1From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin: Journal of Negotiations in London, 22 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
and so hastily too, in Breach of all Decency and prudent Regard to the Character and Dignity of their Body as a third Part of the National Legislature, gave me an exceeding mean Opinion of their Abilities, and made their Claim of Sovereignty over three Millions of virtuous sensible People in America, seem the greatest of Absurdities, since they appear’d......prepar’d a Draft conformable...
2Jefferson’s Annotated Copy of Franklin’s Proposed Articles of Confederation, [June–July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
of whom in the first appointment one third viz. [4.] shall be for one year, [4] for two years, and [4] for three years; and as the said terms expire the vacancies shall be filled by appointments for three years, whereby one... ...third of the members will be changed annually, and each person who has served the said term of three years as counsellor shall have a respite of three years before he...
3Proposed Articles of Confederation, [on or before 21 July 1775] (Franklin Papers)
He showed his draft articles to Jefferson and others, some of whom approved while some disapproved. The plan appealed to those who had abandoned hope of reconciliation, and antagonized those who had not; ...table, so that the delegates might think about the subject and prepare themselves to act when they saw the need to. Leave was given, according to Jefferson, but only on condition that the...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 9 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
The first two are above, the earlier one in a draft dated May 17; the third is missing. For the baffling change in the bearers’ names see the note on the May letter, and for the subsequent adventures of Alexandre Pochard and what little we know about his friend Vaillant see Pochard to Dumas left the choice of where to send the third copy to
5The American Commissioners to [the Conde de Sousa Coutinho], 26 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
and draft:In a third hand
6From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Le Maire de Gimel, 6 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
...When Arthur Lee then insisted on taking charge of the business, the three possibilities vanished: one merchant flatly withdrew his offer; a second insisted that any agreement be co-signed by Franklin and Adams, which Lee refused; the third offer was rejected for reasons Franklin never knew....to answer his letters, now refused to honor his drafts. As the months wore on, Le Maire... ...drafted...
(draft): Library of Congress; press copies: Library of Congress (two); transcript: National Archives I am informed that a third Prize belonging to the United States, viz: the Charming Polly, which arrived at Berghen after the others, has also been seized and delivr’d up in the same Manner; and that all the People of the three...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Mifflin, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(draft): Library of CongressI shall do my best in executing the third Instruction, respecting our Claim upon Denmark. I have written to London, to obtain if possible in Acct of the Sums insured upon the Ships deliver’d up, as such an Account may be some Guide in the Valuation...
9Franklin’s Journal, [26 June 1784–27 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
...that we have yet no News from Congress respecting the Treaty. He confirms what I had heard that France had ceded St. Bartholomew to Sweden. I acquain[ted] him with the Advice I had receiv’d that Mr Jefferson was on his way hither to join Mr Adams and me, and that by him I expected to have our Instructions respecting the Treaty. Wrote a Letter to Count Mercy the Emperor’s Ambassador...third...
10Lies Respecting the Americans, [c. August 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
Franklin had been working to counter this misinformation since long before Jefferson and Adams arrived. In June, 1783, for example, when he learned that William Strahan, publisher of the ...published, Jefferson’s arrival in Paris brought reliable news of the state of America. Franklin was quick to write letters reassuring Richard Price (August 16, above) and remonstrating with William Strahan (...