11To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress B V: presents his most affectionate respects to Dr. Franklin, and is unfortunately so engaged to day, as not to be able to accept of his kind welcome. B V’s brother acted for the best, but not being privy to circumstances, misunderstood him.— Tomorrow evening B V will however call at Passy, unless inconvenient to his friend, and directed otherwise. Addressed: A Monsr /...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 28 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your friendly remmbrences of me by the bearer of this is so flattering, I could not permit his return to you without making my Acknowlegments by letter for so pleasing a marke of your esteem, It allways gave me and Mrs. West the greatest satisfaction to hear of your health—a confirmation of which I have not only recived by our friend, but have now before in...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Simon-Benjamin Duvivier, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Médaille dont Votre excellence m’a chargé est gravèe et je la regarde comme finie, je desirerois avant de faire tremper les coins avoir lhonneur de vous en montrer les Epreuves pour profiter de vos avis pendant quil en est encore temps. Pouriez vous me fixer un jour ou je pourois estre sur de vous rencontrer chez vous, ou bien en venant a Paris voudriez...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 30 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having this day negociated to Mr. John Augustus Byrne of this City the four Bills as undermentioned the first & second of which I have heretofore transmitted to you, & not being advisd by your Excellency of their Acceptance or payment I think it proper to mention the 1sts. of sd. Bills are accepted in your hands. Mr Byrne remitts them to his Banker Mr....
15To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Sowden], [1 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last post I had the honour to write and forward you a Letter to the care of that Young Gentleman who was charged about ten weeks since with the delivery of my Large packet for Messrs. Rumsey and Gordon jointly, and who, in a Line that accompanied it to Yourself, I told You had lived many Years with me. As it is of importance You should have that Letter, I...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 18 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu vôtre lettre avec beaucoup de plaisir parcequ’il y avoit long temps que je n’avois eu de vos nouvelles et De celles de mon Papa et de ma maman. J’ai donné le gouter que vous m’avés acordé et je vous en remercie beaucoup j’en fus très content ainsi que tous mes amis je ne vous envoie pas une pièce de dessin parce qu’elle n’est pas tout à fait finie...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [c. 15 September 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avouë qu’il y a très longtems que je ne vous ai écrit c’est pourquoi je vous écris une lettre assez longue pour vous donner de mes nouvelles. Je pense toujours à vous et je vous envoye pas la pièce de dessin, parceque je veux en faire quatre differentes je fais tous mes efforts pour vous contenter et pour avoir un autre prix l’année prochaine. Je crois...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lest by some accident I should miss the opportunity of travelling with the courier, I sit down just to tell you that I am prepared to depart the instant I hear the commission is sealed, which by the Chancellor having been at Buxton has been for some days delayed. I have got together the different articles committed to my care to procure, and shall not...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Congress has ordered me to prepare and lay before them a State of the pay Rations and Subsistence of the Officers and Men in the Armies of the different powers in Europe—as these often vary I have no means of procuring the necessary information with accuracy from any books I have seen— I am under the...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avoue qu’il y a longtemps que je ne vous ai écrit cependant je pense toujours à vous si j’avois eu plus de temps je vous aurais écris en anglois il y à aussi longtems que vous ne m’avès ècris mais je sçais bien que ce n’est pas de vôtre faute et que c’est les affaires qui vous en enpechent. J’espère que vous aves reçu mon prix dans la derniere lettre je...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society J’avois promis de vous envoyer dans ma première lettre une pièce de dessin, mais ce sera pour une autre fois, m’empressant de vous écrire aujourdui pour vous apprendre que j’ai remporté le prix pour avoir mieux traduit un morceau de latin en françois que les autres écoliers; ce prix se donne publiquement dans léglise cathédrale et par le premier...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg to introduce to your acquaintance my friend Dr. Lister, whom I first became acquainted with at Edinburgh, and who was there a good deal respected for his good character and assiduity, and who I find bears an equal character among his connections here in London. I know him to be a person of very amiable & honorable character in his private conduct,...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [17 or 18 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am arrived once more in this town, and wish to be blessed with one hour’s conversation concerning myself and a brother. You know from my friend Williams that I am obliged to leave my name at Lord Stormonts in consequence of the note I before wrote to him; and if you could give me an interview at a neutral place till I have gone through the ceremony of...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Full of Impatience to recieve a letter from you in order to know the state of your health & whether you consent to my having a wathch as I Desir’d by my Last, I write yo the present Letter, to ask again that Favour and repeat to you that I have not reciev’d the Parcel of Books mention’d in your Letter of the 7 Jan. 1783. I have receiv’d Lately a letter from...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This Line will be presented to you by a very ingenious Gentleman, M. Kempel, inventor of the Automaton that plays at Chess. He has other Inventions in Mechanics of a more useful Nature, which he has Thoughts of communicating in England, if he can meet with Encouragement. I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities & Counsels, and am ever, with sincere Esteem &...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [before 19 November 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a letter with some philosophical papers which will reach you as soon as I find an opportunity, & by which you will be informed of the reasons of my long silence. In the mean time I proceed to give you some necessary intelligence. You perhaps have heard that I have made a connection in the family of Mr Manning, a West India merchant; & that Col...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 7 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society So peculiarly a good Opportunity as by the hands of your amiable Grandson, I could not let slip, without thanking you for the Favour of your Letter by Mr. Pigot. I am much obliged by those Terms of respect & Sentiments of Good-will you are so Kind to express relative to Me & Mine. I still wait the happy Issue. No material Alteration has yet happen’d in the...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberte to wright to you for to tell you that I am in good health M Marignac Gives his compliments to you and says that I am a good boy I will do all that can for to be the first of the class M. Cramer is in good health give my compliments to my cossin and to cochran and to Deine A have notings mor for to tell you for the presente. I am your...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If I was to permit my friend and nabour Mr. Green to visit Paris without convaying this to your excellency, I should think myself defecient in that friendship I have ever wished to shew him. He is an Artist of distinguished merrit in Mezzatinto engraving, and has done most of the esteemed prints in that manner from my paintings. He visits France in the line...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Guild, 5 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society About six weeks past I arrived at l’Orient from Boston. Since my arrival I have purchased a Brigantine at private sale in l’ Orient and wish to dispach her immediately for Boston. Should therefore be much obliged to your excellency for a passport, that, as she is American property, she may go under the American flag. Her dimensions are 50 feet keel, 18 feet...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 31 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have no pretensions to trouble the person affording me this conveyance with a large pacquet, otherwise I might send you more sheets. We are indeed just finished; only that I have expectations of procuring your preface to Mr Galway’s speech, and in consequence the epitaph; all which can very easily be inserted. Indeed it was through great carelessness that...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Louis Galissard de Marignac: Bill for Benjamin Franklin Bache’s Schooling, [5 … (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Franklin doit pour la pension de Monsieur son petit fils depuis le 5e. 7bre. 1780 jusqu’au 5. Fevrier 1781. 5 Mois £229 — ” — ” — Papier, encre & plumes 2— 10— ” — 4. Rubans de queuë 1— 6— ” — pre. [paire] boucles 1— 3 — ” — Canif
33To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 12 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous écris cette lettre pour vous donner de mes nouvelles et pour vous en demander des vôtres je ne vous l’écris pas en anglois parceque je n’y suis pas bien perfectionné mais la première lettre que je vous ècrirai je vous l’ècrirai en anglois et je vous enverrai en même temps de mon dessin. J’ai deja fait un joli paisage et j’ai entrepris un autre petit...
34To 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...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 5 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received my very dear Friend’s Letter of the 9th April, with the Pacquet accompanying it. I leave the whole Management of that Edition in your Hands with great Confidence, as I am sure my Pieces will be improv’d by your Attention to the Matters you mention.— I have sent a little Paper to Dr Ingenhauss, which I have desired him to give to you, or to Dr Priestly...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 30 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have not been able to bring our business to a conclusion within a sheet , and I choose to send the whole together: It cannot now be more than a week. The Bp. of St. A. has given another motto for a head that is engraved;— “ Non sordidus auctor naturœ verique .” I hope I am not usually presumptuous or sanguine; but I guess you will not be displeased with...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous avouë qu’il y a Longtemps, que je ne vous ai écrit, Mais il y a encore plus longtemps, que je n’ai eu de vos nouvelles; j’aurois aimé que mon cher cousin ou mon ami Cochran m’eussent ecrit; si vos ocupations, comme je le pense, vous empechoient de le faire Monsieur Marignac et moi aurions été tres en peine, si nous n’avions pas eu de vos nouvelles...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 29 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress B. Vaughan presents his best respects to Dr: Franklin and incloses him some papers for perusal at his leisure . He sends them for several reasons. To shew, first, that neither his head nor his heart have been unoccupied upon the subject of America; to prove in the next place, under what disadvantages every man enters upon the subject, without information from thence;...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 26 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I have just received the enclos’d Letters by the Chevalier Kermorvan. By the Conversation I have had with him he appears to me skilful in his Profession. I hope in a few days to be strong enough to come to town and attend my Duty in Congress. In the mean time, I could wish you to introduce the Gentleman where it may be proper, and that you would translate the Passage...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed I believe is what you wished; and it is of the party’s hand writing. His account of himself may be natural, and it may be otherwise. But you of course will be the best judge. On Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock I shall bring the lady we spoke of to visit you, according to your kind permission.—The more I see of her, the more her appearance of...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 18 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I profitted so much by your kindness and conversation while I was abroad that I cannot refuse an Application from a young Student for a letter of introduction to you in order that he may assist in obtaining your Mantle and transporting it to your Native country before you leave our world.— The bearer Dr Saml Griffitts has genius and an insatiable desire for...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous ecris cette lettre pour vous dire combien je m’amuse a Geneve parceque Mr Marignac a loué une petite campagne près de la ville d’ou nous venons tous les matins pour aller au college et nous nous en retournons tous les soirs et nous y couchons mais une chose qui me fait bien de la peine c’est que la foire na pas eu lieu a cause des affaires de Genève...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a long Weariness caus’d by not receiving Letters from any of my freinds. I write you to engage you or My Cousin to write me the state of your health. I have heard from Johonnot that our Good General Washington intend’s coming to France. I heard also from the Same that you have made medals for the Liberty of my Dear Country having Said Before Mr...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 23 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you a few Days since by Mr Williams, but I omitted some Newspapers which I had intended to send by him: I now inclose them. They contain sundry Articles relating to the Barbarities exercis’d by the British in America; and as you had borrow’d of me a Paper containing an Account of those committed by Lord Cornwallis, and thought there might be some...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai Reçue votre lettre du 10 Septembre elle m’a fait un très grand Plaisir parcequ’elle a mit fin a vôtre long silence car j’etois en peine de vous n’ayant point de vos nouvelles. J’ai regardé vôtre silence à Legard des livres dont je vous ai parlé comme vôtre Consentement et comme Mr Marignac craignoit qu’on ne les vendit il les a acheté. Je suis très...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 423–4. I cannot but in the most earnest manner and from recent circumstances, press your going early to Versailles to-morrow; and I have considerable reason to think, that your appearance there will not displease the person whom you address. I am of opinion...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 11 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : partially reproduced in Christie’s auction catalogue, “Important Autograph Letters from the Historical Archives at Bowood House” (London, Oct. 12, 1994), p. 34; William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 388–9. In mine of yesterday, which went by Mr Young, I made no mention of yours of May 11. it not being...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 17 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed letter to Mr Coxe is from one of his family.— I have taken the liberty of addressing it to your care. Your conveying it safely to Mr Coxe will Oblige a worthy family, and Sir Your most Hble Servant Addressed: The Honble: / Benjamin Franklin Esqr: / Minister Plenipotentiary / from the / United States at / the Court of Versailles. Endorsed: Dr...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have receiv’d the 24 May your kind letter dated the 2 and Mme Montgomery’s which was inclosed in it, By Mr Ridley Conductor of the young Morris’s as well as the medal you please to Send me you Refuse me a wacth I dont Insist on asking it no more. I thought that I could obtain one for 2 reasons 1° Every Boy of my Society has one or gold or at lest Silver...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth and Benjamin West, 16 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : McGill University Library I received by the hand of Mr Strange, and contemplated with great Pleasure, the Representations of my dear Friends Mr and Mrs West, & their Children, contain’d in the fine Print they have been so kind as to send me. I pray God to bless them all, particularly my Godson, and grant them to live as long as I have done, & with as much Health, who continue as hearty...
51From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I should have been at Versailles this Morning as you desired, tho’ I had no clear Conception, from what you said to me, how my going could be of Use; but late last Night I received a Note from M. de V. [Vergennes] which postpones the Interview till tomorrow at 10 aClock. Your Brother tells me that you would have come out here to day if you had not imagined I...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, [before 25 December 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Translation: American Philosophical Society Jai reçu vôtre lettre avec le prix que vous avès obtenu et qui m’a fait un grand plaisir j’ai reçu il n’y a pas longtemps une autre lettre de vous dans laquelle vous ne faites pas mention des longues lettres que je vous ai ecris environ le 25 de septembre, dans les quel il y avoit une lettre pour vous de vôtre Maman et une autre de cokran: je vous ai...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Oliver has written me a letter from Barbadoes, desiring me to procure from my connections letters to the French Governors of Grenada & St. Vincents; in both which islands he has property, more particularly in the former. As I take for granted this hint was intended for you , and will be such as your opinion of him will induce to comply with; I take the...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Waterhouse, 18 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your obliging Letter of the 16th past, enclosing one from my dear Friend Dr Fothergill. I was happy to hear from him, that he was quite free of the Disorder that had like to have remov’d him last Summer: But I had soon after a Letter from another Friend acquainting me that he was again dangerously ill of the same Malady; and the Newspapers...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I Reciv’d your Letter dated the 7 January the 18 of the same month. I wrote your Letter a little in a hurry because the night was coming on and that I wanted to put the letter to the Post office that made me forget the date but I will try to forget it no more. I have not receiv’d the parsel of Books you mentioned me in your letter that you had sent to...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Pierce et al., 3 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The known goodness of your disposition and firm attachment to the Welfare of America has emboldned us to make application to your Excellency in this manner in preference to any other, being destitute of Friends in France, and ignorant of the method made use of for the redress of grievances. Some of us applied, upon our Arrival here to Captain Landais...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 3 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your Letter, and it gave me great Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival at Geneva, & of your being plac’d in your Pension. You now have a fine Opportunity of learning those things that will be reputable and useful to you when you come to be a Man; and you will make your Father and Mother very happy to hear that you mind your Studies and improve daily,...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Louis Galissard de Marignac: Bill for Benjamin Franklin Bache’s Schooling, [5 May–5 … (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Franklin doit pour la pension de Monsieur son petit fils depuis le 5e. May au 5e. 7bre 1780 £175.10.” Papier, encre plumes & cahiers 4. ”.” pr. racommoder ses bas 3. ”.” Une Médecine 1. ”.” pr. l’achat de 12. Mouchoirs 9.10.” pr. une ligne ”.12.” comptes à Mr. Aval 10.10. ” Prix des bonnes Notes ”.10.” pr. differens ports de lettres 5.”.”
59To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [29 September 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous écris ce petit mot pour vous dire combien L’arrivée de Mr Cooper Johonnot m’a fait de plaisir et je vous assure que quand vous m’enverrès des americains cela me fera on ne peut pas plus de plaisir. Je me perfectionerai dans peu de temps dans l’anglois il me parle deja beaucoup et je lui reponds comme je peux je me porte très bien. Je suis toujours...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [5 November 1782 or later?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I find that I can go off with convenience very early on Thursday morning; and therefore if agreeable, should wish you to give me your letter for Mr: T: T: tomorrow evening , as it may furnish with me with a probable occasion of speaking to that gentleman about certain affairs. Mr: H:’s letter may come under cover to me by a courier.— The very moment a certain event...