271To Benjamin Franklin from [Duportail], 16 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Comme je ne trouve point à vous proposer d’autres conditions principales de notre arrangement que celles exposées dans ma derniere lettre du 12, je vous seray obligé de les examiner et m’instruire le plustôt possible du party que vous prenèz. J’ai absolument besoin de scavoir à quoy m’en tenir sur tout cela et d’ailleurs, selon ce que vous m’avèz fait...
272The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
273Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Yale University Library The two last days have been employed in going to Painbeuf (about 30 miles hence) examining the Mercury, and returning to Nantes. I have the pleasure to inform you that what I have hitherto seen is very satisfactory, the Mercury appears to be a very good Ship, 7 Years old, burden 300 Tons (Mr. Peltrier thinks 350,)...
274To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier d’Anmours, 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Madam La Marquise de Saineville, has Sent me, inclos’d in one of her letters, another, which at her Recommandation, and that of Mr. l’abbé Raynal, you were So good to write in my favour to Mr. Moris, your friend in Philadelphia. Your Réputation, Sir, makes me acquainted with its Value, and that Value Engages my most Sinceres Sentiments of Gratitude. Accept...
275To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society My last was the 14th, since Which I have not been favored with a Line from your Side. Every Day more and more confirms your just Observation, That “implacable Malice and Hatred” would soon (in Case of Separation) take place of mutual affection, and Friendship. In the politest and best Families of this City, and among Even the most gentle, and humane of the...
276Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d you have a letter and Inventory of the Frigate the Count of Maurepat. It is the same Vessell that I saw at L Oriont and Calld the St. John. I think her Inventory is very short and will want a Large Addition if fitted for a Ship of War. The Defishencys I Hope will be pointed out by Capt. Nicholson When translated into Inglish. I hope Capt. Nicholson...
277Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library In your instructions to me you mention another Vessell which Mr. Beaumarchais proposes to send to America with Stores, but I can gain no Information of any such Vessell, Mr. Peltrier tells me he knows nothing about it. There is indeed a Ship (the St. Dominique) which Mr. Peltrier bought at the same time that he bought the mercury, and which he is to load on...
278To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Echlin, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ I have not The honour of being personally known to you, I thus venture to address you, not as a Country man, but as a fellow creature, who is reduced by a Captivity of upwards of three years; by Sickness, and Every sort of Evil to the last degree of unhappyness. I am thus compel’d to have Recourse to this most humiliating method of Subsisting. Your...
279To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Paulze, 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Paulze souhaite le bonjour à M. francklin et lui rapelle la promesse qu’il a faite a M. Grand de lui faire l’honneur de diner chés lui mardi prochain 21 de ce mois avec M. son petit fils et MM. Dean, Lée et autres des MM. du Congres qui voudront lui faire cet honneur. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Docteur f[ranklin] / hotel D’hambourg / rue Jacob....
280To Benjamin Franklin from Pecholier Frères, 18 January 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society ⟨Bordeaux, January 18, in French: Our good friend M. Ternant, who sailed for Cap Français on the 15th, sent us the enclosed letter for you, which we hasten to send on. If you wish to write him by us, we will forward your letters with the same promptness.⟩ The letter above, Jan. 15.
281To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have written the inclosed because I feel myself very uneasy least I should be liable to the charge of double dealing but if you do not think a longer silence will be construed to my disadvantage, I confess it appears best that the Letter should not go. You know my only motives, and can best judge of the probability of my return or stay, I therefore beg...
282To Benjamin Franklin from [Duportail], 19 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosphical Society Faute d’entendre suffisamment l’anglois et plus encore de le lire non imprimé je n’ay pu comprendre la Reponse que vous m’avèz fait l’honneur de m’adresser à versailles. J’esperois trouver icy un de mes amis qui y auroit suppleé mais comme il est absent je suis obligé d’avoir Recours à vous même. Cependant autant que j’ai pu deviner il me semble que vous...
283The Duc de La Rochefoucauld to Franklin and Silas Deane, 20 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first communication from a man who, with his mother, soon became part of Franklin’s circle, and who corresponded with him intermittently for the rest of the Doctor’s life. Franklin had met the mother, the duchesse d’Enville, on one of his earlier visits to Paris, and the son at a dinner in London in 1769; but the connection seems to have been...
284Dumas to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Depuis mes deux Lettres du 22 et 26e. Nov. qui sont, je pense, celles dont Mr. Deane m’accuse la réception dans la sienne du 13e. Dec. J’eus l’honneur de lui en écrire une autre le 17e. du dit Dec. et enfin une dans les derniers jours du même mois de l’année passée, dont j’ai oublié de marquer sur mon...
285[Duportail] to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien faché d’avoir entendu précisement le contraire de ce que vous me faisièz l’honneur de m’ecrire et que cela nous ait fait perdre un temps pretieux: mais je vais tacher de le reparer. Je pars ce soir pour versailles afin de scavoir les intentions du ministere, car (ainsi que je crois vous l’avoir dit) il me parut la derniere fois s’etre un peu...
286Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have finished my examination of the Mercurys Cargo and have patterns of the several kinds of Goods, which I shall shew you at my return: I have opened in all ten Cases and Bales and find them in good order. The last Lighter Load of Goods will be ready to go to the ship tomorrow morning, and I hope to include in it all the provisions &c.; by the common...
287To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dubourg’s inventiveness seems to have been his chief, if not his only, qualification as an entrepreneur. When he learned that the commissioners’ negotiations with the farmers general had broken down on the issue of shipping, he returned to the “grande affaire” that he had mentioned in an earlier letter, that of forming a company to bring the tobacco to...
288To Benjamin Franklin from Montaudoüin, 21 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Cette lettre vous sera remise par Mr. de L’Etombe Conseiller au Conseil Superieur du Port au Prince isle St. Domingue. Ce Magistrat recomandable par son honnetete, ses moeurs, et ses lumieres a un grand desir de vous connoître. C’est un desir asses naturel, on aime a rendre hommage a la vertu, et a la science. Il m’a prié, Monsieur, de vous le recommander,...
289To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., [21?] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed is for the Deputies. I propose to expedite Monsieur Le Chevalier de mauduit du plessis in the mercury, for I know of no better way and the warmth of his Reccommendation requires the best. Altho’ I can say nothing in alteration of what I have written to the Deputies about Mr. P, yet I confess it creates an uneasy Reflection, for I hope it is no...
290Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dubourg a l’honneur de souhaiter le bonjour a Monsieur Franklin, Monsieur Deane et Monsieur Lee; et les supplie d’accorder une audience favorable a M. Bayard qui a des objets importans a leur communiquer, et sur l’honneteté et la solidité duquel ils peuvent compter avec la plus parfaite assurance. Notation: Notes of no Consequence Bayard & Cie. was a...
291Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure to inform you that the last Lighter went to the Ship yesterday afternoon on board of which are all the provisions &c. except live Stock, which will be bought at Painbeuf. She is cleared at the Custom house and I hope will have all ready to heave up her anchor by monday. I shall go to her on sunday morning to give a last look and hope to...
292To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 23 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Opportunity of our worthy Friend Mr. Strange just to ask you how you do, and to acquaint you that all my Family are in perfect Health, and remember you with great Esteem and Affection, particularly your Wife, who expects, as you are now so near, that you will soon pay her a Visit. Sir John Pringle I see often. He is quite well (want of Sleep only...
293To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Lefébvre, [before 24 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur de Franklin, et Monsieur son petit fils sont prié par Lefébvre de luy faire l’honneur, et L’amitié de diner chez Luy mardy 27. vingt sept Janvier. Il est Bien faché que ses Messieurs soient engagés pour samedy 24. devant avoir ce même jour Messieurs Les Marêchaux de Clermont tonnere, et de Brissac; Il a L’honneur d’assurer Messieurs de Franklin de...
294To Benjamin Franklin from [the Comte de Sarsfield], [before 26 May 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have made an alteration in the plan of the Spanish reading which I proposed to you the last time I had the honour to See you. I confine it for this moment to the teatro de España by one Garma but If you have a curiosity to know some others, the following you may Send for when ever you please, observing only to write a note A Monsieur Oudin chez Mr. Lecomte...
295Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 25 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just informed that the amphitrite is at last gone, she sail’d yesterday morning at 7 oClock. I have recd. Letters from Monsieur Du Coudray of the 22d and 23d Instant, by which I find he has sent me 7 officers and their Baggage; He names 4 for the 3 I agreed to take, and afterward 3 more, two of which he says are more necessary than even the Fusils and...
296To Benjamin Franklin from [Duportail], 25 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La Cour me permet d’executer mon projet et même en faveur de ce voyage et pour me recompenser d’un grand travail pour le Corps qui vient d’être terminé, elle me donne le tître de lieutenant-colonel du Corps Royal du genie, comme j’auray l’honneur de vous le faire voir par le congé que je dois recevoir sous deux ou trois jours. C’est parce que j’avois lieu...
297To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 25 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I never will lose the memory of the honour I had of your acquaintance in london Some years ago, I am not less Confident that you have not quite forgotten it. I hope to be in paris within Some few weeks, and it will make me very happy to be able of assuring you my Self of my attachment and respect. In the mean while I beg leave, Sir, to present you my...
298To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write the inclosed in haste as I have many things to see ready in order that I may get to the Ship tomorrow. I have got a difficult Task to go through but I will acquit myself as well as I can and hope (obeying orders) you will not think my Conduct too rigourous. I am Your dutifull and Affectionate Kinsman I have not time to answer Mr. Alexanders Letter...
299La Rochefoucauld to Franklin and Silas Deane, [26 January? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld has the honour to send to Dr. franklyn and to Mr. Deane this letter which he has received few minutes after the two Gentlemen have been out of his house, and to make to them his sincere compliments on the departure of the Amphitrite: he begs them be so good to send back to him the letter after reading it. Our dating rests on one...
300To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Duffy, 26 January 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <St. Malo, January 26, 1777, in English: The writer, an Irishman and Recollect friar, addresses his letter to Franklin as “Irish Gentle-Man” and informs him that he has a needy relative named Geene, Ginny, or Jeanne Franklin, the widow of “your Brother Robin Francklin” of Limerick. The letter is endorsed, apparently by Temple, “Jane Franklin pretended.”>