401From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 22 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress With this I have the honour of sending you all the Letters I have received from or written to England on the Subject of Peace. M. de Vergennes should have seen them sooner if I had imagined them of any Importance: for I have never had the least Desire of keeping such Correspondence secret. I was, as you will see,...
402From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 22 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Lord Cholmondeley having kindly offer’d to take a Letter from me to your Lordship, I embrace the Opportunity of assuring the Continuance of my ancient Respect for your Talents and Virtues, and of congratulating you on the returning good Disposition of...
403From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 16 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Boston; copies: Columbia University Library, Henry E. Huntington Library, Library of Congress, National Archives I have received your several Favours of Jan. 30. Feb. 11. and March 1. and propose to write fully to you per next Post. In the mean time this Line may serve to acquaint you that I have paid duly all your former Bills drawn in favour...
404To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 16 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have received your several favors of January 30 th . February 11 th . and March 1 st . and propose to write fully to you p r . the next Post. In the mean time, this Line may serve to acquaint you that I have paid Duly all your former Bills drawn in favor of M r . Cabarrus; and that having obtained a promise of six Millions for this year, to be paid me Quarterly, I now see that I shall be...
405From Benjamin Franklin to [Bertin], 14 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 11e. de ce Mois, le Passeport que j’avois donné dans l’Anné quatrevingt à M. Hutton. Vous trouverez cyjoint, Monsieur, un nouveau Passeport pour le meme charitable Objet, avec les Changemens que vous paroissez desirer. Je profite avec bien de l’Empressement, de cette occasion pour...
406From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Having concluded to provide for the Payment of the Bills drawn on Mr. Laurens in favour of Mr Ross, which were presented to you last Year, this is to request that you would examine and accept the said Bills, and keep an Account of them. I have ordered Money into the Hands of Messrs Fizeaux and Grand for the Payment of those that...
407From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received a Number of Packets from America. In opening them I did not perceive that the enclosed was directed for you, till I began to read the Letter it contain’d. I beg you will excuse this Inadvertence. I congratulate you on the Change of Disposition in the English Nation with regard to America. Misfortunes make People wise, and at present they seem to...
408From Benjamin Franklin to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Messrs. Laswood, Van Hasselt & Van Suchtelen, have in their Possession a Number of Bills, of which the Enclosed is a List, drawn by Fra: Hopkinson Treasurer of Loans, on Mr. Laurens, in favour of John Ross amounting in the whole to 40,958 Bank Florins. I have wrote to them to apply to you for Payment, and I have at the same time desired Mr. Grand to send you the Funds...
409From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This is to desire you would as soon as may be possible furnish Messrs. Fizeaux & Grand at Amsterdam with the Sum of Forty Thousand, nine hundred and fifty eight Bank Florins in order to discharge the Bills drawn in Favour of Mr. Ross, and which will be due the 19th. of this Month. Place the same to the public Account of Sir, Your &c L’Air de Lamotte wrote “may be”...
410From Benjamin Franklin to Larwood, Van Hasselt & Van Suchtelen, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your respected Favour of the 4th. Instant, containing a List of the Bills in your Possession drawn in favour of Mr. Ross amounting to 40,958. Bank. I shall take Care by the next Post to place Funds in the Hands of Messrs. Fizeaux & Grand for the Payment of those Bills, to which House in Amsterdam you will be pleased to apply, with great Regard I have the...
411To Benjamin Franklin from Palteau de Veimerange, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Les perquisitions que j’ai fait faire pour trouver des Navires propres à transporter en Amérique, les differens effets qui ont été rassemblés à Brest, pour le Service des Etats unis, n’ont pas été heureuses jusqu’à présent. J’ai la certitude qu’il n’en pourra être fourni aucun de Nantes et de l’Orient; il n’y a pas lieu d’esperer qu’il puisse S’en trouver à...
412From Benjamin Franklin to John Barry, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, New-York Historical Society I have just received yours of the 29th. past and am sorry you do not think proper to go to Brest and take in some of the Goods, as I apprehend they are much wanted and that you will be blamed. The Account of Sundry Frenchmen which you mention as inclosed, was omitted and I have not received it. With this you will receive my Dispatches,...
413From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I have just received the honour of yours dated Jan 7. Your Communication of the Sentiments of Congress with Regard to many Points that may come under Consideration in a Treaty of Peace, gives me great Pleasure, & the more as they agree so perfectly with my own Opinions and furnish me...
414From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 7th. of January, with the Duplicates of Sundry others. In mine by this Conveyance you will be pretty fully informed of the State of our Funds here, by which you will be enabled so to regulate your Drafts as that our Credit in Europe may not be ruined, and your Friend kill’d with Vexation. The...
415From Benjamin Franklin to John Barry, 6 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, New-York Historical Society I received yours of the 27. past by which I perceive you had not then received mine of the 10th. I therefore send you a Copy enclosed. You will see by it the Utility and Necessity of your going to Brest and there taking on board what you can of the continental Stores. It will be doing great Service to our Armies, who want much what is...
416From Benjamin Franklin to the Conde de Aranda, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer Don Gabriel Olivar, a Clergyman of the Island of Minorca, is recommended to me by a Friend in London, as an honest worthy Man. I beg leave at his Request to present him to your Excellency, and to ask in his Favour a few Moments of your Attention. With great & Sincere Respect, I am, Your Excellency’s &c. See Raspe’s letter of [February], above.
417From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives Since I wrote the two short Letters of which I herewith send you Copies, I have been honoured with yours No. 5 dated the 16th Decr. Enclosed I send Copies of two Letters from M. le Comte de Vergennes, relating to certain Complaints from Ostend and Copenhagen against our Cruisers. I...
418From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives With this you will receive Copies of my two Letters dated Jan. 28 and another dated the 30th. since which I have been continually in Perplexity and Uncertainty about our Money affairs. I obtained a Sketch of the Account mentioned in my last. You will see by Letters I enclose that I endeavour’d to correct it, and make it 2,216,000 Livres more in...
419From Benjamin Franklin to Palteau de Veimerange, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have followed your kind Advice in acquainting M. le Comte de Vergennes & Mr. le Ms: de Castries with our Difficulties in finding Vessels. Mr. Vergennes was so good as to promise he would speak about it to the Marquis; and the Marquis has very obligingly promis’d to do all he can for us and I hope we shall succeed. I therefore request you would order the Remainder of...
420From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 3 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 26th. past, enclosing an Official Paper on the Part of the Danish Court, relating to the Burning of some English Vessels on the Coast of Norway, by three American Ships....
421From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Beraud de Ciccati, 2 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 14 du mois dernier, celle que vous y avez incluse pour Monsr. votre fils, et que j’auroi Soin d’envoyer en Amerique par la premiere occasion qui se presentera. Si par une précaution que je crois nécessaire vous m’en addresséz des Duplicata, comme vous le ditez dans votre...
422From Benjamin Franklin to François Bowens, 2 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This is to request, that in Addition to the Paper you already have the Kindness to forward me, you would procure & send me Likewise, The Whitehall Evening Post, & the General Advertiser . Your Disbursements on this Account shall be thankfully repaid you by Sir, your &c
423From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 2 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your Letter of the 23d. Feby. 1782. inclosing divers Rects. of Americans to whom you have given assistance; & approuve the Same, and have this Day accepted your Draft for 1500 Livres at 10. Days date in favr. of Messrs. Vandenivers, for which you will Credit my Acct. I Suspect Mrs. Fitzpatrick to be an impostor. With a Sincere regard, I am, Sir, Your...
424From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], [after 14 February 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Your Comparison of the Keystone of an Arch is very pretty, tending to make me content with my Situation. But I suspect you have heard our Story of the Harrow. If not, here it is. A Farmer in our Country sent two of his Servants to borrow one, of a Neighbour, ordering them to bring it between them on their Shoulders. When they came to look at it, one of...
425From 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...
426From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Pierre d’Açarq, 24 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, et lu avec beaucoup d’intérêt l’ode au peuple Anglois et l’ode adressée à la Hollande que vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer. On ne sauroit faire un plus bel usage de la Poësie que de la ramener à ce qu’elle fut dans son origine, c’est a dire de la consacrer à chanter les choses utiles à l’humanité et les hommes qui les executent, je vous remercie...
427From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 22 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours respecting Your Return to Paris before you have finish’d the Affairs you have in hand at Amsterdam; & desiring my Advice thereupon. On consideration that the Government here are endeavouring to procure the Vessels wanted for our Supplies, and in Case they can be procured will agree for them on the Terms alwed [allowed] for the Service of...
428From Benjamin Franklin to Larwood, Van Hasselt & Van Suchtelen, 22 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 14th. Instant respecting some Bills in your Hands drawn on Mr. Laurens by Mr. Hopkinson. Be pleased to inform me at what Sight they are payable; and if I shall see a Prospect of having Funds in my Hands sufficient, I will accept and pay them. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your &c
429From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Palteau de Veimerange, 17 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 14th. Instant, informing me that your Endeavours to find Transports to carry the Goods purchased for the United States had been unsuccessful. I had myself written to two American Merchants establish’d at Nantes & L’Orient, and have receiv’d very discouraging Answers, Copies of which I enclose. When the...
430From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes: Letter and Memoir, 15[–16] February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the Honour of writing to me the 6th. Instant, enclosing an Aperçu of the Situation of the Congress Account for the Year 1781. On considering that Account this Day, there seems to me an Error in stating one of the Sums, viz. that of 2,216,000. l.t. I have therefore drawn a...
431From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 16 [February] 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 24th. past wherein you have taken the Pains to rectify a Mistake of mine relating to the Aim of your Letters. I accept kindly your Explication and hope you will excuse my error when you reflect, that I know of no Consent given by France to our treating separately for Peace, and that there has been mixt in most of your Conversations &...
432From Benjamin Franklin to Gabriel Johonnot, 15 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you honoured me with dated the 4 Inst. & inclosing 4 Setts of Exchange on Boston for the Sum of one hundred and forty six Pounds Sterling, being the Amount of Advances on your Account. Herewith I return your Recet. for the 100. Louis I lent you that Sum being included in your Draft. As you kindly offer to take Charge of any Letters I may wish to...
433To Benjamin Franklin from Louise-Geneviève Du Ponceau, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 15 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La bontez de votre coeur pour les mallereux mes [m’est] si fort connuë que jose prendre la libertez de vous en Gager a vouloir bien à Voir la bontez de me fasilitez une correspondanse avec un frere que jes a philadelphie qui est premier sécretaire du ministre des afaire étrangère: élas je resoi si rarement des nouvelle de se tendre frere que Si vous vouliez...
434To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 14 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
If you are anxious to see a Series of new electrical experiments directed to establish many a principle hitherto unknown, I Shall do myself the pleasure of Summitting them to your judgment. Your Comparison of the Keystone of an Arch is very pretty, tending to make me almost content with my Situation. ^ But ^ I suspect you have heard our Story of the Harrow. If not, here it is. A Farmer in our...
435To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 12 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received the honour of yours dated the 7th. Inst. acquainting me with the Presentation of several more Bills drawn on Mr Laurens. I think you will do well to accept them, and I shall endeavour to enable you to pay them. I should be glad to see a compleat List of those you have already accepted. Perhaps from the Series of Numbers, and the Deficiencies, one may be able to divine the Sum that...
436From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours dated the 7th. Inst. acquainting me with the Presentation of several more Bills drawn on Mr. Laurens. I think you will do well to accept them, and I shall endeavour to enable you to pay them. I should be glad to see a compleat List of those you have already accepted. Perhaps from the Series of...
437From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 3d. Inst. and I am enrag’d to find that after I had been inform’d the Goods were delivered to you, and had in Consequence paid Punctuably all the Bills, Messrs. de Neufville should attempt to stop these bought of Gillon. These new Demands have been artfully kept out of Sight till now. There is more Roguery it seems in that Country than I...
438From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Accept my hearty Thanks for the Pains you have taken, and for your fully informing Letter of this Day. I will endeavour to see M. de Veimerange to Morrow, and will acquaint you with what I learn from him. I pray God to bless & prosper you being ever, Dear Sir, with the greatest Esteem, Your Affectionate &c.
439From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Nesbitt, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I recd. duly the Letter you honoured me with dated the 4th. Inst. The Bills in question, No. 368 for 60 Dollars & No. 398 for 120. Dollars, in favr. of Mr. William Tent [Trent], dated the 9th. March 79. were both accepted by me on the 21. Jany. 1780. being presented by Mr. P. Dacosta. If you desire any further Information relative to the indorsments &ca. I can procure...
440From Benjamin Franklin to John Barry, 10 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, New-York Historical Society I have been honour’d by yours of the 31st. past, and am glad to find you are willing to take over some of the public Goods. I should not desire it of you, if certain Circumstances unforeseen had not rendered it necessary. The Goods are for the use of our Troops & Marine, and were collected at Brest, with an Intention of sending them in...
441From Benjamin Franklin to Watson & Cossoul, 10 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour to write to me the 2d. Inst. Inclosed is the Pass-port you request for your Brig Emelia. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen Your &c— P.S. For what relates to Sailors you should apply to the Consul. Messrs. Watson & Cossoul. Barclay.
442From Benjamin Franklin to David Salisbury Franks, 7 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received your Letter dated the 26th. past at L’Orient, acquainting me that you were at Nantes on the Sunday following in your Way to Madrid, and that you would wait there my Orders; for which I am sorry, as I have none to give you; having imagin’d from your former Letters that you were gone long since for America. I think you cannot do amiss in following...
443From 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...
444From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Are there any American Vessels with you that want Freight, and would go under Convoy to Philadelphia or Chesapeak, and can render themselves at Brest by the Beginning of next Month to take in. If there are [please] to let me know what Quantity of Tons they Can carry, and on what Terms they will engage. I am. &c. BF expected the Alliance to sail from Brest in early...
445To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 4 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
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 the 11th. past, tho’ I have obtain’d no positive assurances of...
446From 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...
447From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Loss of the Transports that accompany’d the Fleet of Mr. de Guichen has made it necessary for this Government to take up others; and I have been desired to provide if possible Ships to take the Stores assembled at Brest for the use of our States which will amount to 1000 Tons. I purpose writing by Wednesday’s Post to Nantes & L’Orient, to learn if any Vessels are...
448From Benjamin Franklin to Maurice-Augustin Montgolfier, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez adressée en dernier Lieu, ainsi que les divers Echantillons de vos Papiers. J’enverrai une Feuille de Chaque Espece à M. Williams, suivant votre Desir.— La Lettre pour M. votre Oncle, partira avec mes premieres Depêches pour les Etats unis de l’Amerique. J’ai l’honneur d’être &c— Published above, [before Jan. 28].
449From Benjamin Franklin to Jean de Neufville & fils, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received lately the Honour of Sundry Letters from you, acquainting me that our Goods which had been detained by the owners of the Ships, in Order to extort from us an exorbitant Demand of 60000 florins were delivering to Mr. Barclay; and by yours of the [21]st. past you acquaint me that the last Part of them are delivered, which I am glad to hear. in return you...
450From Benjamin Franklin to Tolozan, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer cy joint un Memoire imprimé du Sr. Andrews, en reponse à celui de ses parties adverses. J’ose esperer qu’il dissipera les nuages que l’on s’est efforcé de repandre sur sa Neutralité, celle de son Navire et de sa Cargaison. Le Sr. Andrews m’est particulierement connu, Je puis donc, Monsieur, vous attester sa Neutralité et sa bonne foi,...