101To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 24 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I took the liberty, in a letter of the 9th. Inst. to solicit the favour of You to help me to a full length portrait of yourself. It is to oblige a deserving and ingenious Engraver who means to employ his present time in producing a good print therefrom, & to take the plate with Him to a Country where his prospects for future happiness & success are...
102To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania A friend of mine, Mr Renny of Phia, promising to put this into the post Office at Ostend, I set down to mention what I omitted to do in my two last letters the 24 & 26th. inst, which was only to offer you from Mr Sam Hartley some more good Jama. Rum (wch He has laying at Dunkirke) and of wch. you once before had a little. If any is wantd, we can with...
103To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 30 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very sorry to be so frequently troublesome and repeatedly asking favours of You; But when I reflect on your readiness to do good, & that my present application is to help a deserving Man, I flatter myself I shall stand forgiven. Dr. Upton Scott of Annapolis in Maryland is necessiated to seek His way back to His Country, Family & Home, by the same route...
104To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I find my letter to you of the 9th. ulo. was lost by the Packets being taken & the mails thrown overboard. Those of the 24th advising of the Bishops picture being sent you via ostend to the care of Mr Bowens, that of the 26 by Post inclosing the Gazette, & that of the 29th. offering you from Mr S—— H——tl—y any part of some Good Rum that he has lying at...
105To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my letter of the 8th Int. by Mr Barnet, I have wrote you the 10th. & 23d. Instants; and hearing that my Lisbon friend Mr. B, whom I took the liberty to introduce to You, is about this period to Leave Paris, I am in some hopes of getting by him a line from you, which may answer three or four requests I have made in late letters: I mean in respect...
106To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 12 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I got Your obliging favor of the 25th June by Mr. Burn & am very thankful for your attention & civility to Him. He is a very excellent young Man & may be useful to You or Yours hereafter, in case You should have anything to do at Lisbon, for which place He will set out in a month or two & where He is the head of a Merchantile House inferior to no other...
107To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my letter to you of the 12th. I have seen Jas Garnet who is loungeing & going so idly about the Streets, & whom I have detected in so many lies, that I think it necessary to apprise you of Him in order that Monsieur Chamont may be warnd not to pay too implicit faith to what Garnet may write. He told me had drawn two Bills on Him before He gave me...
108To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 18 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I recivd your letter of the 30th ulo. [ultimo] & forwarded Mr Peters Letter thro the means of His Bankers Messrs. Fuller, son & Co. The Spectacle glass has also been deliverd by our frd J T—p—e who was the person that applyd for it. He talks of pushing homewards very soon via Holland. A particular friend of mine, left for me about 3 weeks ago, both with...
109To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 25 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I did not receive Your letter of the 18th. handed me by Mr H. time enough for the Office Hours to make enquiry of or about Mr. G——d; But I calld there this Evening & went to Mr. G——s Lodgings, where neither His Landlady or the Servant could give me further accots. of Him than that He had been near three weeks in the Country but where they could not...
110To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I recd yr. letter of the 18 Int. & answerd it, as far I could do so, by frydays post. Since that period I have been twice to the office where Mr G——d is a Clerk, & the answers to my questions about Him were rather extraordinary. I could find out nothing but that He had been 3 or 4 weeks in the Country (neither his Bror Clerks nor his Landlady at His...
111To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 1 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I calld again this day at the office where a Bill given you was made payable & I could learn no intelligence of mr. J. G——d more than I had before: He was in the Country but where or when He returnd no one could tell. I have no ansr. to the letter wrote to him (& left at the office) wch. containd only an enquiry whether the Bill was good or not. Dr....
112To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 8 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In Consequence of this passport Mr Robt Temple Charterd The Brig Temple 120 Tonns, no Guns, Capt. Jno Fletcher, 11 Seamen From Mr Tracey at Newbury Port, & binds Himself to Tracey that the Vessel shall be put in safety into a French or Spanish Port—which Mr Temple thought could be effected as a Flag of Truce. This has been refusd Him by Lord G. Germain,...
113To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 18 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania As the bearer Mr Jones is known to you as well as his companion Mr Paradise I need not ask your usual civility to be extended to them. They are two excellent men & of the right sort to fix themselves in our Country where I am not without hopes of seeing them settled in a year or two. They will wait upon you immediately on arrival at Paris & return...
114To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 20 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Inclosd will inform you fully of some applications made Mr H for the release of some Prisoners now at St. Omers which seem to have passd your notice. They are American—Capturd & have lately petitiond the admiralty to procure their release. The Capt Scott mentiond also in the inclosd Letter, will I hope stand against Capt Manley; The Board of Sick &...
115To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 26 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My friend Mr Bromfield can best explain to You the business He is going upon as well as give you every accot. of the proceedings relative to the Brigantine Temple (the Cartel) in which He came from Boston. As I forwarded five Seamen from among our frds. to that vessel this day, I hope it will not be many days before She sails. There being nine Seamen,...
116To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [29 September 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania You have intimated in a late letter to me, in answer to one wherein I attempted to describe the folly & infatuation of these people in their extraordinary exultations ever since the taking of Charles Town, “That the second ‘hour of their Insolence’ might be of as short duration as the first ”. This has been strictly veryfyd, & the whole City is as much...
117To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 3 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am very sorry to inform you that Capt. Keppel of the vestal frigate arrivd here on Saty Eveng with an accot. of his having taken abot: 28 days ago on the Banks of New foundland a Packet calld the Congress bound from Philaa to Holland on board wch. was Mr Heny Laurens, His Secy, and another American genn [gentleman]. It appears that the Man of Wars...
118To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 6 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr Laurens has been so ill as to retard his journy up to London very much. He arrivd in rather better health on Thursday night, & was this day examind at Lord G Germaines office & committed to the Tower— The first night he was kept at the Messengers House in Scotland Yard, & taken from thence to Lord Go Gs office about noon. He was watchd & kept very...
119To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since I wrote you the 6th. Int. no alteration has taken place with regard to Mr Laurens confinement & treatment. No person whatever has been permitted to speak to Him, but it is said any person may who will apply for a Secy of States order to do so.— I hear of none of his friends who have made any attempts to do so; I suppose from thinking any stir made...
120To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Public Record Office, London It was not until the 14th. inst that any person whatever was permitted to see Mr Laurens in the Tower— Then after repeated applications for admission Mr. Manning and Mr L——ns’s Son, a Youth of 17 or 18 who has been some years at Warrington School, got admission to Him. A permit was given them, signd by the Lds....
121To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The letter of Sepr. 18 with an inclosd Bill reachd me but a very few days ago, & I immedeately made the necessary enquirys about Mr Jones. This Genn. [Gentleman] is not in England but I hear He is coming this way, & is at present in Amsterdam, where (I suppose) he is playing similar tricks to those He has imposd upon You. The good old Doctor of whom I...
122To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [on or before 27 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Public Record Office, London I wrote you lately that Jones was not to be found here consequently the Bill irrecoverable from Him. He is at Am——m. playing his tricks so I understand. The person who accepted the Bill & acknowleges the acceptance, may be obligd by Law to pay what has been advancd on it. I hear our sick frd is better— His disorder...
123To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [31 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; copy: Library of Congress The rigorous Confinement of Mr L yet Continues. I did hope eer this there would have been some abatement in it. There is no telling upon what principle it is they confine Him a close Prisoner of State after so many precedents have been set. Sullivan, Sterling, Lee, Lovell, & many others. But why should we expect these folks to act upon any...
124To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 3 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I hope e’er this that the picture of your valuable friend, has reachd you. I have been very uneasy abot. it & wrote to Mr Bowens (who long ago acknowlegd the Rect of it in safety & that it shoud be forwarded) to clear up to you where the stoppage was occasiond. I am almost afraid to pay your valuable frd. a visit till I hear it is in safety for the...
125To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have seen Miss Georgiana & sympathisd with Her for the present appearance of the picture She sent you in June or July last being stopt somewhere between Ostend & Paris. It was carryd safely by my frd. Mr. Champion of Bristol and lodgd with Mr F Bowens at Ostend for forwardance to You; that Gentn. was then in the habits of sending parcells of Pamphlets...
126To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges: Two Letters, 13 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer of this, Capn. Benjamin Joy, waits upon Your Excellency on a matter of Business which will be explaind by Himself to You. He is so well recommended and His attatchment & active services for the cause of His Country are so well known to me, that I cannot but back His solicitation to Your Excellency with my strongest wishes that...
127To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote You by a frd the 14th Inst. which I suppose will reach you before or abot the same time with [ this ]. I mentiond the defection & going over of Genl Arnold to the British. For this noble action He has found many advocates here, & the ministry are mightily elated therewith; putting it upon defection in the American Army, strong discontents &ca...
128To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 21 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Your suspicions relative to some Bills mentiond in Yr. last were well founded from the then appearances. I was satisfyd the Transaction was a fraudulent one till I had it cleard up by the only person who coud clear it up ie the friend of the man whose property they were. They were slipt into his hand at a first & watchd interview by our friend,...
129To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I communicated what you desird in a letter of Octor. 18th. to the friend who has of late been often the subject of my letters. His reply was abundance of thanks to you, desiring His best wishes & respects &ca &ca. I have been out of the line of communicating with Him since about the 25th of last month, but I often hear from him by message of a Friend....
130To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 22[–26] March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 290–3. I left England a few days back, and until my conversation and some consultations with Mr. Adams on a matter which will be mentioned to you by him, and more particularly explained in this letter, my determination was to have seen you, as well on that...
131To James Madison from Thomas Digges, 9 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
Mr Digges’s Compliments & best regards to Mr Madison. He has been a miserable victim to confinement for the last fortnight or He would have waited on Mrs. & Mr Madison: But rubs , at the age too of 68, are the intermediate tributes that we are forced to pay, in some shape or other, to our wretched nature, ’till we pay the last great one of all. I cannot complete a white thorn Hedge at my lower...
132To James Madison from Thomas Digges, 30 August 1814 (Madison Papers)
In haste & almost fatigued to death I set down to address a line to You while my nephew Dr F. and a Gentn., whom you know, are taking a mouthful of refreshmt by one of whom you will I hope soon get this. You can more easily immagine than I can describe my own troubles & vexations, and the deep anxieties I have felt for you & Mrs. M since Wedy. last the 24th Int. nr the Capitol. Since which I...
133To James Madison from Thomas Digges, 27 November 1815 (Madison Papers)
I hope my valued and highly esteemd Friends Mrs. and Mr Madison will not attribute my long absence & a seeming withdrawing from Them, to any want of respect regard or affection, but place it to the true causes—ie that of the eventful incidents during the autumn & fall of 1814, which occupied my whole mind and vocations, (adding thereto the weight of age: 76, with Sickness, Rhuematics & achs...
134To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 12 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
A Cotton manufactory having been lately set up in Virginia, not only patronizd by the State but encouragd by some of the leading Gentlemen in it, some artists from England as well as this Country are wishing to get to it; And altho I have been a little hurt since my arrival in Ireland through my endeavours to get some useful mechanicks to my home near Alexandria, (two or three of whom are now...
135To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 28 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 24th. Ins. and am sorry to put you to the trouble of reading a second long Letter nearly upon the same Subject. It is of such importance to the Manufactures of our Country as to insure me your forgiveness. The Artist Mr. Wm. Pearce, mentiond in my former Letter and whose works you will have described at the end of this Letter, has finally determind to go for America with his...
136To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 10 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I send You this Letter in a Book of Medals and Coins (as numberd and markd) which were done at Mr. Boultons mint at Soho near this place. Some of the trash of half pence which are in local tho’ current circulation in and about the Towns to which they appertain, are added to fill up the book; And as I know You have made the American Mint and Coinage much Your study, they may serve as assistant...
137Enclosure I: Thomas Digges to Thomas Pinckney, 13 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I was favourd by Your reply to my Communications from Birmingham relative to the coinage of Dollars &ca. &ca. (which I still am apprehensive are meant to be passd in the United States) I have not had an occasion to intrude upon You, nor as yet been able to get as far as London from the requisite attention it behoovd me to pay to some moveing Farming Families and the getting forward a...
138Enclosure II: Thomas Digges’s Memorandums on Counterfeiting, 12 August [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
At Mr Bages Mill—Elford nr. Lichfield mondy. 12th of Augt. [1793] With Mr. B., his Foreman and 3 workmen. In Feby. last, near the end of Feby., a Man applyd at the mill to get a Ream or two of paper made, of so common a sort that Mr. B. sayd it might be bought in any shop; But on very strong solicitations the men was orderd to get ready the stuf for it the next morning. He then said nothing of...
139Enclosure III: Thomas Digges’s Memorandum on Counterfeiting, 12 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
This was the Sort of Paper chosen by the Man who wishd to get the water Mark (nearly as below) made in the paper—(see Memorandum ). The paper is about 22 Incs. by 20—call’d cartrige Cap The following is the size and shape of the letter as given me by one of the Men at Mr. Robt. Bage’s Mill in his presence NEW JERSEY He told them the paper was to have nine different water marks on each sheet....
140To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 17 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very unwilling to trespass upon your time, but as my nephew Billy Carroll (a Clk. in the Auditors office) is going hence to the City and will wait upon you with this, I am inducd to solicit your reading the inclosd letter from Mr. Pinckney to me, and informing me whether you ever Rcd. the box and paper mentiond in His Lettr. The Box containd some very fine specimens of Coins, medals, &...
141To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 28 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer is Mr Wm Byrne an ornamental stucco worker & Plasterer whose good Conduct, sobriety, and rectitude I think I can answer for, having known Him as a respectable Tradesman in Ireland as well as in the City. If you have not engagd one for Monticello, I make no doubt but He will ansr. your purpose and be full as reasonable in Charges, & perhaps moreso, than others of His trade...
142To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 13 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A long confinement to home with a Bileous & attack, & the approaching end of a sister , has prevented me the pleasure of paying my respects to You & receiving those civilities & attentions for which I am very much Your Debtor. I wishd very much to have accompanied the bearer Wm. Mordaunt Esqr to the City today, and to have gratified Him in a wish of personally introducing Him to You; But it is...