11To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [c. 15 September 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avouë qu’il y a très longtems que je ne vous ai écrit c’est pourquoi je vous écris une lettre assez longue pour vous donner de mes nouvelles. Je pense toujours à vous et je vous envoye pas la pièce de dessin, parceque je veux en faire quatre differentes je fais tous mes efforts pour vous contenter et pour avoir un autre prix l’année prochaine. Je crois...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lest by some accident I should miss the opportunity of travelling with the courier, I sit down just to tell you that I am prepared to depart the instant I hear the commission is sealed, which by the Chancellor having been at Buxton has been for some days delayed. I have got together the different articles committed to my care to procure, and shall not...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Congress has ordered me to prepare and lay before them a State of the pay Rations and Subsistence of the Officers and Men in the Armies of the different powers in Europe—as these often vary I have no means of procuring the necessary information with accuracy from any books I have seen— I am under the...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avoue qu’il y a longtemps que je ne vous ai écrit cependant je pense toujours à vous si j’avois eu plus de temps je vous aurais écris en anglois il y à aussi longtems que vous ne m’avès ècris mais je sçais bien que ce n’est pas de vôtre faute et que c’est les affaires qui vous en enpechent. J’espère que vous aves reçu mon prix dans la derniere lettre je...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society J’avois promis de vous envoyer dans ma première lettre une pièce de dessin, mais ce sera pour une autre fois, m’empressant de vous écrire aujourdui pour vous apprendre que j’ai remporté le prix pour avoir mieux traduit un morceau de latin en françois que les autres écoliers; ce prix se donne publiquement dans léglise cathédrale et par le premier...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg to introduce to your acquaintance my friend Dr. Lister, whom I first became acquainted with at Edinburgh, and who was there a good deal respected for his good character and assiduity, and who I find bears an equal character among his connections here in London. I know him to be a person of very amiable & honorable character in his private conduct,...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [17 or 18 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am arrived once more in this town, and wish to be blessed with one hour’s conversation concerning myself and a brother. You know from my friend Williams that I am obliged to leave my name at Lord Stormonts in consequence of the note I before wrote to him; and if you could give me an interview at a neutral place till I have gone through the ceremony of...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Full of Impatience to recieve a letter from you in order to know the state of your health & whether you consent to my having a wathch as I Desir’d by my Last, I write yo the present Letter, to ask again that Favour and repeat to you that I have not reciev’d the Parcel of Books mention’d in your Letter of the 7 Jan. 1783. I have receiv’d Lately a letter from...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [before 19 November 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a letter with some philosophical papers which will reach you as soon as I find an opportunity, & by which you will be informed of the reasons of my long silence. In the mean time I proceed to give you some necessary intelligence. You perhaps have heard that I have made a connection in the family of Mr Manning, a West India merchant; & that Col...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 7 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society So peculiarly a good Opportunity as by the hands of your amiable Grandson, I could not let slip, without thanking you for the Favour of your Letter by Mr. Pigot. I am much obliged by those Terms of respect & Sentiments of Good-will you are so Kind to express relative to Me & Mine. I still wait the happy Issue. No material Alteration has yet happen’d in the...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberte to wright to you for to tell you that I am in good health M Marignac Gives his compliments to you and says that I am a good boy I will do all that can for to be the first of the class M. Cramer is in good health give my compliments to my cossin and to cochran and to Deine A have notings mor for to tell you for the presente. I am your...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If I was to permit my friend and nabour Mr. Green to visit Paris without convaying this to your excellency, I should think myself defecient in that friendship I have ever wished to shew him. He is an Artist of distinguished merrit in Mezzatinto engraving, and has done most of the esteemed prints in that manner from my paintings. He visits France in the line...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Guild, 5 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society About six weeks past I arrived at l’Orient from Boston. Since my arrival I have purchased a Brigantine at private sale in l’ Orient and wish to dispach her immediately for Boston. Should therefore be much obliged to your excellency for a passport, that, as she is American property, she may go under the American flag. Her dimensions are 50 feet keel, 18 feet...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 31 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have no pretensions to trouble the person affording me this conveyance with a large pacquet, otherwise I might send you more sheets. We are indeed just finished; only that I have expectations of procuring your preface to Mr Galway’s speech, and in consequence the epitaph; all which can very easily be inserted. Indeed it was through great carelessness that...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Louis Galissard de Marignac: Bill for Benjamin Franklin Bache’s Schooling, [5 … (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Franklin doit pour la pension de Monsieur son petit fils depuis le 5e. 7bre. 1780 jusqu’au 5. Fevrier 1781. 5 Mois £229 — ” — ” — Papier, encre & plumes 2— 10— ” — 4. Rubans de queuë 1— 6— ” — pre. [paire] boucles 1— 3 — ” — Canif
26To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 12 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous écris cette lettre pour vous donner de mes nouvelles et pour vous en demander des vôtres je ne vous l’écris pas en anglois parceque je n’y suis pas bien perfectionné mais la première lettre que je vous ècrirai je vous l’ècrirai en anglois et je vous enverrai en même temps de mon dessin. J’ai deja fait un joli paisage et j’ai entrepris un autre petit...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 7 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Bowen has by this time received your books, directed to Ostend.— May you go on with the work of peace for which you are so gloriously prepared by the spirit of sweet humanity & an enlarged mind. I think I may venture to say from a knowledge of characters that no liberality YOU introduce herein, will meet with a repulse; on the contrary, that it will meet...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 30 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have not been able to bring our business to a conclusion within a sheet , and I choose to send the whole together: It cannot now be more than a week. The Bp. of St. A. has given another motto for a head that is engraved;— “ Non sordidus auctor naturœ verique .” I hope I am not usually presumptuous or sanguine; but I guess you will not be displeased with...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous avouë qu’il y a Longtemps, que je ne vous ai écrit, Mais il y a encore plus longtemps, que je n’ai eu de vos nouvelles; j’aurois aimé que mon cher cousin ou mon ami Cochran m’eussent ecrit; si vos ocupations, comme je le pense, vous empechoient de le faire Monsieur Marignac et moi aurions été tres en peine, si nous n’avions pas eu de vos nouvelles...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 29 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress B. Vaughan presents his best respects to Dr: Franklin and incloses him some papers for perusal at his leisure . He sends them for several reasons. To shew, first, that neither his head nor his heart have been unoccupied upon the subject of America; to prove in the next place, under what disadvantages every man enters upon the subject, without information from thence;...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed I believe is what you wished; and it is of the party’s hand writing. His account of himself may be natural, and it may be otherwise. But you of course will be the best judge. On Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock I shall bring the lady we spoke of to visit you, according to your kind permission.—The more I see of her, the more her appearance of...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 18 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I profitted so much by your kindness and conversation while I was abroad that I cannot refuse an Application from a young Student for a letter of introduction to you in order that he may assist in obtaining your Mantle and transporting it to your Native country before you leave our world.— The bearer Dr Saml Griffitts has genius and an insatiable desire for...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous ecris cette lettre pour vous dire combien je m’amuse a Geneve parceque Mr Marignac a loué une petite campagne près de la ville d’ou nous venons tous les matins pour aller au college et nous nous en retournons tous les soirs et nous y couchons mais une chose qui me fait bien de la peine c’est que la foire na pas eu lieu a cause des affaires de Genève...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a long Weariness caus’d by not receiving Letters from any of my freinds. I write you to engage you or My Cousin to write me the state of your health. I have heard from Johonnot that our Good General Washington intend’s coming to France. I heard also from the Same that you have made medals for the Liberty of my Dear Country having Said Before Mr...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai Reçue votre lettre du 10 Septembre elle m’a fait un très grand Plaisir parcequ’elle a mit fin a vôtre long silence car j’etois en peine de vous n’ayant point de vos nouvelles. J’ai regardé vôtre silence à Legard des livres dont je vous ai parlé comme vôtre Consentement et comme Mr Marignac craignoit qu’on ne les vendit il les a acheté. Je suis très...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 423–4. I cannot but in the most earnest manner and from recent circumstances, press your going early to Versailles to-morrow; and I have considerable reason to think, that your appearance there will not displease the person whom you address. I am of opinion...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 17 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed letter to Mr Coxe is from one of his family.— I have taken the liberty of addressing it to your care. Your conveying it safely to Mr Coxe will Oblige a worthy family, and Sir Your most Hble Servant Addressed: The Honble: / Benjamin Franklin Esqr: / Minister Plenipotentiary / from the / United States at / the Court of Versailles. Endorsed: Dr...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have receiv’d the 24 May your kind letter dated the 2 and Mme Montgomery’s which was inclosed in it, By Mr Ridley Conductor of the young Morris’s as well as the medal you please to Send me you Refuse me a wacth I dont Insist on asking it no more. I thought that I could obtain one for 2 reasons 1° Every Boy of my Society has one or gold or at lest Silver...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Oliver has written me a letter from Barbadoes, desiring me to procure from my connections letters to the French Governors of Grenada & St. Vincents; in both which islands he has property, more particularly in the former. As I take for granted this hint was intended for you , and will be such as your opinion of him will induce to comply with; I take the...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I Reciv’d your Letter dated the 7 January the 18 of the same month. I wrote your Letter a little in a hurry because the night was coming on and that I wanted to put the letter to the Post office that made me forget the date but I will try to forget it no more. I have not receiv’d the parsel of Books you mentioned me in your letter that you had sent to...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Pierce et al., 3 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The known goodness of your disposition and firm attachment to the Welfare of America has emboldned us to make application to your Excellency in this manner in preference to any other, being destitute of Friends in France, and ignorant of the method made use of for the redress of grievances. Some of us applied, upon our Arrival here to Captain Landais...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Louis Galissard de Marignac: Bill for Benjamin Franklin Bache’s Schooling, [5 May–5 … (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Franklin doit pour la pension de Monsieur son petit fils depuis le 5e. May au 5e. 7bre 1780 £175.10.” Papier, encre plumes & cahiers 4. ”.” pr. racommoder ses bas 3. ”.” Une Médecine 1. ”.” pr. l’achat de 12. Mouchoirs 9.10.” pr. une ligne ”.12.” comptes à Mr. Aval 10.10. ” Prix des bonnes Notes ”.10.” pr. differens ports de lettres 5.”.”
43To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [29 September 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous écris ce petit mot pour vous dire combien L’arrivée de Mr Cooper Johonnot m’a fait de plaisir et je vous assure que quand vous m’enverrès des americains cela me fera on ne peut pas plus de plaisir. Je me perfectionerai dans peu de temps dans l’anglois il me parle deja beaucoup et je lui reponds comme je peux je me porte très bien. Je suis toujours...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [5 November 1782 or later?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I find that I can go off with convenience very early on Thursday morning; and therefore if agreeable, should wish you to give me your letter for Mr: T: T: tomorrow evening , as it may furnish with me with a probable occasion of speaking to that gentleman about certain affairs. Mr: H:’s letter may come under cover to me by a courier.— The very moment a certain event...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 2 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of the 23 June the 29 of the same mounth I was very glad when I read that you desir’d me to come at Passy during the Vacation of the School to See you, I have been Sick, but I Am now recover’d and Strong enough to undertake the Jorney. By the Complasance of Mr Pigott I went I great many times beffor my sickness to dine to his...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [on or after 20 April 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Benjamin F. Bailar, Houston, Texas (1990) Je prens la liberté de vous écrire pour vous informer de ma santé aussi bien que de mon voyage ou nous avons essuyé quelques malheurs nous arrivames à Genéve lundi et j’ai été en pension le jour suivant ou je ferai mon possible pour bien travailler et pour vous satisfaire j’espère que je receverai la réponse le plutôt qu’il vous sera possible je...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 21 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ne soyez pas ètonné si je vous écris une lettre qui est si prês de l’autre c’est pour vous demander permission d’acheter un livre qui est instructif et qui en même temps me plairoit beaucoup c’est (le Voyageur françois) en 28 Volumes mais Mr. Marignac n’a pas jugé apropos de me l’acheter, ni moi même parcequ’il coutoit 9 Louis et demi, voila mon Cher grand...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous écris cette lettre pour vous apprendre de mes nouvelles et pour m’informer de vôtre sante. Je n’ai point eu de prix cette année, mais si l’on avoit fait un prix de bonnes notes je L’aurois eu; parceque je l’emportois sur tous ceux de ma bande ce prix ne se donne pas a St pierre mais pourtant cela marque que L’on s’est appliqué toute L’année. Les...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 6 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Souhaiterois beaucoup d’avoir de vos nouvelles, mais je pense que les affaires vous empechent de m’écrire, car sans cela je serois fort en peine, mais du moins je voudrois que mon cousin me donnât de vos nouvelles, et en même temps des siennes, ainsi que mon ami Cockran, je voudrois aussi avoir des nouvelles de mon papa et de ma mama. Je me porte très...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Least by any Accident, I should fail of a safe Arrival at France, I wish to inform you, that, I have not relinquished the Idea, or by any means, quitted my Resolution but too long since form’d, of waiting on your Excellency on the subject of the two Vessels which some months since I had the honor to represent to your Excellency thro Mr. Lovell, & by my own...
51To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous ne sauries croire combien m’a fait de plaisir vôtre lettre, parcequ’il y avoit longtemps que je n’avois de vos nouvelles, et j’etois tres en peine de vous, je vous ecrirai le plus exactement que je pourrai, j’ai été fort content d’apprendre qu’Adams avec son frere viendront peut être à Geneve, parceque cela m’entretiendra beaucoup mon anglois. Les...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 27 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis très ètonné de ce que vous ne m’aves pas ecrit il faut que vos affaires vous en empechent car je suis sur que vous ne m’oublies pas: Les affaires de Genêve sont remises en un assez Bon état et par consèquent je suis revenu de Gachet qui est comme je vous ai deja dit la Campagne du Frere de Monsieur de Marignac et nous allons j’espère Bientôt...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 10 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Thos. Oliver of Lowlayton, Mr Richd. Oliver’s Cousin & the partner of Mr Lovel, thinks it adviseable to send the inclosed; & as he seemed anxious about it, I did not prevent his satisfying his own mind & being also satisfied about my good wishes to the Alderman. Being told that the Grenada people who went on Sunday, would take no letters I deferred...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have this instant heard of this opportunity. I can put up nothing; scarcely this letter. Every thing appears to me huddled and uncertain; we were a little up, but the apparent imbecillity of those to act against us, has let the spirit cool again very much. And danger made a cry for unanimity that did us mischief. Your paper about the aurora has been a good...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 15 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A very respectable planter of Antigua writes to desire of Mr Manning, “as a particular favor, that he would procure for his son a letter to Dr Franklin, as he is desirous he should know one of the first characters this age has produced.” The young gentleman, Mr Mackinnen, who presents you with this letter is the person alluded to, and though he is...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Chew, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will Excuse the liberty I take in Writeing to you in the fameliar Stile I am about Respecting my brother Sufferers in forton Prison who are Really Distresst for the Necessaries of Life Which Could they Get a Small Part of what is due them from the Commissioners would in a Great Measure Relieve them from their Present Distresst Situation If not...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very glad that you write to me very often I pray you too continu it I am very sorry because I have not put the date to my letres but I will put it to the fust letre I have recived your print and accept it Mr Marignac has bought me a dictionary I am very glad that you will send my some books inglith the scolars have leave ventuige [the advantage?]...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous ècris ne voulant pas perdre courage de ce que vous ne m’ècrivez pas il y a longtems que je n’ai eu de vos nouvelles, les dernieres que J’ai eu etoient par Mr Pigott. Je vous prierai si vous ne pouvez m’ècrire a cause de vos affaires de me faire ècrire un mot par Mon cousin car Mr Marignac et moi Sommes fort en peine ne recevant point de vos...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 23 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr Rush’s most respectful compliments to his venerable father, and friend Benjamin Franklin Esqr &c and begs the favor of him to forward the enclosed letters to the persons to whom they are addressed.— He has left one of them open for the Doctors perusal—in which he will see that the good old cause continues to flourish under the auspices of heaven and our...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Hill, 14 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Not knowing but my letter which I wrote you the 29th: of march (informing you of my determination to goe with capt. Jones expecting him to cruise Homewards &c.) might have miscarryed I therefore Have made free to troble you with another beging the favour of you sence I have been so disappointed in the Ranger, to procure me some way To America, or if...