21To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 9 February 1790 (Adams Papers)
At the Request of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery, I have the Honour of presenting to your Excellency the enclosed Petition, which I beg leave to recommend to your favourable Notice. Some further Particulars respecting it, requested by the Society, will appear in their Letter to me, of which I enclose a Copy, and have the Honor to be, / Sir, / Your Excellency’s / most...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremy Bentham, [after 10 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University College, London C Afran This book (if ever it should reach your hands) was written for the use of leading men: nor to any but leading men has it been sent. As such a copy of it comes to you. My notion of you is such that if there be any thing good in it, you will not fail making a good use of it for the benefit of those for whom you act. If at this or any more distant...
23From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 23 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
The affectionate congratulations on the recovery of my health—and the warm expressions of personal friendship which were contained in your favor of the 16th instt, claim my gratitude. And the consideration that it was written when you were afflicted with a painful malady, greatly increases my obligation for it. Would to God, my dear Sir, that I could congratulate you upon the removal of that...
24To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 16 September 1789 (Washington Papers)
My Malady renders my Sitting up to write rather painful to me, but I cannot let my Son-in-law Mr Bache part for New York, without congratulating you by him on the Recovery of your Health, so precious to us all, and on the growing Strength of our New Government under your Administration. For my own personal Ease, I should have died two Years ago; but tho’ those Years have been spent in...
25To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 3 June 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have made a rule to myself that your Excellency should not be troubled with any solicitations from me for favors to any even of my nearest connections, but here is a matter of justice in which the honor of our country is concerned, and therefore I cannot refuse giving this line for your information. Mr. Le Ray de Chaumont, father of the young gentleman who will have the honor of waiting on...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [on or after 20 March 1775?]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): Yale University Library This fragment is now bound, in a volume of Franklin’s correspondence with Shipley, as a postscript to the Bishop’s holograph copy of his letter below at the end of June, 1775. But the paper is larger than that of the copy; it has been folded, as the copy has not; and it is addressed and has the remnants of a seal. The conclusion is inescapable that it...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 24 October 178[8] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Hopkinson has communicated to me a Letter of yours with a Proposal of a Mr. Pissot’s respecting his Editions of English Books. I am much oblig’d by your thinking of my Grandson on this Occasion; And if Mr. Pissot will send over a Dozen of each Work as a Trial, I will take Care that the Terms propos’d shall be punctually comply’d with. Our Disputes here about the new Constitution are...
28From James Madison to Benjamin Franklin, 20 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose herewith a letter from Mr. Limozin of Havre de Grace. The external address to me, was made on a supposition of my being an attending member of Congress; and as I find from a note within the letter, in order to make me acquainted with the circumstances which were to be laid before Congress. With the highest respect and esteem I have the honor to be Sir, Your most...
29From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 28 March 1788 (Jay Papers)
M r . Ellicot delivered to me your very friendly Letter of the 15 th . Instant. I wish he had found it convenient to have staid a little longer with us, for previous Engagements prevented my passing so much Time with him as I should otherwise have done. I promised myself much Satisfaction from his Conversation, and also more accurate and extensive Information respecting our western Country &c...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 15 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Frazer , who will have the honour of delivering this Line to your Excellency, is a Gentleman of respectable Character here, and as such I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities. He has in France a young Sister, who was left there some time since in a Convent for Improvement in her Education, and has it seems been seduc’d to resolve on remaining there; and on abandoning her Relations...