1From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 2 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Port Folio , III , (1803), 214. I wrote to you lately by Mr. Story, and since by another conveyance. This line will be delivered to you by Mr. Deane, who goes over on business of the Congress, and with whom you may freely converse on the affairs committed to you, in behalf of that body. I recommend him warmly to your civilities. Mess’rs. Vaillant and Pochard continue close...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 12 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution ... (12 vols., Boston, 1829–30), IX , 317–18. Last night we received a packet from North America with some advices, of which I send you the substance. I see your letters now and then to Mr. Deane and Mr. Carmichael, and thank you for the kind mention made of me in them. I am so bad a correspondent, that...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 8 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; transcript: National Archives It is long since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. I hope your Health continues. If Mr Fox, to whom I give this Line, should visit the Hague, I recommend him warmly to your Civilities. He is a Gentleman of good Character, and for whom I have a great Regard, not only as an American and the Son of an old Friend,...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 17 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives It is a long time since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. I hope however that you and yours continue Well. The Bearers, Mr. President Wheelock and his Brother go to Holland on a Publick spirited Design, which you will find recommended by many eminent Persons in America. I beg leave to request for these Gentlemen your civilities and best Counsels, as...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 4 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives It is so long since I heard from you, that I begin to fear you are ill. Pray write to me, and let me know the State of your Health. I inclose Morgan’s Acct. of his Engagement with Tarleton. If he has not already received it, it may be agreable to our Friend the Gazetteer of Leiden. Everything goes well here, and I am ever, Your...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 9 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Port Folio , II (1802), 236–7; extracts: American Philosophical Society; Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Paris; Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. I received your several favours, of May 18, June 30, and July 8, by Messrs. Vaillant and Pochard; whom, if I could serve upon your recommendation, it would give me great pleasure. Their total want of English is at...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 20 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Parke-Bernet catalogue (1963) <Passy, July 20, 1778: Franklin notifies Dumas of the ratification at Versailles of the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and authorizes him to “communicate the Treaty of Commerce to M. le Grand Pensionnaire.” > Session of December 3: p. 19 of catalogue 2235. See the preceding document. Three weeks earlier Dumas had shown the Grand...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 15 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I write this Line just to acknowledge the Recepit of your greable Favours of the 2d. 3d. & 6th. Instant. I hope you are now well with your family, and that I shall soon hear from you what Part your Governement takes with regard to our Little Squadron. I am ever Your’s affectionately
9From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, [12] August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS , AL (draft), and copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Inclos’d I send you a late Paper rec’d from Rhodeisland. You will see in it the advantages our Troops have gain’d in South Carolina. Later Advices directly from Philadelphia, say, that the Enemy have now nothing left in Georgia, but Savannah; in South Carolina, but Charlestown; nor in North Carolina but Wilmington....
10From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Anne and Paul Fenske, Rapid City, South Dakota (1981); copy: Library of Congress I received duly your several Favours of Oct. 18. 22. 25. 28. 29. & Nov. 2. Your Reasons for the speedy Depart of the Squadron, are good. I am glad the Affair of the Deserters is so well got over, as appears from your Extracts. I am exceedingly well satisfied with the Conduct of your Government and with the...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 16 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have News here that your Fleet has behaved bravely; I congratulate you upon it, most cordially. I have just received a 14. 5. 3. 10. 28. 2. 76. 202: 66. 11. 12. 273, 50. 14. joining 76. 5. 42. 45. 16. 15. 424. 235. 19: 20. 69. 580. 11. 150. 27. 56. 35. 104. 652. 28. 675. 85. 79. 50....
12From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 14 & 21. past. I communicated to M. De Chaumont what you say in your last relating to your attending the Arrival of our Friend. Inform him as soon as you see him, that he is in Holland to follow the Orders he will receive from the g. Factor . We have just heard something of him that gives every body here abundant Satisfaction. As I have...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 18 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 3 inst. My Indisposition seems to be wearing off; and I hope will permit me to go abroad in a few Days. Mr. Neufville’s first Propositions were so much out of the Way, that I could not accept them. He required a fifth Part of the Loan to be sent over to him annually during the first 5 years in the Produce of America for Sale, & the Money...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have just receiv’d yours of the 24th.—which I read with Pleasure. This serves to recommend to your Notice and Civilities the Bearer Dr Foulke, a young Physician of Philadelphia, of excellent Character, who travels for Improvement in his Profession. I recommend him earnestly to your Civilities, and request you would introduce him to...
15From 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...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 19 inst. You have my free Consent to communicate the Letters you mention (and any others that I have written) to M. L. Ambr. de F. He is a wise Man & our Friend, and his Opinion & Advice, when he may think fit to give it, cannot but be useful in our Affairs. As to that M. Str. I saw him twice with Mr. de Ne. when I was ill with the Gout;...
17From Benjamin Franklin to [Dumas], 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library; transcript: National Archives I wrote to you yesterday relating to the Affair of your Letter to Mr Carmichael that you might know exactly the Truth of the Transaction. On Reflection I think it proper to add, that what I wrote was for your Satisfaction only; and that as the making it publick would give infinite Pain to a very worthy Man, Mr. F. Grand, who would then...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 27 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I received yours of the 10th. Instant. I Shall be glad to learn how the taking of the Dutch Ships has been accommodated. We have yet no News of the alliance: but suppose she is cruizing. We are more in Pain for the Confederacy, who Sailed the 28th Oct. from the Capes of Deleware. There is some Hopes that She went to Charlestown to take in Mr....
19From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I am Much pleased with the Account you give me, of the Disposition with which the Proposals from the Empress of Russia have been received, and desire to be informed from time to time of the progress of that interesting Business. I Shall be glad to hear of your perfect Reconciliation with the Because a Continuance of your Difference will...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I received yours of 29th. Sept. & 3d. Oct. It is a very good Addition you made to your Memoire for the Ministers of Russia & Sweden. I am glad to find you are again on such good Terms with the Ambassador, as to be invited to his Comedy. I doubt not of your continuing to cultivate that good understanding. I like much your Insertions in...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 7 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Library of Congress Inclosed is a Letter for Capt. Jones, which you are desired to deliver him yourself as soon as possible, after his Arrival.—It will be well to keep secret that you expect him there. I hope you had a good Journey home. I am with great Esteem Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant. In WTF ’s hand. See Chaumont to Dumas,...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 6 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS , AL (draft), and copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have receiv’d several Letters from you lately inclosing others for the President of Congress; and for Spain, all of which are sealed & forwarded, except the last for the President containd in yours of the 26th. past, which shall go by the first Opportunity. The Reading of those Letters gave me much Information, and...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 9 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I received yours with a Copy of the Resolution of the 26th past which gave me a great deal of Pleasure. If one Nicholas Davis, who lodges in the Warmoes Straat Amsterdam, at the House of Jan Hendrik Consé, should apply to you for Assistance as an American, I desire you to take no Notice of him for he has already cheated us of considerable...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 14 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Hendershott Museum Consultants, Inc., Little Rock, Arkansas (1996); copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have duly receiv’d your late Letters and thank you for the Intelligence they contain’d. Your three Letters to the President of Congress, will go by different Ships, and I hope you will succeed in your Application for a farther Allowance, which I think you merit....
25From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 7 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for the Information you give me of Mr. Lee’s Proposition. I do not think he has any Powers to borrow Money for the United States distinct from ours but he may have Power to borrow for Virginia. I think you acted very discretely in the Business; and I am sorry that such a Proposition should be made, as, if known it might have bad Consequences....
26From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 3 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have before me yours of the 9th. & 16th. of November, which I think are the last I received from you. With regard to Augmentation of your Salary, I would not have you place too great a Dependance on it, lest a Disappointment should thereby [ be ] rendred more afflicting. If a good Peace were once established, we should soon be richer...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, [22 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Extracts (two): American Philosophical Society We have, as you know, made Overtures to the Grand Pensionary. We took that to be the regular Course of Proceeding. We expect an Answer. If he gives us none, we shall naturally conclude that there is no Disposition in their H. H. M. M. to have any Connection with us, and I believe we shall give them no farther Trouble; at least that would be my...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frederic Dumas, 1 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have just time to acknowledge the Receipt of your two Packets, A and B. with the Pamphlets enclos’d, the Contents of which are very satisfactory. You will hear from me more fully in a little time. With great Esteem I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant See Cornelius Stevenson to BF above, Aug. 22, 1776....
29From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 27 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 21th. and one before acquainting me with your Safe arrival, which gave me great Pleasure. You Shall have the Treaty and my few Remarks very soon. I inclose four of our latest Newspapers, which contain some Intelligence from Carolina, the Particulars of the taking of the fort at Stony Point, and the Devastations made by the Enemy in...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library It is not a pleasant thing to be called upon for one’s Sentiments of Persons & Characters; but when Matters of Importance to our Country, our Friends or ourselves, depend on a true Judgment of Men, it is right to ask one another’s Opinions & to give them frankly in confidence that no inconvenient Use will be made of them. Mr. S. has always been a Friend to the...