1To John Jay from Edward Bancroft, c. 12 August 1783 (Jay Papers)
I have long delayed doing myself the honor of writing to you, partly, because, in truth, since my arrival here, very little has occurred worthy of Communication— I have however watched & taken some pains to discover the views of Ministers here respecting our Country, & I am sorry to have learned within these two or three days from an infallible Source, that this Government is now much more...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 20 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed I send you an Extract of a Letter, from our friend Commodore Jones, which came to my hands a few hours before my Departure from Paris & which I had not time to Communicate, whilst there. I arived here on tuesday afternoon with Mr. Coffyn & my family all well, though the journey was rendered unpleasant by almost incessant rains the whole way. &...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [before 14 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have done myself the honor to call to inform you of my intention of setting out on the Journey which has been explained to you, on Sunday Evening— I had intended to have Left this sooner, but as I could not possibly be ready to day , it would be to no purpose— If you should think of any thing in which I can be useful to you, I shall be happy to be...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [October 1778 or after] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a few Lines from Mr. Deane dated Philadelphia 6th. Septr. 1778 and refering to Packets which he had just Sealed; I suppose they must have come under Cover to you, and beg you will in that Case send them by the Bearer. I am with the utmost respect and Devotion Dear Sir Yours Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsr. Franklin / Passy Notation: Edw. Bancroft...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 15 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I went again yesterday to Mr. de Beaumarchais but found, what had not been told me before, that he is at Bourdeaux, & therefore it will be impossible for me to obtain the Certificate Mr. Deane desires until his return— I must therefore write Mr. Deane to day & wish to inclose in my Letter a Line or two from you importing something, or so much as you may...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [11 November? 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Walpole has this evening appointed to go to Seve [Sevres] tomorrow, to see the Manufactory there, & to Dine with me on his return; & as I Know he would be very glad to have the pleasure of meeting you, I beg Leave to Sollicit the honour of your, & your Grandson’s Company to a plain Dinner at 3 O’Clock, if you are disengaged, if not, I shall hope for...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Of all the goods which I have at different times sent to America above four fifths were long since paid for. I was however under the necessity some time ago of accepting Bills for about 10,000 Livres on acct. of the residue of these goods (consigned to Mr. Wharton), & I had then no doubt, but I should in time have received abundant means of paying them,...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 17 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This morning at about 4 O’Clock I was awaked by the arrival of Capt. Jones & Mr. Montplaisir from L’Orient. The Latter went forward to Paris, but Capt. Jones not having stopped since he Left L’Orient is lain down for a little Sleep. I shall call him in about half an hour & as soon after as he can dress I suppose he will wait on you. He brought me the...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [25 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Bancroft presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin. He called to Communicate a Letter which he has just recd. from Mr. Ridley (in Maryland) mentioning that Mr. Jno. Adams is appointed to return to Europe to assist in any future Treaty of Peace, and that Mr. Lawrence (son I believe of the Late President) is appointed Secretary of Embassy at...
10Edward Bancroft to William Temple Franklin, [between 21 March and 24 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have recd. the inclosed Lettres from Mrs. Bousie respecting the Passport— I have some Knowledge of Mr. Audibert Captain of the Port of Calais, & from his Letter have no doubt of Mr. Sartines having given the Pass port mention’d; however if the Doctor thinks it expedient he can make his Pass port conditional as suggested by Mrs. Bousie. I am Dr. Sir truly...
11Edward Bancroft to William Temple Franklin, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Bousie whose Husband is in London, has sent to desire me to apply to Dr. Franklin for a Passport for a Vessell called the London Packet Capt Mariton of 70 Tons Burthen, with 6 men, bound from Calais to London. It seems the French & English Governments have consented to Let this Vessel carry a cargo of French Wines from Calais to England, & Mr. Sartine...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [1778?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you a Letter which came to my hands last Evening & wh. needs no Comment from me— Mr. Grand commissioned me to desire that you would this Evening favour him with something which is to be sent to Amsterdam & wh. he shall have an opportunity of sending early tomorrow Morning— Not finding you at home I am constrained to execute my Commission in this...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed I take the Liberty of sending you a Letter from Capt. Jones at Brest, and an English News Paper with an Extract of a Letter from London. These contain all the News I have recd. from that Quarter excepting that Mr. Walpole says he is informed that the British Ministry discouraged at their Prospects in America, think seriously of giving up their...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 14 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Inclosed I send you an English News paper which though it Contains little, contains all the news I have received from London. I also send you a Letter which I have received from Mr. Ellison, who with Mr. Saml. Wharton desire me to second the request it Contains; which however I would not do, did there appear any impropriety in it; but as it intends only to...
15[Edward Bancroft] to [Franklin and John Adams], [before 7 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Two copies and transcript: National Archives In early 1778 Silas Deane and his friend Edward Bancroft had used their inside knowledge of the Franco-American treaty negotiations to wager on the London stock market. Unfortunately for them, Musco Livingston, a young ship captain, saw a letter written by Bancroft to a Mr. Wharton (probably Samuel Wharton, Bancroft and Deane’s partner, but perhaps...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [21 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Hodge is just arived from Dunkirk and Mr. Deane intreats that you will immediatly come to Town on Business of very great importance. I am most respectfully Your most Humble and most Devoted Servant William Hodge had been expected back from Dunkirk on the 20th: Deane Papers , II , 227. The important business presumably had to do with finding him passage...
17Edward Bancroft to the American Commissioners, 3 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bancroft was beginning to find a spy’s life hard on the nerves. In July, worried because the British kept the originals of some letters he had stolen, he made new financial demands on them. By the beginning of August he was urging Wentworth to look after his interests, “which, till lately, he never shewed much anxiety about, and indeed seemed to be quite...
18To Benjamin Franklin from [Edward Bancroft], 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society In Compliance with your favour of the 17th. ultimo. I have paid Mr. Hood twelve Guineas; Mr. Wh[arton] having represented that he could not Clear himself from hence and Convey himself to Paris with Less. I have taken his receipt for the money. By Mr. Hood I shall send you the Books which were Left me sometime ago by Mr. Vaughan. I shall also send Mr. Deane a...
19To Benjamin Franklin from [Edward Bancroft], 23 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The difficulties and Dangers attending all American Correspondence have for sometime suspended those Communications which Friendship would have inclined me otherwise to make you. I am however several Letters in advance with you and of which you have not acknowledged the Receipt. This will be Delivered by Mr. Wrixon a Gentleman who was formerly a Field...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 7 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had lately the honour of acquainting you by Capt. Read with some particulars which I now confirm, and although but little of importance has since occurred I am induced to trouble you again with a few suggestions respecting the Title of the different Indian Tribes of America to the property and Jurisdiction of their Territories. You will doubtless remember...