311From Benjamin Franklin to William Hunter, 30 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Royal College of Surgeons The partnership between Dr. William Hunter and Polly Hewson’s husband was dissolved, after much recrimination, during the winter of 1771–72. Dr. Hunter had stipulated that the “preparations,” in other words the demonstration material for the anatomy course that they had been giving jointly, should remain his sole property. But in the summer of 1772 the irascible...
312From Benjamin Franklin to Mesny, 20 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I will take care of the 100 Copies of M. de la Fay’s excellent Work which you have sent me, and forward them to America by the first good Opportunity, where I am convinc’d they will be very useful. I shall put them into proper Hands for Sale, who will in due time render you an Account. I have the Honour to be very respectfully, Sir, Your most obedient...
313From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just seen in the English Newspapers that you and your Family are safe arrived in New York, which gives me great Pleasure. I send you herewith some of our latest News Papers. Mr Hartley is at length recall’d, having remain’d here Six Months without doing or proposing any thing towards the Commercial Treaty....
314From Benjamin Franklin to Ann Hudson de Lavau, 10 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Letter dated the first Instant, which I should have answered directly, but had mislaid the enclos’d Letter from your Mother which you desired might be sent you. The Bills mentioned by Mr Beall, came duly to my hands and I have received the Money, Seventy-two Dollars. I imagined you were long since gone to America, am sorry to...
315From Benjamin Franklin to Becker & Saltzmann, 10 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Since Mine of the 1st. of last Month, of which the above is a Copy, I have received the honour of yours of The 23d. of July; and The Packages containing the Sample of a Soldiers uniform mention’d in yours of april 20. is also Since come to hand. I cannot at present give any orders for such cloathing but I am of opinion that if you were to send those uniforms to...
316From Benjamin Franklin to Chaumont, 19 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; incomplete copy: Library of Congress I am sorry and very much ashamed of the Quarrel on Board the Alliance: But I beg you would not form an Opinion of the Americans in general from this Accident. Where a Number of Men of whatever Nation are together with little or nothing to do they are apt to be mutinous and quarrelsome. I hope when they are fully employ’d they...
317From Benjamin Franklin to Genet, 29 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I receiv’d safely the Letters you return’d to me, and am much pleas’d with the Use which I see you have made of them. I wish to receive from London regularly the London Evening Post, and the London Chronicle. If this can be done by your means, without giving you too much Trouble, I shall be much oblig’d to you, and will thankfully repay the Expence. By the Desire of...
318From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 13 August 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I am glad the electrical Observations please you. I leave them in your hands another Week. Our Workmen have undertaken the Electrical Apparatus, and I believe will do it extreamly well: It being a new Job they cannot say exactly what their Work will come to, but they will charge reasonably when done, and they find what Time it has taken. I suppose the whole...
319From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin (2 vols., London, 1817), I , 64–5. My dear old friend, Dr. Fothergill, may assure Lady H. of my respects, and of any service in my power to render her, or her affairs in America. I believe matters in Georgia cannot much longer continue in their present situation, but will return to that state in which they...
320From Benjamin Franklin to Bedtinger, 2 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS , American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire pour solliciter la Place de Vice Consul des E.U. de l’Amerique au Havre, pour le sr. Dupuis.— Il m’auroit èté infiniment agréable de remplir vos Vues à cet égard s’il avoit dependu de Moi; mais Je n’y puis rien. M. Barclay notre Consul Général est seul autorisé a faire...
321From Benjamin Franklin to James Searle, 13 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Miss Lillian S. Wilson, Scarsdale, N.Y. (1955) I received the Letters and Pacquets you were so good as to send me by Mr Dana on Monday, and I thank you for your Care of them. I sent my Grandson the same Afternoon to congratulate you on your Arrival, and to request the Honour of your Company at Dinner this Day. But he did not meet with you. I was out all Day yesterday at Versailles, and...
322From Benjamin Franklin to William Gordon, 18 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received but the other day your favour of feby. 4. It has been round by the West Indies. The Letter it inclos’d for Mr. Parker is forwarded. I forwarded to you lately a Letter from your friend Mr. Samuel Taber in Holland. Your mistaking his name and calling him Jonathan occasioned one of your Letters to wander and be opened before it got to his hands. I suppose you...
323From Benjamin Franklin to William Lee, 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: University of Virginia Library, Virginia Historical Society (two) I receiv’d the Letter you did me the Honor of writing to me the 7th. instt., inclosing a copy of an order of Congress with a copy of a Letter to you from Mr. Secretary Livingston, & informing me, that you had in consequence drawn on me for £46196..19 [ i.e. , 46,196 l.t. 19 s ] payle. to your order the 12th. April next....
324To 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...
325From Benjamin Franklin to Palteau de Veimerange, 20 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the Honour of Writing to me the 17th Instant, together with a State of the Effects & Merchandizes which you are collecting at Brest in order to be sent to America. As we have no Agent at Brest, and I have the fullest Confidence in a principal Commissary employed under your Orders, I think it best to continue the...
326From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 9 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of Dec. 30. and rejoice to find you were well. I may possibly have the greater Pleasure of seeing you before the Year is out[?]. I have desired Cousin Williams to give you the Money he may recover from Hall. I would only mention to you, that when I was in Boston in 1754[?], Brother John then living, an old Man whose Name I...
327From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Leveux, 1 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have been uneasy that your Acct. of Disbursements for the Prisoners has been so long unpaid. As the whole Business here is now devolv’d on one Person, our Correspondence for the future may be more prompt & regular; and I should be glad to clear the past transactions immediately by paying off your Debt. Be pleas’d therefore to draw on me for the Amount, & your Bill...
328From Benjamin Franklin to the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 21 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It has been a great Mortification to me that I have not been able this last Summer to pay my Respects to my Respectable and dear Friend at Sanois. The Journey has been often talk’d of among us at Madam Helvetius’s, but some obstruction or other has always interfer’d and occasion’d it to be delay’d: I have from time to time enquired concerning your Welfare, and had the...
329From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Dr Franklin presents Compliments to Mr. Adams, and requests that all the Public Papers may be sent him by the Bearer. Dr. Franklin will undertake to keep them in order; and will at any time chearfully look for and furnish Mr Adams with any Paper he may have occasion for. Mr Adams on receit of this put all the Public Papers, then in his Possession, into the...
330From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Buchan, 17 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter your Lordship did me the honour of writing to me the 18th past, and am oblig’d by your kind Congratulations on the Return of Peace, which I hope will be lasting. With regard to the Terms on which Lands may be acquired in America, & the Manner of beginning new...
331From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Hazard, 25 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It seems the more necessary to establish speedily a Post to Albany, as we have an Army on your Frontiers. I hope you have found a Rider willing to go on more reasonable Terms than those mention’d in yours of the 6th. appear to be, compar’d with what is given to the New London Riders. But if there are Reasons why he should have more, of which you can best...
332From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 20 September 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of June 30. but no Line by this Pacquet. Things are here as they have been for some time past: Except that the Proprietary Party begin to doubt the Success they promis’d themselves at the next Election. Mr. Allen has exerted himself in the House to persuade a Recall of the Petition, but as far as I can perceive, without the least...
333From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I am concern’d that I have not for a long time heard any thing of Sister Douse. Pray inform me how she is. Brothers John, Peter and my self, agreed to contribute towards a small Pension for her Support; I should be glad to know whether it is regularly paid. Inclos’d is a Receipt for 30 Reams of Paper. I wrote to you per Morton and refer to that. My Love to...
334From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The Bearer, Mr Harrison, is a young Gentleman of good Fortune & Character, a Native of Philadelphia, and extremely well recommended to me by Persons of Distinction there. I beg leave to introduce him to your Excellency & to request for him your Protection and Counsels. He will explain to you his Views in going to Holland, where he purposes to reside some...
335To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 21 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received your Favour of the 18th. I thank you for the Steps you took with the Duke of Dorset, and with Mr. Adams; and hope they will prove effectual. I arrived here extreamly well, not at all hurt or fatigued by the Carriage I us’d, which I found generally very gentle. I embark this Evening for Cowes with Mr. Houdon. I have seen that M. du Plessis twice. He appears a Man of some...
336From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Foxcroft, 18 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received yours of Dec. 29. with the Account. I wrote by the Packet to my Family to receive no more of those Payments, being now out of the Office. I thank you for your Care in ordering the Six Barrels of Flour, which I hope to receive soon. The Tea Ship arriv’d here safe having a very short Passage. I am ever, with sincere Regard, Dear...
337From Benjamin Franklin to All Commanders of Armed Vessels Belonging to the United States, 22 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress Whereas the Religious Society commonly called the Moravian Brethren, have established a Mission on the Northern Part of the Labradore Coast, for the good purpose of civilising and converting to Christianity the Barbarians who live there, and by that means put an End to their Custom of plundering and murdering the People of our Fishing Vessels and others passing...
338From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Partridge, 11 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library Your kind Letter, my dear Friend, was long in coming; but it gave me the Pleasure of knowing that you had been well in October & January last. The Difficulty, Delay & Interruption of Correspondence with those I love, is one of the great Inconveniencies I find in living so far from home: but we must bear these & more, with Patience, if we can; if...
339To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 17 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Packet, containing the Correspondence relating to the Goods. I suppose that Mr Barclay is there before this time, and the Affair in a way of Accomodation. Young Mr Neufville is here, but I have thought it best not to give him as yet any Hopes of my Paying the Bills unless the Goods are delivered. I shall write fully by next Post. This serves chiefly to acquaint you that I...
340From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 31 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library The preceding are Copies of my late Letters; to which I have little to add, except to request you would send the Magazines mention’d in the enclos’d List, which it seems are still wanting to compleat the Sets in the Library. It may be well enough to forbear sending the Universal Magazine for the future, it contains little of Value I inclose also an Almanack, and...
341From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard de Rayneval, 2 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress I now send for M. le Comte de Vergennes, the Letter you were so kind as to advise relating to the Dutch Loan. and I beg you would procure a Note from his Excellency to M. de Fleury, for the Payment of 500,000 £s to M. Grand, where it is immediately wanted, he being already near 300,000 l.t. in Advance for us. With...
342From Benjamin Franklin to David Franks, 17 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, acquainting me with your being taken up at Brest, examined & uncivilly treated. Methinks you are too ready to suppose this was done with an Intention to offend you. It is the Duty of those who have the Care of the Ports, when Strangers appear there, to enquire who & what they are. Brest is an...
343From Benjamin Franklin to [William Parsons], 12 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Your Favours of Dec. 6. and 9. I have received and laid before the Commissioners. I expect that Mr. Hamilton or myself, or both, maybe with you in a few Days, to establish Ranging or Watching Parties, Blockhouses, &c. for the Defence of your Frontier; in the mean time, we send up by this Waggon, 56 small Arms, ½ Cwt. Gunpowder, 2 Cwt. Lead, 50 Blankets and a Hogshead...
344From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Jr. Copy: Library of Congress I have received yours of the 19th. Inst. with the Account of the Duties you have paid. I do not comprehend the Policy of burthening their own Manufactures; but the Laws of the Country we trade with must be observed. I have determin’d to rely on the Government entirely for the Transport of the Goods. I am instructed not to send them but under Convoy directly to...
345From Benjamin Franklin to James Searle, [25 January 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Searle, is glad to hear of his safe Arrival from Holland; and thanks him for his Care of the Letter from Leiden. Mr Franklin will be happy to have the Company of Mr Searle at Dinner on Sunday next, if it may suit Mr Searle to do him that honour. Addressed: Honble. Mr Searle / Hotel de Valois / Paris / Endorsed:...
346From Benjamin Franklin to Matthew Parke, 3 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 25th. past. Mr. de Chaumont having been the General Attorney appointed by all the Captains before the Cruize you mention commenced, and impower’d to receive and dispose of the Prizes &c. I apply’d to him to know the State of that affair. His Answer is, that it is now wholly in the Hands of the Marquis de...
347From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 4 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency, by Order of Congress, their Resolution of the 2d of May. It will explain itself; and I can add no Arguments to enforce the Request it contains, which I have not already urged with an Importunity that nothing but...
348From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received yours per Capt. All. This is just to let you know I am well, as all our other Friends here are: I have been so hindred to day, that I can only add my Love to our Children, and that I am ever, Dear Debby, Your affectionate Husband The letter was DF ’s of April 28, now lost, which BF mentioned in writing her on July 15. Capt. All in the Richard Penn...
349From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 28 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives de la Marine, Library of Congress, Harvard University Library Being arrived at L’Orient agreable to the Orders I sent you when at Nantes, you are to join Capt. Jones, put yourself and ship under his Command as your senior Officer, proceed with him on the Cruize he is about to make, and obey his Orders untill your Return to France. I heartily wish you Success, both with Regard...
350From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, 31 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS , press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives; copy: University of South Carolina Library After a continued Course of Treating for 9 Months, the English Ministry have at length come to a Resolution to lay aside for the present all the new Propositions that have been made & agreed to, their own as well as ours; and they offer to sign again as a Definitive Treaty the Articles of Novr...
351To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 7 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Among the late intercepted Letters from London, is one from the Army Agent there to the Traitor Arnold, by which it appears that his Bribe was 5000 £ Sterling, in Bills drawn on Harley & Drummond, who are the Contractors for furnishing the Army with Money. Inclos’d I send you a Copy of that Letter, and shall send you others by next Post. The English Papers tell us, that you have succeeded in...
352From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 15 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two copies: Sheffield Central Library; two copies: Library of Congress I received but a few days ago your very friendly Letter of August last, on the Subject of General Burgoyne. Since the foolish Part of Mankind will make Wars from time to time with each other, not having Sense enough otherwise to settle their Differences, it certainly becomes the wiser Part, who cannot prevent those...
353From Benjamin Franklin to Du Plessis, 20 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives Nationales J’ai L’honneur de vous remettre Les Certificats Légalisès, des services signalés que vous avez rendû à ma patrie. Je desire de tout mon coeur, Monsieur, que vous jouissiez au service de france Des mêmes honneurs militaires que vous avez si bien mérités en Amérique, et je vous serai obligé de minstruire de ceux que vous obtiendrez, pour en faire part au Congrès, qui...
354From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 6 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have been honoured with several of your Letters, and we have talk’d of writing to you, but it has been delayed. I will therefore write a few Lines in my private Capacity. Our Negociations go on slowly, every Proposition being sent to England, & Answers not returning very speedily. Capt. Barney arrived here last Wednesday, & brought Dispatches for us...
355From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Mather, 4 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your respected Favour of March 18. with the valuable Pamphlets it enclosed for which I thank you: By the next Opportunity I shall do myself the Honour of writing to you fully. At present I can only add that I am, with great Esteem and Respect, Reverend Sir, Your obliged and most obedient humble Servant [ In the margin: ] I send you a...
356From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania While I am writing, the letters by the March packet are come to hand with yours of the 9th and 12th. Amidst all the sickness and misfortunes to our friends what reason have you and I to bless God, that we at these years enjoy with our children so great a Share of health and so much happiness in other respects. Let us be thankful for what is past...
357From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 23 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Pay to W.T. Franklin ten Louis d’Ors he having advanced the Same by my order to Several American sailors to assist them in getting to LOrient Vizt. To Bury [Benj] Taylor 48 l.t. To Benj Carr. 48 To Ch. Herbert 48 To Joseph Plummer 48 To James Tille 24 To Frank Foster 24 £240 Charge the Same to the publick Account of sir Your humble servt Notations by...
358From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 23 Instant, and having examined the Procès verbaux Sent me from Morlaix relative to the Sloop Goodwill, and being of Opinion that she is a good Prize, I Send you herewith my Letter to the Judges of the admiralty, at Morlaix, Expressing that Opinion tho’ I must acquaint you that the Circumstance of your firing at her under English Colours...
359From Benjamin Franklin to [Susannah?] Jennings, 21 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Immediately on receiving Miss Jennings’ Commands, Dr. F. apply’d to the Box in order to execute them: But to his Surprise found that (thro’ some unaccountable Neglect) only a few of the Parcels contained in it were actually number’d, so that the Numbers in the Catalogue are not of the Use he expected, and it requires a Knowledge of the Seeds...
360From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 10 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have been so full lately in my Letters to the Committee, which you of course must see, that I need not trouble you particularly with a Letter of any Length. I find myself engag’d in an Affair that will take much more time than I expected. God knows when we shall see it finish’d, and our Constitution settled firmly on the Foundations of Equity and English...