9501To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee for Foreign Affairs: Two Letters, 11 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, National Archives, Library of Congress (two); transcript: National Archives; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; press copy: Library of Congress; copy and transcript: National Archives After the repeated Remonstrances you have made to Congress on the...
9502To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 11 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr De Sartine a l’honneur d’envoyer à Mr. Franklin une Lettre pour M. de la Granville Commissaire de la Marine à l’Orient pour qu’il soit delivré un Passeport à la Dame Angloise recommandée de Mr le Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de l’Amerique et Mr. De Sartine a l’honneur de l’assurer de son très sincere Attachement./. Jean-Charles-Bernardin Charlot de La...
Congress having appointed the Honble Henry Laurens to solicit a Loan of Money in the United Provinces of the Low Countries, in Order to facilitate his Success the enclosed Resolution has been passed. We need say Nothing to explain or urge it, except that it is thought a Mark of Attention and Confidence due to those Powers; that their Interest, if the State of Politicks incline them to exert...
9504To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 12 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I got Your obliging favor of the 25th June by Mr. Burn & am very thankful for your attention & civility to Him. He is a very excellent young Man & may be useful to You or Yours hereafter, in case You should have anything to do at Lisbon, for which place He will set out in a month or two & where He is the head of a Merchantile House inferior to no other...
9505To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington, 12 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of introducing to your favourable Notice the Honble James Searle Esquire the Bearer. This Gentleman hath been for some Time past, and now is a Member of Congress for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and comes to Europe charged with Business of Consequence from that State. The Honour that State hath conferred upon him, and the Confidence...
9506To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 12 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress Your Letter of the 5th Currt. gives me more pleasure than any other I have had the Honor to receive from you; because it affords me the Strongest proof of your affection. I observe however with regret that my Letter to Doctor Bancroft has given you offence: It was a private Letter, and as far as I can remember, is the only...
9507To Benjamin Franklin from Achille-Guillaume Lebègue de Presle, 12 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai Lhonneur de prevenir votre Excellence que je crois avoir trouvé une maison tres convenable au jeune Medecin Americain. Mr Desault chirurgien qui fait des cours de chirurgie avec succès consent a le prendre en pension et a lui faciliter Létude de la langue francoise, ainsi que de la chirurgie theorique et pratique, comme il a deja fait pour mr lunn de...
9508From Benjamin Franklin to Mrs. ——— Shrowdy, 13 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Messrs. Foulke and Fox having signified to me your Desire of going to England in some of the Cartel Ships from L’Orient and requested me to obtain for you, Monsr. De Sartine’s Permission.— Herewith I have the honour of Sending you a Letter from that Minister to Monsr. de La Granville, by which you will find he has been pleased to grant your Request, and has given...
9509To Benjamin Franklin from E. Jackson [Edward Jackson Jones], 13 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A very near Relation of Dr. Cadwalladers of Philadelphia presents his respectfull compliments to His Excellency Benjamin Franklyn Esqr. and wishes to have the honor of an Audience—He has taken the Liberty of sending by the bearer, the London papers from the 20th. Ulto. to the 4th. Inst. Addressed: A Son Excellence Benjamin Franklyn / Ministre Plenipotiniare...
9510To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 13 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though with some reluctance we take the Liberty to trouble your Excellency again, she will excuse us we hope as saving the reputation and the Credit of the United States is our only motive. Our Laws do not admitt any bills to be only enregistrated when not Accepted they are generally protested, and So they must. We thought however upon previous consultation...
9511To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 14 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai vu, mon Illustre Docteur, M. De Maillebois et comme vous lui avez donné le choix du Jour il a pris Jeudy prochain 20 de ce mois. Ainsi ce jour là nous aurons l’honneur de vous voir et de causer avec vous. Je m’ennuye d’étre privé depuis Si Long tems de ce plaisir et de cet Avantage. Recevez les Sinceres assurrances de tous les Sentimens d’attachement...
9512To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Mease, 14 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this day favoured with a letter from Mr. Jonathn Williams, desiring me to give you what information I am able, respecting the comparative value of hard money, bills of Exchange and the circulating currency of America, at the time I left Philadelphia. In compliance with his request, permit me Sir, to inform you That interest bills on the Commissioners...
9513To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this opportunity to Send you a small Box of Crown Soap that I Recd from your Sister Who has been here On a Visit, is now return’d in good helth & Spirits, & I belive more happy now then I ever new her. I repeated to her that I Stood ready to advance her any money she stood in need of agreeable to your Orders her greatfull hart was effected. She told...
9514From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 15 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received your favour of the 9. July. I should be very glad to have it in my Power to satisfy every body, and send all the Supplies immediately to America, which the late Disturbance on board the Alliance has in a great measure prevented. I understand that the Alliance would carry a considerable Part of the Stores, and the Ariel the Remainder, but this first...
9515To Benjamin Franklin from Alexis Judlin, 15 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme je n’ai pas eu lhonneur de vous trouver chez vous jai laissé une lettre de la part d’un Mr: de Votre Connoissance, au quel vous avés permi, de vous faire peindre, comme cela vous serés trop incomode de vous transporter chez moi et que je ne pourés point non plus vous donner des seances chez vous, Si vous pouviés me Confier pour quelque jour un...
9516To Benjamin Franklin from Schweighauser, [15 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Having just received Advice from Messrs. Puchelberg & Company that the Alliance Sailed the 8th. Instant, I seize this Post to acquaint you therewith. Notwithstanding the positive orders I gave to the above House not to furnish any longer to that Frigate , they write me that they have been obliged to continue, no other House there having...
9517To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you not long since by the Rambler from Salem, and the Pallas from Newbury Port and have now too much Reason to fear that the Vessel in which Mr Austin sailed from hence the latter End of Jany, or the Beginning of Feby, is lost, as we have hitherto received no Account of it: By that Gentleman I wrote you largely. This will be delivered to you by Mr...
9518To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my letter to you of the 12th. I have seen Jas Garnet who is loungeing & going so idly about the Streets, & whom I have detected in so many lies, that I think it necessary to apprise you of Him in order that Monsieur Chamont may be warnd not to pay too implicit faith to what Garnet may write. He told me had drawn two Bills on Him before He gave me...
9519To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu lhonneur de remettre hier à Monsr. J. Williams la Notte des payemens qui me paroissoient regarder vôtre dépense particuliere depuis l’Epoque du 11 fevrier 1779. Les comptes que jai eu(?) Celui de vous remettre depuis des Etats Unis vous mettront à même de collationer cette Notte. Vous trouverez ci joint, Monsieur, le mandat que vous tirates Sur moi,...
9520To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 266–8. Inclosed I send you a copy of a conciliatory bill which was proposed in the house of commons on the 27th of last month. It was rejected. You and I have had so much intercourse upon the subject of restoring peace between Great...
9521To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have had the Pleasure of receiving your favours of the 13th. & 25th. of June last. After having recd. Part of the money lodged with marquis d’Yranda, I sent for another Part, not chusing to receive the whole at once, and intending to leave in his hands the Balance due to you. I recd. for Answer that I might receive the whole,...
9522From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 17 July 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have been honored with ^ had the Pleasure of rec g ^ your s Favors of the 13 th & 25 th : June last and am greatly obliged by the Communications they make. I refer ^ after having rec d
9523To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 18 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu vôtre lettre avec beaucoup de plaisir parcequ’il y avoit long temps que je n’avois eu de vos nouvelles et De celles de mon Papa et de ma maman. J’ai donné le gouter que vous m’avés acordé et je vous en remercie beaucoup j’en fus très content ainsi que tous mes amis je ne vous envoie pas une pièce de dessin parce qu’elle n’est pas tout à fait finie...
9524To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael: Extract, 18 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c … (2nd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1817), II , 461. I thought, until the receipt of your letter (of the 17th June) that Mr. Jay had sent you Sir John Dalrymple’s Memorial, and other papers while I was at Aranjuez. He sends them, however, by this courier, and I think you will be amused in...
9525From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Rinquin, 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours dated the 14th. Instant. containing the Pieces relative to the Padmore a Prize taken by the Black Princess; and I Send you here with the Judgment thereupon. I have the Honour to be, Sir, &c. Missing. We have not located BF ’s prize judgment. Rinquin, the clerk of the Admiralty of Morlaix, had been communicating with BF for the past half...
9526From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress In order to have the old arms, conveyed to America in the cheapest manner, I request you to have the Gun Barrells Locks Bayonnetts & Iron or brass furniture of them closely packed in small Cases so as to take up the least Room possible. The Cases may be the exact length of a Gun Barrell & being about a foot broad & deep they...
9527From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have already given you Powers to freight a Ship to carry out the public Stores & I now confirm them. If you agree with Mr. de Chaumont for the Breton or other large Ship to pay the Freight in France, you may draw on me for the amount of it. I approve of Mr de Chaumont’s proposition for the Cloathing he has at Nantes &...
9528To Benjamin Franklin from John Ross, 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour of your Excellencey’s much Respected favour 15th. Inst:— The disturbance on board the Alliance must be attended with delay’s & difficultys in geting forward the Stores. Therefore, it being evident Your Excellencey’s plan have been deranged by the measure’s of that faction, much to the dishonour & prejudice of the United States & foreseeing...
9529To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomtesse de Clermont-Tonnerre, 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society MDe. La Vtse De tonnerre a lhoneur De faire mille Complimets a monsieur le Docteur franklin et Celuy de luy envoyer deux Lettre pour les etats unis affin qu’elle parviennent plus Surment a Leurs destination elles Sont de mr le chr De failly qui a eté longtems aux Service des etats unis mde. De tonnerre Sest chargé de Suplier monsieur le docteur de franklin...
9530To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 20 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Comme tout est en vacance & absent d’ici, & que les Etats Provinciaux d’Hollande ne se rassembleront que le 26, je n’ai rien à marquer quant aux affaires publiques, si ce n’est que 10 à 12000 prussiens cantonnés en Westphalie ont ordre de se tenir prêts à S’approcher de Munster au premier signal qui leur en sera donné, à...
9531From Benjamin Franklin to Jean de Neufville & fils, 21 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I declined having any Concern with the Bills drawn on M. Laurens, because I had no Orders nor Advice concerning them, and knew nothing of their Amount, and because he himself was daily expected to arrive in Holland. But being lately informed that the Congress Stopt the Proceeding in those Drafts soon after it commenc’d, having adopted the better Plan of...
9532To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [after 22 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I had the pleasure of seeing You I did not know that we were to quit our present Habitation before five O’Clock. I therefore trouble with this, to desire that you will by him send Your Commands for England, and the paper I left with you. Let your Evening and Morning Contemplation be the Inscription on the Peace of Munster. As much depends on You , in...
9533From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 12th. and one preceding. I am glad you took mine of the 5th as it was intended in friendship— It had appeared to me, that you hurt your own Views, and weaken’d your own hands by a censorious [quarellous?] Disposition that obstructed your Acquisition of … … at your Request and to prevent Mischief, the orders were not caried into Execution, I...
9534From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This letter was written in response to a plea from Capt. William Robeson of the South Carolina navy, now in Paris, regarding a runaway slave. Robeson had purchased this “little Negro Boy” from Lieut. Peter Amiel. The young man had disappeared on May 31, the eve of Robeson’s intended departure for Lorient. Robeson was forced to delay his journey by several days, during...
9535From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Small, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c … (2nd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1817), I , 65–6. You see, my Dear Sir, that I was not afraid my masters would take it amiss if I ran to see an old friend though in the service of their enemy. They are reasonable enough to allow that differing politics should not prevent the...
9536To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The last time we had the pleasure of hearing from you was on the arrival of the Marquis de la Fayette. Having just recd: an account of the arrival of the French Fleet at Rhode Island, we please ourselves with the expectation of hearing of you, if not from you. Sally with her two youngest Children are in the Country, at our Friend Mr. Duffield’s, returning a...
9537To Benjamin Franklin from Tristram Dalton, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honor’d with your Favors of the 17 October last respecting the Compensation order’d by the good King of France, for Reperation of the loss of the Brigantine Fair Play, & did flatter myself, that there would have been no further Occasion of troubling or interrupting your more important Business, on this account, but that of asking Acceptance of the...
9538To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Champion and Other People with Goods and Services to Offer, 24 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the months covered by this volume Franklin received only four offers to supply goods or to establish factories in America. The earliest, published below, comes from a supplier to the French army at the Hôtel royal des Invalides. That same day, July 24, the Parisian firm of Magniel Montauban & Cie., on the rue de Bourgogne, “Maison de M. Joly,” offers...
9539To Benjamin Franklin from John Diot & Co., 24 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We did our Selves the honnour to write to you the 7th. Instant, to acquaint you with the arrivall in this harbour, of the prize Padmore Capn. Salomon William, Loaded with 28 Twenty four pounds Cannons. This Serves to forward to Your Excellency an abstract of the Journal of the Black Princess privateer, Captn. Edwd. Macatter commander, that came in to this...
9540Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioner or Commissioners, 24 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Three ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last of the 27th. of June the following Sets of Exchange have issued from my office vizt. To the State of Maryland dlr Dolr 7 Sets 100 each No. 1–7 700 5 200 1–5 1000
9541To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes: Two Letters, 24 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) copy: Library of Congress; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères M. L’Ambassadeur de Hollande continue, Monsieur, à se plaindre de la Prise du Navire la Flora, faite par le Corsaire le Prince Noir, Vous êtes trop éclairé pour ne pas sentir que l’armateur de Ce Corsaire, Sujet du Roi et domicilié à Dunkerque, ne peut reconnoitre d’autre Autorité que celles de Ses...
9542To Benjamin Franklin from Baron Joseph Podmaniczky, [after 25 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Baron Podmaniczki presents his respectfull compliments to Dr: Franklin, and takes the liberty of asking the permission to wait upon him to day at dinner; the day of his leaving this town being fixed on next Wednesday; But as one of his Friends, the Brother of Mr: de Walkiers St: Amand has entreated the Baron to procure him the honour of the Doctors...
9543rom Benjamin Franklin to Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Honours of yours, without Date, relating to the Ship called Gouderoos, which you mention as taken first by the English, and afterwards retaken by an American Privateer, and sent into New-York. I do not well understand this Account, New-york being itself in the Hands of the English. I shall chearfully do any Service in my Power for the owners; and...
9544From Benjamin Franklin to Van der Oudermeulen, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly the Honour of yours of the 3d. Instant. Supposing you are by this time returned from N Holland, I write this Line just to acquaint you that my Sentiments continue the same as in my former Letter; and that in my Opinion, the Merchants of America are not likely to form any Such Company’s as proposed. The Congress cannot authorize it having no Power to...
9545From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress The Intention of his Majesty, (which you have done me the honour to signify to me in your Letter of the 24th Instant) to have the Contestation relative to the Taking of the Ship Flora, brought before the Tribunals of the Realm, there to be judged according to the Laws and Rules established for French Privateers,...
9546From Benjamin Franklin to James Woodmason, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and press copy: Assay Office, Birmingham, England When James Watt, working in Birmingham in the summer of 1778, succeeded in developing a method of copying letters by mechanical means, he did so in order to spare himself work. But he was soon convinced to patent the process and market the materials. James Watt & Co. received a patent in May, 1780, for a copy press that would soon change...
9547To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have but a Moment to write by the Mars a Vessel belonging to this State, the Voyage having been kept secret upon political Accounts. I congratulate you on the Arrival of the Fleet from Brest, under the Orders of the Chevalier de Ternay, at Newport, after a Passage of about ten Weeks; not a single Vessel of the whole Fleet missing. You will hear before...
9548To Benjamin Franklin from Jean [Montague], 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai l’honneur de vous assurer de mon tres humble respect. Jai celui de vous Faire Sçavoir que Japartient á Monsieur le Capitaine Robson, il ma Fait des ménaces de me Fraper pour lors jai trouvé Monsieur Tessier Gentilhomme qui desire faire mon bonheur; Monsieur Robson la Scü et ma Fait arreté et fait constituée prisonnier au petit chatélet parceque le...
9549To Benjamin Franklin from Rudolph Erich Raspe, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The kindness, wherewith Your Excellency was pleased last year to receive Baron Waiz and would have received me at Passy, engages me to the warmest acknowledgments and obliges me in consequence of my duty to Your Excellency and to the bearer of this to direct and to recommend to Your care Baron Podmanniczky, a Nobleman from Hungaria, whose learning, zeal,...
9550To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Je viens de recevoir, Monsieur, une Lettre de M. Jon: Loring Austin se disant agent pour l’Etat de Massachusset, comme je ne connois point ce Particulier, je ne puis que vous renvoyer Sa Lettre, parce que je ne saurois recevoir que par votre Canal les demandes qui interessent soit les Etats unis en general, soit...