1Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Of the accounts that we discussed at the beginning of the French period, the following are still applicable: I, III, V–VIII, XI. Four new ones apply to this and succeeding volumes: XII. An account of payments or loans from the French government, February 28, 1778, to July 5, 1782: Harvard University Library. 1 p. The entries, aside from a note on the Dutch loan in 1781, are transcribed from an...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 1 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make bold to recommend to you the bearer, who is a Clergyman of my country. He has received a letter from Ireland to be forwarded to Albany in North America, and is charged at the same time to have the answer directed to him in Paris. Will you be so kind as to let him know, how he is to send off this letter? I think it may be by means of some Merchant in...
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous communiquer une lettre ecrite de Bowood-Park, sur le dernier tour d’adresse que mr. B. Wilson a fait voir a la cour de Londres dans le Pantheon. Mon correspondant, dont je vous ai montré une lettre la semaine derniere, me charge expressement de vous faire part de celle cy, et de vous presenter ses respectueuses civilités. Il voudroit...
4Joshua Johnson to the American Commissioners, 2 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I propose to fit out two or three Vessells on my return to England and send to Lisbon, to Load with Salt which I purpose to send from thence to some one of the United Colonies in America. I therefore humbly solicit your Pasports to protect the said Vessells from being Captured by the American Cruizers and to enable me with more security to throw in supplies...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 2 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The first letter about commission-seekers in the present volume happens to be this note from Dubourg. Hence we reverse our previous procedure and summarize first the recommendations from others and then the letters from those who sought posts for themselves. At the end of each group we include undated and undatable applications, arranged alphabetically, on...
6From Benjamin Franklin to [Barbeu-Dubourg], [after 2 October? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress You know, my dear Friend, that I am not capable of refusing you any Thing in my Power, which would be a real Kindness to you or any Friend of yours: But when I am certain that what you request would be directly the contrary, I ought to refuse it. I know that Officers going to America for Employment will probably be disappointed: That our armies are...
7Edward Bancroft to the American Commissioners, 3 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bancroft was beginning to find a spy’s life hard on the nerves. In July, worried because the British kept the originals of some letters he had stolen, he made new financial demands on them. By the beginning of August he was urging Wentworth to look after his interests, “which, till lately, he never shewed much anxiety about, and indeed seemed to be quite...
8From Benjamin Franklin to [Lebègue de Presle], 4 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Facsimile: Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I am much oblig’d by your Communication of the Letter from England. I am of your Opinion that a Translation of it will not be proper for Publication here. Our Friend’s Expressions concerning Mr. Wilson will be thought too angry to be made use of by one Philosopher when speaking of another; and on a philosophical Question. He seems...
9To Benjamin Franklin from John Thornton, 4 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The content of this letter is as puzzling as the writer. The reference to Dieppe indicates that he has recently come from England; he has already been in touch with Franklin, has told him his situation, and promises to call on him within a few days. But in the same breath he says that he is taking off tomorrow for Dijon, and then mentions “Swithzerland.”...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Yart: A Poem, 4 October 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society <Ecoüis, near Rouen, October 4, 1777, in French: The poem, of sixty-eight lines, is packed with fulsome praise. It describes the Americans as orphaned by Franklin’s absence, and assures them that “loin de l’amérique il la porte en son coeur.” Franklin then first addresses King Louis, adjuring him to avenge British insults and “à l’empire des lys, joins...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 5 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I suppose some of your kind Letters to me have miscarried, as I have received but one since my Arrival in France. I hope nevertheless that you continue well, and that you are still with my Children, especially as it is supposed that the Howes are gone to Boston, where you must have been again disturb’d if you had return’d thither. I enjoy here an exceeding...
12The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Maine Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We shall follow your example in confining this letter intirely to yours of May 26th. respecting the Loan, and Mode of raising it by appropriation of vacant lands. It remains doubtful yet whether there is any vacant land not included within some one of the thirteen states; And it...
13The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 6[–9] October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Maine Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) Since ours to you by return of the Packet from New Hamshire and duplicates by Mr. McCreary from Maryland, we have not written, nor have we received any of your favors during the last two months, except a letter of old date (Apr. 29th) signed by Mr. Deane and Doctr. Lee. Capt....
14Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir to the American Commissioners, 6 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Connecticut Historical Society We have the satisfaction to inform you of the arrival in this Road of two Continental fregattes one the Rolly of 32 Guns Capn. Thompson the other Alfred Capn: Hindman of 20 Guns. Both sailed from Portsmouth the 22d. of August last. They have brought under our Island of Groix two Jamaica Men belonging to London taken at the mouth of the channell one the...
15To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 6[–25] October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you lately by the way of Holland, and sent to the care of Mr. Sowden three anniversary sermons designed for Your Self, Mr. Deane and Mr. Lee. Hope you will receive them, but for fear lest it should be otherwise have sent three more on the same service. Pray you to forward Mr. Parker and Mr. Field’s letters by the first post to London; and Mr....
16The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Attested copy: Harvard University Library; copies: British Library (incomplete), National Archives (three), Sheffield City Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We received duly your Dispatches by Mr. McCrery, and Capt. Young, dated May 20 and 30. June 13, 18, and 26 and July 2. The Intelligence they contain is very particular and Satisfactory. It rejoices us to be informed that...
17From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I receiv’d your Favour (without Date) communicating a Method of Secret Writing, for which I am oblig’d to you. I have since receiv’d yours of July 4. I was very sensible before I left America, of the Inconveniencies attending the Employment of Foreign Officers, and therefore immediately on my Arrival here I gave all the Discouragement in my Power to their...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Paine: Extract, [7 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Packet , February 16, 1779. Our affairs, so far as they are connected with this country, are every day more promising. When Hynson stole the commissioners’ dispatches (below, pp. 48–49), he overlooked BF ’s private letters. Two of them, which have since disappeared, survive in brief extracts. This is one. In an open letter that attempted to lay the theft at Deane’s...
19To Benjamin Franklin from J. Bowman, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When dining at Passy some weeks ago I heard you mention that fixed Air had been used with success as a dissolvent in some Case or Cases of a Stone in the bladder. An Acquaintance of mine here desirous to try its power in some Cases now under his care wishes to collect every attainable information on the subject. I cannot doubt your contributing what you can...
20To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Condorcet, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez-moi de vous demander une Lettre de recommendation pour un jeune home qui se dispose à se rendre a Boston. C’est un avocat qui a des lumieres et du courage, et qui offre également aux américains son bras et sa plume. Tous ceux qui desesperent du Salut de L’Europe s’empressent de se retirer chez vous: il n’est permis de rester qu’à ceux qui...
21To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Ponteney, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society D’aprés les deux entretiens que j’ay eü avec vous, je me détermine a vous faire passer la notte cy jointe que je suis en état de fournir vous prévenant que si je dois traiter avec vous, qu’il est nécessaire que je sois prévenu pour que je puisse donner les ordres convenables pour remplir les engagemens que je pourrai prendre avec vous au tems désigné. Quant...
22[Silas Deane] to John Folger, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut Historical Society; Harvard University Library This letter set in motion a train of events that culminated in a theft even more sensational than that of Arthur Lee’s papers in Berlin. Folger was one of two John Folgers of Nantucket who were Franklin’s distant relatives; which one is uncertain. He landed in England in May from a voyage to the Falkland Islands, he said, and...
23To Benjamin Franklin from John James Doerner, 8 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Doerner just arrived from London tho’ unknown to Doctor Franklin begs leave to present his Respects to Him, and takes the liberty to trouble the Doctor with the enclosed for Sir James Jae (an acquaintance of Doerner’s) that he may be pleased to forward it to Him to Spa in Germany where he understands Sir James at present is, if the Doctor is in...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Doerner, 8 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Comte François d’Harcourt, Paris (1984) Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Doerner, and returns the Letter undirected, as he knows not Sir James Jay’s Address: but supposes that if he is at Spa, a Letter directed to him there will certainly be delivered to him, as the Post-Office at such Places generally knows the Lodging of every Gentleman. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur...
25The American Commissioners to John Philip Merckle, 9 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have recd. several letters from you written in a menacing Stile, as if we had failed in the fulfilment of our engagements with you; you must be sensible we never were privy to any Contract with you nor accountable for any thing you had contracted for. But the sole motive of our paying the Ballance due Messrs. Delaps was as well to extricate you, as to...
26John King to the American Commissioners, 9 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreeable to my Promise I beg leave to inform you that I shall leave this place in about Nine Days, and will with pleasure take charge of any Letter’s &c. that you may send to America. I have met with no person inclinable to advance their Credit in behalf of the State of Virginia, except Messers. J. Gruel & Co., who have undertakeing for £6000 Sterling and...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is Williams’ first surviving letter after he left for Paris at the end of August. The reason for his trip was the two prizes that Babson and Kendrick had brought in to Nantes earlier that month. Almost immediately after the ships’ arrival, William Lee and Williams sold them and received part of the money. The French government then seized the captures...
28Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society You will perhaps be surpriz’d at two Continental Frigates arriving in France, and not bringing Dispatches or Letters of any kind to you respecting the Public Service. I will therefore do myself the Honour of making known to you the reason of this unexpected appearance in France. Having waited a long time for Guns and being often disappointed, I went in...
29Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I send inclosed the agreement made with the proposed Captain of the Lion which I request you to sign your approbation of and return by the next post. The Sum is as small a one as I could possibly agree for, and I hope you will not think it too much. When 5 and 6000 Livres has been given, this does not seem very extravagant. The articles relative to the...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 11 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Sollicoffre of whom you have already received recommendations will soon sail to settle in our Country, I believe in Virginia. He requests a Letter of Reccommendation from you to some person in that part of the Country and desires me to write to you for that purpose. I have been acquainted with him from the time of my first coming to Nantes and have...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Condorcet, 12 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I send you enclos’d the Letter you desire. But as I am apprehensive that the young Gentleman may have flattered himself with Expectations that are never likely to be answered in that Country, I wish he would consider it well before he undertakes such a Voyage. If he will take the Trouble of calling on me, perhaps I may afford him some useful Lights on the Subject....
32To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Coder, 12 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Des ordres superieurs m’apellent a fonteneblau, je serai de retour demain au soir et aurai l’honeur de vous voir mardi matin sans feaute. Je suis avec respect Monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeissent serviteur Addressed: to / sr franklin / passi The commissioners had ordered 1,300 uniforms the previous summer, and shipment from Paris had begun by Oct....
33To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas Ruault, 12 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Ruault a l’honneur de saluer Monsieur franklin et de lui envoyer les premiers Exemplaires du Bonhomme Richard , avec l’ Interrogatoire etc. Il auroit eu le plaisir d’en remettre un plus grand nombre, si l’edition étoit entierement tirée, mais ce sera sous très peu de jours. Il supplie Monsieur franklin de vouloir bien agréer ses très humbles respects....
34The American Commissioners to Gourlade, Bérard frères & Monplaisir, 13 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 6th. is before us. When the Private Letter referred to and the situation of the Frigates shall be communicated to us we shall be in a Situation for forming a judgment and writing you more particularly. Meantime we inclose a Letter for Capt. Thompson which we take the Liberty to ask you to deliver to him. We must rely on your assisting these...
35The American Commissioners to Thomas Thompson, 13 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We recd. from Messrs. Gourlad &c. an acct. of your arrival and were informed that you had a Private Letter for us which we have not yet recd. Conclude it must Come to hand in the Course of this week. Mean time we desire you would inform us in a Letter under Cover of Messrs. Gourlade &c. what is the situation of your Vessels and what their destination, as...
36From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 14 October[–11 December] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress I received duly your Letter of May 2nd. 77. including a Copy of one you had sent me the Year before, which never came to hand, and which it seems has been the Case with some I wrote to you from America. Filled tho’ our Letters have always been, with Sentiments of Good Will to both Countries, and earnest Desires of...
37Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure to announce the return of the mere Bobie Packet Boat who delivered your dispatches in Safety but by the inclosed Copy of a Letter that I have received from the Captain you will see he has not been so fortunate with those he was charged with in return. As there were no Dispatches and the news only a confirmation of what you already have...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Deschamps, 14 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives The commissioners’ recent trouble with Versailles was only part of that caused by American commerce-raiders. The money from captures tempted the raiders to pay little heed to the niceties of law, and neutrals were consequently hurt. The first intimation, as far as we know, of what the consequences might be were in this letter, which resulted from the activities of...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Coder: A Memorandum, [after 14 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Notte pour monsieur le docteur franklin. En me retirant dans ma chaumiere je previens monsieur le docteur que les anciens fourniseurs emploies par M. deaene, acoutumés a gagnier cent pour cent sur les fournitures qu’ils font et n’ayant pu se resoudre a se contenter du profit modique qu’il y a a faire sur la miene et honteux de continuér la leur dont j’ai...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Henri Walter, 15 October 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Hildesheim in lower Saxony, October 15, 1777, in French: We have all kinds of cloth, which we send to Spain, Portugal, Holland, Norway, and England; the sizes range from twenty to sixty ells, and the price for the former from one and two-thirds to ten pfennigs according to quality. I should be glad to come to Paris with my samples. > Having heard nothing...
41Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 16 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The present serves to inform you that Capt. Brown who has the Dolphin wishes to be excused from taking her as his owners have directed his return in the Mars which belongs to them; Capt. Brown hopes you will not misinterpret his Desire, and says that if you choose he will continue, but if the change will not displease you he wishes she may be given to some...
42To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Sowden], 16 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am favoured with yours of the 5th of this Inst. and in compliance with your desire have enquired concerning the Price of the non Pariel Letter, of which you have a specimen inclosed. I had no occasion to go or write to Mr. Enschede, the Letterfounder at Haerlem as Mr. Rinier Arrenberg, Printer, Bookseller, and Courantier of this City, was sufficiently able...
43Franklin’s Description of His Ailments, 17 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Œsterreichische National-Bibliothek, Vienna A.B. aged near 72 Years, had been subject to slight Fits of the Gout at long Intervals; was accustomed to what is called good Living, used but little Exercise, being from the Nature of his Employment, as well as from Love of Books, much in his Chamber writing or reading. About 3 Years since he found a small Spot on his Head cover’d with a dry...
44Passport for Jan Ingenhousz, 17 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Yale University Library; ADS (draft): American Philosophical Society To all Commanders of armed Vessels appertaining to the United States of America, This may certify, that to my certain Knowledge the Bearer Dr. Ingenhauss is not an Enemy of the said States, nor a Subject of Great Britain, but an Inhabitant of Vienna in Austria, and Physician to the Empress Queen; going to England on his...
45The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners, 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Haverford College Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have the pleasure of inclosing to you the copy of a letter from General Gates containing the circumstances of a Victory gained over General Burgoyne on the 7th. This event must defeat the main views of General Clinton in proceeding up Hudsons River. He has, it is true, got...
46Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have recvd. a Letter from Capt. Thompson Commander of the Rawleigh Frigate by which I find the prizes made by the two Ships consisted of 750 hhds. Sugar 325 Puncheons Rum 70 Plank Mahogany 15 Casks of Coffee and the two Ships which Capt. Nicholson tells me are 500 and 800 Tons Burden. This Property was sold for 9700 Sterling, which I take to be about ⅓ of the...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Bochard de Champigny, 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous avez attendu Si longtems le premier volume de mon histoire d’Angleterre, qu’il étoit bien naturel que je me dépéchasse pour le second. Le voici; je souhaite que vous en soiez plus satisfait que du précédent, je suis sure que vous le serez des derniers. Je vous prie de m’accuser la réception de ce volume et de me croire avec la Considération la plus...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I rcived yesterday from Madame chaumont the lettre of mr. Williams to which I iclose an answer, which you will be so good as to peruse and send to him by the first oportunity. I did not underwrite it, lest it should fall in wrong hands. If I was richer I should dare to venture the business without insurance. I should be very glad, if mr. Williams would...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-François Rolandeau, 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si je n’eusse pas eu a céder a cértaines circonstances, j’aurais eu l’honneur en vous faisant ma cour, de vous faire de vive voix, la demande que je prends la libérté de vous faire par lettre. C’est de vouloir bien méttre votre visa sur les papiers, que Monsieur le Comte d’Ossun, qui m’honore de sa protéction, aura la Bonté de méttre sous vos yeux: quélques...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you the 9th Inst. inclosing one for M. Chaumont and a draft on him for 400.000 Livres. M. Chaumont mentions the 15th that he has not heard from me. I am therefore very uneasy about the fate of this Letter, and have written a Copy of it to M. C. to day. I now inclose you another draft of the same tenor and date, which if the other arrived safe you...