Julien Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir
Encyclopedia
Julien Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir (10 May 1749 Passais
-la-Conception - 1783) was a secret French envoy to the American colonies, in 1775.
and Normandy
was divided into three branches: Achard de Bonvouloir, vente and Achard de Leluardière. The eldest Achard had the right to lead the Bishop of Angoulême for saving the city from the infidels. The Achard also fought against the Saracens, a cross commemorates this battle; on it was recorded "The Achard, the Tison, the neighbor across the country have driven the Saracens.
His brother was Luc René Charles Achard de Bonvouloir
Bonvouloir was a 'prodigal son'. He had immigrated to St. Domingue, where he volunteered in the Régiment du Cap
:fr:Régiment du Cap. He traveled in America and then went to London. He mainly wanted recognition for his efforts, and hoped to become a commissioned officer. He had no espionage experience, and did not speak English.
, the French ambassador to the Court of St. James's, proposed him for the mission: he had recently returned from America, and was willing to undertake a secret mission for 200 louis d'or.
The foreign minister Vergennes
gave him detailed instructions. He was not to represent himself as an official agent of France, with the cover as an 'Antwerp merchant'. He could not make any commitments, but rather assure the Americans of French sympathy. He was to tell the Americans that the French had no designs on Canada, and hint that French ports would be open to trade. He was to contact Benjamin Franklin
, who had visited Paris in the 1760s.
.
Bonvouloir contacted Daymon. When the librarian told Franklin about the encounter, Franklin was wary: this could be a British spy; however, after some further deliberation, felt the benefits justified the risks. In spite of Bonvouloir's fervent disavowals, it was clear he was acting on the orders of the French government.
would meet with him. Carpenter's Hall was chosen for a night-time rendezvous that would involve only four men: Franklin, fellow committee-member John Jay
, Francis Daymon and Bonvouloir. A larger group would only attract unwanted attention. Daymon was needed to act as an interpreter. Franklin was far from fluent in French at the time, and it was important that no misunderstandings arise. There were three long meetings, between December 18 and 27, 1775.
Franklin's house on High Street was only about a block from the hall. The second floor of Carpenter's Hall was divided into two large rooms. The east room housed the Library Company's books, where the library directors met, while the west room was home to its many scientific devices and equipment.
John Jay later recalled Achard de Bonvouloir as an "elderly, lame gentleman, having the appearance of an old, wounded French officer."
He rigidly adhered to his instructions: "I made them no offer, absolutely none." But Franklin and Jay assumed that he was a French agent. They wanted to know if France would aid America, and at what price. He said yes, France might come to the rebels' aid, but he did not know what the conditions would be; he promised to forward the request for military engineers. They asked about the possibility of obtaining arms and munitions, in exchange for American commercial goods. He stressed the French government would not take part in such transactions, but business would be outsourced by private French merchants.
Franklin and Jay were encouraged that France was interested in helping the American cause. The secret Committee of Correspondence was encouraged by the meetings, and on March 2, 1776, they appointed Connecticut lawyer and revolutionary leader Silas Deane
as a special envoy to negotiate in Paris with the French government.
This was an exaggeration: Washington's Continental Army
never had more than 18,000 to 20,000 men at a time, and usually the figures were much lower; the troops were badly paid, badly clothed, and had to endure periods of sickness and semi-starvation.
Passais
Passais is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France....
-la-Conception - 1783) was a secret French envoy to the American colonies, in 1775.
Family
His ancient family from PoitouPoitou
Poitou was a province of west-central France whose capital city was Poitiers.The region of Poitou was called Thifalia in the sixth century....
and Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
was divided into three branches: Achard de Bonvouloir, vente and Achard de Leluardière. The eldest Achard had the right to lead the Bishop of Angoulême for saving the city from the infidels. The Achard also fought against the Saracens, a cross commemorates this battle; on it was recorded "The Achard, the Tison, the neighbor across the country have driven the Saracens.
His brother was Luc René Charles Achard de Bonvouloir
Bonvouloir was a 'prodigal son'. He had immigrated to St. Domingue, where he volunteered in the Régiment du Cap
Troupes de marine
The or Infanterie de marine, formerly Troupes coloniales, are an arm of the French Army with a colonial heritage. The Troupes de marine have a dedicated overseas service role. Despite their title they have been a part of the Army since 1958...
:fr:Régiment du Cap. He traveled in America and then went to London. He mainly wanted recognition for his efforts, and hoped to become a commissioned officer. He had no espionage experience, and did not speak English.
Vergennes' Instructions
Adrien-Louis de Bonnières, duc de GuînesAdrien-Louis de Bonnières, duc de Guînes
Adrien-Louis de Bonnières, comte then duc de Guînes was a French nobleman at the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, whose favourite he was...
, the French ambassador to the Court of St. James's, proposed him for the mission: he had recently returned from America, and was willing to undertake a secret mission for 200 louis d'or.
The foreign minister Vergennes
Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes
Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes was a French statesman and diplomat. He served as Foreign Minister from 1774 during the reign of Louis XVI, notably during the American War of Independence....
gave him detailed instructions. He was not to represent himself as an official agent of France, with the cover as an 'Antwerp merchant'. He could not make any commitments, but rather assure the Americans of French sympathy. He was to tell the Americans that the French had no designs on Canada, and hint that French ports would be open to trade. He was to contact Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, who had visited Paris in the 1760s.
Mission
He set sail for America on September 8, 1775. It was a rough crossing, the journey took twice as long as usual. He had one acquaintance, who might provide access to Franklin: Francis Daymon was a merchant who had been born in Paris and immigrated to Philadelphia, where he married an American. Daymon spoke English well and supplemented his income by tutoring people in French. And he was a part-time librarian, with Franklin's Library Company of PhiladelphiaLibrary Company of Philadelphia
The Library Company of Philadelphia is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by Benjamin Franklin as a library, the Library Company of Philadelphia has accumulated one of the most significant collections of historically valuable manuscripts and printed material in...
.
Bonvouloir contacted Daymon. When the librarian told Franklin about the encounter, Franklin was wary: this could be a British spy; however, after some further deliberation, felt the benefits justified the risks. In spite of Bonvouloir's fervent disavowals, it was clear he was acting on the orders of the French government.
Meetings
It was agreed that members of the Committee of CorrespondenceCommittee of correspondence
The Committees of Correspondence were shadow governments organized by the Patriot leaders of the Thirteen Colonies on the eve of American Revolution. They coordinated responses to Britain and shared their plans; by 1773 they had emerged as shadow governments, superseding the colonial legislature...
would meet with him. Carpenter's Hall was chosen for a night-time rendezvous that would involve only four men: Franklin, fellow committee-member John Jay
John Jay
John Jay was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, a Founding Father of the United States, and the first Chief Justice of the United States ....
, Francis Daymon and Bonvouloir. A larger group would only attract unwanted attention. Daymon was needed to act as an interpreter. Franklin was far from fluent in French at the time, and it was important that no misunderstandings arise. There were three long meetings, between December 18 and 27, 1775.
Franklin's house on High Street was only about a block from the hall. The second floor of Carpenter's Hall was divided into two large rooms. The east room housed the Library Company's books, where the library directors met, while the west room was home to its many scientific devices and equipment.
John Jay later recalled Achard de Bonvouloir as an "elderly, lame gentleman, having the appearance of an old, wounded French officer."
He rigidly adhered to his instructions: "I made them no offer, absolutely none." But Franklin and Jay assumed that he was a French agent. They wanted to know if France would aid America, and at what price. He said yes, France might come to the rebels' aid, but he did not know what the conditions would be; he promised to forward the request for military engineers. They asked about the possibility of obtaining arms and munitions, in exchange for American commercial goods. He stressed the French government would not take part in such transactions, but business would be outsourced by private French merchants.
Franklin and Jay were encouraged that France was interested in helping the American cause. The secret Committee of Correspondence was encouraged by the meetings, and on March 2, 1776, they appointed Connecticut lawyer and revolutionary leader Silas Deane
Silas Deane
Silas Deane was an American merchant, politician and diplomat. Originally a supporter of American independence Deane served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and then as the United States' first foreign diplomat when he travelled to France to lobby the French government for aid...
as a special envoy to negotiate in Paris with the French government.
Reports
As soon as the meetings were over, Achard de Bonvouloir sent messages back to France. On December 28, he penned an account of both the clandestine encounters at Carpenter's Hall, and his impressions of the general situation:As I expected I found this country in an incredible turmoil. The Confederates [rebels] are preparing themselves extensively for the coming spring and despite the severity of the season, they continue the fight. They besieged Montreal, which surrendered, and are presently close to Quebec, which I think will do the same soon... They are well entrenched near Boston... They have an unbelievable eagerness and goodwill: it is true they are led by capable people.
Everyone here is a soldier, the troops are well clothed, well paid and well armed. They have more than 50,000 regular soldiers and an even larger number of volunteers who do not wish to be paid. Judge how men of this caliber will fight. They are more powerful than we could have thought, beyond imagination powerful; you will be astonished by it. Nothing shocks or frightens them, you can count on that. Independency is a certainty for 1776; there will be no drawing back...
This was an exaggeration: Washington's Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
never had more than 18,000 to 20,000 men at a time, and usually the figures were much lower; the troops were badly paid, badly clothed, and had to endure periods of sickness and semi-starvation.