4701From Benjamin Franklin to [Madame Brouttin Mollien de Sombres], [after 4 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society That I am sorry I was not at home when she did me the honour of calling on me. That the Appointment of Consuls does not belong to me: but That whenever one is appointed for Dunkirk, I imagine it will be Mr Coffyn, who for seven Years past has constantly served the United States in taking Care of & relieving their poor Prisoners escaping from England &...
4702From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 5 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I received the Letter which your Excellency did me the honor of writing to me, respecting the Necessity of producing legal Proof of the Arrangements made with the Creditors mention’d in Mr. Williams’s State of his Affairs. I am much obliged by the Attention you are so good as to afford this Business...
4703From Benjamin Franklin to Leveux, 8 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien reconnoissant, Monsieur, de la peine que vous avez bien voulu prendre pour retirer de la Douane de votre Ville les Effets appartenants à M. Jay, et Je vous prie d’en recevoir mes Remercimens, ainsi que pour tous les Soins que vous avez eu des Prisoniers Americains échapés d’Angleterre. Je serois bien aise de recevoir votre Compte afin de vous...
4704From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received a few Days since a Letter from Annapolis dated June 5th. in your handwriting, but not signed, acquainting the Commissioners with the Causes of Delay in sending the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. The Term was expired before that Letter came to hand, but I hope no Difficulty will arise from a Failure in a Point not essential, and which was...
4705From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 11 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Library of Congress; copy: William L. Clements Library I received duly your Favours of Jany. 28. and March 2.— I find Dr Ross to answer the Character given of him by Mr Dempster, and shall give him the Letters of Recommendation desired.— I have wondered at the long Delay of the Ratification; but a Letter I have just receiv’d from the Secretary of Congress explains it to me....
4706From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 12[–13] March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society; press copy of ALS and transcript: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter by Mr Cholet, with the Pamphlets and Newspapers; and since a Paper of the 5th which came under Cover to Mr Grand. I am much oblig’d to you for these Communications.— Your Sentiments and mine respecting the continual Drafts on Europe coincide perfectly. I have just received...
4707From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This will be delivered to you by Dr. Ross, who is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Distinction in England, and who, after travelling over a great Part of the World, wishes to fix himself for the rest of his Life in America. You will find him a very ingenious sensible Man, and be pleas’d with his Conversation: and you will therefore excuse my requesting for...
4708Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have lately received a Letter from the Secretary of Congress, of which I enclose a Copy, accounting for the Delay of the Ratification; & we have sent a Copy of it to M r. Laurens, who being on the Spot can easily negociate an Agreement to extend the Term if necessary; but I imagine it can hardly occasion any Difficulty, since the Ratification will certainly be made, seven States being...
4709From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society We have lately received a Letter from the Secretary of Congress, of which I enclose a Copy, accounting for the Delay of the Ratification; & we have sent a Copy of it to Mr. Laurens, who being on the Spot can easily negociate an Agreement to extend the Term if necessary; but I imagine it can hardly occasion any Difficulty, since the Ratification will...
4710From Benjamin Franklin to Morellet, 16 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Your Sentiments and mine, my dear Friend, are exactly the same respecting the Imprudence of showing that Paper; it has therefore, tho’ written some Months past, never been communicated to any one but your self, and will probably not appear till after my Decease, if it does then. You see how much I confide in your Friendship and Discretion. The...
4711To Benjamin Harrison, with Extract from Franklin’s Letter, 18 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 3d inst. I mentioned to you the gazette account of a change in the British ministry. Just in the moment of the departure of the post we received a letter from the Marquis Fayette confirming the account of the change and rectifying that of the vote of the Prince of Wales. The letter which had come here supposed the king a friend to the E. India bill and that the Prince voted...
4712From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will forget me quite, my dear old Friend, if I do not write to you now and then. I still exist, and still enjoy some Pleasure in that Existence, tho’ now in my 79th Year. Yet I feel the Infirmities of Age coming on so fast, and the Building to need so many Repairs, that in a little time the Owner will find it cheaper to pull it down and build a new one....
4713From Benjamin Franklin to La Condamine, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; LS : Bakken Museum I receiv’d the very obliging Letter you did me honour of writing to me the 8th Inst. with the Epigram &c. for which please to accept my Thanks. You desire my Sentiments concerning the Cures perform’d by Comus, & Mesmer. I think that in general, Maladies caus’d by Obstructions may be treated by Electricity with Advantage. As to the...
4714From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Mazue, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of the 27th. past, proposing the Cultivation of the Vine in America. Our People conceive that it is yet too early to put such a Project in Execution. Labour is too dear there, and the Culture of Wheat more profitable & certain; in Exchange for which either directly or indirectly, we can procure the Wines of Europe. I cannot...
4715From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me this Morning respecting the Settlement of Charges incurred in Holland, &c. Be so good as to send me a Copy of the Letter written by Mr. de Sartine, which you mention. On Sight of that I shall immediately give you an explicit Answer. With great Esteem, I am, Sir, Your most obedient & most huml Servt Addressed: A...
4716From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 25 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; copies: Archives Nationales, Library of Congress, National Archives I return herewith the Papers you communicated to me yesterday. I perceive by the Extract from M. de Sartine’s Letter, that it was his Intention all the Charges which had accru’d upon the Serapis & Countess of Scarborough should be deducted from the Prize-money payable to the Captors, particularly the...
4717From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 26 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have received two Letters from you, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing and Language, and to read your dutiful Expressions of Respect and Love for your Parents, which is very commendable. My Grandson Benja. Franklin Bache, who is lately return’d from Geneva, answer’d for me your first Letter, and hopes you receiv’d it, tho’ you mention nothing...
4718From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 30 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library Yesterday late in the Evening arrived here an Express from Congress with the Definitive Treaty ratified, which I enclose with the Resolutions, Proclamation, and the President’s Letter. The Congress anxious that the Ratification should arrive within the Term stipulated, dispatch’d it seems three Expresses, by different Vessels, with authenticated Copies. This...
4719Certification for Jacques Le Maire de Gimel, 30 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : University of Pennsylvania Library I do hereby certify whom it may concern, that Col. Lemaire came from Virginia to France in the Year 1778, with Letters of Recommendation to me from Patrick Henry Esquire then Governor of that State, by whom he was employed to procure Arms and military Stores here for the Use of their Army; which Commission, as far as I have ever heard, he executed with...
4720To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 30 March 1784 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday late in the Evening arrived here an Express from Congress with the Definitive Treaty ratified, which I enclose with the Resolutions, Proclamation, and the President’s Letter. The Congress anxious that the Ratification should arrive within the Term stipulated, dispatch’d it seems three Expresses, by different Vessels, with authenticated Copies. This came by the French Pacquet Boat;...
4721Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour of acquainting your Excellency, that an Express from Congress is at last arrived, with their Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. Inclosed I send Copies of the President’s Letter, the Recommendatory Resolution, and the Proclamation, together with three Letters for yourself. We have written to M r Hartley, that we are now ready to make the Exchange. With great Respect, I am,...
4722Franklin and John Jay to David Hartley, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: William L. Clements Library We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindred Travelling, had occasion’d a Delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number...
4723From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have the honour of acquainting Your Excellency, that an Express from Congress is at last arrived, with their Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. Inclosed I send Copies of the President’s Letter, the Recommendatory Resolution, and the Proclamation, together with three Letters for yourself. We have written to Mr Hartley, that we are now ready to make...
4724From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Voici, ma trés cher Amie, une de mes Plaisanteries serieuses, ou sourdes, que je vous envoie, esperant qu’elle pourra peutétre vous amuser un peu. Au quel cas, vous me recompenserez en me donnant, je n’ose dire un Baiser, car les votres sont trop precieux, & vous en étes trop chiche; mais vous me jouerez un Noel et l’excellent Marche des Insurgents—...
4725From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived, and we have written to Mr Hartley that we are ready to exchange with him whenever it is convenient to him. Enclos’d you have Copies of the Recommendatory Resolution, Proclamation, & President’s Letter. We imagine Mr Hartley has an Inclination to come hither on the...
4726From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I write this Line by the English Packet, just to inform you that Col. Harmar arriv’d here last Monday Evening with the Ratification, &c. and that Mr Jay & myself, (Messrs Adams & Laurens being absent) have written to Mr Hartley at London, that we are ready to exchange with him. I have not heard that the Delay is likely to occasion any Difficulty. I had before...
4727Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to David Hartley, 31 March 1784 (Jay Papers)
We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindered Travelling had occasioned a delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number were got together, the Treaty was taken into Consideration, and the...
4728From Benjamin Franklin to John Witherspoon, 5 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Presbyterian Historical Society; copies: Columbia University Library, New Jersey Historical Society, New York Society Library I have received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 27th past. It would be a pleasure to me to see you here, but I cannot give you any Expectations of Success in the Project of obtaining Benefactions for your College. Last Year Messrs. Wheelock...
4729From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 8 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of AL : American Philosophical Society Je vous ai envoyé, ma trés chere fille, par Mr. le Roy, l’Avis à ceux qui veulent passer en Amerique, que vous m’avez demandé, & j’ai joint les Remarques sur la Politesse des Sauvages. Avec ce Billet, je vous envoye plusieurs autres petites choses, dont on a imprimé quelques Exemplaires dans la Maison, seulement pour nos Amis. Je vous demande...
4730Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 16 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
We duly receiv’d (M r Jay & me) the Letters you did us the honour of writing to us the 27th of March & the 2 d Instant. We shall transmit, as you desire, the Recommendation of M r Browne to Congress; and enclos’d we send a Copy of the Treaty with Sweden. We expect M r Hartley here very soon, to exchange the Ratifications of the Definitive Treaty; when we shall endeavour to obtain an...
4731Franklin and John Jay to Thomas Mifflin, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress We duly received the Letters your Excellency did us the honour of writing to us the 14th of January by Colonel Harmar & Lieut. Col. David Franks, with the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty, the Proclamation, & the Recommendatory Resolves of Congress. On the Arrival of Col. Harmar, we immediately wrote to Mr Hartley,...
4732From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of ALS : Columbia University Library We duly receiv’d (Mr Jay & me) the Letters you did us the honour of writing to us the 27th of March & the 2d Instant. We shall transmit, as you desire, the Recommendation of Mr Browne to Congress; and enclos’d we send a Copy of the Treaty with Sweden. We expect Mr Hartley here very soon, to exchange the...
4733From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I received your kind Letters by Colonel Harmar, & Lieut. Col. Franks; with the Dispatches in good Order; Triplicates of which are since come to hand. You will see by our Letter to the President, that we daily expect Mr Hartley from London with the British Ratification to exchange with us. There was no Difficulty occasion’d by the Lapse of the Term. I send you herewith...
4734From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library The Commissioners have received the Letter you did them the honour of writing to them the 9th Instant, and are glad to learn that they may expect the Pleasure of seeing you soon again at Paris. It is a particular Satisfaction to me, as it will give me an opportunity of communicating an Idea to you in Conversation which may tend to promote your excellent views...
4735From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have received your Favours of March 28. and April 7.— I am glad that Mr Hartley’s being luckily at Bath, sav’d you the Fatigue of a Journey to London. His Letter to you, of which you sent us a Copy, was very satisfactory. By one he has written to us, of the 9th Instant, we find that he expects to be here in a few Days.— I have not yet had the Pleasure of seeing...
4736From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: American Philosophical Society Since I wrote to you respecting Dr. Withering, I have received a very satisfactory Letter from him. So this Affair need not give you father [farther] Trouble.— I am sorry to hear you are hurt by a Fall from your Horse. I hope the Effects will not be lasting; and that by this time you are recover’d. It will give me great Pleasure to hear that our...
4737From Benjamin Franklin to John Walter, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: Library of Congress I have received a Book for which I understand I am obliged to you, the Introduction to Logography.— I have read it with Attention, and as far as I understand it am much pleas’d with it. I do not perfectly comprehend the Arrangement of his Cases; but the Reduction of the Number of Pieces, by the Roots of Words and their different Terminations is...
4738From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 20 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Biblioteca Labronica The Bearer, Mr Biederman, is recommended to me by Persons of Distinction, as a Gentleman of Worth & very respectable Character, charged with the Concerns and Interest of many principal Manufacturers and Merchants in Saxony, between which Country and ours I should be glad to see a commercial Intercourse opened and established, as it might be advantageous to both. I...
4739From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Webb, 22 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I received your’s of the 15th. Instant, and the Memorial it inclosed. The account they give of your situation grieves me. I send you herewith a Bill for Ten Louis d’ors. I do not pretend to give such a Sum. I only lend it to you. When you shall return to your Country with a good Character, you cannot fail of getting into some Business that will in time enable...
4740From Benjamin Franklin to Jan Ingenhousz, 23 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Myron Kaller & Associates, Inc., Asbury Park, New Jersey (1989) I did intend to have written you a long Letter by the good Bishop, but cannot now accomplish it.— You will however have it very soon.— Fearing that the Seeds for your Friend might not arrive in time, to be planted this Spring, and having received a Box for some of my Acquaintance here, I sent a Part to you, to be dispos’d of...
4741Franklin et al.: Report to the Académie Royale des Sciences, 24 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
D : Académie des sciences, Procès-verbaux, CIII (1784), 90–5. M.M. Franklin, Le Roy, Coulomb, Delaplace et l’abbé Rochon, ont fait le rapport suivant. M. le Marêchal de ségur ayant envoyé à l’Acade. deux projets, pour armer de paratonnerres, les magasins à poudre de la ville de Marseille et mandé dans la Lettre qui les accompagnoit, que le Roi desiroit que la compagnie les fit examiner et en...
4742Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10 th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as wanted in particular Paragraphs. The...
4743From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Columbia University Library Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Jay, and sends a rough Draft of a Letter to Mr Adams, which he prays Mr Jay to correct to his Mind, and then permit the Bearer to copy it fair in his House, that it may receive his Signature, as Mr F. must send it away early to-morrow morning. He requests to know how the Family does, fearing there may be...
4744Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as...
4745From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours of the 2d Inst. dated at Blackfriars. I had but just receiv’d the Wheels you mention. The Ice had prevented their coming up the River. I shall write to Mr Viney as soon as I can. In the mean time please to acquaint him that they came to hand well and that I like them.— I enclose a Specimen of a new Work by the Author of L’Ami des Enfans,...
4746From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress I received your Favour by Mr Bourdieu, and yesterday another of the 18th. per Mr Hartley, who also gave me the Gazette with the Proclamation. I am with you very little uneasy about that, or any other Measures the Ministry may think proper to take with respect to the Commerce with us. We shall do very well.— They have long...
4747From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 466. I received your kind letters of the 16th and 20th instant. I thank you for your philosophical news. We have none here. I see your philosophers are in the way of finding out at last what fire is. I have long been of opinion that it exists every where...
4748Meteorological Imaginations and Conjectures, [May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Library of Congress; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society The “dry fog” that blanketed much of Europe during the summer of 1783 had occasioned much scientific speculation, but its cause was as yet unknown. In this paper, written nearly a year after the fog first appeared, Franklin was less concerned with its cause (though he did propose a theory that would turn out to...
4749From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, 2 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society In May, 1784, after a truce of two years’ duration, Franklin and his friend and landlord, Le Ray de Chaumont, finally agreed on what was owed to whom. Franklin had tried unsuccessfully to settle their accounts in the spring and summer of 1782, on order of Congress. After Chaumont refused to abide by the ruling of their mutually chosen arbitrator,...
4750From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 8 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Morgan Library and Museum The Bearer Mr Maurice Meyer has lived with me Five Months, is a good Compositor, understands Latin, French & German, and has the Character of an honest Man. If you can employ him, or help him to Employ in London, you will oblige Your affectionate Friend, & most obedient Servant Addressed: To / Wm Strahan, Esqr / Printer to his Majesty / London Moritz Chretien...