1501From Benjamin Franklin to Landais: Certificate, 14 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I do hereby certify whom it may concern, that the stay of Capt. Landais till this Time in Paris, has been occasioned partly on account of the enquiry into his Conduct in the late Cruise and partly as there has been no good Opportunity to My knowledge for his going sooner to america. BF and Landais probably met on the morning of Monday, Feb. 14, as had been arranged:...
1502From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I desire you would explain to me the Reason or Utility of your Drawing on Mr Chaumont on Acct of the Cloathing, which I do not at present apprehend.— I send you herewith several Letters receiv’d from Boston, and am ever Your affectionate Uncle BF. to J. Williams Feb. 14. 1780 Desiring to know why the Bills were drawn on Mr...
1503From Benjamin Franklin to Puchelberg & Co., 13 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This is to request that you would cause to be delivered to the king’s Officer in your Port, who has the Charge of sending over English Prisoners in Exchange for french, all the English Prisoners now confined there, who have been brought in by American Vessels, and particularly those brought in by the Black Prince. I have the honour to be. Gentlemen. For the past year...
1504From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 13 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Enclosed is the Order Your Excellency required of me in the Letter you yesterday did me the honour of writing to me, relating to the English Prisoners brought into L’Orient by the Black Prince, & other american Privateers. I beg leave to mention to your Excelly. that there are still remaining in the English Prisons 410 Americans, some of whom have languish’d there...
1505From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 12 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress You are pleased to blame me for your long stay in Paris. I have not heard of any Opportunity you have had of going to America, and if you had been there you must have waited as long for the Arrival of the Alliance before you could have had the Court martial you desire. There seems then to have been no time lost. When you desired me formerly to order your Things to be...
1506Certificate Condemning Prizes, [before 9 February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Historical Society of Delaware I the underwritten, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of France, have perused the Procés Verbaux , or Examinations taken before the Judges of the Admiralty of the Eveché de Vannes, and by them transmitted to me, relating to the following Captures and Ransoms made by the Black Prince Privateer, Capt. Patrick Dowlin...
1507From 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....
1508From Benjamin Franklin to Patrick Dowlin, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 27th. past, I congratulate you on the success you have had against our Enemies of which I had the pleasure of hearing before, by the Copy of your Journal sent me by Mr. Diot. The Prisoners you have brought in will soon procure us the Liberty of as many of our Countrymen, Who have long been confin’d in the Goals of Great Britain. It is there...
1509From Benjamin Franklin to Rinquin, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me the 21st. of January and The 2d. of this Instant; with The Proces Verbaux relating to The ships the Jacques Thomas, and The Camden, both of which I judge from the Said Procés to be good Prizes; as also those which were ransomed and for which William Hillier and Robert Story were Hostages. At the Request of...
1510From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I send you herewith the Judgments of the Sloop Providence, the Brig. James and Thomas and The Ship Camden also that of the Two Ransomers for the Brigt. success and The Brig. Samuel.— The Proces verbaux relating to The Brig. Owners adventure, and the Brig. Betsey which you mention are not yet come to my hands. As soon as I have receiv’d and perus’d them, I shall send...
1511From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress Your kind Letter of Sept. 27. came to hand but very lately, the Bearer having staid long in Holland. I always rejoice to hear of your being still employ’d in Experimental Researches into Nature, and of the Success you meet with. The rapid Progress true Science now makes, occasions my Regretting sometimes that I was born so soon. It is impossible...
1512From Benjamin Franklin to the Baron de Servières, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I never say or heard of the Book you mention. If such a Work has been published in England, undoubtedly you may obtain it by sending thither for it. Having never lived in that Part of america where Tobacco grows, I know nothing of its Cultivation. If I could give you any material Information on the subject, I should do it readily and chearfully. I have the honour to...
1513From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of Nov. 2. in which I see you have started a good deal of philosophical Game; let me know from time to time your success and send me some of the Venison. Mr. fabrony call’d to see me, but express’d no desire of altering his Voyage, and proceeded immediately to Italy. I received also yours of Jan. 4. with the Sheets of the appendix but I have not...
1514From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 6 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I received but very lately your kind Favour of Oct. 14 Dr Ingenhausz who brought it having staid long in Holland, I sent the enclos’d directly to Mr L. It gave me great Pleasure to understand that you continue well. Take care of yourself. Your Life is a valuable one. Your Writings, after all the Abuse you & they have met with, begin to make...
1515From Benjamin Franklin to [——— d’Anglemont], 5 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. Torris informs me that eight of the Prisoners formerly brought in to Dunkirque by the Black prince an american Privateer are desirous of serving under Capt. Ryan in the fearnot, and that the said Captain knowing them, and placing Confidence in them, is desirous of having them in his service; I do hereby request that you would be pleased to deliver the said Eight...
1516From Benjamin Franklin to Luke Ryan, 5 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 29th. past, am glad to hear that your Health is re-established, and that you have got a Vessel that you like. I send by this post the Commission you desire, to which I make no doubt you will do honour by your Bravery and good Conduct: I send also to The Commissary, my Request that he will deliver to you the eight Men you ask for. No regard...
1517From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 27th. past. I begin to be apprehensive with you for the Fate of the Confederacy. The only hope we have is founded on the Report of some Persons who Left philadelphia 10. Days after she Sail’d, that it was understood there, that she was to call at Charlestown before she quitted the Continent. If that was the Case, she may yet be safe,...
1518From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received but a few days since your favours of January 17. and 18. I send here with the Commission desired for Capt. Ryan & The fearnot. I heartily wish you and him all the success you desire and deserve. The Bond is to be executed and Left at Mr. Coffin’s, where you will find the Commission, as the English have paid no Regard to the written paroles taken by the...
1519From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bennett Lloyd, 3 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received The Letter you did me the honour of Writing to me The 8th. past. This is the first good Opportunity I have had of answering it. All the Circumstances you mention considered, if you think you can have leave to pass by New York I see nothing amiss in your attempting it and I heartily wish you a prosperous Voyage. As to Conveyances from hence, they are very...
1520From 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...
1521From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It is some time since I procured the Discharge of your Capt. Stephenson. He did not call here in his Way home. I hope he arrived safely, and had a happy Meeting with his friends and family. I have long postponed answering your Letter of the 29th. of June. A principal Point in it, on which you seemed to desire my Opinion, was the Conduct you thought America ought to...
1522From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Pierre de Chaumont, 29 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Public Record Office I beg pardon that I have not sooner written to you on the subject of the Propositions you left with my Grandson. I have been indispos’d; and I imagin’d you might possibly call on me, as mentioned in your note. We are much obliged to the Prince for his Goodwill to our Cause and Country, and for his friendly offer. But as I do not find...
1523From Benjamin Franklin to Bernard Dehez, 29 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, dated the 1st. Instant, relating to the Conduct of Capt. Cunningham. He is at present with Commodore Jones, on board the alliance frigate, upon a Cruise; and perhaps that ship may put in to some Port of Spain, in which Case you can apply to him directly. If she should come in to france, I will immediately...
1524From Benjamin Franklin to Fleury, 29 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Having as yet had no Medal struck here, I am not acquainted with any Artist of that sort. If you can find one, and bring him to me, I will endeavour to agree with him to get it done as soon as may be; but I cannot imagine it possible in so short a time as you mention. I cannot state any certain Sum till I have talked with the artist. I thought to enquire of Mr. Tillet...
1525From Benjamin Franklin to [John Robertson], 28 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 17th. Instant, relating to your son. He was here the and I assisted him with some money, five Louis to help him forward to you. He set out for Nantes I suppose immediately, and I hope he is safe with you before this time. I am, sir &c. BF had recently confused his name with “Robinson”; see BF to Hodgson, Jan. 20, and XXX , 488n. Missing. His...
1526From Benjamin Franklin to Auzoüer, 27 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you honour’d me with of the 21st. Instant. It is long Since I had any News of Mr. Carrol. I only know that he is a Member of the Congress; but I hear nothing of his Coming to france. Probably he was not willing to undertake so hazardous a Voyage with his family in time of war, nor to leave them behind in case he did come over.— Be pleased to...
1527From Benjamin Franklin to John Diot & Co., 27 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your obliging favour of the 12th. Instant inclosing the journal of the Black Princess, and two paroles. You may depend on my giving prompt Dispatch in judging the Prizes as soon as the Papers come to hand.— The prisoners are by the king’s Regulation of the 27th. sept. 1778. to be kept in his Prisons till exchanged, at the Expence of the United states, to...
1528From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 27 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I received yours of the 10th. Instant. I Shall be glad to learn how the taking of the Dutch Ships has been accommodated. We have yet no News of the alliance: but suppose she is cruizing. We are more in Pain for the Confederacy, who Sailed the 28th Oct. from the Capes of Deleware. There is some Hopes that She went to Charlestown to take in Mr....
1529From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade and Moylan, 27 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 19th. Instant, acquainting me with the arrival of the Black Prince, with her Prisoners, for wich I am much obliged to you. The Prisoners are in our disposition as to the Exchange being taken under American colours and Commission and they ought to be confined in the king’s Prisons till exchanged, agreable...
1530From Benjamin Franklin to Moses Grinnell, 27 [January] 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 21st. Instant. I am distress’d by the vast Number of Calls upon me for money, by American Prisoners and others, and it is impossible for me to furnish every one with what they desire. If six Louis will be of any service to you this Line will authorize Mr. Scheweighauser to furnish you with them, on your Note for Repayment to The Treasurer of...