1To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 24 October 178[8] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Hopkinson has communicated to me a Letter of yours with a Proposal of a Mr. Pissot’s respecting his Editions of English Books. I am much oblig’d by your thinking of my Grandson on this Occasion; And if Mr. Pissot will send over a Dozen of each Work as a Trial, I will take Care that the Terms propos’d shall be punctually comply’d with. Our Disputes here about the new Constitution are...
2From 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...
3From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 28 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r . Ellicot delivered to me your very friendly Letter of the 15 th . Instant. I wish he had found it convenient to have staid a little longer with us, for previous Engagements prevented my passing so much Time with him as I should otherwise have done. I promised myself much Satisfaction from his Conversation, and also more accurate and extensive Information respecting our western Country &c...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 15 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Frazer , who will have the honour of delivering this Line to your Excellency, is a Gentleman of respectable Character here, and as such I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities. He has in France a young Sister, who was left there some time since in a Convent for Improvement in her Education, and has it seems been seduc’d to resolve on remaining there; and on abandoning her Relations...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 14 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I take this Opportunity of sending you another Copy of the propos’d new federal Constitution, and of acquainting you that the Box containing the Encyclopedia for me and Mr. Hopkinson is just come to hand in good Order. With great Respect and Esteem I am, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant, RC ( DLC ). Not recorded in SJL but entered in SJL Index and, therefore, probably...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Doctor Gibbons a young gentleman, who after studying physic and taking his degrees at Edinburgh has passed some time here. He has desired the honor of being known to you, and I find a pleasure in being the instrument of making him so. It is a tax to which your celebrity submits you. Every man of the present age will wish to have the honor of having known, and been...
7Constitutional Convention. Second of Benjamin Franklin’s Motion that Proposed Executive Serve Without Pay, 2 June 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 2, 1787. On this date Benjamin Franklin moved that the expenses of the proposed Executive should be paid but that he should receive “no salary, stipend fee or reward whatsoever” for his service. “The motion was seconded by Col. HAMILTON with the view he said merely of bringing so respectable a proposition before the Committee, and which was besides enforced by arguments that...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 18 May 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received by D r White the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 27th of January, together with two Copies of your Defence of the American Constitutions, one for myself for which I beg you would accept my Thanks, the other for the Philosophical Society, whose Secretary will of course officially acknowledge the Obligation. That Work is in such Request here, that it is already put...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 19 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately received your Favour of Dec. 23. The Diplomas I hope are got to hand before this time. I am much oblig’d by your taking care of my Encyclopedie. Mr. Hopkinson will account with you for it. I am glad to learn that every thing is quiet in Europe, and like to continue so. I hope the same will be the case here; tho’ Boutdefeus are not wanting among us, who by inflammatory Writings in...
10To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 3 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have often thought that the Number of People, who by Curiosity and the Admiration of your Character are drawn to call at Mt Vernon, must be very troublesome to you, and have therefore generally declin’d giving any introductory Letters. But my Nephew Mr Jonathan Williams, who was a faithful and active Agent of the United States during the whole War, in shipping Stores, Arms, Ammunition &c....
11From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 11 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
On the 3d of Novr I had the honr of addressing your Excelly a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy. Having heard nothing from you since, I am led to apprehend a miscarriage of it, and therefore give you the trouble of a duplicate: not knowing what reply to make to Sir Edward Newe[n]ham, or what more to do in this business untill I am favoured with your answer. With the greatest respect &...
12From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 27 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
D r White has been So obliging to me, as to take with him to America, two Volumes, one for your Excellency and one for the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, of a Production of mine, Suggested by the late popular Phrensy in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It contains my Confession of political Faith, and if it is Heresy, I shall I Suppose be cast out of Communion. But it is the only...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 23 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of Oct. 8. but the volume of the transactions mentioned to come with it, did not; but I have received one from Mr. Hopkinson. You also mention the diplomas it covered for other persons, and some order of the society relative to myself, which I suppose were omitted by accident and will come by some other conveiance. So far as relates to myself, whatever the order...
14From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 3 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
The letter, of which I have the honor to enclose your Excellency an extract, & the Addresses, came to my hands a few days since. Whether the latter are originals or copies, & whether any steps have been taken in compliance with Sir Edwd Newenham’s wishes, you can better decide than I. Also, if there has not, what is best to be done with the application. If I mistake not, this case militates...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 8 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I obey with Pleasure the Order of the Philosophical Society, in transmitting to you the enclos’d Proof of their Respect for you, and of the honour they have done themselves, in chusing you one of their Members. With this you will receive several Diplomas for foreign Gentlemen in different Parts of Europe, which I imagine you may convey to them thro’ the Ministers of different Courts residing...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of March 20. and much satisfaction from it. I had been alarmed with the general cry that our commerce was in distress, and feared it might be for want of markets. But the high price of commodities shews that markets are not wanting. Is it not yet possible however that these high prices may proceed from the smallness of the quantity made, and that from the want of...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 20 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your Favour of Oct. 5. by Messrs. Fitzhughs, with the Letters and Pacquets you were so kind as to forward to me by those Gentlemen, who have winter’d with us, and are but lately set out for Virginia. I will read du Plessis’s Papers as soon as I can find a little time; and say some thing of them in a future Letter. As to public Affairs, the Congress has not been able to assemble more...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 27 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you on the 5th. of Oct. and since that have received yours of the 1st. of the same month. We were highly pleased here with the health you enjoyed on your voiage, and with the reception you met with at home. This was no more than I expected. Had I had a vote for the Presidentship, however, I doubt whether I should not have witheld it from you that you might have...
19To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 26 October 1785 (Jay Papers)
This will be delivered to you by M r . Houdon, the Statuary of Paris who was agreed with by M r Jefferson and my self, at the Request of the Government of Virginia, to come over & take the Bust of General Washington, in order to make his Statue for that State. He has made the Bust, which is much admired by the Connoisseurs here, and will show it to you. He goes to New York, partly with a View...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 5 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
A Vessel sailing from Havre to Philadelphia furnishes the Mr. Fitzhughs with a passage to that place. To them therefore I confide a number of letters and packets which I have received for you from sundry quarters and which, I doubt not, they will deliver safe. Among these is one from Mr. Du Plessis. On receipt of your letter, in answer to the one I had written you on the subject of his...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 1 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you by a former Opportunity , to acquaint you with our safe Arrival. Mr. Houdon, who had been much perplex’d by the Accident of leaving his Things behind him, has found here the Tools and Materials he wanted, and set out last Wednesday for General Washington’s. My Grandson went the Day after to New York, where the Congress are still sitting, and likely to sit the Year out, having as...
22From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 26 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had just written, & was about to put into the hands of Mr Taylor, (a Gentleman in the Department of the Secretary for foreign Affairs) the enclosed Letter, when I had the honor to receive by Post your favor of the 20th inst. I have a grateful sense of the partiality of the French nation towards me; & feel very sensibly the indulgent expression of your letter which does me great honor. When...
I received your very kind Letter of the 16th, congratulating me on my safe Arrival with my Grandsons, an Event that indeed makes me very happy, being what I have long ardently wish’d, and considering the growing Infirmities of Age, began almost to despair of. I am now in the Bosom of my Family, and find four new little Prattlers, who cling about the Knees of their Grand Papa, and afford me...
24To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 20 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am just arrived from a Country, where the Reputation of General Washington runs very high, and where every body wishes to see him in Person, but being told that it is not likely he will ever favour them with a Visit, they hope at least for a Sight of his perfect Resemblance by means of their Principal Statuary Mr Houdon, whom Mr Jefferson and my self agreed with to come over for the purpose...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 21 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received your Favour of the 18th. I thank you for the Steps you took with the Duke of Dorset, and with Mr. Adams; and hope they will prove effectual. I arrived here extreamly well, not at all hurt or fatigued by the Carriage I us’d, which I found generally very gentle. I embark this Evening for Cowes with Mr. Houdon. I have seen that M. du Plessis twice. He appears a Man of some...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 18 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I heard with much pleasure yesterday of your safe arrival at Rouen, and that you had not been much fatigued with the journey. This gives me hopes that you will find less difficulty in the rest of the voiage. On my parting with you at Passy I went to the Duke of Dorset’s. He was not at home. I asked an hour the next day and waited on him. He promised to write the necessary letters to England to...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 11 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr. Jefferson, and requests he would be so good as to ask either of the Imperial and Sardinian Ambassadors the Favour of forwarding the enclos’d Letters, of which they will make no Difficulty. Mr. F. also recommends Dr. Ingenhauss to Mr. Jefferson, as a proper Correspondent in case he should have any thing to insinuate to that Court. Dr. F’s...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 11 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Franklin requests Mr. Jefferson to do what he thinks is proper on the subject of the Letter inclosed, and afterwards to make answer to the writer. RC ( DLC ); in William Temple Franklin’s hand. Enclosure not identified.
29To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson with a Draft Anglo-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, 8 … (Adams Papers)
We duly received your letter of the 20 th of June, and now in consequence thereof send you a draught of a treaty which we should be willing to have proposed to the court of London. We have taken for our groundwork the original draught proposed to Denmark, making such alterations & additions only as had occurred in the course of our negociations with Prussia & Tûscany and which we thought were...
30Franklin and Jefferson to Adams, with Proposed Treaty with Great Britain, 8 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We duly received your letter of the 20th. of June and now in consequence thereof send you a draught of a treaty which we should be willing to have proposed to the court of London. We have taken for our ground work the original draught proposed to Denmark, making such alterations and additions only as had occurred in the course of our negociations with Prussia and Tuscany and which we thought...
31John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Let me request of you, to turn your Attention as soon as possible to the Subject of a Treaty of Commerce between the United States of America and Great Britain, and transmit to me, a Project that you would advise me to propose in the first Instance. For my own Part I like the Plan agreed on with Prussia so well, that I must request you to send me a Copy of it, and with such Changes as you may...
32John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Westminster, London, 20 June 1785 . Acknowledges their letter of 15 June; agrees “entirely … in sentiment respecting Gratification to be given to Mr. John Baptist Pecquet and the Letter to be written to him.” RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 84, v); 1 p.; at foot of letter: “Their Excellencies Messrs. Franklin & Jefferson.” FC ( MHi : AMT ); in Adams’ hand.
Among the instructions given to the Ministers of the United states for treating with foreign powers, was one of the 11 th. of May 1784. relative to an individual of the name of John Baptist Pecquet. it contains an acknowlegement on the part of Congress of his merits and sufferings by friendly services rendered to great numbers of American seamen carried prisoners into Lisbon, and refers to us...
34Franklin and Jefferson to John Adams, 15 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the instructions given to the Ministers of the United States for treating with foreign powers, was one of the 11th. of May 1784. relative to an individual of the name of John Baptist Pecquet. It contains an acknowlegement on the part of Congress of his merits and sufferings by friendly services rendered to great numbers of American seamen carried prisoners into Lisbon, and refers to us...
I have now the honour to inform you that having shewn my Commission to the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen, and left an Authenticated Copy together with a Copy of my Letter of Credence to the King according to the usage. I had the Honour on the first of this month to be introduced by his Lordship to His Majesty, in his Closet with all the Ceremonies, and formalities, practised on...
Our Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties We are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. Feb. 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter.— I know nothing of Capt Lambs...
37John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 29 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Secretary of State for foreign affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties we are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. Inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. February 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter. I know nothing of Capt....
38To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 2 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
M r Franklin presents his Respects to M r Adams, & acquaints him, that a New York Gentleman, Paul Randal Esq r. is just arriv’d at Paris, and has Letters for M r Adams. He lodges at the Hotel d’Orleans, Rue S t. Anne. He has been with M r Franklin, but not knowing that M r Adams liv’d so near, did not bring his Letters out with him. He intends waiting on M r Adams, but perhaps the Letters may...
39William Carmichael to Benjamin Franklin, 15 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the honor to write you on the 4th. Instant I have received from the Ct. de Rechteren the inclosed copy of a letter from the Dutch consul in Marocco which I forward for the information of the commissioners. I am also advised by Mr. Harrison that the Spanish Consul to the Emperor, but now at Cadiz preparing Presents for that Prince, informed him that he was instructed by the Ct. de...
40The American Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 28 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
We have the honour to enclose an extract of a letter from the Commissioners of the United States of America to Your Excellency dated Aug st. 28 th. 1778. Copy of Your Excellency’s ans r dated 27. Sept r. 1778. & Copy of M. de Sartine’s letter to Your Excellency of the 21 st of Sept r. 1778 all relative to a proposed negotiation with the States of Barbary. Not having any particular authority or...
41John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
According to your desire, I went early this Morning to Versailles, and finding the Count de Vergennes unembarassed with Company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the Honour of a Conference, in which I told him that my Colleagues were very sorry, that Indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in Person, & obliged them to request me alone...
42John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your desire I went early this morning to Versailles and finding the Ct. de Vergennes unembarassed with company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the honour of a conference, in which I told him that my colleagues were very sorry that indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in person, and obliged them to request me alone to...
43The American Commissioners to John Jay, 18 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
We received by the last Packet the favor of your letter of Jan ry. 14. in which we have the agreeable information of your having accepted the appointment of Secretary for foreign Affairs. Besides the general interest we feel in this event as members of the Union which is to availed of your services, we are particularly happy that a channel of communication is opened for us with Congress in...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 15 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed Your Excellency will find a Letter from a Canadian who Requests I would Recommend Him to You— While I was with Congress, I wrote a public Letter Stating the Case of the Citizens of that province who Had Assisted us and were not paid— I Hope a Committee was Appointed to Consider the Affair— So far as Respects Mr. Calvet, I need not See the Lady, But...
45To 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...
We had the honour of receiving your Letter of Jan ry: 24. covering a translation into French of the Draught of a treaty proposed between His Majesty the King of Prussia & the United States of America, together with answers to the several articles. We have considered them with attention, & with all those dispositions to accomodate them to the wishes of His Majesty which a respect for his...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 14 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft), press copy of L , and transcript: Library of Congress Among the Pamphlets you lately sent me, was one intitled Thoughts on Executive Justice. In return for that I send you a French one on the same Subject, Observations concernant l’Execution de l’Article II de la Declaration sur le Vol. They are both address’d to the Judges, but written as you will see in a very different Spirit....
48To Benjamin Franklin from Charles de Butré, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Je viens de lire avec un attendrissement inexprimable les lettres d’un cultivateur américain, elles me confirment dans ce que j’avois toujours pensé Sur la fausse description faite de ce paÿs par l’abbé Raynal historien peu véridique Sur les principaux points de Son histoire politique. C’est une Suite variée des tableaux les plus touchans et les plus...
49To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Library of Congress; AL (draft) Columbia University Library; copy: National Archives; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society You will perceive from the enclosed Resolution of Congress which passed Yesterday That you are permitted to return to America as soon as convenient. This Circumstance must afford great Pleasure to your Family and Friends here, and I am persuaded you will...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Lorenzo Manini, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eté tres sensible à l’honneur de vos bontés, Monsieur, et je Vous en marque ma satisfaction par la version, que j’en ai fait moi même. Ce compliment passe la regle ordinaire, il Vous convient, agréez-le, Monsieur; et si j’ai reussi, procurez moi d’autres occasions d’augmenter, s’il se peut, vôtre celebrité en Italie. Vos Constitutions auront leur tour...