6931To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Sainneville, 30 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society N’esce pas trop presumer, Monsieur, que d’imaginer qu’a ma recommendation vous voulussiés bien vous interesser, pour un officier, qui ne demande qu’a mériter aux yeux de votre nation? L’etat de ses services qu’il vous remêttera Luy même, avec cette Lettre, vous prouvera sa capacité, et si vous avés La bonté de l’écouter, il ne vous Laissera pas de doutte...
6932To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 29 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je desire fort d’apprendre si vous avez reçu une Lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire le 25 de ce mois; & ce que vous pensez de son contenu. Cette Lettre du 25 doit vous avoir été remise par l’un de vos meilleurs amis. J’ai besoin de vos sages avis dans une carriere qui devient de plus en plus glissante. Comptez sur mon sincere & respectueux...
6933To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I make use of the oppertunity by the under Spanish Secretary (who takes his departure today with the remaining domestiques of the Ambassador) to forward you this; in which I take the liberty to inclose one for Mr. Johnson at Nantes under a French direction & I am to beg the favor of you to cause it to be put into the common post as soon as may be. I...
6934To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Paul von Giusti, 25 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’heureux Accomplissement d’une Revolution interessante pour le Bien étre général des Nations, qui forme à coûp sûr L’Epoque plus remarquable du XVIIIme. siècle, et dont Vous avez jettè, Monsieur, les fondements immortels: suffiroient pour Vous attirer l’admiration et la réconnoissance des Peuples et des Philosophes. Mais Lorsqu’à de si puissants motifs se...
6935To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, 15 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Your favour of Decr. 21st. I read in Congress that it might have the Operation which you benevolently generously and honourably intended. But really Sir, when you say you “perceive he (Mr. D———) has Enemies”, I am not inclined to determine that you form your Opinion upon the Proceedings of Congress alone, to which you refer in the Beginning of your...
6936To Benjamin Franklin from [David Hartley], 23 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office Some American friends have desired to have an account drawn out of Mr. Hartleys proposition for terms of accommodation, drawn up with a view to send it to some of their friends in America for their opinion, therefore an account of the plan of those motions which are to be actually moved in the house next week has been drawn up from part of the letter which was sent...
6937To Benjamin Franklin from Timothy Kelly, 4 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Repeatedly I have wrote to your Excellency, when in the Black Prince Privateer of Boston under the Commands in both Cruizes of Capt Marshant & Dowlin wherein we took Prizes and Ransoms to a Considerable Amount. The Names of sd. Prizes as Clark of our former Privateer I always sent your Excellency an Account thereof in Journal Manner. When our Misfortune...
6938To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with concern we have by this mornings post the Confirmation of the Capture of the Marquis de la fayett. The loss sustaind by America by the nessessity they are under for the Goods shipt by that Vessel engages me into using this first opportunity of tendering you a considerable party of Broad Cloths with other nessessary furniture as linings & trimings...
6939To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, [c. 25 November 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Hy. Grand is come up to pay his most humble Respects to Doctor Francklin. Was excessively sorry in not being fortunate enough as to meet him in order to take his Commands once more for America. His Recomandations, is one of the great motives that engaged him to go over. He in consequence takes the Liberty to crave him not to forget them. His father...
6940To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Destouches, 10 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library J’ai L’honneur d’informer vôtre Excellence, que jai fait porter ce jour a la poste aux Lettres La Grosse des Suplemens des procedure dinstruction des prises Le Pierre et L’amitié faites par le Capne. Patrice Dowlin Commandant Le Corsaire ameriquain Le Prince noir, Les quelles deux prises ont eté conduittes a morlaix. Le Raport fait pardevant les...
6941To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [on or after 3 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu Par Mr Griffiths la lettre de mon cousin du 18 Septembre avec le livre que vous avez eu la bonté de m’énvoyér. J’en ferai un bon usage et je veux en apprendre plusieurs Morceaux me conseille de faire je vous envoye vôtre portrait fait de ma main d’après la gravure que vous m’avez envoyé la paix ne se fait pas et c’est ce qui me fait beaucoup de...
6942To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, 27 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si je n’étois pas obligé d’aller demain à Versailles, pour y rendre compte de ma mission, je me serois rendu chés vous dimanche prochain et c’eut été avec un vrai plaisir que je vous eusse renouvellé l’hommage de la vénération que je vous dois et de mon entier Dévoument. Je m’acquitterai de ce devoir Le plutôt qu’il me sera possible. Vous vous Doutés bien...
6943To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 8 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make No doubt but you Exelency have heard of the Ill treatment I met with. I was arrasted by A Mr Dotun Le sage At Paris for a sum of money wich he pretents I owe him And it is Very Clear that I have sufred and lost Near 72 thousand Livers and do Not owe him A Sheling. I was arrested in the most Cruel manner my arms tyed and Put in to a dunjen for Near 24...
6944To Benjamin Franklin from Claude Julien, 1 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je m’estimeray bien heureux si vous récévés avec bonté l’hommage de mon respect, et de mes voeux á ce renouvellement d’année, et si pendant son cours, j’ay le bonheur de mériter l’honneur de vôtre protection, et de vôtre confiance. J’ay celluy d’etre avec un trés respectueux attachement Monsieur Vôtre trés humble et trés obéïssant serviteur Notation: Claude...
6945To Benjamin Franklin from Nogaret, 10 [August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je reçois une Lettre de me femme, par laquelle J’apprends que vous nous avez fait l’amitié de nous venir voir. Elle a du vous dire que j’étais à Paris pour une bonne oeuvre. Un ami agé de 85 ans me charge de recevoir Ses fonds: je m’acquitte à cette heure de cette commission. Je Serai sûrement Libre Jeudi jour de la Vierge: J’aurai l’honneur de repondre...
6946To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, 9 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. Yours by Express and have to thank You for Your Early advice in respect to Saving any Insurance on My own Adventure, we had a rumour of the kind the day before I recd. Yours by Way of Nantes, but coming from You has cleared every Doubt. The Vessells that are at this place are the Ships, Revolution, Capt. Webb, Buccaneer Capt. Prearson, Cicero, Hill,...
6947To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 30 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now remain without any reply to my Letters of the 4th & 18 Sepr, at which I am rather surprised, I find however that Major Cowley concerning whom I wrote has obtained his Parole by which it appears the Black Princess acted under a French Commission he being released as such— The Commissioners of Sick & Hurt sent for me a few days ago & informed, that they...
6948To Benjamin Franklin from Petre Sargét, 6 July 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <La Rochelle, July 6, 1779, in French: I left New Orleans on April 20 and arrived here June 19. The Americans had taken Illinois and Vincennes, but the post of Vincennes was retaken by the British last November. Col. [George Rogers] Clark has gone by land and sent troops by water to recapture it; there is every reason to believe he has been successful....
6949To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 19 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have been informed, that the State of Maryland, have named Mr Charmichael, Mr Johnson, Mr Williams, Mr Lloyd, and Mr Jennings, as proper Persons, out of whom they have desired, your Excellency to choose one, in order to draw out of the English Funds a Sum of Money, they have there, for which the Agent is to have two...
6950To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 5 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the 23d. ult. I have been doing my best to bring our Affairs here back again to Order; or at least to be able to proceed for Philadelphia with the Ariel. The enclosed papers will best explain the circumstances of Landais’ beheaviour and of my endeavours to counteract him and his Advisers in thier schemes to defeat the Plan that you had Adopted in...
6951To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 6 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Gentleman who will deliver you this was as I understand sent by Congress to General Washington. He was to have given specimens of his abilities as Engineer and been recommended accordingly. Whether He is a great Engineer or no I cannot pretend to say, as He has had no fair opportunity of displaying his talents. The few small works He has thrown up have been in...
6952To Benjamin Franklin from William Jackson: Three Letters, 2 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and transcript: National Archives; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives; (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 28 ultimo, while at the Texel superintending some matters relating to the Ship—equally concerned for the...
6953To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 11 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Correspondants at Morlaix & Capt. Macatter send me a Copy of their report & of the Letters they had the Honnor to write to your Excellency. The Circumstances & great Losses attended with the abusive detaintion of the Black Princess, are a havey Strock on us, as they are not only missing the Best opportunities to make Prises & to destress the Ennemy, but...
6954To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Mercy-Argenteau, 4 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’ambassadeur de LEmpereur aura grand soin de faire parvenir Le Paquet adressé a Mr d’Ingenhouse, que Monsieur Franklin Lui a fait l’honneur de lui envoÿer, il a celui de lui offrir ses hommages tres humbles. Notation: de l’Empereur. 4. Oct. 1782 The ambassador of the Holy Roman Empire, who had forwarded books and letters to Jan Ingenhousz from BF and...
6955To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Defay, 10 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je pars de paris pour Notre Manufacture avec la joie que me donne lEsperance de vous y recevoir Monsieur. Cette Maison Etablie depuis plus de quarantte ans sous la protection de Monseigneur le Duc dorleans En recevera un nouveau Lustre Et dont le prince protecteur qui En sera informe comme des premiers avis que vous avez bien voulue me donner vous En saura...
6956To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 23 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May this serve for an introduction with your Excellence for Capn. Moses Grinnell, who saild many years from Boston to our consignment in the employ of Colonel Isaac Sears; and now had the misfortune to fall into the Ennemy’s hands on the Coast of Schotland. He saw here both Comodor Jones and Capn. Cunningham. Your Excellencys directions to procure him or...
6957To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have been for Some time past in hopes of having the pleasure of hearing from your Excellency in answer to what I had the honour of writing to you the 17th. of last month. Since that time Mess De Neufville have totally rejected any Arbitration relative to the Settlement of their demand and have applied to Congress— Consequently my Stay here on their account...
6958To Benjamin Franklin from [Pétronille Le Roy], [September? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mils bonjour au cher et respectable papa. Sa petite famme de poche envoye savoire de cest [ses] nouvelle. Elle espere que sa chute ne l’aura pas incomode; elle luy demande par la meme ocasion se qu’il fait se soire parce que cest [ses] amis on le plus grand besoint de le voire pour calmer leur douleur il irois passe la soire avec luy car iere [hier] aux...
6959To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac-Jean-Georges-Jonas Grand, 11 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Cher. Grand prie Son Excellençe Monsieur Le Docteur Francklin & Monsieur Son Fils de luy faire l’honneur de Diner chez luy Lundy prochain 16 de ce mois, avec M. Le Duc De La Vauguyon. The duc de La Vauguyon had returned to Versailles with his wife on account of her ill health: La Vauguyon to Vergennes, Nov. 8, 1782; Laurent Bérenger to Vergennes, Nov. 29,...
6960To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bell, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the Honor to Write your Excellency, the 28: of Last Month, to Which I have not been favor’d With an Answer,— Mr. Nesbitt, has Likewise mentiond my Situation to you— I have this Day, recieved A Letter from Captn. John Kinnear, the person for Whom it was proposed I should be Exchanged, Who Engages in Case he Gets his Liberty on Parole, to Make his...