751From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 28 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I had at length the pleasure of hearing from you per the Myrtilla that brought me yours of the 26th. Janry. with which I received the two Cases containing the Maps, Silk &c. all very agreeable: but nothing more so than the good News you tell me, that our Proprietor is solicitous for the Prosperity of the Academy, has ordered a Salary towards the Support of...
752From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 27 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I received your Favours of May 28 and June 1. I believe I have already wrote you, that our Friend Smith is not thought here to be the Author of the Pamphlet you mention: ’Tis generally suppos’d to be the Governor’s (with some help from one or two others) as his Messages are fill’d with the same Sentiments and almost the same Expressions. He is, I think, the...
753From Benjamin Franklin to [Peter Collinson?], 12 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Charles E. Feinberg, Detroit, Michigan (1960) We have just now receiv’d the following Advice from Northampton County, viz. One David Owens, a Soldier belonging to the Regulars, but deserted sometime since to the Indians, came in last Week to Capt. Carns’s Post and deliver’d himself up. He brought with him a white Boy that had been taken Prisoner by the Indians last Fall, when they kill’d...
754From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 27 July 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Mr. Watson I believe wrote his Observations on my last Paper in Haste; without having first well considered the Experiments related in §17 *Of the third Letter. which still appear to me decisive in the Question; Whether the Accumulation of Electrical Fire be in the Electrified Glass, or in the Non-electric Matter connected with the Glass? and to...
755From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1752 (Franklin Papers)
I. MS not found; printed in Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 354–6. II. MS not found; facsimile: Royal Society; also draft: American Philosophical Society. Of Franklin’s magic square James Ferguson wrote that it went “far beyond any thing of the kind I ever saw before; and the magic circle (which is the first of the kind I ever heard of, or...
756From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 4 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I did not receive my Dear Friend’s Letter of yesterday till I came home late in the Evening. I have this Morning wrote the Directions you desired, and sent them to your Friend. If you should hear that they are not quite clear in any particular, let me know that I may explain what is doubtful. My Son presents his Respects. We intend our selves the Pleasure of...
757From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 June 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: The Royal Society In Capt. Waddels Account *Ph. Tr. No. 492. p. III . of the Effects of Lightning on his Ship, I could not but take Notice of the large Comazants (as he Calls them,) that settled on the Spintles at the Topmast-Heads, and burnt like very large Torches before the Stroke. According to my Opinion, the Electrical Fire was then drawing off, as by Points , from the Cloud, the...
758From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 26 June 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library I received a Letter from you on the Road hither, with one of the supplemental Papers on Electricity; and a Letter from our Friend Kalm. I condole with you sincerely on the Death of good Mrs. Collinson: I do not, however, offer to comfort you by Arguments drawn from Philosophy or Religion; such will readily occur to a Person of your Understanding and Piety. Natural...
759From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Original ALS not found; duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you yesterday a Line or two enclosing the second of a Set of Bills for £120 Sterling, drawn on Mr. William Anderson, Merchant, London, by Robert Lloyd, of Maryland I now send the first of the same Set. On the 27th past I drew on you for £50 Sterling in favour of Benjamin Mecom, which I doubt not will meet with due Honour I wish...
760From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 28 July 1747 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences The inclosed is a Copy of my last, which went by the Governour’s Vessel: since which we have received, by Mesnard and Ouchterlony, Hill’s Theophrastus, Pemberton’s Dispensatory, Wilson’s Electricity and some other Pamphlets. The Proprietor’s handsome Present of a complete Electrical Apparatus &c. is also come to Hand in good Order, and is put up in...
761From Benjamin Franklin to Pierre Colomb, 27 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, les deux Lettres que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19 du mois dernier et le 19 du courant pour m’engager à vous procurer votre échange, ainsi que les moyens de retourner en Amerique rejoindre vos drapeaux. Je suis bien faché, Monsieur, de me trouver dans l’impossibilité absolue de vous accorder ce que vous me demandez. Les...
762The American Commissioners to Commanders of American Armed Vessels, 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives This circular letter was a companion piece to the commissioners’ memorandum to the French and Spanish courts below, November 23, and had been equally long under consideration. Lee presented his draft of the letter to his colleagues on the 9th. An argument developed over how to interpret the old maxim that free ships make free goods: Lee’s draft had apparently...
763The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; incomplete copy: Massachusetts Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Our Dispatches of Decr. 18. which would have acquainted you with the State of our Affairs here, and our Expectations of a speedy Conclusion of the Treaties with this Court, are unfortunately returned; the French Man of War which went on purpose to carry them, having met with some...
764The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 7 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Attested copy: Harvard University Library; copies: British Library (incomplete), National Archives (three), Sheffield City Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We received duly your Dispatches by Mr. McCrery, and Capt. Young, dated May 20 and 30. June 13, 18, and 26 and July 2. The Intelligence they contain is very particular and Satisfactory. It rejoices us to be informed that...
765The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 8 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: British Library, Harvard University Library, National Archives (three) It is long since we had a Line from you, the last received being of the Date of [ blank in MS ] per Mr. Reed. We suppose from the same Causes which have occasioned your hearing so seldom from us, the Difficulty of finding safe Conveyances, and sometimes the Loss of the Dispatches by the Way. Mr. Lee informs you, we...
766The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 16 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; transcript and two copies: National Archives We have now the Pleasure of sending you the Treaties of Amity and Alliance with France compleated after long Deliberation and signed the 6th. Instant. This is an Event that will give our States such an Appearance of Stability, as must strengthen our Credit, encourage other Powers in Europe to ally themselves...
767The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have given Capt. Courter whom we have entrusted with our Dispatches one hundred Louis D’Ors: His Journey to Corogne will be very expensive. He will keep an Account of his Expences which he will give you and we recommend him to you for such further allowance, independant of the Actual expence of his Voyage, as you shall judge adequate to his Services. He...
768From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 26 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives The Marquis de La Fayette, who arrived here the 11th of Feby. brought me yours of Oct. 28. and the new Commission, Credentials and Instructions the Congress have honoured me with. I have not since had an Opportunity of Writing that I could...
769The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 26 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The Navy of the United States increasing in the Number of its Ships and Force, it is of the utmost importance to direct the Cruises of the Shipps of War which belong either to the States or individuals so as to annoy and alarm the Enemy the most effectually, and at the same Time to encourage Our brave Officers and Seamen by the Value of prizes. The West India...
770The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft ): Yale University Library; three copies: National Archives When the commissioners met on November 27 to plan this dispatch, differences between them soon emerged. Lee profoundly distrusted Deane, who he believed had Franklin in his pocket and, in his dual role of private businessman and agent of Congress, was playing fast and loose with public money. Deane...
771The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 29 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and one transcript: National Archives <Passy, July 29, 1778: We received your letters of May 14 and 15. We congratulate you on the general good appearance of our affairs and are happy you are determined to accept no peace terms contrary to our alliance with France. We have not received from Congress the authorization we need to remove...
772The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 18 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; attested copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library; copy and transcript: National Archives Since our last of Nov. 30, a Copy of which is herewith sent you, we received your Dispatches of Oct. 6. from York Town. They came to us by a Packet from Boston, which brought the great News of Burgoynes Defeat and Surrender, News that apparently occasion’d as much...
773Franklin and Silas Deane to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 16 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society This will be delivered to you by Mr. Carmichael to whom we have committed our dispatches for Congress, and who becoming Acquainted with Mr. Deane soon after his arrival at Paris, travelled to Berlin through Holland and Hambourgh at the desire and Appointment of Mr. Deane and on his Journey rendered very Considerable Services to the United States by...
774The American Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 25 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; two copies: British Library Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14 and April the 9th (a third Copy of which we send herewith) Mr. Lee tarry’d here some Weeks after his Return from Spain. No News arriving (tho’ we received Letters from you) of any Commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the Necessity of a good Understanding with that...
775The American Commissioners to the Committee of Commerce, 29 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 29, 1778: We have received your letter of May 28 by Captain Reed [Read]. We rejoice at the arrival of even 49 hogsheads of tobacco, but wish for more. As we are under contract with the farmers general to furnish 5,000 hogsheads, for which we have already received a million livres, we have consigned this...
776From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Commerce, 21 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours dated the 21st. of july containing an Extract of Mr. Pollocks Letter to you, in which he mentions his Drafts on Mr. Delap for 10,897. Dollars and his Expectation that in case of any difficulty I will See those Bills paid. I Should certainly do every thing in my power to support the credit of the States and of every Person acting under...
777The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
778From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
779From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
780The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
781The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
782The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives We send you herewith the Draught of a Frigate, by a very ingenious Officer in this service, which appears to Us peculiarly suitable for Our purpose, and We are in hopes of being able to ship Cordage and Sail Cloth, and Anchors &c. sufficient for Five or Six such Frigates, by the Time you can have them built. Though deprived of any intelligence from you since the...
783The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
784The American Commissioners to [the Committee of Secret Correspondence], 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We wrote to you pretty fully on the State of Affairs here, in ours of the 12th of March and 19th of this Month, since which there has been little Alteration. There is yet no Certainty of a sudden Declaration of War, but the Preparations go on vigorously both here and in Spain, the Armies of france drawing towards the Sea Coasts, and those of Spain to the...
785From Benjamin Franklin to the Committees of Trenton, Brunswick, and New York, 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Williams College Library The Bearer John Grace has the Care of a Ton of Gunpowder sent by the Congress to the Committee of Safety at New York. If he should need any Advice or Assistance on the Way you will be so good on his Application to afford it to him. I am, Gentlemen, in Behalf of the Committee here, with much Respect Your most obedient humble Servant Endorsed in different hands: A...
786From Benjamin Franklin to Condorcet, 12 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I send you enclos’d the Letter you desire. But as I am apprehensive that the young Gentleman may have flattered himself with Expectations that are never likely to be answered in that Country, I wish he would consider it well before he undertakes such a Voyage. If he will take the Trouble of calling on me, perhaps I may afford him some useful Lights on the Subject....
787From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Condorcet, 20 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I am ashamed that my late continued Embarras in public Affairs, should have so long prevented my answering the Letter you honoured me with, of the 2d Decr. last. I transmitted your Queries to our Society at Philadelphia, where they will be well considered, and full Answers will be sent you. On my Return thither which I am now preparing for, I shall...
788From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Conkling, 21 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Immediately upon the Receipt of yours acquainting me with your Misfortune, and the Vessel & Cargo was in Possession of the Admiralty, I apply’d to the Minister of the Marine, & laid before him the Papers you enclos’d to me with your Letter requesting that the said Vessel & Cargo might be delivered to the Consignees. Inclos’d I send you the answer. I have just received...
789From Benjamin Franklin to the Prince de Conti, 4 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je joins ici Le Passeport que votre Altesse serenissime ma demandé pour Le Sr. Riotto dans La Lettre qu’ill ma fait l’honneur de mécrire Le du mois dernier. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec Le plus profond Respect, Monseigneur de votre altesse Serenissime Le tres h. & t. o. S. Louis-François-Joseph de Bourbon, comte de la Marche and prince de Conti, a leading French...
790From Benjamin Franklin to the Continental Congress, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library From the Knowledge I have of Mr Young, by his Conduct while in my Family, writing in the Secretary’s Office, and waiting the Arrival of Mr. Lawrens then expected here; I esteem him a Person of Virtue and Merit, and I recommend him and his Account to the Consideration of Congress, not thinking myself authorised to discharge it without their Order; tho’ to assist him...
791From Benjamin Franklin to the Comtesse Conway, 25 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I find, Ma chere fille, that you and I have been very unlucky in our Endeavours to oblige Mr. Mullens: for on the Contrary we have grievously offended him. I understood he had been taken Prisoner and stript by the English, and had not wherewith to pay the Expence of his Journey to his Regiment. I sent him an Order on my Banker for ten Guineas. He returns me the Order,...
792From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Conway, 25 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you were so kind as to bring me from our Friend M. Peters. I congratulate you on your safe Return to your amiable Family. It would have given me great Pleasure, if the Service in America had been made so agreeable to you as to induce you and yours to settle there. With much Esteem I am, Sir &c. See Conway’s letter of March 22.
793From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 16 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote a Letter to meet you at Dunkirk supposing you might have gone there. This Letter was sent back to me. The Uncertainty of your Stay at the Texel after I heard of your being gone thither prevented my writing to you while there. Inclos’d I send you a Letter from your good Wife. I will inquire for your old Commission, and endeavour to get it back for you. I had...
794From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 6 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am to acknowledge the Receipt of two Letters from you, since you were at Nantes. In the first you desired a Copy of your Original Commission. I have caused [ a ] Search to be made, but can find no Trace of it, as at the Time it was given to you, the Commissioners were not yet in the Way of keeping Minutes of their Proceedings: and it is but a few Days since I have...
795The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, [before 19 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The interest which the public has in the vessel you command makes us regard her as a continental Ship of war. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Ross have therefore no right to direct or controul you. Neither had Mr. Deane alone any right to dispose of the vessel; nor of the produce of the prizes you made, as Monsr. Lagonere informs us he has done. You will give us an account...
796From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 20 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received with great Pleasure the News of your being safely arrived at Dunkirk. Mrs. Conyngham is not yet come up to Paris. I believe she has continued at l’orient ever since her Arrival. I shall write to her to Day, to acquaint her with your Escape. Now you are at Dunkirk, I wish you would settle the Demand of a Number of Men who went out with you from thence and...
797The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, 19 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; incomplete copy: National Archives; fragment of ALS : Musée de Blérancourt We have received a Complaint from the remaining Part of your Officers and Crew, of an unfair distribution of Prize Money by Mr. Hodge. To prevent any Such Complaints in future, We desire that you will put your Prizes into the Hands of Messieurs Gardoqui at...
798From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your Escape, out of Prison, which I first learnt from 6. of the men who broke out with you, and came to france in a Boat. I was then Anxious lest you should be retaken, and I am very glad indeed to hear of your safe Arrival at Amsterdam. I think it will be best for you to Stay awhile at Dunkirk till we see what becomes of the...
799The Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, 19 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received a Complaint from the remaining Part of your Officers and Crew, of an unfair distribution of Prize Money by Mr. Hodge. To prevent any Such Complaints in future, We desire that you will put your Prizes into the Hands of Messieurs Gardoqui at Bilboa, and into those of the Principal Merchant at Cadiz or Corogne Coruña , directing them to make a Speedy Distribution of the...
800From Benjamin Franklin to Nicholas Cooke, 27 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of the 15th Instant, acquainting me with the Loss of the Mail; and proposing a new Route for the Post, to prevent such Accidents hereafter. In that you will take the Advice and Direction of the principal People in your Government. The Comptroller will soon be along your Road, for the purpose of establishing all the Stages and Offices as he...