9001John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 20 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society The Day before Yesterday the Baron de Thuilemeyer the Envoy to their High Mightinesses, from the King of Prussia, did me the Honour of a Visit, but as I had Company, he stayed but a short time; As I accompanied him to the Door, he told me, that he had Something to Say to me from the King, and desird me to name an Hour, when he might call upon me...
9002To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 23 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin … (3rd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1818), II , 412–13; ALS (draft): William L. Clements Library I have met with a report from America, that congress has come to some resolution respecting the commerce with Great Britain, which is to depend conditionally upon the proceedings of the British parliament by the...
9003To Benjamin Franklin from Sextius-Alexandre-François Miollis, 25 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Venant d’etre informé par Les papiers publics des marques de decoration de l’ordre de cincinatus qui ont été accordées a quelques uns des oficiers français qui ont Servis dans Les etats unis; je prend La liberté de m’adresser a votre excellence pour reclamer auprés de votre justice Les memes honneurs; ce Seroit Le dedomagement Le plus Satisfaisant que je...
9004To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Murinais, 25 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Me. La Princesse Sapieha vien de M’adresser la lettre Cy jointe, en me priant de vouloir bien lui faire passer la reponse qu’elle Espere que votre Exellence voudra bien lui faire. Il est question D’assurer l’existance d’un Gentilhomme Polonois qui a passé en amerique pour y Servir dans les troupes des Etats unis. Ce Gentilhomme Nommé Cosciuscko Existoit...
9005To Benjamin Franklin from John Trumbull, 25 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Vanderhurst of Bristol inform’d me yesterday that your Excellency had express’d great concern at the relation which He gave you of the State in which I left Doctr Cooper of Boston.— and that you was anxious to be inform’d with certainty. The enclos’d paragraph cut from a Boston paper of the 5th. of January, which I receiv’d this evening, gives the...
9006To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 25 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La Société royale de medecine m’a Chargé de vous addresser ces billets pour Sa prochaine Séance publique dont elle vous prie de disposer. Cette assemblée aura Lieu mardi prochain deux de mars. La Compagnie Se Souvient qu’elle a été privée de votre presence dans Sa derniere Séance publique, Circonstance qui augmente encore Le desir quelle a de vous voir...
9007To Benjamin Franklin from Ginet & Meirieu, 26 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il nous a eté Remis de Bordeaux, une Traite de 670..12/ Tirée par Mr. Jean Bonfield de la de. [dite] Ville, le 27. Janvier dernier, pble. au 20 fevrier ct. à l’ordre de Mr. Jean David Sur Vous; Comme Son échéance aproche, et que n’etant pas Vizée, Monsieur Grand ne Voudroit pas la payer, nous prenons La liberté, de Vous la Remettre cy Inclus, avec priere de...
9008To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 26 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honored by your favor of the 13th. and much obliged by your attention to Mr. Vanderhorst and his Daughter which he speaks of with great satisfaction and thankfulness; Also for your care in forwarding to Mr. Grand my letter, but more particularly for your condescending notice of my son and attention to his improvement in the art of refining as practised...
9009To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-René Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 27 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez moi de me rapeller au Souvenir de votre excellence en lui envoyant un mémoire sur une matiere très importante, et qui ne vous est point étrangere. De Monville imprimeur de l’accademie française remettra sur ma lettre, aux ordres de Votre Excellence la quantité d’exemplaires qu’elle voudra envoyer en Amerique. Je suis avec un profond respect...
9010To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, February 27, 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: University of South Carolina Library Accept my grateful thanks for the Contents of two Letters which you have honored me with under the 12th. & 15th. Inst. Your interposition with Mr. Grand for obtaining a supply of Money on my Account has impressed my heart with feelings which will never wear out, altho I have at present hopes of getting through without...
9011To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Rousseau, 27 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your kind & precious present, is at last arrived: I have cast my eyes upon, & was mightily pleased, with the contents of this valuable book. Be So good honoured Sir, to accept my most hearty thanks, for this extraordinary & Singular favour. I Shall Study his contents, with the greatest pleasure: his fiery & noble maxims, not only proves the framers and...
9012To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte Biberstein Trembinski, 28 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je viens de recevoir incluse dans celle du Duc de Rochefoucauld la lettre dont Votre Excellence a bien Voulû m’honorer pour le President du Congrés des Etats Unies. Je brule de desir de voir l’Amerique ce Monument de l’amour de la Patrie, de Valeur, et de la Vertue, et de conoitre ce peuple de héros. Si le hasard ebauche un gouvernement c’est la raison seul...
9013To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Deviller, 28 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il se présente pour entrer a Mon service un nommé Campo qui dit avoir eu l’honneur de vous servir deux ans en qualité de valet de chambre officier. Comme jai pour usage de ne jamais prendre de domestique sans au préalable avoir l’attache des Maitres d’ou il sortents, Oseraije vous prier de me dire la verité sur le Compte de cet homme s’il est fidel, point...
9014To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 28 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This moment I have Obtained the Expetion of the Arrest of Parlement Rendered in my feavour, wich will Prove to you my inosance and the Cruel Maner in wich I have bean Treated, Theirefore I hope you will be Kind Enough to Comunicate The inclosed arrest, to all my Countryman before my Departure and ingage them to assist me, So that I may Return to my Native...
9015To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [March 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardon Mon Illustre Docteur Si je ne vous ai pas envoyé plutôt La note Sur L’auteur de cette espece de Fourneau où on met le feu par dessus et où la flamme descend et remonte ensuite par un Tuyau de façon qu’on ne voit pas Sans étonnement la fumée Se precipiter en bas et passer ensuite dans le tuyau qui Sert à L’emporter. J’ai été Si occupé depuis Jeudy que...
9016To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Bachelier, 1 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Vous êtes invité de la part de Monsieur le Lieutenant général de Police, et du Bureau d’Administration de l’Ecole royale gratuite de Dessin, d’honorer de votre présence la distribution des grands Prix et Maîtrises, qui se fera aux Tuileries, Cour des Princes, Galerie de la Reine, le 8. du present à 5. heures précises. Je...
9017To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Johnson Clarke, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me again to take up the pen (after many years being deprived the pleasure of writing to You) to inquire after your health, and to give You some account of myself since I last wrote to You. I have long wish’d for a proper opportunity to pay my Duty to You, even at this distance and yesterday Mrs: Woolford call’d to inform me a Relation of Hers was...
9018To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives Will you be so good as to transmitt the enclosed to Mr Jay. I am sorry that we are going to loose him from this side of the atlantic. If your American ratification shd arrive speedily, I might hope to have the pleasure of seeing him again before his departure. As soon as I hear from you of the arrival of...
9019To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this, George Livius Esqr, is a many years friend of mine, and one whom I very much Love, as He is going to Paris, I am very glad of the opportunity of calling myself to your Remembrance, and of sending you an extract of the last Appendix to the Monthly Review, which is in one of your Branches of usefulness. I beg you to recieve my worthy...
9020To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Leveux, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire le 21 du mois passé, & Je saisis avec le plus grand empressement cette occasion de vous etre bon a quelque chose. J’ay exibé de Suite aux employés des fermes du Roy l’ordre de M. de Calonne. Ils en avoient recu un pareil en consequence les couteaux & fourchette & deux Serrures appartenant a Mr...
9021To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Eléonor Dufriche de Valazé: Résumé, 3 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society ⟨Paris, Hôtel d’Orléans, March 3, 1784, in French: I have one more thing to tell you, not wanting to take more of your time in person. I had the honor of giving you two copies of Loix pénales; you accepted one, and promised to send the other to Congress. That book alone will not achieve its aim: it calls for a new penal system, but does not specify the...
9022To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Françoise-Dominique Brouttin Mollien de Sombres, 4 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Jai eu lhonneur Monsieur de vous adresser un memoire pour M. Morel de dunkerque, mon parens. Il y a deux mois en joignant mes prieres aux siennes. Depuis jai eu celui de vous écrire et de vous prier Monsieur de vouloir me mander Sil pouvait ésperer quelque chose? Afin de lui en rendre compte; privé de l’honneur de votre reponce jai etté a passy pour avoir...
9023To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 4 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Archives du Ministére des affaires étrangères J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 26. du mois dernier en faveur du Sr. Williams votre Neveu. J’ai le plus grand desir de vous prouver le cas que je fais de votre recommandation; mais pour que je puisse mettre sous les yeux du Roi la demande que le Sieur...
9024To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, [5 March 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Count sarsfield hoped to receive today the Collection of Some of those little pieces which mr franklin had promised to him & which he had forgot yesterday. He cannot help writing again about them to mr franklin. He is So much the more impatient of receiving them that he is very near his departure for the Hague. He Desires mr franklin never to forget his most...
9025To Benjamin Franklin from Paul Strattmann, 5 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur, de vous envoyer le catalogue de la bibliotheque de M. le Duc de la Valliere, et de vous prier, d’en disposer éntiérement à vôtre plaisir; les feuillets des vacations, que j’ai joint au tome premier, vous indiqueront les numeros des livres, qui viennent d’être vendus; si j’etois assez heureux, de pouvoir me ranger au nombre de vos serviteurs,...
9026To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 7 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library A few days ago your Friend Mr. Alexander forwarded to me from Virginia your favor of the 2d: November accompanied with a packet for Dr. Cooper of Boston, which I shall forward to him by some private hand, to save expence of postage; having already found that expence from Virginia pretty heavy, for not withstanding your name was on the packet, as a frank, the post...
9027To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine La Sablière de La Condamine, 8 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avois envoyé la petite rapsodie cy-jointe à l’auteur du journal général de france pour l’insérer dans une de ses feuilles pèriodiques, ce qu’il n’a pas jugé à propos de faire, je ne sçais pour qu’elle raison, ce refus me détermine à prendre la Liberté de vous l’addresser: ce n’est pas, monsieur, que j’attache la moindre prétention, ni la moindre...
9028To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, 8 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An unwillingness to encroach upon your time unless for an object of importance has hitherto witheld me from congratulating you on the late glorious Revolution, in which you have borne a part so conspicuous as to entitle you not only to my gratitude but that of every present & future Inhabitant of these States. The liberty of the Country Secured, I ardently...
9029To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Thruffé and Other Favor Seekers, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the period covered by the present volume, Franklin continued to receive a steady stream of letters asking for favors, most of them from people he did not know. We summarize them here, beginning with those individuals seeking help with financial predicaments ranging from temporary indebtedness to outright poverty. A particularly dramatic appeal for...
9030To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 10 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Rien n’est plus Vray, Mon Cher Et Venerable Docteur que la Guerison De Mr De Breget a Laquelle il Est impossible D’attribuer aucunne cause aparente que L’application Du Magnetisme. J’ay Eû ce Matin une Conversation a fond Sur Son traitement avec un De Ses amis qui n’a pas quitté Son Chevet Depuis le Commencement De Sa Maladie, Et qui m’a Confirmé, que...
9031To Benjamin Franklin from Nicola Victor Mühlberger, 13 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sans avoir l’honneur d’Estre personellement Connue de Vous je prend la Liberté de Vous adresser la présente. Je Suis Mühlberger de Dresde Negotient que vôtre Complaisançe a bien voulu a la requete de nôtre Embassadeur Monsieur le Baron de Schönfeld a Paris accorder la recomandation de Mr. Robert Morris Intendent des finances en avril dernr. de quoi je ne...
9032To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Ogle, 13 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Sam: Ridout, my Grandson, purposing to pass a few weeks at Paris previous to his leaving Europe—wishes to have the honor of paying his respects to your Excellency. I therefore take the liberty of using this method for introducing him— I am Sr. your most Obedien Servant Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats...
9033To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé André Morellet, 16 [March] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society On January 26, Franklin wrote a critique of hereditary nobility in general and of the Society of the Cincinnati in particular, couched as a private letter to his daughter, Sarah Bache. After keeping that essay secret for “some Months,” he asked Morellet to make a translation, which the abbé returned with the present letter. In response to the concern that...
9034To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, 16 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur gosséc qui vous reméttra cétte léttre, mon cher papa et auqu’el je prends beaucoup d’intérest a déja eu l’honneur de vous voir, ou monsieur votre fils l’année derniére il vient de négotier des papiers que vous avés trouvés bons, et compte repasser incéssament en amérique ou il a été déja employé, il voudroit avant son départ avoir l’honneur de vous...
9035To Benjamin Franklin from Morellet, [after 16 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Voilà Monsieur la copie de la traduction que vous aves lüe avec les retranchemens que nous sommes convenus d’y faire. Je crois même que vous féres encore bien d’en retrancher encore les deux endroits que j’ai renfermés entre des lignes. Vous saves avec quelle facilité on saisit icy toutes les occasions de nuire. Pour moi je voudrois avoir tous les jours des...
9036To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 17 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd yours of the 11th Instant as also a preceeding Letter inclosing Dr Wrens Diploma, which I forwarded to him immediately, as I have also that to Dr Withering & shall discharge the Draft in his favor when presented— Church Bells are sold by weight ½ [1s. 2d.] per lb. or £6..10.8 per Cwt. [hundred weight] when wanted, the weight of the Tenor Bell must be...
9037To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans la supposition que vous avez plaisir de lire de temps à autre une relation fidele des affaires ici, je continue de faire passer sous vos yeux mes Lettres au departement, au lieu de les envoyer directement d’ici à l’orient; & aussi parce que cela me procure l’occasion de me rafraichir dans l’honneur de votre souvenir, & de vous faire agréer les...
9038Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you an Act of Congress of the 16th. Inst: together with Copies of the several Papers to which that Act refers. I am with the Greatest Respect, Gentlemen, Your obedient & humble Servant In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand. The enclosed resolutions of March 16 (Hist. Soc. of Pa.; see JCC, XXVI ,...
9039To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Franklin Case, 22 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Altho I am but a Child of Eight years of age And you Dear Sir to me Intirely unknown I make Bold to Send you these few Lines to Inform you that my Parents Informs me that I Receivd one part of my Christian Name in honour to you and to manifest their Regard for you as a friend to america my Native Country and In order to Shew the Great Regard I have for your...
9040To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Case, [22 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Do hereby Certify to you that the name Signd is in the proper hand writeing of my Daughter who has Long been Desirious of writeing to your Honour. She is a fine Beautifull Child of fine witt and Exceeding apt to Learn more So than any one of my Children to the amount of 11 which I have had born to me. From Sir your unknown friend Addressed: To Doctor /...
9041To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Marquis de la Fayette was so obliging as to translate and enforce my two last Letters, which I had the honor to communicate to you of the 6th. and 13th. Current, to the Marechal de Castries, on the subject of the Prize-money due to the Officers and Men who served in the Squadron I commanded in Europe. But, from a Letter written the 29th. of May 1780...
9042To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library After the Storm which has agitated the Royal Society since Christmas with no Small degree of Violence We have drop’d into a flat Calm. It seems as if the debates have exhausted the annual supply of genius or at least skimmd off the Cream of it as nothing very interesting appears either in Presence or Prospect. The best papers we have had is Dr. Blagdens...
9043To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 24 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Partridge, one of the principal Merchants at Leghorn, and who is universally esteemed for his knowledge and virtue, will have the honor to present you this letter. As he takes Paris in his way to England, I wish to introduce to you a Gentleman of his merit, and who has long been a warm and sincere friend to me and my little family. As his stay upon the...
9044To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 26 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I have received yours of the 11th instant. I am to inform you in answer that it is not thought necessary on the part of Great Britain to enter into any formal convention for the prolongation of the term in wch the ratifications were to be exchanged as the delay in America appears to have arisen merely in consequence of the inclemency of the season. There will be no...
9045John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inclose a Letter from Mr Edward Browne of Ostend and another from Mr De Berdt.— Mr Browne was introduced to me in London by Mr De Berdt, and appears to be an accomplished Person well acquainted with the Language Laws and Commerce of the Place where he is.— If your Excellencys judge proper, I should be obliged to you if you would...
9046To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me the 15th with the Letters Packet and Copy inclosed. I think with you that the Delay of the Ratification cannot occasion any Difficulty, but it was very proper to Send a Copy of the Secretarys Letter to Mr Laurens, who may negotiate an Agreement to extend the Term or at least may explain the...
9047To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Gourdon, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Gourdon a l’honneur de Présenter Ses Respectueux homages a Monsieur franklin, et de Luÿ Renvoÿer Les 10 Volumes qu’il a Bien voulu Luÿ Prester: il Se Seroit fait un devoir de les luÿ Reporter Luÿ même Si Sa Santé Luÿ Eut Permis de sortir ces jours cÿ. Il Supplie Monsieur franklin, Si il a quelque Suplément à Cette histoire qui l’amene jusqu’a La...
9048To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis and Marquise de Lafayette and Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr et Mde. La Marquise De lafayette et Mr. De Gouvion profiteront avec grand plaisir de l’Invitation de Monsieur Franklin et auront l’honneur de Diner chez lui Dimanche. The earliest possible year, though the note could also have been written in 1785. Lafayette’s former aide Gouvion ( XXIII , 160–1n) was in America on March 27 from 1777 through 1781 ( XXXVI ,...
9049To Benjamin Franklin from John Witherspoon, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had some Expectations of seeing you before this Time at Paris. Please to know that the Trustees of the College of New Jersey contrary to my Judgement and Inclination were induced by some Things they had heard to suppose that this would not be an improper Time to Solicit Benefactors for the College which is known to have suffered so much by being seated in...
9050To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Beaumont, 28 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai L’honneur de vous prévenir qu’après avoir presenté le Sr. Schaffer à Monsieur le Marquis de La fayette, ce Seigneur la recû avéc Bonté; et lui a offert de le remener avéc lui en Amérique; cette circonstance est unique dans Son Espéce et trop intéréssante pour le Sr. Schaffer pour qu’il n’en profite avéc joie. J’ose me flatter que votre Excéllance ne...