2501To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you the 26 June relative to the affair of Mr Springer & his Comrades at Brest. I since hear the prize is condemned to the admiral which tho’ I think an unlawfull proceeding may turn out well enough for the admiral in these Cases always gives up the Prize to the Captors. The proceedings of the admiralty at Brest are I...
2502Excerpts from Chaumont’s Revision of His Account with Franklin, [9 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having agreed on July 7 to submit his accounts to arbitration, Chaumont quickly altered his claim. The account he submitted on July 9 was a revised version of what he had initially given to Franklin, published above under the date of [before April 26]. He dropped items 3, 14, and 15, all of which Grand had ruled against in his report of May 7. The three...
2503To Benjamin Franklin from Séqueville, [before 9 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Printed form, signed, with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Le Roi ne verra point Mardi prochain 9 — du mois, Messieurs les Ambassadeurs et Ministres étrangers. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur francklin Ministre / Plenipte des Etats unis de / L’Amerique Septentrionale / A Passy / Desequeville Below this line BF wrote “Juillet 82”.
2504To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On the 3d. Instant I received from the French Embassador Your Excys. obliging favor of the 11th. Ulto. I should have done myself the honor of answering it the Same day by Mr Clonard the Bearer of Dispatches from the Chevalier de La Luzern & General Rochambeau, Had not my whole Time been taken up in Copying letters to Mr Jay which I was afraid had been...
2505To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je continue de profiter des bontés de S.E.M. l’Ambassadeur, en vous faisant parvenir la présente par le Courier qu’il expédie ce soir. L’Escadre du Texel est sortie enfin, & sera maîtresse à son tour dans les mers du Nord, à moins que les Anglois ne détachent une portion de la leur, suffisante pour faire rentrer dans la coquille les Hollandois. Dans ce cas...
2506To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley: Memorandum, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 385–6. To a person who no longer thinks of American dependence, what disadvantage can there be in making its independence a fixed article (whether the treaty succeeds or no) instead of making it a first article of the treaty, and so to depend on the success...
2507To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Virginia Historical Society I am advised that Robt. Morris Esqr. The Superintendant General of Finance for Congress, has directed you to pay me, what is due to me from Congress out of the first money that came into your hands. I am now to request that you will please to inform me whether you have, or have not recd. such directions from...
2508From Benjamin Franklin to James Hutton, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress A Letter written by you to M. Bertin, Ministre d’Etat, containing an Account of the abominable Murders committed by some of the frontier People on the poor Moravian Indians, has given me infinite Pain and Vexation. The Dispensations of Providence in this World puzzle my weak Reason. I cannot comprehend why cruel Men should have been permitted thus to destroy...
2509Franklin and Chaumont: Agreement for Arbitration by Grand and Dangirard, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives Nationales, Paris; D : American Philosophical Society Aujourdhui sont comparus pardevant les Conseillers du Roi Notaires au Chatelet de Paris Soussignés S.E. Benjamin franklin Ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale, demeurant à Passy près Paris, d’une part Et M. Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, demeurant pareillement à Passy près Paris, d’autre...
2510To Benjamin Franklin from Pieter Buyck, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je prends la Respectueuse liberté de Vous envoier cÿ inclus une lettre que Je Vous prie de faire Remettre à Monsieur Laurens qui Je Suppose Sera encore à Paris au Cas qu’il Soit deja parti ne doutant nullement que Vous ne Sachiez ou il est Je Vous supplie d’avoir La Complaisance de L’enveloper & La lui faire parvenir. Si en Pareille ou toute autre...
2511From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The State of Maryland being the last that acceded to the Confederation, & therefore esteemed by some the least hearty in the Cause, your Excellency may judge, by the Sentiments of the General Assembly of that State, as express’d in their Resolutions which I have the honour to send you enclos’d, what Reception any Propositions made by General...
2512To 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,...
2513To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Je recois Monsieur, La Lettre de ce jour dont vous mavés honoré et La resolution de L’Etat de mary Land que vous aves bien voulu me Communiquér. Je l’ai lue avec Le plus grand plaisir et je la garde pour La montrér au Roi qui y trouvera La conviction de la Confiance quil a dans La fidelité de ses alliés Les Etats unis. Il faut Esperér qu’n langage aussi affirmatif...
2514To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have the honor to transmit you a letter from the United States in Congress to his most Christian Majesty, together with a copy for your perusal, I also enclose a Resolution of Congress on the subject of Mr Lee’s demands, which you will see carried into effect—nothing of moment has...
2515To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I enclose to you the form of an acknowledgement of our Debt to the Court of France which I desire you would Seal and execute, After having ascertained the Amount of the Debt, and that you will send Copies thereof thro the Office of foreign Affairs to Congress; as well as inform me of the Amount of the Debt and the Time of...
2516To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received in course the Letter wch. Mr. Will: Franklin honor’d me with, inclosing your condemnation of the prize Mary of London captur’d by the privateer Revolution of Salem. I now beg leave to trouble you with the procedure of the prize st. Pierre of st. Andere [Santander] recaptured by the Ship Carolina Cap: Newell of Philadelphia after being four days...
2517To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have by my friend Mr Hobart sent You a Printed Copy of the Three Memorials which I published on the Subject of America, one addressed to the Souvereigns of Europe—& two others addressd to the Souvereign of Gr Brittain. And I beg your acceptance of them. I hope you received my Letter of May 13 1782 forwarded by Mr Bridgen as also the Package containing 187...
2518To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 3 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je vois bien, mon cher Docteur, qu’il faut renoncer a notre partie de Marly, ou plutôt y substituer un diner chez vous—ce n’etoit pas un beau Jardin que nous desirions voir mais nos amis et Je m’imagine que nous les trouverons tous réunis a Passy— tout ce qui me chagrine c’est que mon Pere à votre priere et à celle de Mad: Helvetius avoit engagé ses...
2519To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 3 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Hearing this Moment of an opportunity for France, from an Eastern port —I inclose you Mr. R Morris’ Draft on Mons. Grand a 60 days for Lrs. 3200 Livres, being Moneys recd. from Christian Scheinder of German Town say £200. this Curry. on acct. of the Family in Germany, who sent me a power of Attorney to receive a Legacy for them from him, whose name I...
2520From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 2 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me from Lyon the 24th. past. I wonder a little at Mr. Adams not acquainting you whether your Name was in the Commission or not. I begin to suspect from various Circumstances that the British Ministry elated perhaps too much by the Success of Admiral Rodney, are not in earnest to treat immediately,...
2521Franklin: Journal of the Peace Negotiations, 9 May[–1 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society As since the Change of Ministry in England, some serious Professions have been made of their Disposition to Peace, and of their Readiness to enter into a general Treaty for that purpose; and as the Concerns and Claims of five Nations are to be discuss’d in that Treaty, which must therefore be...
2522To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 1 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Library of Congress I have deferred until this Moment my Answers to your Letters of the fourth ninth and thirtieth of March in Expectation that I should have heard from you by the Marquis de la fayette. A Vessel now about to depart induces me to address you— I enclose an Act of Congress by which you are empowered to...
2523To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 1 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society By the earliest opportunity after the arrival of the Brig Firebrand Capn. Caleb Trowbridge from Boston in forty eight days. We have the honor of forwarding to your Excelly. the Letters we received to your address, we had not an opportunity of acknowledging with propriety the Letter we were favoured with, in date of 4 Feby. untill all the accounts relative to...
2524To Benjamin Franklin from Parish & Thomson, 1 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We had the honour to receive in Course your Letter of the 19 April, & agreeable to the Contents, our Bills on Mr. Jay have all been paid in Paris by your Excellency’s orders. As it will always give us singular Pleasure to render You agreeable Services, we beg leave to inform You that we have at present a remarkably fine sailing American Vessel just now...
2525To Benjamin Franklin from [Philip?] Keay, [June 1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Keay presents his Respects to Mr. Franklin, & takes the liberty of enclosing the relation of the Accident at Philadelphia. The Person who mention’d it to Made. de Cheminot had seen Conductors upon the House, & had hastily concluded, that they had been put up previous to the accident, which they certainly were not— Madame de Cheminot presents her...
2526To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 31 June 1782 [i.e., on or after 30 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We do ourselves the honor to forward Sundry Papers respecting two Prizes brought in here by the Revolution Privateer, with which We beg you will do the needfull. Permit us to inform that there are some Americans Confined in Jail, they experienced a long Confinement in England, escaped, & arrived in Brest, applied there for a Passage home, were sent here,...
2527From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 29 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: National Archives In mine of the 25th. Inst. I omitted mentioning, that, at the repeated earnest Instances of Mr Lawrens, who had given such Expectations to the Ministry in England, when his Parole or Securities were discharged, as that he could not think himself at Liberty to act in Publick Affairs ’till the Parole of Lord Cornwallis was absolved by me in Exchange,...
2528From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper: Extract, 28 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 378–9. Our public affairs are in a good situation here. England having tried in vain to make a separate peace with each of the powers she is at war with, has at length agreed to treat for a general peace with them altogether; and at Paris. If we all...
2529To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 28 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai profité la semaine passée d’un Courier expédié par Mr. l’Ambr. pour vous faire une de mes Lettres pour le Congrès No. 4, laquelle j’espere que vous aurez bien reçue ainsi que mes précédente. Il ne s’est rien passé ici depuis que j’aie à y ajouter. Mais après mercredi prochain, les Etats d’hollde., qui se rassembleront alors, pourront me fournir matiere...
2530From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 27 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (two); copy and transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives The Opinion I have of your Candour, Probity, good Understanding, and good Will to both Countries, made me hope that you would have been vested with the Character of Plenipotentiary to treat with those from...
2531To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, [27 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’espere que vous n’avez pas oublié, mon cher Docteur, notre partie de Marly—la permission de manger dans les Jardins ou dans les pavillons est obtenu.— Messrs: de Breuil et Pechmeja vienent—et porteront avec eux une bonne provision du fruit—pour moi Je porterai la plus grande longe de veau que Je pourrois trouver à St. Germain et quelques couverts—la reste...
2532To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 27 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Since my last Covering Messrs. De Neufvilles accounts I have not had the honour of a Letter from your Excellency; Captain Smedley has I expect this day got his Vessell over the Sand Banks that interupt the Navigation of the River Y and will in a few days be able to put to Sea he is tolerably well Man’d and with the assistance of a few more people who I...
2533To Benjamin Franklin from Favi, 27 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous adresser une Lettre de M. Ingenhousz; il seroit charmè d’avoir une reponse, que je me chargerai avec plaisir de Lui faire parvenir, si vous voulés avoir La bontè de me L’envoyer rue de Seine a l’hôtel de Mirabeau . J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble, et très obeissant Serviteur Notation: Favi. 27 Juin 1782....
2534To Benjamin Franklin from Poreau & Cie., 27 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library La bonté avec la quelle vous avez bien voulu acceuillir notre Sr. Poreau Lorsqu’il a eu l’honneur de vous presenter Ses Respects pendant son Sejour a Paris, et la promesse obligeante que vous lui avez faite de vous employer pour obtenir L’Echange du Capitaine Christophe Codner cy devant Capitaine dun de nos Corsaires, nous fait esperer que vous ne...
2535From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah and Richard Bache, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time to write a few Lines. I am well, and your Son was well about 10 Days ago. He is not in the Town of Geneva, where the Government is at present in Disorder; but is at the Master’s Country-House, a few Miles distant where he goes on with his Studies. Let me know in your next what his Age is, which I have forgotten.— I send enclos’d some of his...
2536From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald: Unsent Draft, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress In the Note that you show’d me it is said, that “Mr Oswald may be vested with any Character or Commission that he and Dr F. shall think proper;” or to that purpose: and you desire my Sentiments.— We should be willing to treat with such Persons as the King may think fit to appoint.— I am however very sensible of the Kindness that appears in Lord Shelburne’s...
2537To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley: Two Letters, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : Library of Congress I take the liberty of recommending to your acquaintance a gentleman of this Country (Mr Bowles) who has been bred to the profession of the law. He has some thoughts of settling in America, I believe with a view to practise the law, or to make some other establishments there, such as he may find most suitable upon trial of the Case. He is at present making...
2538To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer of this Letter Doctor Texier late Surgeon of Count Pulaski’s Legion will shew you a Certificate for two thousand one hundred and ten dollars signed by Joseph Nourse Esquire Register of the Treasury of the United States and issued by Virtue of a Warrant of the eighth day of January last from me. This Money is on Interest at six per Cent from the fifth of...
2539To Benjamin Franklin from William Rawle, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with reluctance I give your Excellency a trouble which necessity alone could induce me to think of. Soon after my return to Ostend from Paris, I was seiz’d with a violent cold and fever, which, added to the effects of a former indisposition at London, has render’d me so exceedingly weak, that I have been prevail’d on by my friends to defer my voyage...
2540To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I send inclosed Copy of a Letter I have just recvd from Brest to which I request your kind attention. There cannot be a doubt but the Prize in Question belongs to the Captors, or at least that whatever the Rigour of the Law may be, the Custom in such Cases is to give them up. The Ordonnances of the Marine confiscated all...
2541To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library The present serves to hand you a Certificate from the Commandant of the Port of L’Orient acknowledging the Reception of Prisoners delivered him by our House from the american Privateer Revolution to our Address Ten Men from the Prize Anne & five from the Prize Will , making together fifteen men which we request you will note for Exchange in course. We have the...
2542To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Young, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this letter is Mr. Cephas Dawes a Gentleman of a very respectable family in Pennsylvania, he was settled as a Merchant in the West Indies previous to the commencement of the war, and is a warm friend to the cause of America, which I hope will be my apology for taking this liberty with Your Excellency. Mr. Dawes will Carry with him some of the...
2543To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [25 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress You Have Been Acquainted that Mr. de Castries’s Courier was to Go to Morrow Evening, and I intend taking the same Opportunity to write to Congress and General Washington— But as I want to justify My delay, Upon the trüe Motives of it, those of Public Utility, and American Wellfare, I Hope Your Excellency will please to Mention fully the Matter to Congress, and By...
2544From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress Hearing yesterday at Versailles of the Opportunity you mention, I have stay’d at home to day employ’d in writing my Letters. You may depend on my doing fully what you desire.— Mr Jay is at Paris employ’d as I am, so that I do not expect to see him till Thursday. With the utmost Esteem & Affection I am ever Yours See Lafayette’s letter immediately above. June...
2545From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: National Archives; incomplete AL (draft): Library of Congress I have received your respected Letters of Jany 26 & Feby 13th. The first was accompanied with the form of a Convention for the Establishment of Consuls. Mr. Barclay having been detained these 6 Months in Holland, tho’ in continual Expectation of returning hither, I have yet done nothing in that Business,...
2546From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have long waited here for a good and safe Opportunity of Writing. I have expected from Week to Week that the Departure of the Eagle with the Marquis de la Fayette would be resolv’d on, and that I should have Notice of it. In the mean time some important Affairs being on the Tapis, I omitted writing till they should be a little more advanced. Yesterday M. de...
2547To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania You were so good my Dr Sir to say, in the postcript of a letter last winter, that you hoped my Affairs in No: Carolina were settled to my sattisfaction, or something to that Amount; I am sorry to say, that by late letters receiv’d, that it is far otherways; and that not only my land on the Sound, in Cape Fear River, which has been in possession of my...
2548To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, [25 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few days Since of your good Sisters Tolerable health and Poor Jennies Death Particuliars of our family &c but Mr Greenes writeing I must add a kind how do you do when did you here from Benny and is temple well and when do you Come to New england, and ask when this Shocking War will be at an end the Sceenes of Misery it has occationd is beyond...
2549To Benjamin Franklin from William Greene, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am informed that Ezekiel Durfey a small Officer on board of the Ship Tracy commanded by John B Hopkins was taken and carryed to Newyork and from there to England, where he has been confined about eighteen Months, and by the last account he was in Mill Prison, his Friends have very earnestly requested me to inform your Excellency of his distressed...
2550To Benjamin Franklin from Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Votre aprobation sur ce que je dis du traité d’amitié et de commerce, et du traité d’alliance éventuelle entre la france et les états unis de l’amerique, m’aurait fait grand plaisir; mais je n’ai pas été le maitre de la meriter. J’ai ma maniere de considerer cette grande affaire politique, et je l’avais racontée le mieux que j’avais pu, il a fallu tout...