201Henry Strachey to the American Peace Commissioners, 5 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two) Knowing the Expectation of the King’s Ministers, that a full Indemnity shall be provided for the whole Body of Refugees, either by a Restitution of their Property, or by some stipulated Compensation for their Losses, and being confident, as...
202Richard Oswald to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
You may remember, that from the very beginning of our Negociation for settling a Peace between Great Britain and America, I insisted that you should positively stipulate for a Restoration of the property of all those Persons, under the Denomination of Loyalists or Refugees, who have taken part with Great Britain in the present War. Or if the said property had been resold, and passed into such...
203Draft Peace Treaty Agreed to by the American Peace Commissioners and Richard Oswald, 4 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
Articles agreed upon by and between Richard Oswald Esquire the Commissioner of His Britannic Majesty, for treating of Peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America, on behalf of His said Majesty, on the one part. And Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams, three of the Commissioners of the said States for treating of Peace with the Commissioner of His said Majesty, on their...
204Richard Oswald to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and five copies: Public Record Office; LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library (two), Library of Congress, National Archives (two), North Carolina State Division of Archives and History; press copy of copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives You may remember that from the very beginning of our Negotiation for Settling a Peace between Great...
205Philip Mazzei to the American Peace Commissioners, 2 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania What I am going to mention to your Excellencies will, I hope, apologize for the liberty I take of addressing myself to you. In January 79. I was appointed by the Government of Virginia to go to Europe to transact there some business of importance for the State. I was taken prisoner in coming, & did not recover my liberty ’till Novr. the same year. I...
206From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 1 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
In answer to the Letter, your Excellency did me, the Honour to write me on the 15 of October, a Copy of which you delivered me Yesterday at Mr Oswalds the original not being received, I have only to Say that there is Money enough in the Hands of Messieurs Wilhem and Jan Willink, Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst and De la Lande and Fynje, of Amsterdam, to discharge the Interest of the Ten...
207To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society John Adams arrived in Paris on the evening of Saturday, October 26, after a ten-day journey from The Hague. The first person he sought out the following morning was Matthew Ridley. Ridley gave him general information on the state of the negotiations, and filled him in on Franklin’s health: the Doctor was still weak and had ceased his custom of...
208To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 15 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
A long and painful Illness has prevented my corresponding with your Excellency regularly, but I paid the Bill you drew upon me and advised me of in your last Letter. Mr Jay has I believe acquainted you with the Obstructions our Peace Negociations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By the next Courier expected from London, we may be able perhaps to form some Judgment of the...
209From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society A long and painful Illness has prevented my corresponding with your Excellency regularly, but I paid the Bill you drew upon me and advised me of in your last Letter. Mr Jay has I believe acquainted you with the Obstructions our Peace Negociations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By the next Courier expected from London, we may be able...
210The American Peace Commissioners: Commission for William Temple Franklin, [1 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Yale University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society The present document, penned by William Temple Franklin on October 1, was most likely signed by Franklin the same day. It was eventually signed by all the peace commissioners, but not without hesitation (on the part of John Jay) and outright hostility (on the part...
211To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 23 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The two inclosed Accounts have been compared with my List of Acceptations and found right. I am ashamed that they have not been sooner returned: but I have waited for my Clerk who keeps the Account of those Affairs to get well in order to assist me in the business, he having been long confined and disabled with the Fever of this Country, but is now well....
212From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 13 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had Yesterday, at Amsterdam, the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of June 2. The Discovery that Mr Grenvilles Power, was only to treat with France does not Surprize me, at all. The British Ministry, are too much divided among themselves, and have too formidable an opposition against them, in the King and the old Ministers, and are possessed of too little of the Confidence of the...
213To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I had Yesterday, at Amsterdam, the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of June 2d. The Discovery that Mr Grenvilles Power, was only to treat with France does not Surprize me, at all. The British Ministry, are too much divided among themselves, and have too formidable an opposition against them, in the King and the old Ministers, and are...
214From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 10 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour to inform you, that I have this day drawn upon you, in favour of Messrs Fizeau Grand & Co for the Amount of Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being for my Salary, for one Quarter of a Year, which you will please to charge to the United states, according to the Resolutions of Congress. I hope I shall not have occasion to draw upon your Excellency for any further Sums...
215To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform you, that I have this day drawn upon you, in favour of Messrs Fizeau Grand & Co for the Amount of Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being for my Salary, for one Quarter of a Year, which you will please to charge to the United States, according to the Resolutions of Congress. I hope I shall not have occasion to...
216To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 2 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
Since mine of May 8th I have not had any thing material to communicate to your Excellency. Mr Grenville indeed arriv’d just after I had dispatch’d that Letter, and I introduc’d him to M. De Vergennes; but as his Mission seem’d only a Repetition of that by Mr Oswald, the same Declarations of the King of Englands sincere Desire of Peace, and willingness to treat of a General Pacification with...
217From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 2 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Since mine of May 8th I have not had any thing material to communicate to your Excellency. Mr Grenville indeed arriv’d just after I had dispatch’d that Letter, and I introduc’d him to M. De Vergennes; but as his Mission seem’d only a Repetition of that by Mr...
218From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 24 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of April 22d and that of May 8th. are recd. I will Examine, Mr Fizeaus accounts as soon as my Friend Mr Thaxter, is a little better, who is now sick of a Fever. I have attempted it alone, but I find a few little Variations from my accounts, of no great Consequence, which however perhaps Mr Thaxter may clear up. The arrangements of Time and Place, mentioned in Lord Shelburne’s...
219To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 8 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Mr Oswald, whom I mention’d in a former letter which I find you have received, is returned and brought me another Letter from Lord Shelburne of which the above is a Copy. It says Mr Oswald is instructed to communicate to me his Lordships Thoughts. He is however very sparing of such Communication. All I have got from him, is that “the Ministry have in Contemplation, the allowing Independence to...
220From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 8 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Oswald, whom I mention’d in a former letter which I find you have received, is returned and brought me another Letter from Lord Shelburne of which the above is a Copy. It says Mr Oswald is instructed to communicate to me his Lordships Thoughts. He is however...
221From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 2 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with your Favour of the 20 of April, and Mr. Lawrens’s Son proposes to carry the Letter to his father, forth with. The Instructions by the Courier from Versailles came Safe, as all other Dispatches by that Channell, no doubt will do. The Correspondence by Mr Hartly I recd by Capt Smedley, and will take the first good opportunity by a private Hand, to return it, as well as that...
222To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 2 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives I am honoured with your Favour of the 20 of April, and Mr Lawrens’s Son proposes to carry the Letter to his father forthwith. The Instructions by the Courier from Versailles came Safe, as all other Dispatches by that Channell, no doubt will do.— The...
223To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 22 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Fizeaux and Grand have lately sent me two Accounts of which they desire my Approbation. As they relate to Payments made by those Gentlemen of your acceptances of Bills of Exchange, your approbation must be of more Importance than mine, you having more certain Knowledge of the affair. I therefore send them enclos’d to you, and request you would be pleas’d to compare them with your List...
224From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society Messrs. Fizeaux and Grand have lately sent me two Accounts of which they desire my Approbation. As they relate to Payments made by those Gentlemen of your acceptances of Bills of Exchange, your Approbation must be of more Importance than mine, you having more certain Knowledge of the affair. I therefore send them enclos’d to you, and request you would be...
225To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 21 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have just received the Honour of yours dated the 16th. Instant, acquainting me with the Interview between your Excellency and Mr Lawrens. I am glad to learn that his political Sentiments coincide with ours; and that there is a Disposition in England to give us up Canada and Nova Scotia. I like your Idea of seeing no more Messengers that are not Plenipotentiaries; But I cannot refuse seeing...
226From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 21 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have just received the Honour of yours dated the 16th. Instant, acquainting me with the Interview between your Excellency and Mr Lawrens. I am glad to learn that his political Sentiments coincide with ours; and that there is a Disposition in England to give us up Canada and Nova...
227To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 20 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I hope your Excellency received the Copy of our Instructions which I sent by the Courier from Versailles some Weeks since. I wrote to you on the 13th. to go by Capt. Smedly and sent a Pacquet of Correspondence with Mr. Hartley. Smedly did not leave Paris so soon as I expected; but you should have it by this time. With this I send a fresh Correspondence which I have been drawn into, viz: 1. A...
228From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 20 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I hope your Excellency received the Copy of our Instructions which I sent by the Courier from Versailles some Weeks since. I wrote to you on the 13th. to go by Capt. Smedly and sent a Pacquet of Correspondence with Mr. Hartley. Smedly did not leave Paris so soon as I expected: but you should have it...
229From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 16 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday noon, Mr William Vaughan of London, came to my House, with Mr Laurens, the son of the President, and brought me a Line from the latter, and told me, that the President was at Harlem, and desired to see me. I went out to Haerlem and found, my old Friend at the golden Lyon. He told me that he was come partly for his Health and the Pleasure of seeing me and partly, to converse with me...
230To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 16 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday noon, Mr William Vaughan of London, came to my House, with Mr Laurens, the son of the President, and brought me a Line from the latter, and told me, that the President was at Harlem, and desired to See me.— I went out to Haarlem and found, my old...
231To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 13 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed with this I send to your Excellency the Pacquet of Correspondence between Mr Hartley and me which I promised in my last. You will see we have held nearly the same Language which gives me Pleasure. While Mr Hartley was making Propositions to me, with the Approbation or Privity of Lord North, to treat separately from France, that Minister had an Emissary here, a Mr Forth, formerly a...
232From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Inclosed with this I send to your Excellency the Pacquet of Correspondence between Mr Hartley and me which I promised in my last. You will see that we have held nearly the same Language which gives me Pleasure. While Mr Hartley was making Propositions to me, with the Approbation or Privity of Lord North, to treat separately from...
233To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform you that I have this day drawn upon you, a sett of 2 Bills of Exchange, at one usance, in favour of Messrs Fizeaux Grand & Co, for Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being my Salary for one Quarter, computed in the Bill at four Thousands seven hundred and thirty three Crowns, Ten Sols and nine Deniers, of Sixty...
234Officers of the Admiralty of Guadeloupe to the American Peace Commissioners, 3 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society En conformité des ordres du Roi, les Officiers de l’Amirauté de la Guadeloupe ont l’honneur d’adresser à Vos Excellences, deux copies de procedures instruites au sujet des prises amenées à la Guadeloupe par des corsaires Americains. Nous Sommes avec respect, Messieurs, de Vos Excellences, Les très-humbles & très-obéissans Serviteurs Notation: Salimon 3. avl....
235To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York and Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I think they can hardly miss it:...
236From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York & Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their Remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I...
237From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 26 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
One day, last Week, I recd at Amsterdam a Card from Diggs, inclosing two Letters to me from Mr David Hartley. The Card desired to see me upon Business of Importance: and the Letters from Mr Hartley contained an assurance that to his Knowledge the Bearer came from the highest Authority. I answered the Card, that in the present Situation of Affairs here and elsewhere, it was impossible for me to...
238To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 26 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Robert Castle Norton Autograph Letters of U.S. Presidents, Western Reserve Historical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy, two press copies of copies, and transcript: National Archives One day, last Week, I recd at Amsterdam a Card from Diggs, inclosing two Letters to me from Mr David Hartley. The Card desired to see me upon Business of Importance: and the Letters from...
239From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Having concluded to provide for the Payment of the Bills drawn on Mr. Laurens in favour of Mr Ross, which were presented to you last Year, this is to request that you would examine and accept the said Bills, and keep an Account of them. I have ordered Money into the Hands of Messrs Fizeaux and Grand for the Payment of those that...
240From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received a Number of Packets from America. In opening them I did not perceive that the enclosed was directed for you, till I began to read the Letter it contain’d. I beg you will excuse this Inadvertence. I congratulate you on the Change of Disposition in the English Nation with regard to America. Misfortunes make People wise, and at present they seem to...
241From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 10 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Should the British Forces now in New York and Charlestown evacuate those Places and go to the West India Islands, they might give a good deal of Trouble to the French and Spanish Possessions there. It would cost those Powers many Men and Ships and a great deal of Money and Time perhaps to manage them: whereas a Fleet and a Sum of Money now well directed would infallibly make Prisoners of the...
242To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Should the British Forces now in New York and Charlestown evacuate those Places and go to the West India Islands, they might give a good deal of Trouble to the French and Spanish Possessions there. It would cost those Powers many Men and Ships and a great deal of Money and Time perhaps to manage them: whereas...
243From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 20 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour of yours of the 12th. and will take an early opportunity to send you all the Lights I can obtain, by Inferences from the Numbers of the Bills. Those already presented I shall accept according to your Advice. Your office is certainly a disagreable one in many respects, and mine grows every day more and more disgusting to me. I wish myself at home every hour in the 24,...
244To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 20 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday I had the Honour of yours of the 12th. and will take an early oppertunity to send you all the Lights I can obtain, by Inferences from the Numbers of the Bills.— Those already presented I shall accept according to your Advice. Your office is certainly a disagreable one in many respects, and mine grows every day more and more disgusting to...
245To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 12 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received the honour of yours dated the 7th. Inst. acquainting me with the Presentation of several more Bills drawn on Mr Laurens. I think you will do well to accept them, and I shall endeavour to enable you to pay them. I should be glad to see a compleat List of those you have already accepted. Perhaps from the Series of Numbers, and the Deficiencies, one may be able to divine the Sum that...
246From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours dated the 7th. Inst. acquainting me with the Presentation of several more Bills drawn on Mr. Laurens. I think you will do well to accept them, and I shall endeavour to enable you to pay them. I should be glad to see a compleat List of those you have already accepted. Perhaps from the Series of...
247From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 4 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday was presented to me another Bill of Exchange for 1100 Guilders, drawn on Mr Laurens 25th. Feby. 1780. I have, as usual, asked time to write to your Excellency, to know if You can be responsible for the payment: if not, they must be protested, for there is no Money to be had here. Indeed, if there was a probability of obtaining any small Sum here, quare, whether it would not be...
248To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 4 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have received yours of the 25th. past, in which you acquaint me with the Reasons you have for being fully of Opinion that no Loan is possible to be procured by you, till there is a Treaty. Our only Dependance then appears to be on this Court; and I am happy to find that it still continues dispos’d to assist us. Since mine of the 11th. past, tho’ I have obtain’d no positive assurances of...
249From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have received yours of the 25th. past, in which you acquaint me with the Reasons you have for being fully of Opinion that no Loan is possible to be Procured by you, till there is a Treaty. Our only Dependance then appears to be on this Court; and I am happy to find that it still continues dispos’d to assist us. Since mine of...
250To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 4 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Yesterday was presented to me another Bill of Exchange for 1100 Guilders, drawn on Mr Laurens 25th. Feby. 1780. I have, as usual, asked time to write to your Excellency, to know if You can be responsible for the payment: if not, they must be protested, for there is no Money to be had here. Indeed if there was a...