301To 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...
302To 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...
303To 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...
304To 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 &...
305To 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...
306To 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...
307To 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...
308To 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...
309To 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...
310To 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...
311To 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...
312To 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...
313To 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...
314To 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...
315To 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...
316To 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.
317To 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....
318To 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...
319To 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...
320To 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...
321To 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...
322To 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...
323To 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;...
324To 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...
325To 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...
326To 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...
327To 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...
328To 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...
329To 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....
330To 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...
331To 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...
332To 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...
333To 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...
334To 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...
335To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I send inclosed Copy of a Letter I have just recvd from Brest to which I request your kind attention. There cannot be a doubt but the Prize in Question belongs to the Captors, or at least that whatever the Rigour of the Law may be, the Custom in such Cases is to give them up. The Ordonnances of the Marine confiscated all...
336To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you the 26 June relative to the affair of Mr Springer & his Comrades at Brest. I since hear the prize is condemned to the admiral which tho’ I think an unlawfull proceeding may turn out well enough for the admiral in these Cases always gives up the Prize to the Captors. The proceedings of the admiralty at Brest are I...
337To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Major Sherburne who will deliver this has already several Introductions to you, I cannot however let him go away without adding my assurances that I think him a Gentleman worthy of your Friendship & Civility & I therefore request you will honour him with your particular notice. I am as ever most dutifully & affecy Your Addressed: His Excellency / Doctor...
338To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have Received your Favour of the 15th Inst. by Mr Paradise and Mr Jones who arrived here last evening. I am astonished Mr de Chaumont should persist in such ridiculous as well as unjust Demands, he surely is much altered, for I think I can remember when he would have despised the same conduct in another; Our Defence is so...
339To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The inclosed Letter I recvd by this days Post from my House at L’Orient. I am at same Time informed that the Sailors you wrote Williams Moore & Co about are set at Liberty. I refer you to my last which was on the subject of your affairs with Mr de Chaumont. I am as ever with the greatest Respect most dutifully & affectionately...
340To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library This will be delivered to you by Mr W Burgess late a london Merchant but now bound to America. In his passage through Paris to come hither he wishes to pay his personal Respects to you. I therefore beg leave to introduce him & shall esteem every Civility shewn him as a Favour confered on me. I am as ever most Dutifully & affectionately In March, William Burgess...
341To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library The present serves only to inform you that agreable to the permission contained in Billy’s letter of the 23 June I have this day drawn on you for my advances to Prisoners in favour of Mr Grand as per accot on the other side amounting to £1697..10..0 which please to honour I inclose the original Vouchers to each charge.— I am as ever &c &c JW had first requested...
342To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have lately received a letter from Tristram Dalton Esqr. of Newbury-Port, informing me that you some Time ago advis’d him of having obtain’d orders for payment of a Sum, for the loss sustain’d by the owners of the Brigt. Fair-Play; & that you would deposit it in my hands— Mr. Dalton desires me to give him some information...
343To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to introduce to your particular Notice and Friendship my Friends Mr Nat Barrett and Mr Frazer, the former of these Gentlemen is the son of an old Friend of yours and the Latter is particularly reccommended to me. Mr Barrett has many Letters for you, and I have given him the one you sent to me for Mr Paradise that Gentleman being returned to...
344To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Yale University Library I beg leave to solicit your kindness in forwarding the inclosed to the Marquis de Castries and to add a Line in addition to my Request. You will see it is no Favour out of the common Line I therefore ask without hesitation. If I had 100 Tons of the public Stores here I could put them on board the Cato & land them in Boston...
345To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd the Catalogue of the Marquis de la Fayettes Cargo only last Night—and I now return it with marks & a note on the other side which I hope may answer your Purpose. I have been very uneasy on accot of your Illness but a Letter from Billy this morning has relieved me, & I hope by the Time you receive this you will be perfectly recovered. I am as ever...
346To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library Mr Louis Tardy informs me that he could obtain an advantageous protection for his Brother who is lately gone to St Domingo if you would kindly signify a favourable opinion of him. I therefore do not hesitate to assure you that the person in question Mr Gabriel Tardy has been near 5 years with me and I can with truth declare him to be an honest, industrious &...
347To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this Mr Natl Nelson is the son of a particular Friend of mine now here, & his Object is a Visit to the other parts of his Family in Ireland. This young Gentleman lately arrived from Philadelphia whither he will probably return after having seen his Friends & reestablished his Health, which is another motive for his present Journey. I beg sir...
348To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Yale University Library Onboard of one of the prizes lately arrived at L’Orient to the address of my House Williams Moore & Co, are part of the Crew of his Brittanic Majestys ship Ramilies which sunk at sea. One of them being an Officer has desired to know if he & his Comrades are to be prisoners of War or not, having fallen into our Hands in...
349To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I came hither on the Business of our House having 5 rich Jamaica prizes to our address, with upwards of 2000 hhd Sugar & 400 hhds Rum. The Alliance is just arrived with 4 more, & she has sent 5 into America, two have got into Nantes so we know of 16 taken; I have another privateer which I hourly expect will bring in 2 or 3 more.— I have advice from my...
350To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I arrived here last evening, with Mrs Williams, she is not well enough to be left immediately or I should have paid my Duty to you in Person. I beg Billy will let me know by a Line how you are, & I hope in a few days to be able to see you, in the mean time I remain as ever Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman Addressed: A monsieur / Monsieur Franklin /...