1381To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 26 February 1744 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks); another transcript: American Philosophical Society I have this day read over my version of Cicero’s Cato Major in thy Print, with my Notes on it, and cannot but applaud thy care but wish thou hadst not begun in pa: 49 with Greek Letter, since thou hadst not enough of the same character to go on with it, for to this alone I must impute the failure....
1382To Benjamin Franklin from Simon-Pierre Fournier le Jeune, 14 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay l’honneur de vous réiterer votre demande de la fonte de Petit Romain par laquelle vous attendiés des modelles: Pour regler la hauteur en Papier, étant Prêt a la faire commencer, comme vous m’en avés Parû Pressé. Si votre courier d’anglettere est arrivé, et que vous daigné m’en faire Part vous obligérés celui qui a l’honneur d’être avec Respect,...
1383To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 23 April 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Lord North being at the Head of Affairs and having show’d an Inclination in my Favour upon an Application made in my Behalf by Mrs. Johnson makes me flatter myself that, something or other may possibly be obtain’d for my Benefit. To this purpose I have wrote to the Bishop of Worcester, and as he is in the Country during the Summer Season have told him...
1384To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. your Favour by the Count d’Attems. I should be happy to procure him a Passage on the Terms desired but know of no way of doing it unless he goes on board one of the Frigates at L’orient; but even there it will not be without expence as he has not any money for his daily subsistence. I cannot say anything of the Lion to him, as I must even deny...
1385To Benjamin Franklin from Schweighauser & Dobrée, 8 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 18 dec. last informing you of the decease of our Worthy Parent Mr Schweighauser and are Since without any of your esteemed favors. The chief purpost of this Serves to acquaint You that the King’s Officer has obliged us instantly to remove all the articles of the Arsenal in another Magazine in order...
1386To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis-François Cadet de Vaux, 19 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. le lieutenant Général de Police fera mercredi 22 l’Installation du traitement Electrique, au couvent des célestins, près l’arsenal. Je l’ai flatté du plaisir de S’y rencontrer avec vous, et ce magistrat Jouira de la double Satisfaction de réunir la cause et les effets c’est a dire l’auteur immortel de la découverte de l’Electricité et les Infortunés qui...
1387To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are here, from the Texel, since two days. All things are adjusted amiably. All possible care is taken by the Commodore & the Embassador for the Interests of the American crew, & for la safety of the prisoners. I am happy to give you the good news of Capt. Cuningham’s escape from the English prisons, & his arrival here. He will be soon with you. We are...
1388To Benjamin Franklin from Duportail, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Toutes reflexions faites, je crois que les vaisseaux de nantes nous offrent plus de sureté et de commodités pour notre passage que le paquebot. Ainsi je choisis le premier moyen à moins que vous n’ayèz vous même fait des observations contraires; auquel cas je vous prierois de vouloir bien m’en faire part. J’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler de quelques...
1389To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 16 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Packet I had not the Pleasure of one Line from you: I am sorry I am so displeasing to you: As I never knew the Gentleman’s Name before, to whom I owe the Place in the Custom House, I could not return him Thanks by Name: therefore only did it to you. Will you be pleased to make my Humble Complements to him, and sincere Thanks for the Favour, which is...
1390To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 23 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M De sarsfield Envoie Savoir des Nouvelles de Monsieur franklin et le prier de lui faire Lhonneur de diner demain chez lui avec Made la duchesse d’Enville. Elle n’est a paris que pour fort peu de Jours et Monsieur franklin aura peu d’occasions de la voir parce qu’elle y est Sans Sa maison. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Ministre / plenipotentiaire...
1391To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. William Vernon Junr of Boston son to the president of the Navy Board of the Eastern department having been with me these three Years past intending to return shortly to America is desireous to pass a few Days at Paris. Permit me to introduce him to your Civilities his Prudent conduct in the midst of sceenes of disipations has procured him very...
1392To Benjamin Franklin from James Searle, [26 January 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Searles Compliments wait on Doctor Franklin. Mr. S, is much obliged by the Dors. Kind invitation to dine with him on sunday next. But as Sunday is a Day on which he knows the Dor. has a Number of his Friends with him & as Mr. S. wishes to have much Conversation with Dor. Franklin he must decline the honour of dineing at Passy on that day, but will be...
1393To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 5 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cou’d not set out so soon as I intended but expect to be in Rouen tomorrow night and shall be back by Saturday or Sunday at farthest unless some unforseen accident detains me a day or two longer. The inclosed letter is just recd. Be so good as to take care of it ’till I return, the writer is generally well inform’d and thoroughly to be depended on. By the...
1394To Benjamin Franklin from Antonio Francesco Salucci & fils, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’heureuse conclusion de la Paix, et l’Indipendence des treize Provinces Americaines, par la quelle ces Peuples fortunes ont à Votre Excellence des obligations Majeures, offrent à la Toscanne l’occasion, depuis si long tems desirée, d’entamer un Commerce des plus ètendus, et de former des Liaisons capables d’apporter le plus grand avantage aux deux Nations....
1395To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 30 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Letters were intended to be sent some time ago by Mr. Jefferson, who went as far as Maryland as a Commissioner for Peace, but he being recalled; I now commit them to the care of Mr. Restife, a Gentleman that came over with the Minister of France, he appears to be a good kind of Man, & has been very intimate in our Family— We are...
1396To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We make bold with the inclosed Letters left to our care, to mention to your Excellency, that we have send last saturday by Expres the dispatches received from Passi for Mr. Dumas to the Texel; I went my self to the Hague, and those H. E. the Ambassador had received, caused him to write for the Comodor of the American Squadron, whome he had some conferences...
1397To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Tucker, 24 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: Library of Congress The Request made in your last Letter is so very just and reasonable, that I shall comply with it very readily. It has long appeared to Me, that You much exceeded the Bounds of Morality in the Method you pursued for the Advancement of the supposed Interests of America. If it can be proved, that I have unjustly...
1398To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Walpole, 10 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Wharton having signified to me by Letter that in the present unhappy Situation of Affairs in America he apprehends he cannot be of any use in the further Application to Government for Lands on the River Ohio, he therefore finally closed his Account on the 17th August last against my self and Associates, and sent me his Note of Charges, which are...
1399To Benjamin Franklin from Grey Cooper, 29 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, press copy, and transcript: National Archives I have received the Honour of your Letter, in which you acquainted me that you understood that the Health of Mr. Laurens suffered by the Closeness and Rigour of his Confinement in the Tower, & after complaining of the Harshness of this proceeding, you request me to endeavour to obtain for Mr. Laurens such a Degree of Air and Liberty as may be...
1400To Benjamin Franklin from [Ferdinand Grand], [on or after 11 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Grand arrive de Paris avec Mr. Boux, pour avoir L’honneur de voir monsieur Franklin cet aprés midy, chez lui ou chez Mr. Grand comme Monsieur franklin aimera le mieux. Monsieur Deane viendra aussy entre 3 et 4 heures. Mr. Grand sera bien aise de voir monsr. Carmikael á son retour de Versailles et avant qu’il aille à Paris. Addressed: a monsieur /...
1401Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received with the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 12th of this month, gentlemen, the copy of the letter addressed to you by Mr. Schweighauser, agent for the United States of North America at Nantes, on the subject of the escort that he, together with several other American merchants, requests for a number of vessels that they hope to send off toward the end of the...
1402To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, [3 January 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mrs. Howe’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, she encloses him a Letter she received last night, and returns him many thanks for his very obliging present, which has already given her great entertainment. If the Docter has any spare time for Chess, she will be exceedingly glad to see him any morning this week, and as often as will be agreeable to him, and rejoices in having...
1403To Benjamin Franklin from John Thayer, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The world in general attributes to You the most perfect benevolence. They have long conceiv’d the idea that the good of mankind was the end of all your valuable writings & of all your endeavors. Every body thinks You a Yorick in ev’ry tender sensation, that your heart sympthetically vibrates with the miseries of your fellow creatures, & that your soul is...
1404To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 4 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. Upon a night’s reflection it is thought right that you be possessed of the inclosed, to be afterwards returned without taking copy in case no business be done. Will you let me know by the bearer if we are to see you in town to day, and when, that I...
1405To Benjamin Franklin from Edme-Jacques Genet, 2 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’apprens avec le plus grand plaisir par la lettre dont vous m’avés honoré, que vous approuvés l’usage que j’ai fait des lettres que vous aviés bien voulu me confier. J’ai actuellement deux no des affaires de l’angleterre prêts à paroitre: je n’attens que des nouvelles directes d’amerique, que j’espere recevoir par votre canal, suivant la promesse que vous...
1406To Benjamin Franklin from Pothonnier & Cie., 27 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons receu hyer l’honneur de votre Lettre, qui nous laisse dans l’Incertitude Si les lettres de Change en acquit de Compte du Vau. [Vaisseau] Lariel Seront acceptés, nous avons eu celuy de vous prevenir que cet [c’est] notre Maison qui à acquittée toute la dépense de ce Vaisseau, par les Traites que Mrs. Gourlade et Moylan ont fournies Sur nous dont...
1407To Benjamin Franklin from Peter P. Burdett, 5 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon the News of your arrival in France I did myself the honor of writing to you at the particular request of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Baaden, as well as from the pleasure I felt upon your return to Europe. This letter in all probability never reached your hands, or if it did, the multiplicity and importance of your present engagements,...
1408To Benjamin Franklin from Etienne Caÿrol, 7 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis trop delicat pour allér sur les brisées de qui que ce soit, et je n’eusse point pris la liberté de vous offrir mon ministére, si Mr. Coder par sa lettre du 16e juin dernier ne m’eüt marqué étre chargé de complettér avec Mr. dubourg l’équipèment de deux mille hommes, sur des modèles agréés, qui seroint finis par tout ce courant juillét, et que mon...
1409To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday was presented to me another Bill of Exchange for 1100 Guilders, drawn on Mr Laurens 25th. Feby. 1780. I have, as usual, asked time to write to your Excellency, to know if You can be responsible for the payment: if not, they must be protested, for there is no Money to be had here. Indeed if there was a...
1410To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you a gazzet that Came out on the 5 day of this month which Surprised me much after hearing So much Taulk about Giveing the amerricans Everey thing but Bringing the Shugers Directley from the west indies that they Should issue an order of Councel for there owen Ships onley. I have taken Care to Send two of the Gazetts one by Each Ship Bound to...