3i6 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From Rod[olp]h Valltravers. 1777. December 4. Mannheim. 



The bearer is Mr. David, the Elector Palatine's Secretary of the Em- 

 bassy. Cannot, in a letter, enter into the result of his private inquiries, 

 made in Switzerland and at the Courts of Baden and Mannheim, as to 

 the possibility of their intercession with the King of England in favor 

 of the Colonies, all Europe cries shame on Great Britain; advisability 

 of some trusted person high in the King's opinion, such as M. du Luc, 

 broaching the subject to him privately; quotes precedents to prove this 

 method a successful one. Concerning the preliminary concessions to be 

 made on both sides. A. L. S. 4 p. VII, 130. 



From [Conrad Alexandre] Gerard [de Rayneval] to The Ameri- 

 can Commissioners. 1777. December 5. Paris. 



Begging Messrs. Franklin, Deane and Lee to name an hour when he 

 may wait upon them. L. i p. (In French.) VII, 131^. 



From Du Boisviolette, Genevois & Co. 1777. December 6. Nantes. 



Their ship bound for Virginia with a cargo of salt; their pilot is Mr. 

 Joseph Price, from Philadelphia, who is returning to America after 

 being a prisoner in England for six months. Desires to know the sig- 

 nals to be used off the coast of America; unknown to Franklin but sends 

 references. A. L. S. i p. VII, 132. 



From Le Brun. 1777. December 6. Paris. 



Reminds Franklin that his letters to Messrs. La Goaner, of 

 Corunna, were to be sent under his cover, for fear of interception; un- 

 easy on account of Franklin's silence; begs to know if he has written 

 direct or not at all. A. L. S. 2 p. VII, 133. 



From Jos[eph] Hammond. 1777. December 6. St. Malo. 



Begging Franklin to write M. Duparny to supply him with the 

 money he promised ; desires to be paid from the time of his engagement 

 and receive two months' advance. A. L. S. 2 p. VII, 134. 



From W. Moran. 1777. December 6. Dunkirk. 



Sailed from Philadelphia in February as first lieutenant on board the 

 Hornet, a Continental sloop commanded by John Nicholson, Esq., now 

 in Forton prison; he made his escape from prison with five others; 



