201To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Ogle, 13 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Sam: Ridout, my Grandson, purposing to pass a few weeks at Paris previous to his leaving Europe—wishes to have the honor of paying his respects to your Excellency. I therefore take the liberty of using this method for introducing him— I am Sr. your most Obedien Servant Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats...
202To Benjamin Franklin from Dufriche de Valazé, 15 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Porteur de cette lettre Est M. Dufriche desgenettes mon neveu qui part pour londres, où il va voir Comme on traite la Médecine qu’il Ètudie depuis __ quatre ans à Paris. C’Est un jeune homme sage Et de Bonne Éspérance, à qui je m’interesse Comme à mon fils. Permettez moi, Monsieur, de vous demander pour lui quelques Recommandations pour votre ancienne...
203From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 15 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; ALS (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library You have probably had enough of my Correspondence on the Subject of the Balloons, yet I cannot forbear sending you Mr Charles’s Account of his Voyage, wch contains some Circumstances that are curious & interesting. And perhaps you may, for a Conclusion, have one more Letter from me by him, if he makes the Flight, said to be...
204To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, 16 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur gosséc qui vous reméttra cétte léttre, mon cher papa et auqu’el je prends beaucoup d’intérest a déja eu l’honneur de vous voir, ou monsieur votre fils l’année derniére il vient de négotier des papiers que vous avés trouvés bons, et compte repasser incéssament en amérique ou il a été déja employé, il voudroit avant son départ avoir l’honneur de vous...
205To Benjamin Franklin from Vicq d’Azyr, [after 15] June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je m’empresse de réparer l’oubli que l’on a commis involontairement, & Je joins ici quelques Exemplaires du Rapport que Je vous avais annoncé par ma précédente Lettre. J’aurai l’honneur de Vous faire parvenir sous peu de temps le troisième Volume du Recueuil de la Société Royale de Médecine: c’est le Seul qui aît paru depuis ceux qui Vous ont été remis....
206From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 5 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
Commodore Jones is just arrived from Philadelphia with Dispatches. Those directed to the Ministers I opened. one contained nothing but Newspapers and Proclamations. The other contained a Letter to “the Commissioners” and a Sett of Instructions. The Letter bears Date the 1. of November the Instructions the 29 of Oct r. — a remaining Packet is directed to you alone, but probably contains a...
207From Benjamin Franklin to Pierres, 3 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Je vous renvoïe cy inclus les Essais que vous avez bien voulu me montrer. Je vous en remercie. J’ai vû avec plaisir le Progrès que vous avez fait, dans une maniere qui differe de la mienne, quoique peut être meilleure. Je serai bien aise de vous voir, quand vous en aurez le Loisir, afin de finir notre Compte Je suis avec...
208To Benjamin Franklin from Stratford Canning, 25 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday Evening I had the pleasure to receive your Packet covering some Letters which shall be taken care of, I am much obliged to you for those for America for Mr Borrowes. Give me Leave to take this opportunity to thank you for your very obliging & polite Reception, and to assure you that I am with the greatest Respect & Esteem, Sir Your most obedt &...
209To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 5 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have put on board the Washington packet, Captain Barney, by whom this goes, two Barrels of Newton pippins, one Barrel of Chestnuts, a Box of Seeds, and a small Box of Grafts, put up as you directed; the cost of the Box of Seeds is five Guineas, you will herewith receive a Catalogue of them— I should have sent you a Barrel of Hiccory Nuts, could they have...
210To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received Your letter of 13 Septr. with the papers enclosed and have taken Steps to procure the Intelligence wanted. I have written to our old friend Reuben Haines who I take to be the person meant by Mr Heintz a brewer in Market Street with whom Marggrander is said to have lived to obtain the necessary certificates respecting him and have directed...
211To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron d’Ogny, 25 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Vous aurés vu, Monsieur, par la remise qui vous a déja été faite de plusieurs lettres venant de Newyorck a votre destination que le Gouvernement S’est occupé des Moyens d’établir une Correspondance fixe et réglée entre les treize Etats unis et la France par la voye des Paquebots qu’il a établis à Lorient partant une fois par Mois de ce port pour Newyorck et...
212To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Beauharnais, 20 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettéz, Monsieur, que je vous envoie ce memoire en faveur d’un infortuné digne a tous egards de votre compassion? Vous y verrés qu’une chute qu’il a faite l’hiver dernier le met hors detat de continuér ses travaux; votre coeur genereux et sensible qui previent les besoins des malheureux qui les devine meme me repond que celui cy vous interessera, oui...
213To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [19 October 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai lhonneur de vous souhaiter le bon Jour mon Illustre Docteur et de vous demander votre Ultimatum et celui de Monsieur votre petit-Fils au sujet de Lexperience de M De Montgolfier. Le tems ne s’annonce pas d’une manière trop favorable mais comme Le Brouillard tombe il pourra faire beau vers les midy. Si Monsieur votre petit fils vous mene il faudra partir...
214From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 1 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Doctr. Franklin and sends them his notes on the treaty with Prussia. He prays Mr. Adams, when he shall have perused them to send them to Dr. Franklin and proposes to meet them on the subject at Passy on Thursday at 12. o’clock. He sends the Prussian propositions, Mr. Adams’s and Dr. Franklin’s notes, and the former project and observations which...
215To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 23 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to congratulate you on the return of peace, and the conspicuous part You had in bringing it about: especially as the terms of it are So advantageous to the united States. Though the late contending powers appear disposed to peace, we greatly wish the confirmation of it by the completion of the definitive treaty: wch. notwithstanding reports,...
216To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 15 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed Your Excellency will find a Letter from a Canadian who Requests I would Recommend Him to You— While I was with Congress, I wrote a public Letter Stating the Case of the Citizens of that province who Had Assisted us and were not paid— I Hope a Committee was Appointed to Consider the Affair— So far as Respects Mr. Calvet, I need not See the Lady, But...
217From Benjamin Franklin to Anisson fils, 10 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque nationale I send you enclos’d the Characters you desire to see, cast in the new manner lately invented in England. They are first cast separately, and after being compos’d into Words or Parts of Words, those are united by a second Casting of additional Metal. This Operation doubles the Price of the Fount. I have directed my Grandson who is now in London, to visit the...
218From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I write this Line by the English Packet, just to inform you that Col. Harmar arriv’d here last Monday Evening with the Ratification, &c. and that Mr Jay & myself, (Messrs Adams & Laurens being absent) have written to Mr Hartley at London, that we are ready to exchange with him. I have not heard that the Delay is likely to occasion any Difficulty. I had before...
219From Benjamin Franklin to Frecon, 3 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Wyndham Robertson Library, Hollins University, Virginia; AL (draft): Library of Congress The following is the best Answer I can give to your Letter of the 29th. past. I am, Sir, your humble Servant. The real Money us’d in the United States is French, Spanish, Portuguese and English Coins, Gold & Silver. The most common is Spanish mill’d Dollars, worth 5 Livres 5 Sols tournois. The nominal...
220John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 2 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
I duely received the Letter, you did me the Honour to write me, on the Subject of a Treaty with Prussia and have communicated it to the Baron de Thuelemeier. The King agrees to take the Treaty with Sweeden for a Model and if your Excellencies have any Alterations to propose I should be obliged to you for the Communication of them. The Baron waits the further Instructions of the King, before he...
221Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 November 1784 (Adams Papers)
M r Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to M r Adams, and enclosos a Paper left with him by the Secretary of the Portuguese Ambassador last Night, being an Extract of a Letter from the First Minister of that Court. No Notice is taken in it of the preceding Plan of a Treaty, and M r. F. mentions for Consideration, whether it would not be right to send a Copy of the new Plan immediately...
222To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 1 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Ridley fait à Monsr. Franklin Ses très humbles remerciements de l’envoy des 29. Vol. qui completent les 39. de L’encyclopedie dont le porteur lui comptera la valeur en 228 l.t. 12.— Au cas que Monsieur Franklin ait été muni du titre de la Souscription il obligera Mr. Ridley de vouloir bien le lui faire remettre à loccasion. This letter, in French,...
223To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, [29 November 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dans Lincertitude Si Monsieur Franklin a Connoissance d’un arrest du Conseil concernant La Caisse dEscompte Mr Grand a Lhonneur de lui en Envoyer un Exemplaire, Il y verra que les anciens actionaires ont le droit de participer pour ¼ dans les nouvelles actions & que par Consequent Monsieur franklin ayant 40 actions anciennes peut en demander 10 nouvelles...
224To Benjamin Franklin from John and Sarah Jay, 3 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Jay request the honor of Dr. Franklin’s Company at Dinner at 3 o’Clock on Saturday the 7th. Inst.— Addressed: His Excellency Dr. Franklin / Passy— In the hand of Sarah Jay. The only year during the Jays’ stay in France that Feb. 7 fell on a Saturday. John Jay had only just returned from England; he rejoined his family at the end of January: Jay...
225To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquess of Lansdowne, 11 [December] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I am sorry that your Grandson did not stay long enough for me to shew him all the civility I wish’d in consequence of your recommendation. If he should ever find it desireable to settle in this Country, I shall be glad to do him any service, which lyes in my power. I am oblig’d to you for your account of Mr. Mesmer— We have many such Gentry, but unhappily we have no...
226To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Chapel, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 7 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je me propose d’aller Incessemment a Londres pour L’avantage de mon commerce en Batistes, J’ose encore reclamer les bontés de Votre Excellence Sous L’appui de la Lettre que J’eus l’honneur de lui Remettre de la part de Monsieur le Marechal de Castries, pour la Supplier de Vouloir Bien m’en donner une de Recommandation pour Son excellence Monsieur Le Ministre...
227To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 14 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society There dwells an uneasiness in mine & Lady Newenham’s mind, which you ( only ) can relieve—we wish for a letter in answer to our many troublesome Epistles—but I most Earnestly request, that in answer to this, you or your amiable Grandson will acquaint us of Your Excellencys health—perhaps the Post office Villains may have Kept back our Letters— If they are...
228To Benjamin Franklin from Jérôme-Joseph Geoffroy de Limon, 6 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Limon a l’honneur de faire mille complimens a Monsieur le Docteur franklin et de lui envoyer un boete et un paquet qu’il a trouvé pour lui dans une caisse qu’il vient de recevoir de M. B. Vaughan. Si M de Limon ne partoit pas demain matin pour aller passer huit jours a la campagne il auroit eu l’honneur d’aller lui porter lui-même ces effets et de...
229From Benjamin Franklin to Mercy-Argenteau, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv, Austria M. Franklin a reçu les deux Lettres à l’adresse de Mrs. Le Baron de Beelen et le professeur Marter que Monsieur l’Ambassadeur de l’Empereur lui a fait l’honneur de lui adresser pour faire passer en Amerique. C’est un vrai plaisir pour Mr. Franklin de trouver l’occasion de faire quelque chose qui puisse être agréable à Monsieur l’Ambassadeur et il aura...
230To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Chase, 19 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On Fryday last I had the Honour to receive your letter of the 6th. Inst., for which be pleased to accept my thanks. The temporary loss of the Papers gives Me no other Concern, that what arises from the Remembrance that your Illness was the Cause of the Accident. I am glad to hear of your Recovery, & sincerely wish You may never again be afflicted with the...
231From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 8 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS and transcript: Library of Congress; copy: William L. Clements Library I received your favour of the 24th past, and rejoice that you have a reasonable Prospect of the Recovery of your dear Sister in time. I join with you most cordially in “Wishes to forward, not only the Continuance of Peace between the two Countries, but the Improvement of Reconciliation”; and I “presume” as...
232To Benjamin Franklin from John Shuttleworth, 24 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency will do me a very essential Service if you will be pleased to inform His Excellency William Paca Esqr. our Governor that when I had the honor of a conversation with you at Plassy in June 1782 relative to my own affairs and those of Mr Harford I told you it was my intention to serve in the army of the united states in the line of my...
233From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Mr Livingston having resigned, I am obliged to trouble you with some Notes of Enquiry, and other Papers that have been put into my Hands from time to time. If you can procure any of the Informations desired, you will much oblige me and some of my Friends.— With great Esteem, I am ever, Yours most affectionately Endorsed: Letter from Doct Franklin Sept 13. 1783.— After...
234From Benjamin Franklin to the Comte de Mercy-Argenteau, 30 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency an Extract from the Instructions of Congress to their late Commissioners for treating of Peace, expressing their Desire to cultivate the Friendship of his Imperial Majesty and to enter into a Treaty of Commerce for the mutual Advantage of his...
235From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 18 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I was much obliged by the Readiness with which your Excellency favour’d my Request of a Sauf Conduit for Mr Bondfield, and I beg you to accept my thankful Acknowledgements. Permit me to ask another Favour of the same kind for my Nephew Mr Williams, who I am confident will make Use of it for the Advantage of his Creditors. With great and...
236To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Laumoy, 13 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Messieurs du Portail Gouvion et moi avons regu dernierement des lettres de Mr. de Marbois Consul Genal. de france à Philadelphie, par lesquelles il nous mande que Mr. Millegan lui a dit vous avoir envoyé les nouveaux certificats des Sommes qui nous Sont dues par le Congrès, et dont l’Interest doit être d’orênavant payé à paris par Mr. Grand.— Oserois-je...
237To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Beyer, 1 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Une indisposition m’ayant empeché de vaquer a mes affaires depuis 8 a 10 jours Je n’ai pas pû m’occuper du portefeuil ni de mon instrument etant obligé de garder la chambre mais jespere que les premiers Jours de la Semaine le tous poura âitre fini j’aurai lhonneur de vous en faire part aussitot que Sa Sera pret. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un profond respet...
238From Benjamin Franklin to Crocco, 15 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : National Archives I have just received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 25th. past. I did indeed receive your former Letter of July, but being totally a Stranger to the mentioned Proceedings of Mr. Montgomery and having no Orders from Congress on the Subject, I knew not how to give you any satisfactory answer, till I should receive farther Information;...
239From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 27 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you on the 5th. of Oct. and since that have received yours of the 1st. of the same month. We were highly pleased here with the health you enjoyed on your voiage, and with the reception you met with at home. This was no more than I expected. Had I had a vote for the Presidentship, however, I doubt whether I should not have witheld it from you that you might have...
240From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 25 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Enclosed I send you a Letter and sundry Papers I lately recd from Mr. Eckhardt of Utrecht, a most ingenious Mechanician whom I first knew in London. You will see what he desires, and what Answer I have made him. If you can do him any Service, I need not pray you to do it, because you have a Pleasure in assisting Genius: Show if you please what he says of...
241To Benjamin Franklin from Bailly, 16 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M Bailly presente ses hommages a Monsieur franklin et le prie de lui renvoier le registre original de la commission qu’il a eu l’honneur de lui envoier la semaine derniere, parcequ’on a indispensablement besoin demain dès le matin, qu’on doit commencer a le copier. Si Mr franklin ne l’avoit pas encore lu, il peut le garder encore jusqu’a ce soir, pourvû...
242To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 25 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La Société royale de medecine m’a Chargé de vous addresser ces billets pour Sa prochaine Séance publique dont elle vous prie de disposer. Cette assemblée aura Lieu mardi prochain deux de mars. La Compagnie Se Souvient qu’elle a été privée de votre presence dans Sa derniere Séance publique, Circonstance qui augmente encore Le desir quelle a de vous voir...
243To Benjamin Franklin from Marie Glier, 25 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Nommé Thomas Dunlop, de Newyorck, agé de 30 ans, a été arrêté dans une écurie, où il s’étoit couché pour passer la nuit, n’ayant pas, de quoi payer son gîte. Cet homme, venant d’angleterre pour s’embarquer sur quelque navire américain, étoit dans la Ville depuis 12 à 15 jours, et sâns doute faute de travail il s’est trouvé dans la détresse. Comme il...
244To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 5 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Beaumont avocat whas Kind Enough to inform me that you are disposed to make me a Small Advane from time to time for my Subsistance during My Confingment, Blive me what Ever Advance your Exelency Should be Kind Enough to make me will be Returned with Gratitude before my departure from this Country, If I have Justis Rendered me and the Only Return to me...
245To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Hunter, 27 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Hunter presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin. He this morning forwarded a Packet addressed to Mr Jay from Dr Witherpoon who is now at London; but is this moment informed that Mr Jay is departed for America. He is apprehensive, from a Note brought him by his Servant from Passy, that the Packet from London will be dispatched after Mr Jay, unopened; & he is...
246From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 31 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Gilder Lehrman Collection; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Some Inconveniencies are said to have arisen from a want of Certainty in the Powers of our Consuls. The Articles respecting that Matter have been some time prepared and agreed to between Mr de Raynevall and me. If there is no Change of Sentiment respecting them, I beg leave to request your Excellency would...
247From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 22 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library When I am long without hearing from you, I please my self with re-perusing some of your former Letters. In your last of April 24. 83. you mention the Departure of Anna Maria with her Husband for Bengal. I hope you have since heard often of their Welfare there. When you next favour me with a Line, please to be particular in letting me know how they do. My Grandson,...
248To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Childs, 20 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In addition to that Happiness which resulted from being honored with a Letter from Mr. Jay was that of perceiving myself noticed by you— Permit me to return you my most sincere thanks for your generosity shewn to me— I feel a pleasure in informing you that by application of Col. Smith to Sir Guy Carleton the Press alluded to in Mr. Jay’s Letter—your...
249John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 19 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of your Letters of the 27 of June and 4. July, and Should advise your Excellency to present the C. de Mercy, a Copy of the Instruction as you propose. By the Length of Time, We have been left without Information respecting foreign Affairs, and by other Circumstances, there are greater Divisions among our Countrymen, respecting these as well as their Finances, than are...
250To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, [after 20 October 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Adieu mon bon papa, en Vérité il m’en coutte presqu’autant d’aller á paris que d’aller a Nice; pourtant je viendrai vous voir, le coeur me dit que vous pourrés venir aussi; pourqu’oi donc estre si beste? C’est que j’aime beaucoup le bon papa et que quand on aime Si fort, on est toujours un peu beste au moment de se quittés: Mille tendrésses de tous les...