5891To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de la Pleignière, 8 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter in the volume that offers services; the writer apparently hopes that Paris is full of young Americans eager to learn equitation. On April 2 Delaire, in La Rochelle, makes a similar suggestion; it is addressed to Silas Deane, but came to Franklin and is among his papers. The writer has had business setbacks but remains in good...
5892The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 10 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society As soon as the Commissioners to this Court shall have completed any Treaties here and it is in their Power to communicate them, you may depend on their Readiness to comply with your Request. And whenever you shall think proper to appoint a Meeting for the purpose of conferring with them on the other Points mention’d in the Letter you honour’d them...
5893From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 10 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft), AL and French translation: American Philosophical Society I am charm’d with the Goodness of my Spiritual Guide, and resign myself implicitly to her Conduct, as she promises to lead me to Heaven in a Road so delicious, when I could be content to travel thither even in the roughest of all the Ways with the Pleasure of her Company. How kindly partial to her Penitent, in finding him,...
5894To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 10 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Ma fievre est passée mon cher Monsieur franklin et je crois que si je l’avois encor, j’en aurois êtes guerie par le plaisir que votre charmante lettre m’a causé, ainsi que par l’esperence que vous me donnés de vous posseder samedi prochain 14 du courant, jour qui me convient baucoup parce que j’espere que mon fils ainee qui vas mieux poura etre un de nos...
5895To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas O’Gorman, 10 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library A la garde de Dieu et conduite du Sieur Moreau voiturier de cette ville, vous recevrez, dans la journée de Lundi prochain la quantité de treize feuillettes de vin recolte 1775, dont six de rouge et une de blanc premiere cuvée toutes emballées, et six de rouge seconde cuvée sans être emballées, le tout bien soutiré et rempli à tirefonds, bondons rasés et...
5896To Benjamin Franklin from John Emery, 11 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. James Babson of the Privateer Brigantine General Mercer saild from hence in company with three other privateers for New England the 7th Instant. He has left his affairs here in my care and requested me before his departure to write you on the Subject of his prizes which he took and carried into Nantes which he has been Informed were restored to the...
5897To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 11 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My mother had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 11th. of Decr. but never could learn who the Bearer was, therefore could not comply with your request of returning an answer by him: A porter brought it to Mr. Barrows, and demanded a groat without saying whence he came. Immediately upon the receipt of that letter my mother went to Mr. Collinson’s, where...
5898To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 11 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Harvard University Library, Virginia Historical Society In your favour dated the 6th instant which you did me the honour of delivering in person last night, you are pleased to tell me that my proposition about appointing Agents in the Ports shall be layed before the Commissioners when they meet. ‘Tis now five days since I wrote to the Commissioners...
5899From Benjamin Franklin to [William Alexander], 12 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This letter is interesting both for its sidelight on past history, the Stamp Act, and because it was the prelude to one more British effort to negotiate through Franklin. He is commenting on a passage in a pamphlet, which Alexander had passed on to him, by William Johnstone Pulteney. The author, a wealthy member of Parliament and Alexander’s correspondent and business...
5900John Ross to the American Commissioners, 12 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I did myself the honour to address you on the 26th. and 28 Ultimo. Being since without the favour of any of Your’s, Permit me to repeat my request of being informed by you Honorable Gentlemen What has been done with those books and papers carryed off from hence by Mr. Wm. Lee. Yesterday I heard, and not before , of a very timely precaution he took on the day of...