531From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Scriptorium (1990); copies: William L. Clements Library, National Archives (London); transcript: National Archives I have considered the Observations you did me the honour of communicating to me, concerning certain Inaccuracies of Expression and suppos’d Defects of Formality in the Instrument of Ratification, some of which are said to be of such a Nature as to affect “the Validity of...
532To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Thompson, 2 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform your Excellency that Mr. Jay embark’d on board the Ship Edward, Capt. Cooper with his Lady and family the 31 Ulto in the Evening with a fair wind which has continued ever since. I am also to advice you that a Picture of the Marquis la Fayet intended for Genl. Washington in Mr Jay’s care was oblig’d to be left on shore as...
533To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 2 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Bibliothèque Municipale, Nantes Washington here announces that his former aide David Humphreys has been elected by Congress to serve as the secretary of the new commission to negotiate commercial treaties. His election crushed Franklin’s hopes for a diplomatic career for his grandson William Temple Franklin. On August 15 Temple...
534From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 2 June 1784 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to appoint Colo. Humphrys Secretary to the Commissioners, for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe, I take the liberty of introducing him to you. This Gentleman was several years in my family as an Aid de Camp. His zeal in the cause of his Country, his good sense, prudence, and attachment to me, rendered him dear to me; and I persuade myself you will find no...
535To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 1 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives (London), William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives I have the honour to inform you that I have transmitted to London, the ratification on the part of Congress of the definitive treaty of peace, between Great Britain and the united states of america. I am ordered to represent to you, that a want of form appears in the first paragraph of that...
536To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Howe, [1 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): National Library of Australia Ld Howe desires with the Kings permission to Present the History of the late Capt. Cooks last Voyage Printed under the direction of the admiralty To Dr. Franklin; in acknowledgment of the Doctors Liberal Endeavors for Preventing all Obstructions Which that Celebrated circumnavigator might have been liable to from American Cruizers on his return to...
537Meteorological Imaginations and Conjectures, [May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Library of Congress; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society The “dry fog” that blanketed much of Europe during the summer of 1783 had occasioned much scientific speculation, but its cause was as yet unknown. In this paper, written nearly a year after the fog first appeared, Franklin was less concerned with its cause (though he did propose a theory that would turn out to...
538To Benjamin Franklin from John Walter, May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am oblig’d for your kind Letter, & the present accompanying it, which I think of great Moment to my future Patent.— When I first apply’d to have Type cemented for the incorrect Pamphlet I sent You, Mr. Caslon charg’d Me 2 s./0 per Pound for them, instead of 1 s./0 the common Price of Letters, but gave Me Expectation that the Demand would be lessen’d, if...
539From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 31 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Gilder Lehrman Collection; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Some Inconveniencies are said to have arisen from a want of Certainty in the Powers of our Consuls. The Articles respecting that Matter have been some time prepared and agreed to between Mr de Raynevall and me. If there is no Change of Sentiment respecting them, I beg leave to request your Excellency would...
540To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 31 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Me permettés Vous Mon Cher Et Venerable Docteur De Vous Demander De Vos nouvelles; Et Dans L’Eloignement ou je Suis De Vous De M’informer au Moins Comment Vous Vous portés Et Si Vous pensés quelques fois a la personne La plus Remplie Des Sentimens De L’attachement Le plus tendre Et De La plus profonde Veneration, je ne puis oublier la touchante Bonté avec...