151To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 23 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
I wrote a few Lines to you from Passy to go by the Post of this Day, pressing you to come hither as soon as possible. I have just mention’d it to M de Vergennes, who is of Opinion it will be proper to leave M r . Carmichael there, that it may not seem as if we abandon’d that Court. As I understand, a Courier is just setting out from hence for Madrid, I add this Line, to inform you of this...
152To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 20 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have before me several of your late letters, which tho’ not formally , have been substantially answered, by the Payment of your Bills. I got our Banker to examine the Marquis’s Account, who explained it to me, and satisfy’d me that it was right. There are Intricacies in the Affair of Exchange, which neither you nor I well understand, and we are therefore under a Necessity of placing...
153From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 16 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received yours by Major Franks, which I shall answer fully per Saturday’s Post. The Letters you sent me of Capt. Gillon & Mr. Searle, give me, as you expected, abundance of Chagrin. I am afraid that Gillon will loiter at Corunna as he did at Amsterdam, and sell the Goods of the United States as he did those of the...
154From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
155From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Reproduced in Joseph M. Maddalena, Profiles in History Auction Catalogue no. 15 (Beverly Hills, California, Winter, 1991), p. 3. I am much in your Debt on Account of Letters. I have had a long Fit of the Gout, and am but just getting abroad again after near 10 Weeks Confinement. I have accepted your Bill. I shall write fully to you & Mr Carmichael very soon. This accompanies a Number of...
156From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copies: Henry E. Huntington Library, Columbia University Library, Library of Congress, National Archives Mr Grand tells me that he hears from Madrid, you are uneasy at my long Silence. I have had much Vexation and Perplexity lately with the Affair of our Goods in Holland: And I have so many urgent Correspondencies to keep up, that some of them at times...
157To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 4 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
I received a few Days since a very obliging Letter from you. I have it not with me here, and therefore cannot mention the Date. I shall answer it particularly by the next Opportunity. This serves chiefly to cover the Communication of two Letters, which I have viewed, one from M r Adams, relative to the Propos’d Mediation. The other from some Merchants who possess Congress Drafts of a Late...
158To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 13 June 1780 (Jay Papers)
It was a Mistake of a Figure in my Letter that occasion’d you the Trouble of writing yours of the 28 th . April.— I find you charg’d only with 2564 ^ Livres ^ , 18..10 and not with £4564.18.10. That Bill is paid, as also another drawn since for £3596 ^ livres ^ .. 13 ^ Sols ^ ..0. dated March 20. In setting right these Money Matters, it is fit to mention ^ a ^ small Mistake that you have made;...
159To 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...
160From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just receiv’d the Enclos’d from Mr E. Bridgen of London. Please to return me his Letter. I long to finish my private Affair you are so good as to assist me in, & shall be glad to receive the additional Provisions you intended, that I may copy the whole, for I think my present Situation more hazardous than those about me seem to imagine. With sincere...
161From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 24 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Archives, Windsor Castle The Prince de Massaran, being so good as to desire carrying a Letter to you, I sit down to write you a few Lines, tho’ I hope soon to see you. Enclosed I send a Copy of one of Mr. Deanes Letters. I shall show you more when you come. In consequence of a Proposition I sent over, the Parliament of Britain have just passed an Act for exchanging American...
162From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 20 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress (two) I have before me several of your late letters, which tho’ not formally , have been substantially answered, by the Payment of your Bills. I got our Banker to examine the Marquis’s Account, who explained it to me, and satisfy’d me that it was right. There are Intricacies in the Affair of...
163To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 30 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
You acquaint me that Bills have appear’d drawn on you in March last, and ask very properly if this can be reconciled to the obvious Dictates of Prudence & Policy?— It cannot. And if you are unable to pay them, they must be protested: For it will not be in my Power to help you. And I see that nothing will cure the Congress of this Madness of drawing upon the Pump at Aldgate, but such a Proof...
164From 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...
165From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 19 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and incomplete copy: Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library In mine of the 15th. I mention’d my Intention of writing fully to you by this Days Post. But understanding since that a Courier will soon go from Versailles, I rather chuse that Conveyance. I received duly your Letter of Novr. 21. but it found me in a very perplexed...
166From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; copies (two): Library of Congress I received duly and in good Order the several Letters you have written to me of Augt. 16. 19. Sept. 8. & 22. The Papers that accompanied them of your writing, gave me the Pleasure of seeing the Affairs of our Country in such good Hands, and the Prospect from your Youth of its having the Service of so able a Minister for a...
167From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: Columbia University Library I received a few Days since by way of St Eustatia, the Duplicate of a Letter you did me the honour to write to me of 3d Jany. But the Act of Congress of Decr 23d which you mention is not yet come to hand. Col Diricks whom the Secretary names to you called here in his way to Holland, and brought me a...
168To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 12 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have before me the several Letters you have honour’d me with dated Feb. 27. March 11. and April 1. I was much pleased to learn that you have obtained a Promise for 150,000 Dollars; your Reflection on the Consequence is just. As this Sum must be used in Payment of the Bills drawn upon you, and probably no Part of it can be applied to your Subsistance, I desire that you would draw upon me for...
169From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
170To 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...
171From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; two copies: Library of Congress Mr. Ross having been employed by the Committee of Commerce to purchase Goods for the Use of the Army, has advanced and engaged his Credit for near 20,000£ Sterling more than he has been supply’d with by that Committee; several ships they had sent with Tobacco for that Purpose having been taken, and what arriv’d having been...
172To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 27 January 1781 (Jay Papers)
I believe my last to you was of the 2 d October. I was soon after laid up with a long & severe fit of the Gout, which confined me for near 8 Weeks, and I have not quite recovered the free use of my Feet: This put my writing Business a good deal behind hand, & has brought me much in Arrear with you; having since I wrote received your several Favours of Oct. 5 th . 25 th . 30 th . & Dec r . 25...
173To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 2 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
I received duly and in good Order the several Letters you have written to me of Augt. 16. 19. Sept. 8. & 22. The Papers that accompanied them of your writing, gave me the Pleasure of seeing the Affairs of our Country in such good Hands, and the Prospect from your Youth of its having the Service of so able a Minister for a great Number of Years: But the little Success that has attended your...
174To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 22 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have undertaken to pay all the Bills of your Acceptance that have come to my knowledge, and I hope in God no more will be drawn upon us, but when Funds are first provided. In that Case your constant Residence at Madrid is no longer ^ so ^ necessary. You may make a Journey either for Health or Pleasure without retarding the Progress of a Negociation not yet begun. Here you are greatly wanted,...
175To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 24 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Prince de Masseran, being so good as to desire carrying a Letter to you, I sit down to write you a few Lines, tho’ I hope soon to see you. Enclosed I send a Copy of one of M r . Deanes Letters. I shall shew you more when you come. In consequence of a Proposition I sent over, the Parliament of Britain have just passed an Act for exchanging American Prisoners. They have near 1100 in the...
176To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Inclos’d is a true Copy of the Extracts from Gen. Carleton’s Instructions given to me by M r Vaughan from Lord Shelbourn. You will see that the Instruction I mention’d as given to M r Grenville is acknowledged and recited. Is it not probable therefore that M r Oswald may have the same? and if he has, and will execute it by making ministerially in Writing the Declaration intended, perhaps the...
177From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 4[–28] October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, Sheffield City Library, South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour to write to me of the of June last inclosing Acts of Congress respecting Bills of Exchange for 2,400,000 Livres tournois, drawn on me in favour of M. De...
178From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Archives, Windsor Castle I have undertaken to pay all the Bills of your Acceptance that have come to my knowledge, and I hope in God no more will be drawn upon us, but when Funds are first provided. In that Case your constant Residence at Madrid is no longer so necessary. You may make a Journey either for Health or Pleasure without retarding the Progress of a Negociation not yet...
179From Benjamin Franklin to John and Sarah Jay, 9 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Columbia University Library Dr. Franklin regrets exceedingly that his Health does not permit him the honour & Pleasure of waiting upon Mr. & Mrs. Jay, according to their obliging Invitation.— He hopes Mr. & Mrs. Jay will condescend to indemnify him for the Loss he sustains, by honouring him with their Company at Dinner on Saturday next.— The Dr. would be happy to see Mr. Murowe at the same...
180From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 31 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Library of Congress I write this Line just to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 17th. & Mr. Carmichaels of the 18th. (with the Pacquet of Papers in good Order,) which I shall soon answer fully. At present I can only say that I have given Orders for a Credit to you of another 1000 £ Sterg., to be proportionally divided between you: I...