312 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From [C. G. F.] Dumas to The American Commissioners. 

 1777. November 25. The Hague. 



Congratulating them on the safe arrival, at Nantes, of the Amphitrite. 

 Understands that the King of P[russia] has refused passage to English 

 troops en route to America. Certainty of a war between Russia and 

 Turkey. Second letter on English credit to be printed at once. Ac- 

 count of a conversation he had with a great lady, a friend of Sir Joseph 

 Yorke, concerning the latter's irritation against him for his espousal of 

 the American cause. Information received which leads him to believe 

 that the United States could obtain men, for their army and navy, more 

 cheaply from Poland than any other nation. Has translated the ex- 

 tracts for Mr. Lee and sent him the various gazettes. A. L. S. 2 p. 

 (In French.) XXXIX, 19. 



From T. and N. Eckhardt. 1777. November 25. The Hague. 



Asking Franklin to subscribe to a work containing a description of 

 an instrument invented by them. Encloses a memoir on the capstan, a 

 marvelous invention; also begs his acceptance of a new fabric of their 

 own make. A statement of the advantages of the capstan. A. L. S. 

 6 p. (In French.) VII, 119. 



From Due de la Rochefoucauld. 

 1777. November 26. La Rocheguyon. 



Heard with pleasure of the arrival of the Amphitrite with the good 

 news. The King of England, in his harangue, seems to consider the 

 American war as difficult, but not impossible, if Parliament will grant 

 him large subsidies; likens him to La Fontaine's fable of "The Serpent 

 and the File." Certain ideas on the circulation of air. Impatient to 

 see Franklin and render him the homage of his veneration and attach- 

 ment. A. L S. 3 p. (In French.) VII, 120. 



From de Burckwald. 1777. November 27. Strasbourg. 



Applies to Franklin on behalf of a young man who desires a lieuten- 

 ancy in the American army. A. L. S. i p. (In French.) VII, 121. 



From W[illia]m Bingham to The American Commissioners. 



1777. November 28. St. Pierre, Martinique. 



Congratulates them on the glorious success of the army under Gen- 

 eral Gates. General Howe said to be making his retreat towards Wil- 



