1From Benjamin Franklin to ―――, 15 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received last Night yours of the 7th. Instant. From what I know of Capt. Wickes and his Carracter, I am persuaded he is not capable of the Injustice you mention, and that the Matter must have been misrepresented to you. However, being desirous not only to procure Justice, but if possible to give Satisfaction to all of this much respected Nation, who...
2From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 15 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress We are much oblig’d to M. De la Haye and his Friends for their Offer of Supplying the Americans with Merchandize, and we desire them to accept our Thanks; But it does not suit us to enter into any Engagements of the kind; We as Commissioners from the Congress have no Orders for purchasing other Goods than what are necessary for the Arming and Clothing of the...
3From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 2 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am exceedingly oblig’d by the exact Plan and Profile you have been so kind as to send me, of the hydraulic Machine at Chatou. Be pleased to accept my thankful Acknowledgments of the Favour, and be assured that I am, with great Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant A virtually indecipherable notation on the verso, which may have no relation to the...
4From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 26 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, avec ma petite Dialogue, votre charmante Epitre & Puisque je trouve que Madame la Goutte est de votre Connoissance, ma tres chere Amie je vous prie de grace que quand elle me fait une autre Visite, vous voudriez bien l’accompagner. Votre Présence me dedommagera de la sienne. Avec une telle Garde, la Peine deviendra Plaisir. We can identify...
5From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 26 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Les affaires dont je suis chargé, Monsieur, ne me permettent pas de quitter paris et par consequent d’accepter vostre invitation; je vous prie de croire cependant que j’y suis tres sensible, et que c’est avéc reconnoissance que je suis, Monsieur, vostre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur. Notation: Le Veillard Possibly to Richelet who had invited BF...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Pierre d’Açarq, 24 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, et lu avec beaucoup d’intérêt l’ode au peuple Anglois et l’ode adressée à la Hollande que vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer. On ne sauroit faire un plus bel usage de la Poësie que de la ramener à ce qu’elle fut dans son origine, c’est a dire de la consacrer à chanter les choses utiles à l’humanité et les hommes qui les executent, je vous remercie...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Adamoli, 29 January 1780 [i.e., 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 22. Instant, with a Copy of the Vessels in which I find myself mention’d but too advantageously.— Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements.— I do not perfectly comprehend your Plan of finding the different Relations of Weights, Measures, &c. by means of Compass. But I believe the English Society of...
8From 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...
9To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honour’d with yours of the 19th. Inst. I received a Letter from Capt. Jackson dated at Bilbao the 12th. in which he mentions nothing of his departing thence for America, so that I should have continued to expect him here, if he had not written positively to you of that Intention. Mr: Barclay, the Consul, too, I thought would have been here before this time, and I know not what detains him...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 24 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
By the enclosed Letter from M. De Sartine expressing his Majestys Desire that the Alliance should be retained here a little longer, you will see that I am under a kind of Necessity of disappointing you in your Intentions of making your Passage immediately in that Vessel; which would be more unpleasing to me but for these Considerations, that possibly it may be safer for you to go in a Ship...
11To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 22 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 15th. Instant, respecting Bills presented to you for Acceptance, drawn by Congress in favour of N. Tracey for 10,000 £ Sterling, payable at 90 Days sight; and desiring to know if I can furnish Funds for the Payment. I have lately made a fresh and strong Application for more Money. I have not yet received a positive...
12From 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...
13To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that unless the Specie he sent to Holland is stopt there, I shall not be in a Condition to...
14From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Dr Franklin presents Compliments to Mr. Adams, and requests that all the Public Papers may be sent him by the Bearer. Dr. Franklin will undertake to keep them in order; and will at any time chearfully look for and furnish Mr Adams with any Paper he may have occasion for. Mr Adams on receit of this put all the Public Papers, then in his Possession, into the...
15From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The Bearer, Mr Harrison, is a young Gentleman of good Fortune & Character, a Native of Philadelphia, and extremely well recommended to me by Persons of Distinction there. I beg leave to introduce him to your Excellency & to request for him your Protection and Counsels. He will explain to you his Views in going to Holland, where he purposes to reside some...
16To 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...
17To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 7 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
Among the late intercepted Letters from London, is one from the Army Agent there to the Traitor Arnold, by which it appears that his Bribe was 5000 £ Sterling, in Bills drawn on Harley & Drummond, who are the Contractors for furnishing the Army with Money. Inclos’d I send you a Copy of that Letter, and shall send you others by next Post. The English Papers tell us, that you have succeeded in...
18From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 28 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Bearer Mr. Measam was a Merchant of good Reputation at Montreal; but having engag’d warmly in the American Cause, has been oblig’d to abandon that Country, to the great Detriment of his Affairs. He was appointed by Gen. Wooster a Commissary of Stores there; and apprehending such an Officer to be at this time necessary in our Northern Army, he has apply’d to Congress...
19To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 6 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I some time since gave Orders as you desired to Mr. Grand, to furnish you with a Credit in Holland for the Remainder of your Salary to November next. But I am now told that your Account having been mixt with Mr. Dana’s, he finds it difficult to know the Sum due to you. Be pleased therefore to State your Account for two Years, giving Credit for the Sums you have receiv’d, that an Order may be...
20To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
I very much approve your Plan with regard to our future Accounts—and wish it to be followed. The Accounts that have been shown you, are only those of the Person we had entrusted with the receiving and paying our Money; and intended merely to show how he was discharged of it. We are to separate from that Account the Articles for which Congress should be charged, and those for which we should...
Dr. Franklin presents Compliments to Mr. Adams, and requests that all the Public Papers may be sent him by the Bearer. Dr. Franklin will undertake to keep them in order; and will at any time chearfully look for and furnish Mr. Adams with any Paper he may have occasion for. Mr. Adams on receit of this put all the Public Papers, then in his Possession, into the hands of W T Franklin. Dft ( PPAmP...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24To 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...
25From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 5 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress The Chevalier de La Luzerne sat out Yesterday for L’Orient, and will be with you perhaps before this comes to hand. You will find him a very agreable sensible Man, and a hearty Friend to the Cause of America. As you may land in Boston and are not certain of going directly to Philada: I have put under his Care my Dispatches for...
26To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 7 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Adams, and sends such of his Trunks as can be got at; W.T.F. in whose Chamber it is suppos’d there may be more, being gone to Paris; and having with him Mr. F’s Carriage prevents his waiting on Mr. Adams immediately as he would otherwise wish to do; but Mr. F. requests the Honour of Mr. Adams’s Company at Dinner to-morrow. RC ( Adams Papers ).
27To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had a severe Fit of the Gout which has confined me six Weeks; but it is now going off, and I flatter myself that it has done me a great deal of Good. I have just received a Letter from Dr. Ezra Stiles, of which the inclosed is an extract. Please to communicate it to Mr. Searle, and then give it to M. Dumas if you judge it proper for Publication. I have also a large and particular...
28From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 7 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Adams, and sends such of his Trunks as can be got at; W.T.F. in whose Chamber it is suppos’d there may be more, being gone to Paris; and having with him Mr F’s Carriage prevents his waiting on Mr Adams immediately as he would otherwise wish to do; but Mr F. requests the Honour of Mr Adams’s Company at Dinner...
29To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I yesterday received Dispatches from Congress, refusing for the present, the Dismission I had requested, and ordering me upon an Additional Service, that of being join’d with yourself and Messrs. Jay, H. Lawrence and T. Jefferson, in Negociations for Peace. I would send you a Copy of the Commission, and of another which authorizes us to accept...
30From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I am honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th. past, acquainting me with your Appointment as Minister Plenipotentiary to the States General, on which please to accept my Compliments and best Wishes for Success in your Negociations. We have just received Advice here, that M. la Motte Piquet, met with the English Convoy...
31From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress I am honour’d with yours of the 19th. Inst. I received a Letter from Capt. Jackson dated at Bilbao the 12th. in which he mentions nothing of his departing thence for America, so that I should have continued to expect him here, if he had not written positively to you of that Intention. Mr: Barclay, the...
32From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 8 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received the letter you did me the Honour of writing to me by Mr. Andrews, and shall render him every Service I can in his Application. Your Books & Trunks have been lodged here by Mr. Thaxter, and will be taken care of. They are of no Inconvenience to me. We begin to be in pain for Mr. Laurens who was to have sailed 3 Days...
33From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 6 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I some time since gave Orders as you desired to Mr. Grand, to furnish you with a Credit in Holland for the Remainder of your Salary to November next. But I am now told that your Account having been mixt with Mr. Dana’s, he finds it...
34To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 20 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Understanding that in Case of Mr. Laurens’s Absence, you are charged with the Affair of procuring a Loan in Holland, I think it Right to acquaint you, that by a Letter from Mr. Jay of the 12th. Instant, from Madrid, we are informed that the King of Spain has been so good as to offer his Guarrantee for the Payment of the Interest and Principal of a Loan of Money for the Use of the United...
35To 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...
36From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 6 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I am honour’d with your Excellency’s Letters of the 22d. and 26th. past. The Proposal relating to the Goods was, you say, more unreasonable than you expected. It did not so much surprise me, who possess a former Sample exactly of the same Stile and Sentiment, and I therefore think this to be of the same Author.—...
37From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 2 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress By all our late Advices from America the Hopes you expressed that our Countrymen, instead of amusing themselves any longer with delusive Dreams of Peace, would bend the whole force of their Minds to find out their own Strength & Resources, and to depend upon themselves, are actually accomplished. All the Accounts I...
38From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 8 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I did myself the honor of writing to you a few Days since. Last Night I received yours of the 31st past. I am glad to hear the Ship is so far in order. As to the Discontents you find among the Officers and People, it is impossible for me at this Distance to judge of them, or of the means of removing them: I must therefore, as in...
39To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 28 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Measam was a Merchant of good Reputation at Montreal; but having engag’d warmly in the American Cause, has been oblig’d to abandon that Country, to the great Detriment of his Affairs. He was appointed by Gen. Wooster a Commissary of Stores there; and apprehending Such an Officer to be at this time necessary in our Northern Army, he has apply’d to Congress for a Continuance in...
40From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and two press copies: Library of Congress; two copies, press copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Columbia University Library Mr. Grand has communicated to me a Letter from your Excellency to him, relating to certain Charges in your Account, on which you seem to desire to have my Opinion. As we are all new in these Matters, I consulted...
41From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 20 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Understanding that in Case of Mr. Laurens’s Absence, you are charged with the Affair of procuring a Loan in Holland, I think it Right to acquaint you, that by a Letter from Mr Jay of the 12th Inst, from Madrid, we are informed that the King of Spain has been so good as to offer his Guarrantee for the Payment of the Interest and...
42To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 8 April 1779 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the honor of writing to you a few Days since. Last Night I received yours of the 31st past. I am glad to hear the Ship is so far in order. As to the Discontents you find among the Officers and People, it is impossible for me at this Distance to judge of them, or of the means of removing them: I must therefore, as in my last, refer to your Judgment whatever you may think for the...
43To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 31 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 17th. Instant inclosing a Copy of one from Mr. John Ross, acquainting me with the Presentation to you of 51 Bills Drawn in his Favour the 22 June last on Mr. Henry Laurens; for the Sum of 40,950 Guilders; and desiring to know whether I will pay them. I have already paid or provided for the Payment of all the former Congress...
44From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have written to Messrs. Fizeau & Grand impow’ring them to draw on me at 30 Days sight for the Sums you may want from time to time to discharge the Acceptances of which you have given me Notice. The Queen was this Day happyly delivered of a Prince, which occasions great Joy. Inclos’d I send you Copies of more...
45To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
M. Adams, after having perused the inclosed Papers, is desired to give his Opinion on the following Questions. 1st. Whether Captain Landais, accused as he is, of Capital Crimes, by his Senior and late Commanding Officer, after having apparently relinquished the Command of the Alliance frigate, by with drawing his Effects from the same, after having asked and received money by Order of the...
46From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Your Excellency will see by the within the Situation I am in, & will thence judge how far it may be proper for you to accept farther Drafts on Mr Laurens, with any Expectation of my enabling you to pay them, when I have not only no Promise of more Money, but an absolute Promise that I shall have no more.— I shall use my...
47From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 29 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received the Letter you honour’d me with of the 16th. Inst. I had written to you on the 21st. which I hope you have received, that I would accept & pay your Bills, only desiring you to furnish me a List of them with the Times of their becoming due, & that you would draw, not for the whole at once, but for the Sums as...
48To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 12 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 4th. Instant. I have never known a Peace made, even the most advantageous, that was not censured as inadequate, and the Makers condemn’d as injudicious or corrupt. Blessed are the Peace makers , is I suppose to be understood in the other World: for in this they are more frequently cursed. Being as yet rather too much...
49From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, [c. 26 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society If you write to this Mr. Barnes, please to acquaint him that the Reason he had no Answer from me to his Letter was because he did not send word where he lodged. I agree to the 5 Guineas. Written on the back of Thomas Barnes’s letter to JA of Aug. 25, which had been sent care of “Monsieur Franquelen a passis.” That letter, now missing, was written on Aug....
50To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 23 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on the late great Event. I received yours of the 12th. I wrote my Mind fully on the Subject of the Goods in mine to you by Mr. Fox, which I suppose must have come to your hands soon after that Date. Gillon wrote to me that Mr. Searle and Jackson were gone to France.1 As it is so long since, and they are not arrived, I suppose it may be true that they are gone to...