91To Benjamin Franklin from James Jay, 27 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The restriction I was subjected to by my parole,—not go to France—, determined me not even to write to any person in that kingdom, till I should be exchanged. The officiousness however of some persons in London, in converting me into a Messenger of peace from Congress, inclined me, for very obvious reasons, to break through the restraint I had imposed...
92To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 25 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, Monsieur, mes Depeches pour Mr. le Chevr de la Luzerne. Le pacquet est volumineux mais il renferme beaucoup de Duplicata. Je voudrois pouvoir lui mander que notre Negociation est au meme point que la Votre, mais elle en est encore fort eloignée. Je ne...
93To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Grant, 28 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am extreamly oblidg’d to you for the Book you was so Kind as to lend me, it has much contributed to augmente my desir to go next spring to america, I only wish to find means to be usefull either in the field of war, either as citizen of the world, and particularly as an admirer of the laws who established security in general, and conserve liberty :...
94To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Barrett, 30 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was renderd very unhappy just now to be informd by my friends Messrs Cumming & Maccarty, that they had recd a Letter from Monsr. Jolley de fleury Minr. of Finance handing them a Determination respecting a Cargo of sugars which I brot with me from the Havanna in the Briga. Genl Galvez. These sugars being the product of Cape Francois I took in at the...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Gurdon S. Mumford, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a letter recd. by the Ship Nonsuch in 22 days from Philadelphia, it would have been sent on by the Express but by some unaccountabe means it was left behind & Mr. Williams now desires me to forward it to your Excellency— I ask a thousand pardons for having thus long delayed acknowledging the many kindnesses your Excellency was pleased to shew me...
96To Benjamin Franklin from Servin, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai reçû qu’avant hier La Lettre Que Vous avez bien Voulû m’Ecrire le 16 novembre dernier. Ce retardement etonnant a fait Que mon libraire n’a pû Vous Envoier de Basle l’Exemplaire Que Je Vous ai prié d’Agréer. Mais j’irai a paris dans Quelques Semaines et j’aurai l’honneur de Vous presenter en personne Mon hommage. Je desire d’autant plus Qu’il Vous...
97To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 15 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yours on the 31st. April duly came to hand with those inclosed, addressed to M. —— E—— C our London friend, I desire to be forgiven respecting forms, all I have to say, is that on our arrival at L,Derry we were apprehended and committed to Goal, we are now liberated upon giving security for our appearance when called for, what the End may be I cannot...
98To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [25 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette is about to depart, & wishes for a speedy answer to his Letter— The enclosed Draft of one, meets with Mr Adam’s approbation, & if it also meets with your’s, be pleased to sign a Copy of it, and send it by the Bearer— I am Dr Sir sincerely Yours & Addressed: His Exy. / Doctr. Franklin / Passy The date of Lafayette’s departure for Brest; see...
99To Benjamin Franklin from Sidney Lee, 14 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope the enclosed will meet with your Excellency’s approbation, and that I am not guilty of an impropriety in requesting of you the favor of transmitting it to his Excellency General Washington. I am Sr with great respect your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: His Excellency Benjamn Franklin Sister and principal heir of Maj.-Gen. Charles Lee ( XXII...
100To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Johnson, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Incld: Bills belong to an Industrious Black man who is with me. Shall esteem it a favour if your Excellency would Endorse or rather accept those Bills & send them to me.— In my last to your Excellency I forgot to mention to you that I took on board the Amazon Prize four Preists, Subjects of the King of Sardinia, who were going as Missionaries to...
101To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Grasse, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de prier Votre Excellence, de vouloir bien m’indiquer le jour et l’heure, ou je pourrais avoir celui de vous Faire ma cour, ayant differentes choses a vous communiquer. Je serais charmé de Faire connoissance avec vous, et de vous assurer de vive voix de la sincerité des sentiments d’Estime et de respect avec lesquels je suis De Votre Excellence Le três...
102To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Kennan, 9[–12] October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I the subscriber your Excellencies most Humble Pettioner, an American Subject, my place of residence, when at home, is in Orange County North Carolina, where I have resided for a number of years past, till Cornwallis, attacked General Green at Guilford Court House, then I went out to the West Indies, with a small property on my own Accot.; and traded...
103From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut State Library, New Jersey State Library, New Hampshire Division of Records Management and Archives, Delaware Public Archives Commission, National Archives I received duly your several Letters of Septr. 25th. 27th. 28th. and 30th. October 1st. 5th. 7th. all by Capt. Barney, and October 27th. since. I immediately made the Application so strongly pressed by the Congress for a...
104To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Johnson, 11 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I Take the liberty to Inclo: you a letter from some Americans who are taken out of some Merchant Ships. and sent off to serve his Majesty the King of France. On Receipt of the letter I waited on the Commissary General here. respecting the matter. He told me as they had served in the Merchant Ships. and got great Run money. that they ought to serve the...
105To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS, LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; ALS (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have just now recd the certificates required by Mr. Vallier, the vessel which carries my dispatches having been detained I embrace the opportunity to forward them— Nothing new since my last, except that by a Gent who left Charles town the 4th. Ult. we learn that the...
106From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 3 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete LS with complete press copy, LS with incomplete press copy, copy, and transcript: National Archives I have just received your No. 13 dated the 23d June. The Accounts of the general Sentiments of our People, respecting Propositions from England, and the Rejoicings on the Birth of the Dauphin, give Pleasure here; and it affords me much Satisfaction to find the Conduct of Congress,...
107To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Duplan, 10 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le 11e. fevrier 1778 -, vous nous avés honoré de vôtre souscription pour un Exempl: de nôtre Enciclopedie 8° de 36 Volumes de discours & 3 vol: de planches, sur le prospectus que nous Eumes l’honeur de vous mettre sous les yeux; Vous daignattes Monsieur encourager nôtre entreprise de Vôtre aprobation, et de l’esperance que vous ne vous borneriés pas à ce...
108To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 2 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer of this Letter is the Chevalier de Chattelleux who sets off to Morrow Morning, for France. There are many Things which I am desirous of communicating to you but which I have not now sufficient Time to commit to Paper and still less to put in Cypher. I have therefore entered very much into the Detail of our Situation with Genl. Chattelleux and requested him...
109From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 4 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères With this you will receive the Boxes you desired of Mint Drops. They came by Mr Oswald’s Courier, who arrived this Morning. He has been with me, and tells me he has a Letter from Mr Secry. Townsend, acquainting him, that the King has consented to declare the Independence of America, authorizing him to make it the first Article in the Treaty,...
110To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 12[–13] November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I have some fears that the British Janus does not intend fair by the Kingdom of Ireland in the expected or depending Treaty of Peace, I hope Your Excellency will pardon my Zeal for my Country, by my most Earnestly entreating to Know, if Ireland is (as it ought of Right to be) particularily mentioned; if it be not, & peace should be finaly concluded, my...
111To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 3 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I arrived at this place a few days ago expecting to have proceeded to Europe in the vessel which carries Count Rochambaud & the Chevalr. de Chastellux; but it sails before I can be ready. I shall follow however in a very few days, & may possibly be with you as soon as this. Conscious that I can add no good to the commission,...
112To Benjamin Franklin from Ezekiel Edwards, 28 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sometime to morrow Morning I expect to set off for Nantes, and will have the pleasure to wait on your Excellency for any dispatches you may wish to Have forwarded— There is a Schooner at that place ready for Sea with the first wind, bound to Virginia— I am most respectfully Your Excellency’s Obedt. Hhble. Servt. A Philadelphia merchant who was a...
113From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache: Extract, 26 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania You will hear of the progress made towards a Peace from various quarters. It is not yet concluded, and perhaps it may be some time first. But as soon as it is, I hope to be permitted to return home, there being nothing that I more desire, than to spend my last days with my family & lay my bones to rest in America. Written on what is presumed to be the...
114To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 28 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères In my Letter of yesterday, I have dwelt on the resolutions of Congress, in the manner requir’d by my duty as their Servant. I will now add a few hints, as Your friend. Your Enemies industriously publish that your age & indolence have unabled you for your station, that a Sense of...
115From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall: Extract, [September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: Library of Congress The Box you committed to the Care of Mr Bridgen was duly sent by him, & received at Ostend; but in its way from thence hither it has miscarried. I am taking pains to find out what is become of it. I hope it is not irrecoverably lost. Tho I have lost other things before which were coming to me, and think the Carriage between Ostend & Paris is by no means...
116To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 4 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress To My Very Great Concern, I Have not Yet Received Your Answer to My letter, Nor the Account of What Has officially Past in Monney Matters— But Your Opinion Has Been I should Go, and I Am Pursuing an object that May I Hope prove Useful to America— Upon Your Opinion therefore, I Determine My Going— We are Under sails With 9 ships of the line, And about 6000 Men Recruits...
117To Benjamin Franklin from William Bell, 16 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Agreable to my promise, I here Inform you that I shall (wind & Weather permitting) sail for Philadelphia the 1th of next Month— Should you have any commands that may be in my power to execute, and will let me have them in time, they will merit my utmost attention; as it will at all times give me great Pleasure to shew you my Gratitude— I have nothing...
118From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 26 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives, New-York Historical Society, William L. Clements Library, Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society; transcript: National Archives You may well remember that in the Beginning of our Conferences, before the other Commissioners arriv’d, on your mentioning to me a...
119To Benjamin Franklin from Léonard Appée, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les Bonté que vous faite regallire [rejaillir] Sur un umbre [nombre] infinie De malhureux Et la justice Du congrés donc vous En nette [êtes] le digne réprésentant me fait prendre la liberté de vous adressé la présante pour imploré Votre protections, de plus Monsieur la justice de ma Cause me fait tout Esperé De Votre imtegrittée je reclâme dont monsieur 3...
120From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just receiv’d the Enclos’d from Mr E. Bridgen of London. Please to return me his Letter. I long to finish my private Affair you are so good as to assist me in, & shall be glad to receive the additional Provisions you intended, that I may copy the whole, for I think my present Situation more hazardous than those about me seem to imagine. With sincere...