1From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you last Week per Capt. Dole 92 Reams of Demi Printing Paper, best, in two Cases, and 98 Ream of brown; which I hope will come safe to hand, and to a good Market. The Printing Paper to be sold at 15 s . and the Brown at 6 s . this Currency, the lowest. My Love to your Wife and Children. I am Your loving Uncle [ Crossed out: ] P.S. I shall order...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 7 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chicago Historical Society I send you per Capt. Morton 20 Reams whited Brown Paper, and 10 of blue. Please to acquaint Mr. Langdon of it; I think that is the Gentleman’s Name who wrote to me for some of both Sorts, but I have mislaid his Letter. He wanted it for Packing Sperma-Ceti Candles. The Price of the brown you know; the blue is 1¼ Dollar per Ream. Credit my Account with the Money...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I am concern’d that I have not for a long time heard any thing of Sister Douse. Pray inform me how she is. Brothers John, Peter and my self, agreed to contribute towards a small Pension for her Support; I should be glad to know whether it is regularly paid. Inclos’d is a Receipt for 30 Reams of Paper. I wrote to you per Morton and refer to that. My Love to...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 25 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. George S. Maywood, Garden City, N.Y. (1955) I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival and the Promotion of my Son. I am in hopes I shall be able to see Boston the next Spring, and to have the Pleasure of finding you and my other Friends well. I congratulate you on your having such a Number of Sons. You remember the Blessing on him that has his Quiver full of them. My...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.], A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 80–1. You may remember, that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant’s right to some land here, by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in...
6From Benjamin Franklin to [Jonathan Williams], 26 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Inclos’d is a Receipt for some things of mine sent to your Care. I am thus far on my Journey to Boston, and hope now to have soon the Pleasure of seeing you. My Love to your Wife and Children. Tell my Cousin to have his Harpsichord in good Order, for I love Music and shall be pleas’d to hear him. My Daughter too, that comes with me, plays a little, and will be...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams: Account, October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society For several years Jonathan Williams, Senior, husband of Franklin’s niece, the former Grace Harris (C.5.3), had represented Franklin in business matters at Boston and had acted for him in looking after their less fortunate relatives in that area. Franklin in turn seems to have performed various financial services for Williams in Philadelphia or during his...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 28 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Photostat: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I receiv’d yours acquainting me that the Chair is shipt. It is not yet come to hand, but the Armonica is arrived safe, not a Glass hurt. I am much obliged by your Care of my little Affairs. The House, when repair’d, I would have you let to as good a Tenant and for as good a Rent as you can well get: and let me have the Account of Repairs, that it...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 24 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have taken the Liberty to trouble you with a Box put this Day on board the Sloop William Capt. Ephraim Jones, directed for you. In it is a Portmantle and Mail Pillon belonging to Mr. Bernard, your Governor’s Son, which please to send to the Governor’s as soon as it gets to hand: Also a Parcel for Sister Mecom; and some Books on Inoculation, which I should...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 21 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Richard B. Duane, Locust, N.J. (1955) I have received yours of the 12th Inst. As to the Mistake I mention’d, I find on Revisal that it was not in your Account but in my Eyes, which mistook one Figure for another. I wrote to you from Burlington that I should pay your Order in favour of Robinson as soon as I return’d to Town, which I accordingly did. The Sum £47 15 s. 4 d. I should be glad...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 24 May 1764 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.,] Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin; Now for the First Time Published (Boston, 1833), p. 93. The bearer is the Reverend Mr. Rothenbuler, minister of a new Calvinist German Church, lately erected in this city. The congregation is but poor at present, being many of them new comers, and, (like other builders) deceived in...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 3 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Case of the Armonica came home to Night, and the Spindle with all the rest of the Work seems well done. But on farther Consideration, I think it not worth while to take one of them to London to be fitted with Glasses as we intended. It will be better to send you one compleat from thence, made under my Direction, which I will take care shall be good. The...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, 17 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Charles Russel the Bearer hereof applies to me for a few Lines to Make him known to you. He is Son of the Honourable James Russel Esquire of Charlestown. Comes home to perfect His practice as a Physican, in one of the Hospotals, and being a Gentleman of good Character here I Beg Leave to recommend Him to your Civilities as a Stranger in the City of...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, 19 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received yours per Mr. S. Barrett —your kind Condolance of my late Misfortune by Fire and Good Opinion of my Industry and ability to recover the same Gives me Pleasure; I am verry Sensible its Wise not to be Concern’d about What I Cant Help more. Especially for What I niver may want, and I am Satify’d I Shall niver Want to buy an Old House to Repair...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 4 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Before I went abroad this last Summer, I left Orders with my Banker to purchase two Tickets for you, and send you the Numbers. Since my Return I understand the Orders were executed. I hope you receiv’d the Banker’s Letter; if not, this will inform you that the Numbers are 33m799 and 33m800. with which I wish you the best Success. I think I mention’d in a...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr. [August? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete and mutilated): American Philosophical Society [ Beginning mutilated ] advice, because I [ torn ] I think afterward indeed I am [ torn ] fearing that he is Spending his [ torn ] nought his Situation puts me in [mind of a quotation?] I have somewere seen [ illegible ] the God if the [ torn ] to hold attendance and Dependence be [ torn ]. Agreeable to your Orders Some [ torn
17To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 28 June 1774 (Adams Papers)
We yesterday received your Letter directed to us, with those for Braintree, immediately on the Receipt of it, I went to Mr Cranch’s to seek a Conveyance for them but no Opportunity offered there or at the Markets. After my return to the Office, I thought it probable that we might send them from Edes and Gill’s Shop. Accordingly I run in, I very luckily met with Mr Allens Servant who promised...
18To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 25 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter was this Day delivered to me in the office. Your obliging thanks for my duty gives me singular Pleasure. Mr. Hill return’d to Boston last Saturday. I very early in my Letter give you this Information because I hope it will afford you a share of consolation and happiness in proportion equal to your grief and concern you have had for his elopement. It seems his Father, as I presumed...
19To John Adams from Jonathan Williams, 20 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
I have just heard of your return from Philadelphia, and am exceeding sorry I had not the pleasure of seeing you as you passed thro’ Providence; I want very much to consult you Sir, about entering into the Practise of Law, and the favour you did me when an Opportunity offered for my going into Business at Portsmouth, encourages me to make this Application. I have for this some time past had a...
20The Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 13 April 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:51 . The Commissioners informed Williams, Benjamin Franklin’s greatnephew and American commercial agent at Nantes (see sketch in Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others,...
21Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 18 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencies favour of the 13 Instant I have duely received. You may depend that I shall not make any new Engagements without your express Orders. I apprehend I shall very soon satisfy every demand on the public Account, ’till when I must beg a Continuation of your Approbation of my Drafts on Mr. Grand. Had I not been prevented by Illness my Accounts would have been at present before you....
22Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last to your Excellencies was of the 18th Instant since which I am without any of your Favours. I sometime since received from Holland 13 Bales and Packages containing oznaburgs, Sail Cloth, Medicines &c, which the Shippers informed me were on Account of Mr. Grand, from whom I had no advice relative to the Business, I in consequence wrote to him, and have for answer that altho’ the Goods...
23Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 11 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellencies are before this Time informed of the Gallant Action performed by Capt. Jones, who has no doubt also informed you of his Intentions relative to the Drake Sloop of War. I happened to be at Morlaix when this News reached me, and as I thought my presence would be of Service I came immediately hither. Capt. Jones informs me that he has immediate occasion for about £2000 Sterling,...
24Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 18 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
My last informed your Excellencies of my Arrival at this place from Morlaix and my Motives in coming hither. Capt. Jones has received a Letter from Mr. Schweighauser who in consequence of one from William Lee Esqr. claims the Disposal of the Prizes sent into this port by the Ranger, informs Capt. Jones that he has the Management of the public Business, and that I pretend to what he alone has...
25The Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, 25 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 25 May 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:114–115 . Replying to Williams’ letters of 11 and 18 May (both above), this letter, drafted by Adams, advised Williams that he had no power to act at Brest in regard either to prizes or to American commerce. J. D. Schweighauser was the...
26Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Agreeable to your verbal order I have given Directions to stop the Reparation of the Arms at Nantes, paying the Workmen their Wages Gratifications and Conduct Money according to agreement. I beg to know if this is agreeable. I am very respectfully Hon Gentlemen Your most obedt Servant RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers); docketed: “Mr Jona. William’s Letter July 3. 1778”; also: “ansd July 10 1778...
27Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 17 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am highly sensible of the Confidence you honour me with by your Approbation of my Drafts on Mr. Grand, and am ready to account for the expenditure of them up to the 30th May. The Charges since my Departure from Nantes, to go to new Account. As your Time is too constantly and too importantly employed to attend to the Details of commercial Concerns, would it not be well to appoint some...
28From John Adams to Jonathan Williams, 9 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 3d I duely received and am very much obliged to you for the Trouble you have taken in Writing to my dear Mrs. Adams, and in sending her a few Merchandises to the amount of 229 Livres: 6 s: 9 d which Sum I will immediately pay to Mr. W. T. Franklin as you desire, and I should have been very glad to have paid an additional sum for your Commissions. We are in the Midst of an...
29Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 10 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Monsieur Montaudouin has this Day received a Letter from Monsieur Kergariou Commander of the French Frigate L’oiseau off Bellisle, informing him that the Guernsey and Jersey Privateers which infest this Bay, obtain Provisions at Bilboa under the Flag of the United States, pretending to be Americans. I think it my Duty to give you this Information and hope some Means may be found to prevent...
30Jonathan Williams to the Commissioners, 22 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honour to lay my Accounts before you, I left the general one unfooted intending to compleat it after Examination. I now send it properly closed and settled to the 30th May 1778. You have also inclosed the account of the Magazine, Invoice of Arms repaired, and your general Account since that Period, all settled to the 10th September 1778, Balance in your Favour seven thousand...