1From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We have inquired at the Bureau des Diligences de Flandres, and can learn nothing yet of the Picture which chagrines me greatly, A Portrait in of G.W. came to Hand, I now not from whom, executed with admirable art. I shall transmit it by the first good Opportunity, after I receive orders so to do. The Bill you drew on me for Expences on the Prisoners is accepted....
2From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank you for your favours of Oct. 8. and 12. and for the news Papers. I wrote fully to our friend Mr. B. about the Coppers. I hope you will soon be freed from the Trouble you have with the Prisoners by their Exchange, I can now only add that I am, with great Esteem Dear Sir, &c. XXX , 490–4, 490n, 525–7. Edward Bridgen had sent two samples of copper for possible...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 30 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 29th. past, and of Inst. but that you mention as sent by Barnet never came to Hand, and he has already play’d so many cheating Tricks in France that I do not expect to see him here again. It is an Irishman who having been once employed in one of our Privaters, and taken, has ever since he escaped from England rambled about Europe pretending to...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I comply’d readily with your late Recommendations, placing faith in the Declaration of the Parties, that the Transaction was bonafide intended, for the Purpose mentioned, getting home their Property. If this should be extended to cover an illicit Trade, it will when discovered effectually put a Stop to such Operations. I see by some thing in a late paper from that...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 7 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of Sept. 4. & 6. and am glad to hear that Mr. Peters’s affair is settled to his Mind.— I have received the Letter he wrote me and have forwarded that to his son. I am Sorry to hear that any innocent Men Should suffer on suspicion of holding a criminal Correspondence with me. The Truth is, that I do not know that Capt. Hutchins, and never had a...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 15 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In compliance with your Recommendation, which I very much respect, I have given the Passports desired by Captains Mitchel and Carpenter. All these Businesses give me trouble for which I charge nothing; I hope there fore that the Gentlemen will in return do some thing on my Recommendation, and that is, to let me see their Names in the list of Subscribers for the Relief...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received yours by Capt. Belt I shall Comply with his request as he is recommended by you. I have written largely to Mr Hartley by Mr. Barber and before to Mr. Hodgson about the American Prisoners and the Cartel.— I am concern’d for Capt. Manley, who is a brave and useful Officer, and desire you to supply him with Necessaries to the amount of 25. Guineas....
8From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 20 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I hear Capt. Cunningham is confined in England a Prisoner. I desire you would take care to supply him with Necessaries that a brave Man may not suffer for want of assistance in his Distress.— I ordered Payment of your Bill but it has not yet appear’d.— I am ever Your affectionate For Gustavus Conyngham’s capture near New York in April see XXIX , 670n. He arrived in...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 30[–31] May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favours of the 14th. 18th. and 21st. Instant. You mention one of the 12th. which is not come to hand. I never had nor have I now the least Expectation that any Good can come of the Propositions made to certain Persons. Whatever is reasonable and prudent for them to do, Seems to be out of their sphere: for hitherto they have constantly rejected the best...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 2 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your favours of Jany. 9. 10. & 11. I gave Orders immediately for the Acceptance and Payment of the Bill you drew on Mr. G, and you may rely on its being done. Mr. Carmichael is not yet arrived, nor is there any News of the ship in which he sail’d. Mr. Adams is not yet arrived in Paris but daily expected. The story of his bringing propositions of Peace...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 18 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am sorry you have had so much trouble about Jones’s Affair. When he borrow’d of me the 30. Guineas, he gave me the enclosed Bill; acquainting me that he could command Money at Bordeaux where he was going, and would pay it there to my Order. He never went to Bordeaux, but is gone back they Say to London. Thirty Days Sight of Such Bill, is in reality 30 Days date...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your Bill on Mr. Grand will be paid. I am much obliged by your kind Letters, and pray you to continue them. I find it an Endless and fruitless Business to consider and give Opinions upon Propositions of Peace, drawn up by Persons who have no authority to treat. I hope You will therefore excuse my Silence on yours. I can at present only thank you.— We are in daily...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 15 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In Answer to yours relating to Capt. Cook, this may inform you that I sent Copies of the Enclos’d to all the American Cruizers then in the Ports of france and spain with orders to our Agents to communicate them to others that might touch there. I also sent it to holland to be printed in the Dutch Papers, as a means of making it more generally known to our Cruizers at...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the China portrait of Washington in good order, But no other you mention. Nor has the Picture of the good Bishop ever yet appeared, I begin to be in pain about it, having heard nothing of it from any Place on this Side of the Water, and I have more than one Reason for setting a high Value on it. Your Favour of the 20th. & 29th. past came duly to hand, and...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours inclosing a very obliging Letter from Mr. President Banks. The Congress cannot be said to have ordered the Instructions I gave, tho’ they would no doubt have done it, if such a Thing had been mentioned to them. It is therefore not proper to use any farther Endeavours to procure a Medal for them. I do not indeed perceive that one is intended for me as...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 7 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received several Letters from you lately which I have been unable to answer, a severe Fit of the Gout having confined me to my bed for these three Weeks past. I inclose the Bill accepted by Mr. Goddard: But I do not clearly see how it is to be managed; for I gave a little Note to Jones acknowledging my having received such a Bill of Security for the Sum lent;...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 17 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 30th. past: I suspect that several of mine to you and Mr. H. have been stopped in the Post-Office here since the mail ceased going by Calais, for want of Being frank’d here, which I did not till lately know was necessary. I shall inclose you the next Post a Copy of one I wote to Mr. B. which by yours it seem he had not received. I sent Copies...