1411To Benjamin Franklin from Benyowzky, 9 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society N’attendant plus que mon Expédition de la part de Monsieur Le Comte de Vergennes, j’ai l’honneur de Supplier Votre Excellence de vouloir bien me faire expedier Les Lettres, et recomendations qu’Elle m’a daigné si gracieusement promettre; J’ose encore là supplier de vouloir bien m’indiquer Le jour Auquél Je pourrais avoir la grâce de prendre mon Congé de...
1412To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Benyowzky, 23 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Comte de Benyowzki presentant ses hommages a Son Excellence, lá prie de vouloir bien lui accordér un moment d’audience particuliere, il attendra a cet effet, Les ordres de Votre Excellence, pour sçavoir le jour, et l’heure de Sa commodité. Son tres humble, et tres obeissant Serviteur This is his first extant letter since Sept. 25, 1777. Since then...
1413To Benjamin Franklin from Benyowzky, 24 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Comte de Benyowzky a l’honeur, de Lui envoier la premie partie de son memoir en Francois et le Journal de son voyage de Kamtsattka il souhaite que la Lecture Soit agreable; Le Comte de Benjowzky, aura ensuitte encore l’honneur, de Comuniquer a Son Excellence, la suitte de son memoir, et son journal de Madagascar. Il prie encore Son Excellence de vouloir...
1414To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Benyowzky, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Pardon si je prend La liberté de vous ecrire, je vien d’aprendre que un nomé Graubner bourgois de paris, a eté ché vous Monsieur, pour vous importuner par a port [par rapport] une Lettre de change, de mon mary Le quelle a eté doné pour de l’anciene déte de mon bau frére qui a été au Service du Congré, je vous demande mille excuse a La place de mon mary,...
1415To Benjamin Franklin from Bérard Frères & Cie., 20 December 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Lorient, December 20, 1776, in English: When our friends in Nantes told us of your arrival with a consignment of tobacco, we ordered them to buy it if for sale. Your agent cannot treat, they tell us, “without your answer expected.” We will give you the best bargain you can anticipate. You may find out about our firm from Germany, Girardot & Cie. or Tourton...
1416To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas-Simon Bérard, 31 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je Prends la liberté de vous remettre l’Incluse du Capne: John Angus Americain qui commande Le Brig Antonia appartenant à Messrs. La Case & Mallet Negts: à Philadelphie et qui est arrivé à L’orient par ma maison Messrs: Jn: Jes: Berard & ce. Vous priant de vouloir accorder à ce Capitaine une Commission en guerre telle quil la desire et pour laquelle Je vous...
1417E. F. van Berckel to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned, Councilor Pensionary of the City of Amsterdam, has the honor to inform all the gentlemen who find themselves duely commissioned by the congress of the United States of America, that he finds himself authorized by the burgomasters of the city to declare in their name that, assuming the said congress will not enter into any agreement with the English commissioners that would be...
1418E. F. van Berckel to the Commissioners, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Le soussigné, Conseiller Pensionaire de la Ville d’Amsterdam, a l’honneur de faire savoir à tous les Messieurs qui se trouvent duement qualifiés de la part du Congrès des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, qu’il se trouve autorisé par Mrs. les Bourguemaîtres de la dite Ville, de déclarer en leur nom, que, dans la supposition que le dit Congrès rientrera pas avec les Commissaires Anglois dans des...
1419Engelbert François van Berckel to the American Commissioners, [23 September 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society <[Amsterdam, September 23, 1778], in French: The undersigned, counsellor pensionary of Amsterdam, informs the commissioners that the burgomasters of the city authorize the following declaration: assuming Congress will not enter into any agreement with the English commissioners that would be harmful or prejudicial to Dutch trade in Europe either directly or...
1420To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Bérenger, 20 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous aviez parlé de moi et de mon Histoire de Genève avec bonté; vous offriez de m’aider dans mon projet de faire l’Histoire des 13 Etats-Unis, et je crus devoir vous écrire, vous remercier, vous demander des conseils: j’ai fait tenir ma Lettre à un ami alors à Paris, qui devait vous la porter: vous ne m’avez point repondu et sans doute, ou vous n’avez...
1421To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Bérenger, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardon si je vous écris encore: il ne s’agit plus d’un sujet sur lequel votre silence m’a appris à me taire. Cinq jeunes gens partent pour l’Amerique où je voudrais pouvoir les suivre: je les connais à peine de nom; mais ils sont Genevois, & ce nom est toujours cher à mon coeur; ils partent avec l’agrement de leurs Parens; leurs ressources les rendent...
1422To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Bérenger, 1 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bérenger (1737–1807) was a Genevan politician and voluminous writer. Because his family was from Dauphiné he was in the class of natifs , those in Geneva whose civil rights were circumscribed. He became their champion, and was exiled with a group of them in 1770. In 1781 he was allowed to return and subsequently became a figure of importance in the...
1423To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Berington, [after 13 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I feel myself much disappointed in not having found you in Paris, as I had expected. Business, which brought me hither, renders it impossible for me to call on you at present. If I can steal a few hours before my return, I shall with pleasure wait on you. Our friend Dr. Priestley was so obliging as to recommend me to you. I send you his letter with his two...
1424To Benjamin Franklin from Mattheus Lestevenon van Berkenrode, 10 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress L’Ambassadeur de Hollande Sensible a L’attention obligeante de Monsieur Franklin, Le prie d’agreer tous Ses remercimens, et L’assurance de Son Sincere attachement. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin. / Ministre plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis, a La / Cour de France. On April 8 at Versailles, BF presented silver Libertas Americana medals to ministers of the...
1425To Benjamin Franklin from Berkenrode, 3 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur des Etats Generaux, prie Monsieur Francklin, de Lui faire L’honneur de venir diner chez Lui, Jeudi prochain 7 du Mois./. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin. / Ministre plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis de / L’Amerique Septentrionale. / A passy.
1426To Benjamin Franklin from Mattheus Lestevenon van Berkenrode, 25 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de Hollande a L’honneur d’assurer Monsieur Francklin de Ses tres humbles Civilités, et celui de Le remercier du Cadeau qu’il à bien voulu lui faire, en lui envoiant Les Constitutions des treize Etats Unis de L’Amerique./
1427To Benjamin Franklin from Berkenrode, 15 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress L’Ambassadeur de Hollande a L’honneur d’assurer Monsieur Francklin de Ses tres humbles civilités. Il S’acquittera tres exactement de La Commission en question, et fera parvenir a Leur adresse Le paquet qu’il Lui à envoié hier. Court un bruit ici, depuis 24 heures, de nouvelles reçues d’une rebellion dans Les troupes Americaines au nombre de 5000 hommes, aiant des bas...
1428To Benjamin Franklin from Mattheus Lestevenon van Berkenrode, 26 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de Hollande, aiant appris hier a Versailles, que Monsieur Francklin se trouve incommodé, fait demander des Nouvelles de Sa Santé, et a L’honneur de L’assurer de Ses tres humbles civilités. Notation: L’Ambassadeur de Hollande. For BF ’s illness see MacMahon’s prescription of Aug. 23.
1429To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 30 October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library As you was so kind as to tell Mrs. Bernard that you would take care of my Son if he came in your way, I am encouraged to trouble you with particulars concerning him. By a letter dated Octo.9 We learn he is at Bellhaven: and as his Mony must be all spent, and he is not provided with any Papers of credit, I apprehend he may be necessarily detained there....
1430To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 13 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I am favoured with yours of Jan 27. and have received one from my Son dated New York Feb 2 informing that being apprehensive of the badness of the Roads on the change of Weather, He had returned your Horse and intended to take his passage in the Newport packet boat with some other Gentlemen who were waiting for it. However He is not yet arrived. I am...
1431To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 27 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I have this day received a letter from my Son dated Alexandria Nov 27. in which he takes no notice of Any letter or orders from me. When I observe that your letter of Nov. 10. acknowledges the receipt of mine of mine of Oct 30, and expresses that you shall by that post write to some friend of yours to forward my Son to Philadelphia, I must conclude that...
1432To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 14 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library A fortnight ago I took the Liberty to trouble you with a request that you would procure for My Son at Alexandria credit to return to Philadelphia, and a passage from thence to Boston. I have just now received a Letter from him at Alexandria at Mr. Sebastian, A Tavern Keeper there. Altho’ I hope, before this Comes to your hand, that my Son will be...
1433To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 9 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I am favoured with yours of the 28th of March and have ordered £12 12 s. philadelphia currency to be paid to Mr. Williams for which I am obliged to you. The present state of the College here makes it more expedient to send my Son to philadelphia: but I am desirous he may be boarded where he may be under a proper restraint. I have heard that Dr. Ellison...
1434To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 13 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library The Surveyor General having this day acquainted me that he shall to morrow send an express to Philadelphia, I take this oppurtunity to add to the trouble I have before given you on Account of my Son. By the last Post I received a letter dated Alexandria Novr. 16; by which I find he had not then been made acquainted with any orders of yours in his favor,...
1435To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 23 January 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I am favoured with yours of the 11th inst. and am much obliged to you for the trouble you have given yourself of sending a Messenger to Alexandria. I should have proposed this Measure long ago, if I had any Notion that the conveyance of letters to that Town had been so precarious: for tho’ I have had sevral letters from him, yet I cannot find that any...
1436To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 1 March 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I am favoured with yours and shall immediately order the sum of £40 1 s . 10 d . (which I suppose is at 7 s . 6 d . per dollar) to be paid to Mr. Williams. There is still wanting the charge at Annapolis. I have heard that there has been a Dutch trading Ship seized at Anchor at Sandy hook. As the forfeiture arises from importing &c. Is it not worth...
1437To Benjamin Franklin from Gioanni de Bernardi with Franklin’s Note for a Reply: résumé, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Turin, March 20, 1779, in Italian: The reputation acquired throughout Europe by the glorious thirteen American colonies, their success and wise legislation, have aroused in me a desire to see this new republic with my own eyes and offer it my services as a jurist. The best way I can think to accomplish this is to turn to you. I realize that you know...
1438To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, 19 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Un de mes freres cadets vient d’entrer au service de votre république et j’ai cru cette occasion favorable en vous demandant le service de lui faire passer une lettre (dont je vous prie de prendre lecture) de me procurer l’honneur de vous connaitre personnellement. Il y a longtems, Monsieur que je vous connoissois comme grand phisicien, comme grand orateur,...
1439To Benjamin Franklin from François Bernier, 6 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Lorsque j’eus hier l’honneur de rendre mes hommages a votre Excellence, avec Mr. le Marquis de la Salle, en vous engageant a venir voir nos travaux, j’eus celui de vous dire qu’il serait assés tôt sur les unze heures, mais aiant fait reflexions qu’il y a tres peu d’especes a fraper, nos opérations Effigiaires pourraient être finiës dés les huit heures, Jai...
1440To Benjamin Franklin from Count Andreas Peter von Bernstorff, 8 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives; press copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Si Vous etiés un Homme moins connû et moins consideré, j’aurois eté fort incertain au Sujet de la Lettre que jai eu l’honneur de recevoir de votre part, et qui ne m’est parvenue qu’au 31. du Mois de Janvier. J’aurois pû la regarder comme une demarche...