192 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



their power to ship any article the Colonies may be in want of. Would 

 like to have a conversation with Franklin in order to make certain 

 proposals not to be trusted on paper. A. L. S. 4 p. IV, 128. 



From Montaudouin. 1776. December 21. Nantes. 



Disappointed at being deprived of the pleasure of Franklin's com- 

 pany at dinner. Will write recommending Franklin to M. Beudet, who 

 has been a long time employed in Ministerial affairs and may be of use 

 to him. Also has a cousin in Paris, Madame Duboccage, who would 

 be delighted to welcome him. Encloses a poem which expresses but 

 feebly the sentiment Franklin inspires. A. L. S. 3 p. (In French.) 



IV, 129. 



From The Continental Congress, Committee of Secret Corre- 

 spondence to The American Commissioners. 

 1776. December 21. Baltimore. 



Present state of affairs in America. No accommodation with Great 

 Britain will be made except upon the recognition of the complete inde- 

 pendence of America. A. L. S. Benj [amin] Harrison et al. 6 p. 



LIII, 24. 



Printed in Diplom. Corres. Wharton, II, 226. 



From The Continental Congress, Committee of Secret Corre- 

 spondence to The American Commissioners. 

 1776. December 21. Baltimore. 



Copy of preceding, with an added note by Rob[er]t Morris, dated 

 Philadelphia, February 26, 1777, saying that he had just written Mr. 

 Bingham a full state of intelligence up tO the present time; desiring him 

 to transmit a copy to the Commissioners. L. S. 7 p. LIII, 25. 



From J. Gruel. 1776. December 21. Nantes. 



Encloses bill of lading of the ship Mary Elizabeth. Arrival that 

 morning of the Fanny, Captain Sir William Jokely; account of her 

 cargo. News of the capture by the American privateers of 1 1 transports 

 destined for the army of General Howe. Capt. Wickes dined with 

 them the previous evening; expects to depart immediately. All Frank- 

 lin's orders carried out. A. L. S. 3 p. (In French.) IV, 130. 



