131From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that...
132Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 5 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 24th past. You have had a terrible Passage indeed, taking it all together from London to Amsterdam. The Season has been, and continues, uncommonly severe, and you must have suffered much. It is a Pity that the good Purpose of your Voyage, to save if possible the Credit of M r Morris’s Bills could not be accomplished, by your...
133From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society A long and painful Illness has prevented my corresponding with your Excellency regularly, but I paid the Bill you drew upon me and advised me of in your last Letter. Mr Jay has I believe acquainted you with the Obstructions our Peace Negociations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By the next Courier expected from London, we may be able...
134To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 11 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will see by the within the Situation I am in, and will thence judge how far it may be proper for you to accept farther Drafts on Mr Laurens, with any Expectation of my enabling you to pay them, when I have not only no Promise of more Money, but an absolute Promise that I shall have no more. I shall use my Endeavours however, but am not sure of Succeeding, as we seem to have...
135From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 10 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours of the 29th past from Nantes. I hope you are before this time safely arrived at L’Orient. M. De la Luzerne is making diligent Preparation for his Departure, and you will soon see him. He and the Secretary of the Embassy are both very agreable and sensible Men, in whose Conversation you will have a...
136To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 14 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I duly received your Excellency’s Favour of the 1st. and 6th Instant. I wrote to you by Mr Barclay, who went from hence some Days since, and I hope is with you by this time, and that he will with your Assistance be able to settle every thing relating to the Goods. I have receiv’d a long Letter from Messrs. Neufville, the Purport of which is, that they are willing for their Parts to deliver the...
137From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 3 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour to write to me of the 24th past. I am glad you have been at Brest, as your Presence there has contributed to expedite the Operations of Capt. Landais in Refitting his Ship. I think with you, that more has been made of the Conspiracy than was necessary; but that it would have been well...
138From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York & Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their Remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I...
139To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York and Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I think they can hardly miss it:...
140Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 20 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
My fever not being yet sufficiently removd to permit me to come to you; I write to you to submit the absolute necessity there is of informing the Minister without delay of the State of our Finances and that the Supply we have askd is immediately necessary. It is possible they may wait for such information before they put the intention we are told they have of supplying us in execution. We...