711From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Prince de Broglie, Son of the Marechal Duc de Broglie has desired of me a few Letters of Introduction. With regard to Boston I cannot do better than to present him to you, who have a Pleasure in showing Civilities to Strangers of Merit, & who can introduce him to the principal Persons civil & military of your State. You already love with reason the French Nation;...
712From Benjamin Franklin to William Greene, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If M. le Prince de Broglie in passing thro’ your State should happen to be near you, I request you would show him all the Civilities that are due to Strangers of Merit & Character. His good Will to our Country and Zeal for its Cause, join’d to his amiable personal Qualities, will make it a Pleasure to you to render him any Services he may stand in need of.— You will...
713From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston: Two Letters, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS , press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress; (II) LS : New-York Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Since my last an extraordinary Revolution has taken place in the Court of England. All the old Ministers are out and the Chiefs of the Opposition are in their Places. The News Papers that I send will give you the Names as correctly as we yet...
714From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; copy and transcript: National Archives The Bills accepted by Mr. Jay, and afterwards protested for Nonpayment, are come & coming back to France & Holland, and I have ordered them to be taken up and discharged by our Banker, I hope none will be return’d to America. There is a Convoy just going, and another, it is said, will follow in about 3 Weeks. By these two I hope...
715From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I did myself the honour of writing to you a few Days since by the Comte de Segur. This Line is chiefly to present the Prince de Broglie to your Excellency, who goes over to join the Army of M. de Rochambeau. He bears an excellent Character here, is a hearty Friend to our Cause, and I am persuaded you will have a Pleasure in his Conversation. I take leave...
716To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, with a Draft of Franklin’s Reply, [8 April 1782] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I just hear from Amsterdam that Bills accepted by Mr. J. Jay at Madrid are come back unpaid & protested to the Amount of 20000 Ducats. If you are desirous they should be paid you will be so Kind as to send me your Orders for that purpose & I shall pursuant thereto write by tomorrow’s Mail to the above friends to give notice to the holders of the Bills that...
717To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 8 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honour of writing to you a few Days since by the Comte de Segur. This Line is chiefly to present the Prince de Broglie to your Excellency, who goes over to join the Army of M. de Rochambeau. He bears an excellent Character here, is a hearty Friend to our Cause, and I am persuaded you will have a Pleasure in his Conversation. I take leave therefore to recommend him to those...
718From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by Mr. le Comte de Segur, (Son of the Marquis de Segur Ministre de la Guerre) a Young Nobleman whose amiable Qualities and sensible Conversation will I am sure give you Pleasure. I therefore make no Apology for the Liberty I take of introducing him to you, recommending him to your Civilities and Friendship, and requesting you would do the...
719From Benjamin Franklin to Cuming & Macarty, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have just received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 3d Instant relating to some accepted Bills, amounting to 1671 Dollars that have been protested for Nonpayment at Madrid. I am sorry for the Uneasiness this Accident has occasioned to you, and shall immediately give Orders to have them taken up and the...
720From Benjamin Franklin to Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress This is to request you would immediately discharge and take up sundry Bills of Exchange, amounting to One Thousand Six hundred and seventy one Dollars, which were accepted by Mr Jay at Madrid, & afterwards protested for Nonpayment, and are now in the hands of Messrs. Pache, freres & Co at Paris. I am, Sir Your most obedt...
721From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If the Comte de Segur, Son of the Minister of War should happen to be in your Neighbourhood, I recommend him warmly to your Civilities & Friendship, and to those of the good Governor. You will find him as amiable and deserving as any of the French Officers whose good Conduct you so much applauded last Year. I continue as hearty and well as when you first knew me,...
722From Benjamin Franklin to the Chevalier de Chastellux, 6 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : private collection (1985); copy: Library of Congress It gave me great Pleasure to hear by the Officers returned last Winter from your Army, that you continued in good Health. You will see by the Public Papers, that the English begin to be weary of the War, and they have reason; having suffered many Losses, having four Nations of Enemies upon their Hands, few Men to spare, little Money...
723Franklin: Account of Living Toads Found Enclosed in Limestone, [6 April 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Académie royale des sciences; copy: Library of Congress In submitting the following report to the Académie des sciences, Franklin joined a long tradition of people who had marveled over the improbable discovery of toads living in niches in solid rock or in the middle of tree trunks. The Annual Register for 1761 published a survey of some of this literature, including translations of two...
724From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 5 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote a few Lines to you the 31st. past, and promised to write more fully. On pursuing again your Letters of the 11th. 12th. & 21st. I do not find any Notice taken of one from me dated Feby. 16. I therefore now send you a Copy made from it in the Press. The uncertainty of safe Transmission discourages a free Communication of Sentiments on these important Affairs;...
725From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Castries, 2 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 31st of March, relating to Messrs. Agnew Father & Son , and Capt Parker , Englishmen taken Prisoners in America & brought to France. I know nothing of those Persons or of the Circumstances that might induce the Delegates of Virginia to desire their Detention,...
726From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: Library of Congress I received duly the Honour of your Letter accompanying the Capitulation of Gen. Cornwallis. All the World agree that no Expedition was ever better plann’d or better executed. It has made a great Addition to the military Reputation you had already acquired, and brightens the Glory that surrounds your Name and that must accompany it to our latest Posterity....
727To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received duly the Honour of your Letter accompanying the Capitulation of Gen. Cornwallis. All the World agree that no Expedition was ever better plann’d or better executed. It has made a great Addition to the military—Reputation you had already acquired, and brightens the Glory that surrounds your Name and that must accompany it to our latest Posterity. No News could possibly make me more...
728Intelligence from London, [after 8 March 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in William Duane, ed., The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin … (6 vols., Philadelphia, 1808–18) V , 325–6. No. III. 1. The nation has spent in this war, since 1775 an hundred millions of sterling money. 2. The nation has lost by this war fourteen colonies on the continent of America, several Islands in the West Indies, and Minorca. 3. The nation is at war with three powerful states in...
729To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York and Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I think they can hardly miss it:...
730From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York & Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their Remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I...
731From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; LS : Keya Gallery, New York (1997); copy: William L. Clements Library I have just received your Favours of March 11 & 12. forwarded to me by Mr. Digges, and another of the 21st. per Post. I congratulate you on the returning good Disposition of your Nation towards America, which appears in the Resolutions of Parliamt. that you have sent me: and I hope...
732From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library It is long since I have been able to afford myself the pleasure of writing to you; but I have had that of receiving several Letters from you, and I sent you in consequence a credit for 300 £ which I hope you received. I am sorry that you had been obliged to advance: The trouble you so kindly take is sufficient. I just hear from Ireland, that there are 200 of...
733From Benjamin Franklin to St. Farre, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I do not recollect that I have ever known or seen the Person you mention; and it is certain that I never knew or heard that Mr. De Beaumarchais was charged with the Payment of Gratifications to those who had been Prisoners of War or that any such Gratifications were allowed, so that I could not have sent any Person to that Gentleman for such Purpose. I honour the...
734From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Wyld, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library I have received yours of the 18th. Instant. I omitted answering your former, being informed that your Bill had not been honoured, whence I conceived that you had imposed on me. I am glad to hear that it is otherwise. Since you were here, I have received notice that no more such Passports are to be granted, the Traders having abused them: So that I must renew...
735From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 30 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress In mine of the 9th Inst. I acknowledg’d the receipt of yours of Jany. 7. & I have not since received any of later Date. The Newspapers which I send you by this Conveyance will acquaint you with what has since my last passed in Parliament. You will there see a Copy of the Bill brought in by the Attorney Genl: for impowering...
736From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 30 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With this if it comes to Hand you will receive Copies of several preceeding Letters to you which went by the Alliance, Capt. Barry, who sail’d the 15. without taking any of our Supplies, conceiving his Vessel not fit for such Service, and I am still uncertain whether any Part can go by the Convoy. If the St. Domingo Fleet, which has long been expected, were arrived,...
737From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Lafayette, 28 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have considered the Proposal of getting the American Prisoners out of Forton Goal & bringing them over in Companies to France in smuggling Vessels; but as to effect this there must be some Place found on the Coast where the Prisoners may assemble to wait for the Vessel may lye to wait for the Prisoners, as the Case may happen, without Danger of being discovered and...
738From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 26 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, avec ma petite Dialogue, votre charmante Epitre & Puisque je trouve que Madame la Goutte est de votre Connoissance, ma tres chere Amie je vous prie de grace que quand elle me fait une autre Visite, vous voudriez bien l’accompagner. Votre Présence me dedommagera de la sienne. Avec une telle Garde, la Peine deviendra Plaisir. We can identify...
739From 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...
740From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 22 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress With this I have the honour of sending you all the Letters I have received from or written to England on the Subject of Peace. M. de Vergennes should have seen them sooner if I had imagined them of any Importance: for I have never had the least Desire of keeping such Correspondence secret. I was, as you will see,...
741From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 22 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Lord Cholmondeley having kindly offer’d to take a Letter from me to your Lordship, I embrace the Opportunity of assuring the Continuance of my ancient Respect for your Talents and Virtues, and of congratulating you on the returning good Disposition of...
742From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 16 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Boston; copies: Columbia University Library, Henry E. Huntington Library, Library of Congress, National Archives I have received your several Favours of Jan. 30. Feb. 11. and March 1. and propose to write fully to you per next Post. In the mean time this Line may serve to acquaint you that I have paid duly all your former Bills drawn in favour...
743To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 16 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have received your several favors of January 30 th . February 11 th . and March 1 st . and propose to write fully to you p r . the next Post. In the mean time, this Line may serve to acquaint you that I have paid Duly all your former Bills drawn in favor of M r . Cabarrus; and that having obtained a promise of six Millions for this year, to be paid me Quarterly, I now see that I shall be...
744From Benjamin Franklin to [Bertin], 14 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 11e. de ce Mois, le Passeport que j’avois donné dans l’Anné quatrevingt à M. Hutton. Vous trouverez cyjoint, Monsieur, un nouveau Passeport pour le meme charitable Objet, avec les Changemens que vous paroissez desirer. Je profite avec bien de l’Empressement, de cette occasion pour...
745From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Having concluded to provide for the Payment of the Bills drawn on Mr. Laurens in favour of Mr Ross, which were presented to you last Year, this is to request that you would examine and accept the said Bills, and keep an Account of them. I have ordered Money into the Hands of Messrs Fizeaux and Grand for the Payment of those that...
746From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received a Number of Packets from America. In opening them I did not perceive that the enclosed was directed for you, till I began to read the Letter it contain’d. I beg you will excuse this Inadvertence. I congratulate you on the Change of Disposition in the English Nation with regard to America. Misfortunes make People wise, and at present they seem to...
747From Benjamin Franklin to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Messrs. Laswood, Van Hasselt & Van Suchtelen, have in their Possession a Number of Bills, of which the Enclosed is a List, drawn by Fra: Hopkinson Treasurer of Loans, on Mr. Laurens, in favour of John Ross amounting in the whole to 40,958 Bank Florins. I have wrote to them to apply to you for Payment, and I have at the same time desired Mr. Grand to send you the Funds...
748From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This is to desire you would as soon as may be possible furnish Messrs. Fizeaux & Grand at Amsterdam with the Sum of Forty Thousand, nine hundred and fifty eight Bank Florins in order to discharge the Bills drawn in Favour of Mr. Ross, and which will be due the 19th. of this Month. Place the same to the public Account of Sir, Your &c L’Air de Lamotte wrote “may be”...
749From Benjamin Franklin to Larwood, Van Hasselt & Van Suchtelen, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your respected Favour of the 4th. Instant, containing a List of the Bills in your Possession drawn in favour of Mr. Ross amounting to 40,958. Bank. I shall take Care by the next Post to place Funds in the Hands of Messrs. Fizeaux & Grand for the Payment of those Bills, to which House in Amsterdam you will be pleased to apply, with great Regard I have the...
750To Benjamin Franklin from Palteau de Veimerange, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Les perquisitions que j’ai fait faire pour trouver des Navires propres à transporter en Amérique, les differens effets qui ont été rassemblés à Brest, pour le Service des Etats unis, n’ont pas été heureuses jusqu’à présent. J’ai la certitude qu’il n’en pourra être fourni aucun de Nantes et de l’Orient; il n’y a pas lieu d’esperer qu’il puisse S’en trouver à...
751From Benjamin Franklin to John Barry, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, New-York Historical Society I have just received yours of the 29th. past and am sorry you do not think proper to go to Brest and take in some of the Goods, as I apprehend they are much wanted and that you will be blamed. The Account of Sundry Frenchmen which you mention as inclosed, was omitted and I have not received it. With this you will receive my Dispatches,...
752From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I have just received the honour of yours dated Jan 7. Your Communication of the Sentiments of Congress with Regard to many Points that may come under Consideration in a Treaty of Peace, gives me great Pleasure, & the more as they agree so perfectly with my own Opinions and furnish me...
753From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 9 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 7th. of January, with the Duplicates of Sundry others. In mine by this Conveyance you will be pretty fully informed of the State of our Funds here, by which you will be enabled so to regulate your Drafts as that our Credit in Europe may not be ruined, and your Friend kill’d with Vexation. The...
754From Benjamin Franklin to John Barry, 6 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, New-York Historical Society I received yours of the 27. past by which I perceive you had not then received mine of the 10th. I therefore send you a Copy enclosed. You will see by it the Utility and Necessity of your going to Brest and there taking on board what you can of the continental Stores. It will be doing great Service to our Armies, who want much what is...
755From Benjamin Franklin to the Conde de Aranda, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer Don Gabriel Olivar, a Clergyman of the Island of Minorca, is recommended to me by a Friend in London, as an honest worthy Man. I beg leave at his Request to present him to your Excellency, and to ask in his Favour a few Moments of your Attention. With great & Sincere Respect, I am, Your Excellency’s &c. See Raspe’s letter of [February], above.
756From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives Since I wrote the two short Letters of which I herewith send you Copies, I have been honoured with yours No. 5 dated the 16th Decr. Enclosed I send Copies of two Letters from M. le Comte de Vergennes, relating to certain Complaints from Ostend and Copenhagen against our Cruisers. I...
757From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives With this you will receive Copies of my two Letters dated Jan. 28 and another dated the 30th. since which I have been continually in Perplexity and Uncertainty about our Money affairs. I obtained a Sketch of the Account mentioned in my last. You will see by Letters I enclose that I endeavour’d to correct it, and make it 2,216,000 Livres more in...
758From Benjamin Franklin to Palteau de Veimerange, 4 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have followed your kind Advice in acquainting M. le Comte de Vergennes & Mr. le Ms: de Castries with our Difficulties in finding Vessels. Mr. Vergennes was so good as to promise he would speak about it to the Marquis; and the Marquis has very obligingly promis’d to do all he can for us and I hope we shall succeed. I therefore request you would order the Remainder of...
759From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 3 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 26th. past, enclosing an Official Paper on the Part of the Danish Court, relating to the Burning of some English Vessels on the Coast of Norway, by three American Ships....
760From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Beraud de Ciccati, 2 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 14 du mois dernier, celle que vous y avez incluse pour Monsr. votre fils, et que j’auroi Soin d’envoyer en Amerique par la premiere occasion qui se presentera. Si par une précaution que je crois nécessaire vous m’en addresséz des Duplicata, comme vous le ditez dans votre...