1To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 6 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr Laurens has been so ill as to retard his journy up to London very much. He arrivd in rather better health on Thursday night, & was this day examind at Lord G Germaines office & committed to the Tower— The first night he was kept at the Messengers House in Scotland Yard, & taken from thence to Lord Go Gs office about noon. He was watchd & kept very...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We have inquired at the Bureau des Diligences de Flandres, and can learn nothing yet of the Picture which chagrines me greatly, A Portrait in of G.W. came to Hand, I now not from whom, executed with admirable art. I shall transmit it by the first good Opportunity, after I receive orders so to do. The Bill you drew on me for Expences on the Prisoners is accepted....
3From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank you for your favours of Oct. 8. and 12. and for the news Papers. I wrote fully to our friend Mr. B. about the Coppers. I hope you will soon be freed from the Trouble you have with the Prisoners by their Exchange, I can now only add that I am, with great Esteem Dear Sir, &c. XXX , 490–4, 490n, 525–7. Edward Bridgen had sent two samples of copper for possible...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 30 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 29th. past, and of Inst. but that you mention as sent by Barnet never came to Hand, and he has already play’d so many cheating Tricks in France that I do not expect to see him here again. It is an Irishman who having been once employed in one of our Privaters, and taken, has ever since he escaped from England rambled about Europe pretending to...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I comply’d readily with your late Recommendations, placing faith in the Declaration of the Parties, that the Transaction was bonafide intended, for the Purpose mentioned, getting home their Property. If this should be extended to cover an illicit Trade, it will when discovered effectually put a Stop to such Operations. I see by some thing in a late paper from that...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you a few lines by Capn. B—— [Belt] the 28th ultio, & hope to have it in my power in a few days to forward the Contents of this by another friend for fear it may be lost by the common conveyance of Post. The Royal Society at their last meeting, came to a resolution to have a certain number of Gold, Silver & Copper medals struck of Captain Cooke;...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 7 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of Sept. 4. & 6. and am glad to hear that Mr. Peters’s affair is settled to his Mind.— I have received the Letter he wrote me and have forwarded that to his son. I am Sorry to hear that any innocent Men Should suffer on suspicion of holding a criminal Correspondence with me. The Truth is, that I do not know that Capt. Hutchins, and never had a...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 15 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In compliance with your Recommendation, which I very much respect, I have given the Passports desired by Captains Mitchel and Carpenter. All these Businesses give me trouble for which I charge nothing; I hope there fore that the Gentlemen will in return do some thing on my Recommendation, and that is, to let me see their Names in the list of Subscribers for the Relief...
9From 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....
10To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 15 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I expect this will be handed to you, in the course of a few weeks, by a particular Friend of mine, Mr Willm Burn of the house of Messieurs Burn & sons of Lisbon: He is the Gentleman, whom in two late letters I solicited the favour of You to procure a Passport for (to be sent under cover to Messrs. Freres Aubert Tollot & Co. Turin) that would enable Him...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 7 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am to beg the favour of you to inform me by first post, If the following American bills of Exa. are good ones; They are lodgd in my hands by a Countryman who waits to know their fate; that is, whether others of the same tenor & date have, or have not been paid. A letter sent to the former direction by Post, W.S. C—— at N——os Coffee Ho. with such...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 9 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Our friend Mr. B——n having given me an oppertunity to convey a letter by a safer conveyance than that of the common post, I make free to inclose it to you in order to be forwarded to Mr W——n should he be out of P——s. I have but a few minutes before Mr. B—— closes his packet to appologise for the freedom I take & to offer my services here. I am not many...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 30 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very sorry to be so frequently troublesome and repeatedly asking favours of You; But when I reflect on your readiness to do good, & that my present application is to help a deserving Man, I flatter myself I shall stand forgiven. Dr. Upton Scott of Annapolis in Maryland is necessiated to seek His way back to His Country, Family & Home, by the same route...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favr. of the 26th. ulo. got safe to hand, & I have consulted with Mr. H—— on the mode of distributing your benefactions to some unhappy sufferers— A vessel saild from Plyo. with 100 on the 5th. Int. There remains there but 86 and what is rather singular there is pardons lodgd for 68 of that number agt. the return of the vessel. Means are taking to...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 20 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I hear Capt. Cunningham is confined in England a Prisoner. I desire you would take care to supply him with Necessaries that a brave Man may not suffer for want of assistance in his Distress.— I ordered Payment of your Bill but it has not yet appear’d.— I am ever Your affectionate For Gustavus Conyngham’s capture near New York in April see XXIX , 670n. He arrived in...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 18 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Mine of the 12th. & 14th. Inst. have I suppose got safe to hand— The last would give you some idea how matters stood at the parting of our friend with another personage in regard to a certain matter: The opening was auspicious & the parting favourable to our wish— Since that period till yesterday the affair remaind in embrio; others I apprehend were...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 3 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I hope e’er this that the picture of your valuable friend, has reachd you. I have been very uneasy abot. it & wrote to Mr Bowens (who long ago acknowlegd the Rect of it in safety & that it shoud be forwarded) to clear up to you where the stoppage was occasiond. I am almost afraid to pay your valuable frd. a visit till I hear it is in safety for the...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 30[–31] May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favours of the 14th. 18th. and 21st. Instant. You mention one of the 12th. which is not come to hand. I never had nor have I now the least Expectation that any Good can come of the Propositions made to certain Persons. Whatever is reasonable and prudent for them to do, Seems to be out of their sphere: for hitherto they have constantly rejected the best...
19From 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...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [on or before 27 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Public Record Office, London I wrote you lately that Jones was not to be found here consequently the Bill irrecoverable from Him. He is at Am——m. playing his tricks so I understand. The person who accepted the Bill & acknowleges the acceptance, may be obligd by Law to pay what has been advancd on it. I hear our sick frd is better— His disorder...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 4 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am very sorry to be troublsome to You, but I find great difficulty in procuring my pass, & am not likely to get one without You will indulge me so far as to write a line to the Lieutenant de Police to grant me one. I have taken Dr. Bancrofts advice about it and He advises me to send the inclosd out to You either for alteration or to get a note to the...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 18 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am sorry you have had so much trouble about Jones’s Affair. When he borrow’d of me the 30. Guineas, he gave me the enclosed Bill; acquainting me that he could command Money at Bordeaux where he was going, and would pay it there to my Order. He never went to Bordeaux, but is gone back they Say to London. Thirty Days Sight of Such Bill, is in reality 30 Days date...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 22 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I beg leave to recommend to Your usual civility and attention the Bearer of this my friend Docr. Plunkett, who means to take a journey in a few days to Holland & France; and should He return from Paris directly hither He will obligingly take charge of any thing you may have to send to this quarter. You will find him a good friend to the rights of...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your Bill on Mr. Grand will be paid. I am much obliged by your kind Letters, and pray you to continue them. I find it an Endless and fruitless Business to consider and give Opinions upon Propositions of Peace, drawn up by Persons who have no authority to treat. I hope You will therefore excuse my Silence on yours. I can at present only thank you.— We are in daily...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 14 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The reason why you could not find out W. Peters by your letters was that they were directed to Nottingham instead of Liverpoole.—I have done the needful towards Your request & make no doubt of soon hearing frm him for He is in want . I gave You a few lines by private conveyance the 12th. Int since which nothing conclusive has been done on the matter I...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 15 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In Answer to yours relating to Capt. Cook, this may inform you that I sent Copies of the Enclos’d to all the American Cruizers then in the Ports of france and spain with orders to our Agents to communicate them to others that might touch there. I also sent it to holland to be printed in the Dutch Papers, as a means of making it more generally known to our Cruizers at...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 25 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am happy to inform You that I have found out Mr. Peters after I had given over hopes of Him & supposing Him dead. He desires of me to place the remittance intended for him in the hands of Messrs. Fuller & Co. Bankers in London to whom I have applyd to accept my bill on You for the one hundred pound you limit Me to go to, but they being unusd to...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 11 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr Barber the Bearer of this & several other letters to you which was given Him yesterday, has been good enough to wait a day, for the good tidings I expected to forward relative to the Compliance of the Admiralty with the terms of the two Cartel Ships which came lately from Boston. These terms are made known to you in my letter of yesterday. Some of...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the China portrait of Washington in good order, But no other you mention. Nor has the Picture of the good Bishop ever yet appeared, I begin to be in pain about it, having heard nothing of it from any Place on this Side of the Water, and I have more than one Reason for setting a high Value on it. Your Favour of the 20th. & 29th. past came duly to hand, and...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The person whom you lately wrote to me to supply with necessarys for releiving his distresses in confinement, was servd as well as He could be by Agents on the spot & much to his satisfaction & wish. He got away with others of his Company (among them the owner of two bills for 60 and 36 Ds. lately forwarded to you for acceptance by a private hand) on...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania A friend of mine, Mr Renny of Phia, promising to put this into the post Office at Ostend, I set down to mention what I omitted to do in my two last letters the 24 & 26th. inst, which was only to offer you from Mr Sam Hartley some more good Jama. Rum (wch He has laying at Dunkirke) and of wch. you once before had a little. If any is wantd, we can with...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 14 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having the promise of getting this safe into a Post office on the other side of the water I have stept into a Coffee House to inclose to you the Satys. and yesterdays Gazettes of the Amn News. Much joy was expressd on the rect of the first wch came remarkably quick from N York, but was as most Gazettes are lookd upon as nothing the day after. There were...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since I wrote you the 6th. Int. no alteration has taken place with regard to Mr Laurens confinement & treatment. No person whatever has been permitted to speak to Him, but it is said any person may who will apply for a Secy of States order to do so.— I hear of none of his friends who have made any attempts to do so; I suppose from thinking any stir made...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The letter of Sepr. 18 with an inclosd Bill reachd me but a very few days ago, & I immedeately made the necessary enquirys about Mr Jones. This Genn. [Gentleman] is not in England but I hear He is coming this way, & is at present in Amsterdam, where (I suppose) he is playing similar tricks to those He has imposd upon You. The good old Doctor of whom I...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours inclosing a very obliging Letter from Mr. President Banks. The Congress cannot be said to have ordered the Instructions I gave, tho’ they would no doubt have done it, if such a Thing had been mentioned to them. It is therefore not proper to use any farther Endeavours to procure a Medal for them. I do not indeed perceive that one is intended for me as...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges: Two Letters, 15 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer of this Letter, Mr Fabroni, has obligingly given me an oppertunity to send the inclosd to You.— He is a young Gentleman of distinguishd worth from Italy, and has been some time travelling with His ingenious Friend & Companion Mr Fontana. They mean to spend a few days at Paris on their return...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 31 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Altho my letter if opend in France may have a tendency to render you suspected of improper correspondence, I cannot as an Englishman refrain from congratulating you on the favourable turn of our affairs since my last letter of the 23d Inst: Stocks have got up two pr. Ct. within this few days, principally owing to accounts brought from America by the...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 1 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I calld again this day at the office where a Bill given you was made payable & I could learn no intelligence of mr. J. G——d more than I had before: He was in the Country but where or when He returnd no one could tell. I have no ansr. to the letter wrote to him (& left at the office) wch. containd only an enquiry whether the Bill was good or not. Dr....
39To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 18 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I recivd your letter of the 30th ulo. [ultimo] & forwarded Mr Peters Letter thro the means of His Bankers Messrs. Fuller, son & Co. The Spectacle glass has also been deliverd by our frd J T—p—e who was the person that applyd for it. He talks of pushing homewards very soon via Holland. A particular friend of mine, left for me about 3 weeks ago, both with...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I communicated what you desird in a letter of Octor. 18th. to the friend who has of late been often the subject of my letters. His reply was abundance of thanks to you, desiring His best wishes & respects &ca &ca. I have been out of the line of communicating with Him since about the 25th of last month, but I often hear from him by message of a Friend....
41To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my letter to you of the 12th. I have seen Jas Garnet who is loungeing & going so idly about the Streets, & whom I have detected in so many lies, that I think it necessary to apprise you of Him in order that Monsieur Chamont may be warnd not to pay too implicit faith to what Garnet may write. He told me had drawn two Bills on Him before He gave me...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 26 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I risque a letter in the common post in order to forward you the Kings Speech— I wish it had been couchd in terms more likely to produce the blessings of Peace. His Majestys Speech &ca Novr 25. 79. My Lords & Gentlemen I meet you in Parliament at a time when we are calld upon by every principle of Duty, and every consideration of Interest, to exert Our...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 11 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I receivd Your favour of the 30th ulo. & find by it only one of my letters have miscarryd. By mentioning the dates of my letters I did not mean to draw you into answering any of them but meerly to assertain their safety; I well know how much better Your time is employd than by answering letters of little import, never mind me, but when you have any...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am afraid the Commn for the purchase of the Books &ca. will take me so much time as to make you suppose I neglect it, but they are old & by so many authors that I find it difficult to collect them. They shall be forwarded as soon as possible— The Accot agt. Capn. Gustavs —— was forwarded the 11th Int. I mentioned to T——e what you requested— He got the...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 9 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am without any of your favors since that by Mr. Luard, & my last to you are of the 9th. & 17th Decr. I wish to have some other name than that of Franklin to direct to, & put under cover to Monsr. Grand; as it will pass better in the Post Office, & be more secure in point of my personal safety—in one of my late letters I mentiond that of B: Forbes , as a...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The last mail brought the needful for your Friend Mr. W. P——rs’s remittance, & I immediately placd it to His credit in the Bank he requested, taking the proper rects. &c. The Excha. being rather unfavorable he lost seven shillings by the Bill; but, from his late letters, I make no doubt the remittance will be highly acceptable to Him. From there being a...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 4 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have risqued two letters to you very lately, and having an oppertunity by private conveyance I repeat to you the substance of them. Mr. Peters’s affair has been settled to His wish as you will see by his inclosd Letter. I am rather surprisd that my bill forwarded the 9th July had not appeard on the 20th Augt.— but suppose it is at the Bankers unknown to...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote You by a frd the 14th Inst. which I suppose will reach you before or abot the same time with [ this ]. I mentiond the defection & going over of Genl Arnold to the British. For this noble action He has found many advocates here, & the ministry are mightily elated therewith; putting it upon defection in the American Army, strong discontents &ca...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 21 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was in hopes to have given you some tidings as to the bargain I was about to make for the House but as yet I am little advancd. My Brother this day slightly urgd the necessity of another meeting &a. on the business but it was “ a serious matter deserving contemplation & should be attended to ”— I have done the needful as to Mr W——P——s but have not yet...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 18 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania As the bearer Mr Jones is known to you as well as his companion Mr Paradise I need not ask your usual civility to be extended to them. They are two excellent men & of the right sort to fix themselves in our Country where I am not without hopes of seeing them settled in a year or two. They will wait upon you immediately on arrival at Paris & return...