131To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 1 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter, my dearest sir, was heavenly to me and filled me with the utmost transports. I dare not tell you what I had feared; but I thought your mind must see into every little corner and expectation of my heart, and would acquit me of every thing but the true motive. It has done so, and has only if possible raised you higher in my conceptions. As I know...
132To Benjamin Franklin from Laignel Sauvage, 7 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Calais, August 7, in French: A local shoemaker offers two thousand pairs of shoes at 3 l.t. 12 sols the pair; do you want them? I advanced four Louis to Mr. Meulens, an officer in the Berwick regiment who wanted to go to Liége and had no money, and who is now in the American service; please repay me if you can. Nowhere are shirts cheaper than here; I offer...
133From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Lee, and sends all the Journals he has; but, as he has not yet had time to read them, he prays Mr Lee to return them when he has perus’d them.— Addressed: The honble A Lee Esqr / Paris. Notation: Sepr. 12. 1779 Lee did so later that day with a note saying, “Mr. Lee presents his Compts. to Dr. Franklin & returns the...
134To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Thibouzet: Poem: résumé, 15 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society <Rue Jean-Robert, hôtel d’Estrées, Paris, October 15, 1781, in French: Thibouzet dedicates to Franklin three pages of rhymed couplets, unequal in length and erratic in spelling. The poet wishes to rally a discouraged America, unhappy victim of more than four centuries of tyrannical oppression. He praises France as America’s courageous defender and Franklin...
135To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Vaughan], 29 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I received your little scrap of paper, and found it more acceptable than volumes from other people. I am sorry however to find that so little can at this moment be recovered, that is suitable to our purpose. But be that as it may, we shall be content to go on with what you have got; and the sooner it comes the better, on account of the season, when the press...
136To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [before 7 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Library of Congress This letter is one of the many fragmentary or undated Vaughan manuscripts which have challenged our editorial skill. Although we include it here, as belonging to the general period before Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces was published, it was most likely written just after Christmastime, 1776, when Vaughan arrived in Paris bearing an early...
137To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Hellfriedt, 11 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Marseilles, February 11, 1778, in English: Letters from unknown persons must arouse your skepticism; please inquire about me, therefore, from the bearer. I have commercial proposals of great importance to lay before you in person, and am ready to come to Paris as agent for a powerful merchant in Denmark, who has at his disposal a secure harbour,...
138To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Duffy, 26 January 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <St. Malo, January 26, 1777, in English: The writer, an Irishman and Recollect friar, addresses his letter to Franklin as “Irish Gentle-Man” and informs him that he has a needy relative named Geene, Ginny, or Jeanne Franklin, the widow of “your Brother Robin Francklin” of Limerick. The letter is endorsed, apparently by Temple, “Jane Franklin pretended.”>
139To Benjamin Franklin from Paulze, 27 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. Paulze fait mille complimens à M. Le Docteur franklin, il a l’honneur de le prevenir que la Biblioteque du Roy lui sera ouverte Jeudi prochain 30. depuis onze heures jusques à deux, que MM. les Bibliotequaires s’empresseront de l’y recevoir et lui montrer tout ce qu’il est de rare. Il est à propos que M. franklin et sa compagnie se trouvent a onze heures...
140From Benjamin Franklin to Rocquette, Elsevier & Rocquette, 4 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have receiv’d lately two Pacquets thro’ your hands, the last with your favour of the 20th. Past. I am much oblig’d by your Care of them, and have the honour to be, Gentlemen Your most obedient and most humble servt.
141To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The return of Mr White enables me to send you some of the articles you asked of me to procure. You will find the list inclosed, and in my next I will try to send you a bill of my disbursements, both now & formerly.— Mr Franklin’s glasses will be forwarded by Mr Storer, or earlier, if an opportunity offers. They would have gone now by Mr White, had I...
142From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 18 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favours of the 6 & 9 inst. & thank you for the Intelligence they Contain. I hope generals Clinton & Thomson will give a good Acct. of the Invaders of Georgia. But if they should remain there till the end of the summer, a general fever at least will do a great Deal towards demolishing them. With much Esteem I am &ca Surely BF wished for a good account...
143To Benjamin Franklin from Pio, 20 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Pio a reçu avec le plus grand plaisir La Medaille, dont Monsieur Franklin a bien voulu lui faire le genéreux present. Il a l’honneur de Lui en faire tous ses remercimens, et de lui temoigner toute sa reconnaissance./. The Libertas Americana medal that he requested on March 20, above.
144To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 13 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Doctor Mac Mahon presents his sincere respects to Dr. Franklin, and thanks for his obliging invitation. He is very sorry not to have had it in his power to wait upon him these three or four weeks past, but will break off a previous engagement to have that honour next sunday. Addressed: A son Excellence / Monsieur le Docteur Franklin / Ministre...
145From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Rinquin, 19 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours dated the 14th. Instant. containing the Pieces relative to the Padmore a Prize taken by the Black Princess; and I Send you here with the Judgment thereupon. I have the Honour to be, Sir, &c. Missing. We have not located BF ’s prize judgment. Rinquin, the clerk of the Admiralty of Morlaix, had been communicating with BF for the past half...
146To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle Juppin, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society je suis arrivée hier de la campagne, il y a deux mois que je ne vous ai vue, jai le plus grand désir de vous voir, voulez me donner a dinér aujourdhuy, jyrai savoir par moi meme de vos nouvelles, et vous embrasser de tout mon coeur. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin / a passy The only Sunday, Sept. 12, during BF ’s stay.
147To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Gale, 5 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Important Affairs In which You have been Engaged, Since Your Residence at the Court of France, I have Esteemed a Sufficient Bar to prevent my Writing You, on Matters which Relate to my Private Affairs, But must now beg Leave to Sollicit Your Assistance, on a Subject which may be an Advantage to me, and our Family, and perhaps Eventually to This Whole...
148To Benjamin Franklin from John Allen, 24 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honnor of writing the 29th. of Last Month to your Excellence, beging, you would be so good as to grant me a Register for the Brign Lovely Aglaé that I Purcheas’d at this Port, being without any Answer, I take the Liberty to request of your Excellence not to forget my just Demand, as my Brig is all Ready, and am only waiting for a favourable...
149To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Grubb, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Grubb presents his respectful Compliments to his Excellency Dr. Franklin, & requests him to grant him a passport for England via Callais. Mr. G. ill state of Health is the cause of the demand, & hopes his Excellency will in consequence, order one to be made out Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin. / Passy Notation: Mr. Grubb Paris 13th. Jany. 1783
150To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Tardy, 4 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Louis Tardy presents his respects to Mr Franklin begs the favour that he will be so obliging as to give him the address, in town, of the purser of the ship of war, the Alliance. If you have any thing Bulky to send to Nantes I shall deliver it safe thither. I set out for that place in one day or two. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / a Passy...
151From Benjamin Franklin to Browns & Collinson, 28 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I send you enclos’d a Bill of Exchange for 100£ sterling, with which please to credit my Account. With great Esteem, I am Gentlemen y. m. o. & m. h. s. BF maintained a small account with his London bankers: XXIII , 18n. These were funds which BF intended to cover William Caslon’s bill for type. See BF to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., Oct. 29, below.
152To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 2 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : Library of Congress M le Cte. de Vergennes a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur franklin deux exemplaires des articles preliminaires de paix convenus entre le Roi et le Roi de la Grande Bretagne. Signed on Jan. 20; see XXXVIII , 605n. Those preliminary articles had in fact been ratified by both governments, as Vergennes may have known; he and Fitzherbert exchanged ratified treaties the...
153To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have sent you two other Parcels of News papers by Mr. Thornton. I am with the Sincerst Regard dear Sir Yours most affectionately. Identified by the handwriting.
154From Benjamin Franklin to [Creutz], [13 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society M. Franklin etant obligé d’etre demain Matin à Paris pour Affaire ne pourra pas avoir l’honneur de recevoir chez lui M. l’Ambassadeur de Suede— Mais il aura celui de lui faire sa Cour sur les 11 heures—si toutefois cela est agreable à M. l’Ambassadeur. In answer to the preceding document: BF described this meeting in the Dec. 14 portion of his letter to...
155To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Brancas, 21 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. le Mis. de brancas prie Mr. franclin de lui faire dire a qu’elle heure il pouroit avoir l’honneur de le voir le matin et quel jour lui conviendroit il s’interesse beaucoup a un jeune homme qui est a philadelphie et dont il voudroit lui parler. Louis-Paul de Brancas, marquis de Brancas (1718–after 1791), son of Louis, maréchal de France , was a...
156To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, [after 22 May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. De Veymerange demeure rüe neuve des maturins— Jai fait Ecrire chez lui monsieur Franklin ainsy que moy, cest Sans doutte par un retour de Politesse qu’il est venu icy. Mr Grand prie monsieur Franklin fils de vouloir bien lui envoyer Les Etats des payements quil a Laissé hier Sur son Bureau. Il à besoin de faire un nouveau travail dessus. See the...
157George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 15 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 15, 1781 . Introduces and commends Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens. Explains reasons for sending Laurens to France. Df , in the writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
158To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Necker de Germany, 8 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Germany makes his most humble compliments to Mr. Franklin and begs the favour of forwarding the inclosed letter to his direction by the next safe opportunity. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur Le Docteur / Franklin / chez M. Le Ray de Chaumont / hotel Colbert à Passy The elder brother of Jacques Necker was a mathematician, a writer, and a banker who was...
159From Benjamin Franklin to Beerenbroek, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Dr. Beerenbrock and acquaints him that Dr. Ingenhausz is not yet arrived at Paris, but is expected in two or three Weeks he having written from Brussels that Such was his Intention, as soon as he arrives Mr. Franklin will acquaint Dr. Beerenbrock.
160To Benjamin Franklin from John Risdel, 19 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <St. Malo, February 19, 1778: I served on the Reprisal for twenty months and was then in hospital for three. I am not yet able to do hard work, and lack clothes and cash; wages and prize money are due me. Please send me either money or a draft on a St. Malo merchant; I am in great need of help.> A seaman left behind when Wickes sailed the previous...