1The American Commissioners to George Washington, [August or September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, a young Nobleman of great Expectations and exceedingly belov’d here, is by this time probably with you. By some Misapprehension in his Contract with the Merchants of Bordeaux he was prevented from using the Produce of the Cargo he carried over, and so was left without a Supply of Money. His Friends here have sent him over about £500...
2To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 3 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have often thought that the Number of People, who by Curiosity and the Admiration of your Character are drawn to call at Mt Vernon, must be very troublesome to you, and have therefore generally declin’d giving any introductory Letters. But my Nephew Mr Jonathan Williams, who was a faithful and active Agent of the United States during the whole War, in shipping Stores, Arms, Ammunition &c....
3From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 22 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Kunstsammlungen der Veste Coburg The Bearer, Mr. Joseph Belton some time since petitioned the Congress for Encouragement to destroy the Enemy’s Ships of War by some Contrivances of his Invention. They came to no Resolution on his Petition; and, as they appear to have no great Opinion of such Proposals, it is not easy, in the Multiplicity of Business before them, to get them to bestow any...
4From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress M. de Knobelauch, who will have the Honour of delivering this to you, is recommended to me as an Officer of much Experience, and capable of rendring good Service in our Armies if employ’d. He goes over at his own Expence, and without any Promise from me, as indeed we are not authoris’d to give any: But I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s Notice, and to...
5To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 20 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am just arrived from a Country, where the Reputation of General Washington runs very high, and where every body wishes to see him in Person, but being told that it is not likely he will ever favour them with a Visit, they hope at least for a Sight of his perfect Resemblance by means of their Principal Statuary Mr Houdon, whom Mr Jefferson and my self agreed with to come over for the purpose...
6From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS and copy: Library of Congress; (II) copy: Library of Congress I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance & Civilities, Monsr. le Chevalier De Chastelleux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known and esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick...
7From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 3 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress M. Gontier de Biran, who will have the honour of delivering this into your hands, is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Merit and Distinction at this Court, as a Gentleman of Family, and of excellent Character for his Morals, Prudence, and Attention to the Duties of his Profession as a Soldier. He is desirous of improving himself in that Profession, under...
8From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New York Public Library I am much obliged by your kind Care of my unfortunate Letter, which at last came safe to hand. I see in it a Detail of the mighty Force we are threatned with; which however I think it is not certain will ever arrive; and I see more certainly the Ruin of Britain if she persists in such expensive distant Expeditions, which will probably prove more disastrous...
9From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 8 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Congress having appointed Mr. Adams, Mr. Rutledge and my self, to meet Lord Howe, and hear what Propositions he may have to make, we purpose setting out to-morrow, and to be at Perth Amboy on Wednesday morning, as you will see by the enclos’d, which you are requested immediately to forward to his Lordship; and if an Answer comes to your hands, that you would...
10To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Franklin, 16 Aug. 1776. On 18 Aug. GW wrote to Franklin : “I have been honourd with your favour of the 16th.”