1To 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...
2The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
3The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
4The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Amerìcan Commissioners, 30 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; Haverford College Library; LS without postscript: Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1958); AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives (two) The military defeats that had followed consistently on the Battle of Long Island, and had brought the British so near Philadelphia that Congress had fled to...
5The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners to France, 24 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copies: Library of Congress; National Archives The Congress having Committed to our Charge and Management their Ship of War called the Reprisal, Commanded by Lambert Wickes Esqr. carrying sixteen Six pounders and about one hundred and twenty Men, We have allotted her to carry Doctor Franklin to France and directed Capt. Wickes to proceed for the...
6The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; draft: Harvard University Library We have the honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress that is of great Importance to the public Service, which has suffered considerably the last Fall, and during this Winter, by the insufficient manner in which our Soldiers were clothed. Having found much Delay heretofore in getting Cloth made up, the Congress desire that 40,000...
7The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives; draft: American Philosophical Society The events of war have not since our last furnished any thing decisive. The enemies Army still remains encamped upon the hills near Brunswick, and still our Troops continue to beat back and destroy their Convoys insomuch that we understand their Horses dye in numbers, and we have reason to...
8The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress; Yale University Library Captain Hammond having been detained longer than we expected, furnishes us with an opportunity of giving you the information we have since our last received from the Army, thro a Committee of Congress left at Philadelphia; for we have yet had no regular accounts from General Washington. On the 2d....
9The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress We are commanded by Congress to transmit Copies of their Resolve of the 13 instant to all the Gentlemen abroad that hold correspondance with any of their Committees. The Necessity of Such a resolution and due attention to it, is fully evinced by the heavy expence america has been put to by many Gentlemen received into their...
10To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 1 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; University of Pennsylvania Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (four) Congress relying on your wisdom and integrity, and well knowing the great Importance of the Case, have appointed you their Commissioner to negotiate a treaty of friendship and commerce with the Court of Spain. The Idea of Congress on this Subject you will find in the instructions...
11The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
12The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
13The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
14To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 13 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received your Favor respecting the Pump at aldgate. I have since (two Days Ago) recd. Letters from Congress assuring me that no further Bills shall be drawn upon me. These Dispatches have given me so much Business that I am obliged to desire Mr. Carm to write you the News, and to assure you without further additions to this Letter that I am most sincerely, Your...
15To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 21 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Your Favor of the 15 ult. with the Packets mentioned in it, arrived in good order. I regret your long Silence, tho’ I am strongly tempted to rejoice in the Cause of it—a Fit of the Gout, it is said, often prolongs Life. Affairs here begin to wear a better Aspect— I have been promised three Millions of Reals, that is one hundred...
16From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 22 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have lately written to you several Letters. Enclosed is a Copy of one to Count de Vergennes, which Count Montmorin, who also writes to him on the same Subject, is so obliging as to send together with this, by a Courier to Bayonne. The papers you have heretofore received from me, with those now sent will enable you to understand it, and I am persuaded your Abilities, and Influence will be...
17To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 10 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, Henry E. Huntington Library, National Archives My last to You was of the 20 Day of Augt last by Dupin the F. Embassadors Courier. Major Franks, with dispatches from Congress & from Mr. R Morris, is now with me & will proceed to Passy as soon as I shall be enabled to write by him. He will bring you a Copy of Mr...
18To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I have the Honor of transmitting to you the enclosed Copy of an Act of Congress of the 23rd. Ulto: Being ignorant of the Gentlemen mentioned in it, and all Information respecting them having been received by Congress prior to my Arrival, I applied to the Secretary for the necessary Intelligence— He this...
19From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 20 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
Seven Vessels have lately arrived at Nantz & Lorient from Am., two of them directly from Philadelphia & but one Letter brought by them has as yet reached me— It gives me Reason to expect others by every Post, and ^ as ^ well as to suppose that Dispatches of an important Nature have been arrived in them for You. My Correspondent informs me that certain Measures relative to peace were preparing...
20To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 5 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Altho’ you have not informed me that you had recd. my Letter from St. Ildefonso, yet I find it has not only come safe to your Hands, but that Mr. Grand (to whom I wrote a few Lines by last Post) is actually engaged in obtaining the Object of it. I thank you for this in both the Capacities of American & Friend. How far the Responsibility of the King of Spain may be a...
21To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I am & have lately been, so employed, as that your obliging Letters of the 20th. Augt. & 4 Septr. last, must remain a little longer unanswered. Among the enclosed Papers you will find several Copies of Letters & Extracts sent me by Mr. R Morris— I enclose open for your Perusal, my Letter to Congress of this Date,— after reading be pleased to seal &...
22From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 21 February 1781 (Jay Papers)
Your Favor of the 15 ult. with the Packets mentioned in it, arrived in good order. I regret your long Silence, tho’ I am strongly tempted to rejoice in the Cause of it—a Fit of the Gout, it is said, often prolongs Life. Affairs here begin to wear a better Aspect— I have been promised three Millions of Reals, that is one hundred and fifty Thousand Dollars, which tho’ very unadequate to the...
23From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 10 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
My last to You was of the 20 Day of Aug t last by Dupin the F. Embassadors Courier. Major Franks, with dispatches from ^ Congress & from ^ M r . R Morris, is now with me & will proceed to Paris ^ Passy ^ as soon as I shall be enabled to write by him. He will bring you a Copy of M r Morris’s Letter to me from which you will observe
24To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Columbia University Library On this Day I gave the House of Messrs. Jaques, Louis And Laurt. Le Couteullx of this Place, a Set of Bills on you for two Thousand five hundred and Sixty four Livres Eighteen Sols and ten Donrs. [deniers] payable ninety Days after the Date. I am Dear Sir with great Regard & Esteem your most Obedient Servant For this firm’s prior...
25To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [25 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette is about to depart, & wishes for a speedy answer to his Letter— The enclosed Draft of one, meets with Mr Adam’s approbation, & if it also meets with your’s, be pleased to sign a Copy of it, and send it by the Bearer— I am Dr Sir sincerely Yours & Addressed: His Exy. / Doctr. Franklin / Passy The date of Lafayette’s departure for Brest; see...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 9 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress As our Salaries are payables in Sterling money, I am too much at a Loss to determine the Rate of Exchange to fix upon any at present. I remember that your former Advances on this Account were at the rate of twenty four thousand Livres for a thousand Louis, supposing a Louis to be equal to a pound sterling, Our half years Salaries would amount to seventeen hundred &...
27From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 25 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
Your very agreable and friendly Letters I have rec d . and shall take an early Opportunity of answering fully.— I have as no Reason as yet to think a Loan here will be practicable. Bills on me arrive daily. Be pleased to send me a Credit for Residue of our Salaries. America rises in the general Estimation here. Tell M r . Deane I have rec d . four of his Letters & written three to him. He may...
28To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 9 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress Many weeks have elapsed since I have been favd with any Letters from you. I have recd. a Letter from Col. Laurens dated at Sea & covering the one herewith enclosed for you. A Vessel has arrived at Bilboa in 24 Days from Salem. I recd. by her some Family Letters which came from Bilboa under Cover to a gent. here. She brought...
29To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress You will find herewith enclosed an Extract of a sensible priv. Letter I recd. from the Secy of Congress on the Subject of their Finances—you will publish it or not as circumstances may render expedient. A Variety of Circumstances lead me to suspect that Negotiations for Peace are in agitation in pursuance of the Emperors...
Your Favors of the 2 d . 8 th : & 10 June have been rec d . & Copies transmitted to the Committee. The Subject of them certainly Merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can give You will be far less satisfactory than...
31John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
32To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 30 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress The Pleasure given me by your Letter of the 2d. Inst may more Easily be conceived than expressed. I am greatly obliged by your Attention to my Embarrassmts. In my last on that Subject which you recd. was a Copy of my Letter to Count D Vergennes from which it appeared that the Sum I shd. have occasion for wd. probably be...
33From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 1 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have lately rec d . a very friendly Letter from the Marq s . de la Fayette, covering some Dispatches from M r Livingston. I find that the objects of his Voyage are interesting to us, and that it is the Desire of Congress that we should correspond with him. My answer to his letter is herewith enclosed— peruse; and dispose of it. I have given him a summary account of my Situation here; he will...
34To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 18 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library All our Trouble and anxiety abt the Bills payable here this Month has been in vain they are protested. The following are the Reasons which I have desired the Notary to recite exactly in the Protest vizt (here insert Reasons verb. [verbatim]) It is proper you shd be informed that Mr. Garbarrus [Cabarrus], some Months ago voluntary offered (thro Mr....
35From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 14 April 1780 (Jay Papers)
On the 26 th . Jan y . last at Cadiz, I did myself the Honor of writing to your Excellency a Letter, by M. Gerard, enclosing one for the honorable Arthur Lee Esq r . and Copies of others I had written to the spanish and french ministers, and among other things informing you, that several Letters or rather large Pacquets directed to you were in my Possession, with which I was much at Loss what...
36To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 31 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress Your favor of the 20th. Inst reached me two Days ago. The Intelligence transmitted with it had reached us by the Way of Cadiz. I am nevertheless much obliged by this Mark of your friendly Attention. The Packet from america abt which you enquire came safe to Hand. It contained only some old Letters of Jany last from govr....
37To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 21 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Columbia University Library; copies: National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library It seems as if my chief business here was to fatigue you and our good Allies with incessant Sollications on the Subject of the ill-timed, & I had almost said cursed Bills drawn upon me by Congress. It is happy for me that you are a Philosopher, and for our Country that our allies are indeed...
38From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 31 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
I learn from Marq s . DYranda that my Letter to You of the 21 Ult. had ^ has ^ reached You. The last I have had the Pleasure of recieving from You is dated 22 d . Ult. The Want of a good Opportunity has since ^ for some time past ^
39To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 30 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library I had Yesterday the Satisfaction of receiving your Favor of the 15th. Instant. You will find by a Letter which I wrote you on the 11th.— Instant that I imputed your Silence to its true Cause, being well persuaded that the same Attention which you have always paid to the...
40From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 18 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Bills All our Trouble and anxiety to save ^ ab t ^ the Bills payable here this Month has been in vain They are protested. The following are the Reasons which I have desired the notary to recite exactly in the Protest viz t . (here insert Reasons verb.) ^ It is proper you sh d be informed that ^ M r . Carbarrus, many
41From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 9 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
Many weeks have elapsed since I have had the pleasure of rec g ^ been fav d with ^ any Letters from you— I have rec d . a Letter from Col. Laurens dated at Sea & covering the one herewith enclosed for you. A Vessel has arrived at Bilboa in 24 Days from Salem. I rec d . by her some Family Letters which came under cover to others ^
42From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 13 July 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have received your Favor respecting the pump at aldgate. I have since (two Days Ago) rec d . Letters from Congress assuring me that no further Bills shall be drawn upon me. These Dispatches have given me So much Business that I am obliged to desire M r . Carm[ichael] to write you the News, and to assure you without further additions to this Letter that I am Sincerely Your aff. obliged Friend...
43To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [18] June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society (two), Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library, Harvard University Library, His Excellency M. Jacques Delarue Caron de Beaumarchais (1976); copy: Library of Congress I enclose you Acts of Congress of the 5th. and 18th. Instant respecting Bills of Exchange for two Million four hundred thousand Livres Tournois Principal and four...
44To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have this Day drawn upon you a Bill in Favor of the Marquis d’Yranda for ninety thousand one hundred & thirty five Liv. Tourn. at ninety Days Sight. I shall also soon be obliged to draw for the Balance of the 25000 Doll. for the two Months Sight Bills— I am Dear Sir, Your obliged & obt. Servant. The $25,000 BF had promised to provide for bills of credit drawn on...
45To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Having on the 7th. of November last lost our Masts off the Banks of Newfound Land and been obliged to come to this Place to refit, I am constrained to draw upon you for Part of the Salary due to me as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to his Catholic Majesty, agreable to the Intention of Congress expressed in their Resolution of the 15th. of...
46From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 29 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
On the 18 Inst I informed you of my having been reduced, by M r Cabarrus’s want of good Faith to ^ the mortifying necessity of ^ protesting a number of bills which were then payable— Your Favor of the 16 th . Inst. reached me three Days ago it made me very happy, and enabled me to retrieve the Credit which ^ we had lost here by ^ those Protests had injured . I consider your Letter as giving me...
47To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library The last Letter I had the Pleasure of writing to you was dated the 31 Ult. and referred to a former one of the 21 november last in which I stated my Difficulties on Acct. of the Bills, the Improbability of my obtaining any Relief here, & consequently the necessity I was...
48From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 30 January 1782 (Jay Papers)
I had Yesterday the Satisfaction of recieving your Favor of the 15 th . Instant. You will find by a Letter which I wrote you on the 11 th .— Instant that I imputed your Silence to its true Cause, being well persuaded that the same Attention you have always paid to the public Affairs in general would not be withheld from those which call for it in this Kingdom. I am happy to find that you have...
49To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 18 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copy: Library of Congress; two AL (drafts): Columbia University Library; (II) copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library This will be delivered to you by the Baron Giusti, who having been charge des affairs not only of the Emperor, but of the Grand Duke of Tuscany at this Court, is now Returning to Vienna. This Gentleman’s knowledge and acquirements, exclusive of...
50To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress Notwithstanding my repeated and earnest applications to the Count D Florida Blanca I have as yet been able to obtain only, 34880 dollars of the 150,000 Dollars expressly promised me in Decr. last. He has on the contrary assured me that this promise could not be complied with in less than six Months, it therefore became...