51To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 11 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Grand has communicated to me a Letter from your Excellency to him, relating to certain Charges in your Account, on which you seem to desire to have my Opinion. As we are all new in these Matters, I consulted when I was making up my Accounts, one of the oldest Foreign Ministers here, as to the Custom in such Cases. He informed me, that it was not perfectly uniform with the Ministers of all...
52From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 11 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and two press copies: Library of Congress; two copies, press copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Columbia University Library Mr. Grand has communicated to me a Letter from your Excellency to him, relating to certain Charges in your Account, on which you seem to desire to have my Opinion. As we are all new in these Matters, I consulted...
53To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 30 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that unless the Specie he sent to Holland is stopt there, I shall not be in a Condition to...
54From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress This is to request that you will accept no more Bills with an Expectation of my Paying them, till you have farther Advice from me: For I find that Mr. Laurens, who went away without informing me what he had done, has made so full a Disposition of the Six Millions granted at my Request before his Arrival, that...
55To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 7 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
Dr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Adams, and sends such of his Trunks as can be got at; W.T.F. in whose Chamber it is suppos’d there may be more, being gone to Paris; and having with him Mr. F’s Carriage prevents his waiting on Mr. Adams immediately as he would otherwise wish to do; but Mr. F. requests the Honour of Mr. Adams’s Company at Dinner to-morrow. RC ( Adams Papers ).
56From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 7 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Adams, and sends such of his Trunks as can be got at; W.T.F. in whose Chamber it is suppos’d there may be more, being gone to Paris; and having with him Mr F’s Carriage prevents his waiting on Mr Adams immediately as he would otherwise wish to do; but Mr F. requests the Honour of Mr Adams’s Company at Dinner...
57To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 6 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I some time since gave Orders as you desired to Mr. Grand, to furnish you with a Credit in Holland for the Remainder of your Salary to November next. But I am now told that your Account having been mixt with Mr. Dana’s, he finds it difficult to know the Sum due to you. Be pleased therefore to State your Account for two Years, giving Credit for the Sums you have receiv’d, that an Order may be...
58From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 6 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I some time since gave Orders as you desired to Mr. Grand, to furnish you with a Credit in Holland for the Remainder of your Salary to November next. But I am now told that your Account having been mixt with Mr. Dana’s, he finds it...
59To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 12 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
Since my last of the 6th. Instant there have been several Arrivals in France from America. I have Letters from Philda. of the 20th. June, tho’ none from Congress. The Advices are, that General Green has taken all the Enemy’s Out Posts in So. Carolina and Georgia, and that their Possession in those Provinces is reduc’d to Charlestown and Savannah. In North Carolina they also have Wilmington....
60From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Since my last of the 6th. Inst. there have been several Arrivals in France from America. I have Letters from Philda. of the 20th. June, tho’ none from Congress. The Advices are, that General Green has taken all the Enemy’s Out Posts in So. Carolina & Georgia, and that their Possession in those Provinces is reduc’d...
61To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I yesterday received Dispatches from Congress, refusing for the present, the Dismission I had requested, and ordering me upon an Additional Service, that of being join’d with yourself and Messrs. Jay, H. Lawrence and T. Jefferson, in Negociations for Peace. I would send you a Copy of the Commission, and of another which authorizes us to accept...
62From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 16 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I yesterday received Dispatches from Congress, refusing for the present, the Dismission I had requested, and ordering me upon an Additional Service, that of being join’d with yourself and Messrs. Jay, H. Lawrence and T. Jefferson, in Negociations...
63From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 28 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The Bearer, Mr Harrison, is a young Gentleman of good Fortune & Character, a Native of Philadelphia, and extremely well recommended to me by Persons of Distinction there. I beg leave to introduce him to your Excellency & to request for him your Protection and Counsels. He will explain to you his Views in going to Holland, where he purposes to reside some...
64To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 31 August 1781 (Adams Papers)
I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 17th. Instant inclosing a Copy of one from Mr. John Ross, acquainting me with the Presentation to you of 51 Bills Drawn in his Favour the 22 June last on Mr. Henry Laurens; for the Sum of 40,950 Guilders; and desiring to know whether I will pay them. I have already paid or provided for the Payment of all the former Congress...
65From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 17th. Inst. inclosing a Copy of one from Mr. John Ross, acquainting me with the Presentation to you of 51 Bills Drawn in his Favour the 22 June last on Mr. Henry Laurens; for the Sum of 40,950 Guilders; and desiring to know...
66To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 5 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on your Recovery. I hope this Seasoning will be the means of securing your future Health, by accomodating your Constitution to the Air of that Country. Here are Advices from Admiral de Grasse, which left him the 13th of August coming out of Straits of Bahama, with 28 Sail, of the Line; bound to Chesapeak Bay: unless he should meet at Sea a call to N. York from...
67From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 5 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I congratulate your Excellency on your Recovery. I hope this Seasoning will be the means of securing your future Health, by accommodating your Constitution to the Air of that Country. Here are Advices from Admiral de Grasse, which left him the 13th of August coming out of Straits of Bahama, with 28 Sail, of the...
68From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12[–16] October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 4th. Instant. I have never known a Peace made, even the most advantageous, that was not censured as inadequate, and the Makers condemn’d as injudicious or corrupt. Blessed are the Peacemakers , is I suppose to be understood in the other World: for in this they are more frequently...
69To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 12 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 4th. Instant. I have never known a Peace made, even the most advantageous, that was not censured as inadequate, and the Makers condemn’d as injudicious or corrupt. Blessed are the Peace makers , is I suppose to be understood in the other World: for in this they are more frequently cursed. Being as yet rather too much...
70To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 22 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have written to Messrs. Fizeau & Grand impow’ring them to draw on me at 30 Days sight for the Sums you may want from time to time to discharge the Acceptances of which you have given me Notice. The Queen was this Day happyly delivered of a Prince, which occasions great Joy. Inclos’d I send you Copies of more Letters relating to the Ship South Carolina. Please to inform me whether the Ships...
71From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 22 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have written to Messrs. Fizeau & Grand impow’ring them to draw on me at 30 Days sight for the Sums you may want from time to time to discharge the Acceptances of which you have given me Notice. The Queen was this Day happyly delivered of a Prince, which occasions great Joy. Inclos’d I send you Copies of more...
72To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 7 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have been honoured with the following Letters from your Excellency during the last Month, viz. of the 4th. 10th. 18th. 22d. 22d. 25th. 26th. and 27th. which I should have answered sooner, but that I waited for a safe Opportunity, having reason to believe that all your Letters to me by the post are opened, and apprehending the same of mine to you. I send herewith the Covers and Seals of those...
73From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 7 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have been honoured with the following Letters from your Excellency during the last month, viz. of the 4th. 10th. 18th. 22d. 25th. 26th. & 27th. which I should have answered sooner, but that I waited for a safe Opportunity, having reason to believe that all your Letters to me by the post are opened, and...
74From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 8 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society The Bearer, Mr Fox, is a young Gentleman of Philadelphia, Son of one of my old Friends, and otherwise well recommended to me by some of the principal People of that Place. I beg leave to present him to your Excellency, and to request for him your Counsels, Civilities and Protection, of which I am persuaded you will find him deserving. With great Respect,...
75To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 23 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on the late great Event. I received yours of the 12th. I wrote my Mind fully on the Subject of the Goods in mine to you by Mr. Fox, which I suppose must have come to your hands soon after that Date. Gillon wrote to me that Mr. Searle and Jackson were gone to France.1 As it is so long since, and they are not arrived, I suppose it may be true that they are gone to...
76From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 23 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I congratulate your Excellency on the late great Event. I received yours of the 12th. I wrote my Mind fully on the Subject of the Goods in mine to you by Mr. Fox, which I suppose must have come to your hands soon after that Date. Gillon wrote to me that Mr. Searle & Jackson were gone to France. As it is so long...
77To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honour’d with yours of the 19th. Inst. I received a Letter from Capt. Jackson dated at Bilbao the 12th. in which he mentions nothing of his departing thence for America, so that I should have continued to expect him here, if he had not written positively to you of that Intention. Mr: Barclay, the Consul, too, I thought would have been here before this time, and I know not what detains him...
78From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress I am honour’d with yours of the 19th. Inst. I received a Letter from Capt. Jackson dated at Bilbao the 12th. in which he mentions nothing of his departing thence for America, so that I should have continued to expect him here, if he had not written positively to you of that Intention. Mr: Barclay, the...
79To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 6 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
I am honour’d with your Excellency’s Letters of the 22d and 26th. past. The Proposal relating to the Goods was, you say, more unreasonable than you expected. It did not so much surprise me, who possess a former Sample exactly of the same Stile and Sentiment, and I therefore think this to be of the same Author. His Professions of Disinterestedness with regard to his Shares, are in my Opinion...
80From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 6 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I am honour’d with your Excellency’s Letters of the 22d. and 26th. past. The Proposal relating to the Goods was, you say, more unreasonable than you expected. It did not so much surprise me, who possess a former Sample exactly of the same Stile and Sentiment, and I therefore think this to be of the same Author.—...