Letters to Benjamin Franklin 269 



From S[ilas] Deane. 1777. July 15. Paris. 



Enclosing a letter from Mr. [Arthur] Lee; the first he had heard of 

 Mr. Lee's misfortune; thinks it must be attended with serious conse- 

 quences. Invites Franklin to dinner the next day. A. L. S. i p. 



VI, 118. 



From Berthon [de Maisonneuve]. 1777. July 15, Brussels. 



A friend of Mr. Sayre's, who addressed a letter to him in Franklin's 

 care, wishes to know if it was forwarded. A. L. S. i p. (In French.) 



VI, 120. 



From ReculesdeBasmar in etRaimbaux. 1777. July 15. Bordeaux. 



Complaints against American captains have not been substantiated by 

 the facts ; probably the work of Royalists. Account of a battle at Bruns- 

 wick between Generals Washington and Putnam and Generals Howe 

 and Cornwallis, resulting in victory for the former. Other news, less 

 authentic, of the complete destruction of the united armies of Howe and 

 Cornwallis. Quotes from a letter of Washington's to the people of the 

 neighboring provinces, urging them to enlist. A. L. S. 3 p. (In 

 French.) VI, 121. 



From Comte de Scordeck. 1777. July 15. Orleans. 



Sent Franklin on the 8th inst. an abstract of a military scheme which 

 will render the Americans victorious in two campaigns and will force 

 the English to renounce forever the conquest of Boston. L. S. I p. 

 (In French.) VI, 122. 



From Le Begue de Presle. 1777. July 16. Paris. 



Concerning a strange occurrence caused by thunder w^hich happened 

 at Purfleet ; the facts in the case communicated to the Academy. Wishes 

 for news of his brother who crossed the sea to join Washington's army; 

 encloses a letter for him. A work on electricity by M. Cavallo. Gives 

 a long quotation in Latin from Nathaniel Hulme's History of a Person 

 Afflicted with Stone. A. L. S. 3 p. (In French.) VI, 123. 



From Comte de Vergennes to Franklin and Deane. 



1777- J'jly 16. Versailles. 

 Complains that the American privateers take refuge in the French 

 ports; this constitutes a breach of their treaty with England, which 



