29451To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 1 November 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I have the honour to forward to you, the Address to the King and an Address to the people of Great Britain and these colonies. I was in hopes by this opportunity to have sent you the Journal of the proceedings of the congress which is in the press. I hope administration will see and be convinced that it is not a little faction, but the whole body of American...
29452To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 8 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I donte think the Packit will sail at the time but I write lest it shold and I shold be found wantting in my Duty and you be displesd. In the firste plase Salley is Come home Shee traveled the coldest day I ever felte or that I ever remember and staid at the ferry [?] house till the next day then walked over one halef of the river and then in the bote the...
29453To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd your kind favour of the 14th and 20th Inst. the first reccommending M. de Bretigny &c. to whom I will show every possible assistance and civility as far as is consistent with my orders, the last informing me of Mr. Deans absence and of the necessity of waiting his return. I hope he will be by this time at paris and that I may have some orders...
29454To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 15 August 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library I had the pleasure of my Dear friend Letter of June 19th: It gives Mee concern for find my Letters Miscarried, for I writ both by Neat Ship and by Mesnard and I keep no Coppys. Indeed what I write generally in a Hurry does not deserve It but there was some things my Friends may be glad to know. In particular there was J. Bartrams Orders and Letters of advice of...
29455To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 7 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with pleasure I embrace the oppertunity afforded me by Mr. Ridley of renewing our correspondence, and of assuring you of the continuance of my esteem and friendship for you— I presume you are not unacquainted with Mr Ridley’s character and person: his being appointed Commercial Agent for this State is proof of his attachment to our cause and country...
29456To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 1 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make bold to recommend to you the bearer, who is a Clergyman of my country. He has received a letter from Ireland to be forwarded to Albany in North America, and is charged at the same time to have the answer directed to him in Paris. Will you be so kind as to let him know, how he is to send off this letter? I think it may be by means of some Merchant in...
29457To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Wharton, Jr., 27 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The many marks of your esteem for me at Passy, at the same time that they are so many proofs of the kindness of your disposition, lays me under the agreeable necessity of acknowledging them with gratitude and thankfullness. And as that disposition is not confined, but with the most amiable generosity, seeks opportunities of doing good, it gives me peculiar...
29458To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 5 October 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote on the 26 and 27 of 7 br. last the First via Bristol and the other intended by our Friend C Kelby who is taking shipping at NY . in the 1st I sent our Agent Bill and the Governors proposed Amendments copied by the Clerk and in the other the Vindication of the Commissioner and Assessors of Cumberland County against the Representation...
29459To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 28 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your friendly remmbrences of me by the bearer of this is so flattering, I could not permit his return to you without making my Acknowlegments by letter for so pleasing a marke of your esteem, It allways gave me and Mrs. West the greatest satisfaction to hear of your health—a confirmation of which I have not only recived by our friend, but have now before in...
29460To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Alexander, 3 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my return to Scotland, I have been some days in the Country by which means I did not receive your Letter before yesterday. I return you a Thousand Thanks for the Trouble you have taken about the Harpsichord, the one you describe at 33 Guineas is precisely what is wanted and therefore you will please give orders to have it immediately packt up and Sent...
29461To Benjamin Franklin from Louis d’Ussieux, [before 19 March 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation: American Philosophical Society L∴R∴L∴ des Neuf Sœurs, Est convoquée pour le Lundi 19 du 1er. mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5781. à onze heures précises. Les FF∴ DE Sauvigny, Dezedes & Morel prêteront le serment d’Affiliation. On fera la distribution des Jettons à midi un quart sonnant. Les FF∴ qui arriveront passé cette heure, n’y auront plus de droit. Cet article est de rigueur....
29462To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste-Xavier Joyeuse, 19 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’interêt que j’ay toujours pris, Monsieur, aux succés des Colonies unies de l’Amerique, vû la bonté qui m’a paru dans leur cause, me donne le desir de tâcher d’y contribuer, si je le pouvais. Le déperissement de l’Armée Anglaise en Amerique, attribué principalement a la mauvaise qualité des Vivres qu’on leur distribüe, dont je lisais le détail, il y a...
29463To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Destouches, 14 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser la lettre cy jointe du Cap Bennet Negus, dont la conduite dans la croisiere qu’il vient de faire avec le Corsaire qui portoit l’illustre nom de Votre excellence a merité vos eloges, et votre bienveillance pour lui. Je suis persuadé que vous voudrez bien lui en faire sentir les effets. Il honore la nouvelle republique qui doit...
29464To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Louis Galissard de Marignac, 20 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Benjamin F. Bailar, Houston, Texas (1990) Monsieur Cramer m’avoit écrit de préparer une place dans ma pension à Monsieur vôtre petit fils, je l’ai fait avec plaisir à sa recommandation & a cause de vous; ils arrivèrent hier dix neuf avril en parfaite santé; Je sens bien, Monsieur, que cest à ses bontés que je dois l’honneur de vôtre confiance; mais il est de mon devoir de vous assurer...
29465To Benjamin Franklin from ——— St. Juste, 29 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Rodez, May 29, 1778, in French: I have a project that you will doubtless approve, for a corps to be raised, trained, and ready for action within a year. It will have a new kind of discipline and way of fighting, along with weapons of my invention that are far more effective than cannons. I want to use it for particular purposes that suit my skills and the...
29466From 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...
29467To Benjamin Franklin from Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Votre aprobation sur ce que je dis du traité d’amitié et de commerce, et du traité d’alliance éventuelle entre la france et les états unis de l’amerique, m’aurait fait grand plaisir; mais je n’ai pas été le maitre de la meriter. J’ai ma maniere de considerer cette grande affaire politique, et je l’avais racontée le mieux que j’avais pu, il a fallu tout...
29468To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 28 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Honnor to Inform you, that I am Security for, & have a Procuration from Capt. Stephen Merchant of the Black Prince Cutter, fitted out here; & from all his Crew, to act for them all, as also for the owners & Concerns, & represent the former as their Sole agent in the sale of all the Prises they Shod. make, & to do all Transactions whatsoever...
29469To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron von Blome, 21 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; two copies, press copy of copy: National Archives Le Soussigné Envoyé Extraordinaire de Sa Majesté Danoise près Sa Majesté Très-Chretienne est chargé par ordre exprès de Sa Cour d’exposer à Monsieur Franklin, Ministre Plénipotentiaire des Etats-Unis de L’Amérique près Sa Majesté Très-Chretienne, le Fait suivant: Le Vaisseau Danois la Providentia, Cape. André Brun,...
29470To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [after 25 May 1774?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ Missing ] ourselves without making Mr. W—s experiment. But to be serious; unluckily for that Gentleman I have drawn no conclusion from his favourite experiment, except it be this, that a point will not invite a stroke of lightning upon it, at 12 times the distance of a knob. The chains happen’d to be both of the same wire, and length. Whoever...
29471To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis Cadet de Vaux, 8 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer du pain de pommes de terre, fait sans un seul atome de farine et sans mélange d’aucune autre substance étrangere. Cette decouverte si prétieuse, si intéressante est due a M. Parmentier mon confrere et mon ami; tous deux réunis sur cet objet, nous cherchons maintenant à le porter au point de perfection dont il est susceptible,...
29472To Benjamin Franklin from George Scott, 23 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I confirm the contents of my two letters which I had the pleasure to write you from hence on the 13th. & 17th. May last, to which I hope you paid the necessary attention. By the last post I received a letter from our very worthy friend Dr. P——who desires me, in case I shall return thro’ Paris, to communicate to you certain events respecting his parting from...
29473To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I received your favour of the 12th. inst. after I had written my Answer to yours of the 2d: & 4th. so I let that go as it is and you have it accordingly inclosed— Immediately on the arrival of Monsr. de Chaumonts Courier with his and your Packets Mr: de Montaudoin sent for me to Answer his Interrogatories & justify my cause,—I...
29474To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Bird, 24 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having the honour of your Protection to establish the fabrication of woolen Cloth in the United states of North america (and the same time I gave You the patterns of Cloth, Cazimear, Ratteen, &c which I manufactur’d in france) For the completeing of the same, and according to my promis, I take the liberty to give you a detail of what I am Capable of...
29475To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Lee, 1 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pursuant to an Order given by you, to Mr. Jones, in consequence of a Letter I presumed to write you, I entered On board the Bon homme Richard as Secretary, to Mr. Jones, the 19th. day of March last, in which Employment, I continued ’till the 1st. day of August with an Assiduity approved by all; when Copying a Memorandum for Mr. Jones, and not having it...
29476To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 2[–8] January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 269–74. I have recieved the favour of yours of the 15th of December by Mr. Alexander. I most heartily join with you in the wish that we could find some means to stop the spreading flames of this devilish war . I will not despair. The communications which he...
29477To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have spoken to the Gentleman who gave me the plan. Mr. Anthus the second in the House has thoughts of going into that Country soon, in the mean time they will make the necessary enquiries relative to Seamen. I understand the place they propose to build in is not in the Government of Sweden but of prussia. I have...
29478To Benjamin Franklin from Caffiéri, 25 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vien D’aprendre par Des vois indirect que Les Etats unis de L’amerique etoient dans Lintentions de faire Elevé une Statue a La Gloire Du Roy, Si La chose est vraie, il Sauroit tres flateure pour moi D’Etres chargé de L’execution de Se monument. Je vous prie Monsieur Dans cette occasion et Dans touts autre de vouloire bien vous Resouvenire de moy et...
29479To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand John Paris, 12 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In Consequence of my Letter to You, of the 10th. Instant, I am now to acquaint You, that it’s believed the Youngest of the Proprietarys is some where from Home, and has not received, at least he has not answered, his Brother’s Letter, touching the Appointment for to Morrow; Which, therefore, must go off; And they will take the first Opportunity to fix...
29480To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Garnier, 21 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettés moi de vous rappeller que, lorsque je vous présentai le prospectus d’un ouvrage ayant pour titre, Spectacle de la Galerie de Dusseldorf, vous eûtes la bonté de me promettre de me faire passer une réponse, après l’examen fait du dit prospectus. Ma mauvaise Santé ne me permettant point de l’aller receuillir, je vous prie d’en charger le présent...
29481To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodge, 15 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should not trouble your Excellency with writing, but having wrote to Mr. Deane immediately after my arrival here upon the 26th of March and having receiv’d no answer, makes me conjecture that He had taken his departure from Paris before the arrival of my letter. I shall take the liberty of inclosing to Your Excellency the Copies of two letters, which I...
29482To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 21 October 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I impatienly expect the good News of my Dear Franklin’s Safe Arrival. Wee regret Your Abscence, but there is a Time the Dearest Friends must Part but Wee Cherish our Minds with the Hopes of Long enjoyeing your Correspondence and Shareing in the Discoveries, the Effects of your Fruitfull Genius, which can happyly Imploye it Self, to your own Benefit or that...
29483To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [after 20 April 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library M. Le Roy prie son illustre ami Monsieur Franklin de vouloir bien s’intéresser auprès de M. De Sartine pour qu’il accorde à M. Wibert, Lieutenant-Colonel au Service des Etats unis, son passage sur le vaisseau qui portera M. Le Chr. De La Luzerne en amèrique. Monsieur Franklin se rappellera sans doute que M. Adams pendant son sejour ici a donné en...
29484To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier, 26 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Le S. fouquet qui aura lhonneur de vous remettre la présente lettre, est un sujet intelligent, attaché très anciennement au Service des poudres de france, qui a passé il y a quelques années en amérique, pour y construire des fabriques de poudre. L’objet de son voyage se trouvant rempli à la Satisfaction du congrès des etats unis, il vient de repasser en france....
29485To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremiah Terry, 7 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I set out from London the 2d. Inst. and arrived here about 4. o’Clock this Evening. My Principal Business is to learn a more Satisfactory account of my Countrymen in America, than I have been able to do in England, for which Purpose if you will Signify when you will be at leasure I will do myself the Honor to wait on you. In the meantime I remain with great...
29486To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 18 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have yours of 2d. June via Boston— I have also since received a few Lines from you of 10th. Jany., covering Letters for some French Gentlemen in our Army, which I have forwarded to them— I am glad to find you got mine of the 22d. October last, as I am now certain you have received the loan Office bills for Interest of your Money— You do not mention the...
29487To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 25 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer quelques billets pour la seance du Musée du 4 Decembre: Toute notre Societé serait très flattée que vous en pussiez profiter: vous ne reconnoitriez pas nos Salles agrandies & embellies. Nos Seances publiques sont actuellement de 12. par an; les Dames admises à toutes. Nous esperons donner cet hyver un volume de Memoires: nous...
29488To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Jenings, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I Know not, whether your Excellency has received a Copy of the King of Great Britains Speech to his Houses of Parliament, and as it will be at least a Matter of Curiosity, I take the Liberty of inclosing One herewith.— It was brought to Ostend by a Pilot of Dover. Give me leave to inform your Excellency, that I have been in this City about two months,...
29489To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de la Pleignière, 8 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter in the volume that offers services; the writer apparently hopes that Paris is full of young Americans eager to learn equitation. On April 2 Delaire, in La Rochelle, makes a similar suggestion; it is addressed to Silas Deane, but came to Franklin and is among his papers. The writer has had business setbacks but remains in good...
29490To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Mrs. Franklin’s Desire, I now send by this Opportunity, two small Kegs of Keskatomas Nuts, one is a Firkin the other a small Quarter Cask: They contain very near a Bushel and a half. I hope they may come safe and sound to your Hands: As I have been now a great while confined by the Gout, I could not go out about them; but as the Second Mate, is a near...
29491To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 14 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 14, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 207). On the same day...
29492To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed letters I brought with me from London—several circumstances concurred to detain me in England longer than I wished or expected, or there would not have been so long a space between the date of these letters and their delivery— Dr. Fothergill would have written to you long before, but deferred it, for obvious reasons, untill some safe...
29493To Benjamin Franklin from Cradock Taylor, 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Yesterday Recd. a letter from Mr. Gregoire informing me that your Excellency has no objection to giveing me my liberty provided you were assured that I was raly an American. Inclosed I send you three Letters I have receivd. from Mr Frazier which is all I can do to convince you Mr. Frazier has likewise informed me that he has acquainted your Excellency...
29494To Benjamin Franklin from Marc-Antoine-Maximilien-Cesar Le Francq, 20 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society échapé des mains de nos ennemis je prens la liberté de vous addresser le memoire ci joint, supliant Votre excellence de vouloir bien y jetter les yeux, et m’honnorer de ses ordres que j’attens avec autant d’empressement que j’en ai a vous prier d’agrèer les assurances des sentimens de la parfaite vénération et du profond respect avec lesquels je suis...
29495To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer is the Honble. John Wheelock President of Dartmouth College, who has come to Europe with a Deputation from the Trustees, supported by strong Recommendations from the first Characters in America, in order to obtain Donations for an Institution for the propagation of Knowledge & Virtue. The respectable Recommendations Mr. Wheelock has with him make...
29496To Benjamin Franklin from John Emery, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Michael Dupee in a Small Schooner I dispatchd from this place for Newbury Port the 26th. Octr. with Salt and Cloathing has made his Voyage and returnd here the 17th. Instant which gives me an opportunity to Inclose you the Two latest News papers he brought; my letters from my friends there Contain Nothing Material. If these papers give you aney...
29497To Benjamin Franklin from Charles B. Cochran, 3 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Serai venu vous rendre plutot mes devoirs mais jen ai été empeché par une grosse maladie Causée par le trop grand chagrin que jai eu ces jours passés: jai été saigné trois fois, et je prendrai ma troisieme medecine demain; aussitot que je pourrais sortir comptez, Monsieur, que je ne manquerai pas de venir deposer à vos pieds mes humbles hommages;...
29498To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Gabriel Bonnot de Mably, [1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La personne dont l’abbé de Mably a eu l’honneur de parler à Monsieur jay, et qu’il vouloit aussi avoir l’honneur de recommander à monsieur franklyn, s’appelle Rochas, c’est un jeune homme âgé de vingt quatre ans, il est bien né d’une famille de riches marchands de Romans en dauphiné. Il y a trois ans qu’il est à Marseille pour s’instruire et se former au...
29499To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Chastellux, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur coste qui vous remettra cette lettre est mon cher docteur, un três habile medecin et un excellent homme. Il étoit premier medecin de notre petite armée americaine. Il a souvent eté dans le cas de traitter vos soldats et il l’a fait avec zele et avec succès. Il aime vos compatriotes et en est aimé. L’ouvrage qu’il vous presente prouve l’estime...
29500To Benjamin Franklin from John Hay, Jr., 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency may perhaps wish to hear of the progress of a person, whose strong affection, for America, and the cause in which she is engaged, induced him to undertake so long a journey to visit a Gentleman so very respectable in his private character; and so very honorable, in his publick capacity. I left Paris at Midnight of the second instant since...