7731To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 11 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We beg leave to trouble your excellency respecting the departure of three Privateers—the Revolution, Buccaneer, & Cicero, the Property of Messrs Cabots of Beverly. These Vessells have lain long in Port, stopped by the Orders of the Commandant, & were sinking a very large Sum to the Owners, perhaps more than they Could well bear, having from 100 to 130...
7732To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Dana, 2/12 September [i.e., 12 September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr: Livingston in a letter of the 22d. of May last, which I have lately received, writes me, “Your salary will in future be paid here, where your Agent will vest it in bills on Doctor Franklin quarterly, upon whom you will draw accordingly. I shall consider myself as Agent for all our foreign Ministers, and transact the business accordingly for you,...
7733To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 12 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In the present letter Lafayette confirms that Vergennes secretly sent Gérard de Rayneval to England for a meeting with Shelburne. Jay had heard this news on September 9, the day he and Oswald were forging a compromise about the language of Oswald’s commission. Suspecting that the purpose of Rayneval’s mission was to arrange a peace with France at...
7734To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Maccatter and Amy Kelly, 12 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We they undernamed, do take the liberty of acquainting your honour of the distress, and Situation of our husbands, whose names are Captain Edward Maccatter Captain John Kelly alias Grumbly, they had the misfortune of being Captured, the former was taken to London, the latter to Dublin, each of them has a property in the hands of a John Torris, who was...
7735To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 13[–14] September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I have nothing to add to mine of the 5th instant, but to congratulate you on the safe arrival of two Vessels from Holland, having on board the goods left by Commodore Gillon, & to present you in the name of Mr Paine with three copies of a late work of his, addressed to...
7736To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 13 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty to request that your Excellency will furnish me with a Commission, to Command a Letter of Marque , for Captain Thomas Bell, formerly Commander of the Luzerne, now of the Renette, bound from this Port to Philadelphia;— I must likewise trouble your Excellency for Copy of the Instructions, and Bond that is given on receiving a Commission,...
7737To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bouchet, 14 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je reçois une lettre de Mademoiselle Aléxandre, de St Germain, qui me charge de vous demander un paquet, contenant un corps, des Souliers &a, pour Madame Williams, de Nantes. Si vous ne lui avez pas encore fait passer ces objets, je vous prie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien me les envoyer. J’ai l’honneur de vous inviter à y joindre tout ce qui peut vous obliger:...
7738To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon: Prescription and Directions, 14 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Press copy of ADS : Library of Congress; (II) ALS and press copy of ALS : Library of Congress Huit paquets de sel de Glauber, chacun d’une demi-once. Six prises de pilules de Starkey, chacune de quatre graines. Pour son Excellence M. Franklin [ In William Temple Franklin’s hand: ] De plus Une once d’Emulsion, edulcorée avec une Once de Syrop de Diacode An ounce of wild succory roots is to...
7739To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library Mr Louis Tardy informs me that he could obtain an advantageous protection for his Brother who is lately gone to St Domingo if you would kindly signify a favourable opinion of him. I therefore do not hesitate to assure you that the person in question Mr Gabriel Tardy has been near 5 years with me and I can with truth declare him to be an honest, industrious &...
7740To Benjamin Franklin from John Carroll, 15 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Revd. Mr. John Carroll whom Docr. Franklin may remember by the Campn. into Canada presents his comps. & requests the Docr. to do him the favor to forward the inlosd Letter for Liege by post— His care is requested of the other to forward when a favourable oppy offers— Addressed: His Excelly / Docr Franklin / Passy / near / Paris— / to be Sent under Cover...
7741To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld, 15 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yours on the 31st. April duly came to hand with those inclosed, addressed to M. —— E—— C our London friend, I desire to be forgiven respecting forms, all I have to say, is that on our arrival at L,Derry we were apprehended and committed to Goal, we are now liberated upon giving security for our appearance when called for, what the End may be I cannot...
7742To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Beall, 16 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society At the desire of Mrs. Evans, I have taken the liberty of troubling you with the inclosed letters, and bills of Exchange for seventy two dollars, for Mrs. Loviel her daughter. You will see by her letters, which I am desired to send open to you, that she is very desirous of getting her daughter back to Virginia, and I have engaged that I will pay...
7743To Benjamin Franklin from William Bell, 16 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Agreable to my promise, I here Inform you that I shall (wind & Weather permitting) sail for Philadelphia the 1th of next Month— Should you have any commands that may be in my power to execute, and will let me have them in time, they will merit my utmost attention; as it will at all times give me great Pleasure to shew you my Gratitude— I have nothing...
7744To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Courtauld II, 16 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I always flatter’d myself that the recommendations I had the honor to deliver you on my Arrival here, were such, as might have secur’d me your Confidence, but am sorry to find they seem to have produc’d the Contrary Effect— I am totally Ignorant of the cause, being confident I have acted with Propriety: Least you shou’d be tempted to think I might make...
7745To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Nicholas Servin, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 16 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Je viens de faire imprimer a Basle un ouvrage Sur La Législation Criminelle Auquel le Celebre Monsieur Iselin a joint des observations de Sa façon. Je Vous prie de permettre Que mon Libraire Vous en adresse un Exemplaire par la poste. C’est un hommage Que je dois a un des plus Grands hommes d’etat et des Scavans Les plus distingués de l’univers. J’ose...
7746To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Every Child of Mine that Comes to Light is a Small Addition to the Number of American Citizens— I Have the pleasure to inform You that, tho she Was But Seven Month Advanced, Mde de Lafayette Has this Morning Become Mother of a daughter Who However delicate in his Begining Enjoys a perfect Health, and I Hope Will Soon grow Equal to the Heartiest...
7747To Benjamin Franklin from Castries, 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives de la Marine Vos preposés, Monsieur, ont été chargés jusqu’a ce moment de traiter par Eux memes les objets qui regardent Le service des Etats unis de L’amerique, cette disposition doit etre suivie relativement au batiment qui Se trouve a rochefort et qui parait Exiger des reparations. Il en est de meme pour Les munitions qui sont deposées a Brest. Le gouvernement ne peut Se...
7748To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Xavier Schwediauer, 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Schwediauer Physician from Vienna and fellow-traveler of Dr. Ingenhousz in his last journey to England, now coming from London, presents his respectful Compliments to Dr. B. Franklin, and wishes the Satisfaction of being acquainted with the Dr., especially as he is able to communicate to him, a plan of a code of penal laws, which might be agreable to him...
7749To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 18 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Just after closing my dispatches, I was favoured with yours of April and the 25th. & 29th. of June— The ships that brought them were so unfortunate as to be chased into the Delaware by a superior force— The Eagle was driven a shore and sunk— The Papers and Money were...
7750To Benjamin Franklin from Philippe-Denis Pierres, 18 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser un Exemplaire du Manuel d’Epictete en Grec que je viens d’Imprimer. Cet Exemplaire est tiré Sur le Papier que vous avez bien voulu me donner. J’aurois desiré pouvoir vous le présenter relié; mais j’aurois craint que l’Impression n’eut maculé. J’y joins, Monsieur, 4 Exemplaires imprimés Sur papier ordinaire. Je vous prie d’en...
7751To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 20 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Docr. Burrows, the Gentleman who will have the honor to present you this letter, is one of the few friends to whom I am under infinite obligations. During his residence in Tuscany, I have found united in his Person, the character of a skilful Phisician, and a most sincere Friend: To my lasting regret, he is going with his family, to England; should he meet...
7752To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 20 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter of the 11t Inst. Which put an End to your long Silence gave Me great Pleasure, but at the same Time I am surpriz’d at not receiving any News from America since the 3d February. However I must take Patience. We are All well here & hope that is the Case with You,— I am perfectly sensible of the good Advice You give Me in your Letter, I shall make...
7753To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [21 September? 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am Very sorry, My Dear sir, I Have not the Pleasure to Wait Upon You this Evening— But Mr. jay Called at Half Past Eight and told me He Had Considered of the Affair Now in Question, And Before Any thing Was Determined He Wants to Have A long Conversation With You— He Will be at Passy to Morrow Morning— for My Part I see You Will not of Course Give me Any...
7754To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this Mr Natl Nelson is the son of a particular Friend of mine now here, & his Object is a Visit to the other parts of his Family in Ireland. This young Gentleman lately arrived from Philadelphia whither he will probably return after having seen his Friends & reestablished his Health, which is another motive for his present Journey. I beg sir...
7755To 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...
7756To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society What excuse can I make for delaying to answer so kind so wise so delightful a Letter as I recievd from my ever honour’d Friend two Months ago? I spent the Summer at my Diocese, where I heard but little & could find no channel of correspondence. The Consequences of Ld Rockinghams Death I doubt not, were sooner & more circumstantially known to You than to me:...
7757To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 23 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Captains Cain, Josiah & Deale, of the Ships St. James, Lady Washington, & Queen of France, arrived in this port the 19th. Inst &, have communicated to me the Contents of a Letter they have had the honor to address Your Excellency this day. These Gentlemen have from the first of the American War, engag’d their lives and Fortune in the Contest, & I am...
7758To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lest by some accident I should miss the opportunity of travelling with the courier, I sit down just to tell you that I am prepared to depart the instant I hear the commission is sealed, which by the Chancellor having been at Buxton has been for some days delayed. I have got together the different articles committed to my care to procure, and shall not...
7759To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Oswald, 24 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Having received by a Courier just now arrived, a Letter from Mr. Secy Townshend, in answer to mine which went by the Messenger dispatched from hence on the 12th. I take this Opportunity of Mr. Whitefoord, to send you a Copy of it. I hope he will bring good Accounts of your...
7760To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College, 24 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library We could wish to avoid any seeming indelicacy in a matter, that respects your Excellency, by communicating an idea of the repeated and increasing joys, which are handed from breast to breast among the citizens of the empire of this western world— But permit us, Sir, to render a tribute of praise, that Providence has been propitious to honor our nation,...
7761To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy: Two Letters, [on or after 25 September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society I have read with great pleasure my Dear Doctor your ingenious Hypothesis about the cause of the extraordinary Motions of the Earth and certainly if one may Suppose The air at liberty in the internal part of the Earth and to be compressed by the internal atmosphere its density may be vastly great. I do not...
7762To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Congress has ordered me to prepare and lay before them a State of the pay Rations and Subsistence of the Officers and Men in the Armies of the different powers in Europe—as these often vary I have no means of procuring the necessary information with accuracy from any books I have seen— I am under the...
7763To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris: Two Letters, 25 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Yale University Library, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress; (II) LS : Yale University Library, Independence National Historical Park, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I do myself the Honor to enclose for your Perusal Acts of Congress of the twenty seventh of...
7764To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris: Two Letters, 27 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Two LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society, Yale University Library, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Library of Congress I have the Honor to enclose the Copy of Acts of Congress of the fourteenth and twenty third Instant, together with the Copy of my Letter of the...
7765To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress: Commission and Instructions, [28 September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Two copies and draft: National Archives The United States in Congress Assembled— To all who shall see these presents send Greeting— It having been represented to Congress by their Minister Plenipoy: at the Court of Versailles, that the King of Sweden has signified by his Ambassador at that Court to our said Minister, his desire to enter into a treaty with the United States in...
7766To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Grant, 28 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am extreamly oblidg’d to you for the Book you was so Kind as to lend me, it has much contributed to augmente my desir to go next spring to america, I only wish to find means to be usefull either in the field of war, either as citizen of the world, and particularly as an admirer of the laws who established security in general, and conserve liberty :...
7767To Benjamin Franklin from William Grey, 28 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Owing to the fate of war I had the misfortune of being captured in the Ship Amazon a Transport in his Majestys service that I commanded bound from London to Quebec, by Cpt. Johnson of the Ship Flora and brought to this place a prisinor. I request that you will pardon my presumtion in writing to your Excellency humbly beging my parole for England for any...
7768To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 28 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères In my Letter of yesterday, I have dwelt on the resolutions of Congress, in the manner requir’d by my duty as their Servant. I will now add a few hints, as Your friend. Your Enemies industriously publish that your age & indolence have unabled you for your station, that a Sense of...
7769To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 30 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Upon my arrival here I waited on the Count De Hector and delivered him a letter which the Marquis de Castres gave me, in which he requested that I might receive all the assistance necessary to enable me to pursue Such Measures as I Should think proper in Expditing the American Supplies from hence, and on this Occasion I received every assurance on the part...
7770To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Barrett, 30 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was renderd very unhappy just now to be informd by my friends Messrs Cumming & Maccarty, that they had recd a Letter from Monsr. Jolley de fleury Minr. of Finance handing them a Determination respecting a Cargo of sugars which I brot with me from the Havanna in the Briga. Genl Galvez. These sugars being the product of Cape Francois I took in at the...
7771To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 30 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Yale University Library, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Library of Congress I have received and already acknowledged your Letters of the 9th January, two of the 28th January, those of the 30th January, 4th March 9th March and 30th March. The Acknowledgement of the three last was by mine of the first of July. I am now to acknowledge yours of the...
7772To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania While I beg Permission to inform you of my extreem Mortification for so long & unexpected Detention at this Place, unfortunately occasioned by a violent Attact of Fever, which, tho’ declining, will for some days render me unable to Journey, ’tis with equal regret for the common Good and Anxiety for your personal Health I hear of your Excellency’s...
7773To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai Reçue votre lettre du 10 Septembre elle m’a fait un très grand Plaisir parcequ’elle a mit fin a vôtre long silence car j’etois en peine de vous n’ayant point de vos nouvelles. J’ai regardé vôtre silence à Legard des livres dont je vous ai parlé comme vôtre Consentement et comme Mr Marignac craignoit qu’on ne les vendit il les a acheté. Je suis très...
7774To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We were happy in hearing from you by the Eagle Frigate; you honored me likewise by her with an Introduction to the Prince De Broglii & Count De Segur; these Gentlemen set off immediately for Camp, but as probably they will spend the Winter here, I hope to have an opportunity of shewing them every Civility in my Power—the latter strikes me, as a very amiable...
7775To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should think it wrong to let any opportunity slip without informing you of the Welfare of my little Family, they are well and lovely the Youngest, one Year old this day, and as an infant she is perfect, I have just weaned her, Willy a fine tall straight Lad, this week he began to go to dancing School, Betsy and Lous go to my Old Madam Marsh, how happy...
7776To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society (two), Syracuse University Library; copy: Library of Congress In my Letter of the twenty seventh of September last I express my Wish “that the Court of Spain should give Orders for the Shipment of a Million of Dollars at the Havanna free of Duties, and to be convoyed by One or more Ships of the Line to an American Port, &c.” Upon farther Reflection I am...
7777To Benjamin Franklin from Caleb Whitefoord and Richard Oswald, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Whiteford & Mr Oswald present their best respects to Doctr Franklin & will do themselves the honour to wait of him to Dinner on Friday next. Mr Oswald begs leave to Send the Letter he mentioned Respecting Capt Blair, & will call on the Doctr to morrow in hopes of having a favourable answer to General Conways Request. Mr Fitzherbert is to dispatch a...
7778To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 2 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I got at last an account of Pere Barletti’s pamphlet in an italian journal et will peruse it for the farther elucidation of the notes you was so good as to send me. Mr. le Begue acquaintd me that you begin to make experiments with air. I am glad of it. But have you laid aside the reflexions you were making two or 3 years ago on fire places principaly in...
7779To Benjamin Franklin from Rolland frères, 2 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Le Navire Wolf appartenant au port d’Edenton et Commandé par le Capne. Sam Butler chargé de 138. boucauds de Tabac de la Virginie et quélqúes Milliers de Merin [merrain]; est arrivé dans Ce port depuis quélqúes jours, ce Capne. qui N’avait aucune Connaissance dans Ce paÿs a bien Voulû s’adresser à Nous, et comme les Administrateurs de la ferme Généralle...
7780To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Shipley, 2 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho: you will very lately have heard from my father, I have too much pride as well as pleasure in the correspondence to relinquish my part of it; the difficulty of finding a safe conveyance for my letter can alone induce me to be silent. We had the pleasure of breakfasting with Dr Priestley on our return out of Wales, he has an exceeding pretty house 1...