301To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François Fournier, 2 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez-moi d’avoir l’honneur de vous écrire pour m’informer de létat de vôtre santé, et en même temps vous proposer mes services ayant appris que vous aviez deissein de faire apprendre la Gravure à Mr votre petit fils. Comme la gravure est l’ame et le premier principe de létat de la fonte des Caractères d’imprimerie, parce que pour être véritablement bon...
302To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Grattan, 8 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’opinion que le Monde entretien si justement des vos talens comme Consellier d’Etat, & de votre Sapience comme un Ecolier, et si generalement connu qu’il ne’st point necessaire que je le repete. Les gens de ce pais vous regarde avec un admiration et un estime que rein ne peut egaler, mais personne plus que Sir Edward Newenham, le vrai Patriote et Soutein...
303To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 4 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai L’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer un mémoire par Lequel le Sr. Jean Jacques delvard expose qu’il n’a rien reçu ni de Ses gages ni de Sa part des prises qui ont été faites pendant Six mois qu’il a fait partie de L’équipage du Cutter Corsaire la Revanche, Capitaine Gustave Cunnigham armé en...
304To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 9 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Nationaal Archief La Dépeche ci-jointe étoit prête à partir pour l’Orient, sous couvert de Mrs. Barclay, Moylan & Ce. afin d’être acheminée au Congrès par le Paquebot du Port-Louis, ou autrement, lorsque la réflexion, que son contenu interessant pourroit vous être agréable, m’a fait prendre le parti de la faire passer par vos mains, avec priere de vouloir...
305From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Doctor Gibbons a young gentleman, who after studying physic and taking his degrees at Edinburgh has passed some time here. He has desired the honor of being known to you, and I find a pleasure in being the instrument of making him so. It is a tax to which your celebrity submits you. Every man of the present age will wish to have the honor of having known, and been...
306To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Louis Brunnet, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 17 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Jean Brunet, natif de Louisbourg en Canada, Prend la liberte et la Confiance de répresenter à Votre Exellence, qu’en l’année mil Sept cent Soixante dix neuf, il a pris Service à Bord du navire Corsaire nommé le Bon-homme-Richard, Commandé par le Capitaine Paul-Jones, et armé a L’Orient Sous le Pavillon Américain, Par les Sieurs Monplaisir et Gourlandes,...
307To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Friends the Vaughan Family are now under our roof, the pleasure we take in entertaining every body that you love and that loves you, make us happy in their Company, they are come to settle among us, and what little I have seen of them promise a very agreable addition to our Society— My letter to day on their account will rather be short as I have a...
308To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, 21 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday in Examining Sundry Packages onbd. I found one Directed to Your Excellency which I had brought onshore. It was Opened & proved [ to ] be Snuff & Tobacco. I really do not know who Sent it from America, but suppose you have letters respecting it it seems that there is a heavy fine of 1200 l.t. if I had been detected Bringing it onshore. It is now...
309To Benjamin Franklin from Feriet, 17 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. De Feriet a L’honneur de faire mille complimens a Monsieur Franklin, et de lui apprendre que tous Les Verres sont arrivés en bon ètat. Le porteur de ce billet veut bien se charger de rapporter a versailles le Sécrétaire dans lequel L’harmonica était monté, et qu’il est nécessaire D’avoir ici pour accorder Les Verres. Dès que le tout Sera transporté ici,...
310To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 9 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook abstract: Stadsarchief Breda To his Excellency Benjam. Franklin Min. Plenip from Congress. at Passy. I put him in mind of his promiss to write me a long lettre. That I am sorry a new Commission is appointed to examine the animal magnetisme. I send him inclosed a lettre to mr. Samuel Wharton and one to his son mr. Samuel Lewis Wharton, and I ask him advise what to doe to recovre my...
311To Benjamin Franklin from Paul Strattmann, 5 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur, de vous envoyer le catalogue de la bibliotheque de M. le Duc de la Valliere, et de vous prier, d’en disposer éntiérement à vôtre plaisir; les feuillets des vacations, que j’ai joint au tome premier, vous indiqueront les numeros des livres, qui viennent d’être vendus; si j’etois assez heureux, de pouvoir me ranger au nombre de vos serviteurs,...
312Abigail Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 3 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams’es Respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin, is much obliged to him for the oil he was so kind as to send her, and is very sorry that his indisposition deprived her of the Honour of his company to dinner. Mrs. Adams takes the Liberty of recommending a Sedan Chair, by which the inconvenience arising from a Carriage might be avoided. RC ( PU : Franklin, Papers The Papers of Benjamin...
313To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 11 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Doctor MacMahon presents his best respects to the Honourable Dr. Franklin, and is very Sorry that a pre’engagement hinders him from accepting the honour of his kind invitation for to morrow. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin Ministre / Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis / de l’Amerique Septentrionale / à Passy One other letter from Dr. MacMahon survives...
314To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington, 24 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This address will be accompanied with an application from Mr Andrew Huntington requesting your Aid in order to obtain a ballance due to him for monies he advanced, to relieve Some French Troops in distress, at the request of Mr Holker, then Consul; The loss is great to Mr Huntington more than he can well Sustain, & he thinks it extreemly hard that he Should...
315To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 30 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd your kind Letter of the 9th per Mr Jay, who has been somewhat indisposed since his arrival, you may be assured if it lies in my Power to be in the least usefull to him I shall have great Pleasure therein— I shall pay Mr Vinys Bill for your Chariot Wheels & know of no better mode of Conveyance for them than by Rouen— Inclosed you have your Acct with...
316To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [17 May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library In Case the Arret for our free ports Has not Yet Come to Your Excellency’s Hands, I Have the Honour to Send You one Which I Have just Now Got— Most Respectfully and Affectionately Yours The day Calonne sent Lafayette 24 copies of the May 14 arrêt concerning free ports. Lafayette had tried to influence the government’s selection by writing to Calonne,...
317To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 29 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wrote you a few days ago adviceing that Doctr. Coopers being Sick provented my presenting your Bill, he is now dead, he die’d this Day about 12 oClock, I shall endever to git your Bill answerd, I think the famley will pay it as the Doctr. has left a good Estate for one of the Cloth we think the death of this Ameable man is not only a Loss to his famley &...
318To Benjamin Franklin from Breteuil, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Depuis la lettre, Monsieur, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire le Vingt Six de ce mois au Sujet du Nommé Schaffer, j’ai eté informé que ce particulier a eté arreté au mois de juillet dernier Comme prevenu d’Escroqueries; que Son procès ayant eté instruit, il a eté Condamné au Carcan et au bannissement, et que Sur L’appel de ce Jugement il a eté transféré...
319To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Beaumont, 28 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai L’honneur de vous prévenir qu’après avoir presenté le Sr. Schaffer à Monsieur le Marquis de La fayette, ce Seigneur la recû avéc Bonté; et lui a offert de le remener avéc lui en Amérique; cette circonstance est unique dans Son Espéce et trop intéréssante pour le Sr. Schaffer pour qu’il n’en profite avéc joie. J’ose me flatter que votre Excéllance ne...
320To Benjamin Franklin from François-Simon Defay-Boutheroue, 12 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS American Philosophical Society L’accueil dont votre excellence honore ceux qui cultivent les sciences, m’enhardit à vous supplier d’agréer un exemplaire d’un ouvrage de ma Composition, intitulé La nature considérée dans plusieurs de ses opérations, ou Mémoires et observations sur diverses parties de l’histoire naturelle, et d’en faire passer un autre à l’illustre sociéte de philadelphie,...
321To Benjamin Franklin from John Viny, 18 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The pleasure I Experienc’d (on the first sight of your grandson, as well as at the differant Interveiws, when by his Manner of speach & Actions I had many lively pictures of your self,) is not in my power by words to express, therfore I must be content with saying, that I know of nothing hear below, (out of my own family) that could give me so great...
322To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Princeton University Library; copy: National Archives Being by Accident at this City and an Opportunity offering, I do myself the Honor of enclosing a duplicate of the Ratification of the Treaty with Sweden, the original of which I transmitted some time since, but not having the Copy of the Letter attending it by me, I am prevented from sending duplicate of it, unless this...
323To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 2 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Hobart College Library This Letter will either be delivered or forwarded to you by a most Worthy Gentn. Nathl. Gorham Esqr. of Boston for whose Public & private Character I have the highest respect, This Gentn has served as Member & Speaker of the Massachusetts assembly. & lately he had a pretty long Campaigne in Congress where I had that opportunity of knowing the integrity of his...
324To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nairne, 19 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did my self the pleasure of writing to you the 8th of last Month & sent it to your grandson. I last night had the pleasure of seeing him at the R.S. He told me he was detained longer than he expected. But that he should go Sunday or Monday next which oppertunity I have taken of sending you the identical hygrometer, I mentioned in mine of the 8th of Octr....
325To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Rousseaux, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je metois fait l’honneur de vous Ecrire de dunkerque au Sujet de mes appointemant et part au prize que nous avons fait Sur vottre fregatte du Congre lexemton Cape. henry Jonson pour que vous ayé la Bonté de massister de quelque Chose Etant Sans aucune resource. Jesperre Monsieur que vous vouderez Bien massister je crois monsieur que je ne vous demande rin...
326To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Harrison, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Harrison presents his respectful Compliments to His Excellency, is sensible of his polite Invitation at same Time is sorry that an Indisposition that has Kept him confined since his arrival in Paris, prevents his having the Honor to wait on His Excellency on Thursday next. Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / en Son hôtel / a Passy The...
327To Benjamin Franklin from the Principe di Caramanico, 10 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Prince de Caramanico Ambassadeur Extraordinaire du Roy des siciles a L’honneur de faire part a Monsieur Francklin Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de L’Amerique, qu’il a eû ce Jourd’huy ses premieres Audiences de Leurs Majestés & de La famille Royale./. Notation: Le Prince Caramanico 10 Oct. 1784— Franceso Maria Venanzio d’Aquino, principe di...
328To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 21 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this, Mr Lewis, is an honest tradesman, and an attendant at the Meeting-House in Newington-Green. I cannot resist his desire that I would give him a line to introduce him to you. He has always been a warm favourer of the American cause, thinks of you with veneration, and wishes just to See you. Any notice, therefore, that you may think fit to...
329To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Carroll, Marquise d’Auzoüer, 12 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je desirerois bien me rapeller dans le Souvenir de votre Excelence, mais je ne puis me flatter davoir cet avantage, les affaires importantes que vous avez eu a traiter avec les personnes du premier rang, ne me laissent pas esperer que vous puissies vous ressouvenir de ma visite en 1778. Son objet etoit autant, pour avoir lhonneur, de pouvoir dire, que...
330To Benjamin Franklin from Catherine de Wesselow Cramer, 12 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le dérangement de ma santé & l’espérance d’aller à Paris, m’ont empêchée, Monsieur, d’avoir l’honneur de vous écrire plutôt, & de vous remercier de la marque d’attention que vous avez bien voulu me donner: mais mon voyage devenant chaque jour plus incertain, je ne puis tarder davantage à vous dire combien ce que vous me mandez de votre petit fils me cause...
331To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 10 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of Mr Champion I forward the Accompanying Book to your Excellency. Our Mutual & Worthy friend Mr Laurens leaves Bath this day for Falmouth to go with his Son for New York. May Heaven protect them and spare your Excellency’s long and useful life is the prayer of Dr Sir Yr: Excellency’s obliged & Faithful Notation: Edward Bridgen. June 10....
332To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Grasse-Limermont, 14 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les Etats unis ayant bien voulu honorer de La décoration de Cincinnatus grand nombre d’officiers francois qui avoient Servi dans La Guerre de L’amerique Septentrionale; J’ose avoir L’honneur de mettre Sous Les yeux de Votre Excellence, qu’étant Embarqué Sur La frégatte du Roy L’Aimable, elle fut envoye Le 27. Juillet 1778. dans La Passe de L’Est de...
333To Benjamin Franklin from Bernard Rufin and Moritz Chretien Meyer, 31 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Deux Etrangers, Allemands de nation, L’un Prussien, et Interprete des langues Allemande, Francoise, Italienne, et parlant un peu d’anglais, en Outre Officier de Cuisine, et d’office, capable de Gouverner le detail d’une Maison telles Consequentes qu’elles Soient, et à même d’en donner des preuves dès que vous l’ordonnerez; L’autre Saxon de Nation, et...
334To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Mirabeau, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 1 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permestes monsieur que je me rappelle dans lhonneur de votre souvenir et que je vous renouve le dans le commencement de lanné les voeux que je fait pour vous cest une hommage qui vous est due a tant de titres par a venerattion que vous vous attires de tout ce qui vous connoit et que je vous rand avec empressement. Oserais je vous demander une grace pour un...
335To Benjamin Franklin from Sears & Smith, 18 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We beg leave to address your Excellency upon a piece of Business, we have by accident become engag’d in, & to ask your Interest to get redress from the Court of France, if it is practicable.— The last Summer we engag’d in a Voyage to the Coast of Africa, in full Expectation that we could effect it by bartering away the Cargo we sent there, for Gold Dust,...
336To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Dubuysson, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M Le marquis de lafayette me fait demander Les papiers que J’ai eu L’honneur de vous faire passer. Je ne scais si c’est pour vous Les Communiquer ou pour vérifier Lui même. Si je Suis susceptible de Lordre des Cincinati en [ ce ] cas Je vous prie Monsieur, de vouloir bien Les Lui faire passer sur Le champ j’ôse en même tems vous suplier Monsieur, de m’être...
337To Benjamin Franklin from John Baynes, 17 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I waited on M. l’Abbé Morellet both yesterday & today, but he was in the country—therefore I cod. not get the list which your Excellency was so kind as to write to him about—perhaps he will be obliging enough to favor me with it by the post to England. I shall certainly with great pleasure on my arrival in London communicate your message to the bishop of St...
338To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 16 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With every Sentiment of Respect & Esteem, I have the Honour to Congratulate you on the final completion of American Independance— To you, thou Virtuous Patriot, they owe much—to your illustrious Character, words are wanting to pay due respect— I shall sum up all in a few, thou ar’t great, thou hast proved faithfull & honest in the Day of Tryal— Though not...
339To Benjamin Franklin from James Bourdieu, 30 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ose Espérer que vous voudrés bien me Permettre de vous renouveller ma recommandation en Favreur de M.M. de Vaux, Frêres, de Bruxelles, dont J’ay eu l’honneur d’Etretenir votre Excellence, et qui Se Proposent d’aller S’Etablir Incessament a New-yorck; Vous avez eu la bonté de me Promettre de vous Intérésser á eux; Ils attachent, ainsi que moy, le Plus...
340To Benjamin Franklin from Windisch-Grätz, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est avec le plus grand plaisir du monde, que je vois par l’obligeante reponse dont vous m’honnorez Monsieur, que vous approuvez mon déssein; mais je Suis bien Surpris, que les exemplaires, que j’ai eu lhonneur de vous addresser ne vous Soient point parvennus. Le paquet a été fermé Sous mes yeux, et la ettre, que j’ai eu lhonneur de vous ecrir Se trouvoit...
341To Benjamin Franklin from Gilles de Lavallée, 1 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Il y a environ deux ans, J’eus Lhonneur d’entretenir Votre Excellence sur le Projet que J’avois formé d’etablir dans L’amerique et a Philadelphie une ou plusieurs Manufactures de Rubanerie par les moyens des Moulins et Machines qui preparent avec Celerité les matieres et par le moyen des Metiers grande mécanique faisant à la fois depuis Seize Jusquà Vingt...
342To Benjamin Franklin from Graf von Brühl, 29 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I presume to trouble you with an Application for a Letter of Recommendation in favour of Mr Biederman Dr of Law in the University of Leipzig who in the Course of last year set out for America in the Capacity of Agent & Manager of the Concerns & Interest of many of our principal Manufacturers & Merchants. If you should be inclined to comply with my Request,...
343To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Barclay desired me to deposit in the Consuls Office my last public Accounts as settled with you. I shall be much obliged if you will please to transmit the Originals to him where they may be always open to public Inspection. I am most dutifully & Affectionately Yours. I return you Doctor Priestlys Paper which I have read with much pleasure. Addressed:...
344To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 29 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Baron de Reishack, has several times said to me that his Court expected that Congress would announce formally their Independence, and asked me, if any Step of that Sort had been taken. That I may be able to give him an Answer, I must request of your Excellency to inform me whether you have made the annunciation directed in the first Article of the...
345To Benjamin Franklin from Ignaz Edler von Born, 21 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les bontés, avec lesquelles Vous avés accueilli Mr. le Professeur Märter pendant Son Sejour a Paris, avant Son depart pour l’Amerique Septentrionale, m’encourage a Vous prier de lui faire parvenir la lettre ci jointe. Ce Märter est mon Eleve, mon disciple, mon ami. Je l’ai proposé a l’Empereur pour le voyage en Amerique, et j’espere, que les decouvertes,...
346To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 26 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to transmit you herewith a peice written in America against the Cincinnati and a News Paper containing the Institution of that Society.— I pray you when you write on that Subject to Monsieur Gerard to present to him my respectful Compliments. I am affectionately Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant Notation: Paul Jones, Jany. 26....
347To Benjamin Franklin from Giacomo Francisco Crocco, [25 November 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy, two copies: National Archives On the 15th. July last I had the honor to acquaint your Excellency of my arrival in Europe and that I was appointed by his Majesty the Emperor of Marroco Bearer of the Answer to the Congress Sovereign of the Thirteen United States of North America and that according to my Instructions I was to meet at Paris the Ambassador that would be...
348To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Tabb Bolling, [7 December?] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Bolling’s compliments to Doctor Franklin and is sorry it is out of his power to wait upon him before he leaves Paris, which will be on Friday: but has taken the liberty to request him to send by the bearer the letter of recommendation he has been good enough to promise to procure him for Orleans. [ In a different hand. ] hotel de Montgomerie Rue du...
349To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Lafreté, 13 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Il y à longtems, mon Cher Papa que je n’ai eû le plaisir de vous voir, Je ne suis plus de ce monde depuis la perte affreuse que j’ay faite, et J’evite autant que je peux les occasions de montrer ma triste figure. Cependant dès que le tems sera un peu plus traittable J’irai vous faire une petite visitte à Passy. Voici une lettre que j’ai recû, d’un de...
350To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should have called on you before my Departure if I had not been detained so long in Paris, that I expected to find you in bed and I was determined not to Stop myself ’till I came hither. The inclosed from my Father in Law will give you an Idea of his Business & Situation. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in about 15 days in the mean Time I remain...