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...