951To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 11 March 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 , 286. Mr. Digges who will deliver this to you informs me that having been applied to for the purpose of communicating with Mr. Adams on the subject of his commission for treating of peace, he is now setting out for Amsterdam, and that he intends afterwards...
952To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 19 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec La Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 16 de ce mois, les pieces relatives au Brigantin Américain le Whim, entré à l’Isle de Rhé pour se reparer après avoir fait côte pres de Trance en Poitou. Je me suis empressé de faire passer ces pieces au Conseil des Prises et je ne doute pas que ce Tribunal ne rende son Jugement le plus...
953From Benjamin Franklin to Le Baron, [20 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I thank you for your readiness to serve Capt. Prince. His Bills for moderate Supplies will be honour’d. The Bearer is my Grandson. I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities. I shall answer the rest of your Letter soon. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedt humble Servant In WTF ’s hand. Dated on the basis of the following document.
954To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Edes, 9 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Fearing you may not know how to direct your Answer to mine of yesterday, I take the liberty to send you my address. I am with great Respect, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant Addressed: Benjamin Franklin, Esq: Notation: Caroline Edes Decr. 9. 1781 This is the first letter in a brief correspondence from a woman whose name appears nowhere else in BF ’s papers....
955To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Marin Beaugeard, [before 28 March 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Beaugeard, Tresorier des Etats de Bretagne, prie Monsieur franklin et Monsieur son petit fils de lui faire l’honneur de venir diner chez lui samedy 28 Mars ainsi qu’ils ont bien voulu le luy promettre. Reponse s’il vous plait. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin Deputé des / Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionalle / maison de M. LeRey de Chaumont /...
956To 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...
957To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de La Rouërie, [after 13 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Une mere dont l’inquietude ne peut s’exprimer, suplie Monsieur franckin, de vouloir bien lui apprendre le sort du Colonel Armand, son fils, qui sert dans l’armée amériquaine et dont elle n’a eu aucune nouvelle depuis l’affaire de Camden, ou, elle à appris par les papiers publics qu’il étoit, sous les ordres du Général Gates. Notation: La mere du Colonel...
958To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 21 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I trouble you afresh with a packet designed for our friend Dr. Price. Be pleased to peruse the letter and papers ere you forward them to him. I wished to put both parties out of conceit with Mr. Hutchinson, which I think will be effected by what is in Edes’s papers, and will be confirmed in two or three subsequent ones. Such a man ought to have no...
959To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inclose a Copy of a Letter I yesterday recieved from Corunna. I communicate it to your Excellency in Confidence. The Writer is a particular Friend of yours. He has so good an Heart, and is so amiable a Man, that I would not expose him to the Resentment of any of the Gentlemen, and therefore pray your Excellency to keep his Letter secret....
960From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 5 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I am exceedingly obliged by your interesting yourself so warmly in behalf of those unhappy people. I understand you advanc’d money: Your bills on that account will be punctually paid. As yet I have heard of none. Understanding that a certain Person promised to make proposals for healing a certain Breach, I postpon’d and delayed a material Operation till I should...
961From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 25 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Boston Public Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Inclosed are two Letters for you which came under my Cover from Boston. I am glad to hear a good Account of you from Mr. de Marignac. A Gentleman of Lyons has repeatedly wrote to my [me], proposing to remove you to a School in his Neighbourhood, and tells me that you desire it. I hope he is mistaken in that. You are plac’d...
962To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 28 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am sure I shall tell you something which you will have no pleasure in repeating again, when I inform you that Lord Chatham is very ill indeed. Alarming symptoms have appeared, and no likelyhood of his getting rid of them, as he grows weaker every day. This intelligence is fresh from Hayes, where he now is. As I am afraid this great man is dying, I think it...
963To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 17 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai qu’un instant pour profiter de l’occasion d’un Exprès que Mr. Gillon envoie à Paris, & vous envoyer la belle & rare copie de l’Acte original de l’Union d’Utrecht, dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler à Paris que je le destinois pour les Archives du Congrès, auquel je serois bien aise qu’il pût parvenir promptement mais sans trop risquer: car il est...
964To Benjamin Franklin from [Philip?] Keay, 29 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Keay presents his Respects to Mr. Franklin, & returns many thanks for the History of the Welch Poetry: he should not have kept it so long, had he not flatter’d himself every day with the pleasure of accompanying Made. de Cheminot to wait upon Mr. Franklin; But she is still so weak as not to be able to bear the motion of the Carriage. Notation: Keay...
965To Benjamin Franklin from Watson & Cossoul, 20 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We duly rec’d your favr. of the 16th. inst. directed to our E. Watson, and have to acknowledge your Kind attention, & inform your Excellency that our friends Messrs. J. Cottin & fils & Jauge advise us, that they have found the bill in question. We have the honour to be respectfully Your Excellency’s Very Obedient Servants. Addressed: The Honbl. Benja....
966To Benjamin Franklin from Coder: A Memorandum, [after 14 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Notte pour monsieur le docteur franklin. En me retirant dans ma chaumiere je previens monsieur le docteur que les anciens fourniseurs emploies par M. deaene, acoutumés a gagnier cent pour cent sur les fournitures qu’ils font et n’ayant pu se resoudre a se contenter du profit modique qu’il y a a faire sur la miene et honteux de continuér la leur dont j’ai...
967To Benjamin Franklin from Cabanis, 10 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon pere qui me parle bien souvent de vous, Monsieur, ne Connait qu’une très petite partie de vos ouvrages, et voudrait avoir des Détails sur La Construction des Conducteurs pour garantir Les maisons de La foudre, et sur celle des para-tonnerre dont Les personnes se servent en Amérique. Je prends la Liberté de m’adresser à vous pour cela. Il m’est égal que...
968To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Schuyler, 13 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The lake is open in so many places that I am of opinion you may set out for this place as Early as you can. I have received some dispatches from Canada which I Inclose you and by which you will see the necessity of sending a large reinforcement. Please to bring up with you the papers I Inclose as I have no Copies of them. The Bearer goes Express to Congress and...
969To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Deux-Ponts, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I put so much confidence in your Excellencys friendship to me, that I depend on your forgiveness, for the freedom I take, to beg of you the conveyance of the inclos’d to Chevr. La Luzerne which includes some Lines to my american friends. I shall be very particularly oblig’d to you for it and am with wery respectfull sentiments Your Excellencys Most obedient...
970To Benjamin Franklin from Juliana Ritchie, 27 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to thank you in all sincerity—for your great politeness in answering my letter— My poor suffering heart will ever retain a just sence of what I owe to your good nature & kind condesention in that proof of your pardoning my intrusions. Nothing but my state of anxiety—cou’d have induced me to break thro’ all rules of decoram, by impertinently...
971To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 4 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Vanderpar a Gentleman from Zeeland prays to have the honor of waiting on You Tomorrow Morning on the subject of a Vessel taken by Capt. Jones and by him sent to America. If Agreeable I shall wait on You with him in the Morning at Breakfast, & doubt not but that You will be well pleased with an Acquaintance with him. Meantime I have the honor to be with...
972To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have seen Sir Geo. Grand who was Yesterday at Versailles, and this morning with Mons. De Sartine; I find it impossible for me to go out this Afternoon, as I must be engaged every moment in Business. I must pray you to excuse me to Marechal Maillebois. He put into my hands a Memoire of one Millin de la Brosse, which I forgot to shew you, but I sent a...
973To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of the Note that you forwarded me with two Letters, one adress’d to the Honble. Cap: Landais late Commander of the Ship Alliance, and the other, to Lieutent. James Degge and the other Officers of the said Ship I gave immediate advice of their reception and that I was ready to deliver them agreeable to my instructions. No other notice being...
974To Benjamin Franklin from Pieter Buyck, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je prends la Respectueuse liberté de Vous envoier cÿ inclus une lettre que Je Vous prie de faire Remettre à Monsieur Laurens qui Je Suppose Sera encore à Paris au Cas qu’il Soit deja parti ne doutant nullement que Vous ne Sachiez ou il est Je Vous supplie d’avoir La Complaisance de L’enveloper & La lui faire parvenir. Si en Pareille ou toute autre...
975To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I am & have lately been, so employed, as that your obliging Letters of the 20th. Augt. & 4 Septr. last, must remain a little longer unanswered. Among the enclosed Papers you will find several Copies of Letters & Extracts sent me by Mr. R Morris— I enclose open for your Perusal, my Letter to Congress of this Date,— after reading be pleased to seal &...
976To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 22 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am at last determined on sending my Son to an Academy near Brussels, for a short Time, & having an Opportunity for his going in a few Days pray You to give him a Passport, for which he has the honor to wait on You, & to take his leave. I am with The highest respect Dear sir Your most Obedt & Very humle servt Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin /...
977To Benjamin Franklin from Hannah Sowden, 2 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Excuse the liberty I take in acquanting you with the decease of one who during his life was honored with your occasional correspondance, The Revd. Mr. Sowden who died on the 22d of june last my worthy and honored parent, after a residence of 30 years in this City. How much his sudden and almost momentary death is publicly or privately regretted, does not...
978From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Castries, 31 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives de la Marine If there is nothing improper in the Requests made by Mr Williams in the enclos’d Letter, I beg leave to recommend them to your Excellency’s favourable Attention. With great Respect, I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant Notation: R [Repondu] le 8. 7bre. 1782. / [audela ?] 1er 7bre v. la f. du même jour et la lettre ecrite à M Clouet BF...
979To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de La Merville, 2 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre probité et votre Reputation me Repondent de votre honneteté sur un procedé qui ne peut vous appartenir. Le nommé le noir qui est encore a mon service me demande son congé disant que vous l’avés arreté a 200 l.t. de gages et d’autres proffits. Comme il a ma livrée sur le corps il ne peut estre en monsieur frankelin de prendre a son service un valet...
980From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 30 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 21. Inst. and return accepted the two Bills it enclos’d. In perusing your Account sent me the Beginning of March last, I observed considerable Sums advanced to Americans. The Advances for the Relief of poor distress’d Seamen I will pay, but the others to Officers and Gentlemen, I cannot allow, having no Orders to justify...
981To Benjamin Franklin from Doerner, [17 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Dartmouth College Library Mr. John James Doerner who sets off for Bordeaux to Morrow in Company of Mr. Märck to establish a House of Commerce at Charles-town North-America. If Doctor Francklin is so obliging and favour Messrs. Doerner and Marck with Letters of introduction for the honorable Congress and Gentlemen at Charles-Town, for some places in the Province of Virginia &ca.; Doerner...
982To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Virginia Historical Society I am advised that Robt. Morris Esqr. The Superintendant General of Finance for Congress, has directed you to pay me, what is due to me from Congress out of the first money that came into your hands. I am now to request that you will please to inform me whether you have, or have not recd. such directions from...
983To Benjamin Franklin from Count von Sickingen, [11 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Leroy Et d’autres personnes de La Connaissance de Monsieur franklin, se rassembleronts Lundi 14 7bre chez Le Comte de Sickingen, et on s’y occuppera de quelques recherches sur la Platine; si Cette Societé et Le motif qui La rassemble pouvaient Engager Monsieur franklin a faire L’honneur au Comte de Sickingen de Diner ce jour Chez Luy, il En serait...
984From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress The Congress disregarding the Proposals made by Sir Guy Carleton, and determined to continue the War with Vigour, ‘till a Peace can be obtained, satisfactory as well to the King as to themselves; (as will appear by their Resolves hereto annex’d) but being disabled by the great Deficiency in their Taxes arising from...
985From Benjamin Franklin to La Rochefoucauld, 21 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Bibliothèque municipale, Mantes Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments respectfully to M. le Duc de Rochefoucauld. He will read and return as soon as possible the Papers mentioned. News is received this Morning from England, that a Vessel arrived from New York, which Place she left the 16th of December, brings Advice, that General Howe march’d out of Philadelphia the 5th, drove in G....
986To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, [1 March? 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont a L’honneur d’envoyer a S. Ex. la depesche cy Jointe de M. Dumas, et La Lettre de M. Landais pour Scavoir Ce que S. Ex. veut qu’il Reponde. M. De Chaumont Croit que M. Jones n’a lair de Chercher a estre employé en france que pour pouvoir dire en amerique qu’il ne Couroit pas après Le Commandement de L’alliance. Notation: M. de Chaumont. On...
987From Benjamin Franklin to Vicq d’Azyr, [after 15 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I received the Copies of the Charter, and the Tickets which you so obligingly sent me, in behalf of the Royal Society. I am extreamly sensible of the great Honour they have done me, in placing me at the Head of their foreign Members; and I shall not fail to attend their Meeting of the 20th Instant, which they so kindly invite me to. In answer to his...
988To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 28 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May it please your Excellency; that we have the honour to give her Joy with our Selfs on the firm methode our Republicq hath adopted to resist the most impudent demands of the English Court, which already produced Sr. Joseph Yorke quitted the Hague, and there Seems no manner of doubt butt we shall be very Soon at an open rupture, the sensible people of...
989To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Sarsfield, [14 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. le Vicomte de Sarsfield prie Monsieur Francklin de lui faire l’honneur de diner chez lui Jeudi prochain 19. Juin. Il espere que Monsieur son fils lui fera le même honneur. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin / a Passi. The younger brother of BF ’s old acquaintance, the Count; see above, XXIII , 231 n. The earliest time after BF ’s arrival when June...
990To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 12 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, de vous prevenir que le Paquebot Anglois l’heureux armé en Parlementaire vient d’arriver au Port de l’Orient, et comme le nombre des Prisonniers qui sera remis en Echange au Capitaine de ce Batiment ne sera pas égal à celui qu’il a apporté en France, J’ai pensé que vous pourriez profiter de cette occasion pour renvoyer en Angleterre les Prisonniers...
991To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 20 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L and transcript: National Archives M. le Cte. de Vergennes a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur franklin un Memoire qui lui a été adressé par l’ambassadeur du Roi en Suisse. Il le prie de vouloir bien lui faire parvenir dans le temps la reponse dont il le croira susceptible. The memoir, addressed to “Son Excellence Sir Franklin,” is an appeal from Jean-Jacques Vallier (or Wallier) dated March 28...
992From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade & Moylan, 8 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 2d. Instant, relating to a Passport for the 198 Cases of Musket Barrels. Inclos’d I send you what has already pass’d on the Subject of the same Parcel of Arms, which I apprehend will make any farther Application to Ministry unnecessary. I suppose too that Mr Williams may have in his Possession some Copy of the general Orders...
993To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [15 or 22 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Will You Please, My dear sir, to let me Have a Copy of the Paper I gave to Major Ross, that I May Enclose it to General Washington and get His approbation of the Measure? The Moment You get the Bill be pleased to Communicate it— I will do the same on my part, and am Very Anxious to see How that Piece is Manufactured. Notation: La Fayette The two Saturdays...
994To Benjamin Franklin from John Thompson: a Petition, [c. 27 June 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society <[Brest, c. June 27, 1778 ], in the third person: He was a gunner on the Lexington when she was captured on December [September] 19, 1777, following an engagement in which he lost his leg. After five months in hospital in England he escaped to Dunkirk, and Franklin provided him with clothes. On May 3 he left for Nantes to get home, but was driven ashore in...
995To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 6 inst, whereunto please to be referred. Agreable to my promise, I here inclose the two Bonds respecting the privateers Black Prince Capn. Patrick Dowlin and the Black Princess Capn. Edwd Maccatter, Sign’d by Mr. Riviere l’ainé, of Gravelinnes, and Messr. John Francis and Charles Torris of this place,...
996To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 2 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Adams’s respectfull Compliments to Dr Franklin. Informs him that Monsieur the Comte De Vergennes has appointed him next Tuesday to be at Versailles in order to be presented to the King and Royal Family. Mr Adams will have the Honour to breakefast at Passy with Dr Franklin, at an hour early enough to go to Versailles, which he supposes will be 8 o Clock....
997To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 23 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
I wrote a few Lines to you from Passy to go by the Post of this Day, pressing you to come hither as soon as possible. I have just mention’d it to M de Vergennes, who is of Opinion it will be proper to leave M r . Carmichael there, that it may not seem as if we abandon’d that Court. As I understand, a Courier is just setting out from hence for Madrid, I add this Line, to inform you of this...
998To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 28 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous renvoyer cy joint votre manuscrit sur la morale des echecs dont j’ai gardé copie, que j’enverrai au 1er. jour a imprimer dans le journal de Paris, si vous ne vous hâtez de me le defendre. Et apres en avoir laissé gouter au public le plaisir pur, je pourrai bien le lendemain ou surlendemain le faire suivre de mes petites reflexions,...
999To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 19 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer une incluse de notre excellent ami M. Hutton: elle est un peu de vieille datte parce que j’esperois pouvoir vous la remettre moi meme, et j’en ai toujours été empeché par mille objets pressés: je l’avois portée mardi dernier chez M. le Marq. de Mirabeau où on m’avoit assuré que vous deviez diner; et j’eus le chagrin de la...
1000To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 8 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are informed here that a Canadian with a commission from the Congress has fitted out a privateer at Dunkirk, and after cruising sometime in the Channel has taken a very large prize and carried her into Ostend; this News seems to occasion great eagerness in some people here to fitt out privateers in the same way, if proper commissions can be obtain’d and...