Title: The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, with Arthur Lee’s Dissent and Their Rejoinder: Three Documents, 16[–18] January 1778
From: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John
To: Jones, John Paul

I.
Sir,
Paris Jany 16th [–18]. 1778.
As it is not in our Power to procure you such a Ship as you expected, we advise you after equipping the Ranger in the best manner, for the Cruise you propose, you proceed with her in the manner you shall judge best, for distressing the Enemies of the United States by Sea, or otherwise, consistent with the Laws of War, and the Terms of your Commission. If you take Prizes on the Coast of France or Spain, send them into Bilboa, or Corogne, unless you should apprehend the Danger too great: in which Case, we advise you to send them either into L’Orient, or Bordeaux, directing the Officers who may have them in charge to apply at L’Orient to Mr. Moylan or Mr. Gourlade, and at Bordeaux to Messrs. Sam. & J.H. Delaps, and inform us immediately of their arrival, and Situation; if you send to Spain, or should put into the Ports of that Kingdom apply at Bilboa to Messrs. Gadroqui, et fils, at Courogne to Messrs. Leoganiere & Co. If you make an Attempt on the Coasts of Great Brittain, we advise you not to return immediately into the Ports of France, unless forced by stress of weather, or the pursuit of the Enemy; and in such Case, you can make the proper Representation to the Officers of the Port and acquaint us with your Situation. We rely on your Ability, as well as your Zeal to serve the United States, and therefore do not give particular Instructions as to your Operations. We must caution you against giving any cause for complaint to the Subjects of France, or Spain, or of other Neutral Powers, and recommend it to you to shew them every proper mark of Respect, and real Civility, which may be in your Power. You will communicate to your Officers and Seamen the encouragement we have given them, and explain to them that tho’ it was not in our Power to be particular as to the Rewards they should be entitled to, yet they may safely Rely on the Justice of the Congress. Before you sail it will be proper to Settle with Mr: Williams the Account of your Disbursements, and send the Account up to us. We most heartily wish you Success and are with much Esteem Sir Your most obedient and very humble Servants,
B FranklinSilas Deane
Capt. Jones

II.
Paris Jany. 17th 1778
Tho I approve in general of the precedeing Instructions, yet I cannot sign them, because they contain an order to put the sale of prizes into other hands than those of the commercial Agents, which I have always thought unjust; and recommend Mr. Goulard, tho’ that Gentleman and his Company have forfeited our confidence in the business already entrusted to them.
Arthur Lee
To Capt. Jones.

III.
Paris Jan. 18. 1778
As Mr. William Lee, one of the Commercial Agents in whom we could have placed a Confidence, has quitted that Service, (and we can have none in the prudent Conduct of the other, Mr. Thomas Morris,) we did not think it convenient to recommend your consigning your Prizes to their care; And as we know of nothing done by Mr. Gourlade, whereby he ought to forfeit our Confidence, we see no reason to change the Advice within given.
B FranklinSilas Deane
To Capt. Jones


Title: David & Son to the American Commissioners, [16 January 1778]
From: David & Son
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

[Morlaix, January 16, 1778]
The Success of Baltimore John Nicols Master coming from Maryland is arrived here yesterday with 140 Hogsheads of tobacco. This vessel was destined for Nantes or Bordeaux, but having been chased by three Men of war without Colours and which we believe to be the three that saild last from Brest, the said Capt. taking advantage of the night got clear and is enterd safe into our Road. The farmers or rather their officers here offer him only as we are told 60 l.t. a hundred, a price far below those obtaind in other ports where there was no manufacture, and far from what we would get for it was it consignd to us.

We have been apprized of the Captain’s intending to embark for England in the port of Roscoff four leagues hence and at same time of his getting acquainted with an Englishman who lives here, a downright Loyalist in his heart as well as in his Words and who received some time ago an order from the Minister to leave this town but eluded it under pretext of sickness untill the month of May next.
In short this Man who has undertaken frequent Journeys to Roscoff is greatly suspected by everyone here of abusing the Confidence of the Captain (who does not know him and who has not been warn’d by anyone to be on his gaurd). [If] he should Come to the knowledge of anything that should be Kept a Secret, or when in England he should have him taken up, it would be very disagreeable especially if he was bearer of any letter. It would be proper that Mr. Deane should Write to the Captain, to be on his guard against this Man whose name is Walker without mentionning us to the said Captain; our Motifs are good though we are not sure whether our Suspicions be well or ill grounded, but Capt. Johnson taken Just on his leaving this has increasd them.
Extract of a Letter from Messrs. David & Son of Morlaix the 16th. January

Addressed: A Messieurs / Messieurs Franklin / & Deane / à Passy
Endorsed by Franklin: Advice conc. Walker Morlaix


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Karl Emanuel Graffenried, 16 January 1778
From: Graffenried, Karl Emanuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Au Chateau de Worb près Berne en Suisse,le 16me Janvier 1778
Permettes, et Excuses je vous prie ma liberté de vous adresser cette lettre, et de derober par la quelques uns des Momens si pretieux a vos Braves, libres et courageux compatriots. J’ose Home celebre et vertueux, vous demender un service, qui consiste dans l’instante priere de vouloir bien jetter un coup d’oeil favorable sur ce petit Memoire ci joint, et de m’honorer d’une Reponse a ce sujet, et de me procurer soit par votre persone soit par d’autres les Eclaircissemens que je souhaite, tres importents pour moi et ma Famille dans mes circonstences actuelles.
Possedent nombre de papiers originaux du comencement du siecle concernent les colonie Americaine comme lettres des Gouverneurs de Maryland, Caroline, et Virginie, de Mess. Penn, des concessions considerables, le diplome de Vicomte ou Landgrave de Membre de Parlement, ordre du soleil, armes ecartelée le tout hereditaire, doné, par les lords Proprietaires de la Nord Caroline, Je suis prêt a vous les envoyer, et a vous les remettre avec la plus grande confiance n’attendent que l’honeur de vos ordres pour cet effet. Plusieurs les Anglois m’ont asseuré que ces Actes etoient aussi curieux qu’importents pour le possesseur ou le proprietaire.
Sans doute que la part illustre, de laquelle vous recevrez mon instante et pressante priere suffit Monsieur pour vous interesser, et meriter votre indulgence, sans cela j’aurois prié Mr. Rousseau, pour un mot d’amitié de sa part auprès de vous persuadé que deux et si grands amis de l’Humanité et partisans de la vraye liberté doivent s’aimer et se conoitre, et je suis sûr que Mr. Rousseau en se rappellent le nom d’un Home qui a taché autrefois de lui etre utile pendent son sejour dans son Gouvernement, se seroit porté avec vivacité a me doner une marque de son souvenir et amitié, en protegeant de sa Recomendation mon affair auprès de vous. Daignes recevoir Monsieur les asseurences de la haute veneration et de la respectueuse Consideration avec lequelle j’ai l’honeur d’etre Votre tres humble et tres obeissent serviteur.
De Graffenried Baron DE WorbAncien Ballif de Nidau


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Hennet, 16 January 1778
From: Hennet
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Paris le 16. Janvier 1778.
Je n’ai pas encore reçû l’avis de l’arrivée à Nantes, des sabres que j’y ai fait passer par vos ordres et pour vôtre compte, ils doivent cependant y être parvenûs depuis prés d’un mois. Comme cet avis pourroit encore tarder, je vous serois très obligé de vouloir bien faire solder l’article des fusils, dont j’ai eû l’honneur de vous remettre la facture.
J’ai compté et j’aurois absolument besoin de ces fonds, pour des payements qui vont écheoir.
Si M. Willams vous a accusé la Récéption des Sabres, je vous sérois également obligé, Monsieur, de vouloir bien m’en faire aussi remettre le montant.
Vous avéz bien voulû me promettre, de tirer de ma manufacture les armes que vous seréz dans le cas de faire passer en amérique. J’espére que vous voudréz bien ne pas l’oublier si l’occasion s’en présente. Vous pouvéz être assuréz, Monsieur, que toutes les fournitures dont je me chargerai, seront toujours éxécutées avec la plus rigoureuse éxactitude, et telle que l’exigent des objets d’ou souvent dépend le salut des armées.
Je suis chargé, Monsieur, de vous faire une proposition qui peut être pourroit vous convenir dans ce moment, ou pour l’avenir. Le Directeur d’une fonderie, le plus habile peut être qui soit en france et même en Europe, trés avantageusement connû par sa probité et ses Talents, m’a fait prier, de vous proposer de fournir des canons et mortiers de fonte, de tel calibre que vous désigneriéz et ce aux meilleurs prix et aux conditions les plus avantageuses.
Il seroit peut être possible, qu’il fit un jour avec les Etats unis de l’amerique un arrangement qui pourroit être réciproquement utile, il a un fils qu’il à formé lui même dans son art, si on vouloit faire des Etablissements semblables à ceux qui sont dans ce Royaume. J’ai lieu de croire, qu’il verroit avec plaisir son fils chargé de les former et de les conduire en supposant toutes fois, qu’il en obtint la permission du gouvernement de france.
Si vous vouléz, Monsieur, me donner un moment d’audience, je pourrai m’expliquer plus amplement sur cet objet. Je compte aller Dimanche diner chéz M. Brillon. Si vous pouvéz me donner un moment dans l’aprés midi, j’aurai l’honneur de me rendre prés de vous, sinon je prendrai le Jour et l’heure qu’il vous plaira m’indiquer. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec des sentiments respectueux Monsieur Votre Trés humble et très obeïssant serviteur
HENNET

Notation: Jan. 26. 1778 Hennet


Title: Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 17 January 1778
From: Lee, Arthur
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas

Gentlemen
Challiot Jany. 17th 1778.
I am sorry that the things to which I objected having been continued in the Instructions for Capt. Jones prevent me from giving my signature to them except in the manner which I have the honor to send you. I am Gentlemen with great esteem Your most Obedient Servant
Arthur Lee
N.B. I shall go to Versailles to-day; if there is any thing I can do there, be so good as to send me a Note with it.Benjamin Franklin & Silas Deane Esqrs.

Notations in different hands: A Lee to BF. & SD / A. Lee to BF. & SD.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alice and Ralph Izard, 17 January 1778
From: Izard, Alice,Izard, Ralph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hotel de Radzivil Rue Neuve des Bons Enfans17th. January 1778.
Mr. & Mrs. Izard present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and will have the honour of waiting on him to dinner next Wednesday.

Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. le Dr. Franklin / à Passy.
Notation: Mr Izard


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bouvier, 18 January 1778: résumé
From: Bouvier, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Paris, January 18, 1778, in French: Messrs. de Gouault & Cie., merchants in Troyes, have learned that you have to supply shirts for America, and through me offer their services. After many years’ experience in supplying shippers in Le Havre, Bordeaux, and Marseilles they are confident of satisfying you in quality and price. If you wish to deal with them, either write them or send for me to discuss the matter.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Moursan de Romas, 18 January 1778
From: Romas, —— Moursan de, Madame
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Tres Illustre, tres savant et exellent seigneur
Nerac, en gascogne ce 18e Janvier 1778

Quoique je n’aye pas l’honneur d’etre conüe de Votre Exellence, le nom de feu mon mari, Monsieur de romas Lieutenent assessur au presidial de nerac, et un des menbres de l’academie des sciences de bordeaux, qui a travaille avec succes seur l’eléctricité, et que meme a Cette occassion, a eu l’honneur d’ecrire et de recevoir reponce de VE: toutes ces sirconstences m’animent a oser interrompre le pretieux temps de VE. et Luy envoyer le memoire ci joint, consernant un ouvrage fait, par mon mari, rellatif a la navigation, et promts viremens dans un Combat naval, ou pour eviter un ecueil. Il m’a laissé tous ces manuscrits, avec les figures de la machine, tout de son Invention. Plusieurs personnes de la ville de bordeaux, luy conseillerent de son vivent de presenter cet ouvrage au ministere d’angleterre, ou il auroit eté acuilly avec toute la satisfaction de M. Lauthey [?] mais mon mari l’a toujours reffusé, par une delicatesse de patriotisme, qu’il a preferé a tout Interet particulier, que sans doute Lui auroit fait les anglois.
En attendent que la foiblesse de sa santé ainsi que les affaires de cette ville, du pois dequels il etoit toujours acablé, Luy permissent de se presenter luy meme au ministere a versailles, la mort l’a surpris, en me laisant tres infirme, et paralitique.
Aujourd’huy que je compte, ou du moins je le dezire hardament, que les Interets des braves ameriquains sont et seront a jamais inseparables de ceux de la france ma patrie, je suis tres persuadée que sy mon mari étoit en vie, Il ne manqueroit pas de presenter a VE. son ouvrage; a son defaut j’anbrasse cette occassion en me faisant un vrai plaisir de le presenter a VE. qui saura juger mieux que personne de son merite; Je rappellerai seulment que j’ay entendu a plusieurs reprises, de mon mari, que les effets etoit inmanquables, et qu’autre [outre] les avantages dont Il avoit les pruves, on pourroit perfectionner cette machine, au point de decouvrir bin d’autres utilites, que l’experience faite par des sçavants, dans les mathematiques, et dans la navigation pourroit aprofondir.
Je ne cacherai pas a VE. le Chagrin de ne pouvoir Luy offrir, et a sa brave nation americaine, cet ouvrage, avec cette generosite dont je vous assure que mes sentimens sont succeptibles, feû mon mari m’ayant laissé peu de bien, je me propose que VE. voudra bien m’en tenir compte comme elle jugera le plus apropos, dans le cas que les effets de l’ouvrage repondent au but que le susdit mon mari s’etoit proposé. En attendent la reponse de VE. que Je prie de me faire en françois, Je ne cessaire [cesserai] de faire des voeux continuels au tout puisant pour l’heureux succes des armées de vos braves Compatriotes, ainsi que pour la Continuation de la vie de VE. J’ay l’honneur d’etre avec la plus haute Consideration, et le plus profond respect Votre tres humble et tres obeissante servante
MOURSAN DE ROMAS

Notation: Romas New Rudder


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from August Wilhelm Weye, 18 January 1778: résumé
From: Weÿe, August Wilhelm
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Bonn on the Rhine, January 18, 1778, in German: I have for some time been saving for the voyage to America, in order to serve Congress. The enclosed item in the press greatly surprised me, and I should like to know whether it is true. May it not be, and may God support the American cause!>


Title: Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, [19 January 1778]
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

[January 19th, 1778]
On my arrival at Brest I went to the Commandant of marine to ask permission for the Ship to go to St. nazare to which I received a refusal for want of orders. I represented to the Commodore (at Quiberon) the inefficacy of the Convoy if we had not liberty to go to St. Nazare. That he said he could not help as the Commander at Painbeuf was not under him and I must wait the decision of the minister. On my return to Nantes I find that orders are come from the minister to clear out the Lion permitting the Americans to be entered on the Roll as Passengers which we are now doing and then she will go down to St. Nazare, but this will not be possible ’till the next spring tides. When I was pressing for this permision the Tides were at the highest and the Ship could have gone down, now I have got it the tides prevent and this natural obsticale cannot be surmounted these 6 or 8 Days.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Gimat, 19 January 1778: résumé
From: Gimat, —— de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Vic Fezensac, January 19, 1778, in French: M. de Gimat, an officer in the Viennois regiment, went to your country with Lafayette. He has only once sent us word, that they had landed in Carolina and were on their way to join the army. We are worried to have heard no more. My cousin was in several actions, we know, and his poor mother has asked me to find out whether he is dead, wounded, or a prisoner. You are the only one in France who can give a desolated family news of an officer who left us to fight your enemies and to help, at the risk of his life, in restoring your liberty.>


Title: Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 20 January 1778
From: Coffyn, Francis
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Honored Gentlemen
Dunkirk 20th. Jany 1778
I had the honnor to address you my last the 15th. inst. advising you the arrival of Two wounded Seamen taken in the Lexington, and by a former I inform’d you on a Seperate slit [slip] of paper of the Taking of the Brigantine l’aimable Reine Capne. Paul Berthelot, bound from Martinico to this port, by the Swan Capn. Wm. Meadows, which carry’d her to New York. Being since deprived of your respected favours, this only serves to inform you that the said Brigantine l’aimable Reine arrived this morning in our road after a passage of 31. days. The 46. Hogsheads Tobacco, and 23 Casks of Indigo she had on board were condemn’d and forfeited to the Captors, but the vessell and the remainder of the Cargo consisting in Sugar and Coffee were released, and Capn. Berthelot suffer’d to proceed on his voyage. He Sail’d from New york the 19th December. The Surgeon of this vessell came on shore this morning and has deposited in the hands of the owners Messrs. Emmery Pere & fils a Journal of every remarcable transaction during his stay at New York, by which it appears that a few days before his departure, General Gates fell in with a detachment of 6000. Royalists commanded by General Cornwallis in the Jerseys, which were surrounded by the american army, and totally defeated. General Cornwallis with 1500. of his men were taken prisonners, and 900. remain’d dead in the field. The rest were dispers’d in the woods, and several battalions of German troops, have deserted and Join’d the Continental army, so that this action may be look’d upon as compleat a Victory as that which the same general obtain’d over Genl. Bourgoyne. I Expect to be more particularly inform’d tomorrow. If I learn any thing worth your notice I shall take the liberty to acquaint you therewith; in the meantime I must not obmit adding here that in the different actions in the Jerseys and about new york, the Continental troops have taken from their Ennemys 76. pieces brass Cannon, that at the time Capn. Berthelot sail’d there was only 1200. English and hessians with 500. american Royalists remaining in New York and that they was making preparations to Evacuate that Town, which was then very narrowly blocaded, that before he lost sight of said place he saw it cover’d with Smoak as if it had been all on fire. I have the honnor to subscribe myself tho’ in haste very respectfully Honored Gentlemen Your most obedient and very Humble Servant
Frans. Coffyn

Addressed: To / the Honble. Benjn. Franklin, Silas / Dean, & Arthur Lee, Esqrs. / at Passÿ
Notation: Dunkerque 20th: Jany 1778 F Coffins Letter


Title: William Lee to the American Commissioners, 20 January 1778
From: Lee, William
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Gentlemen.
Chaillot 20 Jan. 1778
As you have now furnish’d me with the copy of the Treaty, I do not know of any reason for remaining here any longer, therefore propose setting out for Vienna in two or 3 daies to execute my appointment at that Court, provided you will supply me with the necessary funds to bear the expence of my Commission. The money will not be immediately requisite, as a letter of credit on a Banker in Paris will answer my purpose as well. I suppose £2000 Sterling will be sufficient, tho’ the Court of Vienna is as expensive as most Courts in Europe, and travelling in Germany costs more money than either in France or England; but in this I presume you will be Govern’d by the intentions of Congress, as expressed in their appointment for their commissioners at the Court of Versailles.
Mess. Franklin Deane & Lee.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Purtchaires, 20 January 1778: résumé
From: Purtchaires, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Toul, January 20, 1778, in French: At forty-five I have served my country as a magistrate for the statutory term, and deserve to retire. A large family requires further work from me, and I have a thousand louis with which to make a good start in the United States, where land needs only men. To adopt this plan without advice would be irreparable stupidity; it can succeed with your protection, for which I ask. I am not unworthy. My motives do not disgrace me or you, and I could cite my sponsors (M. de la Galaisiere, conseiller d’etat, and Mr. de Brocvielle, curé of Versailles) if the post I hold did not sufficiently prove that neither wretchedness nor infamy is behind my emigrating. Give me, then, your guidance.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sir James Rutledge, 20 January 1778
From: Rutledge, Sir James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Paris 20th of Jan: 1778.
I take the Liberty of requesting one moment of your time, to Speake to you of a whole familÿ of british Subjects, their project is to go and Settle in North america. They are people of industry, familÿ and talents. The family consists in a father a daugther and two Cleaver young men. They intend to sett up in trade, and to correspond with europe. Every one in this family is acquainted with the English, french, and Dutch Langages. They will go over with both Cash and goods. It is my business to consult you on particulars, and one short audience will fulfill the Wishes of Sir Your most humble Servant.
Js Rutledge Bt.
By my Worthy friend Capn Courter

Addressed: To / Dr Franklin. / Esqr.
Endorsed: Rutledge Paris A Family would go over


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to La Rochefoucauld, 21 January 1778
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: La Rochefoucauld, Louis-Alexandre, duc de La Roche-Guyon et de

Passy Jan. 21. 78
Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments respectfully to M. le Duc de Rochefoucauld. He will read and return as soon as possible the Papers mentioned. News is received this Morning from England, that a Vessel arrived from New York, which Place she left the 16th of December, brings Advice, that General Howe march’d out of Philadelphia the 5th, drove in G. Washington’s Picquet Guards, and presented himself before his Camp; but finding him too strong, and too well posted, he retired again to Philadelphia. This seems to be the “forward Step” he promised in his last Dispatches. It is said he was much harrassed in his Return.


Title: The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1778
From: Committee for Foreign Affairs
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Gentlemen
York Town in Pensylvania January 21st: 1778.
We mean in this letter to give you a succint view of the state of our military affairs. You must long before this reaches you have been made acquainted with the signal success of the american arms in the northern department, particularly the several Engagements in that quarter previous to the surrender of General Burgoyne and his whole army to General Gates. Since that time Ticonderoga and Mount Independence have been evacuated by the enemy, so that the whole of that Department is now in our possession. The Indians are perfectly quiet and we have lately received intelligence that those formerly in the interest of our enemies incline to our side, as also that the inhabitants of Canada in general where the enemy have but small force are much disposed to favour us. General Burgoyne and his troops are now near Boston; and on account of several very exceptionable parts of his conduct Congress have resolved that he shall not be suffered to depart till the convention of Saratoga is ratified by the Court of London.
A part of the enemies army is still in possession of Newport in Rhode Island. An expedition intended to dipossess them of that place, on account of some mistakes and neglect of those who were to make the proper preparations for it, was obliged to be laid aside, but, we expect, will some time hence be resumed.
As to the armies in this state, General Howe is still in Philadelphia but possesses no part of the country round it. General Washington’s army is in Huts to the westward of Schuylkill refreshing and recruiting during the winter, and it is in contemplation to call in a number of militia and attempt to expell Howe before he can be reinforced in the spring. A part of our army is stationed at Wilmington and they with the Militia on both sides of the river have been very successful in taking several of the enemy’s vessels since winter set in. A committee of Congress has just set off for the army to assist in regulating it for the next campaign and concerting measures for the most early and vigorous operations.
Copies of news-papers and of the proceedings of Congress relating to the Convention of Saratoga are sent to you by this conveyance, besides which we hope you will have the advantage of information from Mr. Adams in person. We are with much esteem Gentlemen Your humble Servants.
Jno WitherspoonJames Lovell
Honble Commissioners at Paris.

Notations: Letter from Dr. Witherspoon and Mr. Lovell Jany. 21. 1778 / [in another hand:] to the Commissioners


Title: Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1778
From: Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Gentlemen
L’orient 21st. Jany. 1778
In Consequence of your letter of 12th: Instant we have acquainted Mr. Beaumarchais we were ready to account with him for the whole Proceeds of the Cargo of the amphitrite of which we have already remitted to him part of the amount and Shall continue. If our accounts of disbursements for the two frigattes have exceeded your expectations you cannot with any Justice lay any blame on us for it. We have Suplied your Captains in every thing they wanted and of [torn] best materials according to their demands, they [have] examined with Care all said accounts and agreed of them. If you think any article charged at too high a Price we desire you will point them to us who will give you proper Satisfaction. Your expressions on said transactions are disagreable. Little did we expect such would have been the reward of the Care good management, and honour with which We have transacted your affairs. You have appointed here Mr: Moylan. We desire you will Send him all our accounts that he may examine the same from the Vouchers [which?] will Serve him and clear your doubts; if any error appears you may depend it shall be rectified.
The Circumstances that have attended the amphitrite’s Consignment, Mr. Beaumarchais whom we Know to be connected with you laying an attachment on said [cargo?] in our hands in a very Strange manner, [you?] Gentlemen ordering us to account with him for said Proceeds without any deduction of our advances, Giving us no reimbursement nor any assurances on said Advances, appointing here an Agent Mr: Moylan without giving us any information of it, naturally must have alarmed a confidence which at any time you could have Commanded. Had we given you any reason of Complaint we should ever regret the loss of your Correspondence, but Since attention Zeal and candour could not assure us that Satisfaction and inspire you greater Confidence it would have been better never to have existed at all, and if we have not been able to Captivate your Confidence, we hope to have deserved your esteem. We are with much Regard Gentlemen Your most obedient and very humble Servants
GourladeBerard freres & Cie.DEMONPLAISIR
To Messrs Franklyn Dean & Lee deputes for the united States of America

Notation: Monplaisir Goulard &c. Letter Jany 21. 1778


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Bissey, 21 January 1778: résumé
From: Bissey, —— de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Paris, January 21, [1778?], in French: Your virtues make me overcome the delicacy of my sex and write to ask your help. I am an orphan of eighteen, daughter of an infantry captain, and have no resources except a good education and the hope of a pension from the ministry of war. A court lady has interceded with the prince de Montbarey, but the times are not good for getting pensions. My troubles and the cold have made me take to my bed, and I should not have dared ask help from any one for my age and birth and feelings make me cautious. But your character has reassured me so far that now, far from considering my approach imprudent, I put all my hopes in it. Will you come to see me? The letter is addressed to Franklin, “lui seul.”>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 21 January 1778
From: Hutton, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear friend
Passy. 21 Jan. 1778
I have one more wish, which is, that our Brethren’s Settlements on the Coast of Labradore may not be molested by any of the American arm’d Vessels, and as our Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel send out a small Vessell every year with Provisions to our Missionaries on that Coast, without which they would probably be starved, I hope your arm’d Vessels will not for a trifle of gain cause the pretty certain Starvation of between 20 and 30 worthy people, who seek no other Profit by their residing there but only to civilize and render happy the poor Eskimaux. I recommend these two things to your kindness and am Dear Sir your most obliged and most affectionate
Hutton
To Dr Franklin

Endorsed: M Hutton’s Request
Notation: Hutton Jan. 21. 1778


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Shore, 22 January 1778
From: Shore, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Cape Francois 22nd Januy 1778.
I have the Honor herewith to inclose you some introductory letters received from your friends in Virginia. At the time I left it, expected to have proceeded to Europe, and promised myself the pleasure of delivering them in person; but as I am now much undetermined, tho’ rather incline to think I shall return in the Spring, take this mode of conveyance for fear I should be deprived of ’em in my passage from this to St. Eustatia; as it is highly probable I shall be strictly examined, should I fall in with an English Frigate or Cruiser.
I shall esteem it as a particular favor if you will assist us in the choise of valuable and safe Correspondents as well as to mention our House, (The firm of which is Pleasants Shore & Co.,) to such of your acquaintance as will be most likely aventuring to America, as I concieve by our House being amongst the first of thier acquaintance. We might in future share some valuable Consignments; from this you may see that We are rather paving the way for embracing any favorable opportunity that may arise in the Commerce of America, than of doing any thing extensive at present as We concieve their will be a considerable change ’ere it be long in Publick matters. From the Benevolence of your Charecter and the Infancy of our Commerce with foreign Nations, rest assured you will readily pardon this request. Letters forwarded to any of the foreign W[est Indi]a Islands will readily meet a conveyance. I have the Honor to be Sir your Most Obedient Humble Servant
Thos. Shore

Mr Rauleigh Colston who is agent here for the State of Viga. promises to send these letters by the first opportunity
TS.
Doctr Benjan. Franklin

Addressed: Doctor Benjamin Franklin / one of the honourable commissioners / from the general congress of America / at / Paris.
Notation: Thos Shore Cap Francois Cape françois 22d. Janvier 1778.


Title: Dumas to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1778
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Messieurs,
La Haie 23e. Janvr. 1778.
Le Morceau de la Gazette de Leide d’aujourdhui, que je joins ici, vous fera voir que vos ordres, reçus par la Lettre de Mr. A. Lee, du 12e., ont été remplis conformément à vos desirs.
S’il avoit dépendu de moi de prévenir absolument toute sortie de recrues Allemandes, il n’en seroit certainement pas parti un seul homme. Ce que je vous avois mandé du refus formel de la part du Roi de P. de les laisser passer, et de sa déclaration sur ce sujet à LL. hh. pp. est la vérité-même, et, dans le fond, conserve toujours son importance. Ces recrues, d’ailleurs, ont dû rebrousser, et faire de grands détours, pour arriver à Bremer-Lehe, Port de l’ennemi: Leur nombre n’est pas considérable; et tout le monde est d’opinion, que cet infame trafic tire à sa fin, sur-tout à présent, que la guerre va, selon toute apparence, embraser l’Allemagne, et qu’on y aura besoin de tous ses hommes, pour les faire s’entr’égorger chez eux.
Voici ce qu’on me mande là-dessus de Liege. “Il avoit été véritablement question, à la Diete de Ratisbonne, de lancer un Décret: mais des raisons politiques ont, sans doute, empêché l’Empereur de mécontenter par là les différents princes de l’Empire, auxquels il a fait savoir, par d’autres voies, avec combien de répugnance il voyoit l’Empire se dépeupler.”
Un autre Correspondant de Hambourg, qui n’est nullement des nôtres, et à qui pour cela je cache mes liaisons avec l’Amérique, m’écrit ce qui suit. “Quant au refus de laisser passer les troupes par ses Etats (du Roi de P.), il ne faut l’attribuer ni à son amitié pour les Am[éricains], ni à son inimitié pour les Anglois. L’Empereur avoit, il y a quelques années, fait arrêter des Recrues levées pour compte de l’Espagne par le Duc de Saxe Hilburghausen. Peut-être auroit-il prohibé de-même les émigrations présentes pour compte de l’Angleterre, si ce n’étoit des Alliés Prussiens, que l’on est bien aise de voir ainsi se dégarnir de leurs troupes. Le même intérêt donc, qui fait taire l’Empereur, dicte au Roi de P——— de s’opposer à ces dépeuplemens. Du reste, il est possible que, dans les conjonctures présentes de l’Amérique, ce Monarque n’empêcheroit pas ceux de ses sujets qui voudroient en profiter à l’exemple des François et des Espagnols; mais que son intention soit d’autoriser ou d’entreprendre un Commerce direct avec l’Amérique, c’est ce qui certainement n’est pas. Je puis également vous certifier, qu’il n’a été expédié aucun vaisseau d’aucun de ses Ports pour l’Amérique, et que la déclaration qu’on prétend qu’il ait faite à l’Envoyé d’Angleterre, pour faire respecter son pavillon, est un conte qui ne mérite aucune créance.”
Je pris congé hier de Mr. le Pensionnaire V.B [Van Berckel] d’Amst[erdam], qui s’en retourne chez lui, parce que les Etats de la Province se sont séparés aujourd’hui. Il avoit avant-hier communiqué, à ma priere, mais sans me faire connoître, votre Lettre circulaire (aux Capitaines) etc., avant qu’elle parût dans la Gazette, il l’avoit, dis-je, communiquée à Mr. le Grand-Pensionnaire, qui l’a lue avec beaucoup d’approbation et de satisfaction. Il m’a assuré, que ce Premier Ministre de la Province pense très-bien, et que le Prince d’Orange même est revenu (au moins extérieurement) de ses idées trop favorables pour la faction dominante en Angleterre: que la Ville d’Amsterdam, sur-tout, en est aujourd’hui fort ménagée et considérée, et obtient ce qu’elle veut dans les délibérations.
Mes spéculations politiques, au reste, reviennent toujours à leur centre, à l’unanimité et à la sagesse de nos Congrès, tant général que provinciaux, et à la fermeté de tout le Peuple Américain, qui en sera toujours une suite nécessaire. Avec cela l’Amérique maintiendra certainement sa parfaite indépendance, et contre la force ouverte, et contre les pieges cachés sous la douceur apparente d’une réconciliation plâtrée, dont le plus grand nombre des principaux Américains (quod Deus avertat) seroient sûrement les victimes, comme dans le funeste temps de la restauration de Charles II. Ce maintien aussi nécessaire que glorieux de la parfaite indépendance Américaine est le sentiment et le voeu, non seulement de moi, mais aussi de Mr. le Pensionaire V. B———, et du Substitut Facteur. J’ai compris par les discours de ce dernier, que la France voit avec beaucoup de peine les troubles commencants de l’Allemagne, parce que cela pourroit faire diversion à ses mesures du côté de l’Am[érique]. Quant au Pensionnaire, il m’a avoué que cette Rép[ublique] devra vraisemblablement la conservation de sa propre liberté à la noble résistance de l’Amérique unie; parce qu’il y avoit eu ici une cabale ambitieuse, qui ne minutoit pas moins que d’établir, dans cet Etat, le despotisme, par le moyen de celui qu’ils espéroient de voir s’établir en Angleterre; mais que cette faction est maintenant abattue, avec celui qui en étoit une des principales Colonnes, Sir J. Y. [Joseph Yorke] dont le crédit devient toujours plus mince.
Je vous recommande, Messieurs, avec toute l’Amérique unie, et mon Individu, avec une égale ferveur, à la protection divine. Je ne puis plus être sauvé qu’avec l’Amérique. Si la guerre Allemande affecte le crédit de la Saxe, comme on paroît le craindre, après tout ce que les ennemis m’ont fait perdre ici, après 3000 florins que je viens de perdre tout récemment en Espagne et en Suede, je suis en danger de perdre enfin tout le reste de mon peu de bien, et d’être réduit, sur mes vieux jours, à voir les miens dans la misere avec et après moi. Dans les angoisses où cela met mon coeur, le seul soulagement que j’aie depuis plusieurs jours, c’est de pouvoir le desserrer un moment dans votre sein amical. Que Dieu bénisse l’Amérique unie! Et s’il ne falloit qu’encore une victime innocente, à la fureur de dominer, je voudrois expirer sur le tas foudroyé de tous les oppresseurs, en léguant ma chere fille aux amis de la liberté. Je vous embrasse, Messieurs, de tout mon coeur, le plus attaché et le plus respectueux de vos serviteurs.
D


Title: James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1778
From: Moylan, James
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Honorable Gentlemen
L’Orient 23d. Jany. 1778
Since I had the honor of writing you the 7th. Inst. I am deprived of the receipt of any of your favors.
There are letters this day in Town from Morlaix advising the arrival there of a vessel from Baltimore, which place she left the 10th. of December last, and the Capes of Cheasapeake the 14th. Dec. the Captain of which (it is said) reports that New York and Rhode Island have been retaken by the American Troops. The news comes in this vague manner, so as to deprive me of giving it to you more particularly; but we wanted some spur of this sort to enliven the Merchants of this place and St. Malo; for they suspended the loading of four Vessels destin’d for America, on account of the Evacuation of Mud Island and Red Bank.
The Ship Duras, (I mention’d to you in my last letter to be for Sale here) I find on inquiry to be too old for any profitable purpose. The expences that wou’d attend her repair wou’d be more than adequate to her value when properly fitted, altho’ her Rigging and cannon are in tolerable good order.
I wish to be honor’d with an answer to my letter of the 2d: currant and am respectfully Honorable Gentlemen Your most obedient humble Servant
James Moylan
The Honorable Commissioners of the United States of America

Addressed: To / The Honorable Commissioners / of the United States of / America
Notation: Mr Moylans Lettr 23d. Jany 1778 L’Orient


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Pigou, 23 January 1778: résumé
From: Pigou, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Paris, January 23, 1778, in French: I should like an interview with you, but please say nothing about it. Some two months ago in Rouen an idea came to me of a new way to use the powder in firing a cannon. I experimented with it in the presence of witnesses, which I regret because the whole town learned what was going on; such publicity is disturbing, and I should like to remedy it. At least twelve shots a minute can be fired from the largest gun, and the impact of the balls is perhaps doubled. When two nations are at war, whichever uses such artillery will soon destroy the other. I will tell you the rest on two conditions, to which I am sure you will agree. Set a time when you can come to see me if possible, because I have been ill for six weeks and am still so weak that I can scarcely write this; I have seen no one, but your name will get you admitted. Or if necessary I will make the effort of coming to you.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Lefébvre, [before 24 January 1778]
From: Lefébvre, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[Before January 24, 1778]
Monsieur de Franklin, et Monsieur son petit fils sont prié par Lefébvre de luy faire l’honneur, et L’amitié de diner chez Luy mardy 27. vingt sept Janvier. Il est Bien faché que ses Messieurs soient engagés pour samedy 24. devant avoir ce même jour Messieurs Les Marêchaux de Clermont tonnere, et de Brissac;  Il a L’honneur d’assurer Messieurs de Franklin de son Respect.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur de Franklin / A son hotel / A Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Argenson, 24 January 1778
From: Argenson, Marc-René, marquis d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris le 24 janvier 1778
Les Anglois ont donc enfin ouvert des souscriptions, Monsieur, pour les prisonniers Américains. Ainsi leur sort va changer et devenir meilleur qu’il n’étoit auparavant. M. Pellevé, Gentil-homme François, mais comme naturalisé Anglois par le long séjour qu’il a fait parmi eux, me mande qu’il n’y a point encore de commissaires nommés pour prendre soin de ces pauvres captifs, et pour rendre compte aux agents du Congrès de l’état de ces hommes, ainsi que pour tenir la main à leurs échanges. Vous pourriez, Monsieur, l’employer très utilement dans cette commission. Je ne vous le recommande ici que parceque je le connois très parfaitement et que je pense en conséquence que c’est votre homme. Je profite de cette occasion pour vous renouveller le sincere attachement avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d’être, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur
Devoyer d’argenson
M. Francklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the “Chevalière” d’Eon, 24 January 1778
From: Eon de Beaumont, Charles-Geneviève-Louise-Auguste-André-Timothée, “chevalière” d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
A Versailles ce 24. Janer. 1778.
J’ai été à Passy pour avoir l’honneur de vous voir, et vous feliciter sur les derniers Evenements arrivés en Amerique; mais vous etiez à Paris. Nous avons bu en votre absence à votre santé et à la liberté chez votre ami Mr. Rai de chaumont, qui ainsi que Madame Son Epouse et Madlle. sa fille m’ont faits la plus agreable réception. Je souhaite que la santé de la liberté portée par Madlle. D’Eon à trois lieues de Versailles, fasse tout le bien possible à l’amerique. Mon beau frere le chevalier O’Gorman arrive de la Bourgogne, il y retourne la semaine prochaine, il espere quand vous irez au printems prochain à Dijon que vous lui ferez le plaisir et l’honneur de vous arreter chez lui à Tonnerre. Je serois fort heureuse si je pouvois m’y trouver dans ce tems là, et vous y donner des preuves du sincere et respectueux attachement avec lequel je suis Monsieur Votre trés humble et trés obeissante servante.
La Che[valiè]re D’eon

Notation: Chevaliere D’Eon, 24 Janr. 1778.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alice and Ralph Izard, 24 January 1778
From: Izard, Alice,Izard, Ralph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hotel de Radzivil 24th. Jany. 1778.
Mr. and Mrs. Izard present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desire the honour of his company to dinner on Friday the 30th. of January.

Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. le Docteur Franklin / à / Passy.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Olivier Baronne de Mahuet, 24 January 1778: résumé
From: Mahuet, —— Olivier, baronne de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Pont-à-Mousson in Lorraine, January 24, 1778, in French: I am sending you, open, a letter that I beg you to forward to Salem. It concerns, you will see, a relative that I believe I have there, and I should be glad to know how he stands and what he is doing; I hope you can get the letter to M. André Olivier. The bearer is the marquis de Potterat, captain of cavalry in the régiment d’Orléans; I am obliged to him for this opportunity to write a person as respected and famous as you.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Pierre Dufourny de Villiers, 24 January 1778
From: Villiers, Louis-Pierre Dufourny de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Tres vénérable Docteur
A Paris le 24 Janvier 1778.
Je n’ai point cru qu’a l’époque déterminée par nos moeurs, ce fut un devoir de souhaitter des années à celuy qui s’est assuré l’immortalité; mais j’ai senti qu’en tout tems, le pouvoir irrésistible de la vertu, nécéssitte le voeu que je fais, de vous voir jouir longtems par anticipation, des sentiments de la Postérité, pour laquelle vous existerez toujours, qui toujours aura présent à sa Mémoire, le Scavant, l’homme d’Etat, le Législateur et surtout le vertueux Citoyen, principal fondateur de la liberté de contrées immenses, ou les Sciences et les Arts vont rendre heureux et célébres des peuples innombrables, qu’une moralle pure et des loix simples auront perféctionnes.
Conseillez, dirigez, réprésentez longtems, s’il se peut! au milieu de nous, ces Colonnies dont l’exemple ranimera peut être helas! chez touttes les Nations, la haine du despotisme qui les corrompt et les assoupit pour les mieux enchainer.
Soyez à jamais universellement chéri, de ces Peuples déja l’honneur de la race humaine, parcequ’ils n’ont acquis leur gloire, que par la justice, la bravoure et l’humanité réunis. S’il est possible de la partager, cette gloire! dont j’ose me déclarer jaloux. S’il est possible, d’atteindre à l’honneur d’être réputé votre concitoyen et de méritter (quoy qu’étranger) les droits de naturalisation, c’est sans doutte en concourrant à tout ce qui peut excitter ou récompenser la vertu de vos généreux déffenseurs.
Dans cette vüe, Monsieur le Docteur, je vous prie de faire parvenir à vottre Auguste Congres le Mémoire cy joint, apres l’avoir honnoré de votre censure et de vos observations. Si il peut alors obtenir l’approbation de vos illustres Réprésentants, si il passe à l’exécution, je me féliciterai, de leur paroitre digne d’être un fidel citoyen de cette ville fondée sous les auspices de l’amitié fraternelle, et par la plus encor que par sa puissance actuelle ou future, le centre des Etats-unis: de cette ville enfin, qui m’est d’autant plus chere, que tout y présente des établissements utils auxquels vous avez coopéré, et que tout y retentit de vos louanges et des témoignages de la reconnoissance publique. Je suis avec le plus profond respect Tres Vénérable Docteur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
Dufourny DE Villiers

Endorsed: Du Fourny de Villiers 24 Janr. 1778


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Franval, 25 January 1778
From: Franval, —— de (cavalry captain)
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
A Paris ce 25 Janvier 1778
Mon frere inquiet de ne point recevoir de Vos nouvelles en reponse a une lettre qu’il a eu l’honneur de Vous écrire de Versailles il y a trois semaines, me charge de Vous demander si Vous l’avés receue; cette lettre renfermait le receu du capitaine du vaisseau dans lequel il est revenu, pour pareille Somme contenüe dans le billet que Vous avés de mon frere. Je vous prie Mr. au receu de la presente de vouloir bien, m’accuser la reception du Billet Du Capitaine, me renvoyer celui De mon frere, ainsy que la lettre que le congrès lui fit l’honneur de lui écrire et qu’il Vous laissa lorsque nous fûmes chés Vous à Passy sur la demande que Vous lui fîtes d’en prendre copie. Je vous serai obligé, Monsieur, de vouloir bien me faire parvenir le tout chez Mr. De chatillon rue Du temple vis à vis celle portefoin au marais à Paris. J’ai l’honneur D’être avec beaucoup De respect Monsieur Vôtre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
De franvalCapitaine de Cavalerie

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur francklin chez / Mr. De Chaumont à / Passy près Paris
Notation: De Franval 15. [sic] Jr. 1778.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from J. B. Janek, 25 January 1778: résumé
From: Janek, J. B.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Luxembourg, January 25, 1778, in Latin: He and others agreed to emigrate to America, and apparently inquired about ways and means from an aide of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick [?: “bernuensis” in the MS] who seems to have encouraged them about getting a tract of land and setting up an iron foundry, but did not tell them whether their Roman Catholicism would be a handicap. Since then their letters have gone unanswered, and they ask for Franklin’s help.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Laurent-Joseph de Gain de Montagnac, 26 January 1778
From: Gain de Montagnac, Louis-Laurent-Joseph de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Nevers ce 26 janvier 1778
Permettez-moi d’avoir l’honneur de vous adresser le prospectus d’une histoire du marechal de turenne que je viens d’achever, et que je publierai le plutot possible j’ai voulu auparavant avoir vôtre agrément pour la dedier au general vashington que je regarde comme le heros du siecle; je vous envoye l’épitre dedicatoire afin que vous y changiez ce que vous jugerez a propos.
Je vous serai obligé Monsieur en m’envoyant vôtre consentement pour la dedicace, de me marquer le nombre d’exemplaires que vous voules retenir pour les etats unis, je les joindrai a celui que j’aurai l’honneur de vous remettre pour faire passer de ma part au general vashington. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec tous les sentimens d’estime et de respect dûs a vos rares talens, et a vos vertus Monsieur Vôtre trés humble et trés obeissant serviteur.
Montagnacchevalier de l’ordre royal et militairede st. Louis, et major d’infanterie.

Endorsed: Montagnac History De Marechal de Turenne Dedicace
Notation: Jan 26. 78


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Van den Yver & Cie., 26 January 1778: résumé
From: Van den Yver & Cie.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<Amsterdam, January 26, 1778, in French: Although you doubtless have good correspondents in this country, we offer our services in carrying out commissions to purchase or sell, hiring ships and arranging insurance, and handling bills of exchange; if you want to know about prices of goods, we should be glad to oblige. Parisian firms with which we are in touch are the chevalier Lambert, M. Dujardin de Ruze, and our relatives, Van den Yver frères & Cie., who will tell you about us.>


Title: A Proposed Article for the Treaty of Alliance with France, [on or before 27 January 1778]
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Lee, Arthur
To:

The commissioners met with Gérard on January 8 and agreed to negotiate two treaties, one of amity and commerce and the other for an eventual alliance. On the 18th Gérard presented them with drafts of both, which he asked them to return. They consequently spent the next days in making copies and translations of the drafts, a chore that they dared not entrust to a secretary. On the 21st, before the copies were finished or the translations begun, they started to discuss the treaties among themselves article by article. They feared that the alliance, which was to become operative only in the event of a British attack on France, might remain a dead letter if no such attack was forthcoming. Franklin consequently raised the idea, embodied in this article, of French financial aid as a substitute for military. Lee objected that money would not be enough, that ships of the line were also needed; the conversation, as he recounted it, then moved to other points. On the 27th, when the commissioners met again with Gérard, Franklin remarked that they had two secret articles to propose but did not yet have them in final form; their purport was that France, if not drawn into hostilities, should provide the United States with money and warships. Gérard said nothing about the money and disagreed about the warships: they would not be needed because the massive preparations that the government planned would deter the British from detaching much force against the United States. At that point the proposed secret articles disappeared, and the commissioners wrote Gérard immediately after the interview to say that they had no more suggestions to make. The negotiating was finished.

  [On or before January 27, 1778]
  2nd. Act separate and Secret.

And for as much as the said United States, in their present Circumstances, oppressed by a most Expensive War with a powerful and opulent Nation, have great Need of pecuniary Assistance; and the two last Articles of the Treaty of Alliance, may afford a strong Inducement to England to forbear a War with France, and bend its whole Force against the United States, which they may be unable to oppose with Success, unless they obtain such Assistance from their Friends and Allies; It is therefore granted and agreed by his most Christian Majesty, that during the Continuance of such Seperate War, he will allow and pay to the said United States an annual Subsidy in Money, of [blank in MS] Livres, the better to enable them to defend their Liberties, perfect Independence and Sovereignty in their Possessions.


Title: The American Commissioners to [Gerard], 30 January 1778 [i.e. 27]
From: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John
To: Gérard, Conrad-Alexandre

Sir,
Paris, Janvier 30th [i.e. 27]: 1778
We have concluded to make no farther Propositons for the present Treaty. We only wish the Word Sovereignty may be inserted in the two Places propos’d, if not thought absolutely improper. We have the Honour to be with the greatest Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants
B FranklinSilas DeaneArthur Lee
We send herewith the Translations for your Inspection and Correction.


Title: Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778
From: Coffyn, Francis
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Honored Gentlemen,
Dunkerque 27th Janry 1778
The letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 20th. instant, was dictated with that Eagerness I feel myself prompted to communicate to you every occurence which comes to my knowledge, and which I imagine may be agreable to you; the report it contain’d of an action between Genl. Gates and Genl. Cornwallis was then currant here, and was confirm’d to me by Messrs. Emmery Pere & Fils owners of the vessell which arrived here from New york; I thaught this was a Sufficient authority, but to my Sorrow I have Since found that the account given me then is premature. I have Examined the Captain of said Vessell, who says that it was reported at New york that there had been a Skirmish between the Two armys, and that it ended with the loss of Eight or nine Hundred men Kill’d, wounded and prisonners on the English Side; but he fully confirms that the English armys are greatly distress’d for want of provisions, and that it was expected the town of New york would have been Storm’d, as soon as the frost begun, and as the English were not in a Situation to keep their ground there, they was preparing to evacuate that place the moment it should be attack’d; that the confusion was so great, that every day some Houses were Sett on fire by persons unknown, and that the Gouvernor thaught himself so unsafe in his house, that he had ladders made of ropes hanging at his windows to make his Escape from the conflagration.
I am Extremely Sorry that I have it not in my power to confirm the first account given you, the disapointment I in this occasion Experience, will render me more circomspect in future; the nature of the news, I hope, will plead my Excuse for being so Eager in communicating it to you the instant I received it.
I have now to own the receipt of Mr. Silas Deans much respected favour of 20th. instant. The orders he gives me in your name, about the Two unfortunate wounded men, shall be Stricly attended to; they are now in a fair way of recovering, but it will be some time yet, before they be in a state to Embark for Nantes.
The Cutter who took the Brigantine Lexington, is taken on the Coast of Portugal by an American arm’d ship. The account of this capture was received at Dover last friday, the treatment the Commander Beazely met with is far more humane than that Experienced by those which the fortune of warr threw in his hands. Another Kings Cutter commanded by one Capn. Hill is lost on the start, and every soul onboard perished.
I shall continue to advise you of whatever may occur interesting to you, but I beg you will mention wether it can be done with safety, and if there is no danger of my letters being open’d; for affairs are So critically situated in my opinion, that much prudence is requesite. I have the honnor to remain very respectfully Honored Gentlemen Your most obedient and most devoted Humble servant
Frans. Coffyn
To Benjn. Franklin, Silas Dean & Arthur Lee Esqrs. at Passy.

Addressed: To / The Honble. Benjn. Franklin, / Silas Dean, & Arthur Lee, Esqrs. / at Passy
Notation: Mr Coffyn Jany. 27 1778


Title: Dumas to the American Commissioners, 27 January 1778
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

27e. Janv. 1778
La présente est une suite de celle que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire vendredi passé 23e. à l’adresse de Mr. A. Lee à Chaillot près Paris, rue bataille No. 5. Depuis ce temps j’ai fait d’autres découvertes, que j’ai communiquées au Substitut, qui m’en a su gré; et je n’hésite pas de vous en faire part aussi, parce que ce qui se passe en Baviere interesse trop la France pour ne pas vous interesser aussi, par la diversion qu’une guerre en Allemagne pourroit faire, si la france, par ses Alliances, étoit obligée de s’en trop mêler.

Je commence par les Dépêches suivantes de divers Ministres à Leurs hh. pp. qui m’ont été communiquées.
De Messrs. Galliaris de Ratisbonne du 12e. Janv. reçue le 19e. etc.
Comte Degenfeld de Vienne du 7e. Janvr. reçue le ditto etc.
Berkenrode de Paris du 15e. Janvr. reçue le 21e. etc.
Après vous avoir rendu compte, M., des dépêches publiques de cet Etat, je vais vous transcrire aussi ce que m’écrivent deux Correspondants.
Hambourg du 20e. “Le General Prussien Stein est en marche avec 10,000 hommes vers le Palatinat. Avec tout cela l’on croit qu’il n’y aura pas de guerre, et qu’il n’y aura pas de rupture entre l’Autriche et la Prusse tant que le Roi vivra, à moins qu’il n’en veuille absolument une.” Le reste de la Lettre ne contient rien d’essentiel; et quant à la marche de ces 10,000 Prussiens, on n’en a pas de nouvelle encore ici.
Liege 23e. Janv. “Le jour que l’Electeur Palatin etc.”
La communication de cette derniere anecdote a fait grand plaisir au Substitut, qui n’a pas pu, ou plutôt pas voulu ou dû me dire si le tout étoit exactement vrai. Du reste il ne croit pas, non plus que moi, que les choses en viennent à une guerre, au moins tant que l’Imperatrice Reine et le Roi de P. vivront. Tous les deux en sont revenus par l’âge, et par la longue expérience des maux que ce fléau leur a causés. Le Roi d’ailleurs est trop fin politique, pour ne pas sentir que la paix lui assure ce qu’il possede; au lieu que la guerre et ses chances lui compromettroient de nouveau ses conquêtes, et les lui rendroient incertaines de certaines qu’elles sont aujourd’hui par les Traités et Conventions. Ajoutez à cela que la france, de son côté, favorisera aussi un accommodement à l’amiable, pour n’être pas détournée de veiller l’Angleterre: que celle-ci, du sien, s’est mise hors d’état de brouiller les cartes en Allemagne par son crédit et par son argent; qu’elle a d’ailleurs, à ce qu’il paroît, mis de mauvaise humeur contre elle le R. de P.——— en dépeuplant les Etats des Princes ses Alliés; enfin, que ce Roi se voit obligé, par ses engagemens avec la Russie, de fournir à celle-ci un Corps de ses propres troupes en cas d’une rupture avec les Turcs, qui devient de plus en plus apparente: et vous serez peut-être de mon sentiment, que nous n’aurons eu au bout de compte que la peur d’une guerre en Allemagne, et par conséquent d’une diversion, qui pourroit favoriser vos ennemis. A l’appui de cela vient encore ce qu’un personnage très authentiquement instruit m’a dit en confidence, savoir, que l’Electeur palatin a eu à Munich un entretien de 3 heures avec le Baron de Lehrbach Ministre de Vienne auprès de lui, et lui a dit, en terminant la conférence, que tout s’ajustera.
J’espere, Messieurs, que vous verrez par toutes ces notices, que je me fais un devoir constant, non seulement de remplir scrupuleusement vos ordres, mais de chercher moi-même tout ce que je crois pouvoir directement ou indirectement contribuer au service et au bien de l’Am. unie. Vous en verrez une autre preuve dans le Courier du Bas rhin No. 7 où j’ai fait insérer p. 49, la 2e. Lettre sur le crédit Brit[annique] et une autre, p. 52 d’un Am[éricain] en Europe, où j’ai fait usage de celle que Mr. Wm. Lee m’avoit écrite.
On m’a dit ici que Mr. Hope à Amst[erdam] débitoit des Billets d’emprunt Am[éricain]: mais je ne puis pas trop faire fonds sur mon auteur, tout personnage qu’il est.
Je serois charmé d’apprendre des nouvelles de Mr. Carm[ichael], si vous en avez, comme aussi de la santé de Messrs. Franklin et Deane: cela fera du bien à la mienne, qui n’est pas des meilleures depuis plusieurs jours.
Je présente bien mes respects à Mr. Wm. Lee, et à Mr. le Chev. Grand et suis avec tout celui qui vous est dû et voué.

Je défere à l’avis du Substitut, qui m’a conseillé d’être encore circonspect quant à la signature de mon nom.
Paris à l’hon[orable] Commission Pl[énipotentiaire] des Etats Unis de l’Am[érique] Sept[entrionale]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 27 January 1778
From: Lee, Arthur
To: Franklin, Benjamin

The background of this note was Lee’s dispatch from England to the committee of secret correspondence of June 3, 1776. William Carmichael was supposed to deliver it but did not for more than two years; he and Silas Deane opened it, kept it, and used it, Lee believed, to cause trouble for him. The statement about the episode that Lee enclosed with his note is missing, but he made a copy four weeks later:
“At a meeting of the Commissioners for the United States held at Passi Jany. 26th 1778, Mr. Deane informd Mr. Lee, That he did not open Mr. Lee’s Dispatches That Mr. Carmichael did open them. That Mr. Carmichael was now in possession of the Book in which they were written which Mr. Deane believd he intended to carry with him to America. That Mr. Deane had written for and expected a Copy of them. That they contained a Libel on two of the best men in America, for which Mr. Deane knew one of them to be a man of such spirit, that if he knew it he would come over on purpose to call Mr. Lee to an account for it.

“N.B. Copies of the above were sent the next day to the other Commissioners. Chaillot Feby. 24th, 1778.”
On the day that Lee circulated this statement he also wrote Carmichael, to demand the return of the dispatches and the book. That letter gave an account that is squarely at odds with Carmichael’s and Deane’s. The dispatches, he said, were in a book that “I intrustd seald to your care with the strictest injunctions of Secrecy”; instead Carmichael opened them and showed them to Deane. Lee, Carmichael replied, had learned about the whole affair a few weeks after it happened, had approved of it, and had continued to trust him thereafter. Deane, writing much later, repeated that Lee had long known the fate of his dispatch, and had seemed glad that it had not been sent. If these allegations are true, Lee must have been in bad need of a grievance when he resurrected the issue.

Challiot Jany. 27th 1778.
Mr. A. Lee presents his respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin, and begs the favor of him to revise and certify the enclosed state of facts while they are fresh in his memory, in order to prevent disputes about matters of fact, which Mr. Lee feels to be as unbecoming as it is painful. Mr. Lee wishes to add to the observations on the ingenious theory Dr. Franklin was so good as to explain yesterday that the roots of trees and plants which are deprivd of light are found of all Colours.

Notation: Mr. A. Lee to BF. Jany. 27th: 1778.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, 28 January 1778
From: Melmoth, Courtney
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Rue Jacob, Paris 28. i 1778
Were it likely to suppose that the human mind, however comprehensive, could always be exerted on one Subject, even tho that subject be the fate of Empires, I should never attempt to seduce your attention to any trifle that could possibly drop from either my own Pen, or that of any part of my family; but, when I consider that the profoundest sagacity must often seek refuge in really unimportant Relaxations, I am encourag’d to send, for the Hours of your Leizure, a copy of the last Publication which I have ventured to send into the World. It is accompanied by a little Poem which, tho written in my Hand, is, with very little alteration, the effort of Mrs. Melmoth’s Thoughts, upon a Subject that I hope you will find not unacceptable. I had, in correcting the original, made some defaceing Interlineations, for which reason she insisted on my makeing a fair transcription. With regard to the Travels, I must warn you of many horrid blunders which hath been occasioned by my absense from the Press. Conscious that an Eye so penetrating as Doctor Franklin’s will detect many Errours that are absolutely in the writing and not in the printing, it is a mere justice I owe myself, to mask such as do not belong to me. I am Sir Your most obedient Servant
Courtney Melmoth

Impromptu,
To Doctor Franklin
For the Author who was present when he gave his Portrait to a Lady
Sir,

  The wrong’d have Reason to complain;
  I prove it by the Laws of Pain;
  And slighted Women play the duce
  When they but fancy an abuse.
  This Stanza serves by way of Text,
  The Cause of Quarrel in my next.
  Know I am deeply injured, Sir,
  And thus I prove what I aver.
  Did you not, late, in open day,
  Full liberal, give yourself away?
  Did not the happy Laura bear the Prize?
  Did not the Insult pass before my Eyes?
  I guess, good Sir, the Plea you’l use,
  But tis too feeble for Excuse;

You’l say, the Lady is more fair
  Or breathes, perhaps, your native Air;
  You’l say you long have known her Merit,
  Her Sense, her Elegance, or Spirit:
  All this admitted, was it just
  That she alone should have a Bust,
  Even while its counterpart was by
  And leave this Jealous Breast—a Sigh?
  Or did you think, because the Earth
  Of wayward England gave me birth,
  I had not Soul to pass the Line,
  And honour Worth and Wit like thine?
  Believe me Sir, tho briton-born,
  Tyrants I hate, and Slaves I scorn,
  And if your Portrait I desire’d
  It was because fair Freedom fire’d
It was—but hence all altercation,
  You know my terms of—Reconciliation.

Notation: Mr Melmoths Letters & Papers


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Courtney Melmoth, [on or after 28 January 1778]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Melmoth, Courtney

Sir,
[On or after January 28, 1778]
I should have been flatter’d exceedingly by Mrs. Melmoth’s showing the least Inclination for one of those Portraits, when Mrs. Izard accepted the other, and should have presented it to her with the greatest Pleasure. She did not appear to desire it and I did not presume it of Value enough to be offer’d. Her Quarrel with me on that Account is pleasing: The Reconciliation when I can obtain it, will be more so. At present another Lady has put it out of my Power to comply with the Terms. M. de Chaumont, at whose Pottery in the Country they were made, receiving a Request from Petersburgh, for one of them, to gratify the Curiosity of the Empress, and having none in town, he got from me the only one I had left, and has sent it away. But I am promis’d another soon, and shall seize the first Moment of making my Peace with it. In the mean time, I hope you will intercede for me in that Heart where I am sure you have Interest. Accept my Thanks for the Books, from the Reading of which I promise myself a good deal of Pleasure. Please to accept also the Trifle enclos’d, and believe me with sincere Esteem, Sir Your most obedient humble

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Chez Monsieur Chaumont / Passy.
Notation: To M. Melmoth


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard, 29 January 1778
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Izard, Ralph

Dear Sir,
Passy, Jan. 29. 1778
I received yours late last Evening. Present Circumstances which I will explain to you when I have the Honor of seeing you prevent my giving it a full Answer now. The Reasons you offer had before been all under Consideration; but I must submit to remain some days under the Opinion you appear to have form’d, not only of my poor Understanding in the general Interests of America, but of my Defects in Sincerity, Politeness, and Attention to your Instructions. These Offences I flatter myself will admit of fair Excuses. You mention that you feel yourself hurt. Permit me to offer you a Maxim, which has thro Life been of Use to me and may be so to you in preventing such imaginary Hurts. It is, “always to suppose one’s Friends may be right, till one finds them wrong; rather than to suppose them wrong, ’till one finds them right.” You have heard and imagined all that can be said or supposed on one side of the Question, but not on the other. I am nevertheless with sincere Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B F
Honble Mr Izard.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, [29 January? 1778]
From: La Rochefoucauld, Louis-Alexandre, duc de La Roche-Guyon et de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Jeudi matin [January 29?, 1778]
Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld est chargé par Madame sa mere de demander à Monsieur franklyn cinq ou six Exemplaires de la Lettre du Banquier hollandois, qui fut lue Lundi dernier à l’hotel de la Rochefoucauld; si Monsieur franklyn n’étoit pas engagé Lundi prochain, et qu’il voulût venir y diner, on auroit grand plaisir à l’y recevoir, et on le prieroit de vouloir bien proposer à Monsieur Deane, et à Monsieur son petit fils d’y venir aussi. S’il y avoit quelque nouvelle d’Amérique, le Duc de la Rochefoucauld espere que Monsieur franklyn voudroit bien les lui mander.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to La Rochefoucauld, [29 January? 1778]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: La Rochefoucauld, Louis-Alexandre, duc de La Roche-Guyon et de

[January 29?, 1778]
Mr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to M. le Duc de Rochefoucauld. He would with Pleasure send the Copies desired by Made. la Duchesse, if he had them; but he has none. He sends however to M. le Duc an English Copy, and a manuscript French Translation which one of his Friends began to correct but did not finish. If it is thought worth printing here, Mr. F. wishes to have it as correct as possible, and for that purpose would be much oblig’d to M. le Duc if he would kindly look it over.
Mr. Franklin and his Grandson return Thanks for the obliging Invitation, which they should embrace with Pleasure, but that they happen to be pre-engaged.

We have News from America of the Arrival of a Ship we sent from Marseilles with 48 Pieces brass Cannon 4 pounders, with Carriages &c. compleat. 19 brass Mortars 9 Inch. 2500 Bombs. 4110 Fusils. 18000 lb. Gunpowder and other Stores. These arrived at Portsmouth.
M. Bretigny, Chevr. de Kerangues, and M. de Milly with other French Officers with Arms and Clothing for a Regiment of Chasseurs, are also arrived at Charlestown.


Title: John Ross to the American Commissioners, 29 January 1778
From: Ross, John
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Honorable Gentlemen,
Nantes 29th. January 1778
The present unhappie situation of Mr. Thomas Morris American Commercial Agent, now dangerously ill, and according to the opinion of his Phisician not likely to recover, oblige me to address you Honble: Gentlemen, that the necessary step may be adopted immadiately, to prevent the Worst of consequences to both Public and Private Concerns of America commited to his truste and management. Thus, the fatal Effects of his unconquerable habits nearly finishing his day’s, directed me yesterday to Vizit him, and propose’d, he shoud assign and Possess me of the Books and papers in his Custody relative to the business of both Public and Private concern’s, but his reason and reflection being for several month’s past laid aside, by the more Powerfull habits of ruin to his Constitution, Credit, and Character, He coud not be prevailed on. The Law’s therefore, which are in force in this Country, on the death of a Stranger, being known to you, I consider it my indispensible duty to apply to you on this occasion. And to request that a proper representation of the business under the Management of this Man may be made to the Minister, and whose order am in hopes youl be able to obtain to Put me in Possession of the Books and Property in Possession of Mr. Morris at present, for the benefite of his distant Connections with Such Power’s as the Laws of the Kingdom may direct, to bring those possessed of American Property to an immadiate Setlement. Messrs. Gruel, Pliarne Penet & Co. have long accounts to Setle with this unhappie Man and have been intentionally I believe neglected, knowing how litle attention Mr. Morris paid to his own business. That Your representation may be supported, I inclose the instructions I received from Robert Morris Esqr. respecting his Brother, with Copy of the Letter he wrote himself.
The business to your knowledge have been for several months Past in the greatest disorder. Yet, those Letters from Mr. Morris’s Brother, nor my influence, coud not hitherto Prevail to assign me the Management. I wished particularly to avoid troubling you in regard to Mr. Morris’s unfortunate concern’s, in hopes to receive the Proper instruction’s from America to give me Possession. But as his Situation has at length become so critical, no time shoud be lost, that in case of his death (which to me and others seem’s not very distant) I may by the order you Procure, Prevent the Officers of the Crown, to take possession of his Books, Paper’s, and Effects, as customary on the death of a Stranger. His Property am persuaded is nothing, haveing Spent all, and much more then his own. What is due by those connections formed by him here will be with held, shoud the books be Seized and keep’t in an Office for examination, [and] probably prove the loss of Public and Private Property in the hands of those People. I need only add, that I have the honour to be with much respect Honorable Gentlemen Your very obedient Servant
Jno. Ross
NB. Please return me the inclosed when done with them.To the Honble. Benjamin Franklin Silas Deane, & Arthur Lee Esqrs. Commissioners of the United States of America at Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cecilia Davies, 29 January 1778
From: Davies, Cecilia
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir.
Paris Janry. 29th. 1778. Grand Hotel de Londres Rûe Dauphine.
I hope you will Excuse the liberty I take in troubling you with this line but being come to Paris with my Mother and Sister on account of the latter’s health, should think myself guilty of an unpardonable neglect were I not to take an opportunity of waiting on the ingenious Inventor of the Divine Armonica. My Sister continually expresses her infinite Obligations to You Sir, and as She is just at present able to go out is extremely desirous to have the pleasure of seeing you; but least we might happen to call at an inconvenient time I should Esteem it a particular favour could you let me know by the Bearer any moment tomorrow when you are at leisure, as we are very impatient to have the happiness of waiting on you. If not tomorrow, any other Day Except Saturday or Monday next. My Mother and Sister desire their most respectful Compliments, and I have the honour to be Sir Your most Obliged and most Humble Servant
Davies Inglesina

Notation: Davies Inglesina. Paris 29. Jn. 1778.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, 29 January 1778
From: Melmoth, Courtney
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir.
Paris, Jan: 29, 1778.
Will you permit me to withdraw your attention from contemplations of general Calamity, to a Tale of private Woe? It will cost you an half hour of your Leizure, and, perhaps, may procure to me many years of Felicity. I have already said enough to engage the patience of a Man whose Characteristic is Benevolence.
The matter, Sir, which I wish to communicate relates to myself; and, conscious of the value of your Time, I shall be as concise as it is possible. Within a few Months I have sustained the Loss of a large Fortune by the unfortunate decision of a Cause in Chancery; Since that, I have sustained a second Loss by the Ingratitude of a Friend. Till lately, I had a decent Resource in the Labours of the Pen, but now, amongst other Disasters occasion’d by the furor of War, the oppositions of America have had the effect of reduceing the Price of literature, even till Moral Composition is become a Drug which no Bookseller will dare to hazard. Politics only remain marketable in Paternosterrow, and everything this way that bows not to the villainous side of the Question, is perilous to risque; for by a strange Inversion of Principles in Great Britain, those Prisons which were instituted for Criminals, are now devoted to Patriots. The Treasury, it is true, is open’d to prostituted Ingenuity; but who that hath a Heart can submit to the Concession by which the Wages are to be Received? My Health is but just Reestablishing, and I would wish to avoid returning to a Place where it will again relapse and where there is no Security for a Writer which could not be silent on the one side, and would not be bribed on the other. In this Situation it was natural for me to seek out a new Resource: I had hopes that I might be serviceable to that Cause in which the Commissioners are here engaged, either in the light of a Secretary or his Assistant; I would indeed have done anything for the indulgence of my Principles, and for the Support of those whom it is my duty to protect. It appears to me, however, that all Posts of this kind are very ably pre-occupied, and, in Consequence, I must cast about for another. The Plan which I have projected attends this Letter, and I believe a Subsistance is to be gain’d by putting it in practise. I owe, however, in the meantime a number of little Sums that press for Payment, and unless I can discharge these I know not what must be done. Here then, Sir, comes the Crisis of my Address, which is, with uncommon Earnestness, to inquire if there is any Method by which I can, in the way of my Profession as a Writer, earn about £60; by which I should be put, probably, into a Way of future Tranquillity. I would either arrange Papers, or I would engage in any Compositions that might be deem’d necessary, and I would hold myself accountable to the Congress by private Agreement, till I had done what was adjudg’d adequate. Should this be impracticable I would appeal from business to benevolence, and if this Sum was advancd to me Sir, on the score[?] of Trust and Confidence, I would not only discharge it with the very first opportunity, but bear it in my Memory as the tenderest obligation that could possibly be confer’d on a family under very peculiar Circumstances of unexpected Disappointment and Anxiety. I am aware, Sir, that, unless you should have employment for my Pen, I am no way warranted to sollicit a favor of this Nature; but the noble Disposition does not too nicely examine Punctilios, and will listen rather to the Voice of Kindness than Severity.
I invite this Indulgence from you, as a Man willing and ready to deserve it, if the way be pointed out to me: If no way is left, I invite it upon Principles of Integrity and good Faith which shall never be violated: If I can not earn, I would borrow it; and if I borrow, nothing but a sudden death shall prevent me from paying. People of the Literary Character have generally, no other security, than their Honour; and as this often sets but too loosely, I believe it is proper and satisfactory to offer some kind of security even for that. Perhaps you will regard the Inclos’d Letters from several great Characters, of this sort. The veneration I bear Dr. Franklin makes me write on subjects that are seldom to be trusted with the young or even the aged. That Man must indeed have a fine Heart, who may be safely spoken to upon the pecuniary Distress of a whole Family. I am, Sir, Your most obliged and obedient Servant
Courtney Melmoth.

I propose myself the Pleasure to send for your Answer on Sunday Morning, Sir, tho’ You will easily believe, I shall tremble till the Return of my Messenger at that Time. The Truth is, I long essentially to do something to deserve the great favor I have requested, and my Heart will leap to understand that there is a Road left for me to exert myself; at the same time I own my delicacy would be more flatter’d if the Advance of the Cash might be consider’d as a debt, and my future Services in the Cause I love, were voluntary and unbought.


Title: Gérard to the American Commissioners, 30 January 1778
From: Gérard, Conrad-Alexandre
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Messieurs
A Versailles le 30 Janvier 1778.
J’ai recu avec la lettre dont vous m’avés honoré, la traduction que vous avès bien voulu me faire remettre. Je rendrai compte du contenu de votre lettre et je travaillerai sans delai à l’examen de la traduction. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec une consideration respectueuse Messieurs Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur
Gerard

Addressed: A Messieurs / Messieurs franklin, deane / et Lée / A Passi


Title: James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 30 January 1778
From: Moylan, James
To: American Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas,Lee, Arthur,Adams, John

Honorable Gentlemen
L’Orient, 30th. Jany. 1778
I am not honor’d with the receipt of any of your favors since my last to you of the 23d. current.
I am this day informed, that Government has order’d 2,000 Seamen to be raised in Nantes and 2,500 more in St. Malo, besides a number of Bakers of this Town, which are all to proceed immediately to Brest; likewise, that there are positive directions in all the Sea Ports, not to admit the Fishing Vessels (as usual) to go to Newfoundland. I do not know whether you will find this information fresh, but I think it nevertheless my duty to acquaint you of it.
The unsettled state I am yet in here, obliges me once more, to request your answer to my letter of the 2d. Instant. I have the honor to be respectfully Honorable Gentlemen Your assur’d humble Servant.
James Moylan

Addressed: To / The Honorable Commissioners / of the United States / of America


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cecilia Davies, 30 January 1778
From: Davies, Cecilia
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir.
Paris Janry. 30th. 1778.
I should have been happy to the greatest degree in the honour of Dining with you Sunday, but to my misfortune since my Sister’s late Illness she does not Dine from home; but I shall have the honour of waiting on you with my Mother and Sister Sunday afternoon if you will give us leave. They desire their most sincere Compliments with a thousand thanks for the kind Invitation, please to accept mine likewise. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect and Attachment Sir Your most Obliged and most Humble Servant
Davies Inglesina.

Notation: Davis Inglesena


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 31 January 1778
From: Bache, Richard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

  Dear and Honored Sir
Manheim 10 Miles wide of Lancaster January 31, 1778
I am almost ashamed to acknowledge to you, and yet it is the truth, that upwards of three Months have elapsed since I have done Myself this pleasure, but when you consider the unsetled situation we have been in, and know that it has been such as to deprive me of hearing of opportunities of writing to you, I trust you will forgive me. Four Months passed without our receiving a Line from you, but this, your Letter of 17th. October accounts for. It came to hand about ten days ago, and about ten days before that we received one from you of the 19 July. I acquainted you before, how soon after Sally’s lying in, (when she made up our loss, by producing a fine Girl,) we were obliged to quit the City; our first move was to Mr. Duffields, the fifth day after she was brought to bed, but fortunately she caught no cold; we staid there ten days, thence we moved to a place near Trenton, where we staid ’till the latter end of last Month, when our Army going into Winter Quarters, we thought our situation there not very eligible; my friend Morris, who had moved his family hither in September, took a house for me here, and we think ourselves tolerably comfortably settled, and out of the way of danger for this winter at least; I esteem myself fortunate that we moved from Goshen when we did, for had Sally lain in there, she could not possibly have got out of the Enemy’s way, the child being born the day before the Battle of Brandywine, which was the 11th September. In one of my last Letters to you, I mentioned my having disposed of your printing office to the Government of Virginia, and that the price of it was left for you to fix, as I knew not the value of it; I sent a duplicate of that Letter, one or the other I hope has reached you, for I wish to hear from you on that head; it was fortunate the Types were disposed of, as I should not have been able to have got them out of Town. We were oblig’d to leave most of the furniture behind, taking with us nothing more than what we thought absolutely necessary for our comfort, such as beds, Cloaths, house linnen &c. Your library remains where I sent it last Winter, viz: near Bethlehem.
We are happy to hear that Ben likes his School and that he improves fast. We esteem it a happy circumstance his going with you, for as things have turned out, had he remained here, he would have lost a deal of precious time, which is now usefully, I hope, employed. It gives us pleasure to hear also that Temple has made such proficiency in the french language. We should like to hear from him, if he is not too busy. I had a Letter from his father about a week ago; he has been lately removed to East Windsor in Connecticut, in consequence of an application I made to Congress, where he is much more comfortably situated than where he was before. He complains that his health is much injured by close confinement, and wishes I would interest myself in obtaining his exchange, or if that can’t be obtained, that he may be suffered to reside with me on his parole, or to go into Newyork on his parole. I intend to try, with the assistance of my Friend Morris, what can be done. Mrs. F’s death you doubtless have heard of, she, poor woman, died broken hearted. I think however, when I consider her delicate feelings, that she has a happy release. I have not been in the way of geting the newspapers lately, nor indeed ’till within these few weeks, have they been published regularly in our State; Hall & Sellers now publish once a Week at York Town, Dunlap at Lancaster. I shall endeavour to send you their papers regularly, now I am more in the way of geting them. I am obliged to you for the English papers you sent me, with yours of 19 July, as well as for the Engraver and potter’s performances; the latter is reckoned the best likeness of you. They are the only ornaments we have in our parlor at Manheim; the Engraver seems to have paid more attention to the fur-cap than to the Lines of your face. However, we are pleased that you remain in fashion. Your Letter of the Octr. 7, which came by one of the packets, enclosed an inquiry after one Cook of Maryland, and a Letter for [one?] Captain Minnig with a request that if he could be found, an answer from him might be returned. I know Minig very well, he is a man in opulent circumstances, and now lives near Bristol, Bucks County. I shall take the first good opportunity to have the Letter put into his hands, and if possible, an answer obtained from him. As to what relates to Cook I have put an advertisement in the papers, and if upon other inquiry I hear any thing of him shall communicate it. The President of Congress forwarded to me your last Letter, at the same time acquainted me that Congress had received a packet by the same conveyance directed for them, containing nothing but blank paper, and beged I would communicate any public intelligence that your Letter might contain to them; I was sorry you had not put it in my power to do this, but I am still sorryer that they should meet with such a disapointment by having your dispatches stolen; which I suppose has been the effect of bribery on the other side the water; tho’ I have since heard that the Captain of the packet is under confinement, from which I suppose some suspicion lies at his door. The English play all the game, and more than the fair game with us. I can’t help thinking but that Lord Stormont has been the promoter of the theft. Your Letter for my Aunt I forwarded to her. She is with her friends in New England; they sent a Carriage for her, not many days before we were obliged to leave Town. I heard from her not long ago. She was well and happy. Sally and Will join me in Love and Duty; the little Stranger sends Ben and you a kiss apiece. I am Dear Sir Your Affectionate Son &c.
Rich: Bache
Doctor Franklin

Notation: R. Bache, 31. Jany 1778.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Quemizet, 31 January 1778: résumé
From: Quemizet, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

<January 31, 1778, in French: We are determined to emigrate to the colonies, either as a teacher or director of dyeing or as a master dyer, provided that we can find support on arrival. That is what we hoped to put to you yesterday at your hotel, but your absence deprived us of the pleasure. Please reply.>


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [John Cadwalader], [January? 1778]
From: Cadwalader, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[January, 1778?]
I am at a Loss to determine whether your absence is an injury or an advantage to your Country. Your Services abroad are essential to our Success, and I wish you to remain there till those grand points now in agitation are carried. I am well convinced that interest and not the love of country, rules mankind in general. Your reflections upon the Inhabitants of other States may be justly applyed to the States of America, and those Evils which have contributed most to enslave other nations are begining to make their appearance here. Dissentions among ourselves are the Evils that every thinking man dreads most. Our own sentiments upon this point so often mentioned in the public papers, I always feared would give hints to our Enemies that if well managed might undermine and ruin where open force would have no effect.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from François Sentier, [January? 1778]
From: Sentier, François
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[January, 1778]
Monseigneur Le nommée françois Sçentier a l’honneur de vous faire sa révérence pour supliez tres humblement vôtre altesse de luy rendre service comme je suit debarqué an france du quatre janvier et que je me suit sauvez de la nouvel Angleterre ou jé été détenut dans les prison par Les Anglais Lespasse d’un mois Edemit [et demi] et me suit Rendu à bor de la frégatte Ranger par le moÿens d’un ôfisier fransais qui m’a promit d’avoirs mon conger En arivans En france d’ou je me suit rendu dans mon péÿis. Comme je me trouve dans L’indigance et hort d’états de pouvoirs vivre et me rendre au port de mer je recour a vôtre bonté ordinaire comme aÿent servit dans leurs corps amériquien l’espace de six mois Edemit dans la compagnie des voluntaire de la pointe de lévie dans la compagnie du capitaine aÿote cor du régiment du colonel arnol commandé par Le général mongommery.
SENTIER
A Son altesse serenesime monseigneur le milor franquelin a paris

Endorsed: Prisonnier 1 Guinea


Title: Franklin and Silas Deane to Gerard, 1 February 1778
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas
To: Gérard, Conrad-Alexandre

Sir,
Passy, Feb. 1. 1778.
Mr. Lee having signified to us, that on farther Consideration he has changed his Sentiments relating to the 12th Article; and that he cannot join in Signing the Treaty if that Article remains in it: And as Unanimity is of some Importance on this Occasion, and the Articles 11 and 12 seem not perfectly consonant with the declar’d Spirit of the Treaty, which is, to leave each Party free in its Regulations of Commerce; we concur in requesting (if it can be done without occasioning Delay) that those two Articles may be omitted, agreable to your own first Proposition. We have the Honour to be, Sir Your most Obedient humble Servants
B FranklinSilas Deane
Monr. Gerard

Endorsed: 1er fevrier 1778.


Title: Franklin’s Notes for Replying to Two Letters from Ralph Izard, [on or after 1 February 1778]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

This is a rare example of Franklin’s thinking on paper for his eye alone. Some of the notes are now beyond understanding and the meaning of others can only be conjectured; but what he is thinking about is clear: how to answer Izard’s letters above of January 28 and 30. All of his few identifiable references, down to the word “Personals,” are to the first letter, all thereafter to the second. He made his jottings at least a day or two after the latter reached him, for “Wrote so to Ministery / Their Answer” can only refer to his and Deane’s note to Gérard and the reply, both on February 1. Our guess is that Franklin was setting his thoughts in order for the conversation that he had promised Izard in his note of the 29th. The South Carolinian had had from him by then only a precept that he took, with some justification, to be condescending, and wanted to know where the other man stood. An interview might conceivably have cleared the air between them. But it never took place, as far as we know, and their relations grew steadily worse.

[On or after February 1, 1778]
The terrible Ideas form’d of the Mellasses Article as express’d in your Letter

quote the passages
express’d by Mr. Arthur Lee
by Mr. W. Lee

Give the History of it

In the Congress Treaty
Preamble proposes the Principle of Reciprocity
Ministers proposed that on our side Tobacco should not be taxed on Export.
Mr. Lee objected to this on Behalf of the Tobacco Colonies.
I propos’d the General Clause
My Reasons.
As affecting the Colonies more equally so less liable to Objections. Reasons.
As I have always been against such Duties and think them of no Use.
Yet I offer’d to join. Mr. Lee agreed to this.
But finding that such terrible Ideas—

I was willing to strike both out
Wrote so to Ministry
Their Answer
Answer Mr. Iz.’s Arguments

French may lay Duties on their European Exports—no Check
  Can we not then lay Duties on their Imports?
  Not the least Probability. Interfere with Brandy.
  If they wish us to take their Brandy may it not be their Interest to discourage our making Rum? Why might they not chuse to have that Manufacture themselves? And sell us the Rum instead of the Mellasses; they may indeed yet do it.
  Contrary to the Principles of the Treaty, Instructions, &c.

Personals.
Not a Word—&c. Insincere
2d Letter—Extraordinary Inattention.

My Practice.
The only Gentleman I have visited for 50 Years
His Distance

Much Business
}
all devour my time.

Many Visitors

Many Letters

Poor Understanding was the favourable Construction.
Differences prevailing

Thanks for his Endeavours
Did not expect that having prevailed on that Gentleman to be more reasonable he would have taken his place
Exacted Respect of no Value
Respect a voluntary Thing


Title: Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 February 1778
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Deane, Silas
To: Lee, Arthur

Sir
Passy, Feb. 1. 1778
We have maturely considered your Letter of the 30th past. And tho’ we cannot see the mischievous Consequences of the 12th. Article which you apprehend, yet conceiving that Unanimity on this Occasion is of Importance, we have written to Mr. Gerard this Morning, that we concur in desiring that Article and the preceding to be omitted, agreable to his first Proposal. We have the Honour to be Sir Your most obedient humble Servants
B FranklinS. Deane
Honble A. Lee Esqr