13961To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 6 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane in his public Letter has declared, that he receivd a resolution of Congress recalling him & appointing another Commissioner in his place, on the 4th of March. As I woud not wish to charge him with having conceald this from both his Colleagues, and by that means imposd himself upon them & the Court of France, as still a Representative of the United...
13962To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bromfield, 12 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With pleasure your friends received the agreable inteligence of your safe arrival and health. Inclos’d I return a Letter for you directed to our care. From different accounts I am pleased to observe, the great unanimity that prevails thr’o the Continent; your advise was never more wantd, hope it will tend to restore that invaluable blessing to which our...
13963To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Talbot, 4 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency will by the date hereof that it comes from a prisoner, and which is the cause of my present address, therefore on the Confidence of your favor, beg leave to inform you, that in October last being then in, and having the Command, of the arm’d Ship of War, called the Genl. Washington, in which Vessel had the Misfortune to be Captured by his...
13964To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 28 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this moment heard of an oppertunity of Writeing to you and though there geting my horses up to go home I must write you how do you do and that our family was well 12 days Past when I left them and Id the Pleasure of carreing your Dear Sister to her Granddaughters Greenes the day before I Came a way and Mrs. Collis. She is exceeding well and quite...
13965To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 22 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have defered writing to you since my last of the 27th. Ultio. in Hopes of profiting by the Ct. De Montmorin’s Courier, but as it is not certain when one will be dispatched I venture to inform you by the ordinary post that Sir J.D. presented a memorial to the Ct. De FloridaBlanca, containing certain propositions tending to an Accomodation of the present differences...
13966To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Le Maire de Gimel, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous n’ignorez pas sans doute les arrangemens que Mr. Lee a pris avec MM. Bonnefil et Lewenston pour le transport des objets qui sont ici pour le gouvernement de Virginie, mon depart se trouvant par là fixé du 25 au 30 de ce mois, je n’ai d’autre empressement que de vous en faire part en vous sollicitant de m’accorder des lettres de recommandations auprès...
13967To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Johnson, 12 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley is about returning to France in prosecution of his private Affairs and impowered to transact some Business for this State your Acquaintance with him in France must have given you favourable Impressions of him— I have known him a long Time and he is one of the very few for the promoting whose Views I would request your Countenance. I am dear Sir...
13968To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 20 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives J’ai l’honneur, M. de vous adresser la copie du memoire qui m’a êté presenté par le Sr. Louis Anty marchand a Nantes, ainsy que de la note dont il l’a accompagné. Vous y verrez l’exposé des pertes que lui ont occasionné Ses liaisons de commerce avec le Sr. Penet Agent general de l’Etat de Virginie. La fortune de...
13969To Benjamin Franklin from Courtney Melmoth, 28 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Were it likely to suppose that the human mind, however comprehensive, could always be exerted on one Subject, even tho that subject be the fate of Empires, I should never attempt to seduce your attention to any trifle that could possibly drop from either my own Pen, or that of any part of my family; but, when I consider that the profoundest sagacity must...
13970To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I This Moment receive the Petition to Your Excellency from Our Surgeon Boutey. Was this restless man a Good Subject, he certainly wou’d not have troubled Your Excellency on a Matter which he well knew, was not in my power to perform untill I had received from Morlaix the Accounts of the Sales of the prises, the amount of Same, & the remainder of the...
13971To Benjamin Franklin from Jérémie Witel, 21 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter provides the only contemporary evidence of an incident which would come back to haunt Franklin in 1782 and 1783: his subscription to, and subsequent reluctance to pay for, a pirated Swiss edition of the Encyclopédie . On February 11, he had received a visit from Jean-Pierre Duplan, co-director of the Société Typographique de Lausanne, whose firm...
13972To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 7 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Since my letter by Mr Hunt I have taken the liberty to write you under cover to Monsr. G——d the 31st. ult. The two Gentlemen who will wait on you with this are lately from P——a, and thinking their accounts (tho not of very late dates) might tend to your information, I have solicited their call on you on their way to L’Orient & Nantes, whither they are...
13973To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Newenham, 8 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr: Edward Newenham’s respects, & begs leave to enclose the account of a Volunteer review in Ireland, which his Father order him to forward to your Excellency. I am with the Greatest respect, your Excellency’s most obedient, & very humble servant. Addressed: To / His Excellency Dr: Benjamin Franklin / Minister Plenipotentiary / of the United States / Paris...
13974To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I have received your Excellencies letter of the 16th.— I am exceedingly Sorry that the Alliance is not in the readiness that you Imagined.— I was in hopes to have sent for your Satisfaction the Certificate of the Master Builder here respecting the repairs that are indispensably necessary to render the Ship fit for Service;...
13975To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Barbançon, 27 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On ne sorait ètre, Monsieur, plus reconoisant que je le suis de la bonté que vous avez bien voulu avoir de me faire venir un tresor imanse des Grenes les plus rares, Je ne puis assé vous exprimer conbien je suis sensible a tout la grace que vous y aves mis, je regrete infiniment, Monsieur, que Mon séjour a la campagne me prive du double aventage d’aller...
13976To Benjamin Franklin from James Vaughan, 16 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Lordship I Hope will Excuse my freedom In Stating my Ill Entratment that I Receivd Sence my Last Arival I this Contr’y. Sir I Ariv’d With a Ship Belonging to Rochell Commanded By Captain Dewmow and two Days aftor my arival I was taken To Serve the King In Which I Was Contented Providing I was well Pay’d But I Not Likeing the Encorigment I would Not...
13977To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to you by Mr. Henry Newman and Mr. Thomas Cushing who pass through Paris in their way to Holland on a Tour of pleasure, to employ their Time in gratifying their curiosity till the Fall Ships shall be ready, when they propose to return to their own Country. The latter Gentleman you have already seen, and both have been reccommendid to...
13978To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 15 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr S Vaughan Junr. has the honor to present his most respectful compliments to Dr Franklin, & to send him, the 1 Number of Mr Linguets memoire, on the Bastile: The 2 & 3 Numbers he will do himself the pleasure of forwarding to him, as soon as they come to hand. He hopes Dr Franklin will excuse his requesting him, to return them as soon as perused, they being...
13979To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Should the British Forces now in New York and Charlestown evacuate those Places and go to the West India Islands, they might give a good deal of Trouble to the French and Spanish Possessions there. It would cost those Powers many Men and Ships and a great deal of Money and Time perhaps to manage them: whereas...
13980To Benjamin Franklin from La Blancherie, 27 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Tout est presque perdu, si vous n’avez la bonté de venir à notre secours et c’est pour le coup qu’il faut que je me jette à vos pieds. Mes ennemis enragés de la part que l’Académie des Sciences prenoit à mon établissement et de l’autorité qu’elle alloit lui donner par votre rapport, se sont glissé auprès de plusieurs Académiciens, et enfin on leur a...
13981To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Cavendish, 2 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Calais, September 2: Having had no answer to my two previous letters, I suspect you did not receive them. I implore the protection you promised me, so that I may be allowed by the Court to import my brother’s work to this country. Please answer me before I depart for England in a fortnight.> Better known to BF as Margaret Stewart. See XXIII , 302 n where...
13982To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am much obliged to you for the kind Notice you were pleased to take of my little Fellow.— I may be partial but I think him the finest Lad I ever saw, and I shall take care to give such an Education & to impress his mind with such principles as will, I hope, prevent his being unworthy of the Blessing you were pleased to bestow upon him.— I had a Brother...
13983To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, [14 May 1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Welcom a Hundred times Welcom to our once happy Land. Are you in Health and allow me to ask you the old question over again if you are the Same good old Soul you used to be? Your arrival gives New Spring to all have heard mention it. When Shall We See you here? Do let it be as Soon as the Congress is adjournd or dont know but your good Sister and Self Shall mount...
13984From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 20 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour of yours of the 12th. and will take an early opportunity to send you all the Lights I can obtain, by Inferences from the Numbers of the Bills. Those already presented I shall accept according to your Advice. Your office is certainly a disagreable one in many respects, and mine grows every day more and more disgusting to me. I wish myself at home every hour in the 24,...
13985To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 10 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Sieur la Renaudiere qui aura l’honneur de vous présenter cette Lettre, a apris que vous cherchiez un Imprimeur pour former des Eleves en Amerique. Comme il entend fort bien cet Art, etant depuis trente ans Prote chez le même Imprimeur et d’une bonne conduite, il Seroit très flatté que vous voulussiez bien le choisir pour cet objet: il est frere de celui...
13986To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [24 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your grandson M. Franklin told me Yesterday as I was coming from Paris That you were so good to invite The whole family to dinner for next friday, Me. LeRoy I and the little Basil. But as M. Franklin seemed to me not very certain of the Day I sent my man to ask you whether Your Dinner is really for friday and not for Thursday because as I go to morrow to...
13987To Benjamin Franklin from François-Félix Nogaret, with a Note from Elisabeth Nogaret, [on or after 28 April 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous trouverés cy Joint une Lettre que mon ministre ma fait le plaisir d’ecrire pour moi à M. Le Mis. de Serent de qui dépend une place de Lecteur de Mgr Le Duc de Berry que je demande. M Le Mis. de Castellanne et M. Le Mis. de Montbel qui ont de même ecrit pour moi, m’ont donné un fort bon Conseil: comme cette place exige des connaissances, ils m’ont dit...
13988To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Rodolph Valltravers, 26 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being ignorant of the Fate of my 2. last Letters, of April 14th. and May 17th., directed from this Place to yr. Exccy. by the Poste: I am at a Loss, to learn, whether they were received at all, in due Time? and, if come safe to Hand, whether they have been welcome, or no? This Uncertainty, and Fear of being indiscretly troublesome, whilst I sincerily wish...
13989To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your much esteemed Favour of the 8 Inst in which you refer me to Mr de Chaumont for the Balance of the Officers Cloathing & I have drawn on him accordingly.— The Situation of Mrs Williams has been such that my absence would have perhaps been attended with Loss of her. I have however taken such Care of the Business at L’Orient that there has...
13990To Benjamin Franklin from François de Rabier de La Baume, 18 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Aÿant eû l’honneur de me presenter ches Monsieur dean et luÿ aÿant montré Mes Breverts et certificats de serviçe, ainsi qu’un passeport du Roÿ comme un ancien major de ses troupes; je fûs accepté de sa part au serviçe du Congrés, et me donna des lettres pour vous Monsieur et Monsieur le general en Chef et pour des correspondants de Bordeaux et Marseille; je...
13991To Benjamin Franklin from Becker & Saltzmann, 20 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pandant la Guerre en Allemagne, qui heuresement vient d’estre finie, nous avons fait Speculation pour livrer des Uniformes a une partie de l’Armée de notre Souverain, de laquelle nous restent environ quatre mille Uniformes, ne pouvant plus les emploÿer, l’Idé nous est venue, d’envoÿer une Uniforme Complette a Votre Exellençe pour Vous offrir le tout...
13992To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, [25 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few days Since of your good Sisters Tolerable health and Poor Jennies Death Particuliars of our family &c but Mr Greenes writeing I must add a kind how do you do when did you here from Benny and is temple well and when do you Come to New england, and ask when this Shocking War will be at an end the Sceenes of Misery it has occationd is beyond...
13993To Benjamin Franklin from Rudolph Erich Raspe, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The kindness, wherewith Your Excellency was pleased last year to receive Baron Waiz and would have received me at Passy, engages me to the warmest acknowledgments and obliges me in consequence of my duty to Your Excellency and to the bearer of this to direct and to recommend to Your care Baron Podmanniczky, a Nobleman from Hungaria, whose learning, zeal,...
13994To Benjamin Franklin from Lambert Wickes, 4 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent your Things up imeadiately, to the Care of Mr. Grewel [Gruel], Who told me he would send them forward for you directly, As I was on Shore when the order Come for your things they made a Mistake and Sent your Old Wooden Box also, this I hope you’ll excuse as I did not find it out time enough to prevent it Coming to Parris. I remain with Much respect...
13995To Benjamin Franklin from Girardot, Haller & Cie., 17 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messieurs Girardot, Haller & Co. most respectful Compliments to the Honourable Doctr. Franklin And send him the inClos’d letter, should it require An Answer, please to send it to us, and they will take care to forward it, to its addres. Notation: Girardot haller Paris 17. 7bre. 1779. As far as we know, these bankers had last written BF in November, 1778:...
13996To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Casimir, Baron de Holtzendorff, 28 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You have been so Kind as to forward some Letters, from your country, to London, which I had the honour to give you when I arrived; therefore I do myself the pleasure to send you hereby three other ones, I received Lately from carolina I can’t tell by which way, hoping you will be so good again as to forward them too. As for the rest, I’m flattring myself,...
13997To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Carroll, 5 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer Mr. Thomas Ridout brother of Mr John Ridout of this city, with whom I believe you are acquainted, has sollicited me to introduce him to you. As I know him to be a young gentleman of modesty, worth, & good Sense, I have taken that liberty. Any civilities, it may be in your power to shew him, I shall esteem as conferred on myself. He proposes to go...
13998To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 7 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous avés bien voulu hiér mon cher frére, me chargér de votre convérsion: tout directeur, tout ministre, arrange en général les affaires, pour sa gloire et pour son proffit: prenant la charge, j’en prends l’éspoir; ainsi mon chér frére, vous trouvérés bon que selon l’ordre accoutumé, me méslant de vos affaires, j’arrange les miénnes: je ne serai pas trop...
13999To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I duely received your Excellencies Letter, Orders, and Publick dispatches by Count De Vauban. I received also the Letter you did me the honor to write me the 21st. Ult. containing a list of Men who had Served in the Privateer Madame &c.; Upon receipt of which, I immediately made a proper inquiry, and found that my Officer...
14000To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 14 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je viens de recevoir l’honorée vôtre du 3e. Je verrai demain Mr. A—s [Adams], & je lui promettrai les copies qu’il desire, qu’il aura dès que je Serai de retour à Lahaie. Pour de réponse au Mémoire insolent, je sai de notre ami, qu’on n’en fera pas du tout: & c’est, je pense, ce que l’on peut faire de mieux dans ces...
14001To Benjamin Franklin from John Diot & Co., 31 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We did our Selves the honnour to Write to your Excellency, The 12th. Instant, to the contents whereof we beg Leave to Refferr. This Serves Chiefly to forward to your Excellency a Coppy of the Journal of the Black Prince privateer, captn. Pattrick Dowlin Commander, come into the road of Brest the 16th. Instant, to Repair. We wou’d have Sent it Sooner to your...
14002To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Meyronnet de Saint-Marc, 30 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous prevenir, que j’ai reçû il y a quelques jours une Lettre du Vice Consul de françe à L’Isle de Fayal; dans la qu’elle cet officier me donne Avis; qu’ayant reçû du Consul Anglois cinq Americains pris par le Corsaire la Hornett de Bristol Sur le Brigantin la Betsey de Boston . Il Les embarquera sur un des Vaisseaux qu’on expedie de Fayal...
14003To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Mammès Pahin de Champlain de La Blancherie, 1 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai engagé les artistes qui ont exposé des ouvrages aux assemblées depuis le mois de juillet d’en réunir les principaux dans tous les genres à l’assemblée du Vendredi 4 de ce mois qui aura lieu à cinq heures de l’après midi jusqu’à neuf . Je suplie Votre Excellence de Vouloir bien l’honnorer de sa présence et donner aux artistes cette recompense de leurs...
14004To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Penet, 14 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer cy joint un memoire, que des capitaines americains m’ont remis; je vous serai bien obligé de faire scavoir a Mr. vottre parent Williams, resident a nantes, s’il y a moyen d’obtenir du ministre de la marine ce que demendent ces Capitaines par le dit memoire. Il seroit à desirer que cela put avoir lieu, nos batimens partiroients...
14005From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honour to write me on the thirteenth is recieved, and I have accordingly accepted the Bills, and shall draw upon your Excellency about the Time they become payable, for Money, to enable me to discharge them, provided I should not succeed in my Endeavours to borrow it here. I have hitherto no prospect at all. When I first arrived here, I had such...
14006To Benjamin Franklin from John Penn, 24 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Penn presents his Compts: to Mr. Franklin & has sent his Servt: for the Letters He did Him the honor to promise him. He means to leave Paris as soon as the Bearer returns.— The letters included BF ’s recommendation of Penn to John Dickinson, March 23, above; as Penn was first traveling to England, he also carried BF ’s personal letters to friends...
14007To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 2 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: University of Virginia Library I have recd. your favor of this days date in which you mention a complaint from the House of Penet Da Costa Freres & Co. that the Arms prepar’d in consequence of an agreemt. with me thro’ my Br. were refus’d because they were not furnish’d at the time agreed.— This complaint on the face of it gives its own answr. since...
14008To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Bright, Champion Wood, Levy Yonger, and Bartholomew Cashman, 21 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are very sorry to inform you that after makeing our escape from forton Prison in England by givin four Guineas a Peice to the Comisarys Clarks, thay gave us some of the french Prisoners Names that had enter’d into the Bretish service to pass with the french Prisoners, after we arrived here, we went to the Comisary for a Pass Port to go to LOrient after...
14009To Benjamin Franklin from Brillon de Jouy, [15 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Brillon presente ses respects a Monsieur Franklin. Voicy une lettre qu’il recoit de M. Didelot fermier general qui reclame sa protection auprés du cher Papa en faveur du S. Gellée. Je ne scais s’il compte degeler en amerique. Ce qu’il y a de certain c’est que M. Didelot est un fort gallant homme sur la probité et l’intelligence de qui Monsieur Franklin...
14010To Benjamin Franklin from Elkanah Watson, Jr., and Wanton Casey, 22 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messrs. Watson & Casey, present their respectfull compliments to his Excellency Doctr. Franklin, & beg leave to congratulate him on the important news of the capitulation of Cornwallis; and acquaint Your Excellency that we shall part for Nantes t’morrow afternoon or the ensuing morng. without fault, and shall be happy to be charg’d with any commands You may...