8131Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to American State Officials, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Paris, 18 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:102 ; ordered printed by the congress as a broadside (illustration facing p. 99 ). This letter was signed by Adams and Franklin because, according to Arthur Lee in his Letterbook ( PCC , No. 102, IV, f. 7), “this Intelligence was sent...
8132To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 28 March 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania This serves to cover Bills of Exchange as per List hereunder and to inform you that our Supply Bill lyes with the Governor now the 24 Inst including the Proprietary Estates and granting £100,000 for the Raising &c. of 2,700 Men but I shall refer to another Letter for further Particulars on that Head and propose this as a seperate Cover to the...
8133To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, 25 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Herewith I take the liberty to inclose the Acts I was mentioning yesterday morning. After inquiry I found they had been truely made before two Notaries Publick, the one Mr. Lambot & the other Dupré; & by giving more authenticity to these Acts in putting your Name & Seal to them, you will greatly oblige those they concern. With Regard to the loan office...
8134To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Poterat, 9 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les gens que jay instruit de léquipè que jay fait de prendre la liberté de vous parler cheminée mont tous dit que vous me croiriez folle et que certainnement vous ne me feriez pas réponce. Mais comme javois puissé en vous même Monsieur la confience de vous demender simplement comme le fesoit nos bons ayeux, votre a vie et votre ouvrier, je me suis flatté...
8135To Benjamin Franklin from Erhard Christian Hechtfischer, 25 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Ickelheim near Windsheim, January 25, 1778, in German: I write to express my joy at your countrymen’s success; may God establish their freedom. I am a former citizen of Ansbach. My compatriots are fighting in America against their will; even when they embarked at Oschenfurt the infantry exchanged fire with the jägers. The clergy must have prayed in vain...
8136To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Hillegas, 6 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Mr. William Wood of a reputable Family connected with your old Friend my Uncle Mr. Thomas Boude and the Newbolds in the Jerseys whom you have frequently heard of if not personally known to you— having an inclination to see the World as well as to do something with reputation to himself by endeavouring in the Commercial Way to increase his...
8137To Benjamin Franklin from “a Freeman and Associator,” [between 3 and 19 August? 1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In the summer of 1775, while a subcommittee of the Pennsylvania committee of safety was wrestling with the organization of the associators, the rank and file of fledgling soldiers in Philadelphia were voicing three main concerns. Two of them, their pay and the treatment of those who refused to volunteer, are discussed in the headnote on the report of...
8138To Benjamin Franklin from Julien-Pierre de La Faye, 4 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ne pouvant accompagner Mad. du Lin, comme je l’aurois désiré, je vous prie de Vouloir bien écouter la proposition qu’elle est chargée de vous faire et que je crois qui pourroit vous être agréable dans les circonstances présentes. Je proffite avec empressement de cette occasion pour vous réiterer les assûrances du très respectueux attachement avec lequel...
8139To Benjamin Franklin from Rebecca Haydock Garrigues, 20 May 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thy favour of Captain All came safe to hand with the Silk in good Order, which merits my sincere Thanks. I shall always esteem myself much obliged by Doctor Franklin’s kindness, in taking so much Trouble as he has done in getting the Silk made. My Father has paid Neighbour Franklin the ballance on account of the Silk, agreeable to thy Order. I am very...
8140To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Garrigues, [1762?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will please to Excuse my thus addressing as I am personally an intire Stranger to you and I can find nobody at present that knows me or my Family. You have been pleased once to do a great favour for my Mother with Respect to her finding her Father the late Mr. Ralph for which you have laid us all under a lasting Obligation to you. And as my Mother is...
8141To Benjamin Franklin from Turgot, [May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçû avec bien de La reconnoissance la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire, ainsi que les dessins gravés qui y etoient joints; Je vous en envoye la Traduction en vous priant de vouloir bien me faire Savoir Si elle est fidele. J’accepte bien volontiers L’offre que vous me faites de me donner des Eclaircissements, puisqu’ils me procureront...
8142To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 14 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Salem County Historical Society, Salem, N.J. The Reason of my not writing to you more fully is, that I was [recently?] informed by Mrs. Franklin, you designed to set out for Philadelphia in the Month of May or June next. The Thoughts of seeing you here [ torn ] I assure you, is most pleasing to me, and I heartily wish you a safe Voyage, [and?] every Thing that is agreeable on...
8143From Benjamin Franklin to James Russell, Silvanus Grove and Osgood Hanbury, 20 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received from his Excellency Thomas Sim Lee Governor of Maryland a Letter dated at Annapolis in Council the 4th. of January, requesting me to transmit to you the Copy of an Act (which I inclose accordingly) and to desire your immediate answer, whether you will transact the Business, sell out the Stock, & accept and pay the Bills drawn in pursuance of the...
8144From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 5 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; copy: Library of Congress Having just received these Letters under Cover to me from New- England, I Send them immediately to your Excellency. Being with great Esteem, and Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Sert. Endorsed: M d F expédies la réponse a toutes les lettres que j’ai recuës de M de la Touche pour la faire partir par l’ariel...
8145To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gordon, 15 March 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Leaving London the 5th. Instant I was taken ill of a Fever on the Road, which has gather’d strength and Confined me to my Bed ever since, so that I am Brought quite low and am at this time scarce able to sit up to write. How dismall Alass is my Situation; in a Strange place, without Money, without Freinds, and in a Sick and very Weak Condition. I know...
8146From Benjamin Franklin to Castries, 7 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives de la Marine J’ay l’honneur de transmettre à V. E. la copie d’une lettre que je viens de recevoir de M. de Veimerange au sujet des avaries arrivées à un des Batiments de transports chargés des munitions destinées pour les Etats unis de l’amerique. Je pense qu’il est a propos que Votre Gouvernement ayant eté chargé jusqu’a present de ces sortes d’affaires, continue à les diriger,...
8147To Benjamin Franklin from Jno. Piers et al., 8 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS or L : American Philosophical Society We take the Liberty to inform you that we the four undermentioned was taken in the Black Prince belonging to Philadelphia near Eight Months ago and should be glad if Possible to imbrace the oppertunity of going in any Privateer or other Ship in the American Service to gett home as we all have Familys in America Hope your Honour will take our Case into...
8148From Benjamin Franklin to Katherine French, 26 February 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library After so full an Opinion in favour of your Friend’s Work from the late learned Dr. Sharpe, my Sentiments of it seem unnecessary, as they can add no Weight. They will appear, however, by my requesting that Five Sets more may be sent me, which I intend as Presents to my Friends the Speakers of so many American Assemblies or Parliaments. These added to the Set you...
8149To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Rochambeau, 8 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. La Ctesse. de Rochambeau prie Monsieur le docteur francklin d’avoir La Bonté de luy mander ce qu’il peut dire dune nouvelle que les Banqiers debitent depuis deux jours qui Leurs est venu par Londres qui est que Mr. clainton etant allé attaquer Mr. le cte. de rochambeau dans ces retranchemens en a été vivement repoussé et qu’il a perdu 1500 hommes....
8150To Benjamin Franklin from Watson & Cossoul, 27 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si nous étions surs que Ne [Notre?] sr Watson fut encore à Paris, il aurait lui même lhonneur de vous expliquer le motif quinous fait avoir celui de vous écrire, mais dans l’incertitude où nous sommes de son départ, nous croyons mieux faire en nous addressant directement à vous; la copie cy incluse d’une lettre que nous avons reçue de Mr Geo. Benson de...
8151To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 30 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur franklin trouvera ci-joint la lettre originale de M. adams; M. de Rayneval le prie de vouloir bien la luy renvoyer, aussitôt qu’il en aura fait tirer copie. Notation: De Raynval, Versailles le 10. Juin 1780. Presumably the recipient’s copy, now at the AAE , of JA ’s June 22 memorandum to Vergennes, for which see JA to BF , June 29. Among BF ’s...
8152To Benjamin Franklin from Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen de Trémarec, 15 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai appris que vous faites construire en hollande deux frégates tres fortes; je serois au comble du bonheur si j’avais L’honneur de commander un pareil batiment. On peut avec une frégate de ce genre se rendre maitre d’un vaisseau de Ligne surtout Lorsque la mer est grosse. Si vous avez la bonté, Monsieur, de m’en confier une, j’ose vous assurer que je me...
8153To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 16 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Jays acquaintance with the Ct. de Rechteren who does me the honor to ask an Introduction to your Excy might preclude the necessity of the present Address, If I had not a strong desire of convincing the Count of my sense of his Civilities and of my connection with you— I might from your Long Silence conclude that he will owe much more to his own merit...
8154To Benjamin Franklin from [the Marquise de Boulainvilliers], [25 December? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Nous avons lhonneur de faire Mille remerciments a Monsieur franklin de son attention obligeante. Nous sommes dans linquietudes et dans l’impassiances la plus vive des nouvelles; nous suplions Monsieur franklin de nous en intruire quand il le poura et de venir bientot recevoir nos tandres homages; ma petitte accouchée qui vat a ravir me prie de dire a...
8155To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 24 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Partridge, one of the principal Merchants at Leghorn, and who is universally esteemed for his knowledge and virtue, will have the honor to present you this letter. As he takes Paris in his way to England, I wish to introduce to you a Gentleman of his merit, and who has long been a warm and sincere friend to me and my little family. As his stay upon the...
8156To Benjamin Franklin from George Scott, 5 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a very cold & a very tedious Journey I arrived here on the evening of the 27th. Ulto. & have been luckey enough to find a Genoese Vessell here just upon the point of departure for Naples, the Captain says that we shall positively saill to day & I expect him sending for me every moment. From Paris to Lyons I travelled in Company with a friend of yours,...
8157To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 2 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Vessel that left Annapolis the 16 November arrived at this port yesterday. The English under Col Leslie enterd the Bay and landed at Hampton. They retreated a few days after leaving their Camp Kettles and other Baggage in the Camp their precipitate Retreat is supposed, from advises received of a Body of French Troops which Genl Nelson & other officers in...
8158From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 3 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives, American Philosophical Society; transcript: National Archives Enclos’d are Copies of a Number of Publick Letters taken from the English in a late New York Pacquet, of which I have already sent Duplicates by several Conveyances. I have the honour to be, with great Respect, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant Notation: Letter May 3. 1781 Doctr. Franklin Recd....
8159To Benjamin Franklin from James Mullin: Promissory Note, 18 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Passy, printed by Benjamin Franklin, 1780. Printed form with MS insertions in blanks, signed: American Philosophical Society In mid-February, probably in anticipation of the expected prisoner exchange, Franklin printed on his Passy press a quantity of triplicate forms to replace the handwritten promissory notes that he had issued to escaped prisoners. These forms lasted him until June, 1781,...
8160To Benjamin Franklin from Frédéric-Samuel Ostervald & Abraham Bosset Deluze, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous nous proposions de rendre encore une fois nos devoirs à Votre Excellence, mais la crainte de la détourner de ses importantes occupations, nous fait préférer cette voye pour La Supplier de daigner nous apprendre, Si l’offre que nous avons eu l’honneur de luy faire de nos très humbles Services pour quelque entreprise Typographique pourroit lui paroitre...