1Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 3 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is Mr. Ebenezer Platt; with whose sufferings in the cause of America you are not unacquainted. He has lately got released from his confinement in consequence of a Petition from the Committee for American Prisoners. Mr. Platt is desirous of returning to his Country; and every mode but the one through France being stop’d I have taken the...
2Matthew Ridley to the Commissioners, 29 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Meeting accidentally, when in London, with a Manuscript Book of the Commissioners of the English Navy, a few Years back; containing a very accurate description of the Dimensions, Guns, Men &ca. of most Ships then in Commission; various calculations for the purpose of Ship building and repairing; the duties of the several Officers in their different stations on board Ships of War, and other...
3Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 29 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Paris, September 29, 1778: A number of years ago, in London, I came upon a manuscript book of the commissioners of the English navy. It contains accurate descriptions of the ships and their equipment then in commission as well as calculations for their repair and the duties of their officers. Conceiving this...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 24 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Massachusetts Historical Society The memorandum you were pleased to entrust me with relative to the Manuscripts in the hands of J Massey, I sent to my Friend in London, desiring him to apply to Massey about them.— I have a Letter from my Friend by this days Post adviseing me he had made the application, and was told they had been disposed of...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 4 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being much taken up with preparations for my departure to America has prevented me makeing you my congratulations, earlier, on your appointment as sole Commissioner from the United States of America, to the Court of Versailles— Tho’ late, I trust you will not think me less sincere.— My Wishes are, that you may long live to enjoy your appointment; that you...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 6 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Midy de la Grainerais of Rouen being desirous of seeing you to ask some Questions relative to a deed of a Mr. Shaffre’s for Lands in Pensylvania, has begd of me to give him a Letter to you for the purpose.— I have told him I doubted much your power of giving him any Information: but he still wishes to see you— Monsieur de la Grainerais has been...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 7 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley has the Honor to present his Respects to Mr. Franklin & incloses him 14 Bills numbered as underneath which he begs the favor of him to accept & return with the Letter intended for Holland. No. 48 –––––– 12 302 –––––– 18 187 –––––– 300 180 –––––– 18 2571 –––––– 24 661 –––––– 120 492 Dollars Addressed: A Son Excellence / Son Excellence B Franklin...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 10 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Vessell is arrived here from Baltimore. She brings Letters dated as late as the 15h: April.— Got out of the Capes the 7th. May— It appears Mons de La Luzerne’s House at Philadelphia had been struck in the Month of April with Lightning— From the account given of it—The House appears in a manner to rent in pieces—some Furniture inside the House burnt & a...
9To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 13 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did not write you last Tuesday as I had it not in my power to inform you with any certainty on the Subject my Letter was intended for. I can now assure you the Marquis de la Fayette will not leave home this summer. Monsieur de la Touche with the Eagle and some other Frigates have by this time sailed, with sundry Vessels under Convoy, having on board Stores Cloathing &ce for both Armies. A...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 2 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr. Ridley has the honor to present his respects to Mr. Franklin.— The inclosed obligation was Sent Mr Ridley by Mr. Johnson for the purpose of procuring a Letter of Marque for a Vessel at Nantes— As Mr. Johnson is very pressing with Mr. Ridley to forward it, he will think himself obliged to Mr. Franklin if he will...
11To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 20 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I doubt not you have e’er this thought me slow in keeping the promise I made of writing to you. I have had many Reasons for defering it; but amongst others the desire of writing you with some certainty of the Tempers of People here. I have had one very serious Conversation with, J. He appears to me very desirous of seeing you—were it only for a few Hours—he says he has some Things to consult...
12To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 20 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
The present Letter is on a Subject, which, tho’ in itself little interesting to others, is, to me, as desiring to retain your good opinion, much so. The Subject I allude to, is that of the Loan negotiated by me in Holland for the state of Maryland. I should be sorry, after the repeated proofs I received of confidence and politeness from you, that you should conceive me reserved and close—yet...
13To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing you a few Posts since. I now inclose you a Letter which will communicate something agreeable. The Grand difficulty being removed I have now some hopes of seeing you in this part of the World. Personal motives engage me strongly to wish it but public ones which are of more weight seem to require it. By the Vessels, arrived at L’Orient are Letters as late as the...
14To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 21 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I was honored with your favors covering Letters for Mr Jay which I delivered. My Papers are packd up as I am moving from my present Hotel. This is the Reason I cannot mark the dates: but the last was the 8h. Currt: I have delayed writing in Answer, being continually buoyed up with Hopes of seeing you here: and this is the Reason Mr Jay has not wrote. He desires me however to remember him to...
15Matthew Ridley to the American Peace Commissioners, [before 6 May? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my return from Versailles I found a Letter from my Friend Mr. Joshua Johnson at Nantes covering the Inclosed Extract of a Letter from Mr S Chase & sent him by his Brother the Governor of Maryland— Mr. J. Johnson desires me to communicate the Intelligence it contains to you & also to the Ministers of the French Court—it being probably the only authentic...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, [23 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin & begs the honor of his Company at Dinner on Wednesday the 25. Currt.— M R begs Leave to inform Dr. Franklin it will be a Christmas dinner &, the principal dainty a Round, of Beef Addressed: A Son Excellence / Son Excellence Monr. Franklin / a Passy The only year that Dec. 25 fell on a Wednesday during...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 2 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty inclosing you a power of Attorney executed by me & to beg you will affix a Certificate there to with your Seal annexed— I should not have given your Excellency this Trouble had not some difficulties been made by the Notary here as to the Form— I would not pretend to dictate to you the form of a Certificate but wish if agreeable to you...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, [5 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley presents his Respects to His Excellency Dr. Franklin & informs him that he is going for Nantes today & will take charge of anything for Mr Williams or others that his Excellency will have to send. Mr Ridley does not know that a pass is necessary but will be thanful for one in case it should be asked for. Mr. Ridley will with Mr Hunt have the honor...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua and Catherine Johnson, and Matthew and Anne Ridley, 13 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Johnson presents their most respectfull compliments to Dr. Franklin & will do themselves the honor to wait on him. Mr. Johnson did not receive the honor of Dr. Franklin’s Billet til late last Evening or he would have returned an immediate answer. Mr. & Mrs. Ridleys Compliments & will do themselves the honor to attend Dr. Franklin today. Johnson’s...
20To John Adams from Matthew Ridley, 28 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you a Letter received by yesterday’s Post from England— M Jay has already advised you of the arrival of M Laurens here. He returns tomorrow by the way of Havre— I do learn that anything is new is stirring— He thinks there will be a change in Ministry— If there is I imagine it will only be a change to strengthen the King’s Party.— They say little or nothing about the...