Letters to Benjamin Franklin 241 



Plessis, and through the favor of Congress, procured him a commission 

 as captain of artillerj^, and on his arrival he was forwarded at once to 

 General Washington. Death of his dear Mrs. Roberdeau has been 

 such a source of affliction that he will not attempt to send any news. 

 A. L. S. I p. • VI, I. 



From G. B. [David Hartley]. 1777. May 2. London. 



Impossibility of reconciliation between Great Britain and America 

 on the terms proposed ; possibility of establishing peace ; the admission of 

 American independence an absolutely necessary preliminary. A. L. S. 

 2 p. VI, 2. 



Printed in Hale's Franklin in France, I, 148. 



From The Continental Congress, Committee of Foreign Affairs, to 

 The American Commissioners. 1777. May 2. Philadelphia. 



Necessity of interesting the French in the American trade. Falsehoods 

 of the English press. Present favorable condition in America. A. L. 

 S. Benj[amin] Harrison, Rob[er]t Morris, Tho[ma]s Hayward, 

 James Lovell. 4 p. (In duplicate. In the second copy the signature 

 of Jo[h]n Witherspoon is added.) LIII, 38. 



Printed in Diplora. Corres., Wharton, II, 313. 



From Goueslard de Champigny. 1777. May 3. Paris. 



Concerning his proposal to bring over skilled workmen and establish 

 a foundry for making fire-arms and cannon. A. L. S. 3 p. (In 

 French.) LX, 98. 



From W[illia]m Carmichael. 1777. May 3. Nantes. 



Cannot go with Mr. Lee or any individual to Berlin without being 

 jointly employed by the representatives of America; his sole view in 

 wishing his appointment as secretary is that he may feel himself a 

 servant of the public and not of any individual ; offers to bear the ex- 

 pense himself. A. L. S. 2 p. VI, 3. 



From Tho[ma]s Morris. 1777. May 3. Nantes. 



Arrival of Capt. John Robarts, of the schooner Mary ,from Charles- 

 town; V^^illiam Machmaster, one of the sailors, detained a prisoner in 

 Nantes, charged with having drowned one John Hoggins belonging to 

 the same vessel; they were both drunk at the time. A. L. S. 2 p. 



VI, 4. 



2 — 16 



