6001To Benjamin Franklin from William Jones, 5 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have been here above a fortnight, but I am sorry to find that there will not be a good opportunity of embarking for America till the beginning of next month, if so soon. I have been on board all the ships here, that are bound for the land of virtue and liberty , and have given the preference in my own mind to the Annette , which will sail in about 5...
6002To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 5 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We beg leave to trouble your excellency for information respecting the disposal of some Powder, taken in a Prize Consigned us. Believing a liberty is allowed to every American to sell any Article to the highest Bidder, (if for exportation) We yesterday made an Offer of a quantity of Powder at 20 s. a lib to the Comissary at Port Louis. He declined giving...
6003To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 7 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: University of South Carolina Library; incomplete copy: Library of Congress Very late in the evening of the 12th of July I had the honor of recieving at Vigan your favor of the 2d. By the dawn of day the next morning I had mounted the chaise in order to prosecute my journey to this place & here I arrived in a very shattered state of health on the 30th. & have been ever since confined to...
6004To Benjamin Franklin from Hugh Williamson, 7 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When you have a few minutes to spare from the more weighty concerns of State I wish to interest you in favour of two young men belonging to NorthCarolina who are now Prisoners in England. They saild from Edenton about the month of Augt. 1780 in the Brig Fair-American, Captn Smith bound for France and were captured on their outward Passage. They are Twins,...
6005To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 8 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Je recois, Monsieur, la lettre de ce jour dont vous m’avez honoré et la Copie du Pouvoir que M. Oswald vous a communiqué. La forme dans laquelle il est conçû n’etant pas celle qui est usitée, Je ne puis pas arreter mon Opinion a une premiere vue, Je vais l’examiner avec la plus grande attention et si vous...
6006To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 9 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The foregoing is Copy of my last to you via Baltimore, since which a number of French Ships of the Line having arrived from Cape Francois on our Coast, the British Cruizers have retired into Newyork, & our port is once more open—this affords me an opportunity of sending you the third Bill of the sett within mentioned, and of letting you know that we are all...
6007To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 9 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Tho the difference of our pursuits has for so long a time enstrangd us from Each other I trust if ever peace should return that philosophy & your old Friends would resume that share of your time which when in their possession they so much valued. Not doubting but that if I was within your reach I still should enjoy a part of your time & some share of...
6008To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 9 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Having written to Mr Jay, who I presume is with you, I do not think it necessary to repeat what I have mentioned to him. We have not heard from you since March, a very long period, considering the interesting events that have taken place between that time and this—many vessels...
6009To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society To avoid pressing you with conversation, & to shew how little I expect you to enter into any answer or dispute, I leave with you upon paper, my thoughts concerning your American confiscations; that you may take as much or as little of them as you please. I know of two principles, which your American friends will say influenced them in this matter;...
6010To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Burke, 10 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I flatterd myself that by this time we might have shaken hands as publick friends as I hope we always should have done as private. In the Latter Case States have no power, though in other respects they may & do put us in odd & awkard Situations. Two friends of mine are going to Paris one of whom I know for a long time & have valued just in proportion as I...
6011To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Destouches, 10 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Le zêle dont le Capitaine Bennet Negus a donné des preuves dans le Commandement des Corsaires La Civilité, et Le franklin, les Combats honorables qu’il a soutenu, les prises quil a faites ont merité l’attention de Votre Excellence, et elle a dit dans le tems à M. Le Roÿ quelle cherchoit à temoigner sa bienveillance à ce Capitaine son compatriote. Le Sr....
6012To Benjamin Franklin from Nogaret, 10 [August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je reçois une Lettre de me femme, par laquelle J’apprends que vous nous avez fait l’amitié de nous venir voir. Elle a du vous dire que j’étais à Paris pour une bonne oeuvre. Un ami agé de 85 ans me charge de recevoir Ses fonds: je m’acquitte à cette heure de cette commission. Je Serai sûrement Libre Jeudi jour de la Vierge: J’aurai l’honneur de repondre...
6013To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have wrote you by two different Conveyances,— Another now pressents which I embrace to let you know we are well, & to send you the Dutch News papers— Wishing them safe to your hands— I remain with unfeigned Love & Duty. Yours affectionately Addressed: Doctor Franklin Notation: R. Bache Augt. 12. 1782. His last two extant letters are above, July 23 and...
6014To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have been for Some time past in hopes of having the pleasure of hearing from your Excellency in answer to what I had the honour of writing to you the 17th. of last month. Since that time Mess De Neufville have totally rejected any Arbitration relative to the Settlement of their demand and have applied to Congress— Consequently my Stay here on their account...
6015To Benjamin Franklin from Caffiéri, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay lhonneur de vous faire remettre plusieurs Epreuve de Tombeau que vous mave demender, je profite de cette occasions pour vous offrier La Statue de Pierre Corneille qui est une fidelé copie de celle que jay executer en marbre pour Le Roy de qui a merité les applaudissement du Public, jose vous Supliér de vouloire bien L’accepter Comme un hommage que je...
6016To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library The present serves only to inform you that agreable to the permission contained in Billy’s letter of the 23 June I have this day drawn on you for my advances to Prisoners in favour of Mr Grand as per accot on the other side amounting to £1697..10..0 which please to honour I inclose the original Vouchers to each charge.— I am as ever &c &c JW had first requested...
6017To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Wyld: Two Letters, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Franklin had last heard from Wyld and his group of English textile manufacturers, who wanted to emigrate to America, through their representative Edmund Clegg in mid-June. Buoyed by having received Franklin’s passport and letters of recommendation, and ignoring his admonitions against sailing before a peace was declared, the core group had...
6018To Benjamin Franklin from John Shuttleworth, [14 August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I had the honor of conversing with you, it has occurred to me, that much of the expence, danger of capture, and inconvenience attending my intended voyage would be prevented by going to New York: the difficulty of getting from thence to Maryland seems, to me, to be that of being received into General Washington’s lines; I have been a little acquainted...
6019To Benjamin Franklin from William Bell, [16 August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Bells best respects waits on His Excellency Docr. Franklin and begs the Docr. to favour him with a passport to Ostend—Mr. Bell did not set off As he yeasterday intended, but will undoubtedly set off early tomorrow morning—therefore will be thankfull to have the pasport this evening. Should His Excellency have any commands Mr. Bell will be happy in...
6020To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 394–6. Yours I received by Major Young together with the work of your veritable philosophe , which is full of humanity. I was not before that, at a loss where I should have looked for my veritable philosophe in the present actual scene of public politics....
6021To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Loyseau, 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je viens de Lire des Lettres tres affligeantes de Mr. Le comte de Benyowsky. Il etoit parti dans La Confiance que Le congrés S’empresseroit a lui donner de L’employ, vous Lui aviés remis une Lettre dans Laquelle vous donnés de son caractère et de Ses talens Militaires L’opinion qu’il faut en avoir. Quelle est donc La cause de La conduite du congrés?...
6022To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have lately received a letter from Tristram Dalton Esqr. of Newbury-Port, informing me that you some Time ago advis’d him of having obtain’d orders for payment of a Sum, for the loss sustain’d by the owners of the Brigt. Fair-Play; & that you would deposit it in my hands— Mr. Dalton desires me to give him some information...
6023To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Johnson, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Incld: Bills belong to an Industrious Black man who is with me. Shall esteem it a favour if your Excellency would Endorse or rather accept those Bills & send them to me.— In my last to your Excellency I forgot to mention to you that I took on board the Amazon Prize four Preists, Subjects of the King of Sardinia, who were going as Missionaries to...
6024To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Puchelberg, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Il y a près d’un mois que Mrs. schweighauser & dobrée de Nantes m’ont prevenû, que le Congrés ayant pleinement approuvé les fournitures faites par ma maison à l’Orient pour la fregate l’Alliance, Capt. Landais a chargé Votre Excellence de me payer cet objet conformément au Compte des fournitures que j’en ai remis. C’est pourquoi Et comme je me trouve...
6025To Benjamin Franklin from John Shuttleworth, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library My Servt. will waite your leisure for the papers you are so good to give me and for any letter or letters you may please to commit to my care. Permit me once more to acknowledge your very great civillities and to assure you that I shall ever remember them with gratitude I remain Dr Sir Yr most obedt: Servt Addressed: Doctor Franklin / Plassy Notation:...
6026To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to introduce to your particular Notice and Friendship my Friends Mr Nat Barrett and Mr Frazer, the former of these Gentlemen is the son of an old Friend of yours and the Latter is particularly reccommended to me. Mr Barrett has many Letters for you, and I have given him the one you sent to me for Mr Paradise that Gentleman being returned to...
6027To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Grasse, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de prier Votre Excellence, de vouloir bien m’indiquer le jour et l’heure, ou je pourrais avoir celui de vous Faire ma cour, ayant differentes choses a vous communiquer. Je serais charmé de Faire connoissance avec vous, et de vous assurer de vive voix de la sincerité des sentiments d’Estime et de respect avec lesquels je suis De Votre Excellence Le três...
6028To Benjamin Franklin from John Swindell, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I in the most submissive manner beg leave to inform you, our Friends Henry Wilde and party are gone for Londonderry in order to embark for America; and herewith you will receive a full account of my abilities—in Machinery of which in the Cotton Branche & Wollen Manufactories have an inestimable secret;—and they wishing thro’ your-means to be accomodated...
6029To 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...
6030To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Hardy, 19 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Beg leave to inform you that I am one of the unfortunate persons that was captured in the Confederacy Frigate and sent a prisoner from New York for England but by accident happened to put into Ireland, where I made my escape & arrived here in France a few Months past.— I expected to have taken passage for Philada, in the last vessel that sailed from...