own country, but as the
terms have not been particularly considered, I must defer any thing
further on this subject for the present, hourly in hopes of some
explicit intelligence from the honorable Congress. You have the good
wishes of every one here. Chevalier de Chastellier desires me this
instant to write down his compliments to Dr Franklin, and with
pleasure I say, the being known to be his friend, is one of the best
recommendations a man can wish to have in France, and will introduce
him when titles fail.

S. D.

FOOTNOTES:

[2] Missing

[3] Missing

* * * * *

FROM CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS TO THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.

Translation.

Paris, August 18th, 1776.

Gentlemen,

The respectful esteem that I bear towards that brave people, who so
well defend their liberty under your conduct, has induced me to form a
plan concurring in this great work, by establishing an extensive
commercial house, solely for the purpose of serving you in Europe,
there to supply you with necessaries of every sort, to furnish you
expeditiously and certainly with all articles, clothes, linens,
powder, ammunition, muskets, cannon, or even gold for the payment of
your troops, and in general every thing that can be useful for the
honorable war in which you are engaged. Your deputies, gentlemen,
will find in me a sure friend, an asylum in my house, money in my
coffers, and every means of facilitating their operations, whether of
a public or secret nature. I will if possible remove all obstacles
that may oppose your wishes, from the politics of Europe.

At this very time, and without waiting for any answer from you, I have
procured for you about two hundred pieces of brass cannon, four
pounders, which will be sent to you by the nearest way, 200,000 lbs of
cannon powder, 20,000 excellent fusils, some brass mortars, bombs,
cannon balls, bayonets, platines, clothes, linens, &c. for the
clothing of your troops, and lead for musket balls. An officer of the
greatest merit for artillery and genius, accompanied by lieutenants,
officers, artillerists, cannoniers, &c. whom we think necessary for
the service, will go for Philadelphia, even before you have received
my first despatches. This gentleman is one of the greatest presents
that my attachment can offer yo