51To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 22 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr Tardy who has been 4 Years in my ’Counting House goes to Paris for some Family Affairs. I have directed him to call on you. He can give you a full Accot of every thing that I know of Mr de C & by having the Letter I wrote you before him he will be able to answer any Question you may desire on...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I hasten to answer your respected Favour of the 13 Inst. this moment received.— I am sorry Mr de Chaumont makes so many unjustifiable Difficulties, and agreeable to your desire I will answer your Questions in their Course to refute his ill founded arguments. He cannot avoid paying you Interest on the £50,000 Livres he has had...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Indiana University Library, Bloomington In consequence of your Desire to be informed what Facilitys or Disadvantages the American Commerce enjoyed or suffered in this Place, I sit down to give you a few outlines on the Subject, which may serve to give you a general Idea, and what Questions you may have to ask afterwards, I will...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you last Post relative to a ship of 300 Tons which is offered for Freight to take out the public Stores. The proprietor of this Ship is Mr Arnoux one of our principal Merchants here & his son in Law Mr Mitchel will call on you to talk on the subject whatever you do with him therefore will be conclusive on Mr Arnoux & I...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Inclosed are 2 Letters from Major Franks one for you & one for Mr Jay. The Bills mentioned I have sent to Mr Grand.— What is to be done about sending out the public Stores? There are here two large american Ships now here which will want Freight one of them the Cato of 300 Tons to my address, but these Ships belong to the...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have seen the Comissary relative to a ship.— There is some misunderstanding between Mr de Castries and you for the Minister gives no other directions to the Commissary than to give me his assistance, while it appears by your Letter that the whole Transaction is to be his and I am only to inform him of any Vessell I may know....
57To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is current on Change to day that the Americans have declared War against Portugal. I can not conceive how this accot can come yet every body seems certain it is true. I beg if there is anything in it that you will let me have a Commn for the Spry to cruise against the Portuguese. She may pick up a rich Prize on her Way home. I shall be obliged to you if...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Mr James Moore Brother to Mr Philip Moore of Philadelphia has been some Time in this Town. He came hither from Scotland intending for America, but finding that through his Brothers Connexions he can fix himself advantageously in Business here he has determined to stay & enter into the american Trade. I advised him first to...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I cannot account for the delay of the seeds; in order to get them expeditiously to you I addressed them to a Mr Goddard at the Bureau de la messagerie at Versailles, and desired him to send them to you without going into Paris, this precaution Billy desired me to take: If they are not arrived when you receive this please to...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The object of the Present is to inform you that the ship The Count de Grasse belonging to Newbury has arrived here from Guadaloupe with 300 hhds of Sugar, & a prise taken on the Coast bound from Dartmouth in England to Newfoundland; The Ship & Prise I understand are to my Address but as the Captain is not yet up I am not able...
61To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour 23 Inst and perfectly agree in Opinion with you. I thank you very much for your kind Expressions of Friendship which I will always study to deserve. The Seeds you will before this have received, I hope in good Order. I beg leave to introduce to your Notice my Friend Mr William Vernon of Boston. You...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: American Philosophical Society, Yale University Library I beg leave to trouble you with the present, which has for its subject the distresses of our Countrymen who escape hither from Prison. I am an Enemy to extravagant supplies, because extravagant People would take the advantage of the public Generisity & indulge themselves in dependant Idleness;...
63To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace the Opportunity the departure of Mr Meyers gives me to send you two Bottles of Cramberrys: I will send you more by the first messagerie. I beg leave at the same time to introduce Mr Meyers to your kind Notice and Friendship. I am as ever your dutifull & affect Kinsman Addressed: His Excellency / Doctor Franklin &c &c. Notation: J. Williams, Nantes...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I inclose you an Accot of what I have paid to the Custom House for Duty, on Public Goods amounting to £5271.. 13.10.[ l.t. ] I send a Voucher for the principal sum, the two small ones are included in other payments for different Concerns; if it is neccessary I will have other Receipts taken & sent to you.— I have had a deal of...
65To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day sent to the Marquis of Castries a Plan of An Enterprise which if undertaken cannot fail of being very distressing to England, and of high Importance to France & America,— what this Plan is I cannot at present tell you because I have left the Communication entirely to him, & in all probability he will lay it before you; When he does please to...
66To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have in Company with a Friend just bought an exceeding fine new Brig, calculated for a remarkable good Sailor, never yet at Sea. I have called her the Spry and given the Command to Capt Robeson. My Intention is to send her immediately to Boston, and I hope to get her away under the Convoy of the Alliance, for this Purpose I...
67To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 8 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The present serves to introduce to your Acquaintance Doctor Mason Weems and his Companion Mr Manifold; these Gentlemen mean both to go to Britain, the former to pursue the study of his Profession in Edinburgh, and the latter for some affairs which will make his stay but short. I request you to honour these Gentlemen with your kind Notice, and to favour them...
68To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27(?) February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Letter was given me open by Capt Jno Foster Williams who is lately arrived here from Prison. As you may have the Receipt mentioned or an authentic Copy of it I think it my duty to forward this Letter and I hope in consequence 53 of our poor Countrymen will be liberated. I am as ever Yours most dutifully & affecty Notation: Williams Feby. 2....
69To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Opportunity by a private Hand to return you Capt Folgers Bond & Oath, in order to save the postage. I will write by the Post. I am in haste yours most dutifully and affectionately Notation: J. Williams 24. Fevr. 1782. See JW to BF , Nov. 10, and BF ’s reply of Nov. 19.
70To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I recd your Favour of the 6 Inst. desiring to know if there are any American Vessells here that want freight to go to Brest to take in. There are in this Port two American Vessells only, the Favourite Capt Buchannan, & the betsey Capt Gallagher, the former a new ship of twenty Guns armed by Mr. Johnson, the latter an armed Brig...
71To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 8 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Friend Mr Grubb will have the pleasure to present this & I beg Leave to recommend him to your Notice & Civility. This Gentleman proposes a settlement in France in the Commercial Line in Company with Mr Hazlehurst, & I doubt not will ever merit the Attention you may think proper to honour him with, which will particularly oblige Dear & hond sir Your...
72To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 2 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Melrose, Pa., 1957) I remitted to Mr Grand a few posts since about 50,000 Livres in Bills on you, & I find by a note at the bottom of his Letter that the payment is not certain. Near the whole of these Bills are on my own Accot and the disappointment would affect me very much; besides this, some part were remitted me by Mr Bache for...
73To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time before the departure of the Post to inform you of the Arrival of the Brig Betsey from Philadelphia & to forward the inclosed for you.— I am as ever most dutifully & affectionately Notation: Jona. Williams Nantes. 19. Janr. 1782. Commanded by Bernard Gallagher (b. c. 1751), the ship had eight guns and twenty-seven men. Gallagher had received...
74To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to express my sincere Wishes for your Health & Happiness with every other possible Blessing for this and many succeeding Years, and at the same time to renew my gratefull Thanks for the Friendship & assistance you have so long & so often honoured me with, which I assure you it shall always by [be] my utmost Endeavour to merit by a steady...
75To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received last Post a letter from Mr Moylan of L’orient in which are these Words. “If you wish to be deputy Consul of your district I have good Reason to imagine Mr Barclay would willingly authorize you to the Office, let me know your mind privately.” I have answered thus. “I conceive myself highly obliged to Mr Barclay for his Intention & much indebted to...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your Favour of the Inst per Mr Witherspoon. I gave it to your good Friend Capt All, who had heard with Pain what I before wrote to you, & who now rejoices at the Opportunity of confounding malicious Tongues. I send you inclosed a Newspaper in order to shew you the inhumane Conduct of Lord Rawdon, now a prisoner in Paris. I do not expect to...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 22 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society To recommend Mr Barclay to your Civility & friendship would be superfluous because his public & private Character are both known to you & both entitle him to your Notice. I however think it my duty to congratulate you on the late Glorious News & to assure you that I am as always Your dutifull & affectionate...
78To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Farmers General notwithstanding they had exempted the Cloths employed in the Cloathing from the Duties of Consumtion, have now demanded of me the payment of the whole Duties, which if paid will amount I suppose to 30 or 40,000. In the first Place these Duties are not due because the Goods have been exported; it is only the Form of the Business that can...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I beg leave to introduce to your Notice Monsieur Nordingh Danish Consul for several Ports in France, residing at st Quentin, & partner in the House of Brisac Paulet & Nordingh. He has a great desire to pay his Respects to you in his Passage through Paris, and being a Gentleman for whom I have a high Esteem I take the Liberty of presenting him to you and...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library This will be presented to you by Mr Foster March Penny the son of one of my Friends in Boston. His Fathers Estate lies in the Island of Jamaica and He desires me to send this young Gentleman to London whence he is to embark for that Island. I take the Liberty of reccommending Mr Penny to your friendly notice while in Paris, and I request you to assist...
81To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The Bearer of this Mr Wanton Casey is the son of Mr Silas Casey of Rhode Island, he came hither about 2 Years ago warmly recommended to me by Aunt Mecom & has been ever since in my Counting House. I beg leave to introduce him to you as a very worthy Young man & request you will honour him with your Notice & Civility. I am as ever most dutifully &...
82To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I hope you will not think me troublesome by requesting you to forward the Inclosed to Mr de Fleury with a short Letter informing him who I am and your Opinion of my Capacity & Probity.— I have the maintenance of my Family to think off and I wish by my own Labours to rise in the World. It is not therefore extraordinary that I should seize every Occasion...
83To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I inclose you a Proposition which appears to me more advantageous than any thing that has yet been done in that Way. If you choose to engage for the supply of Arms I trust you will give me the Order; if the Goverment is to supply us, as I am sure they cannot have a better Offer, I doubt not they will give me the Commission if you will give in the...
84To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library The Brig Sally Capn. Worth arrived Yesterday from Rhodisland to my address and brings the inclosed Letters for Your Excy. which I take the earliest oppertunity of forwarding. She brings advise that the French Ship Segitaire with 10 Transports had arrived with troops who join’d the Count of Rochambeau’s Army— & no other Newse of consequence. I am ever...
85Jonathan Williams, Jr., to William Temple Franklin, 24 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you inclosed a Specimen of an Improvement I have made in copying. When you write for more english Papers pray order an equal quantity for me. I forgot to pay for my hat when I came away, please to pay the Man when he calls. I also forgot to give you Mr Austins Draft for what he owed the Doctor, please to tell me how much it is & send me down Austins...
86To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have not written to you since my Arrival because I had nothing to communicate worth troubling you with a Letter.— As a great number of our unhappy Countrymen are in the English Prisons without any prospect of an Exchange for want of Prisoners to give in return, it is proposed by the american Houses in France to build & arm a stout Privateer of 28 Guns...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, 1957) It is found absolutely necessary for Mrs Williams to take a Journey & reside some time in a high Country in order to reestablish her Health. In consequence of this and in order to produce to you all my Accounts & Vouchers I have determined to go to Passy, first leaving Mrs Williams at St Germain, she...
88To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library A mon retour de L’Orient j’ai trouve une Notte de votre part, (sans datte) que me demande des Renseignements a sujet de la Pacotile que notre Ami feu Monsr. Dubourg avait confié a mon Frere—. En reponse a cette Demande J’ai l’honneur de vous remettre les Copies de 3 Lettres que J’ai ecrit—Scavoir A Monsr. Breton le 4 Août 1779 A Monsr. Dubourg le 10. 7bre. 1779 A...
89To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 2 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I informed you in my last that the Marquis de la Fayette would sail the next day, accordingly on thursday the 29 of March I saw her & the Alliance under Sail and the Wind has since continued exceeding fair, so that I imagine they are now 150 Leagues of. I have the pleasure to assure you that the great ship sails remarkably well & I realy believe the...
90To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here last Evening & agreeable to my Expectation found every thing that I had to do relative to the Marquis de la Fayette very well executed by my Clerk & the ship in the Stream all ready for Sea, as she has been some Days. I have no Instructions relative to the final Departure of this ship & I should suppose your Dispatches necessary, it is for...
91To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have the pleasure to inform you that the Marquis de la Fayette is now loaded & ready for the Sea. I sent on last post my Letters to Congress & the Agent for supplying the Army informing them of all that is necessary relative to the Cargo, so that the Ship now only waits for your final Orders. My Presence at L’Orient has not been necessary for had I...
92To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your much esteemed Favour of the 8 Inst in which you refer me to Mr de Chaumont for the Balance of the Officers Cloathing & I have drawn on him accordingly.— The Situation of Mrs Williams has been such that my absence would have perhaps been attended with Loss of her. I have however taken such Care of the Business at L’Orient that there has...
93To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library As the English News Writers have been endeavouring to hurt us by giving bad News, I think it my Duty to give you Copy of an Account contradicting their Publication which I received from L’Orient the 4th Inst & which I wish may give you as much Pleasure as it has me. I am with much Respect Your ever Affectionate Kinsman Addressed: a monsieur / Monsieur...
94To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., [1 March] 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I wrote you some time since & sent under Cover a Letter to Mr Necker relative to the Freight Duty demanded on the Aurora but as I have not yet received any answer I take the Liberty of sending a Copy which I request you to send to Mr Necker, if the Original has not come to hand. The Payment of this Freight Duty will much affect this kind of Commerce, &...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont has written to me consenting to the appropriation of the officers Cloathing to the public Accot agreeable to your desire and I have accordingly paid the amount of the Invoices £25970.6 by my 2 drafts on you—Viz. 23810.19.10 @ 10 days sight to the order of M Chaumont & 2159. 6. 2 @ do to my order both marked HO 25970. 6. 0 which please to...
96To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have just heard that the Captain of the Marquis de la Fayette is gone to Passy. I cannot guess his Business, but I hope it will not occasion Delay. My Clerk has been at L’Orient some time & the ship is not yet ready to take in, You may be assured that not an hours delay will be on my side as all is ready. As I imagine there...
97To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library The Marquis de la Fayette is at length arrived at L’Orient & as soon as the Freight she brought round from Bordeaux is delivered she will begin to take in: All that depends on me is ready, & you may depend there will not be a moments Delay that I can prevent.— I have written a Letter to the Minister which I inclose for...
98To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Three Letters, 9 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library; (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society The Procureur du Roi of this Place seeing my Servant Mark Anthony passing the street took it into his Head to order him to Prison because he is black; He has been two Years with me and is well known by everybody in the Town, yet is to day taken up on an Edict of...
99To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I received in course your kind Favour of the 29 Jan. & would have answered it by return of Post if Mrs Williams’s Situation had not required my constant attention. She is now thank God much better & I hope soon to see her recover fast.— Notwithstanding you heard on the 29th that the marquis de la Fayette was sailed. I am...
100To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 1 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library; (II) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library Since my last I have a ship loaded with Sugar & Cotton from Port au Prince (but belonging to Boston) arrivd at L’Orient to my address. I have written a Letter to Mr Necker which I inclose, you will see the subject by reading it, & if you approve...