1401To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 13 [November] 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je ne vous écrirai qu’un mot aujourd’hui mon bon papa, j’ai plusieurs choses indispensables a faire, moins agréables sans doutte que de causér avéc vous; mais le devoir avant tout, ou je ne serois pas la digne fille de mon papa: Oseroisje encore vous rappeller que vous m’avés promis de m’écrire, qu’il y a 16 jours que je vous ai quitté et que je n’ai entendu...
1402To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [26 March? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Oui mon ami j’irai demain déjeunér avéc vous, mais je ne puis vous allér trouvér avant dix heures: mon mari ne pourra pas estre de la partie étant obligé d’allér a paris pour affaire. Il me charge de vous assurér du regrét qu’il a de ne pouvoir allér boire votre vin pour vous prouver le cas qu’il fait de vos conseils; il prendra sa revanche la semaine...
1403To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon with a Note from André-Noël Pagin, 27 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je ne suis encore qu’a trente lieuës de paris mon bon papa, j’habitte une maison charmante d’ou j’appérçois de mes fenéstres des prairies arrosées par une riviére et bornées de cotteaux couvérts de vignes et d’arbres fruittiérs, le vilain tems m’a empêché d’allér arpenter ce joli pays; je suis ici chés d’anciens et bons amis qui me soignent comme leur...
1404To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 1 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Vous aurés peut éstre déja vû mon chér papa lorsque vous recevrés cette léttre un mr de Lon a qui j’ai donné un petit mot pour lui servir de passeport auprés de vous; cet homme qui peut a ce qu’il me paroist avoir a peu prés soixante ans, accompagnoit ici Mylord cholmondeley a titre d’ami, plusieurs personnes assurent qu’il l’accompagnoit comme une éspéce de...
1405Exchanges with Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy: Six Letters circa July 27, 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society; (III) AL : American Philosophical Society; (IV) AL (draft) and autograph copy or press copy: American Philosophical Society; (V) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (VI) ALS : American Philosophical Society As is often the case with the Doctor’s much-admired neighbor in Passy, chronology hangs on tenuous...
1406To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, Enclosing [Madame Brillon] to Him: Two Notes, [March? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and (II) AL : American Philosophical Society These notes are the earliest surviving record of Franklin’s relations with neighbors in Passy who came to be close friends. Both lived near his new quarters in the Hôtel de Valentinois and were well acquainted with his host, Le Ray de Chaumont. Le Veillard (1733–94), often referred to as “le grand voisin,” had married a wealthy wife and...
1407To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 7 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous avés bien voulu hiér mon cher frére, me chargér de votre convérsion: tout directeur, tout ministre, arrange en général les affaires, pour sa gloire et pour son proffit: prenant la charge, j’en prends l’éspoir; ainsi mon chér frére, vous trouvérés bon que selon l’ordre accoutumé, me méslant de vos affaires, j’arrange les miénnes: je ne serai pas trop...
1408To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, with Franklin’s Undated Reply, [10 December and after 10 December 1778?] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL and copy: American Philosophical Society Once again Madame Brillon’s failure to date her letters compels us to offer a hypothetical cluster. The following exchange, along with her letters published under December 15 and 20, form a group linked by its common theme: a fantasy of paradise to come. The only solid clue to a date is her allusion here...
1409To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Brillon de Jouy, 4 [May] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
al: American Philosophical Society M. Brillon presente ses respects a Monsieur franklin. Il le prie de lui dire ce qu’il pense sur la proposition suivante. M. Hennet ami de M. Brillon qui a deja fait quelques fournitures d’armes pour le congrés, ayant appris l’arrivée de Messieurs de la Virginie demande s’il pouroit se reclamer auprés d’eux de Monsieur franklin pour leur offrir ses services....
1410To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Brillon de Jouy, 15 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Brillon presente ses respects a Monsieur franklin, il lui envoye de la part de sa femme qui n’en a nulle connoissance et qui ne revient que demain l’Eripuit coelo fulmen sceptrumque tirannis. Nouvelle Composition en l’honneur du Docteur franklin qui heureusement pour nous sçait aussi descendre du ciel en terre et du sceptre a la houlette. A demain le thé....
1411To Benjamin Franklin from Brillon de Jouy, [15 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Brillon presente ses respects a Monsieur Franklin. Voicy une lettre qu’il recoit de M. Didelot fermier general qui reclame sa protection auprés du cher Papa en faveur du S. Gellée. Je ne scais s’il compte degeler en amerique. Ce qu’il y a de certain c’est que M. Didelot est un fort gallant homme sur la probité et l’intelligence de qui Monsieur Franklin...
1412To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 2 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Votre léttre mon aimable papa m’a fait un sensible plaisir, mais si vous voulés m’en faire un plus grand restés en france jusqu’au moment ou vous verrés ma sixiéme génération, je ne vous demande que quinse ou seise ans, ma petite fille sera mariable de bonne héure elle est belle et forte: je goutte un nouveau sentiment mon bon papa auqu’el mon coeur se livre...
1413To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Briqueville de La Luzerne and Other Favor Seekers, 4 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin received a large number of requests for favors during the four months covered by this volume. Heading them chronologically is Briqueville de La Luzerne’s plea for Franklin’s help in obtaining his release from jail, which we publish below. A prisoner of another kind, captured at war, tries to obtain his freedom on March 20 through the intercession...
1414To Benjamin Franklin from Brissot de Warville, 7 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have had the pleasure of seeing at my friend Mr. Marat’s experiments, a man Whom I admir’d a long While ago. I Would not speak to you, not to be indiscreet, about my Litterarys enterprises & the prospectus of my philosophical Biblioteck on the penal Laws, Which I sent to you a fortnight ago, With a Letter unanswer’d, for what I was much disappointed. The...
1415To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Pierre Brissot de Warville, 22 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous suplie de vouloir bien derober un moment à vos grandes occupations pour Jeter un coup d’œil sur le prospectus que J’ai L’honneur de vous adresser. Le desir d’ameliorer notre Législation si defectueuse preside à cette Entreprise, et Je suis fermement convaincu qu’on ne poura y parvenir qu’en rassemblant ce qu’on a ecrit de mieux sur cet objet. Ce...
1416To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Brocklesby, 12 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to congratulate my ever respectable & honored friend on the events of late establishd between Great Britain & America, which naturally tend to restore both parties to their mutual good humor, & that common confidence in each other, wch the late fatal & ingloriously unnatural Contest had unhappily for this Country at least interrupted a...
1417To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Brocklesby, 22 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I never before presumed to give you the trouble of a letter in these miserable times, nor should I have done it at present when your Cause is so high & ours so low; but on the behalf of suffering humanity I adventure to bespeak your well known good Offices, & to tell you, that a worthy friend of mine Mr Croft a Banker in Pall Mall has a favorite Son...
1418To Benjamin Franklin from the Prince de Broglie, 9 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Prince of Broglie’s best respects and compliments to his Excellency Mr. Franklin, begs leave to Send to him for the Packets he mentioned, the Day before yesterday, finds himself very much honoured With the trust being confident that he Will not fail to be very Well received in a Country Wherein Every body pays So great and So Well deserved a regard to one of...
1419To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bromfield, 12 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With pleasure your friends received the agreable inteligence of your safe arrival and health. Inclos’d I return a Letter for you directed to our care. From different accounts I am pleased to observe, the great unanimity that prevails thr’o the Continent; your advise was never more wantd, hope it will tend to restore that invaluable blessing to which our...
1420To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai enfin obtenu du Sculpteur dont j’avois eu L’honneur de Vous parler, deux esquisses de Medailles assez grandes. J’ai priè aussi un peintre de Mes amis de dessiner Le meme sujet et je Crois qu’il y a bien Reussi. Quel jour Voulez Vous, Monsieur, que Nous allions a Passi pour avoir L’honneur de Vous presenter les ouvrages. Ou Si Vos affaires Vous...
1421To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Brongniart a L’honneur de présenter Son tres humble Respect a Monsieur franklin, et de le prier de lui faire Sçavoir Si il Se donnera la peine de passer chez Lui Ce Matin Mercredi, et a quelle heure, Comme m. Son fils le lui a fait espérer La Semaine derniere. Il S’agit d’aller ensuitte a L’Ecole militaire et aux invalides relativement aux paratonnere que m....
1422To Benjamin Franklin from Brongniart, 31 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Brongniart a L’honneur de presenter Son Respect a Monsieur franklin et Le prie de Lui faire Sçavoir Si on lui a remis Vendredi de L’autre Semaine, deux Nouvelles Epreuves de la Medaille, et entre autres Celle de la tete de la libertè. Monsieur franklin oublie apparemment d’envoyer a Mr Brongniart Ce qu’il desire faire mettre au Bas de la Medaille de...
1423To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 23 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur d’Envoyer a Monsieur franclin deux Nouvelles Epreveuves de la medaille, en observant que La tete n’est pas encore au point de perfection ou elle doit etre, que Les Serpens que tient L’enfant Seront plus grands et plus Caracterisés; en outre Le graveur a mis intans , au lieu d’ infans et qu’il Corrigera Ce deffaut d’Ortographe— J’ai L’honneur...
1424To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Louis Brongniart, 6 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les experiences que j’ay annoncées dernierement dans les papiers publics, sur l’augmentation du fluide electrique, dans les Machines exposées au Soleil, ont excitées une certaine sensation chez les Phisiciens. J’ai répété hier et avant hier ces Experiences nouvelles, en presences de Plusieurs personnes et Medecins Electrisans, et J’ay obtenu les mêmes...
1425To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Louis Brongniart, 7 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay l’honneur de vous Prevenir que je ferai Jeudy prochain 9 du present a Onze heures tres precises, des Experiences sur l’Electricité, et sur plusieurs Emmanations Electriques, connues sous le nom d’air fixe etc. etc.; en mon Cabinet Rue et hotel Serpente. Je serais bien flatté que vos occupations vous laissasent assez de Loisir pour suivre plusieurs...
1426To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Brooke, 27 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace this first Opportunity that hath presented itself to return You my thanks for the very polite and Hospitable Entertaintment I met with from You when I was at Philadelphia last Year, and have deferrd it till now, that the only Subject of my Letter might not be an acknowledgment of Your Civilities, which, I believe You had rather perform than be...
1427To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Brossière, 5 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mille pardons si Je prens la liberté de vous détourner un instant de vos immenses occupations; mais la Circonstance dans laquelle Je me trouve, demande un éclaircissement qu’on m’a assuré que vous pouviés me donner. Voici le fait. Une certaine Demoiselle, nommée Desbois, originaire de cette Province, est venû demeurer dans cette Ville; elle y est entré, y...
1428To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Françoise-Dominique Brouttin Mollien de Sombres, 2 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Jai l’honneur de vous adresser le memoire de M. morel de dunkerque duquel jai eu celui de vous parler chez M Cadet de Vaux lorsque vous y vinte diner; tendant à obtenir le Consulat des états unis a dunkerque. M. thommas barclay a du vous en remettre aussi un pour lui? Vous y veré Monsieur quil a toujours et sa famille rendu beaucoup de Service au...
1429To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Françoise-Dominique Brouttin Mollien de Sombres, 4 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Jai eu lhonneur Monsieur de vous adresser un memoire pour M. Morel de dunkerque, mon parens. Il y a deux mois en joignant mes prieres aux siennes. Depuis jai eu celui de vous écrire et de vous prier Monsieur de vouloir me mander Sil pouvait ésperer quelque chose? Afin de lui en rendre compte; privé de l’honneur de votre reponce jai etté a passy pour avoir...
1430To Benjamin Franklin from John Browne, 13 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was first Lieutenant, of the Ship Boston, under Captn. Mc.Neil, the first Cruize she made, But when Captn. Tucker got her, I left her, I then got the command of the Continential Brigg Dispatch, to come to France, but had the misfortune to be taken, and Carried to Scotland, and with much Difficulty, got from thence to France, I was at your house in Passey,...
1431To Benjamin Franklin from Ephraim Brown, 15 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 13th lies before me. I am oblig’d to you for your offer of the loan of three Guineas, and have drawn on you payable to Wm. Jackson on order. I don’t know what to think of your excessive temperance in my case. I am of opinion if a hearty man get a bad cold, to drive it away by abstinance, is very right; but a person in my Condition requires many...
1432To Benjamin Franklin from Ephraim Brown, 12 April 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With the greatest Respect I take the Freedom by this Packet to congratulate you on your safe arrival in England. I wrote a Line by the last Packet, which I hope you have receiv’d. His Excellency Governor Franklin and Lady, and Mr. Foxcroft, happen’d to be at Mrs. Franklin’s when your agreeable Letters came to hand. We go on well with the Post-Office, and...
1433To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Browne, 12 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Medical Observations and Inquiries (London), I (1757), 75–80. I will give you as exact a description of my sister’s case as I can. First she complained of a slow fever, and then of sudden stitches in her side; which she would compare to the prick of a pin; and would slap her side with her hand, which never failed giving her relief for some time. She then began to...
1434To Benjamin Franklin from Henton Brown, 26 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace this opportunity per the extra packett to acknowledge the receipt of the several letters and to transmitt a State of the account as it now Stands with us —that drawn payable to Stevenson £25—has not yet appeared. I understand Richard Jackson Esqr. here is appointed Agent to the province of Pensilvania. I shall be greatly obliged if thou will be so...
1435To Benjamin Franklin from Henton Brown, 28 November 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I did not fully speak to the Proposition respecting the £3000. as I had not any discourse with my Son respecting it in which affairs we always consult and act in concert. We have now considered the proposition maturely and think it of that nature that when thou comes to reconsider it in all its parts must appear a Thing not eligible for us. First...
1436To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 22 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Brown’s compliments to Benj. Franklin Esqr. and acquaints him that he has sold Five Thousand Pounds more of the Annuities Vizt. £3000 at 64½ 2000 at 64⅜ which was all he could do—the price is now but 63¾ and therefore before he sold the remaining five thought it proper to acquaint him with it—and Mr. Brown desires Mr. Franklin will please to send...
1437To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 2 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Brown’s Compliments to B. Franklin Esqr. and acquaints him he has sold the £5000—3 per Cents. to be transferr’d to morrow—to day being a Holliday, at 61⅞. Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Craven street / Strand See below, p. 34.
1438To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 27 November 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have sent herewith a letter of Attorney to be Executed by you before two Witnesses to empower me to transfer the Fifteen Thousand Pounds 4 per Cents. as I could not do it without, you’ll please to return it per Bearer as it must be lodg’d at the Bank this afternoon—£8000 being sold for to morrow morning and must be done then as the Persons who bought...
1439To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 14 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This is to acquaint you that in consequence of your directions Mr. Shervell has Sold £5000 of the 3 Per Cents. at 65¾ that is without the Dividend 64¼ —he is attending the Sale of the remainder and as any thing is done in it will keep you advis’d. I am for Father and Self most Respectfully Yours Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Craven Street /...
1440To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Brown, 23 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Youl please to Excuse my freedom in Troubling you with these few lines to ask the favour Wheather your Exelencey Ever granted one Mr. Benjn. Joy a pass for goods to be Shipt. in London for america as I had the pleasuer to Captor Sd Joy on my pasage here in a fine Copper Bottom Brig Mounting Six Six poundirs and the people I took out of her tells me that She...
1441To Benjamin Franklin from William Brownrigg, 12 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this moment received a letter from Sir John Pringle, in which he is pleased to acquaint me that he shortly intends me the favour of a visit; that you accompany him to Leeds, and may possibly come with him so far as this place. I have great reason to beleive that you will not very willingly part from Sir John on this excursion, or he from you; I...
1442To Benjamin Franklin from William Brownrigg, 27 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: the Royal Society By the enclosed from an old friend, a worthy clergyman at Carlisle, whose great learning and extensive knowledge in most sciences would have more distinguished him had he been placed in a more conspicuous point of view, You will find that he had heard of your experiment on Derwent Lake, and has thrown together what he could collect on that subject; to which I have...
1443To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Bruet, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Le cte de Bruet a reçû avec la plus grande sensibilité lexemplaire que Monsieur franklin a eu lattention et lhonnetteté de luÿ adresser il luÿ en fait mile remerciements et il seroit bien flatté de trouver les occasions de luÿ en marquer toute Sa reconoissance. Mde de Bruet fait mille et mille Compliments a messieurs franklin et ne pouvent etre plus...
1444To Benjamin Franklin from Graf von Brühl, 29 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I presume to trouble you with an Application for a Letter of Recommendation in favour of Mr Biederman Dr of Law in the University of Leipzig who in the Course of last year set out for America in the Capacity of Agent & Manager of the Concerns & Interest of many of our principal Manufacturers & Merchants. If you should be inclined to comply with my Request,...
1445To Benjamin Franklin from Graf von Brühl, 10 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was very much flattered with the Letter I had the pleasure to receive from your Excellency by the Means of the ingenious Mr de Kempelen’s Arrival in this Country. The favourable Opinion you entertain of his talents is alone sufficient to convince me of their Intent & usefullness. I cannot find Words to express the gratitude I feel for the honour of your...
1446To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Louis Brunnet, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 17 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Jean Brunet, natif de Louisbourg en Canada, Prend la liberte et la Confiance de répresenter à Votre Exellence, qu’en l’année mil Sept cent Soixante dix neuf, il a pris Service à Bord du navire Corsaire nommé le Bon-homme-Richard, Commandé par le Capitaine Paul-Jones, et armé a L’Orient Sous le Pavillon Américain, Par les Sieurs Monplaisir et Gourlandes,...
1447To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Brus, 6 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin, within weeks of his arrival in Paris, began to receive letters from strangers about service in America. The writers were sometimes putting forward friends or relatives, more often themselves; if they specified what they wanted, which many did not, it might be a military commission in advance, or passage money, or merely a letter of recommendation,...
1448To Benjamin Franklin from C. L. Brust, 24 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il s’est elevé divers procés entre les assurés et les assureurs des batiments & Cargaisons partis de L’Amerique Septentrionale pour la françe, et pris par les Anglois ou peris, et je Suis du Nombre de ceux qui Sont en Souffrance par le refus des assureurs de payer les pertes. Un des grands obstacles a faire finir ces discussions est dans L’Incertitude du...
1449To Benjamin Franklin from G. Anquetil Brutiere, [5 January 1779]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[January 5, 1779,] in French: Last September I called on you with M. Stadelle, merchant of Strasbourg, and explained my loss of 4–5,000 l.t. when my ship on the Newfoundland Banks had to take on seven English prisoners from a Massachusetts privateer. You asked me to give you my complaint in legal form and in triplicate, two for the colony and one for your...
1450To Benjamin Franklin from Brutiere with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Granville, February 21, 1779, in French: I fear you did not receive my letter of the 5th of last month, and remind you of what I wrote then. M. Stadelle furnished you with three copies of my captain’s report to the admiralty, of which you forwarded two to Congress for verification. You promised me justice. The owner of the privateer owes me 4–5,000 l.t. ,...