2911Franklin and Silas Deane to Gerard, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives Mr. Lee having signified to us, that on farther Consideration he has changed his Sentiments relating to the 12th Article; and that he cannot join in Signing the Treaty if that Article remains in it: And as Unanimity is of some...
2912To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter informing Franklin of his election as minister plenipotentiary to the court of France; the official notification was not sent for another six weeks. The dissolution of the American commission was not the result of its internal dissensions and inefficiency, but rather of the dictates of diplomatic protocol. This demanded that the...
2913To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 15 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed to you by Mons. Colomb, who came out to America with the Marquiss de la Fayette, & has served with Reputation in the Army of the United States, and now returns to Visit his Country, and Freinds, I take therefore the Liberty to introduce him to your Acquaintence and to refer you to him for Information of the State of Our Army, and its...
2914Franklin and Silas Deane to the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Messrs: Franklin and Deane, present their respectful Compliments to the Duc de la Rochefoucauld, and shall be happy in the honour of his Company, tomorrow at Breakfast. 8. O Clock will not be the least inconvenient. In WTF ’s hand. The Duke was by now an old friend of BF .
2915Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 13 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: American Philosophical Society, University of Virginia Library Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their Compliments to Mr. Lee, and acquaint him that they propose to send away the Dispatches on Monday next. Endorsed: Feby 13. 1778 This copy, in Lee’s hand, was appended to his reply below, Feb. 14; the AL is in BF ’s hand.
2916To John Jay from the American Commissioners (Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane), 2 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 Ult o . of which we Sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send You the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North is unguarded, The Greenland Whale Fishery & the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Cou’d two or three of our Frigates accompanied by lesser swift sailing Vessels...
2917Franklin and Silas Deane to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 16 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society This will be delivered to you by Mr. Carmichael to whom we have committed our dispatches for Congress, and who becoming Acquainted with Mr. Deane soon after his arrival at Paris, travelled to Berlin through Holland and Hambourgh at the desire and Appointment of Mr. Deane and on his Journey rendered very Considerable Services to the United States by...
2918To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 2 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure of informing You by the inclosed Lettr. that Capt. Wicks is safe, also of sending You the English papers. Letters Received by Dr. Bancroft bring nothing New, the word of the Day in London is, Howe is not ordered for Philadelphia but to join Genls. Carleton and Bourgoyne; tant mieux pour Nous . I have the honor to be most respectfully Sir...
2919Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Harvard University Library; AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; two copies: University of Virginia Library The treaties are copying both in French and English, will be done to Day and ready to be examined by you tomorrow Morning. We do not desire to postpone any Proposition you make, otherwise than from the Impossibility of doing two things at once. We suppose the Convoy...
2920Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Messrs: Franklin and Deane, will be ready to confer with Mr. Lee, tomorrow at 11. OClock precisely. Enclosed are the Dispatches which came by Mr. Austin, but not having as yet received Duplicates, beg they may be returned, when copied, or done with. Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot. Endorsed: March 3d 1778 In WTF ’s hand. At the meeting, which took...
2921Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Harvard University Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (four), University of Virginia Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We have maturely considered your Letter of the 30th past. And tho’ we cannot see the mischievous Consequences of the 12th. Article which you apprehend, yet conceiving that Unanimity on this Occasion is of...
2922Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their Compliments to Mr. Arthur Lee, it not being likely that the Dispatches can be ready at 12. O Clock beg Mr. Lee, would change the time of his coming to half past 5. at which time there is no doubt but that every thing will be ready. Mr. Franklin juniors respectful Compliments to Mr. A. Lee and reminds him of his Engagement...
2923To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 22 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you per Mr. Grand, the Letters I have received this Day; I have giv’n him the Letter for Mr. Vergennes which We yesterday agreed to and signed. I have also sent You a true Copy of the Orders giv’n on Our behalf To Capt. Cunningham, which submit to Your Judgment whither it be proper to transmit it to the Count De Vergennes, with Two or Three Lines...
2924To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the first half of September Deane was optimistic that congressional approval of his conduct as commissioner would permit his quick return to Europe. Between September 19 and October 15, however, that optimism was undermined. On those two dates Henry Laurens presented to Congress letters he had received from Ralph Izard criticizing the conduct of...
2925To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 16 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote You a few Days since, inclosing Mr. Montieus Acct., and Duplicates of Mr. Vanderperes Papers, and took the Liberty of desiring that You would inform Me when You sent off Your Dispatches for America. I now take the Liberty of sending You a packet for America and You will oblige Me much by putting it under Your cover, by Mr. Laurens. I should not give...
2926Franklin and Silas Deane to the President of Congress, 8 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; transcript and two copies: National Archives; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Sheffield City Library We have now the great Satisfaction of acquainting you and the Congress, that the Treaties with France are at length compleated and signed. The first is a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, much on the Plan of that projected in Congress;...
2927Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 26 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives; three copies: University of Virginia Library The greater the public Consequences that may flow from the Return of our Dispatches, the more necessary it seem’d that the Court should be immediately acquainted with it that the miscarriage might as soon as possible be repair’d. It was near...
2928Simeon Deane to the American Commissioners, 16 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Casco Bay, Falmouth, April 16, 1778: I arrived yesterday on the Sensible and leave today for Congress; my time here is too short to collect news. No word of the fleet that left France in February, or of Capt. Courter from Spain. The chevalier Marigny is worried about British cruisers and anxious to leave as soon as possible. He and his officers have...
2929To Benjamin Franklin from William Deane, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Coll: Deanes Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Son, Shall be Extreemly glad of the favor of their Company to Dinner tommorow to meet Mr. and Mrs. Sargent at half an Hour after three o Clock. Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin / Craven Street Lieut. Col. William Deane (d. 1775) of the British Army, was appointed governor of Upnor Castle before 1758, and was promoted...
2930Debrissac de Saxey to the American Commissioners, 18 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I congratulate myself very much of the happiness of your acquaintance on my last Stay in Paris of your token of friendship of your trust and the preference you are willing to give us of the orders for you or friends when they wille call for concerning the linen of this fabrick. You ought to receive in this month your commissions from America. I take the...
2931To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Decambray, [after 28 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ignore quelle idée pourra vous faire Naitre une demande que le desire du travail excite: peut-être la jugerez vous inconsequente; mais vous etes trop juste pour ne pas pardonner un être honnête (Je puis hautement m’en Glorifier) victime des Malheurs que Son pere a Supporté. Je Sais, Monsieur, que le Nommé Gellée Votre Ancien Secrétaire n’a pas Connu Le...
2932To Benjamin Franklin from François-Simon Defay-Boutheroue, 12 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS American Philosophical Society L’accueil dont votre excellence honore ceux qui cultivent les sciences, m’enhardit à vous supplier d’agréer un exemplaire d’un ouvrage de ma Composition, intitulé La nature considérée dans plusieurs de ses opérations, ou Mémoires et observations sur diverses parties de l’histoire naturelle, et d’en faire passer un autre à l’illustre sociéte de philadelphie,...
2933To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Defay, 6 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Cest Avec tout le Respect La Reconnoissance que je doit a vos Bontees que je vous prie de Recevoir Mon Compliment Sur Lanonce de la paix que vous procuree aux puissances interessee. Je joint icy une nouvelles Supliques de Mr Gastellier Sur la quelle je vous Suplie de Vouloir bien a Cordée La grace quil demande. Si je nestoit pas incomodee jauroit eü...
2934To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Defay, 6 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me propose davoir lhonneur de vous voir dans une quinzaine de jours pour vous Presenter les premieres Epreuves que nous avonts faits du papier sur des formes a langlaisse Et dapres les procedés que vous avez bien voulu mindicquer. Jay lhonneur de vous Envoier aujourdhuy deux ouvrages de la Composition d’un Medecin du gatinois, comme un bien foible homage...
2935To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Defay, 10 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je pars de paris pour Notre Manufacture avec la joie que me donne lEsperance de vous y recevoir Monsieur. Cette Maison Etablie depuis plus de quarantte ans sous la protection de Monseigneur le Duc dorleans En recevera un nouveau Lustre Et dont le prince protecteur qui En sera informe comme des premiers avis que vous avez bien voulue me donner vous En saura...
2936To Benjamin Franklin from Bernard Dehez, 23 July 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <San Sebastián, July 23, 1779, in French: I have the honor of informing Your Excellency that Capt. Gustavus Conyngham, in command of the armed privateer La Vengeance ( Revenge ), captured the brigantine Le Gracieux , whose French captain, Manuel Augustin Letournois, sailing from London, had entirely loaded his ship with British goods, supposedly destined...
2937To Benjamin Franklin from Bernard Dehez: résumé, 1 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Saint Sebastian, January 1, 1780, in French: I refer to Capt. Conyngham who had given me his word of honor that he would stand surety for the outcome of his trial, whatever it was. Messrs. Gardoqui and Messrs. La Goanere from Coroña were to do the same in case the War Council in Madrid disapproved the freeing of Conyngham’s five crewmen. But I never heard...
2938To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Delacolonge, 14 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme plusieurs personnes m’ont proposé de n’achetter de ma fonderie que certains articles, laquelle fonderie j’ai eu l’honneur de vous offrir dans le temps, je me suis decidé de la vendre par parties détachées; cette vente Se fera chés moi, et commencera le 20 ou le 25 avril prochain au plus tard; jj’ai l’honneur de vous en prévenir pour que Si vous êtes...
2939To Benjamin Franklin from Dominique Lefebvre Delagrange, 19 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brancourt, near St. Quentin, February 19, 1778, in French: An honest family begs your help in its shameful poverty. I must support my wife and five children on an income of 400 l.t. , and have only twelve sous a day for food; as for clothes, we are almost naked. My curé will confirm this. The farmers general helped me out six months ago, but I dare not ask...
2940To Benjamin Franklin from Guillaume-Pierre-François Delamardelle, 17 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme je Crois que vous pouvez Etre instruit de La demeure de Mr. Barclay, Et que je desirerois de Le voir; ozeroisje vous prier de m’indiquer sa demeure. On m’a dit qu’il Etoit agent de L’Etat de virginie, Et Chargé En Cette qualité des interets de son Pays. J’ay L’honeur d’Etre avec La plus haute Estime Et Le plus grand Respect Monsieur de votre...