851To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon: Two Letters, [1783] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL : American Philosophical Society Mon aimable papa, il fait si beau que cela me donne l’ésperance de vous débaucher ce soir pour prendre le thé a la maison, venés de bonne heure pour avoir le tems de vous reposér et de retourner doucement avant la nuit; Mr votre fils et Benjamin seront assés aimables pour vous accompagner: Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / [ In another...
852To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gross, [c. 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society To his Excelency Dr. Franklin plenepotentary &c &c &c &c The humb: pettition Of Alexander Gross Native Of Cape Codd in America Most humbly Sheweth that your Excelency’s pettitioner is Now A hostage in Dunkerque prison—is A Native Of Cape Codd in America his parents Now Live there, is Abt. Twenty Six Years Of Age, Entered A Volentiere About 8 Years Ago in the...
853To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Louis Joannis, [c. 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a environ 3 ans que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous vendre une fonte de gros texte. Je vous témoignai alors le desir de passer en Amérique, Sous vos auspices, pour m’y établir fondeur en Caractere, vous me repondites que les circonstances de la guerre ne vous permettoient pas d’acquiescer à ma demande, mais que Si elles venoient a changer de face vous me...
854Analysis of Loyalists, [1783?] (Franklin Papers)
D : Library of Congress Two hundred & eighty eight persons called Loyalists, & specified by Name in the Morning Post, classed in the following Manner.— Persons residing in Great Britain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32. Deceased Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34. Apostates , that is to say, persons who had conformed to the American Government, &...
855To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy: Four Letters, [1783?] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (III) and (IV) AL : American Philosophical Society Mon Illustre Docteur j’ai été hier au soir chez vous pour avoir lhonneur de vous voir et malheureusement je n’ai pas eu celui de vous trouver. Je voulois vous demander si vous pouvez nous faire l’honneur de venir mardy avec Monsieur Votre petit Fils prendre du Thé l’après midy et voir partir...
856To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Mailly, [1783] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society M. Le Maréchal de Mailly, ayant sçû que, Monsieur francklin, désireroit connoître Le plan et la Situation du Port-Vendre. Il a crû pouvoir lui en Envoyer quelques Exemplaires, et Il désire qu’ils puisse Lui plaire Et luy paraître de quelque utilité Respective./. Notation: Le Mal. de Mailly— The military commander of Roussillon in the eastern Pyrenees ( DBF,...
857From Benjamin Franklin to Michel-Guillaume St. John de Crèvecœur, [after 2 April 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have perused the foregoing Memoir, and having formerly had some Share in the Management of the Pacquet Boats between England and America, I am enabled to furnish you with some small Remarks.— The Project is good, & if carried into Execution will certainly be very useful to Merchants immediately, and profitable to the Revenue of the Post Office at least after...
858Franklin’s Responses to the Maréchale de Beauvau’s Questions on Lightning Rods, [after 21 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society On July 21, 1783, Bethia Alexander wrote to William Temple Franklin with a request from the maréchale de Beauvau, who was desperate for Franklin’s advice on installing a lightning rod at her residence, the château du Val. Temple was to place before his grandfather the paper she enclosed. “Une reponse tres exacte” was to be written in the margin beside each...
859To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Golowkin: Two Letters, [after 23 October 1783] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Je ne suis arriveè à Paris, mon cher et bon Papa, qu’avant hier au soir, j’ai fait un sèjour de trois Semaines à St. Germain, ou je me suis plû extremement, nous avons bien parlè de vous, mon Papa, et vous avès là, comme partout ailleurs de bons amis, et de Zêlès admirateurs. Au premier jour, vous me verrès arriver chez vous, en Globe, à moins...
860To Benjamin Franklin from John Viny, with a Note by Mary Hewson, [after 28 November 1783] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I am favourd with yours of the third of Octobr, in about ten days, the contents of which, does me the highest Honor as it is demonstrative of your desire to serve me and my Family, from the Impulse of Affection, the Evidence of which is so like your Self, most Indearingly conveyed; but no more, let it Suffice that we love, honor, and Revere you, and wait...
861From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, [December 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Je vous envoye incluses, les petites Pieces que vous, ma très chere Amie, m’a fait l’honneur de me demander. Celle sur le Jeu des Echecs, doit etre dedieé à vous, la plus belle conseil qu’elle contient, etant copié de votre maniere genereuse & magnanime de jouer, que j’ai si souvent experiencé. Mon petit Fils a été voir votre Maison. Je suis bien...
862To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé de La Roche, [December 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bonjour, cher Papa, je suis toujours estropié, et dans l’impossibilité d’aller vous voir, d’aprendre par moi même des nouvelles de vôtre Santé. Nôtre Dame n’ose point sortir au milieu de cette neige. Elle vous envoye la petite graine de l’Altamaha que lui a demandée Mons. vôtre fils. Auriez vous 3 ou 4 bouteilles de Madère sec ou de Xeres à m’envoyer, vous...
863To Benjamin Franklin from François-Pierre de Séqueville, [after 5 December 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Printed announcement with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society La Cour prendra le Deuil le neuf de ce mois, à l’occasion de la mort de Mademoiselle. Sa Majesté le portera 21 jours. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur francklin / Ministre Plenipore des Etats Unis / de l’Amerique Septentrionale / a Passy / vers Paris ./. De séqueville The date of death of Sophie, known as “Mademoiselle”...
864Franklin: Certificate for Cripps & May, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives Départementales de la Gironde J’ai eu Connoissance de la Lettre de Mrs. Cripps et May dont il Est fait mention, négocians de Charlestown. Je Crois qu’elle Contient Vérité, et Je ne puis qu’espérer que Le placet du Capitaine Conte, Sera favorablement accüeilli. A South Carolina mercantile firm that owned and outfitted ships, and traded with firms in Bordeaux: XXV , 428; XXIX ,...
865To Benjamin Franklin from Breteuil, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Depuis la lettre, Monsieur, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire le Vingt Six de ce mois au Sujet du Nommé Schaffer, j’ai eté informé que ce particulier a eté arreté au mois de juillet dernier Comme prevenu d’Escroqueries; que Son procès ayant eté instruit, il a eté Condamné au Carcan et au bannissement, et que Sur L’appel de ce Jugement il a eté transféré...
866To Benjamin Franklin from Caffiéri, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si je netois pas indisposé, j’aurois l’honneur D’aller vous Souhaiter au renouvellement de cette année tout ce qui peut arriver de plus heureux à un homme de votre merite; privé de ce bonheur permettes moi de vous faire parvenir Les assurances de mon respect. J’apprens par Les papiers publics que malgré une guerre dispendieuse Les Etats Americains, pour...
867To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Dubuysson, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M Le marquis de lafayette me fait demander Les papiers que J’ai eu L’honneur de vous faire passer. Je ne scais si c’est pour vous Les Communiquer ou pour vérifier Lui même. Si je Suis susceptible de Lordre des Cincinati en [ ce ] cas Je vous prie Monsieur, de vouloir bien Les Lui faire passer sur Le champ j’ôse en même tems vous suplier Monsieur, de m’être...
868To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not words to express, the Pleaseur I had in Receving your very kind leter, which you was so good as to send me by Mr. Lamot, for allthoug I have not seen you for this lage(?) Past, my heart warms when ever I here your Naime mensiend, as does my wife, for She Loves you sincearly. Could wee but have the Pleaseur to Injoy you here, was it but for a few...
869To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Marguerite-Jean-Baptiste Mercier Dupaty, 30 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosphical Society I have the honour to send you with a thousand thanks, the book you have been so good as to lend me. I have perused it with satisfaction, notwithstanding I thougt the system of the Author incomplete, sometimes erroneus, often chimerical, and in general treated in a manner rather too superficial. But the importance of the subject, the continual clearness of...
870To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Du Ponceau, 30 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am in the last uneasiness Concerning my Brother’s Fate. There is one year Since I receiv’d letters from him. I am afraid he Could be Sick; for I am at a loss how interpret Such a Silence. If by your assistance I could have knowledge of What it is become of him Nothing Could equal my obligations. He Was in the beginning under Secretary in the department of...
871From Benjamin Franklin to John and Rosamond Sargent, 29 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library You cannot conceive, my dear Friends, how happy your kind Letters make me. To find that thro’ all the unpleasant Circumstances that so long have separated us, you still retain your ancient Regard for me, gives me a Pleasure inexpressible. A Thousand Thanks for your hearty Invitation to your House. I am sure I can be no where happier, than with a Family I so...
872To Benjamin Franklin from John Walter, 29 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As a Gentleman of Science & a Well Wisher to the new erected Empire, I address myself to You on an Improvement, which is now introduc’d into the World, on which a pamphlet is just publish’d, to print with Words entire, instead of single Letters, which will be of the most important Use in the future Conduct of the Press, both for Dispatch, neatness, &...
873To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 29 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wrote you a few days ago adviceing that Doctr. Coopers being Sick provented my presenting your Bill, he is now dead, he die’d this Day about 12 oClock, I shall endever to git your Bill answerd, I think the famley will pay it as the Doctr. has left a good Estate for one of the Cloth we think the death of this Ameable man is not only a Loss to his famley &...
874To Benjamin Franklin from John Charretié, 28 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Charretié presents his best respects to his Excellency Dr Franklin he proposed having the honour of waiting upon him but his business at Versailles having prevented him, from whence he is this moment returned, with an express order from the Minister to sett out for London on Teusday morning, this renders his going to Passy impossible, he therefore sends...
875To Benjamin Franklin from the Société Typographique de Lausanne, 28 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Printed D with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Nous avons l’honneur de vous donner avis, d’une entreprise que nous venons de faire, & qui nous a paru jusqu’à présent, aussi désirée qu’utile au Public. C’est de prendre dans la nouvelle Encyclopédie par ordre de matieres, tout ce qui manque à la premiere Encyclopédie par ordre alphabétique, & d’en former un Supplément à l’usage de...
876From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, 27 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your two Letters to the Commissioners, dated at Princeton the 27th of October & 1st of November, and one to me of the first of November, came duly to Hand; Mr Adams saw the public Letters in England, Capt. Jones having landed with them at Plymouth. We thank you much for the Intelligence they contain. I am now alone here, Mr. Jay being at Bath, with Mr Laurens, and...
877To Benjamin Franklin from Jérôme-Marie Champion de Cicé, 27 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress J’ay reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire au sujet des Catholiques americains. Vous pouvez etre Sur en Cette occasion Comme en toute autre de mon empressement à Seconder vos vües tant par rapport à vos Catholiques dont il est facile d’assurer le Service, qu’en faveur de M. L’abbé de la Roche que j’estime et aime. J’aurois besoin dans le...
878To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 27 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It has long been my sincerest wish to return you my warmest & best thanks for your kind & affectionate attentions to me when at Paris, but I refrained troubling you with a letter till I could entertain you with something new & worthy your attention. Till the present moment I have unfortunately been only in those spots that you have yourself formerly...
879From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS and transcript: Library of Congress I have received your Favour of the 16th October, and am much oblig’d by the Intelligence it contains.— I am happy to hear that your Government has agreed to furnish Congress with the Means of discharging the National Debt. The Obstruction that Measure met with in some of the States, has had very mischievous Effects on this side the Water;...
880From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Hazard, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am desired by the General Post Office of Great Britain to recommend to your Consideration a Sketch of an Advertisement respecting the Packet Boats, which they think it may be useful to publish. You will do in it what you think proper. Perhaps you have already done what is necessary. As I was formerly long connected with that Office, & have Friends in...
881From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library In reading Mr Viny’s Letter when I receiv’d it, I miss’d seeing yours which was written behind it in a Corner. I thank you much for your kind Offer respecting my Grandson. I was fully resolv’d on sending him in September last, and engag’d Mr Jay, one of my Colleagues then going to England, to take him over in his Company: But when it came to be propos’d to him, he...
882From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The London Magazine, new series, III (1825), 479. Our Cousin, Mr. Williams, left London in June last, on his return to Boston. He carried some goods for you. I hope he arrived safe, though I have no Letter from him. I have since sent him a bill of exchange for your account on Dr. Cooper, and signified my desire that the whole might be put to interest to produce a little annual...
883From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Mifflin: Two Letters, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (incomplete draft): Library of Congress; (II) ALS and transcript: National Archives I congratulate you very sincerely on your Appointment to that very honourable Station, the Presidency of Congress: Every Testimony you receive of the public Sense of your Services and Talents, gives me Pleasure. I have written to you a long Letter on Business, in my quality of Minister. This is a private...
884From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Pennsylvania Packet, And General Advertiser, June 29, 1784; copy: Bibliothèque de Genève I do not know who is at present secretary of our philosophical society, and therefore I address to you, who read French, a book lately published here, which gives an account of one of the most extraordinary discoveries that this age has produced, by which men are enabled to rise in the...
885To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Breteuil, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, La lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire et par laquelle vous demandez au nom des Parens du Né. [nommé] schaffer détenu dans les Prisons de La Conciergerie, des Ordres du Roi pour le faire passer aux Isles.—Je vais en Ecrire à M. Lenoir, et je vous prie d’Etre persuadé d’avance que je ferai tout ce que Les Circonstances...
886To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez-vous, Monsieur, que je vous recommande le paquet ci-joint. Je Supose que la fregate le Washington n’est pas encore parti. Un de mes amis, Monsieur, desiroit avoir une lettre de recommandation de Votre part pour M. le Dr. Price, et je Serois Sensiblement obligé Si vous vouliez bien me l’accorder. Mon ami S’appelle de Chateaufort; il va passé...
887To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Since we parted I have been so much & so long indisposed as that (except short Letters to Mrs. Jay) I have denied myself the Pleasure of writing to my Friends. The Kindness you have shewn us both, has nevertheless not been forgotten, nor has my Disposition to acknowledge and be influenced by it in the least abated....
888From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 26 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Since we parted I have been so much & so long indisposed as that (except short letters to M rs . Jay) I have denied myself the Pleasure of writing to my Friends. The Kindness you have shewn us both, has nevertheless not been forgotten, nor has my Disposition to acknowledge and be influenced by it in the least abated. We have lately had a Report here that you was very ill with the Stone, and...
889From Benjamin Franklin to Mercy-Argenteau, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv, Austria M. Franklin a reçu les deux Lettres à l’adresse de Mrs. Le Baron de Beelen et le professeur Marter que Monsieur l’Ambassadeur de l’Empereur lui a fait l’honneur de lui adresser pour faire passer en Amerique. C’est un vrai plaisir pour Mr. Franklin de trouver l’occasion de faire quelque chose qui puisse être agréable à Monsieur l’Ambassadeur et il aura...
890From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Mifflin, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress Not having heard of the Appointment of a new Secretary for foreign Affairs, I take the Liberty of addressing this Dispatch directly to your Excellency. I received by Capt. Barney, a Letter from the late President, directed to the Commissioners, dated Novr 1. with a Set of Instructions dated the 29th of October, a...
891From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; incomplete press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society I have received your Favour of the 30th of September, for which I thank you. My Apprehension that the Union between France & our States might be diminished by Accounts from hence, was occasioned by the extravagant and violent Language held here by a Public Person in public Company, which had that...
892To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library Before you receive this you will have heard of a total change of the British Administration. It is not as yet many hours since this event has taken place. The Cabinet is as follows viz Mr Pitt first Lord of the treasury Ld Thurlow chancellor marquis of Carmarthen } Secretaries of State Ld Gower President of Council Lord Sidney Ld Howe first Ld of the...
893From Benjamin Franklin to Ingenhousz, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I am greatly indebted to you for Letters. I shall write largely to you soon. With this I send you some American Papers, more Letters to Sir Jos. Banks, A Letter to Mr Nairne on Thermometers, & some Catalogues of Seeds.— I have sent the Order to America for Seeds which your Friend desired, but I fear the Vessel I sent it by is lost, not being arriv’d the 6th of...
894To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Creuzé, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vos Talens consacrés au bonheur de L’humanité, vous attachent a tous les pays. Vous Estes par vos vertus le citoyen du monde Entiér. Me Serait il permis Monsieur de vous considerér un Seul moment Sous cet unique point de vüe? Pourrais je vous adresser quelques reflexïons touchant la machine aerostatique? Ce n’est point une curiosité puerille qu’il S’agit de...
895To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee Perkins, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society; University of Pennsylvania Library I have lately received from America a Diploma, constituting my late honoured and dear Father Dr. John Perkins a corresponding member of the Royal Society of Medicine at Paris, which arrived there after his decease and which was transmitted to me. Recalling to mind the favors and civilities You was pleased formerly to...
896To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society M. Le C. de Vergennes a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur franklin un paquet pour Mr. le Chever. de La Luzerne. Il le prie de vouloir bien le faire passer à Sa destination par le vaisseau le Wazington. /. Vergennes’ dispatch no. 53 to La Luzerne, of the same date. Vergennes expressed relief that Congress had denied BF ’s request to return home; he thought it...
897To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Harrison, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Harrison presents his respectful Compliments to His Excellency, is sensible of his polite Invitation at same Time is sorry that an Indisposition that has Kept him confined since his arrival in Paris, prevents his having the Honor to wait on His Excellency on Thursday next. Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / en Son hôtel / a Passy The...
898To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [23 December 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society My Dear Doctor give me leave to Send you these two petitions The One for The Woman That I talked to you of and who cries night and Day for a Son who She thinks is dead now, having had no news from him These Seven years. The other is for an Officer who fought in America for your good cause and who is the brother-in Law of The young M. Cassini. Accept my Dear...
899To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Mayo, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Mayo presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and is very sorry that a late illness, of which he still feels the effects, will prevent his having the honor of dining with his Excellency on thursday next.— Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin, Ministre / Plenipotentiare des Etats unis de l’a- / mérique— / à Passy— The former...
900To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Nesbitts most respectful Compliments wait on Doctr Franklin & will do himself the honor to dine with him on Thursday next.— Mr Nesbitt incloses the Letter of Mr. de Vergennes relative to the 22d Article of the Preliminary Treaty— Notation: Nesbit, Decr. 23. 1784. Dec. 25; see John Paul Jones to BF , Dec. 20. The enclosure is missing. Nesbitt had already...