2i6 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From J. J. Garnauld. 1777. February 21. Paris. 



Offers of service from the house of M. Meschinet de Richmond et 

 fils at La Rochelle. They have written to the houses in Philadelphia 

 w^hose addresses Franklin gave them ; anxious to enter into business 

 relations with America, whose cause they deem just. A. L. S. 2 p. 

 (In French.) V, 65. 



From Lamb[er]t Wickes to The American Commissioners. 

 1777. February 21. L'Orient. 



Summoned to appear before the Intendant in regard to the destina- 

 tion of the prisoners on board his ship. It was finally agreed to wait 

 till Sunday for Franklin's answer, and then deliver the prisoners to 

 Captain Newman. In receipt of a notice from the Admiralty office to 

 depart the port in 24 hours with all his prizes ; this does not tally at all 

 with Franklin's instructions. A. L. S. 2 p. V, 66. 



From J[onatlian] Williams, Jr., to The American Commissioners. 

 1777. February 22. Nantes. 



Report of English men-of-war cruizing off Brest; has informed Capt. 

 Wickes. News of their successes in New Jersey confirmed ; eighteen 

 hundred Hessians surprised and taken at Trenton ; nine hundred said to 

 have been killed in the action. News of the Spanish fleet. A. L. S. 

 2 p. XXXVII, 59. 



From Nathan Rumsey. 1777. February 22. Nantes. 



Enclosing an agreeable piece of news. Concerning the prizes taken 

 by Captain Wickes. Captain Pratchell has obtained a summons against 

 himself and Mr. Penet to appear at the first audience and state the 

 reasons for detaining his property. A. L. S. 2 p. V, 67. 



From The Farmers-General to [The American Commissioners]. 

 1777. February 23. 



Cannot accept proposition made to send vessels with supplies for 

 Congress and bring back the tobacco in their own vessels. Hold to 

 the offer previously made by the Plenipotentiaries of Congress to deliver 

 the tobacco in France at a fixed price. The Farmers-General would 

 advance 2,000,000 (francs or livres) as payment to enable Congress to 

 carry out the contract. L. i p. (In French.) LIII, 34. 



