801From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have received yours of the 25th. past, in which you acquaint me with the Reasons you have for being fully of Opinion that no Loan is possible to be Procured by you, till there is a Treaty. Our only Dependance then appears to be on this Court; and I am happy to find that it still continues dispos’d to assist us. Since mine of...
802From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Durey de Meinières, 31 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I send with great Pleasure the Constitutions of America to my dear & much respected Neighbour, being happy to have any thing in my Power to give that she will do me the honour to accept, and that may be agreable to her. I am, ever, with sincere Esteem, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately Which she had requested in the letter immediately above. BF ’s...
803From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your several favours containing the Claims of Capt. Cunningham’s french Sailors, and The Memoirs relative to the Privileges of your Port. With regard to these Claims, I Shall Send them to Congress, but I observe that they are Simply the Declarations of the People themselves, that an Agreement was made with them for such high Wages with Shares of Prizes and...
804From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 6 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have the honour of Sending your Excellency inclosed, an extract of a Letter I have lately recd. from London, desiring the release of certain Prisoners therein named, taken by American Privateers, & now confined at St. Omers. Being desirous of repaying as soon as possible the Prisoners I owe, for those I recd. from England some time past, & being promised that if...
805From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard de Rayneval, 10 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress The foregoing are the Articles requested by the States of Maryland & Virginia. If to these could be added Cloth, Linnen, Stockings, Shoes, & Hats for clothing 20.000 Men, and also ten thousand more Fusils, the whole addressed to the Congress, I am certain it would be a very seasonable & necessary Supply, as private...
806From Benjamin Franklin to Rozier, 29 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress As you do my little Piece on the Aurora Borealis the Honor to suppose it may be agreeable to your philosophical Readers, I have requested M. Le Roi who read it at the Academy & has it in his Hands, to furnish you with a Correct Copy of it, which he has promised to do. With great Esteem I am &c In answer to his of April 21. Le Roy’s final manuscript has not survived,...
807From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Troup, 10 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you wrote me by Order of the Board of Treasury, dated Sept. 29. 1779. requesting me to procure Medals to be struck here agreable to the Several resolutions of Congress you inclosed to me. I have got one of them finished, that in Silver for Colonel Fleury; & two others, with the same Devices relating to Stony Point, one for...
808From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 16 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have News here that your Fleet has behaved bravely; I congratulate you upon it, most cordially. I have just received a 14. 5. 3. 10. 28. 2. 76. 202: 66. 11. 12. 273, 50. 14. joining 76. 5. 42. 45. 16. 15. 424. 235. 19: 20. 69. 580. 11. 150. 27. 56. 35. 104. 652. 28. 675. 85. 79. 50....
809From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 7 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your Excellency will perceive by the inclosed Extract of a Letter to me, from Messrs. Parsons Alston & Co. of Martinique, that certain Prisoners made by American Vessels, & carried in there were with others taken by French Vessels, sent to France via St. Domingo in order to be exchanged. If the sd. Prisoners are arrived, or when they do arrive, I desire your...
810From Benjamin Franklin to François Steinsky, 23 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Museum, Prague J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre très obligeante que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 12. Septembre 1781, par la quelle je suis charmé d’apprendre que vous étez arrivé en bonne Santé chez vous. Une longue et pénible Indisposition m’a privé du plaisir de vous repondre plustôt et de vous remercier de l’élégant et beau Présent de la Nape à Caffé que vous avez...
811From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 16 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received yours by Major Franks, which I shall answer fully per Saturday’s Post. The Letters you sent me of Capt. Gillon & Mr. Searle, give me, as you expected, abundance of Chagrin. I am afraid that Gillon will loiter at Corunna as he did at Amsterdam, and sell the Goods of the United States as he did those of the...
812From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Duchemin, 12 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I received the Letter you wrote me on the 9th. Inst. desiring me to procure you some Employ.— Being myself in want of a Sober & Honest Man to take care of my Family & serve me as Maitre d’Hotel or Steward; if you are willing & capable of filling such a Place you may come here and make a Trial for a Quarter. The Wages I give, are six hundred Livs. Tournois pr...
813From Benjamin Franklin to [Barbeu-Dubourg], [after 2 October? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress You know, my dear Friend, that I am not capable of refusing you any Thing in my Power, which would be a real Kindness to you or any Friend of yours: But when I am certain that what you request would be directly the contrary, I ought to refuse it. I know that Officers going to America for Employment will probably be disappointed: That our armies are...
814Franklin: Two Memos Given to John Laurens, [c. 20 March 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Press copy and copy: Library of Congress Not having yet received the Accounts of the Cloathing &c. Ship’d in the Marquis de la Fayette, I cannot be exact with regard to it; but I believe there are compleat Habits ready made for at least 10,000 common Soldiers; consisting of Coats, Wastecoats, Breeches, Shirts, Stockings, Shoes, Overhalls &c. and that there is Cloth sufficient for...
815From Benjamin Franklin to John Temple, 15 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received my old Friend’s Letter with Pleasure, as it inform’d me of his Welfare and safe Arrival on the Continent, and of the Welfare & continued Regard of my Friends in England.— Thanks to God I still enjoy Health and good Spirits, tho’ the English News writers have thought fit to kill me several times in their Prints. It must at last be true that I...
816From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald: Unsent Draft, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress In the Note that you show’d me it is said, that “Mr Oswald may be vested with any Character or Commission that he and Dr F. shall think proper;” or to that purpose: and you desire my Sentiments.— We should be willing to treat with such Persons as the King may think fit to appoint.— I am however very sensible of the Kindness that appears in Lord Shelburne’s...
817From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Marietta College Library; copy: Harvard University Library I have just now heard by Mr. Adams, that you are come out of Boston, and are at Warwick in Rhodeisland Government: I suppose it must be at good Mr. and Mrs. Green’s, to whom present my affectionate Respects. I write this Line just to let you know I am return’d well from England; that I found my Family well; but have not found the...
818From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress M. de Knobelauch, who will have the Honour of delivering this to you, is recommended to me as an Officer of much Experience, and capable of rendring good Service in our Armies if employ’d. He goes over at his own Expence, and without any Promise from me, as indeed we are not authoris’d to give any: But I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s Notice, and to...
819From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Gillon, 21 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Inclosed is the Passport you desire, with which I heartily wish you a good Journey and all the success you hope for. You may depend on my doing what I can for you, but do not depend on my succeeding. I have understood since I saw you, that these Applications of particular States are not agreeable. It is said, that if they are comply’d with, they will encrease, and...
820From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I daily received yours of the 15. Instant. By a Letter from Mrs. Gourlade and Moylan dated the 10th. I am assured that they never refused to continue supplying the Alliance with the necessary Provisions: Therefore a Charge from your Correspondent at L’Orient on that Account, will not be rightly brought against me. In my last I mentioned that I might possibly in the...
821Franklin’s Journal, [18 December 1780–29 January 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress Dec. 18. 1780 Gave an Order to Major Broughton of Marblehead, a returning Prisoner, for 5 Louis, to help him down to a Seaport. Certified Capt. Jasme la Clause’s Commssion & other American Papers. Wrote to Mr Hodgson, London, that I had recd. his Acct of the Expenditure of the 100£ on the Prisoners, & promis’d him 150£ more. Gave a Letter of Recommendation of L’Abbé...
822From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 27 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress It is a long time Since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. The Intelligence you were us’d to favour me with, was often useful to our Affairs. I hope I have not lost your friendship, together with your Correspondence. Our Excellent Mr. Winthrop I see is gone. He was one of those old friends for the sake of...
823From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Royle et al., 4 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Propositions you did me the Honour to address to me by the hand of Mr Wild. There is no doubt but that a Body of sober, industrious & ingenious Artisans, Men of honest and religious Principles, such as you and your Friends are describ’d to be, would be a valuable Acquisition to any Country; and I am certain you would meet with a kind &...
824From Benjamin Franklin to a Friend in England, 16 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 244–5. I wish you would assure our friend, that Dr. Franklin never gave any such expectations to Mr. Pultney. On the contrary, he told him that the Commissioners could not succeed in their mission, whether they went to recover the dependance or to...
825From Benjamin Franklin to [William Alexander], 12 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This letter is interesting both for its sidelight on past history, the Stamp Act, and because it was the prelude to one more British effort to negotiate through Franklin. He is commenting on a passage in a pamphlet, which Alexander had passed on to him, by William Johnstone Pulteney. The author, a wealthy member of Parliament and Alexander’s correspondent and business...
826From Benjamin Franklin to Browns & Collinson, 28 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I send you enclos’d a Bill of Exchange for 100£ sterling, with which please to credit my Account. With great Esteem, I am Gentlemen y. m. o. & m. h. s. BF maintained a small account with his London bankers: XXIII , 18n. These were funds which BF intended to cover William Caslon’s bill for type. See BF to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., Oct. 29, below.
827From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 6 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu hier le Placet d’une certaine Famille, ecrite en toutes les formes, grande & beau Papier, beau caractere, titres flatteuses, &c. Aprés en avoir lû les deux ou trois premieres Lignes, qui “ réclame les bontés de ma Grandeur ,” je le jettois sur la Table, disant, Toujours des Placets! toujours les Demandes de l’Argent! C’est une mauvaises Reputation,...
828Wine Cellar Inventory, [1 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Etat du Vin dans la Cave Fevrier 1. 1779 Bouteles Vin de chairaisse 148 Vin rouge de Bordeaux venue dans des Caisses 85 Vin blanc de Bordeaux venue dans des Caisses 34 Vin rouge de Bordeaux l’année 1761 15 Vin rouge de Bordeaux mis en bouteille à Passy 159 Vin blanc de Champagne venu dans des Caisses 21 Vin blanc de Champagne mousseu 326
829From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 5 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favour of March 20 & one of a Post preceding without date. Your Orders to Capt. Landais to finish his Refitt at Brest were good, if he could obtain Permission & Conveniencies there: But I have understood that it could not be, and he writes me of the 28 past, that he proposes sailing for Nantes in 8 Days. I approve much of the Orders you have...
830From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Don’t be offended at the Word old; I don’t mean to call you an old Woman; it relates only to the age of our Friendship; which on my part has always been a sincerely affectionate one, and I flatter myself the same on yours. I receivd your kind Letter from Boston of Oct. 28. which gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of the Welfare of you and your...
831From Benjamin Franklin to Marat, 25 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Früher Preussische Staatsbibliothek, Berlin I shall endeavour to be with you by Ten a Clock in the Morning on Monday next, having a great Desire to see your Experiments. I hope nothing will happen to prevent me, and that the Weather will be good. With great Regard I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient humble Servant See Marat’s...
832From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 4 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Franklin’s crossing on the Reprisal with his two grandsons, William Temple Franklin and Benjamin Franklin Bache, was imprinted on his memory as long as he lived. He “was badly accommodated,” he wrote years later, “in a miserable vessel, improper for those northern seas, (and which actually foundered in her return,) was badly fed, so...
833From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Wayne, 28 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have received two of your Favours, which were immediately communicated to the Board of War, who are a Committee of Congress appointed to take Care of every thing in that Department, and who will I make no doubt take the necessary Measures for supplying your Wants. But as America is new in the Business of Providing for Armies, there must be for a time...
834From Benjamin Franklin to James Hutton, 12 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy and transcript: Library of Congress I wrote the above some Time before I receiv’d yours, acquainting me with your speedy and safe Return, which gave me Pleasure. I doubted after I had written it, whether it would be well to send it. For as your proud Nation despises us exceedingly, and demands and...
835From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 22 April[–3 June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received your favours of the 14th. & 17th. Instant. I am sorry to understand from you that the wollens are in such a situation as to endanger their being lost to the states: But do not see why it should be expected of me to point out a Vessel for them to be shipt in, or to approve or accept of any Contract you may make for the freight of them. The affair is...
836From Benjamin Franklin to Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, 10 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dites moi, ma chere Amie, de vos nouvelles. Vôtre Saignée, l’a-t-il reussi de vous soulager? Croyez vous que nous pouvons esperer d’avoir la Felicité de vous voir ici, avec les cheres enfants, Mercredi prochaine, aprés midi, pour prendre le Thé chez nous? Nous aurons les Mesdemoiselles Alexander, qui seront charmées de vous rencontrer. Je prierai aussi vos...
837From 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...
838From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas McKean, 5 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress Herewith you will receive a Copy of my last; since which I have been honour’d with two Letters from the late President, the one dated Mar 2 relating to Capt. Jones’s Cross of Merit which I have communicated as directed. The other dated July 5 respecting the Release and Exchange of Mr Lawrens. Having no direct Communication with...
839From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 13 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Bristol Rhode Island Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received yours of June 20. It gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of the Welfare of yourself and the dear Family. I am glad Ben’s Profile got safe to hand. I assure you it is very like him. He is well. I have read Mr. Wharton’s Pamphlet. The Facts, as far as I know them, are as he states them. Justice, is, I...
840From Benjamin Franklin to Rolandeau, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can no otherwise give an Order for your Passage gratis, than by giving an Order to our Correspondent to pay the Money for you on my Account, which seems too much to be reasonably expected of me. And as you left the Service of the States in America without Leave, to come home upon your own private Affairs, it seems right that you should be at the whole...
841From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Yarnold, 27 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yesterday yours of the 25th. On your Arrival here, when you first mentioned to me your purpose. I gave to you and your friend my candid Opinion that your scheme of becoming military Officers in America could not Answer your Expectation, and I advis’d you to return to England and apply your selves to some Profession more likely to be advantangeous. I wish...
842From Benjamin Franklin to [Creutz], [13 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society M. Franklin etant obligé d’etre demain Matin à Paris pour Affaire ne pourra pas avoir l’honneur de recevoir chez lui M. l’Ambassadeur de Suede— Mais il aura celui de lui faire sa Cour sur les 11 heures—si toutefois cela est agreable à M. l’Ambassadeur. In answer to the preceding document: BF described this meeting in the Dec. 14 portion of his letter to...
843From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Grand & will send the two Copies required tomorrow Morning. He understands well that he is to receive nothing till the Advances there are Ascertained: And it is for that Reason, that he has required the Receipts to be sent him. But as the Bills expected are mostly of three Usances, will be drawn gradually, and will...
844From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Jewish Historical Society, New York City I was glad to understand by yours of March 29. that you and your Family continued in good Health and Spirits. You and your Country are engag’d in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your Son John remains at Nantes. His Brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he...
845From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received yours of the 26th. I am promised an Answer from Mr. Paulze this Morning and If I receive it shall send it to you by tomourrow’s Post. This Soliciting of Interested People to forgive Duties they think their Right, is an odious Task to me. I had rather at any time, If I could afford it, pay ’em myself. Mr. Chaumont thinks Mr. Bondfield’s Propositions too...
846From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 5 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote a few Lines to you the 31st. past, and promised to write more fully. On pursuing again your Letters of the 11th. 12th. & 21st. I do not find any Notice taken of one from me dated Feby. 16. I therefore now send you a Copy made from it in the Press. The uncertainty of safe Transmission discourages a free Communication of Sentiments on these important Affairs;...
847From Benjamin Franklin to Clifford & Teysset, 8 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 31st. past, and I immediately apply’d to M. de Chaumont, representing to him the ill Consequences that must attend the Return of those Bills to America protested. He took the Matter into Consideration, and it is but this Instant that I have received his Answer, which I inclose. As I think with you...
848From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 17 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL and AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Je vous renvoye, ma très chere Amie, puisque vous voulez absolument le ravoir, le Brouillon de vôtre jolie Fable. J’avois la Pensée, qu’en vous offrant une plus belle Edition (que vôtre Ouvrage meritoit bien) sans Ratures & Interlineations, je pouvois vous gagner à me permettre de retenir l’Original; ce que je desirois, parceque j’aime tout ce...
849From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 14 & 21. past. I communicated to M. De Chaumont what you say in your last relating to your attending the Arrival of our Friend. Inform him as soon as you see him, that he is in Holland to follow the Orders he will receive from the g. Factor . We have just heard something of him that gives every body here abundant Satisfaction. As I have...
850From Benjamin Franklin to Rawlins Lowndes, [12 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received by Commodore Gillon the Letter your Excellency directed to The Commissioners at this Court; Dated the 18th of July last. It would have been a great Pleasure to me If I could have been of Service in enabling him to obtain a Loan here for the accomplishing the purposes of his Voyage hither; But the great Sums wanted by the Governement here, and the high...