1021To 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...
1022To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 18 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have several times mentioned to you my son in law being taken and in my last that there was a master of a vesel gone to Exchange for Him. He is since got Home, and has the Prospect of a nother vesel for France, and desiers a Leter to you. I am willing to gratifie him tho I wrot but last week and have nothing more new to write which I was in hopes I...
1023To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste-Xavier Joyeuse, 19 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’interêt que j’ay toujours pris, Monsieur, aux succés des Colonies unies de l’Amerique, vû la bonté qui m’a paru dans leur cause, me donne le desir de tâcher d’y contribuer, si je le pouvais. Le déperissement de l’Armée Anglaise en Amerique, attribué principalement a la mauvaise qualité des Vivres qu’on leur distribüe, dont je lisais le détail, il y a...
1024To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, 19 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Un de mes freres cadets vient d’entrer au service de votre république et j’ai cru cette occasion favorable en vous demandant le service de lui faire passer une lettre (dont je vous prie de prendre lecture) de me procurer l’honneur de vous connaitre personnellement. Il y a longtems, Monsieur que je vous connoissois comme grand phisicien, comme grand orateur,...
1025Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, [after] [19] August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Public Record Office Should have wrote you e’er this! I had no subject to write upon, knowing you have enough else to do besides reading a Scrawl, which signified nothing. Yours of the 19th Inst. came safe to hand, have to say I have done tolerable well with the French Sailors, many of them finding I would pay them no money have decamped; others (some few) have gone on board....
1026Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 22 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should be very glad to know my future destination and how I am to Act in regard to the proceedings of the Admiralty Officers at this port. If I am not dispatched Soon think it Will be Necessary to hawl the Ship on Shore again and Clean her as She is very Dirty and will not Sail without being Clean. I am informed Capt. Green of Philadelphia is Now at...
1027To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 22 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Vous aurez vu, avec Mr. D― par ma lettre du 21e. à Mr. C― la situation très désagréable où je me trouve. Depuis quelques mois la famille où je demeure est un enfer, gouverné par une furie, qui nous fait payer, à ses enfants et à moi, de toutes les manieres possibles à sa méchanceté, les folies qu’elle a faites depuis une année, et qui, de...
1028Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 23 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I have drawn on you in favour of Monsr. L’Escuyer 22d Augt. at one Usance for 6192. 17. 8 which please to honour; this Draft is for a quantity of tricot and Lining on which I have deducted 11 months Discount having bought it at a years Credit. A Bill was presented to me the 20th Inst. drawn by S. Smith at Plymouth for £12 Sterling; I know nothing of this...
1029Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour of the 19th. Instant which in some Measure has given me releaf in respect to Complying with orders from the Minester at Paris, which will be Strictly attended to, on my part, but am very Sorry our Necessities obliges us to Submit to our present hard Fate. However hope you will Contrive to get me away as soon as possible, as I Can...
1030To Benjamin Franklin from C[S?]. P. Heltier [Geltier?], 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Un curieux seroit charmé d’avoir de vous L’explication de la contrariete suivante car vous seul avés parle raison sur L’éléctricité qui vous est si redevable. Tout le monde convient que le tems sec et froid donne le plus d’energie a L’Electricite, au petit tonnere que nous avons entre les mains depuis environ 40 ans: d’un autre coste tout le monde convient...
1031To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Julien Richard de La Prade, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mes compatriotes parlent de vous avec tant de vénération, que je ne crains point de vous prier de favoriser un projet que j’ai conçû depuis quelques années, d’aller etudier la medecine des climats dans les colonies anglaises. On dit que vous etes humain, vrai philosophe et que vous protegez ceux qui cultivent les sciences; ne dois-je pas espérer que vous...
1032To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Rolland, 24 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bellême au Perche, August 24, 1777, in French: Because I have been to America several times, two families have asked me how to emigrate and settle there. The head of one is a retired pilot; the other wants to farm the rich land of Pennsylvania. They ask for recommendations and a free passage to Philadelphia. Unless the war prevents your obliging them, they...
1033To Benjamin Franklin from François-Auguste-Pompée Hennet, 25 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai donné, aussitôt la demande que vous m’avez faite des 4000 sabres, les ordres pour qu’on les disposat le plus promptement possible. Je recois dans l’Instant la réponse et on me marque qu’ils seront prêts dans deux mois, mais qu’on ne pourra en fournir que 2000 semblables au modele que jai eu l’honneur de vous remettre; qu’on pourra, si cela vous...
1034To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Sowden], 25 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library; two partial copies: American Philosophical Society I seize the opportunity of the first post to give you some intelligence which I accidentaly picked up t’other day at the Hague. Being there in company with an old English acquaintance, who is a Man of Character, a zealous advocate for the British Ministry, intimate with all the Dutch Ministers of State, nor...
1035To Benjamin Franklin from [Peter Allaire], 26 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <London, August 26, 1777: He reports intelligence, gathered from one of Germain’s secretaries, about Howe’s and Burgoyne’s forces, the impact in England of the Battle of Trenton and of the capture of the Fox , friction between North and Germain, public puzzlement at the number of officers returning from America, and the likelihood of an insurrection in...
1036To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 26 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Stay’d a day longer in the Country as I had proposed. I recieved now my lettres from London, and can set out for an excursion, whenever you pleas. As I have some business to perform to day in town, I can’t have the pleasur of seing you. I intend to Come to morrow at three o clock at Dinner in purpose to consult you upon the intended sell of my stock and...
1037To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Chariot, 27 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Charlot, neveu de Monsieur Charlot cy devant chef du Bureau de la Guerre, a l’honneur de présenter son respect très-humble à Monsieur franklin, et le prie de lui marquer le jour et l’heur qu’il pourra le Voir. A l’hôtel de Monseigneur le Grand Ecuyer de france au Carousel A Paris In effect an undersecretary, and an influential one; his bureau was charged...
1038Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day drawn on you two drafts the first in favor of L Escuyer at one usance for 3801.15. the second in favor of Peltier Du Doyer at four Usances 2764.7: 6566.2. The first of these drafts is in payment for some Lining for the Soldiers Cloaths, and the last in payment for some Sail Cloth for the Lions Sails. I have recvd. part of the Soldiers...
1039To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did not intend to trouble you any more about Capt. Wickes’s Sailors, but the only obstacle to the Settlement, now is whether they as deserters are intitled to their prize money, and Capt. Wickes does not think (as you will see by his Letters inclosed) that he can do it without an order from you; the Fact is that Capt. W has given these men a sort of...
1040To Benjamin Franklin from Friedrich Barnzen, 29 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Hamburg, August 29, 1777, in German: Your exalted qualities, well known even here, lead me to offer myself as a useful American subject. I was born in Hamburg, have fluent German and Dutch and a reading knowledge of French, and was trained to commerce from my youth; my money is gone, through misfortune, but my good name remains. I was in the Prussian...
1041To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Bedot Fils Ainé, 29 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il m’est aussi doux qu’honorable de vous offrir mes Services dans la partie des Souliers que j’ai toujours traitée. Mes amis de Montauban Ms. Revellat freres m’ont assuré qu’il entroit dans Vos combinaisons d’en commettre: je vous offre de La Marchandise Solide et bonne d’aprés les modeles qui vous seront envoyés, et pour lesquels Vous Vous deciderés. J’en...
1042John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of writing to you from hence the 3d day of June last Copy whereof is here inclosed. Congress have thought fit to put the new Sloop of War therein mentioned, now called the Ranger under my command, and have authorized Genl. Whipple, Colo. Langdon and myself to appoint the Officers. When I took this command, the middle of last month, I found...
1043To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 30 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I found a coach, very easy and very strong, which can keep 4 persons. The bargain, which I was able to make, is to pay 9 livres a day till the 18th and than 6 Livres a day afterwards. Thus if we stay on our journey 16 days, it will cost us only 6 louis d’ors. I am sure it will be impossible to meet with a more reasonnable bargain, as commonly I am assured a...
1044Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 31 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this day received orders from the Minester of Marine at Paris, Notified me by the Comissary and Judge of Admiralty to depart the port imeadiately and not to enter again on any Consideration. I was much surprized to receive those orders without a line from you. I told them I would Sail the first fair Wind and am now preparing for Sea, as fast as possible,...
1045To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway: Two Notes, [August? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These two undated notes, we believe, were written in the order in which we print them, and between hers of April 14 from Ville-d’Avray, near Sèvres, where she was no doubt visiting a friend, and that below of September 1 from her home in Auxerre. These two can be assigned with some confidence to a single month, August. The first note refers to a battle...
1046To Benjamin Franklin from Lebègue de Presle, [August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me suis engagé la derniere fois que J’ai eu l’honneur de vous voir, a vous communiquer quelques details sur le coup de foudre dont a ete frappée la salle d’assemblée de Purfleet; mais je n’ai pu le faire plutot parceque le dessein necessaire pour entendre le rapport etoit chez le graveur. Je vous envoye Monsieur la premiere epreuve avec les circonstances...
1047To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Marin Beaugeard, [before 1 September? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Beaugeard, Tresorier des Etats de Bretagne, prie Messieurs Francklin Pere et fils de lui faire l’honneur de venir diner chez lui lundi prochain premier septembre. Reponse s’il vous plait. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Maison de / M. Le Ray de Chaumont / A Passy pres Paris The year could alternatively be 1783, but 1777 is more plausible because...
1048To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [1 September 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Madame Brillon fait dire a son aimable papa que le jour est pris pour allér au sallon et déjeunér chés monsieur Vérnet jeudi; mércredi on prendra l’heure et les arrangemens. Madame Brillon prie le bon papa de venir a 6 heures précises prendre le thé mércredi parceque monsieur Wattellét et madame le comte viénnent ce jour la disnér avéc elle. Si le papa...
1049To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway, 1 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am most trouble and perplex for the news ill, that I See in the gazette of Europe. It is true that our friends have to quit ticonderago? I hope not, and as I Suppose that you are instructed better that me, I pray you Dear Sir, do me the kindness of to get me out anxiety were I am upon our friends and upon my dear husband. You are dear Sir all my Comfort,...
1050To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Sowden], [1 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last post I had the honour to write and forward you a Letter to the care of that Young Gentleman who was charged about ten weeks since with the delivery of my Large packet for Messrs. Rumsey and Gordon jointly, and who, in a Line that accompanied it to Yourself, I told You had lived many Years with me. As it is of importance You should have that Letter, I...