701To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 24 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Still ignorant of the Fate of mÿ several Letters to Your Excellency, written in the Year 1778; and lately, on the 2d. of Octr., conveÿed by Monsr. Lieutaud, a french Man of Letters, who had visited this Capital; And not conscious of ever having forfeited the Honor of your invaluable Esteem, and antient Friendship: I still attribute your Silence, rather to...
702To 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...
703To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 21 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library I know not how to express my Obligations to you for introducing me to the Acquaintance & Friendship of Count Segurs. I have known him but a few days and yet he has induldged me wth an Intimacy. So many shining, so many amiable Qualities we seldom see united in one Man. He has inspired me with an Esteem, a Respect, and a Love coexistent with myself. Think, my...
704To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, 21 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je viens d’Etre informmé que votre Exelance est Continuellement assailli de la part de mes Creantiers qui nont ny pretantions ny droits meme de L’interompre a Ce Sujet. Cette Conduite Est ausi enprutande que mechante puisque je les ài prevennuë que mes engagements nav’oient rien de Comun avec Votre Exelance, et que Ceux a quis il est Düe pour L’Etat de...
705To Benjamin Franklin from Francesco Favi, 20 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous envoyer un portrait qui a etè adressè de Vienne à M. Le Comte de Mercy. Ce Ministre m’ayant chargè de vous Le faire passer de sa part je m’empresse de remplir cette commission, qui me procure L’honneur de me dire avec Le plus grand respect Monsieur Votre très humble, et très Obeissant Serviteur Notation: Favi 20 xbre. 1782. We cannot...
706To Benjamin Franklin from the Conde de Sousa Coutinho, 20 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania L’Ambassadeur de Portugal a l’honneur de faire ses compliments à Monsieur Francklin, et de rapeler à son souvenir le passeport et lettre de recommendation en faveur du Pere Patrice Ôcleary qui se dispose a passer en Amerique relativement à la succession dont il lui a parlé il y a quelque tems: L’Ambassadeur de Portugal auroit été voir lui même Monsieur...
707To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 19 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society Je vous recevrai demain, Monsieur, avec bien du plaisir et J’espere que vous voudrez bien me faire l’honneur de venir diner avec moi. J’ai celui d’etre avec une parfaite Consideration, Monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur. For this meeting, at which Vergennes granted the loan of six million livres , see BF to...
708To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., [before 18 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Nous avons l’honneur de vous remettre cy inclus Les papiers de la mirauté pour la Condamnation de la chambre faite, par le Corsaire ameriquain Le Buccanéer, nous vous suplions aprés l’examen de nous honnorer du renvoy de la piece qui constate La validité de ladite prise. Nous Sommes avec un profond Respect honnorable Monsieur Vos tres humbles & trés obts...
709To Benjamin Franklin from Nicholas Geoffroy, [18 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Le né. [nommé] Bonnefoi a remis à la secretairerie de M Le Comte De Vergennes la Lettre de Monsieur francklin aujourd’hui 18 Xbre. 1782 à sept heures et demie du Soir. Notation: Comte de Vergennes 18th. Decr. 1782 Versailles A sous-commis under Vergennes and later Montmorin, Geoffroy was the only member of their staff to desert the royalty during the...
710To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Parent de Bellehache and Other Favor Seekers, 18 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Requests for recommendations or positions in France or America continue to arrive on Franklin’s desk during the five months covered by this volume. Sometimes the supplicant frames his request as a response to an offer Franklin has made, as Parent de Bellehache suggests in his letter, printed below. Another of these supplicants is Frère Frederic, a...
711To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Frédéric Perregaux, 18 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Perregaux has the honour to enclose to His Excellency Mr Franklin a Packet Just received for him from London & recomended to his Care. He will be obliged to him to let him know he received it. The banker who had forwarded letters to BF before: XXXV , 556n. We have confirmed his identity, as he is listed at this address in the Almanach royal for 1782, p. 468.
712To Benjamin Franklin from Chalut and Arnoux, 17 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Nous assurons notre respectable ami de notre estime et de notre amitié et nous lui envoyons un exemplaire de l’ouvrage que M. l’abbé de Mably vient de donner au public. L’auteur en fait hommage au patriarche de la raison et de la liberté. Il nous tarde d’aller Celebrer le retour de la paix et l’independence de l’amerique avec notre ami. Nous faisons des...
713To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 16 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Captain Casson of the Ship Washington arrived here last night from Philadelphia, which place he left the 20th November. He brought the Inclosed Packet for you Just in the Condition which I send it. I do not hear that he brings any News of consequence, except a report of the Evacuation of Charlestown. All the Public Goods that were at Brest are now on their...
714To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, 16 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho no person occupies so much of my thoughts or after whom I make so frequent enquiries as your self, yet knowing the importance & weight of public affairs on Your hands, I purposly avoid troubling You with uninteresting correspondence, but I now take the liberty of introducing to Your acquaintance Lady Juliana Penn, whose character in every point of...
715To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 15 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I went again yesterday to Mr. de Beaumarchais but found, what had not been told me before, that he is at Bourdeaux, & therefore it will be impossible for me to obtain the Certificate Mr. Deane desires until his return— I must therefore write Mr. Deane to day & wish to inclose in my Letter a Line or two from you importing something, or so much as you may...
716To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 15 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is hoigh time that I make you my Complements on your having obtaind Peas, & puting your Contery at Liberty; to which wee may Justley say, your Manly Conduct, & Supereor Judgment, has don the Business. May you long Live my Good friend, to Injoy the Sweets of it, which is what I wish from my very Soule being most sincearly attached to you, & the Causes you...
717To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 15 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Je puis etre surpris, Monsieur, après l’Explication que j’ai eue avec vous et la promesse que vous m’aviez faite que vous ne presseriez pas l’obtention d’un Passeport Anglois pour l’expedition du Paquet bot le Wasington, que vous me fassiez part que vous avez reçu ce meme passeport et que demain a dix heures du matin votre courier...
718To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Le Baron, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je ne puis m’empêcher de vous exprimer le plaisir que j’ay ressenti lorsque j’ai appris que l’Angleterre venoit de reconoitre l’Indépendance des 13. Provinces unies de l’Amérique; je partage bien sincérement celui que doit vous causer un événement aussi glorieux, et qui termine touttes vos peines et vos inquiétudes. Je prie le seigneur qu’il daigne...
719To Benjamin Franklin from Pierres, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser le sr. saudot auquel vous pouvez remettre les deux alphabets que vous voulez bien me prêter. Je me ferai un grand plaisir de vous offrir ce que j’ai de mieux en vignettes mais Je desirerois savoir de quel genre & de quelle grandeur. Si vous pouvez, monsieur, être utile à l’honnête infortuné que je vous adresse vous ferez...
720To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Thun, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library En conséquence de votre conseil, le Sr. Schneider habitant de Germantaun, a payé au Sr. Richard Bache votre gendre 200 l.t. en especes, faisants la valeur de 1200 florins, et celui-ci en a délivré la quittance, ci-jointe en copie. Le Sr. Auer Ministre de l’église d’Ebingen dans le Wirtemberg, a eu l’honneur Monsieur de vous en donner avis, dès le mois...
721To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte Creutz, 14 [i.e., 13] December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur L’Ambassadeur de Suède à L’honneur de faire bien des Complimens à Monsieur francklin et de le prevenir qu’il aura L’honneur demain Samedy avant midy de l’aller voir pour lui communiquer des affaires de consequences. Il le prie de vouloir bien lui faire L’honneur de luy faire sçavoir s’il pourra avoir celui de le trouver. Notation: L’Ambassadeur de...
722Madame F. Pechigny to Franklin or William Temple Franklin, 13 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Pechigny supplie monsieur franklin de vouloir bien lui permettre le 26. du present, de lui presenter lhommage de sa vive reconnoissance en lui remettant les 300 l.t. que noblement il lui a preté et dagréer les regret de limpossibilité ou elle a èté de ne les lui avoir pas remis plûtot. Si monsieur franklin a un protegé qui enseigne langlois mde....
723To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr: Adams presents his Compliments to his Excellency Dr: Franklin, & requests the honor of his Company to dinner on Monday the 16th. inst. at 3. oClock. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin. / Passy In the hand of Charles Storer. JA issued a nearly identical invitation to WTF ( APS ). Fitzherbert, Oswald, and Laurens attended JA ’s dinner, among...
724To Benjamin Franklin from Alleyne Fitzherbert, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Fitz-Herbert presents his Compliments to Dr Franklin and Mr Franklin and desires the honour of their Company to dinner on Tuesday next, the 17th, at 3 o’clock. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / à Passy. Notation: Mr. Fitzherbert Decr. 12th On Dec. 19 Fitzherbert wrote to Strachey that Townshend had advised him to “cultivate” the American...
725To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure to acquaint you that we arrived safe here after a quick passage, but not Time enough I fear to undo what had been done wrong in consequence of premature advice, however still much depends upon future contingent Events, if the final arrangement takes place, all may yet be well, shou’d it happen otherwise, without previous information the...
726To Benjamin Franklin from Kéralio, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La Celeste amie de Monsieur Franklin n’a pas le temps de lui écrire; mais elle lui fait les plus tendres amitiés et l’embrasse de tout son cœur; elle recommande à ses bontés ordinaires le paquet ci-joint pour son fils ainé. Le courier de Demain est attendu avec bien de l’impatience; nous esperons qu’il nous apportera la paix. Et qui aura joué Le premier...
727To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Lacepède, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pendant que vous achevez de fonder un nouvel empire, permettez à un de vos plus profonds admirateurs, de vous parler de tous les sentimens que vous lui avez inspirés. On a du, Monsieur, faire hommage de ma part à vôtre excellence, du premier volume de la physique générale et particulière, que je viens de publier: puissiez vous avoir agréé cet hommage, et...
728To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley: Extract, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of extract: American Philosophical Society Je n’ai eu que peu de Soleil; mais j’en ai profité pour faire plusieurs Observations nouvelles: Je ne vous rendrai Compte maintenant que de la derniere qui est assèz remarquable, et qui pourra vous donner quelque plaisir ainsi qu’à vos Amis. Je convertis en peu de temps l’ Eau pure en Air permanent , Poids pour Poids, en la combinant...
729To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac-Jean-Georges-Jonas Grand, 11 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Cher. Grand prie Son Excellençe Monsieur Le Docteur Francklin & Monsieur Son Fils de luy faire l’honneur de Diner chez luy Lundy prochain 16 de ce mois, avec M. Le Duc De La Vauguyon. The duc de La Vauguyon had returned to Versailles with his wife on account of her ill health: La Vauguyon to Vergennes, Nov. 8, 1782; Laurent Bérenger to Vergennes, Nov. 29,...
730To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Dominique de Vyssery de Bois-Valée, 10 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pourroit t’on s’imaginer qu’en imitant ce que vous faite de si admirable pour le bien de l’humanité; je me serois fait une affaire serieuse avec mes concitoyens, avec mes voisins, avec nos juges de police enfin, qui m’ont condamné rigoureusement a detruire mon para-tonnerre dans les 24. heures pour tout delai, comme une invention des plus dangereuse....
731To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, 9 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. Yours by Express and have to thank You for Your Early advice in respect to Saving any Insurance on My own Adventure, we had a rumour of the kind the day before I recd. Yours by Way of Nantes, but coming from You has cleared every Doubt. The Vessells that are at this place are the Ships, Revolution, Capt. Webb, Buccaneer Capt. Prearson, Cicero, Hill,...
732To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 9 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ferdinand Grand’s resources were stretched to their limit. He was besieged by demands from the various American peace commissioners to pay loan office certificates and other expenses, and by requests from Robert Morris to pay bills of exchange. Moreover, an interest payment on the 1781 Dutch loan arranged by France had come due on November 5. In...
733To Benjamin Franklin from Abel James, [before 8 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This letter—or at least the first part of it—is well known to readers of Franklin’s autobiography. James announced that he had found a manuscript in Franklin’s hand that appeared to be an unfinished account of his life, as well as a set of “notes” for that account. He enclosed a copy of those notes and urged Franklin to complete the project. When Franklin did resume...
734To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 8 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress However Certain it Appears that Peace is Near at Hand, I Have thought that Personal Considerations ought to Give Way to Motives of Public Utility— I am therefore sailing With the fleet, and Untill Peace is Ascertained, Will Continue in Promoting the Views Which You Have Decided to Be the Most Advantageous to America— in this Affair, it is Useless to observe that My...
735To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Saint-Auban, 8 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si la communiquation Monsieur relativement a la saison etoit plus comode jaurais deja eu lhoneur de vous aler voir, ce nets que depuis quatre jours que nous somes arivés de la campagne, mde de st. auban et moy nous flattons, que vous voudres bien nous demender a diner avec monsieur votre fils, en voulant bien aussi par la petite [ poste ] nous faire...
736To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 7 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr: Laurens presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin, and requests the honor of his Company to dinner on Wednesday next at 3 oClock. In the hand of Henry Laurens, Jr. JA attended the dinner: Butterfield, John Adams Diary , III , 95.
737To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 6 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After Having Been two days out of the Road, a S. o. [SW] Wind Obliges us to Come Back Again, and I fear it Will Give time for Lord Howe to Embarass our Passage— No Letter from You Has Yet Come to Hand, Which I am Very sorry for, as I Impatiently Waït for Information Upon our Monney Affairs— I Have not Yet Received Your Answer to My Consulting Letter— But I...
738To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 6 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New-York Historical Society The College of Dartmouth in New Hampshire having suffered materialy in its funds since the war by the loss of those contributions which it till then recd. from England—Docr. Wheelock son of the worthy first founder proposes to solicit a subscription in France & Holland for its support— He flatters himself that the charity of an institution whose chief...
739To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Day before yesterday there were a number of Letters in Town announcing a Peace. The News came from the secretary of the Duc d’orleans who ’tis said informed that the King had announced it to the Duc. Such respectable Information prevented every Doubt and I among the Rest believed it. I immediately set myself to work to get a little fast sailing Brig...
740To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 5 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Have been favord with your letter by Count Segar, which he forwarded from Philadelphia he Came to Providence with the Army we Sent for him but was gone to Newport on his Return to Providence Ray was at home and waited on him he Sat a day to Come with Count Rhoshambow but it was a heavy Rain for three days, after that the first Coll went to Boston and he...
741To Benjamin Franklin from Ségur, 5 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M de segur a l’honneur de faire à Monsieur franklin ses sinceres remerciments de ce qu’il a bien voulu prendre le soin de lui faire parvenir un Paquet venant de nantes par un exprès; il le prie de recevoir les assurances de son parfait attachement./. Presumably dispatches from America; see JW to BF , Dec. 1.
742To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 4 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress To My Very Great Concern, I Have not Yet Received Your Answer to My letter, Nor the Account of What Has officially Past in Monney Matters— But Your Opinion Has Been I should Go, and I Am Pursuing an object that May I Hope prove Useful to America— Upon Your Opinion therefore, I Determine My Going— We are Under sails With 9 ships of the line, And about 6000 Men Recruits...
743To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Percival, 4 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Messrs. James and Charles Hill, are the Sons of Mr. John Hill, late a very considerable Tradesman in Manchester, and have left their Native Country in consequence of the Bankruptcy of their Father.— This testament to the identity of James and Charles Hill—brothers who were in France awaiting passage to America—was procured so that BF might write them a...
744From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 3 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
The Moments we live in, are critical and may be improved, perhaps to advantage, for which purpose I beg Leave to propose to your Consideration, whether it is not proper for Us to write to M r Dana at Petersbourg, acquaint him with the Signature of the Preliminaries, inclose to him an authentic Copy of them and advise him to communicate it to the Ministers of the Empress, and to all the...
745To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Moments we live in, are critical and may be improved, perhaps to advantage, for which purpose I beg Leave to propose to your Consideration, whether it is not proper for Us to write to Mr Dana at Petersbourg, acquaint him with the Signature of the Preliminaries, inclose to him an authentic Copy of them and advise him to...
746To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Vessel you will receive a tin and a Wooden box; both with grafts of the best new town Pippins which Mr Powell was obliging enough to procure, each of the grafts has a peice of the Old wood remaining to it, the wooden [ torn: box] was put up by him in a particular manner with wax and tallow, the other by Mr Bache according to your directions, Mr...
747To Benjamin Franklin from George Holt, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Libty. I take in writing is, to solicit your Friendship; to gain me a pass or an exchange for me to go to England. I have done myself the honor to write to the Secretary of the Marine Department craving his generous release of me— I am from Hudsons Bay the Vessell Calld the Charlotte which circumstances you may in all Probality be well acquainted...
748To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS, LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; ALS (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have just now recd the certificates required by Mr. Vallier, the vessel which carries my dispatches having been detained I embrace the opportunity to forward them— Nothing new since my last, except that by a Gent who left Charles town the 4th. Ult. we learn that the...
749To Benjamin Franklin from Gurdon S. Mumford, 3 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a letter recd. by the Ship Nonsuch in 22 days from Philadelphia, it would have been sent on by the Express but by some unaccountabe means it was left behind & Mr. Williams now desires me to forward it to your Excellency— I ask a thousand pardons for having thus long delayed acknowledging the many kindnesses your Excellency was pleased to shew me...
750To Benjamin Franklin from Filangieri, 2 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Translation from ALS in Italian: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I don’t know whether you received my previous letter in which I alluded to what I am now obliged today to explain with greater clarity. I awaited your answer with impatience; but four months have already gone by and up to now I have not had the pleasure of seeing your writing. I flatter myself that this second letter will meet...