1To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society None of the following notes can be dated with precision; it is possible that some may have been written during BF ’s first mission, while others may have been composed as late as 1775. They are placed here because they seem to the editors to belong to the second mission, and in accordance with editorial practice because this is the earliest year in which...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 19 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last Thursday Night I acquainted our mutual Friend Dr. Price that I was setting out for this Place, and that If he had any Letter to you I would take Care it Should be delivered Safe. I now find I cannot perform it my self but I send it by the hands of a Friend under such a Cover that it cannot fail reaching you, and if you send a reply directed under cover...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 18 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency I hope will excuse my breaking in upon your full employ’d time, by requesting your leave to introduce to your acquaintance Monsieur Garnier Secretary to the french Embassy to this Court, who wishes for the honour of being known to the greatest Man living. I have had the honour of a strict intimacy with this Gentleman for many years I...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 29 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I must beg the favour of your Excellency’s attention for a few moments, from affairs of greater consequence, for the ease of the mind of a very worthy Lady, the Sister of Mr. Michael Wentworth; who, after being used ill here, went to France some Months ago and from whom She has had no tidings since he left England. I therefore must intreat the favour,...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 17 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent to the care of our good Monsieur Genet 2 Samples of Metal intended for the Current Coin, where they are doubtless much wanted and yield an immense profit to the Govermt. I hereby engage to deliver at the port of London as fine in quality and of the Same Size and weight as those samples any quantity at 14 d Sterling per pound weight—Package,...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 19 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The letter you favoured me with dated Octr. 2 never reached me untill the 15th. Currant therefore for the future I beg my letters may be addressed to Bridgen & Waller In London with a Small B just under the Seal and sent under cover A Monsieur Monsr. J: B: Hermans au Bureau de la poste A Anvers and though Antwerp is a little round about they will come safe....
7To John Adams from Edward Bridgen, 13 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the direction of our Mutual Friend Mr. Jennings I have sent to Ostend to the Care of Messrs. Theodoor Van Moorsel & Co. there, a Small packadge of Books Viz: Two Parliamentary Registers. The principles of Law and Goverment, and (by Mistake) a Novell called the Revolution which I was not apprized of untill too late. You will also find 2 large 4to. Volumes of the Memoirs of Thos. Hollis Esqr....
8To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter will be delivered into your hands by Mr Foy a particular & worthy Friend of Mine who is going to Switzerland but intending to make some little Stay in the Neighbourhood of Paris in order to perfect himself in the French Language wishes for the honour of being introduced to you Sir which I now take the liberty of doing and to recommend him to...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania You were so good my Dr Sir to say, in the postcript of a letter last winter, that you hoped my Affairs in No: Carolina were settled to my sattisfaction, or something to that Amount; I am sorry to say, that by late letters receiv’d, that it is far otherways; and that not only my land on the Sound, in Cape Fear River, which has been in possession of my...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 26 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Our Mutual friend the writer of the inclosed wishes me to contrive that it may come safe to your hands. He wishes that he may be instrumental in clearing away any obstructions which may be at present in the path which leades to Peace. I think it necessary to say that I have not the highest opinion of some of the present Men , but that I have not the...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 6 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am just requested to pass through your hands the inclosed to Mr Jay I therefore hope for your pardon for the liberty I take it goes round by Antwerp and Consequently its arrival will be later than by the Usual conveyance Which, I am informed, will not be material; will you do me the favour to present my most respectful compliments to that Gentleman,...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 23 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was much obliged by the honour of your Excellency’s favour of the 25th: of last Month which did not arrive until the 9th. Currant. I feel myself much indebted to you My Dr: Sir for the kind interest you have taken in my affairs in No: Carolina: I fancy nothing will now be done until a Peace is made, which is not far off. On this Account I now beg...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 25 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Two days ago I troubled your Excellency with my proposals abt. the Copper thro: the hands of Mr Hamilton requesting that they might be forwarded by the first good opportunity since which I have consulted with a friend who advises that they lay by in your hands before they are sent as being premature and if taken may lead the proposers into difficulties....
14To John Adams from Edward Bridgen, 15 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
The last post I had the honour to forward to your Excellency a letter from our very distressed Friend who desires I would inform you that he hopes to be able to attend his Duty soon and to set out for that purpose next week. His health was somewhat better for Bath but the loss of his son has been a most severe stroke indeed and I fear much that his proposed Journey to Paris will not assist in...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 24 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I don’t know Mr Ls: particular address I take the Liberty to inclose a Letter for him to your care and at the same time to embrace this opportunity to return you my best thanks for the attention you were so good to pay to the proposal he was so kind to charge himself with he accquainted me with the reception it met with from the concerned to whom also I...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 11 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As this will be delivered into your own hands by the bearer who is going to reside at Versailles I beg leave my Dr: Sir if she should have at any time occasion for your countenance I beg the favour that you will grant it her but I hope she will not want it. I wish Sir to know if there is any prospect of proceeding on the Copper Coin. May I also beg the...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 9 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your kind favour of the 22nd past reached my hands the 4th. Currant and I thank you for it, because it ordered the payment of arrears to the Society of Antiquaries, of which you were one of the first who has paid his arrears, after a general call ordered for the Secretary to make; but I undertook that office to you as some had doubted your honour. There are...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As your Excellency & the rest of the Commissioners were so obliging as to second my former proposals I think it my duty to inform you Sir and them of the additional step we have taken towards accomplishing our wishes. The preceeding I laid before Mr Laurens which meeting with his approbation I immediately dispatched the same under Mr Ls: cover, as a vessell...
19To John Adams from Edward Bridgen, 1 November 1783 (Adams Papers)
When M r Oldfield asked me to give him leave to make use of my name when he waited on your Excellency, with a card of invitation to the Revolution Club for Tuesday Next, I did not then know that it was intended not to invite the Whigs at present in Administration, which I think necessary you Sir should be informed of. I have the honour to be with great respect / Y r: Excellencys / most obed t:...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 11 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was favoured with your Excellency’s Letter by Colll: Harmar under the date of April 17th:. In compliance with your request I have delivered to Coll: H’s care 3 Roles & 1 parcell the particulars of their contents you will find in the inclosed paper and how they are addressed. You say truly Sir that I promised to send them by the Count de Moustier, who...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 10 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of Mr Champion I forward the Accompanying Book to your Excellency. Our Mutual & Worthy friend Mr Laurens leaves Bath this day for Falmouth to go with his Son for New York. May Heaven protect them and spare your Excellency’s long and useful life is the prayer of Dr Sir Yr: Excellency’s obliged & Faithful Notation: Edward Bridgen. June 10....
22To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 22 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our Mutual Friend Mr Hollis has just left this with me to send to your Excellency which I inclose in a packett to Monsr: Genet and dare say that you will receive it safe. I did myself the honour to send you through the hands of Mr Hartley Mr Champions observations on Lord Sheffields book, which I hope you received safe & in a few days I shall convey by the...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 4 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will you my Dear Sir excuse the liberty I hereby take to introduce to yr: Excellency the bearer Mr Canning as a particular friend of mine and of Liberty he being very desirous of paying his respects to so eminent a person and any civillities you may have the goodness to shew him I shall esteem as personally done to Yr: Excellency’s much obliged & Obedt...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Bridgen, 17 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope that your Excellency will have the goodness to pardon the liberty I take in requesting the favour of [your] Excellency to present, from the Author, this small book to the Queen of France; as it in a degree appertains to the Imperial family and more particularly to her Majesty’s Brother the Emperor? But if your Excellency should, after perusing it, see any impropriety in it, the Author...