301Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 24 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Since my last of 21st Instant I have nothing to inform your Excellencies relative to Business, the weather having been such as to prevent any operation. The last post from Brest brings accounts of the Return of Monsr. la motte Picquet with his Fleet. He left our Ships in Latt. 42 Longd. 17 with a fine wind which continued fifteen Days. After Seperation...
302To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write the inclosed in haste as I have many things to see ready in order that I may get to the Ship tomorrow. I have got a difficult Task to go through but I will acquit myself as well as I can and hope (obeying orders) you will not think my Conduct too rigourous. I am Your dutifull and Affectionate Kinsman I have not time to answer Mr. Alexanders Letter...
303Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 11 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I send inclosed the agreement made with the proposed Captain of the Lion which I request you to sign your approbation of and return by the next post. The Sum is as small a one as I could possibly agree for, and I hope you will not think it too much. When 5 and 6000 Livres has been given, this does not seem very extravagant. The articles relative to the...
304To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have not written to you since my Arrival because I had nothing to communicate worth troubling you with a Letter.— As a great number of our unhappy Countrymen are in the English Prisons without any prospect of an Exchange for want of Prisoners to give in return, it is proposed by the american Houses in France to build & arm a stout Privateer of 28 Guns...
305Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 3 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library Inclosed is a Letter from Capt. Nicholson by which you will see the number of prizes is much less than the prize master here told me. I hear that one is Arrived at Dunkirk I have as yet heard nothing of the other Six. Mr. Morris Returnd from Bordeaux the day before yesterday. I sent the prize master to him Explained the reason of my Conduct and gave up...
306To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you the 18 April informing you of the Cloathing I had at different Times sent to Brest by M. de Chaumonts direction. I have since Advice that the said Cloathing arrived in Time but that the Transports were all full & Consequently but a small part is embarked. This being the Case I concluded not to send any more...
307To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour dated July 22 and am very happy that my Letter gave you satisfaction: I am only concern’d that the length and frequency of them, will be tedious and troublesome to You. I am glad to find by your Letter just received for my Father, that you are well enough recovered from the Gout to be in the N England Coffee House. In my last I...
308Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed is from Mr. Lee who set off this Morning, for Bourdeaux. The Dispatches &c. went with Mr. Morris to paimbeuf yesterday and are I hope by this time on board. I have the pleasure to inform you that an american Frigate supposed to be Capt. Weeks has sent a prize laden with Codfish into l’orient; This news comes by a Gentleman who arrivd from...
309Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 22 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, September 22, 1778: When I laid my accounts before you, I left the general one open pending its completion; I now send it, closed and settled, up to May 30, 1778. You will also find accounts of the arms magazine, invoice of arms repaired, and the general account from June 1 to September 10, with a balance in your favor of 7,386 l.t. 18 s. 9 d. I...
310Petition of Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the Patent Board, 20 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Northern Liberties of Philadelphia, 20 Nov. 1792 . Having been “formerly engaged in the business of refining and claying Sugar” in London, he requests a patent for a new multiaperture mold he has invented for claying and whitening refined sugar, as explained by the annexed memoir and figures. Maple sugar manufacture would benefit much by claying or whitening on the spot, which would greatly...
311To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be presented you by Mrs Richards who with her Children, is coming hither to meet & continue with her Husband.— Mr. Richards has been here some time past, & has been employed by Mr Johnson & myself in our ’Counting Houses, as his Intention is to continue in the american Business in this Place, or perhaps to settle with his Family in america, we...
312To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to you by Mr. Henry Newman and Mr. Thomas Cushing who pass through Paris in their way to Holland on a Tour of pleasure, to employ their Time in gratifying their curiosity till the Fall Ships shall be ready, when they propose to return to their own Country. The latter Gentleman you have already seen, and both have been reccommendid to...
313To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am much obliged to you for the kind Notice you were pleased to take of my little Fellow.— I may be partial but I think him the finest Lad I ever saw, and I shall take care to give such an Education & to impress his mind with such principles as will, I hope, prevent his being unworthy of the Blessing you were pleased to bestow upon him.— I had a Brother...
314To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your much esteemed Favour of the 8 Inst in which you refer me to Mr de Chaumont for the Balance of the Officers Cloathing & I have drawn on him accordingly.— The Situation of Mrs Williams has been such that my absence would have perhaps been attended with Loss of her. I have however taken such Care of the Business at L’Orient that there has...
315To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of making a Request which I hope will not be considered as improper, if it is I beg you will kindly tell me so & there the matter will end. If it is not your compliance will highly oblige me.— My Wifes Grandfather has written me a very kind Letter of approbation of my marriage & in it he informs of his Intention to go to Grenada to...
316To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library A mon retour de L’Orient j’ai trouve une Notte de votre part, (sans datte) que me demande des Renseignements a sujet de la Pacotile que notre Ami feu Monsr. Dubourg avait confié a mon Frere—. En reponse a cette Demande J’ai l’honneur de vous remettre les Copies de 3 Lettres que J’ai ecrit—Scavoir A Monsr. Breton le 4 Août 1779 A Monsr. Dubourg le 10. 7bre. 1779 A...
317Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 1 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I received your favour of the 27 ultimo advising of the purchase of the arms &c. in Mr. Montieu’s magazine, which as soon as possible shall be all counted and the real quantity of each kind with the Tools &c. &c. exactly asscertained. In looking over your Letters I observe you have made a mistake of the pen in...
318To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour of the 22 Instant with the Judgement of the Mifflins Prize Goods, and Mr Coulougnac’s Proposals about furnishing Cloth &c. Agreeable to your desire I have conversed with him and find that he realy can furnish at good Prices, but he has no great Quantity by him at present. I have taken some Patterns...
319To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I received your favour of the 12th. inst. after I had written my Answer to yours of the 2d: & 4th. so I let that go as it is and you have it accordingly inclosed— Immediately on the arrival of Monsr. de Chaumonts Courier with his and your Packets Mr: de Montaudoin sent for me to Answer his Interrogatories & justify my cause,—I...
320To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The american Captains that are here have applied to me to draw up a Memorial to the american Ambassadors to obtain a Convoy off this Coast, which I have accordingly done, and in addition beg leave to request your favourable attention to their Request, for it is realy the most mortifying of all their Misfortunes to be taken as many have on the Day of their...
321Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library Since writing this morning by Capt. Nicholson I have been with Monsr. Peltrier, who informs me that the Vessell is at the mouth of the River, where it seems all Vessells of Burden are obliged to load. She is not yet loaded but there are several Cases of Fusils gone from hence to the Ship, and Monsr. Peltrier expects a Barge loaded with Bales to come down...
322Jonathan Williams, Jr., to Franklin and John Adams, 31 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: University of Virginia Library; transcript: National Archives I am well informed that two Indorsements have been made on the Accots I have had the Honour to present to the Commissioners, one of which contains Accusations as injurious to my Reputation as they are false & malignant. The first of these Indorsements is on my Accot dated Sept. 10 1778 and...
323Journal of Jonathan Williams, Jr., of His Tour with Franklin and Others through Northern England, [28 May 1771]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AD in two versions: Lilly Library, University of Indiana; and Yale University Library This journal contains the only evidence we have of Franklin’s journey through the north with John Canton, Dr. Ingenhousz, and young Williams. Proper names are never mentioned after the beginning, and it is not clear that all the travelers saw everything that Williams did, or shared his absorption with the...
324Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 26 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; letterbook copy: Yale University Library My last inform’d you that I had purchased the Duc de Chartres. I have sent a french officer on board to take charge of her and make every preparation for heaving down which I shall order to be done immediately after the post on Tuesday. Mr. Nickels a Townsman of mine has been taken and has escaped hither. He has...
325Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 5 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library I omitted mentioning in my last that I had Drawn on you in favor of Messrs. Montadoiun for 1500 Livers at 8 days date which please to honor. Capt. Hynson and myself will go to painbeof tomorrow to Examine the Duc De Chartres. I mentiond to you that her price was 68,000 Livers but that is the price offered for her the Owners ask 70,000 for her. This is a...
326Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 23 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and copy: University of Virginia Library; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Nicholson is gone to Painbeuf to see his Ship. I inclose a Letter he has written to Mr. Dean, since which I find the expected orders are arrived and we are now to meet no Difficulties. Your orders relative to M. Montieu’s Cloaths are too late as they are already gone on board. I had not your...
327To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last I have recvd from La Duchesse de Villroy the Plan of your Armonica improved, which you will receive by this Ship. The Newspapers will give you all in the political Way. I have been several Days shut up in your Room, so have not been able to gather any thing more than the Public Prints contain. You will see by the Fate of the N York and Quebec...
328To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am thus far arrived on my Journey, and have met with every success I could possibly have expected. I have been introduced to the first Houses in Liverpool, and this place, and am likely to make very valuable connections. I do not mean to make any sudden engagements, but to establish a correspondence in every place, and in every manufacturing branch, which...
329To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I hasten to answer your respected Favour of the 13 Inst. this moment received.— I am sorry Mr de Chaumont makes so many unjustifiable Difficulties, and agreeable to your desire I will answer your Questions in their Course to refute his ill founded arguments. He cannot avoid paying you Interest on the £50,000 Livres he has had...
330To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here last Evening just in time to see the last of the Races, and to go to a brilliant Assembly. This is not the Business of my Journey, but it may not be amiss to mix a little. We sett of this afternoon, and shall not stop ’till we arrive at Glasgow, from thence we shall go to Edinburgh and come home through Yorkshire. That you may not think I am...