251From Benjamin Franklin to [Anthony Todd], 9 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
l (draft): American Philosophical Society I have not as yet been able to settle any thing in Consequence of the Power you have vested me with. The Person I am to treat with is in the Country but is expected soon to be in Town. I am told he is likewise authorized to treat with me relative to the Arrangement necessary between the American & french Post Offices. & that he has already drawn out a...
252From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The London Magazine, new series, III (1825), 479. Our Cousin, Mr. Williams, left London in June last, on his return to Boston. He carried some goods for you. I hope he arrived safe, though I have no Letter from him. I have since sent him a bill of exchange for your account on Dr. Cooper, and signified my desire that the whole might be put to interest to produce a little annual...
253From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Brillon de Jouy, 16 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin fait mille Compliments à Monsieur Brillon. Il lui envoie selon sa Promesse l’Extrait de la Lettre que M. Bache lui a écrite, au quel il a joint une Traduction, et le prie de vouloir bien les remettre à M. Thomas. Who served as an intermediary between the abbe Thomas (who had grievances against JW and the firm of Bache & Shee) and...
254From Benjamin Franklin to Vernier, 19 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 10 de ce Mois, relativement à 3 Contrats du Bureau d’Emprunt des Etats Unis dont vous étez Porteur [ Text deleted by Franklin: Le Congrès s’occupe maintenant des moyens de rembourser ces Effets, et a pris de mésures éfficaces pour assurer le Payement des Interéts, qui a...
255From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Mazue, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of the 27th. past, proposing the Cultivation of the Vine in America. Our People conceive that it is yet too early to put such a Project in Execution. Labour is too dear there, and the Culture of Wheat more profitable & certain; in Exchange for which either directly or indirectly, we can procure the Wines of Europe. I cannot...
256From Benjamin Franklin to George Whatley, 21 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Monthly Repository of Theology and General Literature, I (1806), 137–8; transcript: Library of Congress I received your kind letter of May 3, 1783. I am ashamed that it has been so long unanswered. The indolence of old age, frequent indisposition, and too much business, are my only excuses. I had great pleasure in reading it, as it informed me of your welfare. Your excellent...
257From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 3 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me by Capt. Jones, and immediately answer’d it, acquainting you that my Packets contain’d no Commission, nor any Mention of one. I have just receiv’d another Letter from you, dated the 14th past, with a Number of Dispatches, but they are Duplicates only and as old as July; they contain nothing of...
258From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, 27 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: National Archives Mr Thaxter late Secretary of Mr Adams, who is charg’d with all our Dispatches that were intended to go by the French Pacquet-Boat, writes from L’Orient, that tho’ he arriv’d there two Days before the time appointed for her Sailing, he miss’d reaching her by four Hours; but another light Vessel was fitting and would sail the 21st. Inst. in which he hop’d to...
259From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 17 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives Nationales, Library of Congress To the Honorable Captain John Paul-Jones Commodore in the service of the United-States of America. In pursuance of a Resolution of Congress of the first of November 1783. a Copy wereof is hereunto annexed, I do hereby authorize and direct you to solicit as Agent for payment and satisfaction to the officers and crews citizens or subjects of the...
260To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 10 December 1783 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 5 th. Instant by Comm o. Jones, with the Dispatches he brought. The Packet directed to me alone, contain’d only a Letter to the Magistrates of Hambourg, and a Diploma of Doctor of Divinity from the College at Princetown for the Reverend M r Wren: No Commission, nor any Mention of it; so that it seems to have been forgotten or...
261Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 16 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
We duly receiv’d (M r Jay & me) the Letters you did us the honour of writing to us the 27th of March & the 2 d Instant. We shall transmit, as you desire, the Recommendation of M r Browne to Congress; and enclos’d we send a Copy of the Treaty with Sweden. We expect M r Hartley here very soon, to exchange the Ratifications of the Definitive Treaty; when we shall endeavour to obtain an...
262From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 1[–2] December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : Harvard University Library In mine of yesterday, I promis’d to give you an Account of Messrs Charles & Robert’s Experiment, which was to have been made on this Day, and at which I intended to be present. Being a little indispos’d, & the Air cool, and the Ground damp, I declin’d going into the Garden of the Tuilleries where the Balloon was...
263Recipe for Making Bread of Corn Flour Mixed with Wheat Flour, [c. 5 February 1784] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Pour faire du Pain avec la Farine de Maïs, mêlée avec la Farine de Blé. La Farine de Maïs demande plus de tems pour bien cuire, que la Farine de Blé; C’est pourquoi si on les mêle à froid, et qu’on les fasse fermenter et cuire ensemble, la Partie de Blé sera suffisamment cuite, lorsque la Partie de Maïs sera encore crue. Pour parer à cet Inconvenient, Nous...
264From Benjamin Franklin to [Jacques-Louis?] Besnard, 12 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 30 du Mois dernier. Les Personnes qui vous ont dit que Je desirois trouver quelqu’un en état de decouvrir et d’exploiter des Mines de Fer se sont trompées et vous ont mal informé. On connoit partout en Amerique des Mines de ce precieux Metal; et les Habitans de ce Pays...
265From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Pennsylvania Packet, And General Advertiser, June 29, 1784; copy: Bibliothèque de Genève I do not know who is at present secretary of our philosophical society, and therefore I address to you, who read French, a book lately published here, which gives an account of one of the most extraordinary discoveries that this age has produced, by which men are enabled to rise in the...
266From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, 27 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your two Letters to the Commissioners, dated at Princeton the 27th of October & 1st of November, and one to me of the first of November, came duly to Hand; Mr Adams saw the public Letters in England, Capt. Jones having landed with them at Plymouth. We thank you much for the Intelligence they contain. I am now alone here, Mr. Jay being at Bath, with Mr Laurens, and...
267From Benjamin Franklin to Sears & Smith, 4 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon Receipt of yours relating to your Cargo of Slaves at Martinico, I endeavour’d to inform myself what was the Law in such Cases, and I found that by an Arrét du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, of the 28th of June 1783, there is a Duty laid of 100 Livres per head on all Negroes imported in foreign Ships, and this Duty is granted and is to be paid as...
268From Benjamin Franklin to Windisch-Grätz, 22 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Státní oblastní archiv v Plzni, pracoviště Klášter; L (draft): American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre infiniment honnête dont vous m’avez honoré le 9 de ce Mois, et Je ne puis qu’approuver l’Ecrit qui y etoit joint: il ne pourra manquer d’être utile. Je m’empresserai de faire passer en Amérique suivant votre Desir les Exemplaires que vous m’annoncez dès qu’ils me...
269From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me this Morning respecting the Settlement of Charges incurred in Holland, &c. Be so good as to send me a Copy of the Letter written by Mr. de Sartine, which you mention. On Sight of that I shall immediately give you an explicit Answer. With great Esteem, I am, Sir, Your most obedient & most huml Servt Addressed: A...
270From Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, 2 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not receiv’d a Line from you since that of Sept. 7. now near a Month. I have waited with impatience the Arrival of every Post.— But not a Word.— All your Acquaintance are continually enquiring what News from you.— I have none. Judge what I must feel, what they must think, and tell me what I am to think of such Neglect. I must suppose it Neglect: for...
271From Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, 25 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nothing very material has happen’d since you left us. The D. [Duke] of Dorset call’d yesterday, and enquir’d if I had heard from you, supposing you had been gone a Week. Mr Adams & Family, Made D’andelot and other Friends have visited me, & Made Saurin who is return’d from England. We din’d with her yesterday. She says Made. D’hauteville will be glad to see...
272From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 7 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library I have this moment recd your favour of the 25th past acquainting me with the change in administration. I am sure that in reforming the Constitution wch is sometimes talked of, it wd not be better to make your great offices of State hereditary, than to suffer the inconvenience of such frequent & total changes. Much Faction & Cabal wd be prevented, by having a...
273From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 11 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received your kind Letter of August 13th: with the Papers annexed, relative to the Affair of Longchamps. I hope Satisfaction will be given to Mr: Marbois. The Commissioners have written a joint Letter to Congress. This serves to cover a few Papers relative to Matters with which I was particularly charged in the Instructions. I shall write to you fully by the...
274From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Mr Adams, and encloses a Paper left with him by the Secretary of the Portuguese Ambassador last Night, being an Extract of a Letter from the First Minister of that Court. No Notice is taken in it of the preceding Plan of a Treaty, and Mr. F. mentions for Consideration, whether it would not be right to send...
275From Benjamin Franklin to John Witherspoon, 5 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Presbyterian Historical Society; copies: Columbia University Library, New Jersey Historical Society, New York Society Library I have received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 27th past. It would be a pleasure to me to see you here, but I cannot give you any Expectations of Success in the Project of obtaining Benefactions for your College. Last Year Messrs. Wheelock...
276From Benjamin Franklin to Guiard, 12 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 8 de ce Mois. Je suis bien sensible à l’Intérêt que vous voulez bien prendre à ma Santé, et Je vous suis infiniment obligé, ainsi qu’à M. Dubourg, de la Communication de votre Reméde contre la Pierre et la Gravelle. Ma Maladie ayant été [assez?] supportable jusqu’à ce Jour, Je ne...
277From Benjamin Franklin to John and Sarah Jay, 13 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress My dear Friends, I find I shall not be able to see you again as I intended. My best Wishes however go with you, that you may have a prosperous Voyage and a happy sight of your Friends and Families. Mr. Jay was so kind as to offer his Friendly Services to me in America. He will oblige me much by endeavouring to forward my discharge from this Employment. Repose is...
278Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 27 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour of sending to your Excellency Copies of Papers contain’d in a Dispatch just receiv’d from Congress. The Affair of the Free-Ports recommended to us, has been someTime settled: They are Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne & Marseilles.— I wonder much that we hear nothing from Congress of their foreign Arrangements. This short Line from the President is the only one I have...
279From Benjamin Franklin to Deumié Groc, 25 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Copy of translation: American Philosophical Society Jay recu la Lettre que Vous m’aviez fait l’honneur de mécrire le 26me. 9bre. dernier Touchant L’aimable Elizabeth Vau. [Vaisseau] françois destiné pour philadelphie, mais dèserté En mer par son Capitaine et Equipage et Ensuitte Conduit à terre neuve. Jay immediatement Ecrit à Monsieur Barclay notre Consul pourlors á Lorient requerant de lui á...
280From Benjamin Franklin to the Conde de Campomanes, 5 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I have received much Instruction and Pleasure in reading your excellent Writings; I wish it were in my Power to make you a suitable Return of the same kind. I embrace the Opportunity my much esteemed Friend Mr Carmichael affords me, of sending you a late Collection of some of my occasional Pieces, of which, if I should live to get home I hope to...
281From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 6 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Marion Brawley, Oakley, South Carolina (1959); press copy of ALS , copy, and incomplete copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of the 26th past, and immediately sent the inclosed to Mrs Jay, whom I saw a few days since with the Children, all perfectly well. It is a happy Thing that the little ones are so finely past the Small Pox, and I congratulate you upon it most...
282From 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...
283To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 1 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you by a former Opportunity , to acquaint you with our safe Arrival. Mr. Houdon, who had been much perplex’d by the Accident of leaving his Things behind him, has found here the Tools and Materials he wanted, and set out last Wednesday for General Washington’s. My Grandson went the Day after to New York, where the Congress are still sitting, and likely to sit the Year out, having as...
284Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 5 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 24th past. You have had a terrible Passage indeed, taking it all together from London to Amsterdam. The Season has been, and continues, uncommonly severe, and you must have suffered much. It is a Pity that the good Purpose of your Voyage, to save if possible the Credit of M r Morris’s Bills could not be accomplished, by your...
285From Benjamin Franklin to [Madame Brouttin Mollien de Sombres], [after 4 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society That I am sorry I was not at home when she did me the honour of calling on me. That the Appointment of Consuls does not belong to me: but That whenever one is appointed for Dunkirk, I imagine it will be Mr Coffyn, who for seven Years past has constantly served the United States in taking Care of & relieving their poor Prisoners escaping from England &...
286From Benjamin Franklin to Roussille, 12 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, votre Memoire concernant les Parts qui peuvent vous étre dues sur le Produit des Prises faites par le Corsaire le Boston. Le Payement des Gages et la Repartition du Produit des Prises se faisant toujours dans le Pays ou l’Armement du Vaisseau de Guerre a eu lieu, la Réclamation que vous en faites en France me paroit...
287From Benjamin Franklin to Hall & Sellers, 13 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer M. Prosper Mouret is recommended to me by Persons of Consideration here as a good Workman in the Printing Business and of honest Character. He goes to America with Views of living there by his Profession. If you can conveniently give him Employment in your Printing House, or put him in a way to obtain it in some other, you will...
288Franklin 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...
289Benjamin Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Adams Papers)
We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10 th. 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 wanted in particular Paragraphs. The...
290From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : Library of Congress, Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yesterday Evening Mr. Hartley met with Mr. Jay and myself, when the Ratifications of the Definitive Treaty were exchanged. I send a Copy of the English Ratification to the President. Thus the great and hazardous Enterprize we have been engaged in, is, God be praised, happily compleated: An Event I hardly expected I should live to...
291Certification of Bills, [8 August 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of DS and copy: College of William and Mary Library I do hereby Certify whom it may concern, that the following Certificates of Money, due from the Treasury of the United States of America, to the following Officers, have been by them lodged in my Hands, Viz:— Dollars To Major Genl DuPortail, { One dated 24 Novr. 1781. for 5,255: One dated 4 Novr 1783. for 9960: One dated 4 Novr....
292From Benjamin Franklin to Chevallié, 26 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I duly receiv’d in its time, the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 21st. of October last, with the Papers that accompany’d it, relating to your Demands against the State of Virginia, the Congress, & sundry private Persons in America. Mr Jefferson, a principal Person and late Governor of that State, being in Paris, I thought I could not do better with...
293From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Library of Congress The above is Extract of a Letter I wrote you in Septr. 1782. I had been misinformed as to the Receipt of the Box at Ostend. It had it seems been put on board a London Ship which was to touch at Ostend for Imperial Papers; but was not landed there, The Ship being bound to the West Indies, carried it thither, where it has lain till lately that a...
294From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 26 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have received two Letters from you, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing and Language, and to read your dutiful Expressions of Respect and Love for your Parents, which is very commendable. My Grandson Benja. Franklin Bache, who is lately return’d from Geneva, answer’d for me your first Letter, and hopes you receiv’d it, tho’ you mention nothing...
295Constitutional Convention. Second of Benjamin Franklin’s Motion that Proposed Executive Serve Without Pay, 2 June 1787 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, June 2, 1787. On this date Benjamin Franklin moved that the expenses of the proposed Executive should be paid but that he should receive “no salary, stipend fee or reward whatsoever” for his service. “The motion was seconded by Col. HAMILTON with the view he said merely of bringing so respectable a proposition before the Committee, and which was besides enforced by arguments that...
296To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Among the instructions given to the Ministers of the United states for treating with foreign powers, was one of the 11 th. of May 1784. relative to an individual of the name of John Baptist Pecquet. it contains an acknowlegement on the part of Congress of his merits and sufferings by friendly services rendered to great numbers of American seamen carried prisoners into Lisbon, and refers to us...
297From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 6 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : South Carolina Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of the 28th. past, and I send you herewith the anonymous Brussels Letter, as you desire. When I had last the Pleasure of seeing you at Passy, I forgot to mention to you that Mr. Ridley soon after your Departure for the South of France, call’d upon me with a Request that I would let him...
298To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Stamitz, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 2 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardonnez la liberté que je prends de vous Ecrire sans avoir l’honneur d’être Connû de vous; je viens d’apprendre trés positivement que Messieurs les Amériquains, voulant faire refleurir les beaux arts chez Eûx. Sont sur le point d’avoir une troupe française, dont Monsieur Clerval, ancien Comédien de Provinçe doit en être le Regiseur, qui pour cet Effect...
299To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This very morning I had the Pleasure to receive Your Letter of the 27th. past inclosing one for the President of Congress, which was so exactly in Time that I forwarded it along with Lord Norths Dispatches this Evening to Falmouth with Orders for the three several Packet Boats for New York Jamaica and the Lewards Islands to sail immediately. These Boats...
300From Benjamin Franklin to [Charbonnier de la Robole], [13 September 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; press copy of L (French translation): American Philosophical Society Mr Franklin sends the Recommendatory Letters desired, but cannot advise Mr. Mouret to go to North America in Expectation of Employment in a Country of which he does not understand the Language, and thinks that if he will leave France he had better go to the French Islands St. Domingo,...