1981To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 23 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M De sarsfield Envoie Savoir des Nouvelles de Monsieur franklin et le prier de lui faire Lhonneur de diner demain chez lui avec Made la duchesse d’Enville. Elle n’est a paris que pour fort peu de Jours et Monsieur franklin aura peu d’occasions de la voir parce qu’elle y est Sans Sa maison. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Ministre / plenipotentiaire...
1982From Benjamin Franklin to James Woodmason, [10 January 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I have lately receiv’d yours, without Date, acquainting me that the Paper I ordered is at length finished, & will be sent by the first Ship to Amsterdam, which I am glad to hear. If not already gone, please to insure it, and send me your Account. Present my affectionate Respects to your good Father, and believe me to be Sir, Your assured Friend &...
1983From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 19 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Haverford College Library; AL (draft) and partial copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I duly received yours of the 7th. per young Mr. de Neufville, enclosing the Pamphlets, of which I gave one the next Day to M. Beaudoin. It was so long since we had heard from you, that we feared you were sick. I inclose sundry American News-papers, out of which perhaps some thing may...
1984To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. William Vernon Junr of Boston son to the president of the Navy Board of the Eastern department having been with me these three Years past intending to return shortly to America is desireous to pass a few Days at Paris. Permit me to introduce him to your Civilities his Prudent conduct in the midst of sceenes of disipations has procured him very...
1985To Benjamin Franklin from James Searle, [26 January 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Searles Compliments wait on Doctor Franklin. Mr. S, is much obliged by the Dors. Kind invitation to dine with him on sunday next. But as Sunday is a Day on which he knows the Dor. has a Number of his Friends with him & as Mr. S. wishes to have much Conversation with Dor. Franklin he must decline the honour of dineing at Passy on that day, but will be...
1986To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 5 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cou’d not set out so soon as I intended but expect to be in Rouen tomorrow night and shall be back by Saturday or Sunday at farthest unless some unforseen accident detains me a day or two longer. The inclosed letter is just recd. Be so good as to take care of it ’till I return, the writer is generally well inform’d and thoroughly to be depended on. By the...
1987To Benjamin Franklin from Antonio Francesco Salucci & fils, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’heureuse conclusion de la Paix, et l’Indipendence des treize Provinces Americaines, par la quelle ces Peuples fortunes ont à Votre Excellence des obligations Majeures, offrent à la Toscanne l’occasion, depuis si long tems desirée, d’entamer un Commerce des plus ètendus, et de former des Liaisons capables d’apporter le plus grand avantage aux deux Nations....
1988From Benjamin Franklin to Charles James Fox, 10 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: Public Record Office; press copy of LS , and copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me by Mr Grenville, whom I find to be a very sensible, judicious and amiable Gentleman. The Name I assure you does not with me lessen the Regard his excellent Qualities inspire. I...
1989To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 30 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Letters were intended to be sent some time ago by Mr. Jefferson, who went as far as Maryland as a Commissioner for Peace, but he being recalled; I now commit them to the care of Mr. Restife, a Gentleman that came over with the Minister of France, he appears to be a good kind of Man, & has been very intimate in our Family— We are...
1990From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 19 inst. You have my free Consent to communicate the Letters you mention (and any others that I have written) to M. L. Ambr. de F. He is a wise Man & our Friend, and his Opinion & Advice, when he may think fit to give it, cannot but be useful in our Affairs. As to that M. Str. I saw him twice with Mr. de Ne. when I was ill with the Gout;...
1991To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We make bold with the inclosed Letters left to our care, to mention to your Excellency, that we have send last saturday by Expres the dispatches received from Passi for Mr. Dumas to the Texel; I went my self to the Hague, and those H. E. the Ambassador had received, caused him to write for the Comodor of the American Squadron, whome he had some conferences...
1992To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Tucker, 24 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: Library of Congress The Request made in your last Letter is so very just and reasonable, that I shall comply with it very readily. It has long appeared to Me, that You much exceeded the Bounds of Morality in the Method you pursued for the Advancement of the supposed Interests of America. If it can be proved, that I have unjustly...
1993To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Walpole, 10 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Wharton having signified to me by Letter that in the present unhappy Situation of Affairs in America he apprehends he cannot be of any use in the further Application to Government for Lands on the River Ohio, he therefore finally closed his Account on the 17th August last against my self and Associates, and sent me his Note of Charges, which are...
1994From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 4 July 1749 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent word today to N. Holland, that you desired to see him, and offer’d him my Horse. He sent me word, he could get a Horse in the Neighbourhood, and would wait on you. I return you Smith’s Travels with Thanks. I send you also Wr. Pope’s Life of Ward Bishop of Salisbury. I am, Sir, with great Respect Your most humble Servant Endorsed: Benj: Franklin July...
1995To Benjamin Franklin from Grey Cooper, 29 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, press copy, and transcript: National Archives I have received the Honour of your Letter, in which you acquainted me that you understood that the Health of Mr. Laurens suffered by the Closeness and Rigour of his Confinement in the Tower, & after complaining of the Harshness of this proceeding, you request me to endeavour to obtain for Mr. Laurens such a Degree of Air and Liberty as may be...
1996To Benjamin Franklin from [Ferdinand Grand], [on or after 11 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Grand arrive de Paris avec Mr. Boux, pour avoir L’honneur de voir monsieur Franklin cet aprés midy, chez lui ou chez Mr. Grand comme Monsieur franklin aimera le mieux. Monsieur Deane viendra aussy entre 3 et 4 heures. Mr. Grand sera bien aise de voir monsr. Carmikael á son retour de Versailles et avant qu’il aille à Paris. Addressed: a monsieur /...
1997Gabriel de Sartine to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 16 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have received with the letter that you did me the honor to write on the 12th of this month, gentlemen, the copy of the letter addressed to you by Mr. Schweighauser, agent for the United States of North America at Nantes, on the subject of the escort that he, together with several other American merchants, requests for a number of vessels that they hope to send off toward the end of the...
1998To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, [3 January 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mrs. Howe’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, she encloses him a Letter she received last night, and returns him many thanks for his very obliging present, which has already given her great entertainment. If the Docter has any spare time for Chess, she will be exceedingly glad to see him any morning this week, and as often as will be agreeable to him, and rejoices in having...
1999To Benjamin Franklin from John Thayer, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The world in general attributes to You the most perfect benevolence. They have long conceiv’d the idea that the good of mankind was the end of all your valuable writings & of all your endeavors. Every body thinks You a Yorick in ev’ry tender sensation, that your heart sympthetically vibrates with the miseries of your fellow creatures, & that your soul is...
2000To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 4 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 244. Upon a night’s reflection it is thought right that you be possessed of the inclosed, to be afterwards returned without taking copy in case no business be done. Will you let me know by the bearer if we are to see you in town to day, and when, that I...
2001From Benjamin Franklin to Conrad Weiser, Jonas Seely, and James Read, 30 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Grand Lodge F. and A.M. of Pennsylvania We are just on the Point of setting out for Bethlehem, in our Way to Reading, where we propose to be (God willing) on Thursday Evening. The Commissioners are all well, and thank you for the Concern you express for their Welfare. We hope to have the Pleasure of finding you well. No News this Way, except that Aaron Depui’s Barn was burnt last Week,...
2002To Benjamin Franklin from Edme-Jacques Genet, 2 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’apprens avec le plus grand plaisir par la lettre dont vous m’avés honoré, que vous approuvés l’usage que j’ai fait des lettres que vous aviés bien voulu me confier. J’ai actuellement deux no des affaires de l’angleterre prêts à paroitre: je n’attens que des nouvelles directes d’amerique, que j’espere recevoir par votre canal, suivant la promesse que vous...
2003To Benjamin Franklin from Pothonnier & Cie., 27 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons receu hyer l’honneur de votre Lettre, qui nous laisse dans l’Incertitude Si les lettres de Change en acquit de Compte du Vau. [Vaisseau] Lariel Seront acceptés, nous avons eu celuy de vous prevenir que cet [c’est] notre Maison qui à acquittée toute la dépense de ce Vaisseau, par les Traites que Mrs. Gourlade et Moylan ont fournies Sur nous dont...
2004To Benjamin Franklin from Peter P. Burdett, 5 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon the News of your arrival in France I did myself the honor of writing to you at the particular request of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Baaden, as well as from the pleasure I felt upon your return to Europe. This letter in all probability never reached your hands, or if it did, the multiplicity and importance of your present engagements,...
2005To Benjamin Franklin from Etienne Caÿrol, 7 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis trop delicat pour allér sur les brisées de qui que ce soit, et je n’eusse point pris la liberté de vous offrir mon ministére, si Mr. Coder par sa lettre du 16e juin dernier ne m’eüt marqué étre chargé de complettér avec Mr. dubourg l’équipèment de deux mille hommes, sur des modèles agréés, qui seroint finis par tout ce courant juillét, et que mon...
2006From Benjamin Franklin to a French Friend, [June 1772]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: printed in Pierre-Joseph-André Roubaud, Histoire générale de l’Asie, de l’Afrique et de l’Amérique … (5 vols., Paris, 1770–75), V , 90. Les Américains ne le cédent ni en force, ni en courage, ni en esprit aux Européens. So dated by Roubaud. BF , he says, was writing to a friend in Paris after the appearance of Cornelius de Pauw’s Recherches philosophiques sur les Américains …,...
2007From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 9 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library I receiv’d yours of Feb. 9. with the Bill for £200 for which I thank you. I shall take care to send the Lower Case Brevier r’s, that you write for and acquaint Mr. Strahan with what you mention. The Loss of Faulkner and Lutwydge has baulkt Correspondence between Philadelphia and London a great deal. I lately receivd the enclos’d from Edinburgh, and sent the Answer...
2008To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday was presented to me another Bill of Exchange for 1100 Guilders, drawn on Mr Laurens 25th. Feby. 1780. I have, as usual, asked time to write to your Excellency, to know if You can be responsible for the payment: if not, they must be protested, for there is no Money to be had here. Indeed if there was a...
2009To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you a gazzet that Came out on the 5 day of this month which Surprised me much after hearing So much Taulk about Giveing the amerricans Everey thing but Bringing the Shugers Directley from the west indies that they Should issue an order of Councel for there owen Ships onley. I have taken Care to Send two of the Gazetts one by Each Ship Bound to...
2010To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-André Mongez, [April? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me proposois depuis longtemps d’avoir L’honneur de vous remettre le troisieme volume de notre dictionaire d’agriculture dont vous avés bien voulu accepter les deux premiers; mais des affaires me retenant a paris, je vous prie de vouloir bien en accepter L’hommage, qu’il m’eut été bien flatteur de vous rendre moimeme. J’apprends, Monsieur, que L’on vient...