1To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 7 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Massachusetts Historical Society I have received your several late favors by Mr Jonathan Williams & Mr. Penn, with many thanks.— I cut out such parts of your newspapers as I judged proper to have published here, & was about to send them to some printer, but young Mr H. Laurens coming at the moment, I put them into his hands, as his father was well enough acquainted with the...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AL : American Philosophical Society Having heard that you have been told at Paris, that Lord Shelburne had used foul play about the instructions for removing the troops from New York, I have only to state as a fact, that Genl. Gray in a letter I have in my possession addressed to Lord Keppel, requests to know on what means he may depend for removing the troops from New York, which...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 1 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter, my dearest sir, was heavenly to me and filled me with the utmost transports. I dare not tell you what I had feared; but I thought your mind must see into every little corner and expectation of my heart, and would acquit me of every thing but the true motive. It has done so, and has only if possible raised you higher in my conceptions. As I know...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lest by some accident I should miss the opportunity of travelling with the courier, I sit down just to tell you that I am prepared to depart the instant I hear the commission is sealed, which by the Chancellor having been at Buxton has been for some days delayed. I have got together the different articles committed to my care to procure, and shall not...
5To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Vaughan], 29 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I received your little scrap of paper, and found it more acceptable than volumes from other people. I am sorry however to find that so little can at this moment be recovered, that is suitable to our purpose. But be that as it may, we shall be content to go on with what you have got; and the sooner it comes the better, on account of the season, when the press...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg to introduce to your acquaintance my friend Dr. Lister, whom I first became acquainted with at Edinburgh, and who was there a good deal respected for his good character and assiduity, and who I find bears an equal character among his connections here in London. I know him to be a person of very amiable & honorable character in his private conduct,...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [before 7 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Library of Congress This letter is one of the many fragmentary or undated Vaughan manuscripts which have challenged our editorial skill. Although we include it here, as belonging to the general period before Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces was published, it was most likely written just after Christmastime, 1776, when Vaughan arrived in Paris bearing an early...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [17 or 18 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am arrived once more in this town, and wish to be blessed with one hour’s conversation concerning myself and a brother. You know from my friend Williams that I am obliged to leave my name at Lord Stormonts in consequence of the note I before wrote to him; and if you could give me an interview at a neutral place till I have gone through the ceremony of...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The return of Mr White enables me to send you some of the articles you asked of me to procure. You will find the list inclosed, and in my next I will try to send you a bill of my disbursements, both now & formerly.— Mr Franklin’s glasses will be forwarded by Mr Storer, or earlier, if an opportunity offers. They would have gone now by Mr White, had I...
10To 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...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [before 19 November 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a letter with some philosophical papers which will reach you as soon as I find an opportunity, & by which you will be informed of the reasons of my long silence. In the mean time I proceed to give you some necessary intelligence. You perhaps have heard that I have made a connection in the family of Mr Manning, a West India merchant; & that Col...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 31 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have no pretensions to trouble the person affording me this conveyance with a large pacquet, otherwise I might send you more sheets. We are indeed just finished; only that I have expectations of procuring your preface to Mr Galway’s speech, and in consequence the epitaph; all which can very easily be inserted. Indeed it was through great carelessness that...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 7 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Bowen has by this time received your books, directed to Ostend.— May you go on with the work of peace for which you are so gloriously prepared by the spirit of sweet humanity & an enlarged mind. I think I may venture to say from a knowledge of characters that no liberality YOU introduce herein, will meet with a repulse; on the contrary, that it will meet...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [19 September 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete ALS : Library of Congress We have debated at length whether this letter, which lacks an opening, continues Vaughan’s note to Franklin in December, 1776, or was written immediately after their meeting at the Bains de Poitevin the following September. There is some evidence for guessing each way, but nothing conclusive. As for the first way, the opening sentence here seems to follow...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 30 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have not been able to bring our business to a conclusion within a sheet , and I choose to send the whole together: It cannot now be more than a week. The Bp. of St. A. has given another motto for a head that is engraved;— “ Non sordidus auctor naturœ verique .” I hope I am not usually presumptuous or sanguine; but I guess you will not be displeased with...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 12 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Dr. Hamilton had a letter for you some weeks ago; but I find him still in Holland. The bearer of this is of his party, & as Dr. Crawford gives him a character, I inclose the Drs. letter in case you should meet with him. By the present opportunity you have two packets from Dr. Jebb. The MS. he had prepared for another conveyance which he missed; and as I thought you...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 29 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress B. Vaughan presents his best respects to Dr: Franklin and incloses him some papers for perusal at his leisure . He sends them for several reasons. To shew, first, that neither his head nor his heart have been unoccupied upon the subject of America; to prove in the next place, under what disadvantages every man enters upon the subject, without information from thence;...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed I believe is what you wished; and it is of the party’s hand writing. His account of himself may be natural, and it may be otherwise. But you of course will be the best judge. On Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock I shall bring the lady we spoke of to visit you, according to your kind permission.—The more I see of her, the more her appearance of...
19To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Vaughan], 6 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I waited three days for an opportunity of sending the leaves you wrote for by a private hand; but not meeting with one, I sent them by post, directed to Mr. Chaumont. The remaining leaves, with a letter, I gave to Mr. Williams , upon his promising to convey them; but you know the man, and there they rest. He is a good natured, well disposed character; but I...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan: Two Letters, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg permission to introduce to your warm civilities, Lord Daer, son of the Earl of Selkirk. He was introduced to me lately as a very valuable & philosophical acquaintance, & my short intercourse with him has confirmed every report I had heard of him. His political principles are well known, & very friendly to us. He means to stay some time at...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Do you know of a reason to impose silence upon the most fervid affection & deepest respect? I know of one; and a very powerful one; It is shame. You are a good judge of human nature, and know of it too.— And for what is my shame? why for having checked your reputation, when I had the mortification of meaning to serve it. I was first, too honest in saying to...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 423–4. I cannot but in the most earnest manner and from recent circumstances, press your going early to Versailles to-morrow; and I have considerable reason to think, that your appearance there will not displease the person whom you address. I am of opinion...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 27 November 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 , 412–13. I am so agitated with the present crisis, that I cannot help writing you, to beseech you again and again to meditate upon some mild expedient about the refugees, or to give a favourable ear, and helping hand to such as may turn up. Both sides agree...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You must forgive an old letter, which you will receive by this conveyance: but it contains things which I have not mentioned to you before, and shews my intentions; and therefore I send it in its present state. I have three papers included along with it; one upon Fairy Rings, one upon the Inflammation of candles, and another upon the Riots at the time of...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Oliver has written me a letter from Barbadoes, desiring me to procure from my connections letters to the French Governors of Grenada & St. Vincents; in both which islands he has property, more particularly in the former. As I take for granted this hint was intended for you , and will be such as your opinion of him will induce to comply with; I take the...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress I write this simply to inform you that I sent you no less than three pacquets and a letter by Mr. Austin, to forward from Amsterdam. I hope they will safely arrive.— Your book is translating in two places in Germany; & Dr. Forster’s son would have translated it himself, had not the advertisements from other quarters prevented him. This letter may perhaps be delivered...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society To avoid pressing you with conversation, & to shew how little I expect you to enter into any answer or dispute, I leave with you upon paper, my thoughts concerning your American confiscations; that you may take as much or as little of them as you please. I know of two principles, which your American friends will say influenced them in this matter;...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [5 November 1782 or later?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I find that I can go off with convenience very early on Thursday morning; and therefore if agreeable, should wish you to give me your letter for Mr: T: T: tomorrow evening , as it may furnish with me with a probable occasion of speaking to that gentleman about certain affairs. Mr: H:’s letter may come under cover to me by a courier.— The very moment a certain event...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress B V: presents his most affectionate respects to Dr. Franklin, and is unfortunately so engaged to day, as not to be able to accept of his kind welcome. B V’s brother acted for the best, but not being privy to circumstances, misunderstood him.— Tomorrow evening B V will however call at Passy, unless inconvenient to his friend, and directed otherwise. Addressed: A Monsr /...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After two and one-half years of false starts, editorial anguish, and printer’s delays, Benjamin Vaughan was finally sending Franklin the first set of sheets for Political, Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces . The editor’s work was far from finished. He had not yet collected all the pieces he was hoping to include, and he continued to make editorial...