1From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; incomplete press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society I have received your Favour of the 30th of September, for which I thank you. My Apprehension that the Union between France & our States might be diminished by Accounts from hence, was occasioned by the extravagant and violent Language held here by a Public Person in public Company, which had that...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have been honoured by your Letters in the Washington, of the 3d. 11th. 13th. 19th of January, and the 26th & 31st of May. Till that Ship arriv’d, we had been totally in the dark respecting American Affairs for near 6 Months. The Correspondence may henceforth be more regular, as 5 Pacquet Boats are now ordered here, to depart from LOrient for N. York the middle...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : New Hampshire Historical Society With this I send you a Copy of the last Contract I made with this Court respecting the late Loan of Six Millions, the Terms of the Loan and the Times of Repayment. It was impossible for me to obtain more, and indeed, considering the State of Finances and Expences here, I wonder I have obtained so much. You will see by the inclosed Gazette,...
4Bill of Exchange Drawn on Robert Morris, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Exchange for £4000. Tournois. At thirty Days Sight of this my first of Exchange, Second, Third and Fourth not paid, Pay to the Count de Langeron or order, the Value of Four Thousand Livres Tournois, in the current Specie of the United States, according to the then common Rate of Exchange, with or without Advice from, Sir, Your humble Servant We publish the...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 23 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut State Library, New Jersey State Library, Virginia State Library, New Hampshire Division of Records Management and Archives, Delaware Public Archives Commission, National Archives When I wrote to you on the 14th: I expected to have dispatch’d the Washington immediately, tho’ without any Money. A little misunderstanding prevented it. That was after some Days happily got over,...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut State Library, New Jersey State Library, New Hampshire Division of Records Management and Archives, Delaware Public Archives Commission, National Archives I received duly your several Letters of Septr. 25th. 27th. 28th. and 30th. October 1st. 5th. 7th. all by Capt. Barney, and October 27th. since. I immediately made the Application so strongly pressed by the Congress for a...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Extract, 14 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives The three millions you mention previous to 1778 were two of them given & the third was an Advance on a Contract with the Farmers general of tobacco. Excerpted from a now-missing letter probably written in response to Morris’ letter of July 1 ( XXXVII , 568–72). An extract of BF ’s earlier response is above, Sept. 26. In Arthur Lee’s hand. During 1777 the...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Extract, 26 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives By letters from the Commissioners formerly, if you have them in your office it may appear to you that the Farmers general, soon after our arrival here, advancd us a million upon a contract for furnishing them with 5000 hhd. [hogshead] of tobacco which were to have been deliverd by Christmas 1778. Only three cargoes, on that account have been receivd by them. I have...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives I have received, many of them at the same time, your sundry letters of March 23. April 8 & 17 May 17 18, two 23 two and 29. It would be a Satisfaction to me if you would likewise mention from time to time the Dates of those you receive from me. Most of your Letters pressing my obtaining more money for the Present year. The late Losses suffer’d in the W....
10From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have long waited here for a good and safe Opportunity of Writing. I have expected from Week to Week that the Departure of the Eagle with the Marquis de la Fayette would be resolv’d on, and that I should have Notice of it. In the mean time some important Affairs being on the Tapis, I omitted writing till they should be a little more advanced. Yesterday M. de...
11From 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...
12From 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,...
13From 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...
14From 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...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 30 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Virginia Historical Society On perusing again your late Letters, I find that you imagine the whole 5. Millions of Florins borrowed in Holland, are free to be Disposed of by your Orders. Here it is understood that there are to be great Deductions, and that little of it remains. I shall obtain in a few Days, a State of the Account which I will send you by various...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Two Letters, 28 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress I received a few Days since by the Marquis de la Fayette, your several Letters of Nov. 27. Dec. 3 et Dec. 4. with the Papers referr’d to, the reading of which gave me great Satisfaction, as they show the Steps you are taking with so much Zeal, Judgment & Activity for putting into good Order our Finances, & restoring the Public Credit. My Notice of this...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 9 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have long feared that by our continually worring the Ministry here with successive afterclap Demands for more and more money, we should at length tire out their Patience. Bills are still coming in Quantities drawn on Mr. Jay, Mr. Laurens & Mr. Adams. Spain & Holland have afforded little toward Paying them; & Recourse has therefore been had to me. You will see by the...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 10 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This Line will be delivered to you by Count Beniousky, a Hungarian Gentleman, who goes to America with Views of Settling there, and drawing his Fortune after him, if he shall like the Country. He is recommended to me by Mr. Gerard, and other Persons of Consideration here, and I beg leave to introduce him to you, and to request for him your Counsels, and...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 5 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Herewith you will receive Copies of my three last Letters to you. I have receiv’d none from you of later Date than the 21st of July, already acknowledg’d: but which I propose now to answer more fully, as I promised.— The Sentiment you express “That no Country is truly independent, until with her own Credit & Resources she is able to defend herself and...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 12 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft), two copies: Library of Congress I have received your Letters of July 13, 14, 19, & 21. all at once by Way of L’Orient. The Originals of those you mention to have sent by Major Franks, are not yet come to hand, nor have I heard of his Arrival in Spain.— Your Letters of June 6 & 8. were remarkably lucky in getting to hand. I think I have receiv’d 7 of the Copies you had the...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Two Letters, 26 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I have just received your very friendly Letter of the 6th of June past, announcing your Appointment to the Superintendance of our Finances. This gave me great Pleasure, as from your Intelligence, Integrity and Abilities, there is reason to hope every Advantage that the Publick can possibly receive from such an Officer. You are wise in...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 3 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Mrs. Henry Sage, Albany, New York (1958); copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of March 31. acquainting me with your having engaged in M. De la Frétés Affairs on my Recommendation. I thank you very much; and beg you to be assured, that any Recommendation of yours will be regarded by me with the greatest Attention. The Letter you inclosed to M. Dumas is forwarded to him....
23From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 10 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer M. Billion des Gayeres goes to America in some Employ relative to the Provision for the Subsistance of the French Troops. His Friends have requested of me a Letter of Introduction to some Friend of mine in Philadelphia. As I know of no one so well acquainted with, & so capable of advising in such Affairs as yourself, I take the Liberty of recommending...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 22 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress My Friend, M. De la Freté, having a considerable Property in the Hands of M. De Rouillac & Co. at Edenton in N. Carolina has sent a Power of attorney to M. Holker to recover the same for him. If you can in any way assist M. Holker in effecting this Business, you will very much oblige Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant....
25From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Boston Public Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress The Chevalier de la Luzerne, who goes over to succeed M. Gerard, will I hope have the Pleasure of delivering this into your hand, and of being by that means introduced to your Acquaintance. He has a most amiable Character here, and I am persuaded will make himself very acceptable to our People, as he has the most sincere Good...
26From Benjamin Franklin to [Robert Morris], [c. 19 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress of mine, M. de la Freté has some Business of Importance to be transacted for him in America. I have taken the Liberty of naming You to him as a Person in whose Abilities & Integrity he may confide for the transacting of it & I recommend it warmly to your best Attention. M. Gerard will communicate to you the Particulars. I am ever, with the sincerest Esteem...
27From Benjamin Franklin to [Robert Morris?], 21 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library I remember that long before I was ordered here, you once did me the Honour to say, you should not dislike being sent to France with me. Since my being here, I have frequently wish’d that Appointment had taken place. I think I should have pass’d my time more comfortably. We are now five of us in this City, all honest and capable Men (if I may include myself in that...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, [on or after 30 December 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Morris, and not knowing what was done by the Committee with regard to the other Prisoners, requests Mr. Morris would direct what is to be done with these. Addressed: To / Robt Morris Esqr BF penciled this note at the bottom of the preceding one, then crossed out his own name on the address and penciled in Morris’. By now BF...
29A Public Notice by Franklin and Robert Morris, 5 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 6, 1775. Mrs. Brodeau, from England, Takes this Method of acquainting her Friends and the Public in general, that she has opened a Boarding School, in Walnut-street, near the Corner of Fourth-street, where young Ladies will be genteely boarded, and taught to read and speak the French and English Language, the Tambour, Embroidery, and every Kind of...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 29 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Understanding since I came hither that 4 Waggon Loads of Gunpowder for New York, which had been landed at the Neversinks, pass’d thro’ here last Friday, I have dispatch’d an Order to our Waggoner, whom I pass’d yesterday at Trenton, to return back with the Ton we spar’d, since it will not be wanted at New York, and may be wanted with us. I hope our...