101To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 23 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour of your Letter of the 19th with its Inclosures, and I thank your Excellency for the pains You have taken to communicate the News from America, which I think can scarcely be called bad, tho’ General Green lost the Field. I had before recieved and published in the Amsterdam Gazette the same accounts. The Gazetteers are so earnest after...
102To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to Advise you, that I have this day drawn four setts of Bills of Exchange, of two in each sett, for Ten thousand Livres Tournois each, payable to the order of Captain Joyner Commodore Gillon not being yet arrived, and this sum being represented to me by Major Jackson absolutely necessary for the present Use of the ship. I applied to the...
103To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society On the 31 Ult, I drew upon your Excellency, in favour of the House of Fizeaux Grand & Co, three setts of Exchange, of two in a sett, for f. 2200 } together f. 7000, 2300 2500 at two Usances, to enable them to discharge the Bills drawn by Congress, on Mr Laurens, accepted by me, and now become payable. I have the Honour to be
104To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 7 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Adams presents his Compliments to Dr Franklin and prays him to let his servant take the Trunks left at Passy to Paris. Mr A. will do himself the Honour to pay his Respects to his Excellency, very soon. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin Ministre / Plenip des Etats unis de lamerique / A Passy JA had been summoned to Paris by Vergennes to discuss...
105To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Upon my Arrival here I found your Letter of the 30th. of June, Copy of which had been sent along to me by Mr. Thaxter to Paris, but by some unaccountable means sent back without being delivered to me. Many Bills had been presented in my Absence, and at first I was at a loss whether to accept them, until further Advice from You. But considering they had lain...
106To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 17 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society The Day before Yesterday, were brought to my House, Fifty one Bills of Exchange, amounting to 40958 B. f. [Banco florins] all drawn on the 22 June 1781 at Six months Sight, on the Honble Henry Laurens Esqr, in favour of Mr John Ross. This is a Pheenomenon which none but you Philosphers can explain, at least, I can think of but one Hypothesis, which...
107To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 23 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I am desired to inclose, the within Copies, to your Excellency: although I doubt not you have received the original, and although I know not what may be in your Power to do, for the Relief of Messrs Cursen and Governeur. Their pretended Offence is Sending warlike Stores to America, although the London Papers Say, it was corresponding with me. I never...
108To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Columbia University Library Last Evening I received your Excellencys Letter of the 16 of this month, accompanied with a Letter from the President of Congress containing the Commissions you mention. You desire to know what Steps have already been taken in this Business. There has been no Step taken, by me,...
109To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams: Two Letters, 4 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), Columbia University Library; press copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Since the 25th of August, when I had the honor to write You, this is the first Time that I have taken a Pen in hand to...
110To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Your Favour of October 5. is just now brought to me, and I beg your Excellency to accept of my Thanks for your Congratulations on my Recovery, which is however, as yet but imperfect. I am much Surprized to find, So many appearances, which Seem to Shew that certain neutral Powers of whose Sagacity and great Spirit, the World had formed an high...
111To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 18 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Thomas Beer, with his Wife and two small Children came to my House this forenoon, and presented me a Letter from Mr. Coffyn of Dunkirk of the 2d. of Octr, recommending Beer to me as a Person who had been obliged to fly from England, for having assisted American Prisoners to escape; and inclosing a Copy of a...
112To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams: Two Letters, 22 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have recieved your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th. I should be much obliged to You for your sentiments of what is to be understood by accepting the Mediation of a Power or Powers? Is a Mediator to be an Arbitrator, and is the Power that accepts the Mediation...
113To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inclose a Copy of a Letter I yesterday recieved from Corunna. I communicate it to your Excellency in Confidence. The Writer is a particular Friend of yours. He has so good an Heart, and is so amiable a Man, that I would not expose him to the Resentment of any of the Gentlemen, and therefore pray your Excellency to keep his Letter secret....
114To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 26 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I duely received your Excellencys Letter of August 6th, but have been prevented by Sickness and a variety of accidents from answering it Sooner. My Accounts have never been mixed, with Mr Dana’s, any farther than this. Mr Dana was here last December, I believe, and was going to Paris. In order to avoid opening...
115To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 27 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I had last night the honour of your Letter of the 22d and I most heartily congratulate the French Court and Nation, on the Acquisition of a Dauphin. The Ships which the South Carolina, was to have taken under her Convoy, are still here. I am told, that the Ships are the best that are to be had: that they are to...
116To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 12 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): Masachusetts Historical Society By the last Post, Letters have been recieved in this Town from Mr. Gillon and from a Passenger, Mr. Le Roy, by which and a note upon one of them by Mr. Lagoanere it appears that the South Carolina sailed from Corunna on the seventeenth of October, and that Captain Jackson and Mr. Trumbull are gone in an...
117To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 19 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Your obliging Letter of the 7th instant I had the honor to recieve on Saturday night by Mr Fox, to whom I shall be happy to shew every Civility in my Power, according to the Recommendations of your Excellency and Mr Franklin. I have recieved a Letter from Captain Jackson and another from my Boy at Bilbao, which...
118To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 22 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Last Evening, was brought to me, the Proposals of the owners of the Ships, in the following Words. “To take from the owners of the Vessells the Liberty and the Aurora, at the Rate they shall be found to amount, not only of purchase Money, but also of all other Expences made thereon till the day of taking over the Said Vessells. Further to pay the...
119To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I presume You have a Copy from Congress of their Instructions to me of the 16th of August: but as it is possible it may be otherwise, I have inclosed one. I have communicated them to the Duke de la Vauguion, who says they are très bien vues, très bien combinées. I shall do nothing in the business, without...
120To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: Harvard University Library Last night I had the honor of yours of the 23d. & 26th Ulto.— If it should be convenient for Mr. Barclay to come here and take the Care of the Goods, it would be happy for me. I am also very happy to learn from your Excellency, that our Troops are tolerably well cloathed,...
121To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 6 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have delivered your Excellency’s Letter to Mr. de Neufville, and have written to him myself, making the proposals contained in your Letter to me. He answers me, that he thinks the proposals reasonable: but insists upon it, that he has not the commanding Interest in the Concern, and that nothing can be done but by the Owners at large, or by Mr. Van Harp as...
122To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 8 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society This morning were brought me four Bills of Exchange drawn on Mr. Laurens on the 6th. of July 1780 for 550 Guilders each. I have desired time to write to your Excellency, and obtained it. But as there is a large Number of these Bills not yet arrived, and as they come in sometimes by single Bills, and generally in...
123To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 16 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have at last recieved Letters from Mr. Dana. Mr. Sayer arrived in town yesterday with Letters to me, and dispatches for Congress, which I shall transmit by the best opportunity. Three days before I had recieved a Letter which came by Sea, but had been almost four Months upon the passage. Mr. Dana appears to be...
124To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 28 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I do myself the Honour to introduce to your Excellency Mr William Cheever, a Citizen of Boston who proposes to Spend Sometime in France and will be very much obliged to you for your good Councils. Any Civilities you may shew him, will be so many obligations, conferred on, Sir your most obedient and respectfull humble Servant Notation: John Adams Decr. 28....
125To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 3 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday were presented to me two other Bills of Exchange on Mr. Laurens drawn 6th. July 1780, Numbers 40 & 41 for 550 Guilders each, which I wait your Excellency’s orders to accept. I have never been informed of the exact amount of the Bills drawn on Mr. Laurens on that day; but there are by the Numbers which...
126To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Your Letter of the 11. with the Copy of that from M. Le Comte de Vergennes of 31. of Decr. I had the Honour to receive by the last post.— By your leaving it to me to judge how far it is proper for me to accept further Draughts on Mr Laurens, with any Expectation of your enabling me to pay them, I am somewhat embarrassed.— If I accept any Bill at all...
127To 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...
128To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 20 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday I had the Honour of yours of the 12th. and will take an early oppertunity to send you all the Lights I can obtain, by Inferences from the Numbers of the Bills.— Those already presented I shall accept according to your Advice. Your office is certainly a disagreable one in many respects, and mine grows every day more and more disgusting to...
129To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Should the British Forces now in New York and Charlestown evacuate those Places and go to the West India Islands, they might give a good deal of Trouble to the French and Spanish Possessions there. It would cost those Powers many Men and Ships and a great deal of Money and Time perhaps to manage them: whereas...
130To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 26 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Robert Castle Norton Autograph Letters of U.S. Presidents, Western Reserve Historical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy, two press copies of copies, and transcript: National Archives One day, last Week, I recd at Amsterdam a Card from Diggs, inclosing two Letters to me from Mr David Hartley. The Card desired to see me upon Business of Importance: and the Letters from...
131To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform you that I have this day drawn upon you, a sett of 2 Bills of Exchange, at one usance, in favour of Messrs Fizeaux Grand & Co, for Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being my Salary for one Quarter, computed in the Bill at four Thousands seven hundred and thirty three Crowns, Ten Sols and nine Deniers, of Sixty...
132To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 16 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday noon, Mr William Vaughan of London, came to my House, with Mr Laurens, the son of the President, and brought me a Line from the latter, and told me, that the President was at Harlem, and desired to See me.— I went out to Haarlem and found, my old...
133To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 2 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives I am honoured with your Favour of the 20 of April, and Mr Lawrens’s Son proposes to carry the Letter to his father forthwith. The Instructions by the Courier from Versailles came Safe, as all other Dispatches by that Channell, no doubt will do.— The...
134To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform you, that I have this day drawn upon you, in favour of Messrs Fizeau Grand & Co for the Amount of Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being for my Salary, for one Quarter of a Year, which you will please to charge to the United States, according to the Resolutions of Congress. I hope I shall not have occasion to...
135To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I had Yesterday, at Amsterdam, the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of June 2d. The Discovery that Mr Grenvilles Power, was only to treat with France does not Surprize me, at all. The British Ministry, are too much divided among themselves, and have too formidable an opposition against them, in the King and the old Ministers, and are...
136To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 23 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The two inclosed Accounts have been compared with my List of Acceptations and found right. I am ashamed that they have not been sooner returned: but I have waited for my Clerk who keeps the Account of those Affairs to get well in order to assist me in the business, he having been long confined and disabled with the Fever of this Country, but is now well....
137To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society John Adams arrived in Paris on the evening of Saturday, October 26, after a ten-day journey from The Hague. The first person he sought out the following morning was Matthew Ridley. Ridley gave him general information on the state of the negotiations, and filled him in on Franklin’s health: the Doctor was still weak and had ceased his custom of...
138To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Moments we live in, are critical and may be improved, perhaps to advantage, for which purpose I beg Leave to propose to your Consideration, whether it is not proper for Us to write to Mr Dana at Petersbourg, acquaint him with the Signature of the Preliminaries, inclose to him an authentic Copy of them and advise him to...
139To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr: Adams presents his Compliments to his Excellency Dr: Franklin, & requests the honor of his Company to dinner on Monday the 16th. inst. at 3. oClock. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin. / Passy In the hand of Charles Storer. JA issued a nearly identical invitation to WTF ( APS ). Fitzherbert, Oswald, and Laurens attended JA ’s dinner, among...
140To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 2 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Adams having Something of Consequence to communicate to the American Ministers Plenipotentiary, for the Peace, requests the Honour of His Excellency Dr Franklin’s Attendance, with the other Ministers, at Mr Adams’s Lodgings, at Eleven O Clock Tomorrow Morning. The Points to be considered, are 1. Passports to be given to and...
141To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 3 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Adams has the Honour to inform Dr Franklin that the American Ministers for the Peace, are desired by the British Minister to meet him at the Hotel du Parc Royal, Wednesday, at Eleven, for a Conference concerning the Definitive Treaty. Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis...
142To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and John Jay, 28 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Delaware Mr Adams and Mr Jay present their Compliments to Dr Franklin and inform him, that they have just seen Mr Laurens and agreed with him upon a Meeting of the American Ministers Tomorrow at Eleven, at Mr Laurens’s Lodgings. The Drs Company is desired, and Mr Franklin Junr is requested also to attend. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre...
143To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 14 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society As there are Several Things which require the Deliberation of the American Ministers, Mr Adams has the Honour to propose to Dr Franklin a Meeting at the Hotel du Roi Tomorrow at Eleven, if that time and Place are convenient to his Excellency. Mr A. will give notice to the other Gentlemen. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / en son hotel / Paris...
144To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 6 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr: Adams’ Compliments wait on Dr: Franklin, in return to his polite Invitation for Sunday the 8th. inst:— Mr: Adams will do himself the honor of waiting on Dr: Franklin. Addressed: Monsieur / Monsr: Franklin. / Passy. Charles Storer, who penned this letter, received a similar invitation from BF . He wrote his own note on June 6 accepting on behalf of himself...
145John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed to Congress. By what Vessell it...