1From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 19 August 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3. but that you mention to have wrote per Mr. Balfour, is not come to hand. I forwarded the Pacquet inclos’d in that of July 23. as directed; and shall readily take care of any other Letters from or for you, that pass thro’ my hands. The Post between this Place and Winchester was established for the Accommodation of the...
2To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3—but that you mention to have wrote ⅌ Mr Balfour, is not come to hand. I forwarded the Pacquet inclos’d in that of July 23. as directed; & shall readily take care of any other Letters from or for you, that pass thro’ my hands. The Post between this Place & Winchester was established for the Accomodation of the Army chiefly, by a Vote of our Assembly;...
3From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New York Public Library I am much obliged by your kind Care of my unfortunate Letter, which at last came safe to hand. I see in it a Detail of the mighty Force we are threatned with; which however I think it is not certain will ever arrive; and I see more certainly the Ruin of Britain if she persists in such expensive distant Expeditions, which will probably prove more disastrous...
4To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am ⟨muc⟩h obliged by your kind Care of my unfortunate Letter, which at last came safe to hand. I see in it a Detail of the mighty Force we are threatned with; which however I think it is not certain will ever arrive; & I see more certainly the Ruin of Britain if she persists in such expensive distant Expeditions, which will probably prove more disastrous to her than anciently her Wars in the...
5From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 22 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Kunstsammlungen der Veste Coburg The Bearer, Mr. Joseph Belton some time since petitioned the Congress for Encouragement to destroy the Enemy’s Ships of War by some Contrivances of his Invention. They came to no Resolution on his Petition; and, as they appear to have no great Opinion of such Proposals, it is not easy, in the Multiplicity of Business before them, to get them to bestow any...
6To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 22 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer, Mr Joseph Belton, some time since petitioned the Congress for Encouragement to destroy the Enemy’s Ships of War by some Contrivances of his Invention. They came to no Resolution on his Petition; and, as they appear to have no great Opinion of such Proposals, it is not easy, in the Multiplicity of Business before them, to get them to bestow any part of their Attention on his...
7To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Franklin, 16 Aug. 1776. On 18 Aug. GW wrote to Franklin : “I have been honourd with your favour of the 16th.”
8From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 8 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Congress having appointed Mr. Adams, Mr. Rutledge and my self, to meet Lord Howe, and hear what Propositions he may have to make, we purpose setting out to-morrow, and to be at Perth Amboy on Wednesday morning, as you will see by the enclos’d, which you are requested immediately to forward to his Lordship; and if an Answer comes to your hands, that you would...
9To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 8 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having appointed Mr Adams, Mr Rutledge & my self, to meet Lord Howe, and hear what Propositions he may have to make, we purpose setting out to-morrow, and to be at Perth Amboy on Wednesday morning, as you will see by the enclosd, which you are requested immediately to forward to his Lordship; and if an Answer comes to your hands, that you would send it to meet us at Amboy. What we...
10From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer, Monsr. Dorcet, is extreamly desirous of entring into the American Service, and goes over at his own Expence, contrary to my Advice (as I apprehend you have already more foreign Officers than you can possibly employ) and without the smallest Expectation given him by me of his obtaining a Place in our Army. This at least shows...
11From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and AL (draft): Library of Congress As I see that the Congress has resolved upon raising 3000 Horse for the ensuing Campaign I hope M. de Cenis the bearer of this Letter, may be of great Use in forming some of the Troops, as he is acquainted with that Service, having been a Captain of Dragoons. He goes over at his own Expence, without the least Encouragement or Promise from me, which indeed...
12From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Count Pulawski of Poland, an Officer famous throughout Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defence of the Liberties of his Country against the three great invading Powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia, will have the Honour of delivering this into your Excellency’s Hands. The Court here have encouraged and promoted his Voyage, from an Opinion that he may be highly...
13From Benjamin Franklin to [George Washington], 11 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I do every thing in my Power to discourage foreign Officers from going over to enter into our Service, knowing well how difficult it is to place them, to their Satisfaction and the public Utility, particularly as most who apply are unacquainted with our Language. The Person who will have the Honour of presenting this Letter to your Excellency, M. le Baron de...
14From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 13 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy of each: National Archives The Person who will have the Honour of delivering this to your Excellency, is Monsieur le Baron de Frey, who is well recommended to me as an Officer of Experience and Merit, with a Request that I would give him a Letter of Introduction. I have acquainted him that you are rather overstock’d with Officers, and that his obtaining Employment in your Army is...
15From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society The Gentleman who will have the Honour of delivering this into your Hands, is M. de Bretigny, Captaine d’Infanterie, who has been well and strongly recommended to the Commissioners here as an Officer of Distinction in his Profession. He proposes to raise a Corps in America, to be employ’d in our Service and in that View carries over with him at his...
16The American Commissioners to George Washington, [August or September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, a young Nobleman of great Expectations and exceedingly belov’d here, is by this time probably with you. By some Misapprehension in his Contract with the Merchants of Bordeaux he was prevented from using the Produce of the Cargo he carried over, and so was left without a Supply of Money. His Friends here have sent him over about £500...
17From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress M. de Knobelauch, who will have the Honour of delivering this to you, is recommended to me as an Officer of much Experience, and capable of rendring good Service in our Armies if employ’d. He goes over at his own Expence, and without any Promise from me, as indeed we are not authoris’d to give any: But I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s Notice, and to...
18From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Gontier de Biran, who will have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Merit and Distinction at this Court, as a Gentleman of Family, and of excellent Character for his Morals, Prudence, and Attention to the Duties of his Profession as a Soldier. He is desirous of improving himself in that Profession, under...
19From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 4 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Gentleman who will have the Honour of waiting upon you with this Letter is the Baron de Steuben, lately a Lieutenant General in the King of Prussia’s Service, whom he attended in all his Campaigns, being his Aide Camp, Quartermaster General, &c. He goes to America with a true Zeal for our Cause, and a View of engaging in it and rendring it all the Service in...
20From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 10 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer, M. de Cambray proposes to go to America with a View of entring into our Service. He is strongly recommended to me by the Duke de Rochefoucauld, who is not only a warm Friend to our Cause, but an excellent Judge of military Merit. I enclose his Letter, with a State of M. de Cambray’s Services which I receiv’d from another Hand, whereby it appears...
21From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Three Spanish Gentlemen, Natives of Peru, and Officers in the Army of that Country, [ in the margin : here insert their Names] propose to pass into North America with a View of entring our Army, being ambitious of serving as Voluntiers under your Excellency, whose Reputation as a General stands high all over Europe. They are represented to me by Persons of...
22From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bodleian Library, Oxford; copy: Library of Congress M. de Fontevieux, who hopes to have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is a young Gentleman of a considerable Family, and of excellent Character, who goes over with Views of improving himself in the military Art under your Auspices. He is willing to serve as Volunteer, in any Capacity for which your Exclly. shall find him...
23From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 5 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I received but lately the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me in Recommendation of the Marquis de la Fayette. His Modesty detain’d it long in his own Hands. We became acquainted however, from the time of his Arrival at Paris, and his Zeal for the Honour of our Country, his Activity in our Affairs here, and his firm...
24To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 5 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received but lately the Letter your Excellen[c]y did me the honour of writing to me in Recommendation of the Marquis de la Fayette. His Modesty detain’d it long in his own Hands. We became acquainted however, from the time of his Arrival at Paris, and his Zeal for the Honour of our Country, his Activity in our Affairs here, and his firm Attachment to our Cause, and to you, impress’d me with...
25From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS and copy: Library of Congress; (II) copy: Library of Congress I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance & Civilities, Monsr. le Chevalier De Chastelleux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known and esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick...
26To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance & Civilities, Monsr le Chevalier De Chastelleux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known and esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick Happiness shews him the Friend to Mankind, and as such intitles him...
27To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Count Christian and Count William de Deux Ponts Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of that Name are now abount to embark for America. As Possibly they may before their Return visit your Army, I beg leave to introduce them to your Excellency and to Recommend them to your Civilities as young Gentleman well known to me, of Excellent Character and zealous Friends to our Cause and...
28From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 4 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If by any Operation of War in the ensuing Campaign, the Regiment of Neustrie should happen to be near your army, the Chevr. Le Veneur, Lieutenant Colonel of that Regiment, will probably have the honour of paying his Respects to your Excellency. He is recommended to me by Persons of Worth, as a Gentleman of Excellent Character, highly esteemed by all that know him. As...
29From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
L , AL (draft), and copy: Library of Congress The Bearer Mr. Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny. as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens,...
30To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens, who will leave Paris in a few days. With great &...