1To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 6 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Gentleman who will deliver you this was as I understand sent by Congress to General Washington. He was to have given specimens of his abilities as Engineer and been recommended accordingly. Whether He is a great Engineer or no I cannot pretend to say, as He has had no fair opportunity of displaying his talents. The few small works He has thrown up have been in...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière, 11[–20] November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives Me voici enfin au comble de mes souhait, puisque depuis deux jours je suis sur votre continent, et à même de pouvoir parvenir jusqu’à vous sous peu à Philadelphie, sans avoir à courir les risques que j’ai couru depuis mon départ de St. Pierre, ainsi que vous le pourrez voir en parcourant la lettre cy-jointe pour mon fils. Je vous aurai, monsieur, la plus grande...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 15 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; duplicate: Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, West Berlin Since I received your kind lettre dated Marsch 18, 1774, great things have happened, of which your country is the theatre. That country is become the seat of horror and bloodshed, which I took to be the seat of tranquillity and happiness, and which I was formerly much inclined to chuse as a...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Wayne, 15 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yesterday An express Arrived here from Albany giving Intelligence that Gene. Howe with the British fleet and army had passed Kings Bridge and from Appearances seemed as if he Intended to penetrate into Jersey or proceed up the Hudson’s River the truth of this you will know much better than we at this Distance. However Genl. St. Clair with the first...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 28 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives Les occasions de vous assurer de mes sentiments invariables pour vous Monsieur et cher confrere, me sont toujour infiniment pretieuses. Je profite en consequence et avec empressement du depart de M. le chevalier de Preudhomme de Borre pour avoir l’honneur de vous ecrire et pour vous dire combien j’aÿ eté enchanté d’apprendre qu’au...
6From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Nathan Rumsey, [9 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Wind being favorable for Capt. Wicks has prevented my Setting out for Quiberon Bay this morning as proposed, least my Journey should be in vain; but should he not be in by tomorrow morning, think of setting out. Mr. Penet and Self beg your Excuse for not attending to dine with You, but our Letters intended for Cap. Rawlins hope will plead our Excuse, as...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Jean François Ubetius, 10 December 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Turin, December 10, 1776, in French: I met you several times in London, some seven years ago, and now take the liberty of writing to recommend the bearer, Thomas Negroni, who has a burning desire to serve the colonies on his own. He comes from a good family in the Duchy of Milan, and his zeal and courage in emigrating to America entitle him to be...
9To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutchinson, [12 December? 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are Just proceeding to sea with a fair Wind, which we hope may continue, and carry us safely out of the Bay of Biscay; your dispatches I received from Mr. Pennet and shall not fail to take Care of them should we arrive in Philadelphia, and on the other hand should we be so unfortunate as to fall into the hands of any of the Piratical Cruisers of Britain...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Augustin Mottin de la Balme, 14 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Au moment ou je me rejouissois d’avoir en mains deux letters de recommandation pour vous remettre a philadelphie, la renommée qui precède vos pas m’a appris votre arrivee a nante ou dit-ons vous devez sejourner. Frustrés de mon Esperance souffrés que j’aie L’honneur de vous Les Envoyer et vous prier de vouloir bien reparer un peu la perte que je crois faire...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Lestarjette, [before 15 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of offering you my best Services in this kingdom being extremely well versed in both English, and French languages, especially in the French as my mother tongue and brought up in the College of the four Nations at Paris where I was eight Years. Capn. Cochran and myself married two Sisters in South Carolina. I came over with him in the...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Frédéric Bedaulx, 16 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bedaulx (1752–79/80) appeared in passing in the previous volume, as the carrier of a letter to Franklin from Nicholas Barker of Rotterdam. He was a Swiss soldier of fortune, the scion of an old family. “Je n’ay ni Seigneurie, ni titres a lui laisser,” his mother wrote to Franklin, “mais seulement une suit d’ayeux de noble et bonne race qu’il ne dementira...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 16 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
I was distres’d at your leveing us but as affairs have turned out I have bles’d God you were absent, and we have Reason to hope you are saif arived at your Port. On hearing the Enemy were advancing to wards us we thought it nesesary to Retire to this place where we hope we are saif and are very Comfortable. I have another mercy to be thankfull for which has given grate ease to my mind, the...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Thicknesse, 16 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Being one of the indirect sufferers in the Cause of American liberty, I hope will plead my excuse in takeing this; My private misfortunes Sir fell upon me, for speaking, and sometimes writing, my honest sentiments, relative to your public ones. But I will not trouble you with the sorrows of an Individual, who I hope has the charge, and will protect...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 17 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Est-il bien vrai que vous soyiez arrivé? Puis-je le croire? Oui, car ni la mer, ni ses fatigues, ni ses dangers, ne sont rien aux yeux de l’homme vertueux et rare, qui ne vit que pour faire du bien au genre humain. Soyez donc mille fois le bien venu, et souffrez qu’en idée je vous embrasse de tout mon...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Barthélémy Gruel, 17 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Guerton directeur general des fermes, se presenta un instant aprés votre depart pour avoir l’honneur de prendre congé de vous, et de vous remettre une Lettre pour Mr. Roslin dont il avoit eté question dans la conversation que vous eûtes ensemble à la Barberie. Il m’a prié de vous l’envoyer, en consequence j’ay l’honneur de vous la remettre sous ce ply....
17To Benjamin Franklin from Gruel, 18 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay eû l’honneur de vous ecrire le 16: Courant, et de vous informer de l’arrivée en cette rivierre du navire la concorde Capitaine. Mr. harris. Monsieur de Basmarein, frere de mon neveu, qui etoit venu de Bordeaux pour vous presenter ses devoirs, aura l’honneur de vous remettre la presente; pourois-je esperer, Monsieur, que vous voudrés bien luy permettre...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Bérard Frères & Cie., 20 December 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, December 20, 1776, in English: When our friends in Nantes told us of your arrival with a consignment of tobacco, we ordered them to buy it if for sale. Your agent cannot treat, they tell us, “without your answer expected.” We will give you the best bargain you can anticipate. You may find out about our firm from Germany, Girardot & Cie. or Tourton...
19To Benjamin Franklin from [the Comte de Lauraguais?], [before 21 December? 1776] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society I congratulate your arrival with an intelligence of the first moment, which you will apply with your wonted caution. Mr. de morande is secretary to m. beaumarchais, and brother to a refugee of the same name in London, lately acquitted in the Kings bench , of a suit by the chev. d’Eon, and known by every body to be a man a tout faire . There is also m. Charles...
20The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
21To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry Hugh Fergusson], [21 December? 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Fergusson presents compliments and wishes all happiness to doctor Franklin. He takes the liberty to send this card to doctor Franklin, to congratulate him on his safe arrival in Paris. Mr. Fergusson would be much obliged to doctor Franklin could he condescend to name an day and an hour when Mr. Fergusson could have the honour to personaly pay his...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Gruel, 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai pris la liberté de vous ecrire par M. de Basmarein frere de mon neveu. Je luy ai recommandé de vous presenter ma lettre sitôt son arrivée a Paris. J’ose esperer, Monsieur, que vous trouverés bon qu’il profite de vos bontés, et qu’il vous assure quelque fois de ses respects pendant le sejour qu’il fera en la capitalle. J’ay eû l’honneur de vous informer...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Gabriel Montaudoüin de la Touche, 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici une lettre qui m’a êté addressée pour vous de Bordeaux. Je suis bien fâché que vôtre depart m’ait privë du plaisir de vous avoir a diner, comme vous m’en aviés flatté. C’eut êté une grande satisfaction, et un grand honneur pour moi. J’espere que quelque bonne circonstance nous procurera l’avantage de vous revoir dans nôtre bonne ville. Vous avés vû...
24To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I take the earliest Opportunity of expressing my sincere Congratulations on your safe Arrival in France. An Event of the greatest Importance to all America, and particularly regarding your own personal Safety; As the Resentment of your and our Country’s Enemies is not in the least abated, and They would have exceedingly rejoiced, If one of their Cruizers had...
25Barbeu-Dubourg: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [after 21 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society M. D. propose a Messieurs F. D. et L. de leur faire des avances soit de draps, soit de fusils (du modele de 1763, controllés et tirés des propres magazins du Roy) pour la valeur de trois cent mille livres tournois, a condition que ces Messieurs lui fourniront en retour des tabacs de Virginie et de Mariland pour pareille somme, bien entendu que les achats...
26To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Estaing, [after 21 December 1776 and before 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. le Comte destaing est venut pour avoire l’honneur de voire Mr. franklin et luy demandere sy y pouras avoire un Momant deudiance [d’audience] demain sur les 9 h. edemie 10 h. du matin. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Docteur, ancien membre / Du Congrés Général Des états unis de / L’amerique, en son hotel / A Paris . Charles-Henri, comte d’Estaing...
27To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kermorvan, [after 21 December 1776 and before 27 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Instruit par le public du passage de mon frere vers les insurgens vos Compatriotes; j’ai ecri a Messieurs De Montaudoüin freres Negotians a Nantes pour me faire part si il etoit vrai qu’il eût passé a L’amerique sur leurs vaisseaux, et m’informer, s’il etoit possible, de son existence ou de sa mort; ils m’ont repondû que Reccomendé par vous lors de votre...
28To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 22 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can hardly express my surprise on first hearing of your arrival, And Altho’ motives are here assigned for your Journey which I will not beleive unless you Confirm them yourself, That safety is your object, and I will only believe you, because I think you one of the few Politicians, to whom Lying will be unnecessary. Be that as it will, my hypothesis is...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, [23 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’espere que vous aurez eu un heureux voyage jusques à Paris, et je l’apprendrai avec la plus grande satisfaction. Je regrette infiniment de n’avoir pu avoir celle de vous rendre plus souvent mes devoirs icy. Maintenant j’ai l’honneur de vous écrire la presente pour vous faire part de l’arrivée icy du Navire La fanny Cap. Tokely chargé pour compte des Etats...
30To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Courtanvaux, [24 December, 31, or 7 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le marquis de Courtanvaux envoye sçavoir des nouvelles de Monsieur francklein et l’assurer de son respect il espert avoir l’honneur de l’aller voir l’un de ces jours. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur francklein / a l’hotel d’antragues / rue de l’Université The soldier turned scientist who had entertained BF during an earlier visit to Paris: above, XV , 34. A...