331To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Baudouin, 5 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Baudouin assure monsieur franklin de toutte sa veneration et de son Respect, il prie s. Excellence de vouloir bien faire donner au porteur un recû de la lettre cy jointe. Addressed: pour / Monsieur franklin Possibly Sartine’s letter of May 4.
332To Benjamin Franklin from ――― De Laville, 16 June 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Cherbourg (“Caesarisburgei”), June 16, 1777, in Latin: Informs Franklin that at about four the previous afternoon Captain Burnell was captured by the British and taken to prison. This has been reported to the local authorities so that they may uphold the law of nations.> He signs himself as a doctor of medicine, member of the city council, and medical...
333To Benjamin Franklin from Alleyne Fitzherbert, 14 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr Fitz-Herbert presents his Compliments to Dr Franklin & has the honour of transmitting to him herewith a letter which he received Yesterday evening by a Courier from England. Notation: Fitz-Herbert.
334To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Le Comte de Vergennes fait tous ses remercimens à Monsieur Franklin des paquets qu’il lui a envoyés hier. Ils lui ont apris l’arrivé a Boston de M. Le Chr. de la Luzerne, et des differens Evenemens avantageuses aux Etats unis dont le Cte. de Vergennes desiré que M. Franklin puisse lui donner la Confirmation mardi prochain. At the King’s weekly audience for foreign...
335To Benjamin Franklin from Michel Bonniot and Jn. Eymas Labate, 21 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, February 21, 1778, in French: We have received by the ship Yacht Bordelais the enclosed letter for you. It must be an old one because the ship, dispatched from Cork last August, was stopped at sea by the British and detained for some months in Falmouth. We should be happy to be of any service to you.> Bonniot was one of two brothers, Bordeaux...
336To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Brillon, 28 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Brillon est passé pour avoir l’honneur de voir Monsieur franklin et de lui proposer et a Monsieur son petit fils a diner jeudy La comedie francaise dans une loge grillée, après diner. Une partie d’echecs et du thé, le soir. Le tout avec M. Leveillard. Response si vous voulés bien. The year could be 1783, but we are guessing that this note is related to...
337From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Perret, 12 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Bibliothèque municipale de Nantes; copy: Library of Congress I received duely the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me of the 6th. Instant, together with the Pacquet of Papers therein mentioned relating to the English Vessel called the Betsey, agreable to the Inventory that accompanied them. I have the honour to be with great Regard Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
338To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Golden, 2 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I The Subscriber of the Present Beg humbly To be permitted to Communicate unto you a Few Inclosed Sentences in order to acquaint you of my Present Necessity of booth Cloathing and every other Necssary Capable of Rendering Life by any means Comfortable: I Beg Leave to acquaint you of my Being a Subject to my worthy and amiable Congress and well Respected...
339To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Opportunity by a private Hand to return you Capt Folgers Bond & Oath, in order to save the postage. I will write by the Post. I am in haste yours most dutifully and affectionately Notation: J. Williams 24. Fevr. 1782. See JW to BF , Nov. 10, and BF ’s reply of Nov. 19.
340From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Extract, 1 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Library of Congress I think it will be best for you to pay what Ballance you suppose in your hands towards the Anchors, and draw on me for the Rest. This will answer the present purpose of satisfying M. Gourlade, and Errors if any may be rectified in the final settlement of your accounts. Part of a Letter to Jonathan Williams In answer, finally, to JW ’s letter of April 8. The extract...
341To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Mr. Chaumonts Servant is here I embrace the opportunity to convey to you two of your Bankers Books which I found among my papers. I impatiently wait to hear from you relative the subject of my last. I have no news but am very respectfully and affectionately Your dutifull kinsman
342From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Blagden, 29 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : James M. Osborn, New Haven, Connecticut (1966) Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Dr Blagden, requests his Care of the enclos’d, and wishes him a good Journey with a happy Sight of his Friends & Country. Blagden had paid his final visit to BF on July 25. He was received in the “inner cabinet” where a “Great cover [was] laid out,” and the two men discussed the Montgolfiers’ “flying...
343From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 10 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I beg your Excellency to accept my thankfull Acknowledgment for your favour to the Captain of the American Union, in permitting him to continue his Cruize. You have made him & his People very happy, and have very much obliged Your Excellency’s obedient and most humble Servant. In response to his of the previous day, above.
344To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bonnes Coder, 7 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jé viens de perdre mon fils, je vous demande pour moy, et ma pauvre famille la continuation des bontés que vous aviés pour luy, car nous n’avons j’amais démérité les bontés du Roy, et de la patrie, ny celles de tous les honnetes Gens. Jé suis avec respéct Monsieur Votre trés humble et tres obeïssante Servante Notation: Coder. Pezenas le 7. Sept. 1780. Henry...
345To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Philip Gibbes, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Sir Philip Gibbes presents his respects to Doctor Franklin. He will be glad to pay them in person to Doctor Franklin at any hour to day, that he will be pleased to name. Notation: Sr. P. Gibbs See above, XXIII , 281 n. BF replied to this note, according to Paul Wentworth, by making an appointment for the next day, when he would call at Gibbes’ lodgings...
346To Benjamin Franklin from –– Luet de Biscontin, 3 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Venice, October 3, 1778, in French: I wish to apply for the post of American consul in Venice. My knowledge of this Republic’s laws and customs, as well as the many personal connections I have formed over my fifteen years’ residence here, will enable me to defend American interests efficiently. I shall, if needed, provide you with references.> He signs...
347To Benjamin Franklin from [Frederik Willem?] Boers, 12 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M Boers a l’honneur de presenter ses respects a M le Ministre Franklin en lui assurant, qu’il est, on ne peut plus, sensible a la complaisance, que M Franklin a bien voulu avoir pour lui. M Boers Sera toujours beaucoup flatté d’etre honoré des ordres de M Franklin et il les executera avec tout les sentimens de la reconnoissance, qu’il lui doit. This is the...
348To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 24 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having an opportunity of writing you by the Dutch envoy from London, I cannot omit sending you a line to tell you that I see nothing more that is amiss here than you know of, notwithstanding Mr Knox & two or three people pretend that the Loyal Colonies are to have the trade to the islands. If you keep firm, & good humored, I hope you will in the end lose...
349To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 10 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you here Inclosed Mr. Williams leter beg youl spake to Mr. Chomont of it & let me have his answer as the affeare is pressing. I am with Respect & Consideration Dr. Sir yours on every occasion Not found.
350From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 20 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Parke-Bernet catalogue (1963) <Passy, July 20, 1778: Franklin notifies Dumas of the ratification at Versailles of the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and authorizes him to “communicate the Treaty of Commerce to M. le Grand Pensionnaire.” > Session of December 3: p. 19 of catalogue 2235. See the preceding document. Three weeks earlier Dumas had shown the Grand...
351To Benjamin Franklin from Castries, 22 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M de Castries a l’honneur de faire passer a Monsieur un Paquet et deux Lettres qui viennent de lui parvenir à son addresse. The earliest possible year; Castries had become naval minister and begun corresponding with BF eleven months earlier. Not found.
352From Benjamin Franklin to Taverne Demont Dhiver, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am honor’d with yours of the 22 Inst. applying for two Commissions. I should have a Pleasure in complying with your Request; But it is not in my Power, till I shall have receiv’d fresh Orders from Congress. I have the Honor to be, Sir &c.
353To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Ségur, 24 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de segur a L’honneur d’adresser à Monsieur franklin une dépeche d’Amerique qui s’est trouvée jointe à celles qu’il a reçues cette nuit./. As far as we know, this is the first extant piece of correspondence between BF and the new French minister of war ( XXXIV , 173n).
354From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 29 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Please to furnish Capt. Elisha Hart with the Same sum you advanced to the Officers Prisoners, who came over in the first Cartel with the approbation of Mr. Adams, taking his Promissory Notes for the Same per triplicate, payable to the President of Congress, or his Order. I have the honour to be, Sir
355To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Quemizet, 31 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <January 31, 1778, in French: We are determined to emigrate to the colonies, either as a teacher or director of dyeing or as a master dyer, provided that we can find support on arrival. That is what we hoped to put to you yesterday at your hotel, but your absence deprived us of the pleasure. Please reply.> He signs himself “teinturier aux Gobelins.” The...
356From Benjamin Franklin to ――― Brillon, [before 25 August? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Franklin fait bien de Compliments a M. Brillon, et desire d’être informé ou demeure M. Hennet. Addressed: A Monsr / Monsieur Brillon BF and Hennet had been negotiating about supplies for some time before the latter’s first dated letter, Aug. 25, which immediately follows.
357From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 15 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly the large Parcel of Letters and Papers you favoured me with by Mr. Austin, to which I shall when I can get a little time, answer particularly. I received also a Box, containing 12 of the 4tos. and 4 of the 8vos. in boards, with the spanish Dictionary and Grammar, and I think some Pamphlets. A bound 4to. is also come to hand, I know not whether from you...
358From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Vaughan & Son, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour by Mr. Luard and would on your Recommendation have gladly rendred him any service in my Power but he has found no Difficulty in settling his affairs to his satisfaction. I rejoice to learn that you and all the amiable family of the Vaughans are well, which may God continue. I am ever, with great Esteem Gentlemen y. m. o. h. S. XXX , 512n.
359From Benjamin Franklin to [Lecoq], 11 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library The Equipping of armed Vessels in the Ports of France to act under Commissions from the Congress of America against the English, being contrary to Treaties, and therefore disagreable to Government here, your Friend’s Request cannot possibly be comply’d with. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant In reply to his inquiry above, July 28....
360To Benjamin Franklin from Pamphili, 14 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : Library of Congress M. Le Nonce a l’honneur de faire bien des complimens à Monsieur Franklin, et Se fera un devoir de faire passer par la premiere occasion à Sa Sainteté Le livre qu’il vient de lui envoyer./. Pope Pius VI. Doubtless the Constitutions des treize Etats-Unis de l’Amérique.