1001From Benjamin Franklin to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 5 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the Honour of Writing to me the 30th past. I have no doubt of obtaining such an Order from the Ministry respecting the Money in your Hands, as you apprehend to be necessary. In the mean time, as that Money was granted to the United States on my Application, and I am under more than equivalent Engagements on their Account...
1002From Benjamin Franklin to William Jackson: Two Letters, 5 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress; (II) ALS and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have this Instant received your Letter of the 2d. urging the Delivery of the Money. I must be Short in my Reply, as your Express waits. Col. Laurens indeed obtained a Promise of Ten Millions to be raised by a Loan in...
1003From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, [before 1 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Hôtel des Commissaires-Priseurs, Paris (1970) ; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Pour vous faire mieux comprendre la force de ma Demonstration que vous ne m’aimez pas, je commence par un petit Conte. Un Mendiant demandoit d’un rich Eveque un Louis en Aumone. Tu es un Extravagant: On ne donne pas des Louis aux Mendiants. Un Ecu, donc. Non: c’est trop. Un Liard, donc:—ou vôtre...
1004To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that unless the Specie he sent to Holland is stopt there, I shall not be in a Condition to...
1005From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that...
1006From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I received, my dear Friends, kind Letter of the 15th. Instant, and immediately communicated your Request of a Passport to M. le Comte de Vergennes. His Answer, which I have but just received, expresses an Apprehention that the Circumstance of granting a Passport to you, as you mention the Purpose of your coming to be the discoursing with me on the Subject of...
1007From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress 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...
1008To 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...
1009From Benjamin Franklin to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 28 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and partial AL (draft): Library of Congress This is to desire you would retain in your Hands, if it is still there, the money that was lodg’d with you on Account of the United States by order of the Ministry here: Or if you have already delivered it, that you would again receive it, agreable to Orders I have sent by this Conveyance that it should be return’d to you; and I request you...
1010From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Gillon or John Joyner, 28 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and partial AL (draft): Library of Congress The essential Interests of the United States making it absolutely necessary to retain the Money which had been ordered to America by the Conveance of your Ship, I am obliged hereby to desire that you would return the same, if already shipt to Messieurs Fizeaux Grand & Co., for which this shall be your Order and Justification. I have the honour...