Letters to Benjamin Franklin 313 



mington to embark on his transports, and that several frigates have 

 been sunk or destroyed in endeavoring to raise the chevaux de frise in 

 the Delaware. Impossible to foretell the effect of this important intelli- 

 gence on the politics of Europe. Hopes that the Court of France may 

 be influenced by it to take a more decisive part in our favor. The orders 

 of the Ministry in regard to American privateers and prizes and the 

 restriction of American trade have lately been notified to the Chamber 

 of Commerce here, and their execution enacted under great penalties, 

 but he does not believe they will be enforced with any degree of rigor. 

 Thinks it is only a political stroke. The arrival of the troops destined 

 for these islands, and the Spanish galleon in Spain are the real motives 

 for retarding their hostile operations. The troops have arrived and he 

 is informed that the galleon is to sail in the beginning of December, 

 and that the specie, amounting to fifteen million Sterling, has been 

 deposited on board twenty-two ships of the line. A. L. S. 6 p. 



VII, 106. 



. From W[illia]m Bingham. 1777. November 28. St. Pierre. 



Copy of letter, VII, 106, with an added note that General Howe is 

 retreating and Washington is in quiet possession of Philadelphia. A. L. 



S. 4 p. VII, 122. 



From Sellouf Perrontray [?]. 1777. November 29. Paris. 



Desired by Messrs. Fairholme and Luther, of St. Martin, to forward 

 this enclosed letter. L. S. i p. VII, 123. 



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



1777. November 30. Nantes. 



The agreeable news of General Burgoyne's surrender with his entire 

 army; for all the particulars, refers them to Mr. Austin. A. L. S. 

 2 p. XXXVII, 121. 



From Joseph Campagnoni. 1777. November 30. Lugo. 



Desires to dedicate, to Franklin, a small volume of verse, entitled, 

 " II Washington " ; the subject is the present war but so handled as to 

 be favorable to America and at the same time to give no offense to Eng- 

 land. A. L. S. 2 p. (In French.) VII, 124. 



