1To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 12 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A singular Circumstance lately taking Place here, in which myself am now concern’d, I wish to serve as a sufficient Apology for this Intrusion, while a stranger, & in a private Life, on Your Excellency. In the Course of the last week a large elegant & uncommonly fast sailing Pilot-Boat-Schooner was surprised in a certain Harbour in Antigua by seven American...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 10 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this moment honor’d with a Letter from Mr. Lovell, who acknowledges the Reception of Your Excellencys Favor of the 13th. Sepr. and from which, he has extracted & transmitted to me, few Lines:— by which, I percieve that, as Mr. Gerard was at the date of your Letter, & had for several preceeding Months, been absent, you had not been able to obtain...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Least by any Accident, I should fail of a safe Arrival at France, I wish to inform you, that, I have not relinquished the Idea, or by any means, quitted my Resolution but too long since form’d, of waiting on your Excellency on the subject of the two Vessels which some months since I had the honor to represent to your Excellency thro Mr. Lovell, & by my own...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania While I beg Permission to inform you of my extreem Mortification for so long & unexpected Detention at this Place, unfortunately occasioned by a violent Attact of Fever, which, tho’ declining, will for some days render me unable to Journey, ’tis with equal regret for the common Good and Anxiety for your personal Health I hear of your Excellency’s...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 30 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having this day negociated to Mr. John Augustus Byrne of this City the four Bills as undermentioned the first & second of which I have heretofore transmitted to you, & not being advisd by your Excellency of their Acceptance or payment I think it proper to mention the 1sts. of sd. Bills are accepted in your hands. Mr Byrne remitts them to his Banker Mr....
6To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 28 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I feel hurt at the thought of troubling you so immediately— my forgetfulness of yesterday & Engagements today, must be my Appology for the Occasion & Mode. I am bound for North Carolina; in my Passage, I shall take the Circuit of New-Providence from Expectations of procuring by Purchase, or Address a Clearance of a Cargo of Tobacco from that Island to...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 27 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot, cease to trouble you while my All is at stake, my Mind at the highest Reach of Pain & Anxiety, & only to be determined & reliev’d by your Excellency’s Interference without which of what Consequence to me, are Resolutions of Congress, however favorable to my Interest, they may have been past? I am Sir, without your Assistance in these two Cases,...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Putnam, [before 11 September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Portsmouth?, Va., before 11 Sep. 1786 ]. Visited Marseilles in 1783 in connection with his claim “against Count d’Arbaud, late governor of Guadeloupe, for a certain sloop, taken from me, together with her Cargo of Peas and 13. Negroes, estimated at 1130 half Joes”; the claim was not decided by the admiralty of France because of the press of other business and because the admiralty wished to...
9To George Washington from Benjamin Putnam, 30 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The best Apology I am able to offer your Excellency for this Intrusion on your invaluable Moments, is a Belief of its having been the undoubted Intention of our early Congresses to hold in favorable Memory the Merits of those, who in time of Danger voluntarily stept forward in Sacrifices of Fortune & Wealth in the Defence of this Country—On the Principles of these Intentions shoud Your...