1361To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier, 26 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Le S. fouquet qui aura lhonneur de vous remettre la présente lettre, est un sujet intelligent, attaché très anciennement au Service des poudres de france, qui a passé il y a quelques années en amérique, pour y construire des fabriques de poudre. L’objet de son voyage se trouvant rempli à la Satisfaction du congrès des etats unis, il vient de repasser en france....
1362To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremiah Terry, 7 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I set out from London the 2d. Inst. and arrived here about 4. o’Clock this Evening. My Principal Business is to learn a more Satisfactory account of my Countrymen in America, than I have been able to do in England, for which Purpose if you will Signify when you will be at leasure I will do myself the Honor to wait on you. In the meantime I remain with great...
1363To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 18 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have yours of 2d. June via Boston— I have also since received a few Lines from you of 10th. Jany., covering Letters for some French Gentlemen in our Army, which I have forwarded to them— I am glad to find you got mine of the 22d. October last, as I am now certain you have received the loan Office bills for Interest of your Money— You do not mention the...
1364To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 25 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer quelques billets pour la seance du Musée du 4 Decembre: Toute notre Societé serait très flattée que vous en pussiez profiter: vous ne reconnoitriez pas nos Salles agrandies & embellies. Nos Seances publiques sont actuellement de 12. par an; les Dames admises à toutes. Nous esperons donner cet hyver un volume de Memoires: nous...
1365To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Jenings, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I Know not, whether your Excellency has received a Copy of the King of Great Britains Speech to his Houses of Parliament, and as it will be at least a Matter of Curiosity, I take the Liberty of inclosing One herewith.— It was brought to Ostend by a Pilot of Dover. Give me leave to inform your Excellency, that I have been in this City about two months,...
1366To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de la Pleignière, 8 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter in the volume that offers services; the writer apparently hopes that Paris is full of young Americans eager to learn equitation. On April 2 Delaire, in La Rochelle, makes a similar suggestion; it is addressed to Silas Deane, but came to Franklin and is among his papers. The writer has had business setbacks but remains in good...
1367To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 1 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Mrs. Franklin’s Desire, I now send by this Opportunity, two small Kegs of Keskatomas Nuts, one is a Firkin the other a small Quarter Cask: They contain very near a Bushel and a half. I hope they may come safe and sound to your Hands: As I have been now a great while confined by the Gout, I could not go out about them; but as the Second Mate, is a near...
1368To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 14 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 14, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 207). On the same day...
1369To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed letters I brought with me from London—several circumstances concurred to detain me in England longer than I wished or expected, or there would not have been so long a space between the date of these letters and their delivery— Dr. Fothergill would have written to you long before, but deferred it, for obvious reasons, untill some safe...
1370To Benjamin Franklin from Cradock Taylor, 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Yesterday Recd. a letter from Mr. Gregoire informing me that your Excellency has no objection to giveing me my liberty provided you were assured that I was raly an American. Inclosed I send you three Letters I have receivd. from Mr Frazier which is all I can do to convince you Mr. Frazier has likewise informed me that he has acquainted your Excellency...
1371To Benjamin Franklin from Marc-Antoine-Maximilien-Cesar Le Francq, 20 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society échapé des mains de nos ennemis je prens la liberté de vous addresser le memoire ci joint, supliant Votre excellence de vouloir bien y jetter les yeux, et m’honnorer de ses ordres que j’attens avec autant d’empressement que j’en ai a vous prier d’agrèer les assurances des sentimens de la parfaite vénération et du profond respect avec lesquels je suis...
1372To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer is the Honble. John Wheelock President of Dartmouth College, who has come to Europe with a Deputation from the Trustees, supported by strong Recommendations from the first Characters in America, in order to obtain Donations for an Institution for the propagation of Knowledge & Virtue. The respectable Recommendations Mr. Wheelock has with him make...
1373To Benjamin Franklin from John Emery, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Michael Dupee in a Small Schooner I dispatchd from this place for Newbury Port the 26th. Octr. with Salt and Cloathing has made his Voyage and returnd here the 17th. Instant which gives me an opportunity to Inclose you the Two latest News papers he brought; my letters from my friends there Contain Nothing Material. If these papers give you aney...
1374To Benjamin Franklin from Charles B. Cochran, 3 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Serai venu vous rendre plutot mes devoirs mais jen ai été empeché par une grosse maladie Causée par le trop grand chagrin que jai eu ces jours passés: jai été saigné trois fois, et je prendrai ma troisieme medecine demain; aussitot que je pourrais sortir comptez, Monsieur, que je ne manquerai pas de venir deposer à vos pieds mes humbles hommages;...
1375To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Gabriel Bonnot de Mably, [1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La personne dont l’abbé de Mably a eu l’honneur de parler à Monsieur jay, et qu’il vouloit aussi avoir l’honneur de recommander à monsieur franklyn, s’appelle Rochas, c’est un jeune homme âgé de vingt quatre ans, il est bien né d’une famille de riches marchands de Romans en dauphiné. Il y a trois ans qu’il est à Marseille pour s’instruire et se former au...
1376To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Chastellux, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur coste qui vous remettra cette lettre est mon cher docteur, un três habile medecin et un excellent homme. Il étoit premier medecin de notre petite armée americaine. Il a souvent eté dans le cas de traitter vos soldats et il l’a fait avec zele et avec succès. Il aime vos compatriotes et en est aimé. L’ouvrage qu’il vous presente prouve l’estime...
1377To Benjamin Franklin from John Hay, Jr., 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency may perhaps wish to hear of the progress of a person, whose strong affection, for America, and the cause in which she is engaged, induced him to undertake so long a journey to visit a Gentleman so very respectable in his private character; and so very honorable, in his publick capacity. I left Paris at Midnight of the second instant since...
1378To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac L. Winn, 22 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
MS : the Royal Society Capt. Winn presents Respects to Dr. Franklin and sends Two Barrels of Apples from Mr. Theo. Bache and begs leave to add one to them. In August last Capt. Winn took the Liberty of sending Dr. Franklin some Observations on the Aurora Borealis, to which he would add that on Saturday Evening the 16 Instt., as Capt. Winn came to Town the Aurora was so bright that he found a...
1379To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 25 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Lady who intends to wait upon you with this letter is Daughter to an Irish Gentleman Sir Walter Rutledge, and married to a French Officer M. le Chevalier D’Herbigny. She is related to Mr. Rutledge of America, who was, I think and perhaps is still in Congress. She wants to obtain a favour that depends upon M. le Comte De Vergennes, and begged me to...
1380To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 3[–13] April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Les Etats d’Hollande se sont séparés, pour se rassembler dans 15 jours ou 3 semaines. Il ne se passa rien mercredi, qu’une espece de protestation des quatre Nobles dévoués au St——: dernier soupir, qui ne fait que confirmer la défaite; car 1º. il n’étoit plus temps de protester, il falloit le faire au moment que la...
1381To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 22 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received with very great Satisfaction your Letter of the 23d Ulto. I am sorry that you should think it necessary to make any apology for your Silence, for I make this Sacrifice which is not a small one to the Public Service as I have been constrained to make others. I feel all the force of what you say with respect to our pecuniary Situation, but present...
1382To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Rosalie Filleul, [9 June 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde Filleul a l’honneur d’envoyë a Monsieur francklin, Ces trois derniers Volumes des mémoires du baron de tott. Elle prie de vouloir bien luy envoyë le journal d’aujourdhui 9. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Le docteur Francklin / en son hotel / a Passy The earliest possible date. Mme Filleul enclosed volumes that were first published in 1784; the only...
1383To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Shewell, 29 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have presumed to forward you the resolve of Congress respecting the seizure of the Brig L’amiable Elizabeth at St. John’s Newfoundland by Nicholas Gill Esquire judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty at that place, with sundry other papers. The Honble Charles Thomson Esquire secretary to Congress writes by this oppertunity requesting you’ll be so obliging to...
1384To Benjamin Franklin from Wulffen, 10 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de joindre ici 3. Lettres que je supplie Votre Excellence de vouloir bien faire passer en Amerique. Leur contenu ne renferme autre chose que l’annonce de mon arrivée, & de mon séjour en cette ville. Cÿ-inclus aussi les 3. Billets tous signés en vous suppliant de vouloir bien me remettre le billet que le Medecin-chirurgien de Mr. Le Bon. de...
1385To Benjamin Franklin from Bailly, 7 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Bailly présente ses respects à Monsieur Franklin. Il a l’honneur de lui envoyer le regître auquel les Commissaires ont apposé leur derniere Signature. Monsieur Franklin voudra bien y joindre la sienne. Il peut relire depuis la page 87 où est sa derniere Signature; mais à l’exception des deux ou trois derniers articles, M. Franklin a deja pris lecture du...
1386To Benjamin Franklin from François-Pierre de Séqueville, [after 8 September 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Printed announcement with manuscript insertions: American Philosophical Society La Cour prendra le Deuil le 1 er. octobre, à l’occasion de la mort du Prince charles maximilien de Saxe . Sa Majesté le portera 15 - jours. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur francklin / ministre Plenipre des Etats / unis de L’amerique / Septentrionale / a Passy ./. De sequeville Similar to the mourning announcement...
1387To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, [16 January? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return you Monsr. D Anquetil’s Voyage, which I found reason to wish to read more attentively than I at first intended to have done. The Evident carelessness and Ignorance of the Author in many Points and his palpable Malignity against the whole English Nation, in general, notwithstanding he is obliged to confess the Civility he received from Particulars,...
1388To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 31 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Altho my letter if opend in France may have a tendency to render you suspected of improper correspondence, I cannot as an Englishman refrain from congratulating you on the favourable turn of our affairs since my last letter of the 23d Inst: Stocks have got up two pr. Ct. within this few days, principally owing to accounts brought from America by the...
1389To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 2 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Dr. Waring a Gentleman of exceeding good Connections in South Carolina, having served his Country very faithfully & honorably during the War, is about making a Voyage to Europe for his advancement in medical Science— At his earnest Request, I must beg leave to introduce him to your Excellency, and to request your Notice of him, as one who has...
1390To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Laneuville, 7 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis arrivé dimanche 4 de ce mois de la campagne, Votre Excellence pourroit me soupconner de peu d’Empressement a répondre a son honorable invitation pour célébrer le 5 l’indépendance Américaine, si je ne lui expliquois pas les motifs qui m’ont privé de cet honneur. Aÿant donné Ordre que l’on me fit passer au chateau de Brueil les lettres qui me seroient...
1391George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 9 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Bergen County [ New Jersey ] October 9, 1780 . States that the idea of a tour of Europe with Franklin after the war would be tempting if domestic affairs were not so urgent. Asserts that the American military and political situation is such that the country can only be saved by either peace or money from America’s allies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1392To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Simon-Benjamin Duvivier, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Médaille dont Votre excellence m’a chargé est gravèe et je la regarde comme finie, je desirerois avant de faire tremper les coins avoir lhonneur de vous en montrer les Epreuves pour profiter de vos avis pendant quil en est encore temps. Pouriez vous me fixer un jour ou je pourois estre sur de vous rencontrer chez vous, ou bien en venant a Paris voudriez...
1393To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; extract: Public Record Office Yours of July 6. I received Thursday Night last, and the next Day I went down to Philadelphia, by Order from Mr. Foxcroft, so to do, assoon as the Packet came in, as he expected to receive a Draught of a Table of Rates from you; but by yours to him we are directed to make such Table here: There were a Number of Tables of Rates...
1394To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Valory and Other Favor Seekers, 5 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On July 5, 1780, in the document printed below, the marquis de Valory solicits Franklin’s help in cashing a payment made to him in American currency. Eleven other people in the course of the following four months were to seek assistance from the American minister in solving a wide range of problems having to do with money. A former infantry major who signs...
1395To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 15 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; duplicate: Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, West Berlin Since I received your kind lettre dated Marsch 18, 1774, great things have happened, of which your country is the theatre. That country is become the seat of horror and bloodshed, which I took to be the seat of tranquillity and happiness, and which I was formerly much inclined to chuse as a...
1396To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [27 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici une lettre Mon Illustre Docteur que M. Cassini Le Pere ma chargé de vous remettre. Votre present a été reçu hier à lAcadémie avec beaucoup de reconnoissance et il a été ordonné au Secrétaire de vous ecrire au Nom de la Compagnie pour vous en remercier. Le Jeune Dr Home dont je vous ai parlé hier et qui va a Veinne se chargera très volontiers de votre...
1397To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 1 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Les connoissances que Vous m’avés procurées à Boston et les directions que j’avois reçues de Vous avant mon depart m’ont été trop utiles pour que je n’aie pas le plus grand empressement de Vous en marquer ma reconnoissance. Les paquets que Vous m’aviés confiés pour cette ville ont été exactement remis à...
1398To Benjamin Franklin from John Baskerville, 24 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am enlarging My Foundry in Order to sell Types abroad, but first to our own Colonys; in Consequence of which I beg Your good Offices in sending them to any printing Houses You approve in any part of North America. You asked Me when in Town if My Types would set with Caslon’s; I can now answer Yes; within the Thickness of the paper I write on at farthest;...
1399To Benjamin Franklin from Timothy Folger, 3 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I shall be glad to return to Lile in the Diligence which sets off on Friday morning shall Esteem it as a particular favour if I could have the permission this day or tomorrow morning. The goods I shall carry out will Consist of Sail Cloth, Cordage, yarns, Woolens, Linnen Blankets, Shalloons, Tammys, Camblets &c. to the amount of ten thousand pounds...
1400To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gillon, 12 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society When I had the pleasure of seeing you last, I acquainted your Excellency that there was strong hopes, that I should want Seamen & requested your Aid which you was pleased to promise me, observing that there was no men wanted for the immediate Service of the Continent, as the Alliance had more men than she wanted, I have now the direction of One Vessell for...
1401To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 9 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very sorry to hear that you are affected with the Stone, but I hope you are better. I suppose there is but a little time since you have seen my father, pray give him my duty the next time you will see him. I hope my friend Mr. Bache is well: I would be very much obliged to you if you would give him my Compnts. the first time you will see him, & tell...
1402To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 1 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I calld again this day at the office where a Bill given you was made payable & I could learn no intelligence of mr. J. G——d more than I had before: He was in the Country but where or when He returnd no one could tell. I have no ansr. to the letter wrote to him (& left at the office) wch. containd only an enquiry whether the Bill was good or not. Dr....
1403To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Charles William Blunt, 11 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A very particular & worthy friend of mine Mr Luard having large concerns in the Island of Grenada, his private affairs & those of His family are deeply involved in the late capture of that Island. And its being judged advisable that he should visit Paris I thought it possible I might render my friend an essential service by a letter of recommendation to...
1404To Benjamin Franklin from Leveux, 26 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le 10 de ce Mois J’ay eu l’honneur de vous prevenir que deux americains sauvés des prisons d’angleterre s’etoient presentés chez moy a leur arrivée icy et que je leur avois fourni a chacun quatre Louis d’or pour se rendre a Paris. Le 13 du meme mois Le sieur John Murfey cy devant Commandant le Navire le Swallow pris près du Cap francois par la fregatte...
1405To Benjamin Franklin from Laurent Josselin and Other Applicants for Emigration, [on or before 5 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
L : University of Pennsylvania Library Many of the applicants for emigration during the period covered by this volume claim solid technical skills or commercial experience which they hope to exploit in some fashion in America. Laurent Josselin, whose letter is printed below, is an expert surveyor and civil architect. On November 27, M. des Rosières writes from the château de Vincennes on...
1406To Benjamin Franklin from John J. Zubly, 9 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By a Letter lately received of Mr. Jasper Mauduit I find that Gentleman (whom I have not the Pleasure to know) has applied for your kind assistance to remove Some Greivances imposd in this place on protestant dissenters. I am very happy to learn that Mr. Jones Speaker of our late assembly has accordingly recievd a Letter from You on the Subject. From Your...
1407To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 10 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, Henry E. Huntington Library, National Archives My last to You was of the 20 Day of Augt last by Dupin the F. Embassadors Courier. Major Franks, with dispatches from Congress & from Mr. R Morris, is now with me & will proceed to Passy as soon as I shall be enabled to write by him. He will bring you a Copy of Mr...
1408To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library The present serves only to inform you that agreable to the permission contained in Billy’s letter of the 23 June I have this day drawn on you for my advances to Prisoners in favour of Mr Grand as per accot on the other side amounting to £1697..10..0 which please to honour I inclose the original Vouchers to each charge.— I am as ever &c &c JW had first requested...
1409To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr: Adams presents his Compliments to his Excellency Dr: Franklin, & requests the honor of his Company to dinner on Monday the 16th. inst. at 3. oClock. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin. / Passy In the hand of Charles Storer. JA issued a nearly identical invitation to WTF ( APS ). Fitzherbert, Oswald, and Laurens attended JA ’s dinner, among...
1410To Benjamin Franklin from Dr. Joseph Jeffries, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr Jeffries, who saw a letter to a common friend, in wc it was said, I desire to be remembered to the Society wc you know I love & esteem , with pleasure takes this oppertunity of assuring you, in their name & his own,— that their love & esteem of you is not in the least abated since you left them. Notation: [A?] Dr Jeffries to B. F. For this dissenting...