201From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 2 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : New York Public Library Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Adams, with Thanks for his obliging Invitation, which he should accept with Pleasure, but that he finds himself oblig’d to renounce dining abroad, his Malady rendring it on many accounts extreamly inconvenient to him. Mr F. has receiv’d a Letter & some Papers from Mr Grand, on which he wishes to confer with Mr...
202To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 2 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Votre léttre mon aimable papa m’a fait un sensible plaisir, mais si vous voulés m’en faire un plus grand restés en france jusqu’au moment ou vous verrés ma sixiéme génération, je ne vous demande que quinse ou seise ans, ma petite fille sera mariable de bonne héure elle est belle et forte: je goutte un nouveau sentiment mon bon papa auqu’el mon coeur se livre...
203To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François Fournier, 2 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez-moi d’avoir l’honneur de vous écrire pour m’informer de létat de vôtre santé, et en même temps vous proposer mes services ayant appris que vous aviez deissein de faire apprendre la Gravure à Mr votre petit fils. Comme la gravure est l’ame et le premier principe de létat de la fonte des Caractères d’imprimerie, parce que pour être véritablement bon...
204To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 1 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Charles E. Feinberg, Detroit, Michigan (1957); copy: William L. Clements Library I write to you from Bath where I am with my Sister who goes on slowly in her recovery but I hope in a fair way towards recovery. She desires to be remembered to you.— As to any matters of American negotiation I am not at present in any state of information. I am at present drawing up such opinions as occur...
205To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Knowing little of Mr. Chevallié’s claim as detached from that of Monsr. de Beaumarchais, & supposing it must stand on the same bottom being originally a part of it, I shall give you what information I can on the general subject. The contract for the supplies was made by Mr. de Francy, agent for Beaumarchais, with mr. Henry then governor of Virginia. He...
206To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Jérôme Le Français de Lalande, 1 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien reconnoissant de la peine que votre excellence a bien voulu prendre de m’envoyer la Brochure de m. Torcia avec les reflections instructives que vous y avez jointes je le feliciterai d’avoir pû mettre sous vos yeux un fait de Physique qui meritat un instant votre attention et je me felicite moi meme d’avoir cette occasion de me rappeller a votre...
207To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte, Comtesse, and Vicomte de Vergennes, 1 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : Library of Congress M. le Cte. Made. la Csse. et M. le Vte. Louis De Vergennes ont l’honneur de faire part à Monsieur francklin, que Made. la Vsse. Louis De Vergennes est heureusement accouchée aujourd’hui d’une fille. Claire-Charlotte-Louise was the daughter of Vergennes’ younger son, Louis-Charles-Joseph Gravier de Vergennes (1765–1821), an army officer. He had married Claire-Gabrielle...
208From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 1 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing little of Mr. Chevallié’s claim as detached from that of Monsr. de Beaumarchais, and supposing it must stand on the same bottom being originally a part of it, I shall give you what information I can on the general subject. The contract for the supplies was made by Mr. de Francy, agent for Beaumarchais, with Mr. Henry then governor of Virginia. He received in paiment as much tobacco as...
We have received the Extract of the letter from Monsieur de Sa of the 24 th Oct r 1784 which your Excellency was pleased to send us by the hand of the Secretary of your legation. “That in consequence of our letter your Excellency might assure us that Her Most faithful Majesty will be very glad to have the best correspondence with the United States, and that we may explain to your Excellency...
210To Benjamin Franklin from George Whatley, 30 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This may be deliver’d to you by Dr. Brogden, an old Acquaintance of my Friend Dr Rowley, who has determin’d, for his Health, to take a Tour into a Country where the Climate is diferent from his own. I heartily wish him Success; & beg the Honor of your Favor & Protection in case of need; for which I shall always esteem my self greatly obliged.— I have the...
211From Benjamin Franklin to Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, 29 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous felicite trés cordialement, ma trés chere amie, de l’heureux Accouchement de notre Fille. Puisse l’Enfante être aussi bonne & aussi aimable que sa mere, sa grandemere, sa grandegrandemere, &c. Je me souviens d’avoir un jour rencontré chez vous quatre de vos Generations, quand vos Enfans etoient tres jeunes; & que...
212To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 27 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After various Delays we are at length arrived here, all well, and very anxious to embrace you at Passy; where we hope to be Wednesday or Thursday next.— We might have cross’d the Water to Night in the Packet, by which this goes,—but none of us like to pass the Night at Sea—& particularly in a Public Vessel: we have therefore freighted a Boat entirely for...
213To Benjamin Franklin from [Jean-Baptiste?] Deumié Groc, 26 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society L’etendue de vos Bontés à faire Le bien, et La Pureté de vos Sentiments à rendre Justice m’enhardisent à m’adresser à vous avec confiance, pour vous prier de vouloir bien Prendre Connoissance d’une affaire malheureuse, et Peut-etre unique, dans La quelle je me trouve enveloppé, Sans avoir pu découvrir Le vray resultat de ce quil en est; et Sur Laquelle je...
214To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 25 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Dr. Franklin. He was formerly well acquainted with mr. Beaumarchais’ demand against the state of Virginia of which Mr. Chevallié’s makes a part. But many circumstances have escaped his memory, and he is quite unacquainted with the footing on which it stands at present. Mr. Short, who for two years past has been a member of the Council of...
215From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 25 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Dr. Franklin. He was formerly well acquainted with Mr. Beaumarchais’ demand against the state of Virginia of which Mr. Chevallié’s makes a part. But many circumstances have escaped his memory, and he is quite unacquainted with the footing on which it stands at present. Mr. Short, who for two years past has been a member of the Council of Virginia, has arrived at...
216From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Anne Lafont, 24 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre sans datte que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire. Votre Situation est embarrassante et J’en suis touché; mais, outre que Je ne puis donner de Recommandation à quelqu’un qui m’est absolument inconnu, il seroit mal’avisé de vous conseiller d’entreprendre un Voyage long est dispendieux pour aller vous établir...
217To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 24 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Suis on ne peut pas plus fâché mon Illustre Docteur d’avoir passe mon automne Si loin de vous et en vous disant cela je me flatte bien que vous ne le prenez pas pour un Compliment à La Françoise. Je ne le Suis pas moins Je vous assurre de n’avoir pas encore pu vous écrire un Seul petit mot. Mais La vie que Je mene ici est Si coupée par le regime qu’on y...
218To Benjamin Franklin from John Shuttleworth, 24 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency will do me a very essential Service if you will be pleased to inform His Excellency William Paca Esqr. our Governor that when I had the honor of a conversation with you at Plassy in June 1782 relative to my own affairs and those of Mr Harford I told you it was my intention to serve in the army of the united states in the line of my...
219From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Desfours, 23 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai point reçu, Monsieur, le Projet dont vous faitez mention dans la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 15 du mois dernier; et Je serois bien aise de le voir. Quant à la Commn que vous desirez, Je n’ai aucune autorité pour l’accorder ou la refuser; tout ce que Je puis faire c’est d’envoyer votre Requete au Congrès, et de...
220From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 23 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society These People are so accustomed to see every thing done by Sollicitation of Interest, or what they call Protection, and nothing without it, that they hardly conceive it possible to obtain the Payment even of a just Debt but by means of Persons whom they suppose to have Influence enough to support and enforce their Pretensions. We should...
221From Benjamin Franklin to J.-B. Marioge, 23 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre dont vous m’avez honoré le 16 du mois dernier. Je n’ai Jamais été chargé de faire passer personne en Amérique pour y établir des manufactures. Le Pays est ouvert a tout le monde et le Congres ne cherche point à y attirer les Etrangers par des avantages particuliers. Chargé d’une Famille et à l’âge où vous étez,...
222To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 23 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
These People are so accustomed to see every thing done by Sollicitation of Interest, or what they call Protection, and nothing without it, that they hardly conceive it possible to obtain the Payment even of a just Debt but by means of Persons whom they suppose to have Influence enough to support and enforce their Pretensions. We should naturally suppose that the proper time for asking such Aid...
223From Benjamin Franklin to Bra[iez?], 22 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis trop étranger, Monsieur, à toute Dispute sur le Mesmerisme, pour consentir que mon nom paroisse ni directement ni indirectement ailleurs que dans le Rapport des Commissaires au Nombre desquels Sa Majesté m’avoit nommé. J’ai l’honneur d’être, Monsieur, Votre trés humble & trés obeissant Serviteur In response to his letter of the...
224To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise d’Auzoüer, 22 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je profite des offres de votre Excelence. Monsieur jefreson a bien voulu me faire les memes, mais je nai pu me ressouvenir de son adresse, daillieur je pense que vous avez lun et lautre les memes facilites de faire passer des lettres a merilend. Jen joint ici une pour monsieur carroll dannapoli. Je me proposois lors que ju lhonneur de voir votre Exelence de...
225To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bra[iez?], 21 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a longtems que je médite la démarche que je fais aujourdhui, et mes réflexions m’ont fait préfèrer cette voie à l’incertitude d’obtenir un moment d’audiance. Avant de parler de l’objèt qui me détermine, je crois devoir établir Le Seul titre que j’aïe à la Confiance que je désire de vous inspirer, Monsieur, en m’annonçant comme protègé moins qu’ancien...
226To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With great Satisfaction I received your most acceptable Letter of August 29. by the Hands of your amiable and intelligent Grand-son, who does much Honour to the Family he sprung from. I admire of all Things the Continuance of the Vigor of your Mind and Body, which enables you to write as clearly, distinctly, sensibly, and accurately as you did almost half a...
227To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 21 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I will not affront your grandson by supposing that I can inform you of any thing passing here at this moment more perfectly & fully than he himself can explain it to you. The same thing has been true during his whole stay here. I may say indeed of himself, what he will not be forward to tell you; that he has been relished & respected here; and has always...
228To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 20 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Grandson being on the point to return to France, I cannot deprive myself the pleasure of sending by him this mark of that friendship and esteem I have ever had for you; and at the same time to express the satisfaction Mrs. West and I have had in seeing in England one we ever had much love and reguard for, (Mr. Temple Franklin) his good sence and...
229To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 19 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should long ago have returnd answers to your two Favors had I met with any thing in the Way of Science worthy of being Communicated to you little improvement has taken place in the course of these two months past & as I have resided all that time in Lincolnshire I have not been put into posession of the detail even of that Little. The Whole of the middle...
230To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Church, 19 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before I enter upon the particular motives of this address, permit me, Sir! to mention a circumstance, or two, which, if you shou’d recollect, may possibly apologize for the Liberty which I have taken, upon the grounds of some small pretensions to the honor of a former short acquaintance. In the Autumn of 1771, I took a Tour through the Island of Gt....