691From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 1–16 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office It is always a great Pleasure to me to hear from you, and would be a much greater to be with you, to converse with you on the Subjects you mention, or any other. Possibly I may yet one day enjoy that Pleasure. In the meantime we may use the Privilege that the Knowledge of Letters affords us, of conversing at a distance by the Pen. I am glad to find you are turning...
692To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 8 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your Letter of the 31st past, relating to Encroachments made on the Eastern Limits of the United-States, by Settlers under the British Government, pretending that it is the Western and not the Eastern River of the Bay of Passamaquoddy, which was designated by the Name of St. Croix in the Treaty of Peace with that Nation; and requesting of me to communicate any Facts, which my Memory...
693From Benjamin Franklin to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 21 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I should have answered sooner your Letter of the 7th. but that it happen’d to mislaid.— Inclos’d I send the Letter you desire for Govr. Hancock. I have now no Acquaintance left in New York Government, but its Delegates to Congress, to whom you mention being already known. Made. la Comtesse d’Houdetot has warmly recommended to me a M. Crevecoeur who had...
694To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 19 January 1782 (Jay Papers)
In mine of the 15 th . I mention’d my Intention of writing fully to you by this Days Post. But understanding since that a Courier will soon go from Versailles, I rather chuse that Conveyance. I received duly your Letter of Nov r . 21. but it found me in a very perplexed Situation. I had great Payments to make for the extravagant & very inconvenient Purchase in Holland together with large...
695Letter in Support of Pierre-André Gargaz, 22 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society The Bearer Pierre André Gargaz is Author of a very humane Project for establishing a perpetual Peace. This has interested me much in his Behalf: He appears to me a very honest sensible Man, & worthy of better Fortune: For tho’ his Project may appear in some respects chimerical, there is Merit in so good an Intention. He has serv’d faithfully 20 Years...
696From Benjamin Franklin to Noble Wimberly Jones, 18 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress I received your Favour by Capt. de la Plaigne, and in consequence of your Recommendation have assisted him with Money, and recommended him to honest Merchants here, who have furnish’d him with Goods that you ordered. He appears to have had the Interest of your State at heart, and to have acted in your Affairs to the best of his Judgment; and I hope you will...
697From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 7 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two) I have been sometime in Suspense about Writing to you, not knowing whether you were at Cadiz or Madrid. But being inform’d a few Days since that you had set out for the latter, I now acknowledge the receipt of your several Favours of Sept. 26. from Philadelphia. Decr 27. from Martinique, Jan 26th. & 28th and March 3d from...
698From Benjamin Franklin to Smith, Wright and Gray, 13 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Inclos’d I send you three Bills of Exchange, White on Bacon, for Five Hundred Pounds Sterling. They are different Bills, tho’ on the same Paper. Please to present them for Acceptance—and enter them in my Book. Send me per Mrs. Stevenson the Bearer Thirty Guineas, of which two in Silver. I am, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: To / Messrs Wright Smith &...
699From Benjamin Franklin to Patrick Henry, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of March 3. 1778, by Capt. Lemaire, acquainting me that your State had desired Mr William Lee, your Agent, to procure a Quantity of Arms, & military Stores, and requesting me to assist him with my Influence in obtaining them on Credit. Being glad of any Opportunity of serving Virginia, & showing...
700From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I mentioned the other Day the Affair of your Man to M de Renneval at M de Vergennes’s who informed me that I should apply to M. de Castries. I did not meet with him, & Billy goes out to day expressly to obtain his Order for the Release of the poor Fellow, which M. de Renneval assur’d me would meet with no Difficulty. I hope you will receive it with this, as he...