51To Benjamin Franklin from John Dickinson, 22 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Mr. Vernon proposing to return from a Visit to America thro France, and earnestly desiring to have the Honor of your Acquaintance, I cannot forbear complying with the Wishes of a Gentleman recommended by his Politeness and his favorable Dispositions towards this Country. I am with the sincerest Esteem Sir, your most obedient & hble servant Notation: John...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Pierres, 2 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
als: American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer cinquante-trois Exemplaires des Constitutions de l’Amérique in-4°. Papier d’Annonay. Il en reste trois entre les mains du Relieur; ces trois Exemplaires sont avancés à la reliure & prêts à couvrir. Vous en avez reçu déja 42 Ex. Au Relieur 3. Que j’envoye aujourd’hui 53. un Exemplaire imparfait ici 1. Un, que je garde suivant...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 20 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Grandson being on the point to return to France, I cannot deprive myself the pleasure of sending by him this mark of that friendship and esteem I have ever had for you; and at the same time to express the satisfaction Mrs. West and I have had in seeing in England one we ever had much love and reguard for, (Mr. Temple Franklin) his good sence and...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society By the second week in September, Etienne Montgolfier was ready to offer members of the Académie des sciences a preview of the balloon he had constructed. He had been aided in this effort by Jean-Baptiste Réveillon, the wallpaper manufacturer, who put his expertise, ingenuity, and workforce at Montgolfier’s disposal. As the Ministry of Finance had now assumed...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [23 December 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society My Dear Doctor give me leave to Send you these two petitions The One for The Woman That I talked to you of and who cries night and Day for a Son who She thinks is dead now, having had no news from him These Seven years. The other is for an Officer who fought in America for your good cause and who is the brother-in Law of The young M. Cassini. Accept my Dear...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 15 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress We take the liberty to inform your Excellency that in consequence of the Success of the new Loan, his Excellency John Adams Esqr authorised us to open for acct of Congress, we have become in the Situation to pay due honor to every disposal, we have hitherto advice, his Excellency Robt. Morris Esqr. Super Intendant of Finance has been pleased to make on us. We have the...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 22 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL American Philosophical Society Je ne suis point anguille comme le pretend monsieur votre fils mon aimable papa, et j’avois bien le projét decidé d’aller vous voir ce matin, mais mes enfans sont partis plus tard que je ne comptois, ma fille cadétte et moi avons eté plus sottes que je ne croyois, nous étions attristées, préocupées, et tout uniment nous reméttrons a dimanche le plaisir d’aller...
58To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 12 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this Instant receiv’d your Letter of the 2d.— It gives me inexpressible Grief to learn that you have been so long without receiving any Letter from me, & that you attribute it to my neglect! I can assure you—you wrong me,—for I have wrote, I think constantly every Week;—some of my Letters went by Private Hands, others by the Post: the former may have been...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine La Sablière de La Condamine, 8 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avois envoyé la petite rapsodie cy-jointe à l’auteur du journal général de france pour l’insérer dans une de ses feuilles pèriodiques, ce qu’il n’a pas jugé à propos de faire, je ne sçais pour qu’elle raison, ce refus me détermine à prendre la Liberté de vous l’addresser: ce n’est pas, monsieur, que j’attache la moindre prétention, ni la moindre...
60To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 10 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Rien n’est plus Vray, Mon Cher Et Venerable Docteur que la Guerison De Mr De Breget a Laquelle il Est impossible D’attribuer aucunne cause aparente que L’application Du Magnetisme. J’ay Eû ce Matin une Conversation a fond Sur Son traitement avec un De Ses amis qui n’a pas quitté Son Chevet Depuis le Commencement De Sa Maladie, Et qui m’a Confirmé, que...
61To Benjamin Franklin from William Livingston, 10 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of recommending to you Colonel Clarkson who is appointed by the Directors of the University of New York to solicit donations in some parts of Europe, for that Institution. In this capacity I do not recommend him to your notice; because my feelings as an American are really hurt by our turning mendicants in Europe, where I think our...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Caffiéri, 29 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En Lisant La Gazette Dernier j’ay vû que Les Etats Unis de Lamerique etoit dans Lintention de faire Elevé une Statue au General De Wanchinton et quel Doit se faire a Paris. Si La chose est vraie je vous prie Monsieur de vouloir bien vous Resouvenire de moy, j’ay quel que Droit pour obtenire votre chois, L’ancienté sur Les personnes qui peuve vous faire La...
63To Benjamin Franklin from William Vaughan, 31 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From the friendly concern with which you have so frequently interested yourself respecting our family, it will give you some pleasure to learn of their safe arrival at Phia— My father landed severely afflicted with the Gout, the rest of the family were all well and experiencing Mrs. Beache’s hospitality. They had been under her roof for some days, but were...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 18 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I received the favour of your Letter of the 15th. past by the Hands of Col: Harmar, who appears to be an inteligent, amiable Man, and I am only sorry his short stay here would not allow me to shew him all the Attention I could have wished, and that he really seems to merit. I have also been favoured with your Letter of the 3rd: Instant, mentioning the...
65To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I intended Having this day the pleasure to See You, But am obliged to Stay Here for the Queen’s Concert, and Will do Myself the Honour to Call Upon You to Morrow Morning— Then I will lay Before You a letter I Have Received from mr. de Calonne— I am glad to Hear the Washington is Soon Expected, and Hope we May Get intelligences Before My departure which is...
66To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Pierre Dufourny de Villiers, 16 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’Ingénieur françois qui a commandé au siége d’York-town, pour lequel je vous avois demandé audience, n’a pu profitter de la faveur que vous luy avies accordeé, les lettres par lesquelles je luy en faisois part ne luy etant point parvenües, soit qu’il m’aie mal indiqué sa demeure, soit qu’il soit parti de Paris dans le même tems, ce qui me paroit le plus...
67To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not words to express, the Pleaseur I had in Receving your very kind leter, which you was so good as to send me by Mr. Lamot, for allthoug I have not seen you for this lage(?) Past, my heart warms when ever I here your Naime mensiend, as does my wife, for She Loves you sincearly. Could wee but have the Pleaseur to Injoy you here, was it but for a few...
68To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Ann Davies, 17 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I took the liberty of writing You a Letter last April to enquire after your Health. At the same time (not doubting the continuation of your friendship) I made so free as to trouble You with some account of my present Situation, entreating your Advice, but I am so unfortunate as never to have had any Answer. I have been and am still in the greatest Anxiety...
69To Benjamin Franklin from James Bennet, 17 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society The Petition and Representation of James Bennet native of Philadelphia. Humbly Sheweth: That whereas in the month of January last past the Petitioner Shiped himself as Clk & Steward on Board a Scooner of Baltimore in Maryland bound wt. a Cargo of Tobaccoe to Gothenburgh in Swedland; But being intercepted in our course, had not the good fortune to Land our...
70To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, [30 October 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Je suis informé, Monsieur, par une Lettre de M. de Marbois dattée de Philadelphie le 24 Août dernier, qu’il a conferé avec M. Morris touchant les intérêts de l’emprunt de Hollande fait pour le compte des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale sous le garantie du Roi, ainsi que sur les autres dettes des dits Etats envers Sa Majesté, reconnues & stipulées dans les...
71To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 3 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous envoye, mon cher Docteur, les chansons ecossois que vous avez paru desirer—pour prix de mon exactitude. Je vous demande de n’etre plus cru celle de la famille qui vous aime le moins— On dit que Madame Hewson ne vient plus, me voulez vous a sa place?— Madm: de la Marck vous remercie des Grains elle en voudra encore—de plusieurs differens especes—elle...
72To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Library of Congress; AL (draft) Columbia University Library; copy: National Archives; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society You will perceive from the enclosed Resolution of Congress which passed Yesterday That you are permitted to return to America as soon as convenient. This Circumstance must afford great Pleasure to your Family and Friends here, and I am persuaded you will...
73To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis-François Cadet de Vaux, 29 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Cadet de Vaux présente l’assurance de Son très humble respect à Monsieur franklin. Sa commission pour la farine de Mays est faite, du moment ou Elle Sera arrivée, il en Sera prevenu. La cheminée poele réussit à merveille. M.M. le grand et molinos auront l’honneur d’aller en rendre compte à Monsieur franklin, un jour avec moi. M. Cadet prie Monsieur...
74To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Chase, 28 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to introduce to Your Notice, Civility and friendship Mr. Moss, Son of the Bishop of Bath & Wells. This Gentleman is very desirous of being honoured with your Acquaintance. I am still detained here but shall certainly sail before the middle of next Month. I shall be happy to render You any Services in America. Mr Champion, requests his...
75To Benjamin Franklin from Leveux, 30 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay reçu la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 8 de ce mois. En consequence de vos ordres Je Joins a la presente le compte de mes Debours pour les prisonniers americains échapés d’angleterre depuis 1779 Jusqu’a ce Jour. Il Se monte a 1712.10. l.t. mes Debours pour les Effets de Mr Jay 9.15. 1722. 5 J’attendray vos ordres pour le...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Frecon, 29 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardonnez la Liberté que je prends de vous écrire; Auteur d’un traitté des changes de toutes le places qui négocient ou peuvent négocier avec la france, il manque á mon ouvrage de faire Connoitre au public la maniere dont la france pourrait changer avec les principales Villes des Etats unis de L’Amérique. Cette république, Monsieur, doit aux éfforts de...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Armand-Benoît-Joseph Guffroy, 25 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Demander justice à un homme juste c’est lui faire plaisir; je ne crains donc pas de vous importuner en vous adressant les reclamations fondées d’un marin qui a eté emploié en qualité De Capitaine dans la division du Commodore paul-jones. Le sr jean charles igonnem Chevalier De Richebourg, aiant ete emploié Dans L’escadre du Commodore paul-jones en 1779 sur...
78To Benjamin Franklin from Erik Magnus Staël von Holstein, 29 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de Suede a l honneur de faire bien des compliments à Monsieur de franklin. Il est faché de ne pas pouvoir avoir l’honneur de profiter de son invitation pour demain mais il aura celui de passer chez monsieur de franklin un des jours de la semaine prochaine pour echanger des Ratifications. Notation: L’Ambassadeur de Suede 29. Jan. 1784. Appointed...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas Léger Moutard, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 2 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Moutard a L’honneur d’assurer M. franklin de son respect et a celui de lui faire hommage de 12 Exemplaire des Rapports sur le magnetisme de L’edition in 8°./. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin / A Passy Endorsed: Present my Compliments thankful Acknowledgements & Acceptance of the Favour &c Notation: Moutard 2 Sept. 1784.— For this Parisian...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): Royal Society Willing as much as is in my Power to Clear the R. Society & myself from our share of the Charge of Illiberal treatment towards you with which I fear this Countrey may too justly be accusd, I take my Pen with no small Pleasure to inform you that I am instructed by the Council of the Royal Society to Present to you in their name...