hide Matching Documents

The documents where this entity occurs most often are shown below. Click on a document to open it.

Document Max. Freq Min. Freq
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing) 25 1 Browse Search
View all matching documents...

Browsing named entities in Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing). You can also browse the collection for Pierre Augutstin caron de Beaumarchais or search for Pierre Augutstin caron de Beaumarchais in all documents.

Your search returned 13 results in 3 document sections:

Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Beaumarchais, Pierre Augutstin caron de, 1732- (search)
Beaumarchais, Pierre Augutstin caron de, 1732- Author; born in Paris, Jan. 24, 1732; the son of a watch-maker. In 1761 he purchased a commission as secretary to the King, a sinecure which conferred noble rank on its possessor, and the name of Beaumarchais, which he had assumed, was legally confirmed. Entering into mercantileBeaumarchais, which he had assumed, was legally confirmed. Entering into mercantile speculations, he soon acquired a large fortune. He was the author of the famous play, the Barber of Seville. In September 1775, he submitted a memorial to the French monarch, in which he insisted upon the necessity of the French government's secretly aiding the English-American colonies; and as agent of his government he passedins, he was compelled to leave the country, and his property was confiscated. He was finally permitted to return to France, but could not recover his wealth. Beaumarchais lived in comparative poverty until May 18, 1799, when he was found dead in his bed, having died of apoplexy. A suit which he had commenced against the United
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Deane, Silas, 1737-1789 (search)
gainst him. Deane published in the Philadelphia Gazette an Address to the people of the United States, in which he referred to the brothers Lee with much severity, and claimed for himself the credit of obtaining supplies from France through Beaumarchais. Thomas Paine (q. v.), then secretary of the committee on foreign affairs, replied to Deane (Jan. 2, 1779), availing himself of public documents in his charge. In that reply he declared that the arrangement had been made by Arthur Lee, in Lo exposed the duplicity of his government, and to soothe the feelings of their allies, Congress, by resolution, expressly denied that any gratuity had been received from the French Court previous to the treaty of alliance. This resolution gave Beaumarchais a valid claim upon Congress for payment for supplies which he, under the firm name of Hortales & Co., had sent to America (see Beaumarchais, Pierre Augustin). Paine's indiscretion cost him his place. He was compelled to resign his secretarysh
Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), France, early relations with. (search)
he transaction, gave it a mercantile feature, by having Beaumarchais transmit the supplies under the fictitious firm-name of He was received kindly by Vergennes, and introduced to Beaumarchais. It was agreed that Hortales & Co. should send the supAmerican products. When the arrangement was completed, Beaumarchais despatched vessels from time to time, with valuable car had been a merchant, and managed the transactions with Beaumarchais. Out of these transactions grew much embarrassment, ch led Congress to believe that the supplies forwarded by Beaumarchais were gratuities of the French monarch. This belief prehat the King had furnished nothing; he simply permitted Beaumarchais to be provided with articles from the arsenals upon conry stores as a present from the Court of France. Then Beaumarchais claimed payment from the Congress for every article he payment by the United States government to the heirs of Beaumarchais of over $200,000. On May 4, 1778, the Continental Co