Letters to Benjamin Franklin 443 



From Fran[ci]s Coffyn to The American Commissioners. 

 1778. June 18. Dunkirk. 



Desires an answer to his letter of the 8th inst. Concerning the two 

 vessels now being fitted out for America, which will carry letters and 

 any news they may care to send. Contradictory reports as to the where- 

 abouts of the English squadron. Certain American seamen who are 

 in distress and claim protection; advises their being helped, otherwise 

 they are sure to go over to Great Britain. A. L. S. 3 p. X, 45. 



From Victoire Laubertie. 1778. June 18. Brunswick. 



Concerning Colonel de Donap who, before his death, sent to one 

 of his friends at Kassel, 8,000 ecus to be placed to the credit of his 

 children, who are also hers and whom he legitimatized before his depart- 

 ure for America; this sum of money detained by the Council of War 

 at Kassel ; begs Franklin to find out if Colonel de Donap did not leave 

 a will in America iil favor of his children, in order that they may not 

 be deprived of all his effects. A. L. S. 3 p. (In French.) X, 46. 



From Fran[ci]s Coffyn to The American Commissioners. 



1778. June 19. Dunkirk. 



From certain reports, believes that Admiral Keppel's squadron was 

 seen off Portland the 15th inst. Rumor that Lord Byron's squadron 

 sailed from Plymouth the loth inst. Refusal of a French vessel to 

 carry to America, as passenger, James Bearus who was wounded while 

 on board the Lexington. A. L. S. 2 p. X, 47. 



From James Lovell. 1778. June 20. Yorktown. 



Forgot to forward the Resolve of May 5th with the ratifications of 

 the treaties. The American troops entered Philadelphia on the i8th; 

 the intention of the enemy in evacuating it not yet explained. Com- 

 missioners will be particularly nominated to transact affairs at Lisbon 

 and The Hague, if those courts are well-disposed toward America. 

 A. L. S. 2 p. X, 48. 



From The Continental Congress, Committee of Foreign Affairs, to 



The American Commissioners. 1778. June 21. Yorktown. 

 Arrrival of the British Commissioners; an answer to their propositions 

 is printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette of the 20th inst. General 



