Mr. and Mrs. Adams present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin and hope to have the Honour of his company to day at Dinner, with his Grandson Mr. Bache. They also beg the Favour of him to lend them the Assistance of one of his servants this morning if he can without Inconvenience as they are so unlucky as to have both their Men servants confined to their Chambers by very serious Sickness. RC in...
2Abigail Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 3 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams’es Respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin, is much obliged to him for the oil he was so kind as to send her, and is very sorry that his indisposition deprived her of the Honour of his company to dinner. Mrs. Adams takes the Liberty of recommending a Sedan Chair, by which the inconvenience arising from a Carriage might be avoided. RC ( PU : Franklin, Papers The Papers of Benjamin...
3From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 13 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d. the Letter, which you did me the honor to write me on the 10 th. of this Month, in which you say, you “have recieved a Letter from a very respectable Person in America, containing the following Words viz t: —‘It is confidently reported, propagated & believed by some among Us, that the Court of France was at Bottom against our obtaining the Fishery & Territory in that great Extent...
4From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Commodore Jones is just arrived from Philadelphia with Dispatches. Those directed to the Ministers I opened. one contained nothing but Newspapers and Proclamations. The other contained a Letter to “the Commissioners” and a Sett of Instructions. The Letter bears Date the 1. of November the Instructions the 29 of Oct r. — a remaining Packet is directed to you alone, but probably contains a...
5From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 14 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
The Day before Yesterday, M r: Boudinot called upon me, with Dispatches from the President of Congress, his Brother. There were two Letters addressed to the “Ministers” and these I opened but found little or Nothing but Duplicates of Dispatches, receiv’d by you before I left Auteuil. There are two letters, and one large Packet addressed to you, which I have the Honour to transmit by M r:...
6From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 24 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
Desirous of doing all in my Power, to Save Mr Morriss Bills, I determined to go to Amsterdam, and accordingly, Sett off, the Beginning of this Month from London, in a Season too rigorous for Pleasure.— At Harwich we were obliged to wait Several Days for fair Weather, which when it arrived brought us little Comfort as it was very cold And the Wind exactly against Us. The Packetts were obliged...
7John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 11 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your obliging Favour of the fifth of this Month. Your Excellencys Sentiment, “that the Foundation of Credit abroad must be laid at Home” is perfectly just, and accords with the General Sentiment of the Money Lenders, Undertakers and Brokers in this Country, whose Universal Cry is “We Should choose to see Some certain Method agreed on and established, for the Payment of...
8John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 20 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Day before Yesterday the Baron de Thuilemeyer the Envoy to their High Mightinesses, from the King of Prussia, did me the Honour of a Visit, but as I had Company, he stayed but a short time. As I accompanied him to the Door, he whis told me, that he had Something to Say to me from the King, and desird me to name an Hour, when he might call upon me again. I told him his Hour should be mine,...
9John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 2 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I duely received the Letter, you did me the Honour to write me, on the Subject of a Treaty with Prussia and have communicated it to the Baron de Thuelemeier. The King agrees to take the Treaty with Sweeden for a Model and if your Excellencies have any Alterations to propose I should be obliged to you for the Communication of them. The Baron waits the further Instructions of the King, before he...
10John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 10 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is Copy of a Letter from the Baron de Thulemeier and Copy of a Project of a Treaty transmitted to me by order of the King of Prussia: I should be glad if your Excellencies would examine it, and write me your Objections, and proposals of alterations, which I shall immediately communicate to his Majesty through his Minister. I presume too that your Excellencies will transmit it to...
11John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received the Letter which D r Franklin did me the Honour to write me on the 16 th. with the Copy of the Treaty with Sweeden. I have before inclosed the King of Prussias Project of a Treaty, prepared as I am assured by his Minister with his own Hand in his private Cabinet. I believe it has been reserved to the present Age when the subtilties of Aristotle and the schools are...
12John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Baron de Reishack, has several times said to me that his Court expected that Congress would announce formally their Independence, and asked me, if any Step of that Sort had been taken. that I may be able to give him an Answer, I must request of your Excellency to inform me whether you have made the Annunciation directed in the first Article of the Instructions of the 29 of October 1783 and...
13John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Letters of the 27 of June and 4. July, and Should advise your Excellency to present the C. de Mercy, a Copy of the Instruction as you propose. By the Length of Time, We have been left without Information respecting foreign Affairs, and by other Circumstances, there are greater Divisions among our Countrymen, respecting these as well as their Finances, than are...
14John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 27 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I embrace the opportunity, by M r: Bingham, to enclose to your Excellency, Copy of a Letter from M r: Jefferson, by which it appears that we are joined in some affairs which will give me the Occasion to visit Paris once more, and reside there for some little time at least. As M r: Jefferson will not probably arrive before the latter End of August, and nothing can be done before he comes, I...
Mr̃ Jefferson’s compliments to M r. Adams & D r. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles. he also sends one on the general subject & in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with mr̃ Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we...
16John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
According to your desire, I went early this Morning to Versailles, and finding the Count de Vergennes unembarassed with Company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the Honour of a Conference, in which I told him that my Colleagues were very sorry, that Indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in Person, & obliged them to request me alone...
Our Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties We are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. Feb. 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter.— I know nothing of Capt Lambs...
I have now the honour to inform you that having shewn my Commission to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen, and left an Authenticated Copy together with a Copy of my Letter of Credence to the King according to the usage. I had the Honour on the first of this month to be introduced by his Lordship to His Majesty, in his Closet with all the Ceremonies, and formalities, practised on...
19From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 27 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
D r White has been So obliging to me, as to take with him to America, two Volumes, one for your Excellency and one for the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, of a Production of mine, Suggested by the late popular Phrensy in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It contains my Confession of political Faith, and if it is Heresy, I shall I Suppose be cast out of Communion. But it is the only...
20David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and press copy of copy: National Archives; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office It is with the sincerest Pleasure that I congratulate you on the happy Event which took Place Yesterday, viz., the Signature of the Definitive Treaty between our two Countries. I consider it as the auspicious Presage of returning...
21To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Du Ponceau, 6 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Depuis que je suis arrivé D’amerique avec L’armée de Rochambeau, Je n’ai point reçu de nouvelles de mon frere qui est employé à philadelphie dans les affaires étrangeres. Tout m’engage à croire que mes lettres ne lui sont pas parvenues Sans doute parceque j’ai employé de mauvais moyens. Jose prendre la liberté Monsieur de lui en addresser une sous votre...
22To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 6 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’implore Mon Cher Docteur Votre protection pour un Malheureux Matelot attaché au Service D’un Batiment americain Et que des Circonstances Malheureuses Et la Difficulté De s’Expliquer font Detenir injustement Dans une prison Cruelle je Gemis pour mon paÿs qu’il Soit possible qu’il y ait Des Malheureux de Ce Genre mais Enfin sauvons Celuy Cy Si nous Le...
23To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I beg of you not to forget your letter to Mr Fox:— The purpose of my journey to England will be to do the best in my power for things & persons & particularly for my friends.— If you have any other private letters, send them to me. I will deliver them. I hope likewise be personally charged with the answers. I am better this morning and shall certainly set off...
24To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Angiviller, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. D’angiviller est bien flatté de pouvoir procurer à Monsieur francklin la facilité de voir plus commodement les beautés du sallon. Il doit prendre interêt au succès des arts, ils sont faits principalement pour consacrer à la posterité les hommes et les actions illustres et celebres, monsieur francklin a bien quel ques droits sur eux. Mr. D’angiviller a...
25To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Castries, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress J’ai l’Honeur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer les pieces qui m’ont été adressées par M.M. De Bellecombe et De Bongars Commandant et Intendant à St. Domingue, relativement à la prise du Bateau le St. Thomas, arrêté sous Pavillon Danois par le Corsaire Américain la Lady Gréen, dans le mois de février de l’année derniere, et conduit au Port de jérémie où il a été vendu. Les...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I could not deprive myself the pleasure of convaying these few lines to you by my friend Mr. Dagge, he means to see you, and has been so Obliging to promis he would give this letter to you; I told him the jurney he was about to take, I almost envyed, as I should be happy to see you once more; Your friends hear have been flattering themselves with the...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 8 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Packet directed for yourself I received a few days ago, from Cape Francois; the other Packet for the Compte de Barbençon, Mr. Bartram requested me to forward to your care— We have had several Arrivals lately from France, without the pleasure of a Line from you, Mr. Williams writes me however that you are well; we would rather have this...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Jackson, 8 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The unfortunate Chas. Jackson whom his kind Friend Dr. Franklin Remembered one of the happiest of Mortals when possessed of the dearest most amiable lovely & best beloved of Women, now full at heart with sorrowful Reflection on his Loss, yet full of regard & esteem likewise for his real Friend, gladly embraces the opportunity this moment afforded him of...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Neufville & Cie., 8 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society His Excellency John Jay Esqr. having given us his address at passy, we beg leave to put a letter under Your Excellencys Cover, requesting in case said Gentleman Should be moved from thence, you Will please to cause it to be forwarded, and as we Have not had the honour of addressing you since the Change of the firm of our House we pray you to observe that it...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself this pleasure yesterday; and late last Evening, the Washington packet brought us your acceptable favor of the 27th. July, with several pleasing inclosures from Benny, whom you had with you at Passy, a circumstance, he seems much to be delighted with— Mr. Vaughan, (your old Friend) and his family arrived here yesterday, they have taken up...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Friends the Vaughan Family are now under our roof, the pleasure we take in entertaining every body that you love and that loves you, make us happy in their Company, they are come to settle among us, and what little I have seen of them promise a very agreable addition to our Society— My letter to day on their account will rather be short as I have a...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Bariatinskii, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le Prince Bariatinskoy a l’honneur de remercier Monsieur franklein de la communication, qu’il a bien voulû Lui faire du Traite de Paix. Notation: Bariatinskoy 9. 7bre 1783— The next day, Bariatinskii sent Empress Catherine II two gifts from BF : a Libertas Americana medal with its explanation ( XXXIX , 549–55) and a copy of Constitutions des treize Etats-Unis...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Princeton University Library; copy: National Archives Being by Accident at this City and an Opportunity offering, I do myself the Honor of enclosing a duplicate of the Ratification of the Treaty with Sweden, the original of which I transmitted some time since, but not having the Copy of the Letter attending it by me, I am prevented from sending duplicate of it, unless this...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Pierres, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer la Copie du Traité, la Composition est faite & l’Epreuve est à moitié lüe. Je vous fais passer par le porteur Bezout { 1. arithmetique … 2. l.t. 15. 1. Géométrie … 3. 15. 1 algébre … 4. 15. 1. Mécanique 2 vol. 9. 10. 20.
35To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Rousseaux, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je metois fait l’honneur de vous Ecrire de dunkerque au Sujet de mes appointemant et part au prize que nous avons fait Sur vottre fregatte du Congre lexemton Cape. henry Jonson pour que vous ayé la Bonté de massister de quelque Chose Etant Sans aucune resource. Jesperre Monsieur que vous vouderez Bien massister je crois monsieur que je ne vous demande rin...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society By the second week in September, Etienne Montgolfier was ready to offer members of the Académie des sciences a preview of the balloon he had constructed. He had been aided in this effort by Jean-Baptiste Réveillon, the wallpaper manufacturer, who put his expertise, ingenuity, and workforce at Montgolfier’s disposal. As the Ministry of Finance had now assumed...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Nationaal Archief Me référant à celle que j’ai eu l’honr. de vous écrire le 25e. du passé, celle-ci est pour prendre la liberté de faire passer par vos mains l’incluse pour le Congrès, comme j’ai fait jusqu’ici par les mains de S.E. [Son Excellence] Mr. Adams pour celles que j’ai fait passer par la France, & comme je croirois devoir continuer de faire, si je ne craignois que...
38To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have been favored with your Letter of Yesterday, & will answer it explicitly— I have no Reason whatever to believe that you was averse to our obtaining the full Extent of Boundary & Fishery secured to us by the Treaty.— Your Conduct respecting them throughout the Negociation indicated a strong & steady attachment to both those objects, & in my opinion...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Durey de Meinières, 12 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Une famille patriarchale, dont le mérite et la tendre union Vous causérent, Monsieur, il y a quelques jours un attendrissement, qui passa dans tous les Cœurs, Cette famille, disje, Se rassemble et dine aux Pavillons, dimanche prochain. Vous ajouteriés beaucoup, Monsieur, au bonheur de my husband , et au mien Si Vous Vouliés nous faire le même honneur que...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Elmsly, 12 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Elmsly presents his respects to Dr. Franklin and Sends him the inclosed, if the Dr. has any Parcel for England, that Mr E. Can take with him, He will be So good as send it to Mr Pissots & great care Shall be taken of it. Mr E. has sent to Mr P. four parts of the Phil: Transact: from Sr. Joseph Banks for Dr Franklin, they will be Sent him as Soon as the...
41To Benjamin Franklin from George Hobart, 12 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Hobarts Compliments wait upon Mr Franklin, not knowing where to find Mr Adams He takes the Liberty in Governor Pownalls Name to forward to him the Memorial address’d to the Sovereigns of America. Governor Pownall is also very desirous of knowing whether his Letter & Power of Attorney was ever forwarded to Mr Bowdein and Doctor Cooper, for if they should...
42To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 12 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je pris hier la liberté de vous écrire pour reclamer l’honneur de Votre protection, quoique je Sente bien que je ne l’a mérite plus. Je vous ai instruit Sur le Sujet de ma Détention, c’est une circonstance malheureuse qui m’a entrainé dans l’etat triste et déplorable ou je me trouve réduit, circonstance d’autant Malheureuse qu’on m’a depouillé de mon...
43To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, [13 September 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: South Carolina Historical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of copy: Henry E. Huntington Library I have received the Letter which you did me the Honour to write me, on the Tenth of this Month, in which you say, you have received a Letter from a very respectable Person in America, containing the following Words vizt. “It is confidently reported, propagated and...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society For having it in my power to Answer with precision the numerous questions which are askd me by all sorts of people Concerning the Aerostatique Experiment which such as they may be are suggested by every newspaper now printed here & considerd as a part of my duty to Answer is an Obligation for which I am indebted to you & an Obligation of no small Extent I...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As your Excellency & the rest of the Commissioners were so obliging as to second my former proposals I think it my duty to inform you Sir and them of the additional step we have taken towards accomplishing our wishes. The preceeding I laid before Mr Laurens which meeting with his approbation I immediately dispatched the same under Mr Ls: cover, as a vessell...
46To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am desired by a 50 years dear friend to recommend to you a Mr Blount & his Lady who intend residing some years in France, they are People of Fortune and Mr Blount is a man of Science & very ambitious for the Honour of your Acquaintance; He is of a very ancient and Respectable Family in Oxfordshire. Now I know your kind Regard for me, and there fore I beg...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 16 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With every Sentiment of Respect & Esteem, I have the Honour to Congratulate you on the final completion of American Independance— To you, thou Virtuous Patriot, they owe much—to your illustrious Character, words are wanting to pay due respect— I shall sum up all in a few, thou ar’t great, thou hast proved faithfull & honest in the Day of Tryal— Though not...
48To Benjamin Franklin from James Bennet, 17 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society The Petition and Representation of James Bennet native of Philadelphia. Humbly Sheweth: That whereas in the month of January last past the Petitioner Shiped himself as Clk & Steward on Board a Scooner of Baltimore in Maryland bound wt. a Cargo of Tobaccoe to Gothenburgh in Swedland; But being intercepted in our course, had not the good fortune to Land our...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 17 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You have above an extract of a letter from the Honble Mr. Jefferson, to me by which you will perceive that he wants one of your late invented Machines for Copying Writings, he desires me to write to England but if I am not much mistaken France is the place. You however will know where his order can be best executed, and give orders accordingly, shou’d it be...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Patrick Murphy et al., 17 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope Yr. Honr. will look into the Affair As Our Case is Verry hard at present and take it into Yr. Serious Considration As Wee Are Strangers here And Cant Get abirth too Any part Likewise to let Yr. Honr. know that Wee have Been in his Majesties Service All this War We Want to Go home Or To the West indies As Wee Are Determined Not to Go to England But...