1To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 13 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Referring you to my private Letter, written to you by this Vessel, I beg leave to introduce the Bearer Mr. Cornelius Ray to your Notice, and protection. He is the son of a Gentleman of amiable Character, who formerly resided in the City of New York. Any Civilities which your Excellency may be pleased to show Mr Ray,— will be esteemed, as immediately...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 2 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof is Mr. Robert Mease of Alexandria in Virginia, Who proposes to visit several Places in France on a mercantile Plan, and to pass some Time in paris. You are so well acquainted with the Devotion of his Family to the great Cause of our Country, That it is unnecessary for me to say,— Mr. Mease has zealously exerted Himself, during the present...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 20 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In some of the late Vessels, arrived from Maryland, and Pennsylvania came passengers the following Gentlemen.— Messrs. Cheston, and Captain Smith of the former; and Mr. West, and Dr. Wilson of the latter State, and They were preparing to go in a Dutch Vessel to Ostend, and from Thence to England, But Commodore Jones, upon the Advice of several American...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 14 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Little did I expect to address you again from any part of this Kingdom, But you will hear from your other Correspondents, The Cause of Commodore Jones returning to L’orient. I will not attempt to describe the Horrors of the dreadful, or as the Seamen express it,— unequalled Tempest, We have been in, nor the miraculous Delivery from Death, We have had.— We...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 5 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have at last the Prospect of leaving this Country, as Commodore Jones has every Thing on Board, and a favorable Wind is springing up. The Brigantine Duke of Leinster, Capt. Souder, & the Brigantine Luke, Capt. Clark for Philadelphia, and a french Lougre for Maryland sail under Convoy of the Ariel. If at any Time I can be any ways useful to you in america,...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton et al., 26 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives We understand some Persons in the Town have written to the Ministers of France, That the Americans, who are here approved Captain Landais’ Conduct in Possessing Himself of the Frigate Alliance, which you had committed to the Charge of the Honorable Commodore Jones. For the sake of Truth, and undeceiving those,—Whom such Misrepresentations may have deceived,— We think it...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 14 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society I Am sorry to have Occasion to write you on the Subject of all the Letters, which are addressed to you by this Courier. Captain Jones, Messrs. Moylan and Nesbit will inform you of the particulars of the outrageous Behaviour of Captain Launday, and the (original) Officers, and Crew of the Alliance, in taking Possession of Her. I will take the Liberty...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 15 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As a News paper of the 8th of April was received by Captain Montgomery, after He left Philadelphia, in which is published a curious, confidential Letter, dated the 30th of January, from General Clinton to Lord George Germaine, and as it gives a very agreable State of Facts, and Arguments, I send your Excellency a Copy of it, taken in a hurry by Captain...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Franklin and Samuel Wharton: Memorial to Congress, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives This memorial from Franklin and his long-time partner in western land ventures Samuel Wharton recapitulates the history of their efforts to establish a legitimate title to lands they had purchased in the unsettled area south of the Ohio River. Their enterprise originated in 1768 as an attempt by a group of Pennsylvania merchants, the “suffering traders,” to obtain land...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 29 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Wharton presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and returns the Journals of Congress, and News papers with Thanks. He does not find any Paper upon the Subject of back Lands. Upon Enquiry, and looking over his Invoice Book, He finds, That Copper in Sheets, was in the year 1770, from 87/6 to 90/ Sterling per hundred;— of 112 pds. to the hundred. Mr....