1Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 3 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is Mr. Ebenezer Platt; with whose sufferings in the cause of America you are not unacquainted. He has lately got released from his confinement in consequence of a Petition from the Committee for American Prisoners. Mr. Platt is desirous of returning to his Country; and every mode but the one through France being stop’d I have taken the...
2Matthew Ridley to the Commissioners, 29 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Meeting accidentally, when in London, with a Manuscript Book of the Commissioners of the English Navy, a few Years back; containing a very accurate description of the Dimensions, Guns, Men &ca. of most Ships then in Commission; various calculations for the purpose of Ship building and repairing; the duties of the several Officers in their different stations on board Ships of War, and other...
3Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 29 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Paris, September 29, 1778: A number of years ago, in London, I came upon a manuscript book of the commissioners of the English navy. It contains accurate descriptions of the ships and their equipment then in commission as well as calculations for their repair and the duties of their officers. Conceiving this...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 24 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Massachusetts Historical Society The memorandum you were pleased to entrust me with relative to the Manuscripts in the hands of J Massey, I sent to my Friend in London, desiring him to apply to Massey about them.— I have a Letter from my Friend by this days Post adviseing me he had made the application, and was told they had been disposed of...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 4 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being much taken up with preparations for my departure to America has prevented me makeing you my congratulations, earlier, on your appointment as sole Commissioner from the United States of America, to the Court of Versailles— Tho’ late, I trust you will not think me less sincere.— My Wishes are, that you may long live to enjoy your appointment; that you...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 6 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Midy de la Grainerais of Rouen being desirous of seeing you to ask some Questions relative to a deed of a Mr. Shaffre’s for Lands in Pensylvania, has begd of me to give him a Letter to you for the purpose.— I have told him I doubted much your power of giving him any Information: but he still wishes to see you— Monsieur de la Grainerais has been...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 7 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley has the Honor to present his Respects to Mr. Franklin & incloses him 14 Bills numbered as underneath which he begs the favor of him to accept & return with the Letter intended for Holland. No. 48 –––––– 12 302 –––––– 18 187 –––––– 300 180 –––––– 18 2571 –––––– 24 661 –––––– 120 492 Dollars Addressed: A Son Excellence / Son Excellence B Franklin...
8To 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...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 2 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr. Ridley has the honor to present his respects to Mr. Franklin.— The inclosed obligation was Sent Mr Ridley by Mr. Johnson for the purpose of procuring a Letter of Marque for a Vessel at Nantes— As Mr. Johnson is very pressing with Mr. Ridley to forward it, he will think himself obliged to Mr. Franklin if he will...
10Matthew Ridley to the American Peace Commissioners, [before 6 May? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my return from Versailles I found a Letter from my Friend Mr. Joshua Johnson at Nantes covering the Inclosed Extract of a Letter from Mr S Chase & sent him by his Brother the Governor of Maryland— Mr. J. Johnson desires me to communicate the Intelligence it contains to you & also to the Ministers of the French Court—it being probably the only authentic...