131To Benjamin Franklin from George Ross, 10 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Amherst College Library I am told that the Congress have determined to raise four more Battalians in the Province. And as a member of the committee of Safety have been applyed to by several Gent who will be glad to enter into the Service. Among others Mr: Thomas Hartly of York Town a Gent of the Law of distinguished Zeal in the Cause he is generally known to the Genl: [Gentlemen] who are...
132The Committee of Secret Correspondence to [Arthur Lee], 12 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Maine Historical Society By this Conveyance we have the Pleasure of transmitting to you sundry printed Papers, that such of them as you think proper may be immediately published in England. We have written on the Subject of American Affairs to Monsieur C. G. F. Dumas, who resides at the Hague. We recommend it to you to correspond with him, and to send through his Hands any Letters to us...
133From Benjamin Franklin to Don Gabriel Antonio de Bourbon, 12 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; letterpress copy: Yale University Library I have just received through the Hands of the Ambassador of Spain, the much esteemed present your most serene Highness hath so kindly sent me, of your excellent Version of Sallust. I am extreamly sensible of the honor done me, and beg you would accept my thankful acknowledgements. I wish I could send from hence any American...
134To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 12 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By not being inform’d in proper time I have miss’d several opportunities of writing to you, which I regret because I wish to live in your memory, and to convince you that you are in mine. Do not sigh at the addition I make to the packet, for I ask no return, you have enough to do without scribbling to me, and my letters you may lay by till you have a few...
135Deed from Israel and Mary Pemberton Discharging Ground Rent, 13 December 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy of abstract: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia <December 13, 1775: Israel Pemberton, merchant of Philadelphia, and his wife Mary, in consideration of £350 on lawful Pennsylvania money, release and confirm to Benjamin Franklin the annual ground rent of fifteen Spanish pistoles, or the equivalent in Pennsylvania currency, due from James Pearson to Pemberton by...
136To Benjamin Franklin from Catherine Meed, 16 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Recevd your kind Condesenging letter, and think myself happy to Inform you who I am-the Daughter of John Croker. I was once at your House when Very little. I am not Very Bigg yet but I am Sure I am at least A head taller Since you honered me with A letter. I hope I Shall never grow so proud but allways Endeavour to Deserve the Notice of so good and worthy...
137To Benjamin Franklin from [Edward Bancroft], 23 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The difficulties and Dangers attending all American Correspondence have for sometime suspended those Communications which Friendship would have inclined me otherwise to make you. I am however several Letters in advance with you and of which you have not acknowledged the Receipt. This will be Delivered by Mr. Wrixon a Gentleman who was formerly a Field...
138To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 23 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Mr. Wrixon, a Gentleman of Character and good Connexions in Ireland, I beg leave to introduce to your Frindship, Civility and protection. Major Trent is well acquainted with Mr. Wrixon, and knows his useful Qualifications, and I dare say, will, with great Pleasure mention Them to You; and give Me leave to add, That Mr. Wrixon has not been...
139To Benjamin Franklin from George Ross, 26 December 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, December 26, 1775: Pardon my asking your support in obtaining for my son James, now a captain in a company of the rifle battalion, a majority in one of the four battalions about to be raised. I shall be obliged for your friendship in the matter.> For James Ross’s rifle company see Pa. delegates to the Lancaster County committee above, July...
140From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, 27 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library It was with great Pleasure I learnt from Mr. Jefferson, that you were settled in America; and from the Letter you favour’d me with, that you like the Country, and have reason to expect Success in your laudable and meritorious Endeavours to introduce new Products. I heartily wish you all the Success you can desire, in that, and in every other Undertaking that may...
141To Benjamin Franklin from Israel Gilpin, 29 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My kinsman Doct. George Gilpin informs me that Severil of the manufactorys is like to Suffer for want of Stone or ground Coal Such as the glass work and blacksmith who is imployd in making Iron work for the Coloneys Ships &c. I think it is very provible if Strict Sarch and inquiry was made Coal mout bee had but am not sirtin but prohaps it wold Not bee a...
142To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Strettell Jones, 30 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Col. Lewis of Lower Dublin has ordered the Bearer to deliver these Prisoners to me as Secretary of the Committee of this City and Liberties; but apprehending them to fall more properly under the Notice of the Committee of Safety I have taken the Liberty of referring to you for your Orders being Sir Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: Honble: Benjamin Franklin...
143From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, [on or after 30 December 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Morris, and not knowing what was done by the Committee with regard to the other Prisoners, requests Mr. Morris would direct what is to be done with these. Addressed: To / Robt Morris Esqr BF penciled this note at the bottom of the preceding one, then crossed out his own name on the address and penciled in Morris’. By now BF...
144To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, [before 24 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld pays his respectful compliments to Doctor franklyn and beggs from him the favour of having for few moments the Minutes of the Convention held at Philadelphia for the Pennsylvanian Legislation . He wants of them for seeing and adding to his translation the subscriptions which are at the end of the Minutes, and which are not in the...
145To Benjamin Franklin from [the Comte de Lauraguais?], [before 21 December? 1776] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society I congratulate your arrival with an intelligence of the first moment, which you will apply with your wonted caution. Mr. de morande is secretary to m. beaumarchais, and brother to a refugee of the same name in London, lately acquitted in the Kings bench , of a suit by the chev. d’Eon, and known by every body to be a man a tout faire . There is also m. Charles...
146To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Lestarjette, [before 15 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of offering you my best Services in this kingdom being extremely well versed in both English, and French languages, especially in the French as my mother tongue and brought up in the College of the four Nations at Paris where I was eight Years. Capn. Cochran and myself married two Sisters in South Carolina. I came over with him in the...
147Memorandum Concerning the Snow Dickinson, [January 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society On December 26, 1775, the secret committee contracted with Bayard & Jackson of Philadelphia to spend $15,000 on flour and other produce to be exchanged at Nantes for gunpowder, arms, and cloth. The firm had had earlier dealings with Montaudoüins frère of Nantes, to whom it entrusted the new transaction. The ship selected was the Dickinson or Dickenson ,...
148Contract between the Secret Committee and John Brown, [before 20 January 1776]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy with DS by Nicholas Brown: John Carter Brown Library <[Before Jan. 20, 1776]: Agreed between John Brown on the one part and members of the committee on the other that a voyage or voyages will be undertaken to procure thirty-six tons of gunpowder (or, failing that, sufficient saltpetre and sulphur to make up the same amount), 1,000 stand of good arms, 1,000 gun locks, twenty tons of lead,...
149Export License from the Secret Committee, 9 January 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : University of Pennsylvania Library <Philadelphia, January 9, 1776, to the New Hampshire committee of inspection: The secret committee, as empowered by the Congress, authorizes John Langdon of New Hampshire to export to the amount of $10,000 the produce of the colonies, in their service and according to the Continental Association; horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry are excepted....
150Contract between the Secret Committee and Oswell Eve and George Losch, 11 January 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Text printed in Samuel Hazard, et al. , eds., Pennsylvania Archives (1st series; 12 vols., Philadelphia and Harrisburg, 1852–56), IV , 696. <January 11, 1776: It is agreed between the undersigned members of the committee and Oswell Eve and George Losch, of Philadelphia County, that Eve and Losch will manufacture all the saltpetre delivered to them by the committee during the next year into...
151To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 13 January 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Some times feel quite Bashfull Scribling a way to you So much but when troublesom a hint will do. But now I think of it it will Relax you for a moment from hard Study. How do you do Methinks Rather low Spirited. I have every letter Sayd or inquerd after Ray but Never of you of My Dear good Friend your Sister. Is She not extreem low Spirited for her? Dear...
152Notes for a Report from the Committee of [Secret] Correspondence, [after 25 January 1776] (Franklin Papers)
Two ADS : National Archives The arrival of captives taken in Canada, and the camp followers who were with them, created a new set of problems for the towns where the uninvited guests were billeted. Local authorities, hard pressed to house and feed the new arrivals, took their difficulties to Congress, which followed its usual practice of referring such matters and others to standing or ad hoc...
153The Committee of Secret Correspondence: a Report to Congress, [on or before 14 February 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AD : National Archives The invasion of Canada, authorized by Congress in June, 1775, had begun in August under Major General Philip Schuyler. Because of his ill health the command almost immediately devolved upon his subordinate, Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, who by November had captured the forts at Chambly and St. Johns and the city of Montreal. Governor Carleton escaped to Quebec...
154Charter Party between the Secret Committee and Joseph Harper and James King, 1 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : The Rosenbach Foundation <February 1, 1776: The agreement is between members of the committee and James King and Joseph Harper, Philadelphia merchants and owners of the brigantine Cornelia of approximately 100 tons, Thomas Genn master, to hire her for a voyage to France. She is to sail to a port in South Carolina to be subsequently designated, there to be loaded with rice, indigo, or...
155To Benjamin Franklin from Trevor Newland, 5 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society Immediately after I had waited upon you at Philada. I proceeded to N. York, and finding much difficulty in pursuing my Intended journey, I deliver’d your Dispatches to Mr. Lewis, by Direction of Mr. Van B. Levingston, and wrote to you at my return acquainting you therewith. I have not wrote to you so frequently as I would do Immagining that your time might be...
156Contract between the Secret Committee and John and Nicholas Brown, 6 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: John Carter Brown Library <Philadelphia, February 6, 1776: The Browns will procure in Europe 10,000 good blankets at approximately 4 s. 6 d. to 5 s. sterling apiece; 9,200 yards of blue and brown broadcloth for uniforms and 800 yards of different colors for facings, most of the cloth, being for privates, at about 4 s. sterling per yard and the rest, for officers, at 6 s. ; ten tons of...
157From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Lee, 11 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Justin G. Turner, Los Angeles (1959) The Bearer Monsr. Arundel is directed by the Congress to repair to Gen. Schuyler, in order to be employ’d by him in the Artillery Service. He purposes to wait on you on his Way, and has requested me to introduce him by a Line to you. He has been an Officer in the French Service, as you will see by his Commissions; and professing a Good Will to our...
158From Benjamin Franklin to the Committees of Trenton, Brunswick, and New York, 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Williams College Library The Bearer John Grace has the Care of a Ton of Gunpowder sent by the Congress to the Committee of Safety at New York. If he should need any Advice or Assistance on the Way you will be so good on his Application to afford it to him. I am, Gentlemen, in Behalf of the Committee here, with much Respect Your most obedient humble Servant Endorsed in different hands: A...
159To Benjamin Franklin from [Arthur Lee], 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives; copies: National Archives; copy: University of Virginia Library This is the first time that we have printed a letter addressed to Franklin but not meant for him. Our reason is that he eventually received it, contrary to the writer’s intent. The whole episode remains to this day, thanks to the character of Arthur Lee, in Winston Churchill’s phrase “a riddle wrapped in a...
160To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I lament this unhappy war, as on more serious accounts, so not a little that it renders my correspondence with you so precarious. I have had three letters from you, and have written as often; but the last, by Mr. Temple, I have been informed he could not take. What is become of it I cannot tell. This accompanies a copy of my second volume of Observations on...