9451To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Wulffen, [before 1 June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Jean Henry Baron de Wulffen, natif de Magdeburg, ci-devant Lieutenant & Aide major au Regiment Infanterie de general major de Rohrt au Service de S. M. Le Roi de Prusse, a présent Capitaine de Dragons au Service des 13. provinces unies d’Amerique, fait prisonnier en octobre 1779, a Amboy province de Jersey, Echangé le 18: Avril, est arrivé d’Angleterre a...
9452To Benjamin Franklin from Wulffen, [c. 25 June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bien vivement penétré Des Soins, que Votre exellence, a pris La peine de Se Donner a mon occasion; je Serois bien enchanté que vous Daignassiéz reçevoir L’etendue de ma vive reconnoissance, qui egaleroit Les biens faits Signalés, que j’ai eprouvés de votre Bonté et qui ne Sortira jamais de ma mémoire. L’objet qui m’intéresse, est le Certificat que vous à...
9453To Benjamin Franklin from Wulffen, 6 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai abandonné patrie, parents, Fortune, tout, pour voler, a l’exemple de tant de braves guerriers, en Amerique venger la liberté opprimée, & punir l’Orgueil Anglois. Couvert de Onze blessures, J’ai été pris, & n’ai eu rien de plus pressé, au Sortir des prisons, que de venir rendre compte a Votre Excellence, de ma triste Situation actuelle. Je brule d’un...
9454To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Wulffen, 7 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society I have the Honour to late your Exelance know that am in tollerable good health arrived here at Venlo, where, where I am oblidged to rest Some days, meen time them depeches your Exelance Sent along are Delivered in good hands in the Hague, His Exelance Knowing I’ am wishing nothing more than to Return again to my post to which End have the Honour to hould my...
9455To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Würmser, 22 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Baron De Wurmser Lieutenant général des armées du roy prie Monsieur Le Docteur Frankelin de vouloir bien lui donner demain dimanche 23 mars une audience de cinq minutes. Il se rendra ches lui a Passy entre 10 et 11 heures du matin. Il auroit eu L’honneur de lui demander son jour s’il n’etoit pas obligé de passer la Semaine prochaine a Versailles....
9456To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Felix Wuybert, 25 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society D’après Votre ordre, Je me suis rendû chez Mr. Lee, que l’on m’a dit etre trés-dangéreusement malade, sur quoy Je suis revenu à Paris chez ma Soeur où Je loge Laquelle est aussi trésmalade. J’ose me flatter, Monsieur, que Vous Voudrez bien m’Excuser si Je n’ai pas retourné chez Vous pour Vous rendre reponse; ma soeur à qui je rends mes soins et attentions,...
9457To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 8 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library We have all got our Bonds discharged, but with a great deal of trouble and expence, we still wish to persevere in the first design, but our Circumstances being greatly impared we shall not be able to proceed directly, yet as there are hopes of a more free passage through a Peace which we conclude by our Prints not to be far off we wish early to arrive...
9458To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 15 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yours on the 31st. April duly came to hand with those inclosed, addressed to M. —— E—— C our London friend, I desire to be forgiven respecting forms, all I have to say, is that on our arrival at L,Derry we were apprehended and committed to Goal, we are now liberated upon giving security for our appearance when called for, what the End may be I cannot...
9459To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 9 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Company I represented to your Excellency together with my self, desire to represent ourselves to you, in terms of the highest respect for the reception of me, and the kindness shewed by giving credit to the negotiating the Bill, which recd. due honour; But at the same time beg leave to express our surprize, that you have not made any reply to our...
9460To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld: Two Letters, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin had last heard from Wyld and his group of English textile manufacturers, who wanted to emigrate to America, through their representative Edmund Clegg in mid-June. Buoyed by having received Franklin’s passport and letters of recommendation, and ignoring his admonitions against sailing before a peace was declared, the core group had...
9461To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 21 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. your kind reply to the requests of the Company by mine to forward the things which were thought to be sufficient for our passage, are very sorry to hear that your Authority for granting such things is recalled, for the reasons assigned in my last, we having wholly fixed, and given up our imployments in pursuance of such things. To impose upon your...
9462To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Company are sensible of the Honour done them, by your Excellencies reception of me; and beg you to accept their thanks for the indulgent manner you received Me in, and the especial kindness done to them, by giving Credit to my draft on My Friend, which i’m informed has recd. due honour, as the Remittance was requested and made the 9th. of this Inst. And...
9463To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 18 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Arrived at my own house on the 15th. of January past and laid the answer you thought proper to return, before the Gentlemen to whom the Same was addressed, all of whom return you their most humble and harty Thanks, for the kindness shewed to me, and are sensible of the respect shewed to them in a merchantile Capacity by the Credid you gave my draft on my...
9464To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 2 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Inditer hereof, void of Formalities in which he confesseth himself no Adept; with the greatest veneration for your Character, and the highest Esteem for that Government which you represent, being deputed to communicate to your Excellency, the resolves of a few persons who are Manufacturors, in the most lucrative Manufactures of Europe, and which they...
9465To Benjamin Franklin from George Wythe, 6 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Thomas Shore, a young gentleman of Virginia, about to embark for Europe, will probably do himself the honour to wait upon you. My acquaintance with him, and the testimony several very respectable persons bear of his good qualities authorise me to say, that I have great confidence he will not be found unworthy any kindness you may be pleased to shew him....
9466To Benjamin Franklin from Yale College: Degree of Master of Arts, 12 September 1753? (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library; also copy: Yale University Library Six weeks after receiving a master’s degree from Harvard (see above, p. 16), Franklin was similarly honored by Yale. The resolution of the Corporation, September 12, 1753, read: “by his ingenious Experiments and Theory of Electrical Fire [he] has greatly merited of the Learned World.” Praeses et Socii Academiae Yalensis in novo...
9467To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Yart: A Poem, 4 October 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society <Ecoüis, near Rouen, October 4, 1777, in French: The poem, of sixty-eight lines, is packed with fulsome praise. It describes the Americans as orphaned by Franklin’s absence, and assures them that “loin de l’amérique il la porte en son coeur.” Franklin then first addresses King Louis, adjuring him to avenge British insults and “à l’empire des lys, joins...
9468Jasper Yeates to Franklin and James Wilson, 6 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, July 6, 1776: I received your favor this afternoon, and think it my duty cheerfully to accept the appointment by the Congress. My company is under marching orders to Trenton, and I am uneasy about leaving it; but I shall be happy to render my country any service in the position assigned to me. Please...
9469John Young to the American Commissioners, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recived Yours of the 2d instant from Mr. Maylon [Moylan] along with the Dispatches for Congress which I will secure readey for Sinking in case of danger according to Your Orders. When the dispatches came to hand I was all clear for sea, and now onley wates for a favorable opportunity. Ther is certin information of seven saile of English Cruizers off Bil:...
9470To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Young, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this letter is Mr. Cephas Dawes a Gentleman of a very respectable family in Pennsylvania, he was settled as a Merchant in the West Indies previous to the commencement of the war, and is a warm friend to the cause of America, which I hope will be my apology for taking this liberty with Your Excellency. Mr. Dawes will Carry with him some of the...
9471To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Young, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am exceedingly sorry that Your Excellency gave yourself the trouble to answer my Paper. I did not expect an answer. I was perfectly satisfied with the reasons given for not paying the whole of the Account when I had the honor of waiting on Your Excellency, and only committed to writing what I would have said before I heard those reasons my...
9472To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Young, 27 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Lest Your Excellency should not have been made acquainted with the transactions relative to the treatment of Mr. Laurens I take the liberty of putting within the present inclosure some extracts from three Newspapers which I yesterday met with. If any thing is to be attempted for the relief of that Gentleman, and that such a person as I could be of the...
9473To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Charles de Zinnern, 26 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’atachement que j’ai a vos affaires, est au dessus de mes expressions. Je suis né sujet d’un grand Monarchie sous un gouvernement doux, mais je ne sais pas dans quel transport de joie je deviens, en cas que j’entende, ou que je lise de vos progrès. Monseigneur de vous dire la verité, je vous regarde, et tous les chefs de votre nouvelle Republique comme des...
9474To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Zinner, 23 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress C’est eté ces jours ci que M. de Banck ci devant Major et Aide de Camp chez Mons. General Major de Gates m’inspiré tant de respect pour la nouvelle Republique de l’Amerique Septemtrionale, que je me suis resolu de dedier mon ouvrage latin, intitulé: Notitia Historica Coloniarum Americæ Septemtrionalis ab earum origine usque ad nostra tempora au tres Honorable Congrès...
9475To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Conrad Zollickoffer, 7 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pendant Mon Séjour à Philadelphie J’ai eû l’Honneur de faire la connaissance avec Madame vôtre Fille, & Monsieur Hillégas Trésorier Général des 13. Provinces Unis. Touttes ces deux Personnes que J’ai l’aissé en parfaitte santé m’ont chargé des Lettres pour vous Monsieur, dont J’ai l’Honneur de vous les Envoÿer par Monsieur De Freÿ Capit. de Cavalerie au...
9476To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Jean Zollicoffer, 7 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je crois ne pouvoir mieux m’énoncer vis à vis de Vous que dans une Langue que j’ai beaucoup désiré d’apprendre, et que je ferai ensorte de cultiver par Goût, je vous Suplie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien agréer mes Dévoirs réspectueux et de m’accorder l’honneur de Votre Protection et Appui dans le Déssein où je Suis d’offrir ma Personne et mon peu de Talens au...
9477To Benjamin Franklin from John J. Zubly, 9 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By a Letter lately received of Mr. Jasper Mauduit I find that Gentleman (whom I have not the Pleasure to know) has applied for your kind assistance to remove Some Greivances imposd in this place on protestant dissenters. I am very happy to learn that Mr. Jones Speaker of our late assembly has accordingly recievd a Letter from You on the Subject. From Your...
9478To Benjamin Franklin from ———, [on or after 14 October 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je crois devoir vous prévenir que Confiér les affaires de Mr Chaffert a de Baumont C’est a proprement dire donner la Brebis a garder au Loup ce dernier ayant fait cent Coquinneries dont quatre l’ont conduit en prison la derniére a la fin de juillet sans compter le courant Et notament des billets quil s’est fait faire par Chaffert soit disant pour Nouriture....
9479From a Reader to the Printer, 11 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , April 11, 1734. Tho’ your News-paper is sometimes as empty as those of others, yet I think you have for the most part (tho’ you were once in one particular a sad Offender) had the Modesty to keep it pretty clear of Scandal , a Subject that others delight to wallow in. These People, probably from some Corruption in themselves, and possibly from their own...
9480Map of the United States of America, Following the Peace Treaty of 1783, Dedicated and Presented to Benjamin Franklin … (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Affiches, annonces, et avis divers, ou Journal general de France, June 10, 1784. Carte des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique Suivant le Traité de Paix de 1783, issued by Jean Lattré in 1784, was neither the first French map of the United States published after the signing of the peace, nor an entirely accurate depiction of the boundaries of the new nation, as its title implies. It was,...
9481To Benjamin Franklin from Two Hundred Eighty American Prisoners, 3 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Wee the American prisoners Residing at forton Prison Take the Liberty of Informing you by a Couple of Gentleman from this place the Situation Of the prisoners on this side the Atlantic and the Bad Consequences that attends the Neglect of them. We have Wrote to you on the Subject by the Conveyance Of Mr. Newsham but for fear of its Miscarrying we Beg Leave...
9482Invitation to a Funeral, [before 22 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation: American Philosophical Society VOUS êtes prié de la part de Messieurs LES DOYEN, CHANOINES ET CHAPITRE de l’Eglise de Paris, d’assister au Service solemnel qu’ils célébreront Samedi 22 Décembre 1781, à onze heures très-précises, pour le repos de l’Ame d’Illustrissime & Révérendissime Pere en Dieu, Monseigneur CHRISTOPHE DE BEAUMONT, Archevêque de Paris, Duc de Saint-Cloud,...