1To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 3 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Adams has the Honour to inform Dr Franklin that the American Ministers for the Peace, are desired by the British Minister to meet him at the Hotel du Parc Royal, Wednesday, at Eleven, for a Conference concerning the Definitive Treaty. Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 14 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society As there are Several Things which require the Deliberation of the American Ministers, Mr Adams has the Honour to propose to Dr Franklin a Meeting at the Hotel du Roi Tomorrow at Eleven, if that time and Place are convenient to his Excellency. Mr A. will give notice to the other Gentlemen. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / en son hotel / Paris...
3The American Peace Commissioners: Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, 20 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ADS and AD (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives By the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain: A Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea, as Land, agreed upon between His Majesty the King of Great Britain and the United States of...
4The American Peace Commissioners: Three Proposed Articles, [29 April 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives (two), William L. Clements Library, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; transcript and partial copy: National Archives No. 1. Article It is agreed, that so soon, as his Britannic Majesty shall have withdrawn all his Armies, Garrisons and...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 2 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Adams having Something of Consequence to communicate to the American Ministers Plenipotentiary, for the Peace, requests the Honour of His Excellency Dr Franklin’s Attendance, with the other Ministers, at Mr Adams’s Lodgings, at Eleven O Clock Tomorrow Morning. The Points to be considered, are 1. Passports to be given to and...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and John Jay, 28 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Delaware Mr Adams and Mr Jay present their Compliments to Dr Franklin and inform him, that they have just seen Mr Laurens and agreed with him upon a Meeting of the American Ministers Tomorrow at Eleven, at Mr Laurens’s Lodgings. The Drs Company is desired, and Mr Franklin Junr is requested also to attend. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre...
7The American Peace Commissioners to Alleyne Fitzherbert, [20 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have recd. the Letter wh you did us the Honor to write on the 18th. Inst, together with the Passports mentioned in it. His britannic Majesty’s Proclamation of the 14th. Instant has our entire approbation, and we have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, a Declaration perfectly correspondent with it. It appears to us important to...
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), Library of Congress We John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, three of the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain. To all Captains or Commanders of Ships of War, Privateers or armed Vessels belonging to the said States, or to either of them, or to any of the Citizens of the same, And...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Franz Ulrich Theodor Aepinus, 1 [i.e., 12] February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Vous pardonnerez sans doute, à l’empressement, que je montre, à l’occasion de la grande nouvelle, qui nous est arrivée, ces jours-ci, de me rappeller à Votre souvenir, qui me sera aussi precieux, que me l’a été dans le tems, l’approbation, que Vous avez crû pouvoir accorder autrefois, à mes travaux pour l’avancement des sciences. J’ai l’honneur de Vous...
10To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne d’Ahax, with Franklin’s Draft of a Reply, 12 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur apres avoir eu le bonheur de vous voir je desir de le renouveller et vous demande votre heurs la plus Comode ou je puis avoir la bonheur de vous revoir Seul car jai besoin dun Confidant et jesper de le trouver dans L’etre que je revere le plus au monde. Jai l’honneur d’etre avec la plus grand veneration monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeisante...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Jean Amelot de Chaillou, 12 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçû, Monsieur, La Médaille que vous avés eû la bonté de m’envoier, je suis trés sensible à cette marque d’attention de votre part, je vous prie d’en agréer mes sincéres remercimens et Les assurances, de la parfaite considération avec laquelle j’ai Lhonneur d’être, Monsieur, votre trés humble et trés obeissant serviteur Who continued until November to...
12To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, 1 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Ma Santé Monsieur ne ma Pas Permis d’aller vous faire tous mes Compliments Sur la Conclusion de Votre très Grande ouvrage. Vous Connoissé Monsieur, Les Sentiments que Je vous aÿ vouë, dépuis que Jai l’honneur de vous Connoître, Les Circonstances ne Sonts Pas faite Pour les diminuer. Jai pour amis Intime un homme qui dans un ouvrage, qui và paroître, qui se...
13To Benjamin Franklin from the Conde de Aranda, 6 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’ambassadeur d’Espagne ne pouvait point oublier l’invitation de Mr. Franklin pour samedi, il desirait meme le moment d’y concurrir avec la plus grande satisfaction. Mr. le chevr. del Campo profitera egalement de ses bontès. A l’egard du jeune Mr. Campos s’il etait de retour pour ce jourla, puisqu’il est atendu d’un jour a l’autre il sera bien flatè du...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Artaud, 10 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ravir la foudre aux cieux, et le Sceptre aux tyrans, est une double gloire que l’univers n’a jamais vue Se reunir sur une mesme téte, si ce n’est sur la votre. Daignés de grace laisser tomber un regard de bonté sur un ecrivain qui a fixé avec autant de zele que dassiduité, pendant tout le cours de la derniere guerre, linteret et les yeux de Ses lecteurs,...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Full of Impatience to recieve a letter from you in order to know the state of your health & whether you consent to my having a wathch as I Desir’d by my Last, I write yo the present Letter, to ask again that Favour and repeat to you that I have not reciev’d the Parcel of Books mention’d in your Letter of the 7 Jan. 1783. I have receiv’d Lately a letter from...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a long Weariness caus’d by not receiving Letters from any of my freinds. I write you to engage you or My Cousin to write me the state of your health. I have heard from Johonnot that our Good General Washington intend’s coming to France. I heard also from the Same that you have made medals for the Liberty of my Dear Country having Said Before Mr...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I Reciv’d your Letter dated the 7 January the 18 of the same month. I wrote your Letter a little in a hurry because the night was coming on and that I wanted to put the letter to the Post office that made me forget the date but I will try to forget it no more. I have not receiv’d the parsel of Books you mentioned me in your letter that you had sent to...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Bachelier, with William Temple Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a longtems que je désire vous faire mon compliment sur la paix qui vient d’etre Signée entre L’Europe Et L’amerique, J’ai même a ce Sujet des observations qui peuvent vous intéresser. Comme Made. Bachelier désire autant que moy, vous faire Son compliment, nous nous proposons de vous demander a diner le jour qui vous conviendra le mieux de Vendredy ou...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 30 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Letters were intended to be sent some time ago by Mr. Jefferson, who went as far as Maryland as a Commissioner for Peace, but he being recalled; I now commit them to the care of Mr. Restife, a Gentleman that came over with the Minister of France, he appears to be a good kind of Man, & has been very intimate in our Family— We are...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 13 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yesterday Captain Barney brought me your much esteemed Favor of 26th: Decr.— I hope we shall not be long ’till we hear that Peace is concluded on, it is an Event much wished for here, except by a few self-interested Individuals— Should you upon a Peace determine upon returning to your native Country; my inclination would lead me to pay a visit to...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 3 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce to your Acquaintance & Civilities, Mr. Petitt, Son of my Friend Mr Charles Petitt of this place; I believe him to be a young Gentleman of merit, and as such beg leave to recommend him to your Notice & Esteem— Sally & the Children are well, I am ever Dear Sir Yours affectionately Addressed: His Excellency / Dr. Franklin / at / Passy /...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 8 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot let Coll Cambray go without a line to you tho I sit up to write in bed— I have had a fit of the Bilious Cholic that lasted twenty four hours, it went off yesterday but has left me very weak and with a bad head ake, I hope a good nights sleep will quite restore me, and then I shall be able to write you a long letter by Mr Oster who goes in a day or...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 27 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: reprinted from Alexandre-Marie Quesnay de Beaurepaire, Mémoire, statuts et prospectus, concernant l’Académie des sciences et beaux-Arts des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, établie à Richemond … (2nd ed., Paris, 1788), pp. 22–3. Avec cette Lettre, vous recevrez un projet pour une Académie Française qui doit s’ériger ici; c’est un plan fort étendu, & qui fera honneur au Monsieur qui l’a...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache: Two Letters, with a Note from Richard Bache, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Coll Cambray, who we shall miss very much, is the bearer of this, he will tell you how all the Family do, I paraded all the Children to day on purpose for him to tell you how they look’d, and if he does not say they are fine and handsome, I know not were he will find his beauties—the news papers that came since Major Franks’ paket was made up I...
25To Benjamin Franklin from William Bache, 16 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace this opportunity of letting you know that Papa is going to Passy to wait upon you home to Philadelphia; My Sister is going to boarding School to Miss Beckwith; there is a refugee Rowgally taken and brought in here. Bob says he is very glad to hear that you are in A good State of health. There are two French Frigates going out to Fight two British...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Guillaume Backhaus, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 7 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de feliciter Vôtre Excellence de la paix glorieuse, qui vient être conclue, & dont l’histoire èternisera Vôtre nom très réspectable & Vos insignes merites. A Son rétour me vinrent quelques considerations en égard de l’Armée des Etats Souvrains de l’Amerique Septentrionale, les quelles mon Zêle m’inspira, & ma confiance réspectueuse aux...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Christopher Baldwin, 18 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Look my dear Sir at the place from whence this letter is dated— have you forgot it? I am sure you have not.—have you forgot the many pleasant hours you have passed here? No, you have not. Have you forgot your throwing oil on the Pond near me, and instantly smoothing the troubled Water—impossible! But a far, infinitely far greater object rises before me! Tis...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of receiving the Letter which your Excellency was so kind as to Write me the 21st. instant and I very heartily and sincerely Congratulate you on your having seen such Important Events take place as the Independence of America, and General Peace of Europe. There are now in this port several American Vessels ready to push to Sea, and if there...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 21 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The important contest between America and Great Britain being finally decided, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of making you my sincere felicitation upon it. Condemned as I am to humble fortunes, I am aware that there is an impropriety in my concerning myself with the affairs of states and empires; but while I invade not the Politician’s province, and...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Bartoli, 11 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est avec la plus vive reconnoissance que je reçois le beau present dont il vous a plu de m’honorer. Le sujet, l’invention, l’execution de la Médaille, tout merite des eloges. La manière même très-obligeante avec laquelle Vous avez bien voulu, Monsieur, me la faire parvenir, devançant le temps de la distribution, ajoute infiniment à ma gratitude. Pénètré...