1To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 20 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Grandson being on the point to return to France, I cannot deprive myself the pleasure of sending by him this mark of that friendship and esteem I have ever had for you; and at the same time to express the satisfaction Mrs. West and I have had in seeing in England one we ever had much love and reguard for, (Mr. Temple Franklin) his good sence and...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Morel Dufaux, 12 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If real Services rendered to the Subjects of the united States in the most Critical times when no Soul durst to Employ himself for, fearing blame, can Entitle to Claim of the protection of your Excellency, I flatter I have an undoubtfull right to it. Those Important Services I have already mentioned in a memoir I had presented to your Excellency but having...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Morel Dufaux, 11 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society For a while past Messieurs Veuve Dque. Morel & Self had the honor of writing to your Highness. Tho’ not honoured with an answer, yet I make it bold Humbly to beg of your Highness to accept my petition with regard to obtaining a prefference for the Consular office in Dunkirk. Thro’ the Channel of Mr Grand Banker in Paris we had occasion to render Important...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Harrison, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Assembly of this State have voted a Statue of our late worthy Commander in Chief General Washington, and have directed one side of the Pedestal to be filled with an inscription, the other three with the Dress are left for the exercise of the genius of your humble Servant & his Council, who are all too little acquainted with a business that requires such...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 15 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In reply to your favor of the 5th: instt. I send you the Extract from the English translation of Kæmpfer’s history of Japan Vol. 2nd. Book 5. c. 6. p. 444–5, as follows. “The candles brought in at night, are hollow in the middle; the wick, which is of paper, being wound about a wooden stick, before the tallow is laid on. For this reason also the...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I could not deprive myself the pleasure of convaying these few lines to you by my friend Mr. Dagge, he means to see you, and has been so Obliging to promis he would give this letter to you; I told him the jurney he was about to take, I almost envyed, as I should be happy to see you once more; Your friends hear have been flattering themselves with the...
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 Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Harrison, 28 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will introduce to you Mr William Short, a Gentleman of my particular acquaintance, and a member of the Council of this State; you will find him the agreeable Gentleman, a man of considerable abilities, and in every respect worthy your civilities at [and] attentions, to which I most earnestly recommend him. He goes to France to join his intimate friend...
9To Benjamin Franklin from William Augustus Miles, 11 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is by the express desire of my friend Sir Edward Newenham that I transmit you the inclos’d printed extracts from the irish Papers. It will afford me a real pleasure to hear of them having arriv’d Safe and in the interim I have the honor to remain with the utmost respect Sir Your most obedt: & most Oblig’d Hble Servt Notation: Miles Oct 11. 1784— Who had...
10To Benjamin Franklin from the Conde de Aranda, 20 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : Library of Congress L’Ambassadeur d’Espagne a l’honneur de remettre à Monsieur Franklin Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale la Léttre ci-jointe, qu’il vient de recevoir de Madrid, et il saisit cette occasion pour lui reiterer les assurances de son fidele attachement. Undoubtedly Carmichael’s letter of Sept. 13 (misdated as August), above.
11To Benjamin Franklin from John Charretié, 23 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr Charretier presents his respects to Mr Franklin, and sends by the bearer two parcels he brought from London. Mr. C was obliged to go to Versailles immediately on his arrival but will have the honor to wait upon his Excellency when he returns Addressed: B. Franklin Esqr / &c &c &c / at / Passy Notation: Charretier 23 Oct 1784— These parcels were doubtless...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society It is long since I have heard from you. The present is the first opportunity I have had for writing to you by a private hand, & my ignorance of the party still prevents my being particular. You will receive herewith a parcel of books. I am sorry not to have another copy of the Cincinnati at hand, with one or two other pamphlets, but these shall come by...
13To Benjamin Franklin from John and Angelica “Carter” [i.e., Church], 10 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr & Mrs Carter Request Dr. Franklin to do them the Honor to dine with them on Saturday next. The Favor of an Answer is desired. The son-in-law and daughter of Philip Schuyler. BF had learned the husband’s true name, John Barker Church, in October: XXXVIII , 546; XL , 263–4.
14To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 20 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Captain Paul Jones returns his respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin and has the honor to accept his kind Invitation for Dinner on Thursday the 25th. Instant. Addressed: His Excellency / B. Franklin Esquire &c &c / Passy This is the first of several responses to BF ’S invitation to dinner on Dec. 25. None of the actual invitations has been located.
15To Benjamin Franklin from ———, [on or after 14 October 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je crois devoir vous prévenir que Confiér les affaires de Mr Chaffert a de Baumont C’est a proprement dire donner la Brebis a garder au Loup ce dernier ayant fait cent Coquinneries dont quatre l’ont conduit en prison la derniére a la fin de juillet sans compter le courant Et notament des billets quil s’est fait faire par Chaffert soit disant pour Nouriture....
16To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 28 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Je joins icy M. le nouveau Saufconduit que vous avez demandé en faveur du Sr. Williams par la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 18 de ce mois. Il est Sans doute instruit de la necessité de le faire enregistrer au Bureau des gardes du Commerce.
17To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 15 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I took the Liberty of writing to you by the favour of your Grandson sometime since —and It is only from very urgent Reasons that I am induc’d again to trouble you, which I hope you will be so good to pardon. I have not ever mentioned to you myself, any other part of my unfortunate History, but that of being intirely deprived of the Society of my amiable...
18From James Madison to Benjamin Franklin, 20 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose herewith a letter from Mr. Limozin of Havre de Grace. The external address to me, was made on a supposition of my being an attending member of Congress; and as I find from a note within the letter, in order to make me acquainted with the circumstances which were to be laid before Congress. With the highest respect and esteem I have the honor to be Sir, Your most...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Canier, 9 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Major Canier (of Dublin) presents his Respects to his Excellency B: Franklin; he is just arrived from Dublin and is bearer of a Letter from Sir Edwd Newinham to his Excellency; he requests to know on what Day and at what hour he can have the honor of Delivering the Letter to his Excellency.— Notation: Canier Dec. 9. 1784. Nov. 6, above.
20To Benjamin Franklin from Luigi Pio, 12 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. de Pio a l’honneur de presenter ses hommages à Monsieur Franklin, et de lui envoyer le IV. volume de l’Ouvrage de Mr. filangieri de Naples avec sa lettre aussi. Filangieri’s letter is above, Oct. 27.
21To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 18 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I received the Favour of your Letter of 22d. past last Saturday Afternoon only. By some Accident the superiour pleasure I had on Its arrival was defer’d so much longer than your Goodness intended It should. I am indeed more obliged to you than I can express. The material Services It renders Me are exceedingly enchanced by your ingenious & generous Condition. It suits...
22To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Lucet, 30 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Lucet Sre. des commandements de Mgr. Le Pce. de Soubise a L’honneur d’assurer Monsieur Francklin de ses devoirs, et de luy envoier un Paquet Pour luy qui est Venu Sous l’envelope du Prince, et qu’il a Prefferé d’envoier a Passy a la demeure connüe de Monsieur Francklin, qu’a L’hôtel de M. Le Rai de Chaumont qu’il ne connait Pas. The secretary of the royal hunting...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 21 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I will not affront your grandson by supposing that I can inform you of any thing passing here at this moment more perfectly & fully than he himself can explain it to you. The same thing has been true during his whole stay here. I may say indeed of himself, what he will not be forward to tell you; that he has been relished & respected here; and has always...
24From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 1 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Major Jackson has just informed me of his intention to embark next Week for Europe—Tho’ he has already had the honor to be introduced to you I could not let him depart without expressing my esteem for his character and my wish that he may experience any civilities it may be in your power to shew him. With the most respectful attachment I have the honor to be Yr Excellys Most Obt & Most Hble...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Cadet de Vaux, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Ce 14 Janvier 1784 Mr Cadet De Vaux a l’honneur de presenter son respect à Monsieur Frankelin, et il le previent que la farine de Maïs est actuellement a Paris; il se propose sous le bon plaisir de Monsieur Frankelin de lui faire parvenir cette Farine a Passy par la voiture de l’homme qui apporte les eaux. Notation: Cadet de vaux 14 Janvr. 1784.
26From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 28 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Doctr. Franklin and sends him some newspapers received from America, which when he shall have perused he will beg the favor of him to send to Mr. Adams. RC ( PPAP ); addressed: “A Monsr. Monsr. Franklin Ministre plenip. des etats unis d’Amerique à Passy.” Not recorded in SJL . The papers sent have not been identified.
27To Benjamin Franklin from Geneviève-Elisabeth Belamy Le Veillard, 22 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Me. Le Veillard souhaite le bonjour a monsieur franklin et le prie de venir ce soir prendre le Thé avéc elle. In her husband’s hand.
28From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 1 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Platt who will have the honor of presenting you this letter, & his Lady are going to England, & probably to France: Should the latter happen, I would beg leave to recommend them to your kind notice & civilities, as respectable citizens of this place. I am, &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
29From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Doct: Witherspoon I believe is known to you, consequently it is unnecessary for me to inform you that he is among the most respectable Citizens we have in the United States. Business carries him to Gt Britain, & business or inclination may possibly lead him to France—in which case I persuade myself he will partake of those Civilities and attentions, which you bestow so liberally upon every...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Graf von Schönfeld, 13 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Baron de Schönfeld a l’honneur d’assurer de ses hommages Monsieur Franklin et de Le prier de vouloir bien faire passer par son Paquet à Philadelphie, la lettre ci jointe pour le Sr. Thieriot. Il Le prie d’agréer ses excuses et ses remercimens. The Saxon minister, who roughly a month earlier had sent BF an undated invitation to dinner on Thursday, Sept. 18...