1451From Benjamin Franklin to James Partridge, 2 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Reprinted from Christie’s, Fine printed books and manuscripts including Americana (December 16, 2004), lot 384. Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Partridge, & begs his Care of the enclos’d Letter to Govr Pownall now at Marseilles, it relating to the Affairs of Mrs Barry. Mr F. takes the Liberty Mr Partridge was so good as to allow him of sending a Packet to his Care for Mrs...
1452From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 4 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your Excellency will perceive by the inclosed Passports the Grounds on which they were given. The Person to whom they were granted is apprehensive that they will not be a Sufficient Protection against French armed Vessels, & desires to have like passes from your Excellency, which if there is no impropriety, I beg may be granted to him. With great Respect, I have the...
1453From Benjamin Franklin to David Barclay, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin … (3d ed., 2 vols., London, 1818), I , 123–4. I received yesterday your favor of the 27th past, which I immediately answer, as you desire to know soon my opinion respecting the publication of a certain paper. I see no objection, and leave it entirely to your discretion. I have had several letters from...
1454From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 24 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We din’d at Bristol, and got here last Night in good time; the River was hard and firm, and we got well over. Sir John Sinclair came to us and very obligingly offer’d his Chariot and four for the rest of the Journey. This Morning we set out for Brunswic. The Thing I wanted to mention to you, but forgot, was; that in the Hurry of our Arrival from Chester I...
1455From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 5 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I have received the honour of your Letter dated the 25th. past, advising me of your Drafts for Forty Thousand Livres payable to the Order of Captain Joiner, which I shall accept when they appear. No specific Sum having been mentioned to me by Col. Laurens, as what would be wanted to fulfil his Orders in Holland, I think...
1456From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 27 November 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and duplicate: Yale University Library I inclose you a Bill of Philip Gibbes jr. drawn on Messrs. Lascelles and Maxwell, Merchants in London, for £50 Sterling. Also a Bill of John Hutchings on Mr. James Buchanan Merchant London for £50 Sterling which I hope will be readily paid. Twelve Pounds in these Bills is what I received of Mr. Dove for Mr. Young; the remaining £88, please to carry to...
1457From Benjamin Franklin to John Kirke, 3 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
LS : The James Monroe Memorial Foundation Yours of the 1st. of April I received, with a Bill enclos’d for £25 Sterling, which when paid I shall dispose of as the Directors of the Union Library Company desire: But it will fall far short of discharging Mr. Keith’s Account, who says the Orders he has receiv’d for Books will amount to about £100, and seem’d surpriz’d that a larger Bill was not...
1458To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 15 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
A long and painful Illness has prevented my corresponding with your Excellency regularly, but I paid the Bill you drew upon me and advised me of in your last Letter. Mr Jay has I believe acquainted you with the Obstructions our Peace Negociations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By the next Courier expected from London, we may be able perhaps to form some Judgment of the...
1459From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 15 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have just received a Letter from Corunna of which I take the Liberty of enclosing a Translation. Your Excellency will see by it, that you formed a right Judgment of Gillon’s Intention in leaving behind him the Vessels that he had agreed to take under his Convoy, viz. That instead of going directly to America, he would Cruise for his own...
1460From Benjamin Franklin to Courtney Melmoth, [on or after 28 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I should have been flatter’d exceedingly by Mrs. Melmoth’s showing the least Inclination for one of those Portraits, when Mrs. Izard accepted the other, and should have presented it to her with the greatest Pleasure. She did not appear to desire it and I did not presume it of Value enough to be offer’d. Her Quarrel with me on that Account is pleasing: The...
1461From Benjamin Franklin to J.F. Frin & Co., 28 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I return your 49 Bills accepted, as of the Day on which they were presented. The obligations of Congress, mentioned to you by Messrs. Cromelin and fils ought not to have been brought to Europe, their Operation is in America and they must be returned thither and produced annually to the Treasurer in order to receive the interest. As the Obligations are if I am not...
1462From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 8 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 3d Inst. I find the Arms are to be sent in one of the Kings Ships. I inclose an Order for the Cannon which you say You can take as Ballast. The other Particulars of your Letter I shall endeavour to answer to morrow. With great Esteem I am, Dear Sir, your most obedient & most humble Servant. A muster...
1463From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
L , AL (draft), and copy: Library of Congress The Bearer Mr. Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny. as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens,...
1464From 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...
1465To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-François de Boy with Franklin’s Note to John Laurens and Laurens’ Response, May 7 [–on … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Sent to you the Copy of the Certificate, and too that of the Some Sundry papers, from the War Office who Given to me, because I have Lost’d my Comission from the Hble. Congress, when the ennemies have Taken Brunswick, and too Besides all my things. I shall desire to Go again in your Country, if you Can Employ me, as you will please, very much oblige, to...
1466From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Johnson, 22 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Enclos’d I send you a Copy of Some Resolutions of Congress that I have lately receiv’d. I request to know whether you purpose to undertake the Business; and if so, when you think you may be at Leisure to enter upon it. I have the Honour to be, with great Esteem, Sir &c. BF certainly sent a copy of the Sept. 29 congressional...
1467From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 3 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I received duly your Favours of July 14. and August 14. I hoped to have answered them sooner, by sending the Passport. Multiplicity of Business has I suppose been the only Occasion of Delay in the Ministers to consider of and make out the said Passport. I hope now soon to have it, as I do not find there is any Objection made to it. In a former Letter I propos’d...
1468From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 25[–27] October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress With great Difficulty and after much Enquiry my Correspondent in England found out the residence of your honoured father and furnished him by my orders with an hundred Pounds sterling.— I have a Letter from him acknowledging the Receipt of it; and he writes one to you which I forward by this Conveyance. He desires me to give you my sentiments what Channel may be best...
1469From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Woodward, 10 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft ): American Philosophical Society Desirous of being reviv’d in your Memory, I take this Opportunity by my good Friend Mrs. Blacker, of sending you a printed Piece, and a Manuscript, both on a Subject you and I frequently convers’d upon, with similar Sentiments, when I had the Pleasure of seeing you in Dublin. I have since had the Satisfaction to learn that a Disposition to abolish...
1470From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Foxcroft, 2 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook copy): Library of Congress I received yours of Oct. 23. with Invoice and Bill of Lading for the Bread and Flour you shipt per Osborne, and am much oblig’d by your Care in procuring and sending it so readily. I hope you have recovered your Health. Present my best Respects to your good Brother and Sister, and believe me with sincere Regard, Your most obedient humble Servant These...
1471From Benjamin Franklin to William Vassall, 19 June 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard College Library I received your Favour of the 9th Inst. with the New System of Morality. We have nothing lately publish’d here fit to send you in Return. A few Copies of the Enclos’d have been just printed at New York, at the Expence of the Author, who is a Friend of mine. His Intention in this small Impression, is, by distributing the Pieces among the few Learned and Ingenious...
1472From Benjamin Franklin to Lotbinière, 8 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Pierpont Morgan Library Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Lotbiniere, has receiv’d his observations on the Government of Canada, thanks him for communicating them, will take care of them, and return them safely. Addressed: A Monsr / Monsieur le Marquis de Lotbiniere / à Paris The loan had presumably been arranged at breakfast the day before; see BF ’s note above of the 6th. He...
1473From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of Jan. 3. per Packet, and one from Sally. I wrote to you very fully by the late Ships. This is only to let you know I am well, and particularly that my Arms, which you enquire after, have perfectly recover’d their Strength. Your Account of Mr. Coleman’s fresh Disorder, grieves me exceedingly. I have had a Visit from Mr. Bache’s Sister, who...
1474From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 26 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress As soon as I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of Writing to me relative to the Exchange of Capt. John Bell & his Son, I wrote to the Owner of the Black Prince to know if they were not Hostages for the Ransom of their Vessel. I have now received an Answer, that they are not Ransomers, but merely Prisoners, their Brigantine Hopewell having been...
1475From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 22 January 1773: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 118. J’ai imaginé depuis quelques tems une nouvelle forme de chauffoir, ou espece de cheminée d’une construction différente, qui donne plus de chaleur, en consumant moins de bois; mais il lui manque quelques-uns des principaux avantages de ma premiere machine, et elle a quelques...
1476From Benjamin Franklin to Larwood, Van Hasselt & Van Suchtelen, 22 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 14th. Instant respecting some Bills in your Hands drawn on Mr. Laurens by Mr. Hopkinson. Be pleased to inform me at what Sight they are payable; and if I shall see a Prospect of having Funds in my Hands sufficient, I will accept and pay them. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your &c
1477From Benjamin Franklin to the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 9 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Vicomte Foy, Paris (1957) J’ai reçu, ma chere Amie, votre Lettre infiniment obligeante, et depuis ce temps Je n’ai fait que songer au charmant Projet d’aller à Sanois, passer quelques Jours avec vous. Je souhaiterois de tout mon coeur être en état de l’exécuter; mais plus J’y pense, et plus il me paoit impraticable: car Je me sens moins en état de marcher que la derniere fois que J’eus le...
1478From Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, 29 August] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Seth Kaller, Inc., White Plains, New York (2006) I received last Night your Letter from Calais, and was glad to hear you were so far safe.— When I liv’d in London, there was a Letter-founder of the Name of Moore who liv’d somewhere near Moorfields. He made Printing-Presses of a new Construction, which I lik’d much, and bought one for Lord le Despencer. I have undertaken to procure one...
1479From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade & Moylan, 5 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote to M Williams on the 27th. Ult. inclosing an oder to the Commanding officer of the Alliance to take on board that frigate as many of the arms &c as he could conveniently Stow, and to give a Receipt for the same. I at the same time signified my Desire to have the Arriel fitted and dispatched with the utmost Expedition. M Williams is now here and consequently...
1480From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 31 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress I have just received from M. De la Fayette a Letter, containing the Paragraph, a Copy of which I enclose praying your Excellency to cast an Eye on it. If you should not disapprove the Proposition it contains in favour of my Grandson, I am willing he should embrace this Opportunity of improving himself, in seeing the...
1481From Benjamin Franklin to [Lord Howe], 20 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : American Philosophical Society The Temper of the Colonies as professed in their several Petitions to the Crown was sincere. The Terms they proposed should then have been closed with, and all might have been Peace. I dare say your Lordship as well as my self, laments they were not accepted. I remember I told you that better would never be offered, and I have not forgotten your just...
1482From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Hunter Morris, [18 May? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives , series I , II , 297. On May 10 General Braddock sent his assistant quartermaster general Matthew Leslie into Pennsylvania to buy oats, corn, and other forage, and wrote Governor Morris asking him to assist, especially with money. Leslie delivered the letter personally on May 16; the governor advanced £500 and sent Secretary Peters to...
1483From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, [late 1771?] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete?): American Philosophical Society Voltaire in his Questions sur l’Encyclopedie , which I have been reading this Morning, gives Translations of several Greek Epigrams into French, to show that the latter Language was as capable of Correctness as the former. I had a mind to try if [I could] not render them more concisely in English, [but have] not succeeded; but you (or some of...
1484From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan I have ordered another Sum into your hands for the Prisoners, and will keep you constantly supply’d so as that you may furnish them with a Shilling each per Week from the middle of November to the Middle of March. I hear nothing from Digges. Do you know what is become of him? I am...
1485From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris and Thomas Leech, 9 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania When your Drafts upon me first came to hand, the Form appearing new to me and very particular, containing as I thought an Alternative at my Choice to pay the Money in 30 Days or in 12 Months, I accepted some of them with the long Day, expecting that a Letter from you would explain your Intention in that Form; but receiving no Line on the...
1486From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 24 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received duly your several Favours of June 25, 26, and 30. with the Papers enclosed. My Lord Dartmouth being at his Country Seat, in Staffordshire, I transmitted to him the Address for the Removal of the Govr. and Lieut. Govr. and Mr. Bollan and I jointly transmitted the Letter to his Lordship from both Houses. I delivered to Mr. Bollan one Set of...
1487From Benjamin Franklin to William Dunlap, 4 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now appoint you Postmaster of Philadelphia, during our Absence, as it will be some present Employment for you till our Return; when I hope to put you in a better Way, if I find you diligent, careful and faithful. I would not have the Office remov’d on any Account from my House during my Absence, without my Leave first obtained. And as Mrs. Franklin has...
1488From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 21 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I wrote a Line to you from your Landing, promising to send you a Copy of the Plan of Union, which I now enclose. We had a great deal of Disputation about it, almost every Article being contested by one or another; but at length we agreed on it pretty unanimously; and Copies are ordered for the several Governments: How they will relish it, or how it will be...
1489From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Columbia University Library Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Jay, and sends a rough Draft of a Letter to Mr Adams, which he prays Mr Jay to correct to his Mind, and then permit the Bearer to copy it fair in his House, that it may receive his Signature, as Mr F. must send it away early to-morrow morning. He requests to know how the Family does, fearing there may be...
1490From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, 2 March 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Franklin, Supplemental Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Part II . … (London, 1753), p. 102. (Yale University Library) I thank you for the experiments communicated. I sent immediately for your brimstone globe, in order to make the trials you desired, but found it wanted centers, which I have not time now to supply; but the first leisure I will get it fitted for...
1491From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I was in great Hopes when I saw your Name in the Commission for treating of Peace, that I should have had the Happiness of seeing you here, and of enjoying again in this World, your pleasing Society and Conversation. But I begin now to fear that I shall be disappointed, as I was in my Expectation of your Company, when I first undertook the Voyage hither.— Mr....
1492From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 25 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Enclos’d with this I send you all my Electrical Papers fairly transcrib’d, and I have as you desir’d examin’d the Copy and find it correct. I shall be glad to have your Observations on them; and if in any Part I have not made my self well understood, I will on Notice endeavour to explain the obscure Passages by Letter. My Compliments to Mr. Cooper and the...
1493From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 30 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , 10. Every other day, since we have been here, it has rained more or less, to our no small hindrance. It rained yesterday, and now again to day, which prevented our marching: so I will sit down half an hour to confer a little with you. All the things you sent me, from time to time, are safely come to hand, and our living grows every day more...
1494From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 22 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of Saturday early this Morning, and am as usual much obliged by the kind Readiness with which you have done what I requested. Your good Mother has complain’d more of her Head since you left us, than ever before. If she stoops or looks or bends her Neck downwards on any Occasion, it is with great Pain and Difficulty that she gets her...
1495From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 7 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you June 13. July 11. July 22. and July 24. I have now little to add, except to acquaint you that we continue pretty well, tho’ I begin to feel the want of my usual yearly Journeys. We shall therefore, having little to do at present, set out in a few Days for Harwich and possibly may take a Trip over to Holland, but purpose to be again in London,...
1496From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 3d. Inst. and I am enrag’d to find that after I had been inform’d the Goods were delivered to you, and had in Consequence paid Punctuably all the Bills, Messrs. de Neufville should attempt to stop these bought of Gillon. These new Demands have been artfully kept out of Sight till now. There is more Roguery it seems in that Country than I...
1497From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 18 June 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of the 13th. April, which I shall answer fully per Hammet, who is to sail in about 10 Days. By that Ship you will also receive a Letter from the Committee with the Petitions to the King, mention’d in my former Letters. I wrote you a long one via Bristol, of the 1st Instant, to which I refer, and beg you would per first Opportunity be very...
1498From Benjamin Franklin to Morel, [after 10 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It was two Guineas that I gave the Person who brought me your Charts, tho’ you mention to have received but One . This makes me think that he is not a Person to be trusted, or else I should send them back to you by him: for Tho’ I would not undervalue your Labour; yet not being Rich I cannot afford to give you three four or five Guineas as you say other Gentlemen have...
1499From Benjamin Franklin to Bariatinskii, [c. 22 December 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I have never before heard of the Resolution of Congress you mention, and I doubt much of its Existence. Nor do I know any thing of the suppos’d Decision in Council at Versailles concerning it. I understand that a Number of the American Officers have agreed to form themselves into a Society for the laudable Purpose among others of relieving their poor...
1500From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, [14 March 1767] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Chronicle, And Universal Advertiser , May 18–May 25, 1767; and The Pennsylvania Gazette , May 28, 1767. This extract appeared in identical form in both the Chronicle and the Gazette to introduce the extended passage from the Board of Trade representation of Feb. 9, 1764, recommending a prohibition of legal-tender currency in all the colonies. The...