to America— Excepting your Honour will git us out of this unhappy situation but we depend upon your honour to do the best of your indeaver to relese us as soon as lyes in your power which we expect will be soon, & further if it be no Ditterment to your honour please to send us an answer when you Expect you can obtain us.— And in so doing you will much Oblige your Sirt,(?)
Crew, Bon Home Richards In Chief
(Copy)

Notation: Crew, Bonne Homme Richard, July. 2. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 2 July 1780
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Cheam July 2. 1780
Time will not permit to give you more than a hasty line. Accept the resemblance I send you of one whom you esteemed, and do me the favour to give one to Mlle. Beeheron, and another to M. Dubourg. I feel so much the honour of the reception he gave to the books that it makes me presume upon this being no unacceptable present.
Your affectionate
Mary Hewson

When you have an opportunity be so kind as to send the fourth copy to Mr Williams.

Addressed: Dr Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Landais, 2 July 1780
From: Landais, Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

May it please your Excellency
Ship Alliance under Groa 2d July 1780
I write you in Answer to yours of June 24th. as in the former, thinking it was nothing but right in Demanding my people Should be righted. And indeed if there is any time Lost it is by the delay of there payment, my two first prizes, Sweedish Ships, were bro’t in on account of the Masters’ not furnishing Sufficient proofs of their Neutrality having sent you Copys of them that was received by me from the Masters And Couted [Counted] those that were wanting, therefore I think If the Ships have tarry’d so Long in port before they were judged, & if any damage have been Granted it is the fault of those that were to see the Ships tried— Another Brigantine from Bourdeaux bound to Ireland under protection of the Kings passport, but not yours, was bro’t in And I inform’d you in Consequence of the Capture, but never received an Answer, the three prizes sent into Norway I told my officers & Crew on my arrival that you had sent a memorial to the Court of Denmark Demanding payment for them. I must put you in Mind that there were two other prizes sent into the Port of L’Orient, Namely Brigantine May Flower Laden with provisions And the Brigantine, fortune, Laden with Oil & blubber, which were sold and the money remitted to Passy by Mr. Montplesir upon which my officers and Crew have Some Right— I know not whether you have the produce of them in your hands or Mr Chaumont which may be the same thing. You order’d the prizes Captur’d in Company to be put into the hands of Mr. Chaumont or his agent. The delay of the Sailing of the Alliance was owing to their not having sold the prizes & paying the Money, which it was Certainly in your power to have Compel’d them to do— Every man has been hard at Work Since I have been on board. As to the Mutinous declerations of My people I have never heard of, But their Claiming their Right And if any Mutiny or Irruption has been made on board my Ship, it was at the Texel & from that time to the 13th Of Last Month, which was the time I took the Command and since that I have Regulated every thing for the best— But is reported to me that Captn. Jones, has held some Conversation with my People in order to raise Discontent and Mutiny on board And at the same time desireing one of them to go immediately on board & acquaint the people of what he had said— I hope If he is in the American Service you will Repremand him for misconduct in this Instance which is unpardonable in a Captain to hold any such Conversation to the Prejudice of the Navy of the United States— If your Excellency should hear of any more such Conduct please inform me. As soon as my people are paid I shall sail and if there is any detention of the Ship hereafter, Congress will judge whose fault it may be, If my people are not paid or Contrary winds detain me, you’l please send your Orders Directly for America which is all the Orders I will Receive, and if I have been faulty in any thing I am going before those that gave me the Command of this Ship, to Answer for my Conduct.
And am with the Greatest Respect your Excellencys most obedient & very humble Servant
P: Landais C.A.
His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr Minister Plenipo, to the United States at Passy near Paris

Notation: P Landais Groa July 2. 1780


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cornelis Van der Oudermeulen, 3 July 1780
From: Oudermeulen, Cornelis van der
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Amsterd: ce 3 Juillet 1780
Avant mon depart pour la Nord Hollande, où je dois me rendre ce Soir pour vaquer pendant 10 a 12 jours aux affaires de la Compagnie, j’ai cru qu’il convenoit de repondre aussi laconiquement qu’il m’est possible a la lettre dont votre Excellence m’à honoré le 22. du mois passé. Elle ne m’est parvenue que hier.
En consequence j’ai lhonneur de vous presenter quelques idées Sur la feuille cÿ jointe. J’espere que par cette explication vous sentirez plus dans son entier la baze sur laquelle le plan proposé repose. J’avoue qu’il auroit demandé un plus ample detail, mais considerez je vous prie que la matiere est 1° de la derniere delicatesse, & 2°. qu’un Plan de cette nature demande qu’on expose Ses Idées le plus succintement qu’il Soit possible, afin de prevenir les inconveniens que les Memoires trop long (Selon l’experience que j’en ai) produisent assez Souvent, & a ce qui me paroit ce n’est pas un mal que sur un objet de cet importance, on pense, et on reflechisse, quelques tems. Je sens au reste que c’est en Amerique que la proposition doit en premier lieu etre goutée, avant qu’on puisse rien entreprendre ladessus en Europe. C’etoit à cause de cela pour aplanir bien des difficultés, que j’ai offert de faire le Voÿage. Mais maintenant que vos Idées me paroissent encore trop eloignées des miennes il convient de temporiser: peut être qu’un jour Votre Excellence observera que mes idées ont été plus ou moins analogue aux circonstances actuelles des affaires politiques. Du moins il me semble qu’elles sont propres pour parvenir le plutot au but qu’on Se propose. Une fois que Votre Etat Seroit parvenu à ce qu’il desire, alors les choses S’etabliront de soi même, & selon que les circonstances d’ alors le demanderont. Mais en attendant pour atteindre cet Epoque, il me semble qu’insensiblement on doit tacher de déranger la position actuelle du Commerce même, car Selon mes petites lumieres il paroit que par les choses qui se passent, que tot ou tard le Commerce Se transferera dans le N. d Ame. Tel est la Vicissitude auxquelles les affaires humaines sont Sujettes, vouloir Sÿ opposer, c’est vouloir se mettre contre un torrent impetueux—plus on cherche à retarder l’evenement qui aura certainement lieu dans les Siecles à venir, plus grand Sera le degat qui naturellement en pourra resulter un jour. Pour le moment la grande question Se borne à ceci. Les Finances sur le continent en E. Suffisent elles pour soutenir les enormes depances qu’il ÿ à encore à faire? Enfin pour ne pas entretenir pour le môment trop longtems Votre Excellence. Je prie d’observer que le Plan en question à pour but: Savoir:
1°. D’étendre le Commerce & la Navigation du Nord Am: & des Européens du continent.
2°. De nuire 1, 2, 3, et porter par la 8, a la 4, d’ou 5, 6, 7 &c.
3°. De rependre de plus en plus 13, Sur 14. &
4°. De 9 & 10 de plus en plus par la 11, 12.
Mais sur toute chose Je prie de considerer que ma proposition pour former la Compe. previligiés en Ame. n’est fondée que sur la necessité actuelle des Choses, car qu’on ait S.V.P. toujours en vue qu’une Puissance qui à eu une augmentation dans son commerce Sur les Import. & Export. pendant le cours de ce Siecle pour environ 16 millions de Livr. St. annuellement ne se persuade pas si facilement. Il faut pour cela non seulement prendre Son recours à la force ouverte, mais encore à beaucoup de moÿens imperceptibles. (Il est bon de dire que mes idées par ce mot d’imper. n’est entendu que relative. au commerce).
Je prie Votre Excellence de m’accuser la reception de la presente, d’annuler ces feuilles et de Secretter a jamais mon nom. N’aiant dans tout ceci d’autres vues que de randre autant qu’il me soit possible de Services à ma Patrie, et à mon Prochain.
J’ai lhonneur d’etre avec un profond respect,
Monsieur De Votre Excellence Le tres humble & tres Obeissant serviteur
C: V: D: Oudermeulen
Pour l’intelligence des Chiffres cÿdessus, Votre Exce. recevra quatre mots par Mr. D.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Timothy Kelly, 4 July 1780
From: Kelly, Timothy
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Excellent sr
St Malo. July 4th. 1780
Repeatedly I have wrote to your Excellency, when in the Black Prince Privateer of Boston under the Commands in both Cruizes of Capt Marshant & Dowlin wherein we took Prizes and Ransoms to a Considerable Amount. The Names of sd. Prizes as Clark of our former Privateer I always sent your Excellency an Account thereof in Journal Manner. When our Misfortune happened of being run on shore by the Tartar Frigate thro their Mistake we made the best of our way to Dunkerque, where not meeting with the Generous Usuage we Expected was Constrained thro Necessity to Embark in the Cutter The American union, under a french Commission, and is now detained here by as I can Understand by an Order from Ministry. Excellent Sr. such usuage as Americans Subjects Sustains in France Viz. being wronged by Torris of Dunkerque and afterwards Stopped will be a means if not prevented to hinder (as is has done some already) our Countrymen Irish, from leaving Ireland to Join in our Just Cause, There remains 22 of us here our Capt is gone to yr. Excellency to Demand. Justice and Liberty for us to set out to Sea on our Intended Cruize. Yr. Excellency will please to Dirrect to Timothy Kelly at Monsr. de Segrey in St Malo. Rems. [remains] with Respects yr. Excellency’s Most humble Sert.
Timothy Kelly

Addressed: To / His Excellency Benjamin / Franklin Minister for the united / States at the Court of France / at Passy near Paris
Notation: T. Kelley. July 4. 1780