1To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [on or after 20 March 1775?]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): Yale University Library This fragment is now bound, in a volume of Franklin’s correspondence with Shipley, as a postscript to the Bishop’s holograph copy of his letter below at the end of June, 1775. But the paper is larger than that of the copy; it has been folded, as the copy has not; and it is addressed and has the remnants of a seal. The conclusion is inescapable that it...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, [after 7 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With the most hearty Love and confidenc in your Friendship, Mr. S has deservedly Recomended himself to his Contry and to your Service. Things now are in a fare way of Coming into a Self preserving and Self Cure way . They will now with a littel of your assistance soon work their own way . The Spirit of honest Englishmen seem to git the art of thinking...
3From Benjamin Franklin to [de Reine], [after 12 July 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Les suffrages que vos vers ont obtenus, Monsieur, vous asseurent de leur bonté, je voudrois savoir assez le françois pour sentir tout leur mérite et je vous remercie de l’honeur que vous m’avez fait de me les envoyer; j’ay reçu ce que vous aviez chargé Mr. Brisson de me remettre et j’accepte le ris du thibet a balles noires que vous m’offrez; je ne veux...
4“The Petition of the Letter Z”, [after 12 February 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Along with the official letter of appointment as sole minister plenipotentiary, Franklin also received from Lafayette’s hand several private letters from Philadelphia, dated October 21 and 22, 1778, which bore disturbing news: Ralph Izard, throughout their months of bitter controversy, had been secretly airing his grievances against the elder commissioner in...
5To Benjamin Franklin from César-François Cassini de Thury, [on or after 14 April 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M Le Roy vient de presenter a Lacademie un ouvrage qui minteresse dautant plus que je le regarde comme Le Votre, nÿ auroit til point de lindiscretion a Vous demander un exemplaire en attendant que jay L’honneur de Vous presenter un ouvräge qui est actuellement sous presse. Je suis avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, [after 28 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will yoúr Excellency give me leave to transcribe at the foot of the present the latest important news we gott here from the Continent if she knew it already, She will excúse ús Zeal from the pleasúre we natúrally felt on the Arrivall of two bottoms from oúr frends in those qúarters, we have seven Sail in oúr harboúr and some more are dayly expected; may we...
7Parabole Contre La Persécution, [after February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Printed by Benjamin Franklin, Passy [1780]: Yale University Library Franklin had never intended that his pseudo-chapter of Genesis (1755), later known as “Parable Against Persecution,” be published. The piece, which he had printed on a slip of paper and hidden in his Bible, was a private joke; his now-legendary recitations were a harmless hoax meant to provoke and amuse the company. When...
8To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Tott, [after 6 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. De Lafayette en partant pour L’amerique m’a Confié La Surveillance dune gravure qui represente Le general Washington, et Je crois ne pouvoir mieux repondre a Ses Vües qu’en madressant a vous pour Le choix et le titre des Bils qui presentent La partie historique, faites moy la grace de m’indiquer le moment ou je pouray aller Vous Consulter a cet egard...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, [after 17 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Veillard souhaite le bonjour a monsieur franklin et le prie de vouloir bien luy faire dire s’il peut le prendre en passant pour aller ensemble diner chéz mr. de Malesherbes, et si monsieur Jones y viendra aussi, mr. de Malesherbes ayant chargé monsieur franklin le petit fils de l’y engager. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin ministre plenipo- /...
10To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Rochon, [after 27 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. L’Abbé Rochon est prié instament de demander à Mr. Franklin, si l’Eclipse du Soleil vue totale à Penobscot a été observée à New-York ou à New-Cambrige, dont nous ignorons icy les observations à la Reserve de celle de Penobscot qui seule â été envoyée à l’Academie. On a besoin de celles de New Cambrige ou de New-York. On Oct. 9, the newly formed American...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nairne, 13 November 1780[–18 October 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : Library of Congress, Yale University Library; AL (draft) and press copy: Library of Congress The Qualities hitherto sought in a Hygrometer, or Instrument to discover the Degrees of Moisture & Dryness in the Air, seem to have been, an Aptitude to receive Humidity readily from a moist Air, and to part with it as readily to a dry Air. Different Substances have been found to possess more...
12Account of the Contents of the 34 Boxes of Printing Letters, &c Cast at Passy, 27 January 1781[–21 June 1785] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Account of the Printing Letters cast at Passy and contain’d in the 34 Boxes, which are marked in small Figures with a Pen on the Side of each Cover or Lid. viz BF wrote this title on the cover sheet he established for the inventory. Below it, in ink now badly faded, he wrote: “Note: there are [ illegible ] Boxes [ illegible ] / 2 of Great Primer cast by...
13From John Sullivan, with John McDuffee’s Answers to Queries concerning the Moose, 5 March 1781–12 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose answers to your Queries respecting the Moose , and beg you will excuse the long delay. It was late in February when I arrived at Durham and being deeply impressed with the necessity of having your Queries answered with the greatest exactness I wrote to persons in various parts of the Country but have as yet received no answers but the inclosed. My principal...
14To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Golowkin, [after 12 April 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je vous souhaite un tendre bonjour mon cher Papa, et vous prie de me prêter pour quelques instants le recueil des Romances de J.J. Rousseau. La chaleur excessive, des inquiètudes sans nombre, des affaires m’onts empechès tous ces jours ici d’aller vous dire combien je vous aime tendrement, c’est ainsi mon cher Papa, que je vous embrasse. Addressed: à...
15III. French Projet Based on the Convention of 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
PROJET de Convention entre le Roi Très Chretien et les États-Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale, a l’effet de déterminer et fixer les Fonctions et prérogatives des Consuls, Vice Consuls et Agens respectifs. Le Roy Très Chretien et les Treize Etats de l’Amerique Septentrionale s’etant accordés mutuellement par l’Art. XXIX du Traité d’amitié et de Commerce conclu entre eux, la Faculté de tenir...
16IV. Observations on the Foregoing (Jefferson Papers)
Observations sur chacun des Articles de la Convention, d’Entre le Roi Très Chrétien, et les Etats Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale, à l’occasion des fonctions et prérogatives des Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agens et Commissaires respectifs. Article 1er. Rien à dire. Article 2e. Le pouvoir donné aux Consuls par cet Article est trop important: Il suffiroit qu’ils ayent celui de nommer des agents ad...
17Notes on Debates, [1782–1783; 1787] (Madison Papers)
MS ( LC : Madison Papers). JM’s notes on the debates and other proceedings of Congress (LC: Madison Papers) extend for 493 unnumbered, four-by-six-inch pages, plus a 2-page insert sheet of a larger size, and also 3 blank pages. JM divided his notes into sixteen segments, each headed by a Roman numeral. The first fourteen embrace the record for 1782 and 1783; the remaining two, the record for...
18I. Jefferson’s Notes on Sheffield’s Observations on the Commerce of the American States, [1783–1784?] (Jefferson Papers)
Ld. Sheffd. pa. 54. The whale fishery even to Hudson’s bay cannot be carried on to greater advantage from Nov. Scot. St. John’s and N.F.L. than from the Eastern states: because the difference of distance is but a few hours sail, besides the whales had left that ground before the war. pa. 58. He is wrong in saying that the Americans being possessed of the greater part of the carrying trade to...
19To Alexander Hamilton from Jacobus Swartwout, [1783] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, 1783 .] Requests that Hamilton serve as attorney in a suit brought against Swartwout by John Thurman for nonpayment of debt. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Swartwout was a member of the New York Assembly from Dutchess County in 1777 and 1778 and from 1780 to 1783.
20Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
The following previously identified accounts cover the period of this volume: VI and VII ( XXIII , 21); XVII ( XXVI , 3); XIX and XXII ( XXVIII , 3–4); XXV, XXVII, and XXVIII ( XXXII , 3–4); XXX ( XXXVI , 3); and XXXI ( XXXVIII , 3). We offer here a summary of items that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but that provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life....
21Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Seventeen escaped prisoners made their way to Passy and received financial assistance from Franklin during the period covered by this volume. Benjamin Ramsdell of Massachusetts, captured aboard the ship Three Sisters , received 96 l.t. on February 10. Thomas Moore was given 48 l.t. on February 23. Four men applied for assistance on March 9, each of whom received 24 l.t. They were Richard...
22Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
The following accounts, identified in previous volumes, continue to apply to the current period: VI and VII ( XXIII , 21); XVII ( XXVI , 3); XIX and XXII ( XXVIII , 3–4); XXV and XXVII ( XXXII , 3–4); XXX ( XXXVI , 3); and XXXI ( XXXVIII , 3). We offer here a summary of entries that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life....
23Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Although the hostilities had ceased and most prisoners had been exchanged, American seamen who had escaped from British jails continued to appear at Franklin’s door seeking assistance. When they received it, they either signed or made their marks on triplicate promissory notes that Franklin had printed. Little is known about these men, as their notes were rarely filled in with anything other...
24Editorial Note on Requests to Be Selected a Free Port, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
As soon as the preliminary peace was settled in January, Franklin began receiving appeals from Frenchmen who believed him capable of influencing their government’s selection of free ports for American goods. We summarized those appeals in volume 39, and continue here to summarize the letters he received during the period of this volume. On May 16 a lawyer named Denans from La Seyne sent an...
25Morellet’s Translation of “Reflections upon the Life and Death of Edward Drinker”: Résumé, [1783] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft) and press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society In May, 1783, an essay about an uncommonly healthy and long-lived Philadelphian appeared in the Gentleman’s Magazine under the title “Reflections upon the Life and Death of Edward Drinker, of the City of Philadelphia, who died on the 17th of November, 1782, in the 103d Year of his Age. Written by an ingenious literary Gentleman...
26To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne de Bourdic: Three Letters, [1783] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; (III) AL : American Philosophical Society a paris le 23 hotel de modene rue jacob f S germain [1783] Monsieur franklin aime a faire le bien: Cest Connû de tout le monde, Cest dapres Cella que Mde La Baronne de Bourdic ose lui demander une lettre de recommandation pour un de Ses Compatriotes du languedoc...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon: Two Letters, [1783] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL : American Philosophical Society Mon aimable papa, il fait si beau que cela me donne l’ésperance de vous débaucher ce soir pour prendre le thé a la maison, venés de bonne heure pour avoir le tems de vous reposér et de retourner doucement avant la nuit; Mr votre fils et Benjamin seront assés aimables pour vous accompagner: Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / [ In another...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gross, [c. 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society To his Excelency Dr. Franklin plenepotentary &c &c &c &c The humb: pettition Of Alexander Gross Native Of Cape Codd in America Most humbly Sheweth that your Excelency’s pettitioner is Now A hostage in Dunkerque prison—is A Native Of Cape Codd in America his parents Now Live there, is Abt. Twenty Six Years Of Age, Entered A Volentiere About 8 Years Ago in the...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Louis Joannis, [c. 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a environ 3 ans que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous vendre une fonte de gros texte. Je vous témoignai alors le desir de passer en Amérique, Sous vos auspices, pour m’y établir fondeur en Caractere, vous me repondites que les circonstances de la guerre ne vous permettoient pas d’acquiescer à ma demande, mais que Si elles venoient a changer de face vous me...
30Analysis of Loyalists, [1783?] (Franklin Papers)
D : Library of Congress Two hundred & eighty eight persons called Loyalists, & specified by Name in the Morning Post, classed in the following Manner.— Persons residing in Great Britain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32. Deceased Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34. Apostates , that is to say, persons who had conformed to the American Government, &...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy: Four Letters, [1783?] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (III) and (IV) AL : American Philosophical Society Mon Illustre Docteur j’ai été hier au soir chez vous pour avoir lhonneur de vous voir et malheureusement je n’ai pas eu celui de vous trouver. Je voulois vous demander si vous pouvez nous faire l’honneur de venir mardy avec Monsieur Votre petit Fils prendre du Thé l’après midy et voir partir...
32To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Mailly, [1783] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society M. Le Maréchal de Mailly, ayant sçû que, Monsieur francklin, désireroit connoître Le plan et la Situation du Port-Vendre. Il a crû pouvoir lui en Envoyer quelques Exemplaires, et Il désire qu’ils puisse Lui plaire Et luy paraître de quelque utilité Respective./. Notation: Le Mal. de Mailly— The military commander of Roussillon in the eastern Pyrenees ( DBF,...
33To George Washington from Bartholomew von Heer, 1783 (Washington Papers)
That your Memorialist in the year 1775 Joined General Montgomery at Montreal, against the Enemies of America, having then been shortly arived at that place from Spain; And Acted, in the American Army as Lieutenant and Adjutant in a Canadian Regiment raised under Col. Livingston & Proceeded with the Regiment to Quebec. Where he received a Seperate Command to Cut off the Supplies of the Enemy,...
34V. Jefferson’s Draft Resolution Authorizing Erection of Public Buildings for Use of Congress, [1783?] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the Governor be desired to propose to the state of Maryland to concur with this Commonwealth in erecting buildings for the immediate accomodation of the Congress of the United states on the lands on Patowmac offered to be ceded to them by these two states, and particularly on such parts of them as they shall have reason to beleive will be most agreeable to the Congress, the...
35Notes on British and American Alienage, [1783] (Jefferson Papers)
Qu. 1. Can an American citizen, adult, now inherit lands in England? Natural subjects can inherit. Aliens cannot. There is no middle character. Every man must be the one or the other of these. A Natural subject is one born within the king’s allegiance and still owing allegiance. No instance can be produced in the English law, nor can it admit the idea of a person’s being a natural subject and...
36II. Classification of Treaty Provisions, 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
In comparing the Project and Counterproject of the treaty with Denmark with our instructions it will be found that these render it necessary to strike out several of the articles, to insert some new, and to alter others; insomuch that it’s whole texture and plan will be defaced and mutilated. Will it not be better then to take up the subject as it were anew, to arrange the articles under...
37Memorandum Books, 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Maryland & Pennsylva. currency 7/6 to the dollar. Jan. 1. Pd. for sundries for Patsy £3–17–6. 2. Pd. for washing 24/—Bell for books £8–5. 3. Recd. of Rob. Morris for the United States £175. Pd. contribution to American Philosoph. society 35/. 4. Pd. for books from Styner & Cist 27/6—repd. Bob 1/10½. Pd. for a box 22/6—pd. McIlhenny a taylor £14–18–8. 5. Pd. for mending gun lock 8/4. 6. Pd. for...
38Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard: Notes on the Life of Franklin, [before 16 October 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Carl Van Doren, ed., Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiographical Writings (New York, 1945), pp. 634–6. Josias [Josiah] Franklin born in England, established in Boston in 1680 [1683], had seven children by a first wife and ten by a second. Benjamin is the eighth of the latter. At the age of twelve years Benjamin is apprenticed to one of his brothers aged twenty-two [twenty-one] years,...
39Three Draft Replies to Applicants for Emigration, [between 24 January 1783 and 9 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (incomplete draft): Library of Congress; (II) and (III) AL (incomplete draft): American Philosophical Society Following the signing of the preliminary peace treaty, Franklin was inundated with requests for assistance from people all over Europe who wanted to emigrate to America. More than 30 are summarized in the headnote to Perrault’s letter of January 24, above; they represent only...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Michel-Guillaume St. John de Crèvecœur, [after 2 April 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I have perused the foregoing Memoir, and having formerly had some Share in the Management of the Pacquet Boats between England and America, I am enabled to furnish you with some small Remarks.— The Project is good, & if carried into Execution will certainly be very useful to Merchants immediately, and profitable to the Revenue of the Post Office at least after...
41Information to Those Who Would Remove to America, [before March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Printed at Passy, [1784]; AD (draft): Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress When Franklin sent this pamphlet to Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson on March 9, he explained it as follows: “I am pestered continually with Numbers of Letters from People in different Parts of Europe, who would go to settle in America; but who manifest very extravagant Expectations, such as I can by...
42To Benjamin Franklin from William James, [after 7 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I meant soon after I had the Honor of dining with you at passy, to have Returned to England, but meeting with an English Phyzician, he has made Paris so agreable to me, that I think of Staying Until the Middle of September, without I Can gain An Establishment in France Or America.— Having taken, in my leisure Hours, An Active part in the Improvements in...
19 July 1783 D r . Franklin told me that not long after the elder Lewis Morris (who was once chief Justice of NYork) came to the Governmt. of NJersey, he involved himself in a Dispute with the assembly of that Province—the Doct r . (who was then a printer at Ph a .) went to Burlington while the assembly was sitting there, & were engaged in the Dispute with their Gov r .—the House had referred...
44Franklin’s Responses to the Maréchale de Beauvau’s Questions on Lightning Rods, [after 21 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society On July 21, 1783, Bethia Alexander wrote to William Temple Franklin with a request from the maréchale de Beauvau, who was desperate for Franklin’s advice on installing a lightning rod at her residence, the château du Val. Temple was to place before his grandfather the paper she enclosed. “Une reponse tres exacte” was to be written in the margin beside each...
45Account with the State of New York, [30 July 1783–26 March 1784] (Hamilton Papers)
The State of New York, To Alex. Hamilton, Dr. 1783 July 30 To my allowance as a delegate of Congress from the 25 of November 1782 to this day £496 at 5 dollars per day—248 days both days included. Days of travelling in going and coming, 14 days at ditto 28 524 Credit By an order from Col. Udney Hay on Mr. Comfort Sands 200. Also from Col. Hay part of an order for 200 in favour of Mr. Floyed...
46[TitlePage] (Adams Papers)
Titlepage of D/JQA/8, on the cover of a leather-bound 7¼″ × 4⅜″ writing book with the inscription in an unknown hand. The Diary book covers the period 6 – 29 Aug. (with no entries for 13–14, 17–19, and 24–26 Aug.) and 20 – 22 Sept. 1783, only, taking up 34 of the book’s 104 pages. These entries are printed with those remaining from D/JQA/7; but see entry for Januarius 1783, note 1 (post 31...
47Extracts of John Baynes’s Journal, 27 August–15 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Life of Sir Samuel Romilly, Written by Himself. With a Selection from His Correspondence. Edited by His Sons. (3rd ed., 2 vols., London, 1842), I , 447–58. Wednesday, August 27. Hired a coach for the day, and went to visit the ambassador (the Duke of Manchester), who received me very politely; asked me to dine on Friday. From thence I went to Passy (a pleasant town, two...
48I. Bounds of a Proposed Northwest Colony, 1 September 1783–1 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Bounded by a line of Longitude running from the most Southernly point of Lake Michigan to the Ouabache, then down the middle of the Ouabache to where it crosses a line of Latitude 40 degrees from the equator, thence along the said Line of Latitude to within five degrees of Longitude of the river Delaware, thence along a line five degrees of Longitude in every point of it from the said river...
49Franklin: Proposed Plan of Agreement for Packet Boat Service, [before 9 October 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ad (draft): American Philosophical Society Plan of Agreement The Packet Boats from England to America & from France to America, both departing once a Month, the English in the Beginning & the French in the Middle of each Month, afford Opportunities to the Merchants of each Nation of Writing every Fortnight; and this it is thought will induce the English to write often by the French Pacquet...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Catherine de Ligniville Helvétius, [September 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Si Messieurs franklin ne sont pas Engagés pour aujourdhuy, madame Helvétius Les prie de venir dîner Chez elle en famille. Comme hier elle voulait être seule, elle avait fait défendre sa porte; et Lorsqu’ils s’y présenterent, elle Etait renfermée dans sa petite maison de bains: ils doivent juger que La défense n’etant pas pour eux, Elle à été bien fâchée de ce...