751To Benjamin Franklin from James McHenry, 24 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As it may be a satisfaction to the friends of the Marquiss de la Fayette, to learn that his visit to this country has been extremely flattering to its citizens, and that his reception has been marked by every circumstance expressive of gratitude and respect, I thought it would give pleasure to you (of whom I have often heard him express the liveliest...
752To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 12 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I request your acceptance of the pamphlet which accompanies this letter. It is intended entirely for America, and you are one of the first persons to whom it has been communicated. Most of the few copies which I have printed will be convey’d to America; and I hope the united States will forgive my presumption in Supposing myself qualified to advise them....
753To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 25 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The invitation you gave me was so very alluring that I had once resolved to pass the winter with you; in consequence of which resolve I made several preparations, and caused your amiable Grandson to postpone his return, but being a little out of health my spirits failed me, and I relinquished the pleasure I had promised myself in your society. I hope you...
754To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, February 27, 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: University of South Carolina Library Accept my grateful thanks for the Contents of two Letters which you have honored me with under the 12th. & 15th. Inst. Your interposition with Mr. Grand for obtaining a supply of Money on my Account has impressed my heart with feelings which will never wear out, altho I have at present hopes of getting through without...
755To Benjamin Franklin from Morellet, [19 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The “fragment” that Morellet enclosed with the present letter was probably an early version of what became a fifty-nine-page manuscript titled “Apologie des papiers de credit etablis par les etats unis.” The first half recounted the introduction, circulation, and depreciation of paper money in the colonies. The second half defended Congress’ resort to...
756To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Knowing little of Mr. Chevallié’s claim as detached from that of Monsr. de Beaumarchais, & supposing it must stand on the same bottom being originally a part of it, I shall give you what information I can on the general subject. The contract for the supplies was made by Mr. de Francy, agent for Beaumarchais, with mr. Henry then governor of Virginia. He...
757To Benjamin Franklin from Mason Locke Weems and Edward Gantt, Jr., 9 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society Not having the honour to be known to Your Excellency we should preface this with an Apology, but as it relates to a Subject of public & Important Concern, we hope your Excellency will excuse form & Ceremony. We are Natives of America & Students of Divinity, having no form of Episcopal Ordination in our own Country we Came to England more than a...
758To Benjamin Franklin from Lenoir, 4 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Vous avés eu la bonté, Monsieur, de remettre à M. Cadet Deveaux la planche du Poele Cheminée, dont l’invention vous est due, et vous lui en avés fait esperer la Description. Je vous prie, Monsieur, de vouloir bien la lui procurer le plutôt possible, et je me chargerai de la rendre publique. On S’occupera aussitôt de la construction d’un Poele d’aprês vos...
759To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 27 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It has long been my sincerest wish to return you my warmest & best thanks for your kind & affectionate attentions to me when at Paris, but I refrained troubling you with a letter till I could entertain you with something new & worthy your attention. Till the present moment I have unfortunately been only in those spots that you have yourself formerly...
760To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 20[–21] June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In full expectation of Dr Bancrofts calling on me before he embarks I write again tho I have just finished one for you, I did expect he would dine with us tomorrow and am disapointed to hear he cannot, for I love every one you love, and the Dr is so agreable and sensible, that every one must think favorably of him and like his Company, for his own sake, so...
761To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 19 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recieved your favour dated Passy Sept. 2. 1783, with an inclosed of Mr. Samuel Lewis Wharton, which Contained a bill of exchange of 8000 L. tournois. He refers to a lettre which mr. Sam. Wharton wrote to me on the 14 of April by the Way of France and on the 29 of may by the way of France, of which letters none came to right, which is probably owing to the...
762To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 26 [i.e., 25] August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here at Noon this Day,—and Safe! —which is rather extraordinary considering the Situation of my Wheels; they certainly could not have gone a Post farther without a thorough Repair: Before I got to Chantilly one of the Iron Circles broke, & precisely over the joining of the Timber, this occasiond several of the Spokes to get loose; & made me lose a...
763To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [7 January 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous êtes trop bon mon Illustre Docteur de penser comme cela à moi. Lobservation que vous m’avez envoyée est vraiment Intéressante. Je Suis tout à fait honteux que vos Voeux pour moi ayent prévenus ceux que Je voulois Vous porter pour votre conservation au Comble de la gloire, où vous étes arrivé, il n’y en a point d’autres à vous faire. La rigueur de la...
764To Benjamin Franklin from Anne d’Estko, 19 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai nul droit qui puisse m’autoriser à Vous demander une grace, mais je sais par Votre grande reputation jusqu’a quel point Votre Ame èst bienfaisante, et qu’en lui offrant les moyens de faire une bonne action on peut s’adresser à Vous avec confiense: Mon Frere Thadé Koscüuszko passé depuis long tems au service des Etats Unis de l’Amerique, m’a laissé...
765To Benjamin Franklin from Witel & Fauche, [after 15 November 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AL : American Philosophical Society La bonté avec la quelle il vous a plût répondre á notre lettre, & notre persévérance dans notre projet, que votre obligeante lettre & votre information n’ont fait qu’augmenter, nous obligent a vous importuner de nouveau par celle-ci. Nous ne pensâmes jamais, comme beaucoup d’autres, que notre plan seroit de facile exécution; au Contraire nous nous...
766To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 10 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivred to you by my Good friend the Prelate or Abbé Nekrep president of the oriental College at Vienna, a Gentleman much estimed here, a very good scholar and philosopher. He goes for a few weeks to Paris in pursuet of knowledge regarding his profession, and as his particular pride is to know you, I take the liberty to recommend him to your...
767To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [before 28 October 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was forcd by business & interruption & a desire not to lose the opportunity of answering your Letter by the return of your Grandson, whom I fear I am destind not to see, to omit telling You what You wishd to hear of my dear Daughter Lady Jones: Before She left England She livd in the very best Society upon the very best footing. The most considerable...
768To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Three Letters, 21 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
(I), (II), and (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ it is long since we heard from you, we have now and then the pleasure of hearing of you— Mr. Charles Thompson told me the other day, that he had received a Letter from you dated in March, and that you then were well; this is the last account we have of you— I confess I have been pleasing myself with the expectation of seeing you at...
769To Benjamin Franklin from [Louis-Valentin Goëzmann] de Thurn, [c. 19 November 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library M. de Thurn, de la Societé Roiale de Metz, issû d’une trés ancienne famille d’Allemagne, Etablie depuis Deux siecles dans la province d’Alsace, aujourd’huy sous la domination de la france, et allie aux meilleures maisons de cette province, réclame la bienveillance et l’appui du ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats-unis de L’Amerique, pour le sucçés du...
770To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 3 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was so uneasy least Mariamne Should lay in, that I could not return again to Passy yesterday, I might however have done so for she Still keeps up.— I called at a Coachmakers to enquire about a proper Carriage for you, & I found one ready made belonging to the Marquis du Duc; one like it I think would fully answer your Purpose.— It is ingeniously contrived...
771To 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....
772To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Blanchard, 16 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je dois au sentiment de la Reconnoissance que ma inspiré L’interet que dans tous les tems vous avez bien voulu prendre a ce qui me regarde de vous informer du party que j’ai pris de passer la mer dans mon Vaisseau aerien avant la fin de ce mois Si je ne suis pas trop contrarié par les vents après toutes fois cependant avoir fait une seconde expérience a...
773To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 20 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honour’d with your favour of Sept 13th. Inclosing a Bill Drawn in my favr on Doctr. Cooper for 2722 Livres 16 s. 8 d. being the Amount of What you have paid for the Education & other expences of his Grand Son, you advice to apply to the Father if in Boston, I hear he is, but he is Shut up & good for nothing, Doctr. Cooper was Sick When I recd your...
774To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 19 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should long ago have returnd answers to your two Favors had I met with any thing in the Way of Science worthy of being Communicated to you little improvement has taken place in the course of these two months past & as I have resided all that time in Lincolnshire I have not been put into posession of the detail even of that Little. The Whole of the middle...
775To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd: Two Letters, 9 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copy: American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received a long Letter by this Days post from the Baron d’Ogny Postmaster General of France relative to the Treaty between the two Kingdoms which will require mature Consideration and I am not at present enabled to answer it, but great Difficulties already occur with regard to the Letters from North...
776To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de l’Auréole, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, and Other Applicants for Emigration, 11 … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The relentless stream of letters from people throughout Europe and Great Britain who sought Franklin’s help in immigrating to the United States finally induced him, in the winter of 1783–84, to write “Information to Those Who Would Remove to America,” which was intended to answer all such queries. We summarize here the unsolicited letters and petitions that...
777To Benjamin Franklin from François-Félix Nogaret, [December 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous vous souvenez de nos conventions. J’ai l’honneur de vous faire passer une note que nous avons reçue. Dans la Reponse que vous me ferez La grace de m’adresser, Je vous Serai obligé de mettre à La fin Je vous prie de vouloir bien Mr communiquer ma Lettre aux membres de la R ∴ L ∴ Ecossaise du Patriotisme, et de lui temoigner mes regrets ainsi que Le...
778John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
According to your desire, I went early this Morning to Versailles, and finding the Count de Vergennes unembarassed with Company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the Honour of a Conference, in which I told him that my Colleagues were very sorry, that Indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in Person, & obliged them to request me alone...
779To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, [28 October 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Mr Morris par sa Lettre du 27 May, me marque qu’il attendoit une future occasion pour me repondre au sujet de Fonds des Etats Unis, toutes les miennes l’ayant prevenu de mes besoins. Cette occasion s’est bien présentée, puisque J’ai reçu diverses de ses Lettres depuis, mais dans aucune il n’a été question de cet objet tout important qu’il fût, ne lui ayant point laissé...
780To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Feriet, 21 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je crois, Monsieur, avoir trouvè ici Deux maisons entières qui pouraient Vous convenir; elles ont toutes deux des jardins, mais L’une rèunit a ce qu’il me semble, tous Les avantages et les agrèmens qu’il est possible de se procurer a versailles; elle est neuve, et n’a point ètè occuppèe quoiqu’elle soit bâtie depuis quelque tems; Les embellissemens ne sont...
781To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Hopkins and James Manning, 9 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): Brown University Library Influenced by your Promptitude in promoting the great Interests of Society, and especially by your predilection of Your native Country, discovered by that early and decided Part which you took in its Favour, and which has been Continued by Such unparalleled Success through a Life protracted far beyond the Common Bounds...
782To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Thruffé and Other Favor Seekers, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the period covered by the present volume, Franklin continued to receive a steady stream of letters asking for favors, most of them from people he did not know. We summarize them here, beginning with those individuals seeking help with financial predicaments ranging from temporary indebtedness to outright poverty. A particularly dramatic appeal for...
783To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bouttret Durivault fils and Other Favor Seekers, 12 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Whether they are asking for information, advice, personal assistance, or money, many of the favor seekers who contact Franklin during the five and a half months covered by this volume preface their requests with congratulations on the hard-won independence of the United States. But some of those Frenchmen who had risked the most for the American victory...
784John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Let me request of you, to turn your Attention as soon as possible to the Subject of a Treaty of Commerce between the United States of America and Great Britain, and transmit to me, a Project that you would advise me to propose in the first Instance. For my own Part I like the Plan agreed on with Prussia so well, that I must request you to send me a Copy of it, and with such Changes as you may...
785John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 20 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society The Day before Yesterday the Baron de Thuilemeyer the Envoy to their High Mightinesses, from the King of Prussia, did me the Honour of a Visit, but as I had Company, he stayed but a short time; As I accompanied him to the Door, he told me, that he had Something to Say to me from the King, and desird me to name an Hour, when he might call upon me...
786John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 29 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Secretary of State for foreign affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties we are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. Inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. February 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter. I know nothing of Capt....
787Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society ⟨March 1, 1785: Mr. Jefferson sends Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin his notes on the treaty with Prussia. When Mr. Adams has perused them, he should send them to Dr. Franklin. Mr. Jefferson proposes a meeting at Passy on Thursday [ March 3 ] at 12 o’clock. He sends “the Prussian propositions, mr. Adams’s & Dr. Franklin’s notes, & the former project & observations...
788John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your desire I went early this morning to Versailles and finding the Ct. de Vergennes unembarassed with company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the honour of a conference, in which I told him that my colleagues were very sorry that indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in person, and obliged them to request me alone to...
789John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 10 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed is Copy of a Letter from the Baron de Thulemeier and Copy of a Project of a Treaty transmitted to me by order of the King of Prussia: I should be glad if your Excellencies would examine it, and write me your objections, and proposals of alterations, which I shall immediately communicate to his Majesty through his Minister. I presume too...
790John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Westminster, London, 20 June 1785 . Acknowledges their letter of 15 June; agrees “entirely … in sentiment respecting Gratification to be given to Mr. John Baptist Pecquet and the Letter to be written to him.” RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 84, v); 1 p.; at foot of letter: “Their Excellencies Messrs. Franklin & Jefferson.” FC ( MHi : AMT ); in Adams’ hand.
791Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you the following Acts of Congress relating to the formation of commercial Treaties &c Viz— N 1. Letter to the Ministers plenipotentiary at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid dated 17th. of October 1780— N 2. Instructions to the Ministers of the United States for making Peace with Great Britain dated May 30th. 1783 N 3. Instructions to...
792Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 17 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society ⟨Cul-de-sac Tetebout, October 17, 1784: Mr. Jefferson sends to Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin drafts of the two letters to be sent to the Duke of Dorset. One is on the separate articles. The other is on the general subject, and written in the form that they had agreed upon during their last meeting. Having reconsidered the latter, he sends a second version...
793Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Two Memoranda, [before 10 November 1784] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society When Congress instructed the commissioners to negotiate twenty treaties in two years, it did not send a draft treaty; it specified nine “points [to] be carefully stipulated” in the accords. Faced with so daunting an assignment...
794John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 2 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I duely received the Letter, you did me the Honour to write me, on the Subject of a Treaty with Prussia and have communicated it to the Baron de Thuelemeier. The King agrees to take the Treaty with Sweeden for a Model and if your Excellencies have any Alterations to propose I should be obliged to you for the Communication of them. The Baron waits the...
795Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you an Act of Congress of the 16th. Inst: together with Copies of the several Papers to which that Act refers. I am with the Greatest Respect, Gentlemen, Your obedient & humble Servant In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand. The enclosed resolutions of March 16 (Hist. Soc. of Pa.; see JCC, XXVI ,...
796John 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...
797David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and press copy of copy: National Archives; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office It is with the sincerest Pleasure that I congratulate you on the happy Event which took Place Yesterday, viz., the Signature of the Definitive Treaty between our two Countries. I consider it as the auspicious Presage of returning...
798John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inclose a Letter from Mr Edward Browne of Ostend and another from Mr De Berdt.— Mr Browne was introduced to me in London by Mr De Berdt, and appears to be an accomplished Person well acquainted with the Language Laws and Commerce of the Place where he is.— If your Excellencys judge proper, I should be obliged to you if you would...