1401From 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...
1402From Benjamin Franklin to Condorcet, 12 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I send you enclos’d the Letter you desire. But as I am apprehensive that the young Gentleman may have flattered himself with Expectations that are never likely to be answered in that Country, I wish he would consider it well before he undertakes such a Voyage. If he will take the Trouble of calling on me, perhaps I may afford him some useful Lights on the Subject....
1403From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Conkling, 21 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Immediately upon the Receipt of yours acquainting me with your Misfortune, and the Vessel & Cargo was in Possession of the Admiralty, I apply’d to the Minister of the Marine, & laid before him the Papers you enclos’d to me with your Letter requesting that the said Vessel & Cargo might be delivered to the Consignees. Inclos’d I send you the answer. I have just received...
1404From Benjamin Franklin to the Prince de Conti, 4 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je joins ici Le Passeport que votre Altesse serenissime ma demandé pour Le Sr. Riotto dans La Lettre qu’ill ma fait l’honneur de mécrire Le du mois dernier. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec Le plus profond Respect, Monseigneur de votre altesse Serenissime Le tres h. & t. o. S. Louis-François-Joseph de Bourbon, comte de la Marche and prince de Conti, a leading French...
1405From Benjamin Franklin to the Continental Congress, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library From the Knowledge I have of Mr Young, by his Conduct while in my Family, writing in the Secretary’s Office, and waiting the Arrival of Mr. Lawrens then expected here; I esteem him a Person of Virtue and Merit, and I recommend him and his Account to the Consideration of Congress, not thinking myself authorised to discharge it without their Order; tho’ to assist him...
1406From Benjamin Franklin to the Comtesse Conway, 25 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I find, Ma chere fille, that you and I have been very unlucky in our Endeavours to oblige Mr. Mullens: for on the Contrary we have grievously offended him. I understood he had been taken Prisoner and stript by the English, and had not wherewith to pay the Expence of his Journey to his Regiment. I sent him an Order on my Banker for ten Guineas. He returns me the Order,...
1407From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Conway, 25 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you were so kind as to bring me from our Friend M. Peters. I congratulate you on your safe Return to your amiable Family. It would have given me great Pleasure, if the Service in America had been made so agreeable to you as to induce you and yours to settle there. With much Esteem I am, Sir &c. See Conway’s letter of March 22.
1408From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 16 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote a Letter to meet you at Dunkirk supposing you might have gone there. This Letter was sent back to me. The Uncertainty of your Stay at the Texel after I heard of your being gone thither prevented my writing to you while there. Inclos’d I send you a Letter from your good Wife. I will inquire for your old Commission, and endeavour to get it back for you. I had...
1409From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 6 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am to acknowledge the Receipt of two Letters from you, since you were at Nantes. In the first you desired a Copy of your Original Commission. I have caused [ a ] Search to be made, but can find no Trace of it, as at the Time it was given to you, the Commissioners were not yet in the Way of keeping Minutes of their Proceedings: and it is but a few Days since I have...
1410The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, [before 19 April 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The interest which the public has in the vessel you command makes us regard her as a continental Ship of war. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Ross have therefore no right to direct or controul you. Neither had Mr. Deane alone any right to dispose of the vessel; nor of the produce of the prizes you made, as Monsr. Lagonere informs us he has done. You will give us an account...
1411From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 20 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received with great Pleasure the News of your being safely arrived at Dunkirk. Mrs. Conyngham is not yet come up to Paris. I believe she has continued at l’orient ever since her Arrival. I shall write to her to Day, to acquaint her with your Escape. Now you are at Dunkirk, I wish you would settle the Demand of a Number of Men who went out with you from thence and...
1412The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, 19 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; incomplete copy: National Archives; fragment of ALS : Musée de Blérancourt We have received a Complaint from the remaining Part of your Officers and Crew, of an unfair distribution of Prize Money by Mr. Hodge. To prevent any Such Complaints in future, We desire that you will put your Prizes into the Hands of Messieurs Gardoqui at...
1413From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your Escape, out of Prison, which I first learnt from 6. of the men who broke out with you, and came to france in a Boat. I was then Anxious lest you should be retaken, and I am very glad indeed to hear of your safe Arrival at Amsterdam. I think it will be best for you to Stay awhile at Dunkirk till we see what becomes of the...
1414The Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham, 19 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received a Complaint from the remaining Part of your Officers and Crew, of an unfair distribution of Prize Money by Mr. Hodge. To prevent any Such Complaints in future, We desire that you will put your Prizes into the Hands of Messieurs Gardoqui at Bilboa, and into those of the Principal Merchant at Cadiz or Corogne Coruña , directing them to make a Speedy Distribution of the...
1415From Benjamin Franklin to Nicholas Cooke, 27 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of the 15th Instant, acquainting me with the Loss of the Mail; and proposing a new Route for the Post, to prevent such Accidents hereafter. In that you will take the Advice and Direction of the principal People in your Government. The Comptroller will soon be along your Road, for the purpose of establishing all the Stages and Offices as he...
1416From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 27 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress It is a long time Since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. The Intelligence you were us’d to favour me with, was often useful to our Affairs. I hope I have not lost your friendship, together with your Correspondence. Our Excellent Mr. Winthrop I see is gone. He was one of those old friends for the sake of...
1417From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 22 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your valuable Letter by the Marquis de la Fayette; and another by Mr. Bradford. I can now only write a few Words in Answer to the latter, the former not being at Hand.— The Depreciation of our Money must, as you observe, greatly affect Salary Men, Widows & Orphans. Methinks this Evil deserves the Attention of the several Legislatures and...
1418From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 9 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Since mine of the 2 Instant, your Grandson has desired me to order that he may have a Room & fire &c. to himself. This will cost 300 Livres a year more, and I have doubts about putting his Father to such an Additional Expence without knowing his Mind or yours. I should be glad to receive some general Directions. Mr. Adams...
1419From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper: Extract, 28 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 378–9. Our public affairs are in a good situation here. England having tried in vain to make a separate peace with each of the powers she is at war with, has at length agreed to treat for a general peace with them altogether; and at Paris. If we all...
1420From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society It was with great Pleasure I received lately the Letters of my Friends from Boston by Capt. Adams. They were the first that got to hand since I left America. I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my safe Arrival here, and for your good Wishes. I am, as you supposed, treated with great Civility and Respect by all Orders of People; but it gives...
1421From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 2 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L : Henry E. Huntington Library; copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of the 8th. of September, and am much oblig’d by the Intelligence it contain’d.— Please to make my Compliments of Congratulation acceptable to Mr. Hancock, on his being chosen the first Governor of his free Countrymen. I am persuaded he will fill the Seat with Propriety and Dignity. Dr. Lee’s Accusation of...
1422From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 20 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library The Bearer, M. de Bannes is exceedingly well recommended to me by Persons of the first Distinction in this Country. He goes over to America with a View of seeing the Country, & of being serviceable to the Government here, who may here after probably confer on him one of the Counsulships. He appears to be a sensible Young Man, and will I doubt not, make himself...
1423From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 24 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Reprinted from Earl P. L. Apfelbaum, Public Auction (June 3–4, 1976). <Passy, August 24, 1783: Recommends M. Bertaud, a surgeon, to Cooper’s> Notice and Civilities, and request you would assist him with your good Counsel & Advice. You will thereby much oblige, Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant Only the second sheet of this letter was reproduced as an illustration; it is...
1424From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by Mr. le Comte de Segur, (Son of the Marquis de Segur Ministre de la Guerre) a Young Nobleman whose amiable Qualities and sensible Conversation will I am sure give you Pleasure. I therefore make no Apology for the Liberty I take of introducing him to you, recommending him to your Civilities and Friendship, and requesting you would do the...
1425From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 26 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; extract: Library of Congress I have received several kind Letters from you, which I have not now before me, and which I shall answer more particularly hereafter. Your Grandson was well not long since, & I hear good Account of him. I hope his Improvements will answer your Expectations. We have taken some good Steps here towards a Peace. Our...
1426From Benjamin Franklin to [Samuel Cooper], [25 October 1776]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Massachusetts Archives Being once more order’d to Europe, and to embark this day, I write this Line &c. As to our publick Affairs, I hope our People will keep up their Courage. I have no Doubt of their finally succeeding by the Blessing of God, nor have I any Doubt, that so good a Cause will fail of that Blessing. It is computed here that we have already taken a Million Sterling from...
1427From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Prince de Broglie, Son of the Marechal Duc de Broglie has desired of me a few Letters of Introduction. With regard to Boston I cannot do better than to present him to you, who have a Pleasure in showing Civilities to Strangers of Merit, & who can introduce him to the principal Persons civil & military of your State. You already love with reason the French Nation;...
1428From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 15 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of Feb. 1 by Col. Johonot. Your Sentiments of the present State of our Affairs appear to me very judicious, and I am much oblig’d by your free Communication of them. They are often of Use here: for you have a Name and Character among us, that give weight to your Opinions. The End of Col....
1429From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Henry E. Huntington Library I received your kind Favour by Capt. Chavagnes, which I communicated to the Minister of the Marine, who was much pleased with the Character you give of the Captain. I have also yours of Nov. 12. by your Grandson, who appears a very pretty promising Lad, in whom I think you will have much Satisfaction. He is in a Boarding School just by me, and was well last...
1430From Benjamin Franklin to [Samuel Cooper], 27 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of California Library, Berkeley; transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society At length our Treaties of Commerce and Alliance with France are Compleated, and signed. They go over to Congress by this Conveyance. Their great Principle declared in the Preamble, is perfect Equality and Reciprocity of Conditions, the advantages mutual, Commerce free &c. France guarantees the...
1431From Benjamin Franklin to Grey Cooper, 7 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, press copy, and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I understand that Mr. Laurens an American Gentleman for whom I have a great Esteem, is a Prisoner in the Tower, and that his Health suffers by the Closeness and Rigour of his Confinement. As I do not think that your Affairs receive any Advantage from the Harshness of this Proceeding, I take the Freedom of requesting...
1432From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Grey Cooper, 11 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library Receiving frequent Accounts by American Prisoners, who have escap’d from your Goals, of the miserable Situation and hard Treatment of their Countrymen at Portsmouth and Plymouth, we have prevail’d with a Gentleman, Major Thornton, (to us much a Stranger but who appears a Man of Humanity) to visit the...
1433The American Commissioners to Comic, Veuve Mathurin & fils, 30 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have to thank you for the Account you gave us of Capt. Johnson’s Escape and should have acknowledged the same sooner but were in hopes it would have been confirmed by his Arrival, but unhappily your Intelligence was premature and he unhappily remains still a prisoner. In Behalf of Doctr. Franklin and Self I am with much respect Your most Obedient and...
1434The American Commissioners to Cornic, Veuve Mathurin & fils, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have written Instructions to Mr J. D. Schweighauser of Nantes to dispose of the Cargo of the Brig Morris Captain Gunnison, and to settle with you any demand you may have for Disbursements &c on her Account. We are &c In JA ’s hand.
1435The American Commissioners to Veuve Cornic & fils, 10 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, früher Preussischer Staatsbibliothek, Berlin; copy: Connecticut Historical Society We have directed Capt. Johnson to draw on Us for the Amount of the Sums furnished by you for his Disbursements, which Bills will be duly honored. In Answer to Yours, to Doct. Franklin, We have to assure You that We have ever had the fullest Confidence in Your...
1436From Benjamin Franklin to Court de Gébelin, 7 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I am glad the little Book prov’d acceptable. It does not appear to me intended for a Grammar to teach the Language. It is rather what we call in English a Spelling Book , in which the only Method observ’d, is, to arrange the Words according to their Number of Syllables, placing those of one Syllable together, then those of two Syllables, and so on.— And it is...
1437The American Commissioners to Harmon Courter, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We Deliver you herewith our Letters and Dispatches for Congress which you will take Care of, and on no account Let them go out of your Possession until you deliver them up to the Hon’ble Committee of Foreign Affairs. On your embarking secure them in a Proper manner for being Sunk, in Case of being actually taken by the Enemy. We give you 100 Louis D’ors for...
1438From Benjamin Franklin to Catherine de Wesselow Cramer, 5 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Person who will have the honour of presenting you this Letter, is Made. [Madame] Montgomery a Lady of Philadelphia, who has brought over with her an only Son for the purpose of giving him an European Education. I have recommended to her the placing him at Geneva; and as she purposes residing there herself while he shall continue at School, I beg leave to request...
1439From Benjamin Franklin to Philibert Cramer, 19 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library I have deferred too long acknowledging the Receipt of your obliging Letter relating to my Grandson. Your favourable Account of him gave me a great deal of Pleasure. I hope he will not fall much short of your kind Expectations.— Please to accept my Thanks for your friendly & fatherly care of him, and for the Permission you are so good as to grant...
1440From 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...
1441From Benjamin Franklin to the Comte de Creutz, with Franklin’s Account of Their Conversation, 24 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I find that I have Powers to treat and conclude in the Affair you did me the honour yesterday of proposing to me. I am ready therefore to confer with your Excellency on the Subject at any Time and Place you shall please to appoint. With great & sincere Esteem & Respect I have the honour to be Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant Answer to...
1442From Benjamin Franklin to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 21 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I should have answered sooner your Letter of the 7th. but that it happen’d to mislaid.— Inclos’d I send the Letter you desire for Govr. Hancock. I have now no Acquaintance left in New York Government, but its Delegates to Congress, to whom you mention being already known. Made. la Comtesse d’Houdetot has warmly recommended to me a M. Crevecoeur who had...
1443From Benjamin Franklin to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 2 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of Writing to me the 27th past, relating to the 5 Americans who landed on your Coast from England. Please to accept my Thanks for your Kindness to them. There is no doubt of the Success of their Petition relating to their Boat, the same Case having happened several Times, and such Requests always readily comply’d with...
1444From Benjamin Franklin to Cuming & Macarty, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have just received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 3d Instant relating to some accepted Bills, amounting to 1671 Dollars that have been protested for Nonpayment at Madrid. I am sorry for the Uneasiness this Accident has occasioned to you, and shall immediately give Orders to have them taken up and the...
1445From Benjamin Franklin to James Cuming, 10 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I rec’d. the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 2d. Inst: Accept my Thanks for your Care in forwarding the Packets and News papers; which are likewise come to hand. When you know of any Person coming to Paris; I beg you would send me the Journals of Congress for 1778, desiring much to see them. I have the honour to be, sir, Your most obedt. humble Servant
1446From Benjamin Franklin to James Cuming, 30 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 22d. Inst. Several Parcels or Packets have lately come to my hands from Mr. Lovel Sent by different Vessels and I make no doubt but those you mention were among them. If the Bills you write about were originally drawn in favour of Mr. Thorp, his Letter to you relating to them may perhaps be nearly...
1447From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Gouverneur and Samuel Curson, 22 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the Honour of Writing to me the 1st of September. It was by Order of Congress that I directed the Offer of Money to be made you, but it would be a Pleasure to me if I could be otherwise useful to you. If you have furnish’d any Correspondent here with a distinct Account of your Property in the several retaken Vessels you...
1448From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, Sr., 27 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; copies: British Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, Thomas W. Haught, Baltimore, Maryland (1959) I received your Favour by Mr. Austin, with your most agreable Congratulations on the Success of the American Arms in the Northern Department. In return give me leave to congratulate you on the Success of our Negociations here, in the Completion of two Treaties...
1449From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The above went by Capt. Adams. Since which I received your Favour by your Son, who appears an amiable sensible young Man. I have advis’d his Staying a few Months in France to acquire the Language, which, as we are likely to have more Connection and Commerce with this Nation than formerly, may be of considerable Use to him. He returns to Nantes with Mr....
1450From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, Sr., 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival here, and shall be happy in finding that our Negociations on this side the Water are of effectual Service to our Country. The general News here is, that all Europe is arming and preparing for War, as if it were soon expected. Many of the Powers however, have their...