1401From Benjamin Franklin to Ingenhousz, [21 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft), press copy of L , and copy: Library of Congress An Attempt to explain the Effects of Lightning on the Vane of the Steeple of a Church in Cremona , August 1777. Address’d to Dr John Ingenhauss, C. & Archiat. Cæs. &c &c I have taken the Acct. of this Stroke of Lightning from an Italian Piece, intitled, Analisi d’un nuovo Fenomeno del Fulmine , the Dedication of which is subscribed...
1402To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, 21 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. de Beaumarchais présente ses très humbles complimens à Monsieur Le Docteur Franklin, et en reponse à la Lettre que M Le Ray de chaumont lui a écritte au Sujet de Mr Morice. Il vient de persuader ce de[rnier] du peu de fondement que son opposition a[ura] entre les mains de Monsieur, Le Docteur franklin, il ne la fera pas fermer, et il n’est pas meme...
1403To Benjamin Franklin from Cabaret, 21 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay Lhonneur de repondre a vos ordres aiant celuy de Vous observer quil faut pour L’Execution Suivant Votre Model de tres grand papier pour Remplir L’infolio et pour Le grand in 4to il faut prendre de L’infolio Reduit par Les bouts pour former la Largeur. Je joins a la presente 2 feuilles du papier quil faut prendre Pour Suivre Votre model. D’après Votre...
1404To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 21 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoier une lettre que j’ai recue pour vous, de la part d’un jeune homme nommé Saussine, Ministre Protestant dans le bas Languedoc; j’y joins une qui l’accompagnoit et qui etoit pour moi Signée St Etienne autre jeune Ministre de la meme Province, correspondant du Musèe de Paris & fils du celebre Paul Pasteur de Nimes. Ces lettres sont...
1405To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 21 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Having Nothing New to Communicate I will Remain this day at Versailles, and will Wait on Your Excellency in the Course of to morrow’s Morning— Mr. Grenville Has dined with Count de Vergennes, and is Going Again to write to London —if this Goes on, at Least it Goes at A Moderate Gate— I Hope Your Health is Better, and Have the Honor to Be with Great Respect Your...
1406To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [after 18 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’apprends dans le moment mon Illustre Docteur que vous avez envoyé hier chez moi pour me demander de mes dragèes noires parceque vous ètes enrhumé. J’ai compris par la que c’etoit de mon Suc de réglisse et Je vous en envoye un pacquet. Je vous demande pardon de ce qu’il a eté entamé mais je n’en ai pas d’autre. Jespere qu’on vous aura dit que j’ai envoyé...
1407To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 20 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the Instance of a very worthy Friend, I take the liberty of introducing to your Notice, Mr Robt. Milligan, of Cecil County in Maryland; a young Gentleman, I am assured, of great worth & Character, who has been for some years studying the Law in this Country, & now designs to visit Paris on his return to America. From this discription, I am confident, he...
1408To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcripts: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Agreable to Your Desire I Have Waited Upon Count de Vergennes and said to Him What I Had in Command from Your Excellency— He Intends taking the King’s orders this Morning, and Expects He Will Be Able to propose Mr. Grenville a Meeting for to Morrow where He Will Have Him to Explain Himself...
1409To Benjamin Franklin from Vandenyver frères, 18 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Le Sieur henri van Eupen négotiant recommandable de la ville d’Anvers voulant envoyer à Philadelphie Sous pavillon Imperial Son navire nommé le plus Ultra commandé par le Capitaine hermanus kuiebel, nous charge de Supplier votre Excellence de vouloir bien lui indiquer une maison Solide & honnête à qui il Ladresseroit, & de le favoriser d’une lettre de...
1410To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I hasten to answer your respected Favour of the 13 Inst. this moment received.— I am sorry Mr de Chaumont makes so many unjustifiable Difficulties, and agreeable to your desire I will answer your Questions in their Course to refute his ill founded arguments. He cannot avoid paying you Interest on the £50,000 Livres he has had...
1411To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 17 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I had the honour of Addressing your Excellency I have been Very much indisposed, but as I am now better, I hope I shall be able to leave this place on my way to France in a Couple of weeks. Captain Smedleys Vessell will be, I expect, fully Man’d by that time, and the last of her Cargo Might have been on board long ago if it had been found Necessary,...
1412To Benjamin Franklin from Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 17 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à votre excellence les épreuves des feuilles T & V. et de vous prier de me les renvoyer le plustot possible. Je suis avec les sentimens de la plus profonde Consideration Monsieur de votre Excellence Le très humble & très obéist. servir.
1413To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 17 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrot to you in october or Novr. Last from Boston to thank you for the grat present I then recd. throw the hands of young cousen Jonathan Williams, with wich I had no Leter from my Dear Brother nor have I recved any of a Later Date than two years ago Last march, since my Return home my time & atention has been fill’d with sickness & Deaths in the Famely in...
1414To Benjamin Franklin from Bonnefoux, 16 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous avés, Sans doute, entendu parler de la Maladie épidémique qui a affligé et qui afflige encore la ville de Toulouse. La frayeur a été Si grande que tous les etudians de l’université ont disparu. La these dont vous aviés bien voulu accepter la dedicasse n’aura donc pas lieu pour Cette année. J’espere que vous voudrés bien nous Conserver pour un meilleur...
1415To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Clegg, 16 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you on the 12th Ulto, to own the receipt of the Papers you sent to my care for the use of the Company of adventurers, from the Neighbourhood of Manchester. I have been down to see them—and find they are gone too far in the affair to Stop— One of the Company is now in Ireland to provide a Vessel to carry them over: But they have disposed of the Goods...
1416To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I never was more pleased with the Spirit of my Country than upon a late general Apprehension that Sr. Guy Carleton had come from the Court of London with a Design to create Divisions in these States and sow Jealousies between us and our great and good Ally, by Propositions particularly for some separate Negotiations. The Indignity and Contempt with which...
1417To Benjamin Franklin from Francesco Favi, 15 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous envoyer un Livre avec une Lettre de M. Inghenhousz, qui m’ont etè remis pour vous Les faire venir. Si vous avès une reponse à Lui faire je vous prie de m’envoyer votre Lettre rue de Seine a l’hôtel de Mirabeau; je la Lui ferai parvenir exactement. J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec respect Monsieur Votre trés humble, et trés Obeissant...
1418To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Indiana University Library, Bloomington In consequence of your Desire to be informed what Facilitys or Disadvantages the American Commerce enjoyed or suffered in this Place, I sit down to give you a few outlines on the Subject, which may serve to give you a general Idea, and what Questions you may have to ask afterwards, I will...
1419To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you last Post relative to a ship of 300 Tons which is offered for Freight to take out the public Stores. The proprietor of this Ship is Mr Arnoux one of our principal Merchants here & his son in Law Mr Mitchel will call on you to talk on the subject whatever you do with him therefore will be conclusive on Mr Arnoux & I...
1420From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 13 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday, at Amsterdam, the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of June 2. The Discovery that Mr Grenvilles Power, was only to treat with France does not Surprize me, at all. The British Ministry, are too much divided among themselves, and have too formidable an opposition against them, in the King and the old Ministers, and are possessed of too little of the Confidence of the...
1421From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your pleasing Letter of the 1st of May thro’ the hands of Mr Hodgson, and one since by Mr Oswald. You cannot be more pleas’d in talking about your Children, your Methods of Instructing them, and the Progress they make, than I am in hearing it; and in finding, that instead of following the idle Amusements, which both your Fortune & the Custom of the Age...
1422From Benjamin Franklin to [Richard Price], 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received a few Days since your kind Letter of the 27th past, by Messrs. Milford & Brown. It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your Welfare. All that come with a Line from you are welcome. I congratulate you on the late Revolution in your Public Affairs. Much Good may arise from it, tho’ possibly not all that good Men, and even...
1423From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I have never yet been able to settle my Account with M. de Chaumont. I got Mr. Grand to endeavour it, but he is on the Point of giving it up as impracticable. One is never sure of having finish’d any thing [ with ] Mr C. He is forever renewing old Demands or inventing new ones. He now refuses to allow me Interest on the 50,000 livres he kept so long...
1424To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I had Yesterday, at Amsterdam, the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of June 2d. The Discovery that Mr Grenvilles Power, was only to treat with France does not Surprize me, at all. The British Ministry, are too much divided among themselves, and have too formidable an opposition against them, in the King and the old Ministers, and are...
1425To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Least by any Accident, I should fail of a safe Arrival at France, I wish to inform you, that, I have not relinquished the Idea, or by any means, quitted my Resolution but too long since form’d, of waiting on your Excellency on the subject of the two Vessels which some months since I had the honor to represent to your Excellency thro Mr. Lovell, & by my own...
1426To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Inclosed are 2 Letters from Major Franks one for you & one for Mr Jay. The Bills mentioned I have sent to Mr Grand.— What is to be done about sending out the public Stores? There are here two large american Ships now here which will want Freight one of them the Cato of 300 Tons to my address, but these Ships belong to the...
1427To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 12 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you have recieved in du time my last dated april 24 togeather with the Copy of a book in the German language. Mr. le Begue has the original frensh Manuscript in hands, but does not goe on with the printing of it. I take the liberty of begging the favour to peruse with attention the inclosed lettre to mr. Samuel wharton, (of which a duplicate is joined...
1428To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 12 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania As the English Commissioners of peace may probably demand the Island of Porto Rico, either as a preliminary article, or endeavour to obtain it in the course of negotiation; I beg leave to offer the following Idea to your Excellency’s consideration. Whether you cannot, with the aid of the French Minister who must see, clearly, the national Interest...
1429From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 11 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; copy: Library of Congress, transcript: National Archives I did intend to have waited on you this Morning, to enquire after your Health, and deliver the enclos’d Paper relating to the Parole of Lord Cornwallis; but being oblig’d to go to Versailles I must postpone my Visit till tomorow. I do not conceive that I have any Authority in Virtue of my office here to...
1430To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 11 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Major Ross Having Called Upon me this Morning, and Having said that in the Mean while You Give His Lordship’s Conditional Disharge it was Your Opinion I should Give that of the Aids de Camp at the Bottom of which you will Express Your Approbation of the Measure, I Request You will please to Have the Piece drawn up in the Way that Appears to You the Most properly...
1431To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 11 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favour of the 7 June 81 was handed me a few days ago. I understand the Gentleman Mr: Beyerle you recommended Landed at Rhod Island & went to the southward had he Come to Boston your Letter would have intitled him to every Assistance in my power & Given me pleasure. Aunt Mecom paid us a Visit in the Spring & was so fourtunate as to receive your...
1432From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 10 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform you, that I have this day drawn upon you, in favour of Messrs Fizeau Grand & Co for the Amount of Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being for my Salary, for one Quarter of a Year, which you will please to charge to the United states, according to the Resolutions of Congress. I hope I shall not have occasion to draw upon your Excellency for any further Sums...
1433From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received and read the Letter from my dear and much respected Friend with infinite Pleasure. After so long a silence, and the long Continuance of its unfortunate Causes, a Line from you was a Prognostic of happier Times approaching, when we might converse and communicate freely, without Danger from the malevolence of Men...
1434To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform you, that I have this day drawn upon you, in favour of Messrs Fizeau Grand & Co for the Amount of Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being for my Salary, for one Quarter of a Year, which you will please to charge to the United States, according to the Resolutions of Congress. I hope I shall not have occasion to...
1435To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter will be delivered into your hands by Mr Foy a particular & worthy Friend of Mine who is going to Switzerland but intending to make some little Stay in the Neighbourhood of Paris in order to perfect himself in the French Language wishes for the honour of being introduced to you Sir which I now take the liberty of doing and to recommend him to...
1436To Benjamin Franklin from Seth Jaquà, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I eagerly embrace this opportunity of informing your Excellency that I am an American, born in Salisbury, had the Honr. of serving Two years and Six Months as a Lieutenant in Colonel Brown’s Corps and acted as Commissary to Genl. Sullivan’s Camp, had the Misfortune to be taken by a party of the Indians, who lay in ambush on our march to fort Stanwix,...
1437To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress The Annexed is Copy of a Letter which was written to you on the 22d. March last by the Baron D’arndt who had the misfortune to be Captured and carried into New York, he is come out on Parole and informs me that he lost the original Letter wherefore I furnish him with a Copy and hereby Confirm the Contents. I am Sir Your most...
1438To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Vessell is arrived here from Baltimore. She brings Letters dated as late as the 15h: April.— Got out of the Capes the 7th. May— It appears Mons de La Luzerne’s House at Philadelphia had been struck in the Month of April with Lightning— From the account given of it—The House appears in a manner to rent in pieces—some Furniture inside the House burnt & a...
1439Franklin: Discharge of Cornwallis from His Parole, 9 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS , copy and transcript: National Archives; copies: William L. Clements Library, South Carolina Historical Society The Congress having by a Resolution of the 14th. of June last, impower’d me to offer an Exchange of General Burgoyne for the honourable Mr Lawrens then a Prisoner in the Tower of London, & whose Liberty they much desired to obtain; which Exchange tho’ proposed by me...
1440To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 9 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library La peste, mon cher Docteur a derangée tous les projets du Philosophe de Toulouse— il n’y aura ni Thèse ni dedicace— ainsi nous voila quitte de tous ces embarras là.— Je voudrois savoir si vous avez fait une visite à Madame la Comtesse de la Mark comme vous me l’avez promis—si vous l’avez oublier vous meritrez que J’aille à Paris exprès pour vous...
1441To Benjamin Franklin from Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 9 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Vous avez bien raison, Mais sur dix noms Anglais nos imprimeurs font neuf fautes, cela engage à éviter de les répéter; d’ailleurs l’usage a établi ces traductions de noms à tel point dans ce pays ci, que je m’apercois à peine moi même de leur irregularité; tout le monde dit ici le nouveau Jersey et jamais New Jersey &ca. J’ai à ce sujet des altercations...
1442To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Shipley, 9 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Mr Jones is so obliging as to promise he will convey my letter to Passy, I can not resist this good & safe opportunity of writing to assure my very best friend, that among all the events which may possibly arise from the late changes in our Administration, there is no one can give me half so much pleasure as the flattering idea of seeing you once more in...
1443To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Smith, 9 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As a true Subject to the States of ammerecia and our Worthy Alleys I would take the Liberty haveing this Oppertunity to acquaint your honner of a Case which hes bentride [has been tried] in this Iseland and is now Left to your honnors determination that on or About the 25 of febury I being in a Crusing brig Cauled the Lady Greene duly Commisned by Congress...
1444To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 8 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Henry Mitchell of Boston who arrived here in the ship Alexander from Virginia, thinks it necessary to have a Letter of introduction to your Excellency, and notwithstanding I am convincd that an American Subject do’s not stand in need of any to your Excellency, yet to gratify Mr. Mitchells desire I have freely consented to recommend him to your...
1445To Benjamin Franklin from Schweighauser & Dobrée, 8 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 18 dec. last informing you of the decease of our Worthy Parent Mr Schweighauser and are Since without any of your esteemed favors. The chief purpost of this Serves to acquaint You that the King’s Officer has obliged us instantly to remove all the articles of the Arsenal in another Magazine in order...
1446From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 7 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of the 7th of April, also one of the 3d of May. I have always great Pleasure in hearing from you, in learning that you are well, and that you continue your Experiments. I should rejoice much if I could once more recover the Leisure to search with you into the Works of Nature, I mean the inanimate, not the animate or moral...
1447To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 7 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have recd your favor of the 27th Ultimo & your preeceeding Letter with an Acc’t of a Bill you intended for me having been recd by a Namesake of mine for £200— I have rec’d the Money from him tho a good deal alarmed at first at the Circumstances. Administration have given Clothing at their expence to the amount of 20s each man indeed I cou’d not have that...
1448To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 7 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Bowen has by this time received your books, directed to Ostend.— May you go on with the work of peace for which you are so gloriously prepared by the spirit of sweet humanity & an enlarged mind. I think I may venture to say from a knowledge of characters that no liberality YOU introduce herein, will meet with a repulse; on the contrary, that it will meet...
1449From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 6 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me, respecting the Parole of Lord Cornwallis. You are acquainted with what I wrote sometime since to Mr. Laurens. Tomorrow is Post-day from Holland, when possibly I may receive an Answer, with a paper drawn up by him for the purpose of discharging that Parole, to be signed by us jointly. I suppose the being at...
1450To Benjamin Franklin from Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 6 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Pour nous rembourser des acceptations de M. Adams à nôtre domicile que nous acquitons conformement à vos ordres, & dont vous avéz la notte, nous avons pris la liberté de tirer aujourd’hui sur Vôtre Excellence écus 2200. } à 3 usances à notre ordre “ 2300. écus 4500 ensemble dont nous creditons le Compte des Etats unis de l’amerique au Che. de 53 ⅝ en B...