381From Benjamin Franklin to Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress This is to request you would immediately discharge and take up sundry Bills of Exchange, amounting to One Thousand Six hundred and seventy one Dollars, which were accepted by Mr Jay at Madrid, & afterwards protested for Nonpayment, and are now in the hands of Messrs. Pache, freres & Co at Paris. I am, Sir Your most obedt...
382From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If the Comte de Segur, Son of the Minister of War should happen to be in your Neighbourhood, I recommend him warmly to your Civilities & Friendship, and to those of the good Governor. You will find him as amiable and deserving as any of the French Officers whose good Conduct you so much applauded last Year. I continue as hearty and well as when you first knew me,...
383From Benjamin Franklin to the Chevalier de Chastellux, 6 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : private collection (1985); copy: Library of Congress It gave me great Pleasure to hear by the Officers returned last Winter from your Army, that you continued in good Health. You will see by the Public Papers, that the English begin to be weary of the War, and they have reason; having suffered many Losses, having four Nations of Enemies upon their Hands, few Men to spare, little Money...
384Franklin: Account of Living Toads Found Enclosed in Limestone, [6 April 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Académie royale des sciences; copy: Library of Congress In submitting the following report to the Académie des sciences, Franklin joined a long tradition of people who had marveled over the improbable discovery of toads living in niches in solid rock or in the middle of tree trunks. The Annual Register for 1761 published a survey of some of this literature, including translations of two...
385From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 5 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote a few Lines to you the 31st. past, and promised to write more fully. On pursuing again your Letters of the 11th. 12th. & 21st. I do not find any Notice taken of one from me dated Feby. 16. I therefore now send you a Copy made from it in the Press. The uncertainty of safe Transmission discourages a free Communication of Sentiments on these important Affairs;...
386From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Castries, 2 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 31st of March, relating to Messrs. Agnew Father & Son , and Capt Parker , Englishmen taken Prisoners in America & brought to France. I know nothing of those Persons or of the Circumstances that might induce the Delegates of Virginia to desire their Detention,...
387From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: Library of Congress I received duly the Honour of your Letter accompanying the Capitulation of Gen. Cornwallis. All the World agree that no Expedition was ever better plann’d or better executed. It has made a great Addition to the military Reputation you had already acquired, and brightens the Glory that surrounds your Name and that must accompany it to our latest Posterity....
388To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received duly the Honour of your Letter accompanying the Capitulation of Gen. Cornwallis. All the World agree that no Expedition was ever better plann’d or better executed. It has made a great Addition to the military—Reputation you had already acquired, and brightens the Glory that surrounds your Name and that must accompany it to our latest Posterity. No News could possibly make me more...
389Intelligence from London, [after 8 March 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in William Duane, ed., The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin … (6 vols., Philadelphia, 1808–18) V , 325–6. No. III. 1. The nation has spent in this war, since 1775 an hundred millions of sterling money. 2. The nation has lost by this war fourteen colonies on the continent of America, several Islands in the West Indies, and Minorca. 3. The nation is at war with three powerful states in...
390To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received yours of the 10th Instant, and am of Opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York and Charlestown, as the Troops there, after the late Resolutions of Parliament, must be useless, and are necessary to defend their remaining Islands where they have not at present more than 3000 Men. The Prudence of this Operation is so obvious, that I think they can hardly miss it:...