5051From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have received your Favours of March 28. and April 7.— I am glad that Mr Hartley’s being luckily at Bath, sav’d you the Fatigue of a Journey to London. His Letter to you, of which you sent us a Copy, was very satisfactory. By one he has written to us, of the 9th Instant, we find that he expects to be here in a few Days.— I have not yet had the Pleasure of seeing...
5052From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: American Philosophical Society Since I wrote to you respecting Dr. Withering, I have received a very satisfactory Letter from him. So this Affair need not give you father [farther] Trouble.— I am sorry to hear you are hurt by a Fall from your Horse. I hope the Effects will not be lasting; and that by this time you are recover’d. It will give me great Pleasure to hear that our...
5053From Benjamin Franklin to John Walter, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: Library of Congress I have received a Book for which I understand I am obliged to you, the Introduction to Logography.— I have read it with Attention, and as far as I understand it am much pleas’d with it. I do not perfectly comprehend the Arrangement of his Cases; but the Reduction of the Number of Pieces, by the Roots of Words and their different Terminations is...
5054To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your two very kind letters of which the first was not dated & the last dated Passy March 26th. 1784 & I am very happy to find that you are well & I hope your Grandson Benjamin Franklin Bache is also. I received Mr Bache’s letter & answered it & which I hope, by this time, he has received.— My dear Mama, whom I have seen not long ago, has...
5055To Benjamin Franklin from Louis de Boislandry and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, 18 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Between March and mid-August, 1784, Franklin received far fewer unsolicited letters concerning commerce with America than he did during and immediately following the peace negotiations. The one from Louis de Boislandry, printed as a sample, is from an already established firm. As before, a number of authors sent or threatened to send copies of their work,...
5056To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens: Two Letters, 18 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : Library of Congress; copy: University of South Carolina Library I beg leave to refer to my Letter of the 7th. Inst. by the hands of Mr. Bourdieu. Mr. Hartley call’d upon me the 13th. at Bath & return’d a verbal answer. “The King had ordered him immediately to Paris for exchanging the Ratifications.” & he accordingly goes & will do me the honor of delivering this. Nothing...
5057To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [19 April 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon Illustre docteur Je comptois bien avoir Lhonneur de vous aller voir ce Soir et de me dèdommager du tems que jai passe Sans aller vous attaquer ou me deffendre aux echcs Mais malheureusement un petit accès de fièvre m’empeche de Sortir. Une autre raison qui me faisoit desirer d’avoir Lhonneur de vous voir ce Soir c’etoit pour vous rappeller que Les...
5058To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 19 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my last I informed you that I had taken measures to gain information respecting Mr Marggrander and the other persons enquired after. The enclosed is a copy of letter I have received from our old neighbour Reuben Haines in answer to my enquiries touching Marggrander. With respect to the others I have yet heard nothing— Give me leave my dear Sir to...
5059From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 20 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Biblioteca Labronica The Bearer, Mr Biederman, is recommended to me by Persons of Distinction, as a Gentleman of Worth & very respectable Character, charged with the Concerns and Interest of many principal Manufacturers and Merchants in Saxony, between which Country and ours I should be glad to see a commercial Intercourse opened and established, as it might be advantageous to both. I...
5060John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 20 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have just now received the Letter which Dr Franklin did me the Honour to write me on the 16th. with the Copy of the Treaty with Sweeden. I have before inclosed the King of Prusisas Project of a Treaty, prepared as I am assured by his Minister with his own Hand in his private Cabinet. I believe it has been reserved to...
5061To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 20 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed I have the honor to send you a Letter from the house of Drouilhet advising me of their having drawn upon your Excellency for £s [ l.t. ] 13447.5. s. at 60 days date making the Sum of 54000 Rials de Vn. [Veillon] or 2700 Dollars for the payment of a bill drawn by Mr Morris on me which bill became due since my Departure from Madrid.— I intended to...
5062To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 21 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Nephews Daniel Bell & David Barclay being likely to spend a few days at Paris, I take the freedom to introduce them to Thee, as well for the favour of Thy Countenance, as to bring me Information of Thy Welfare— The long Winter and uncommonly late Spring have been disadvantageous to many Constitutions, in wch I have had a Share, & hope, Thine has not...
5063To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Duché, Jr., 21 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of addressing your Excellency on a Subject, in which I am sure you will find your Philosophy as well as Humanity not a little interested. The eldest Daughter of Mr George Meade, a respectable Merchant & Citizen of Philadelphia,—a young Lady of about 15 Years of Age, has now been above Six Months in England, under the Care of some of the...
5064To Benjamin Franklin from Gaetano Filangieri, 21 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of ALS in Italian: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On the 20th of November of last year, 1783, I sent you the fourth volume of my work on La scienza della legislazione, and a few days later I shipped, via Marseille, a trunk containing more copies of the same volume, in the same quantity as the other volumes you had previously received through Mr. Pio. Before that, I had sent you...
5065To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 21 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arriv’d here the 12th Jany., after a Voyage, & Journey, exceedingly laborious, & disagreeable.— Fourteen Days sooner, I could have had the Satisfaction, of seeing my Grandpappa.— Why did I arrive later?— I acknowledge the Fault. It will not bear Reflection:— May the Lesson prove as useful, as ’tis severe. I really deserv’d a harder Stroke, than Your...
5066From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Webb, 22 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I received your’s of the 15th. Instant, and the Memorial it inclosed. The account they give of your situation grieves me. I send you herewith a Bill for Ten Louis d’ors. I do not pretend to give such a Sum. I only lend it to you. When you shall return to your Country with a good Character, you cannot fail of getting into some Business that will in time enable...
5067If Life’s Compared to a Feast, 22 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AD : New York Public Library; transcript: Library of Congress William Temple Franklin found this poem among his grandfather’s papers and claimed that it was entitled “B. F.’s Adieu!” The sole extant autograph, written on a small sheet of paper, has no title. Beautifully penned, as though intended for presentation, it fills the sheet, with the dateline placed in the bottom left corner. Whether...
5068To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Pigott, [between 22 April 1784 and 18 May 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had proposed myself the honor of dining to day at Passy, but Business of the day has prevented me of having that Pleasure As I propose going to England early on Sunday morning, I shall be proud to receive your commands and of executing any of your orders As I am with the greatest Respect & Regard dear Sir Your most faithful & obed Sert. Addressed: A Son...
5069From Benjamin Franklin to Jan Ingenhousz, 23 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Myron Kaller & Associates, Inc., Asbury Park, New Jersey (1989) I did intend to have written you a long Letter by the good Bishop, but cannot now accomplish it.— You will however have it very soon.— Fearing that the Seeds for your Friend might not arrive in time, to be planted this Spring, and having received a Box for some of my Acquaintance here, I sent a Part to you, to be dispos’d of...
5070To Benjamin Franklin from Cadet de Vaux, 23 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous Envoyer l’Epreuve de la lettre que vous avés eu la complaisance de me remettre. Je vous prie de la faire repasser au Bureau du journal de Paris (rue Grenelle St honoré) DIMANCHE AVANT 9 HEURES , afin qu’elle paraisse dans la feuille du lundi, le dimanche nous laissant un peu plus d’espace dans le Journal du lundi, par la Suppression...
5071Franklin et al.: Report to the Académie Royale des Sciences, 24 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
D : Académie des sciences, Procès-verbaux, CIII (1784), 90–5. M.M. Franklin, Le Roy, Coulomb, Delaplace et l’abbé Rochon, ont fait le rapport suivant. M. le Marêchal de ségur ayant envoyé à l’Acade. deux projets, pour armer de paratonnerres, les magasins à poudre de la ville de Marseille et mandé dans la Lettre qui les accompagnoit, que le Roi desiroit que la compagnie les fit examiner et en...
5072To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Isaac Poissonnier, 26 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society On March 12, 1784, the French government ordered the Faculté de médecine to conduct an investigation of animal magnetism. It had been six years since the man who claimed to have discovered it, Franz Anton Mesmer, had established an independent medical practice in Paris, and three years since the last of several attempts to examine his methods had failed....
5073David Hartley’s “Project of a Treaty,” [after 27 April 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress On September 4, 1783, the day after signing the definitive treaty of peace with the United States, the British negotiator David Hartley put in writing the assurance he had given the American peace commissioners during the signing ceremony: that “in a very short time” the parties would renew the suspended negotiations for a commercial convention. Hartley delivered this...
5074To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 28 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this opportunity Via Amsterdam with pleasure to acquaint you, of Sally’s safe delivery of a fine boy, whom we intend calling Richard; and that she is well down Stairs again, and the Child perfectly hearty— We have no Letters from you since Barney’s arrival, we are however flattering ourselves with the pleasure of seeing you this approaching Summer;...
5075From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Columbia University Library Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Jay, and sends a rough Draft of a Letter to Mr Adams, which he prays Mr Jay to correct to his Mind, and then permit the Bearer to copy it fair in his House, that it may receive his Signature, as Mr F. must send it away early to-morrow morning. He requests to know how the Family does, fearing there may be...
5076Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as...
5077From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours of the 2d Inst. dated at Blackfriars. I had but just receiv’d the Wheels you mention. The Ice had prevented their coming up the River. I shall write to Mr Viney as soon as I can. In the mean time please to acquaint him that they came to hand well and that I like them.— I enclose a Specimen of a new Work by the Author of L’Ami des Enfans,...
5078From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress I received your Favour by Mr Bourdieu, and yesterday another of the 18th. per Mr Hartley, who also gave me the Gazette with the Proclamation. I am with you very little uneasy about that, or any other Measures the Ministry may think proper to take with respect to the Commerce with us. We shall do very well.— They have long...
5079From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 466. I received your kind letters of the 16th and 20th instant. I thank you for your philosophical news. We have none here. I see your philosophers are in the way of finding out at last what fire is. I have long been of opinion that it exists every where...
5080To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Rochambeau, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Vcte. De Rochambeau a deja eu l’honneur d’envoyer L’année passée a Monsieur Le Docteur franklin Le premier volume du traité sur Les bois. L’auteur vient de lui addresser Le premier cahier du Second volume en le priant d’en faire passer un exemplaire a Passy. Il est enchanté que cette occasion lui fournisse celle de Le rappeller a son souvenir et de...
5081Extracts of Henry Mackenzie’s Journal, [29 April 1784–2 May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AD : National Library of Scotland Went to see Dr Franklin. — His House elegant & excellently situated at Passy on an Eminence commandg a View of the River & the Country beyond it.— In good health & a green old Age, except that he has the Stone wh [which] however does not trouble him except when he is driven in a Carriage. Wears now his own thin grey Locks wh look very venerable.— Walks every...
5082From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, 2 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society In May, 1784, after a truce of two years’ duration, Franklin and his friend and landlord, Le Ray de Chaumont, finally agreed on what was owed to whom. Franklin had tried unsuccessfully to settle their accounts in the spring and summer of 1782, on order of Congress. After Chaumont refused to abide by the ruling of their mutually chosen arbitrator,...
5083To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, 3 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Shortly after my last, the foregoing petition was presented to the Assembly; it was referred to the Committee of ways & means, who made a favorable Report, the day before their adjournment; therefore not time to have procured leave to bring in a Bill, which have good reason to believe, would then have been readily granted. But some persons are now making...
5084To Benjamin Franklin from John Gardner, [c. 4 May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should hardly have presumed to have given this interruption to your important occupations had not an event taken place in which I find my interest and honour too deeply concerned to admit of Silence. I arrived here 5 Days since in the Ship Amity belonging to Messrs. Cabot of Salem in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, bringing a Cargo of Rice from...
5085To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nairne, 5 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS :American Philosophical Society By the favor of Colonel Harman, have sent you three lens’s from 40 to 49 inches focus, one of which I hope will prove the right length. Have looked over my books but cannot find any account of those you formerly used. If either of these should not be long enough, their shall be others sent you, by any conveyance you shall mention. Mrs Nairne & my two...
5086To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Sylvain Bailly: Two Letters, 6 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Bailly de L’academie des sciences presente ses respects a Monsieur Franklin. Il est chargé par mrs les commissaires de la faculté de medecine et de L’academie des sciences pour le magnetisme animal, de lui demander s’il veut les recevoir apres demain samedi pour avoir l’honneur de le voir et de conferer avec lui. Addressed: a Monsieur /...
5087To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 6 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: University of South Carolina Library I have been about a fortnight indebted for your obliging Letter of the 17th Ult: delaying from day to day a reply, hoping from expected supplies of Money from my own funds I should have avoided calling upon Mr Grand, but the prospect is vanished. My Attornies had sent me a Bill for £500. which is protested, they had Shiped...
5088To Benjamin Franklin from Jérôme-Joseph Geoffroy de Limon, 6 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Limon a l’honneur de faire mille complimens a Monsieur le Docteur franklin et de lui envoyer un boete et un paquet qu’il a trouvé pour lui dans une caisse qu’il vient de recevoir de M. B. Vaughan. Si M de Limon ne partoit pas demain matin pour aller passer huit jours a la campagne il auroit eu l’honneur d’aller lui porter lui-même ces effets et de...
5089To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 6 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Library of Congress Mr. Tracy the bearer of this, is a Gentleman of Fortune from Massachusettsbay—on a visit to Europe. His political character, and character for benevolence & hospitality are too well established in this Country to need any other recommendation, notwithstanding I have taken the liberty of giving him this letter of introduction...
5090Continental Congress to the American Commissioners: Instructions, [7 May 1784–3 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society The instructions that follow established a new diplomatic commission to negotiate and sign a total of twenty treaties of amity and commerce with European and North African powers. Their creation was a long and contentious process. On October 29, 1783, Congress authorized the peace...
5091To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 7 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Gentleman who will have the Honor to deliver this Letter to you is Mr. Morel du faux of Dunkirk, who has been several Years settled in that place with great reputation, and who when I was at Amsterdam, was recommended to me so warmly by a number of persons for whom I have the greatest respect, that I promis’d to Interest myself in procuring for him the...
5092To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé ——— Thomas, 7 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Au mois d’Octobre 1781 j’ai fait passer a Mr Williams Negt etabli à Nantes un Ballot de Marchandises marqué T.H. No 1. contenant toiles de Coton futaines et Bazins, Bas et Bonnets de Coton, enfin grose Draperie en Laine, en le priant d’expedier le dit Ballot pour l’Amerique Septentrionale pour mon Compte et a mes Risques et fortunes,...
5093From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 8 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Morgan Library and Museum The Bearer Mr Maurice Meyer has lived with me Five Months, is a good Compositor, understands Latin, French & German, and has the Character of an honest Man. If you can employ him, or help him to Employ in London, you will oblige Your affectionate Friend, & most obedient Servant Addressed: To / Wm Strahan, Esqr / Printer to his Majesty / London Moritz Chretien...
5094To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 10 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: University of South Carolina Library The 6th. Inst: I had the honor of addressing you by Post & availing myself of the encouragement you had given to hope for a supply of Money from Monsr. Grand on account of the United States, I requested that Gentleman by the same conveyance to remit to me the full value of One Thousand or twelve hundred Guineas which I...
5095To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 11 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was favoured with your Excellency’s Letter by Colll: Harmar under the date of April 17th:. In compliance with your request I have delivered to Coll: H’s care 3 Roles & 1 parcell the particulars of their contents you will find in the inclosed paper and how they are addressed. You say truly Sir that I promised to send them by the Count de Moustier, who...
5096To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Feriet, 11 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. De Feriet a L’honneur de faire part a Monsieur francklin qu’il est convenu avec Les directeurs de la manufacture de st. cloud, qu’on ferait demain tous Les Verres D’harmonica; en conséquence, demain dès six heures du matin, il sera rendu a La manufacture avec tous les modéles, et il veillera soigneusement a ce que les verres soyent faits avec toute...
5097To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Hopkins, 11 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Solomon Drown, a native of this place, is a young gentleman of great modesty, and of a very fair character; has spent many years in his Studies here, and in his attendance on the various Medical Lectures at Philadelphia; and is now about to take a Voyage to France, in order to perfect his knowledge in the healing Art, and in the French Language. Any...
5098To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Percival, 11 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot omit the favourable opportunity, which the Tour of my young Friend Mr. White affords me, of paying my respects to you; and of requesting your acceptance of a Vol. of Moral and Literary Dissertations, which I have just published. Your approbation of my little Work, I should deem a distinguished honour: But whatever opinion you may form of it, I hope...
5099From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Mather, 12 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter with your excellent Advice to the People of the United States, which I read with great Pleasure, and hope it will be duly regarded.— Such Writings tho’ they may be lightly pass’d over by many Readers, yet if they make a deep Impression on one active Mind in an hundred, the Effects may be...
5100From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Mifflin, 12[–13] May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS and AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Yale University Library; transcript: National Archives In my last I acquainted your Excellency that Mr. Hartley was soon expected here to exchange Ratifications of the definitive Treaty. He is now arrived, and proposes to make the Exchange this Afternoon: I shall then be enabled to send a Copy.— Enclosed is the new British...