451To Benjamin Franklin from Andrew Huntington, 19 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society I ought to begin my request by asking pardon for troubling you—but I trust you will be pleased to pardon me when you are rightly informed of my case— In Octor. 1778. there was a large number of French Prisoners Released from confinement at New York, and Landed at this place in order to be sent to Boston— They were in the most destressed circumstances...
452From Benjamin Franklin to Mason Locke Weems and Edward Gantt, Jr., 18 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and transcript: Library of Congress On receipt of your Letter, acquainting me that the Archbishop would not permit you to be ordain’d unless you took the Oath of Allegiance, I apply’d to a Clergyman of my Acquaintance for Information on the Subject of your Obtaining Ordination here. His Opinion was, that it could not be done; and that if it were done you would be requir’d to Vow...
453From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Percival, 17 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcripts (two) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress; copy: Lancashire Record Office I received yesterday by Mr. White your kind letter of May 11th. with the most agreable Present of your new Book. I read it all before I slept, which is a proof of the good effect your happy Manner has of drawing your Reader on, by mixing little Anecdotes and historical Facts with your Instructions. Be...
454To Benjamin Franklin from Ignaz Edler von Born, 17 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : College of Physicians of Philadelphia Un quelqu’un qui, attaché depuis le matin jusqu’au Soir a Son bureau, et privé presque de l’usage de Ses pieds, ne connoit d’autre delassement, que celui que les etudes peuvent donner, Vous offre une petite brochure, qui peut etre pourra Vous amuser dans des moments perdus. Agrées Monsieur cet hommage d’un inconnu, qui admire vos connaissances et vos...
455To Benjamin Franklin from Feriet, 17 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. De Feriet a L’honneur de faire mille complimens a Monsieur Franklin, et de lui apprendre que tous Les Verres sont arrivés en bon ètat. Le porteur de ce billet veut bien se charger de rapporter a versailles le Sécrétaire dans lequel L’harmonica était monté, et qu’il est nécessaire D’avoir ici pour accorder Les Verres. Dès que le tout Sera transporté ici,...
456To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-Augustin Thouret, [c. 17 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez que jaye L’honneur de vous adresser un exemplaire de mes recherches Sur Le magnètisme animal. Je desire que vous Le receviez comme une foible marque du respect et de la profonde Venération avec Lesquels je Suis, Monsieur et trés illustre confrere, Votre trés humble et trés obéissant Serviteur Though Thouret is here writing as the author of a work...
457To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Looking over some old Papers I found the inclosed Note from our good Friend Mr Hutton. I do not remember to have seen the same Verses under your Portrait,—I think them better expressed than those in print, tho’ the Idea is the same. Our good Friend labours to distinguish between Tyranny & ministereal Influence. You will judge of his Success.— I send you Mr...
458From Benjamin Franklin to Morellet and Drago, 13 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Notte en reponse à celle des Negociants Morellet et Drago. Dans tous et chacun des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique, Il y a des Tribunaux de Justice établis, qui sont également ouverts aux Citoyens des dits Etats, et aux Etrangers qui pourroient étre dans le Cas d’y avoir Recours. Les Affaires s’y decident, legalement et promptement. On conseille aux...
459To Benjamin Franklin from James Grubb, 13 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being on the point of forming a matrimonial Union, with a young Lady of this City, some obstacles arise relative to the difference of Religion which with the Clergy of this Country are insurmountable, unless a Man will undertake to renounce the Tenets he was brought up in, which Circumstance is repugnant to the principles of a Man of Honor; but, as these...
460To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 12 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I request your acceptance of the pamphlet which accompanies this letter. It is intended entirely for America, and you are one of the first persons to whom it has been communicated. Most of the few copies which I have printed will be convey’d to America; and I hope the united States will forgive my presumption in Supposing myself qualified to advise them....
461To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-René Hilliard d’Auberteuil, [c. 11 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’envoye a votre excellence un petit ouvrage auquel je n’attache aucune pretention, mais qui peut être trouvera grace à vos yeux parcequ’il vous rapellera des lieux ou l’on ne prononce votre nom qu’avec reconnaissance et ou vous avez commencé d’acquerir une gloire immortelle. Je saisis avec beaucoup de plaisir cette occasion de vous reiterer l’assurance de...
462To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 9 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): National Archives I arrived here the 26th of June, my first business was to present myself at Aranjuez where the Court then resided. I had in some measure engaged before my departure from Spain to return before the Royal Family left that residence. So far I have fulfilled my engagements— On this Acct I set off from Paris more abruptly than I...
463To Benjamin Franklin from Mason Locke Weems and Edward Gantt, Jr., 9 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society Not having the honour to be known to Your Excellency we should preface this with an Apology, but as it relates to a Subject of public & Important Concern, we hope your Excellency will excuse form & Ceremony. We are Natives of America & Students of Divinity, having no form of Episcopal Ordination in our own Country we Came to England more than a...
464To Benjamin Franklin from Bertrand Du Fresne, 8 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society M le Maréchal de Castries me charge d’avoir l’honneur de rappeler à Monsieur Franklin le projèt de répartition des Prises faites par le Commodore Paul Jones, qu’il lui a communiqué par sa lettre du 20 du mois dernier. On lui montre tous les Jours beaucoup d’empressement sur cette affaire, et il desireroit que Monsieur Franklin eut la bonté de répondre à ce...
465From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 6 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Barclay, and requests he would peruse the enclos’d Letter of the Marquis de Castries, with the Resolutions of Congress respecting the Division of Prize Money; and favour Mr. Franklin with his Opinion. Mr F. also wishes to know whether there have been any Decisions upon a similar Case in America, or any...
466To Benjamin Franklin from Etienne d’Audibert Caille, 6 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’eus l’honneur de vous écrire en 1778. Pour vous informer que L’Empéreur de Maroc, m’ayant nommé Consul de Paix pour les Puissances Maritimes Chrétiénnes qui n’avoïent point de Répresentant dans Ses Etats & Médiateur entre lui & celles de ces Puissances qui voudroïent avoir la paix avec S. M. Maroccaine, j’offrois en cette qualité mes Services aux Etats...
467To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Colson, 6 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with ms insertions: American Philosophical Society JE suis chargé par la Maison Philantropique, de vous rappeller que c’est Vendredi prochain le jour de son Assemblée, à 5 heures & demie précises, Hôtel du Musée , rue Dauphine. On y fera lecture de ce qui a été arrêté sur les Réglemens: vous voudrez bien vous souvenir qu’on paye, á cette époque, la Cotisation du sémestre de...
468To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Joseph Vernet, 6 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous allez voir qu’on me croit un grand saint auprés de vous, puisque des amis de versailles m’onts prié de vous Recommander Mr. Fossard premier huissier audiancier a La Prevôté de L’hôtel, qui desireroit passer en Amerique; luy meme vous expliqueroit ses intentions, et ses desirs; cela occationneroit un mariage entres Luy et Madlle. de Montauville; L’un et...
469Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Letter your Excell y. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past. The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper, to the Imperial Minister at the Hague;...
470From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have received the Letter your Excelly. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past. The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper,...
471To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 4 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I often Recolect the Advice you wonce Gave won of my Sons to do the right thing with Spirit & not to Spend time in makeing Excuses for not Doing it & I ought to have profited by it, but I have So long Delayed writing to you that I am hardly capeble of makeing any Excuse at all, & now have no time to Atempt it. I have Removed From Cambridge with my...
472From Benjamin Franklin to Frecon, 3 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University, Virginia; AL (draft): Library of Congress The following is the best Answer I can give to your Letter of the 29th. past. I am, Sir, your humble Servant. The real Money us’d in the United States is French, Spanish, Portuguese and English Coins, Gold & Silver. The most common is Spanish mill’d Dollars, worth 5 Livres 5 Sols tournois. The nominal...
473To Benjamin Franklin from Le Couteulx & Cie., 3 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society In Answer to the Letter you favoured us with yesterday, we will say, that the Ship arrived at Nantes from Virginia with Tobacco is sent to our order by Mr. Morris as Part of Funds which he was to have made to us for Amount of 300,000 l.t. which we have paid a Month Ago for Acct. of the United States, having remain’d with Pleasure in...
474To Benjamin Franklin from [Noël-Jacques] Pissot, 3 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous ne devez point douter que s’il me fut resté un exe. du voyage de Cook je me Serois fait un devoir de vous echanger le volume que vous avez reçu double. Je vous envoy, Selon vos desirs, le nom des personnes de connoissance à qui j’en ai vendu. J’ose me flater que l’un de ces Messieurs se feront un vrai plaisir de vous prêter le vol. dont vous avez...
475To Benjamin Franklin from Bailly, 2 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania M. Bailly présente ses respects à Monsieur Franklin. Il a l’honneur de lui envoyer la continuation du Regître de MM. les Commissaires du Magnétisme animal. Il le prie de vouloir bien en prendre lecture, le signer et le lui renvoyer le plus tôt qu’il le pourra. Il auroit bien desiré le lui porter lui même, mais il est obligé d’aller si fréquemment à Paris...
476To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 2 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Governor Jefferson who sails for Europe by this Conveyance will be able to afford you every necessary Intelligence relative to the State of our affairs in America, it will therefore be needless for me to say any thing upon that Subject.— I beg leave to Introduce The Honble Nathll. Tracy to your Acquaintance, a Gentleman of good Sense & who has for some time...
477To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Chadirac, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 1 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Attaché au Service de France, j’ay eu L’avantage de Consacrer mes jours à la défense des côtes de votre pays dans cette derniere guerre; je me suis trouvé à tous les Combats qu’essuia L’hermione Commandée par M Delatouche, entr’autres à celui qu’elle Soutint contre l’Iris, où j’eus Le malheur de perdre le bras droit. Arrivé à Paris depuis peu, je n’ai rien...
478To Benjamin Franklin from the Conte Saluzzo di Monesiglio, 1 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library L’abbé Perno Piémontois ayant réüssi à appliquer un clavier à l’harmonique de manière à pouvoir jouer des airs comme l’on feroit avec le clavecin, je m’empresse d’en faire part à vôtre Excellence et de vous prier de nous apprendre si on n’a pas encore exécuté un pareil méchanisme à Paris, à Londres ou ailleurs, car la chose étant neuve, je me ferois un...
479To Benjamin Franklin from [François de Fontanges], 30 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Vicomte de fontanges mon frere, Monsieur L’ambassadeur, Vient de m’ecrire touts Ses regrets de n’avoir pas été Compris dans La liste des officiers français auquels Le Congrés a accorde L’ordre de Cincinnatus. Comme il est a St domingue il n’a pas pu Vous exposer Les titres quil avoit pour demender Cette faveur. Permettes moi de Vous Les detailler en peu...
480John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Baron de Reishack, has several times said to me that his Court expected that Congress would announce formally their Independence, and asked me, if any Step of that Sort had been taken. that I may be able to give him an Answer, I must request of your Excellency to inform me whether you have made the Annunciation directed in the first Article of the Instructions of the 29 of October 1783 and...
481To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 29 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Baron de Reishack, has several times said to me that his Court expected that Congress would announce formally their Independence, and asked me, if any Step of that Sort had been taken. That I may be able to give him an Answer, I must request of your Excellency to inform me whether you have made the annunciation directed in the first Article of the...
482To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Frecon, 29 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardonnez la Liberté que je prends de vous écrire; Auteur d’un traitté des changes de toutes le places qui négocient ou peuvent négocier avec la france, il manque á mon ouvrage de faire Connoitre au public la maniere dont la france pourrait changer avec les principales Villes des Etats unis de L’Amérique. Cette république, Monsieur, doit aux éfforts de...
483To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Chase, 28 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to introduce to Your Notice, Civility and friendship Mr. Moss, Son of the Bishop of Bath & Wells. This Gentleman is very desirous of being honoured with your Acquaintance. I am still detained here but shall certainly sail before the middle of next Month. I shall be happy to render You any Services in America. Mr Champion, requests his...
484To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Lafayette, 28 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr De La fayette, monsieur, m’ecrit de Lorient ou Les vents Le retenoient mardy dernier, et ou il [sera?] encore retenu selon toute apparence. Il me mande qu’il a trouvé a Lorient, des arrivans damerique qui Lui ont annoncé des paquets de Lettres, qui devoient etre arrivés a paris, par la poste Dimanche 20. Je n’ai point entendu parler de ces Lettres je ne...
485To Benjamin Franklin from Le Maire de Gimel, [28 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je sens combien je Vous fatigue par mes demandes réitérées, mais comme dans tous les tems Vous avez eu des bontés pour moi, j’espere que Vous Voudrez bien encore m’apostiller ce memoire, l’etourderie du copiste m’ayant rendu inutile celui que Vous eutes la bonté de m’apostiller le 30 Maÿ dernier. Le ministre nattend plus qu’après cela pour prononcer sur ce...
486Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour of sending to your Excellency Copies of Papers contain’d in a Dispatch just receiv’d from Congress. The Affair of the Free-Ports recommended to us, has been someTime settled: They are Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne & Marseilles.— I wonder much that we hear nothing from Congress of their foreign Arrangements. This short Line from the President is the only one I have...
487From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 27 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed I have the Honour of sending to your Excellency Copies of Papers contain’d in a Dispatch just receiv’d from Congress. The Affair of the Free Ports recommended to us, has been sometime settled: They are Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne & Marseilles.— I wonder much that we hear nothing from Congress of their foreign Arrangements. This short Line from the...
488To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Barclay desired me to deposit in the Consuls Office my last public Accounts as settled with you. I shall be much obliged if you will please to transmit the Originals to him where they may be always open to public Inspection. I am most dutifully & Affectionately Yours. I return you Doctor Priestlys Paper which I have read with much pleasure. Addressed:...
489Loose Thoughts on a Universal Fluid, [25 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, American Philosophical Society (two); copies of French translation: Library of Congress (two), Bibliothèque de l’Institut de France In this series of speculations, Franklin tried to combine into one theory his long-held beliefs about light, heat, and fire. The concept he used to link these phenomena—the subtle...
490To Benjamin Franklin from Wadsworth & Church, 24 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messrs Wadsworth & Church present their respectfull Compliments to Doctr Franklin—they much regret that it is not in their power to wait on the Doctr as they leave Paris early tomorrow Morning. If the Doctr has any commands for London they will be happy to obey them Addressed: To / His Excellency Doctr Franklin / Passy Notation: Wathworth & Church 24 June...
491To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 22 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our Mutual Friend Mr Hollis has just left this with me to send to your Excellency which I inclose in a packett to Monsr: Genet and dare say that you will receive it safe. I did myself the honour to send you through the hands of Mr Hartley Mr Champions observations on Lord Sheffields book, which I hope you received safe & in a few days I shall convey by the...
492To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 22 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Colo. Humphrys needs not as some others Letters of Recommendation, being himself his own Epistle to every one who would take Knowledge of real Worth & singular Merit. He was educated in this College, of which he was formerly elected a Tutor or Professor. He has distinguished himself in our Army through the War, and Gen. Washington has taken him into his...
493To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 20[–21] June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In full expectation of Dr Bancrofts calling on me before he embarks I write again tho I have just finished one for you, I did expect he would dine with us tomorrow and am disapointed to hear he cannot, for I love every one you love, and the Dr is so agreable and sensible, that every one must think favorably of him and like his Company, for his own sake, so...
494To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Three Letters, 21 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
(I), (II), and (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ it is long since we heard from you, we have now and then the pleasure of hearing of you— Mr. Charles Thompson told me the other day, that he had received a Letter from you dated in March, and that you then were well; this is the last account we have of you— I confess I have been pleasing myself with the expectation of seeing you at...
495To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Brand Hollis, 21 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The loss of a young person of fine dispositions and excellent principles, & in whose education I greatly interested my self, as intending him to be my son & heir, has prevented me attending to matters which at another time would have engaged my thoughts; was it not for this, I should justly incur the imputation of negligence, as it is some time since I...
496To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Rati, 21 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The subscriber a Subject of the Thirteen United American States Inhabitant of Salem in New-England, having sailed from thence since the 20th: of July 1782 & been trading in the W-Indies & on the Spanish Main, upon a report that the Moors of barbary did not choose to prey upon any American Flagg having attempted to Come from Martinicca to this Port with...
497To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, [on or before 20 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Major Depontiere I wrote you a short Letter the other day, it was at the very instant of my moveing, I had neither pen or wafer, I hope you will excuse the appearance it made, I thought you would be happy to hear I was well even if it were wrote in Greek Characters. My little Richard is most amaizingly recovered since we came out here and the whole...
498To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Castries, 20 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer un Projet de repartition des Prises faites par l’Escadre aux ordres du Commodore Paul Jones dont les liquidations ont été arrettées à la somme de 386,682 l.t. -8–2 d. sauf la déduction de quelques depenses générales de peu de conséquence, et dont mr. le Rey de Chaumont doit justifier. Le Roi a decidé que la répartition de la...
499To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Supposing that Congress would communicate to you directly the powers committed to yourself, mr. Adams & myself, I have delayed from day to day the honour of writing to you, in hopes that every day would open to me a certainty of the time & place at which I might sail: a French packet will leave N. York early in the next month. By her I mean to take my...
500To Benjamin Franklin from Charles (C.-J.) Le Roux, 19 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Depuis quelques années que je n’ai eû l’honneur ni de vous voir ni de vous écrire, peut-être m’avez vous perdu de vue. Mr. De Gebelin que la Société et les Lettres ont perdu trop tôt m’honoroit de son estimé et de son amitié. Il connoissoit mes ouvrages et particulierement Mon Journal d’Education que j’ai fait autrefois par ordre du Gouvernement pour...