21From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Jr. Copy: Library of Congress I have received yours of the 19th. Inst. with the Account of the Duties you have paid. I do not comprehend the Policy of burthening their own Manufactures; but the Laws of the Country we trade with must be observed. I have determin’d to rely on the Government entirely for the Transport of the Goods. I am instructed not to send them but under Convoy directly to...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Frederick R. Kirkland, Philadelphia (1955) I have now receiv’d the Bill from Mr. Chaumont accepted. The Acceptance is in these Words Accepté pour payer des fonds qui me seront remis a cet effet, Le Ray de Chaumont . He tells me that you may act upon this in relieving Capt. Babson and his People to the Amount including what they have already had from you. There seems however some Caution...
23From 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...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have already given you Powers to freight a Ship to carry out the public Stores & I now confirm them. If you agree with Mr. de Chaumont for the Breton or other large Ship to pay the Freight in France, you may draw on me for the amount of it. I approve of Mr de Chaumont’s proposition for the Cloathing he has at Nantes &...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Enclosed is the passport for the Saltpetre. I found no Difficulty is obtaining it from the Farmers General. They would have made the Exchange if ours had been at Bordeaux or Marseilles; but at St. Maloes they have no Refinery. I have received yours of the 26th. & 30th. I enclose Letters also for M. Schweighauser & Messrs. Desegray & Co. If it Should come too late for...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have mislaid your Account of the Drafts you had made on M. De Chaumont, and want it much. Send me by the Return of the Post, either a Copy or an Abstract of it, expressing the Gross Sum & times of Payment. As soon as the Acct. is compleated I should be glad to have it. I received yours of Augt. 26 & Sept. 14.— I approve of your Proposition about the Sailors, and...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I desire you would explain to me the Reason or Utility of your Drawing on Mr Chaumont on Acct of the Cloathing, which I do not at present apprehend.— I send you herewith several Letters receiv’d from Boston, and am ever Your affectionate Uncle BF. to J. Williams Feb. 14. 1780 Desiring to know why the Bills were drawn on Mr...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I last night received together yours of the 21st & 24th.— I had before recd yours of the 19th. I am glad you have sent me so exact an Acct of the Bills you have drawn on M. de Chaumont, and that you have concluded to draw no more on him, but on me directly. I never understood the Reason of his Proposing that circuitous...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Ever since September 18, when Franklin had forwarded to Vergennes Congress’ invoices for military supplies and clothing, he had been awaiting the French government’s response. At long last, it came. When Franklin wrote the following letter, he must have just received Vergennes’ promise of a new loan of 3,000,000 l.t. The sum was generous, but did not come close to...
30From Benjamin Franklin to [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], [18 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society The many Affairs [ illegible ] our hands, with the [ illegible ] Departure, who used to take [ illegible ] [correspon]dence with you, have [ illegible ] answering your Letters [ illegible ] got them together, and answering them, if your Arrival here, which I much desire, does not make it unnecessary. If you can [ illegible ] necessary Ac[counts?]...