4091From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress It being long since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you, & understanding that a Packet Boat has been lost; I fear some of my late Letters may have miscarried, and therefore send the above Copies. With great Regard, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant Hodgson’s last extant letter, written...
4092From Benjamin Franklin to Georgiana Shipley, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I imagine the good Family is by this time establish’d in London for the Winter. The Bearer Mr Alexander, will give you an Opportunity of acquainting me how they do, as he returns immediately. It is therefore I write this Line by him, which I cannot lengthen, having too Short a Notice of his Departure. It may serve at the same time to inform you, who I know...
4093From Benjamin Franklin to Castries, 16 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy: Library of Congress Le Major Franks qui a eu l’honneur de vous presenter ma Lettre du huit du mois passé est allé par mes ordres à Brest pour y attendre une Occasion pour s’en retourner en Amerique, sur l’Esperance que vous avez bien voulu me donner de lui accorder cette permission, sur le premier des Bâtiments de Sa Majesté qui partiroit pour ce Pays. Cet officier m’écrit...
4094To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 17 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received the Packet, containing the Correspondence relating to the Goods. I suppose that Mr Barclay is there before this time, and the Affair in a way of Accomodation. Young Mr Neufville is here, but I have thought it best not to give him as yet any Hopes of my Paying the Bills unless the Goods are delivered. I shall write fully by next Post. This serves chiefly to acquaint you that I...
4095From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 17 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have received the Packet, containing the Correspondence relating to the Goods. I suppose that Mr Barclay is there before this time, and the Affair in a way of Accommodation. Young Mr Neufville is here; but I have thought it best not to give him as yet any Hopes of my Paying the Bills unless the Goods are delivered. I shall...
4096From Benjamin Franklin to David Franks, 17 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, acquainting me with your being taken up at Brest, examined & uncivilly treated. Methinks you are too ready to suppose this was done with an Intention to offend you. It is the Duty of those who have the Care of the Ports, when Strangers appear there, to enquire who & what they are. Brest is an...
4097From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 19 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Haverford College Library; AL (draft) and partial copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I duly received yours of the 7th. per young Mr. de Neufville, enclosing the Pamphlets, of which I gave one the next Day to M. Beaudoin. It was so long since we had heard from you, that we feared you were sick. I inclose sundry American News-papers, out of which perhaps some thing may...
4098From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 25 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL and AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Vous me boudes, ma chere Amie, que je n’avois pas vous envoyé l’histoire de notre grande Victoire. Je suis bien sensible de la Magnitude de notre Avantage, & de ses possibles bonnes Consequences; mais je ne triomphe pas. Sçachant que la Guerre est plein de Varieté & d’Incertitude; dans la mauvaise Fortune j’espere la bonne; & dans la bonne je...
4099From Benjamin Franklin to [David Salisbury Franks], 27 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 20th. Inst, that from Mr. Jay, which you mention to have inclosed, is not come to hand. I can therefore form no Opinion of Mr. Jay’s Reasons for wishing you to return to Spain, & cannot advise you in the Affair. If you do undertake that Journey, I request you would deliver the Dispatches & letters I...
4100From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 27 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 21st Inst; and having understood from Mr Grand that he had lately obtained a Sum that would be sufficient for the present Month, I communicated your Letter to him, and desired his Opinion whether instead of the Million I had...