1Note on Marginalia in Benjamin Wilson, Further Observations upon Lightning, [after 25 May 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Wilson’s attack on Franklin in 1773, in Observations upon Lightning , had produced a rebuttal from William Henly before the Royal Society. Wilson counterattacked and, when the Society declined to publish his paper, printed it as a second pamphlet, Further Observations upon Lightning; Together with Some Experiments … (London, 1774). He sent Franklin a presentation copy, dated on the title page...
2Memorandum on Chatham’s Plan of Conciliation, [on or after 1 February 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress On January 29 Chatham left with Franklin the conciliatory plan that he introduced as a bill in the House of Lords three days later, and the American studied and copied it. At the end of his copy is the following memorandum on the rejection of the bill. The above Plan was offered by the Earl of Chatham to the House of Lords, on Wednesday Feb. 1. 1775, under the Title of...
3Marginalia in a Pamphlet by Josiah Tucker, [on or after 22 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
MS notations in the margins of a copy in the Library of Congress of [Josiah Tucker,] A Series of Answers to Certain Popular Objections, against Separating from the Rebellious Colonies, and Discarding Them Entirely; Being the Concluding Tract of the Dean of Gloucester, on the Subject of American Affairs (Gloucester, 1776). These are the first marginalia by Franklin that deserve extensive...
4Extract from Two Purported Letters by Franklin, 27 July [i.e., after 11 August] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Samuel Hazard, ed., Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania ... (16 vols., Philadelphia, [1828–35]), VI , 37. We are extremely skeptical about both these extracts. The date of the first is certainly wrong, because Hodge was not arrested until August 11. Although Hayfield Conyngham, Gustavus’ cousin, may have received advice from Franklin, we have no other evidence of contact between...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Berington, [after 13 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I feel myself much disappointed in not having found you in Paris, as I had expected. Business, which brought me hither, renders it impossible for me to call on you at present. If I can steal a few hours before my return, I shall with pleasure wait on you. Our friend Dr. Priestley was so obliging as to recommend me to you. I send you his letter with his two...
6Franklin’s Notes for Replying to Two Letters from Ralph Izard, [on or after 1 February 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society This is a rare example of Franklin’s thinking on paper for his eye alone. Some of the notes are now beyond understanding and the meaning of others can only be conjectured; but what he is thinking about is clear: how to answer Izard’s letters above of January 28 and 30. All of his few identifiable references, down to the word “Personals,” are to the first...
7From Benjamin Franklin to R. Parsons, [on or after 12 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I did truly tell Capt. Hickey as you mention that I had never given Mr. Parsons the least Encouragement to go to America. Your good Opinion of your Husband, which is very natural and laudable, induces you to think there is some Mistake in this, and you express your Doubt in these Words, “ If IN REALITY he has never had any Countenance from you ,” &c....
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Wherever it is in my Power, I should certainly pay the greatest Respect to the Recommendation of Madame de la Fayette, but it is absolutely impossible for me to do what is desired for this M. Rolandeau. He was an Officer in the American Service; he left his Regiment without Leave and came to France. If he would return there it should therefore be at...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [after 18 February 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon Illustre Docteur J’espere que votre goutte est dissipée je le souhaite beaucoup au moins et que nous ayons le plaisir de vous voir demain un mot seulement pour que je puisse compter sur le plaisir de vous avoir ainsi que Monsieur votre petit fils adieu Mon Illustre Docteur on ne peut vous etre plus passionnément attaché que je vous le suis pour la vie...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [on or after 25 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Bancroft presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr Franklin & sends him inclosed the desired Passport. Addressed: To the Hon’ble / Dr. Franklin / Passy On March 24, a Wednesday, BF had issued an American passport for the vessel London Packet . See Bancroft’s letters to WTF , one of March 20 and the second printed under March 21. The present letter...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremy Bentham, [after 10 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University College, London C Afran This book (if ever it should reach your hands) was written for the use of leading men: nor to any but leading men has it been sent. As such a copy of it comes to you. My notion of you is such that if there be any thing good in it, you will not fail making a good use of it for the benefit of those for whom you act. If at this or any more distant...
12Jefferson’s Notes from Condorcet on Slavery (Jefferson Papers)
Reflections on the Slavery of the Negroes by Mr. Schwartz, praetor of the holy gospel at Brienne, Member of the Economical society of B—— Epistle dedicatory to the Negro slaves. Tho’ not of your colour, my friends, I have ever considered you as my brethren. Nature has endowed you with the same genius, the same judgment, the same virtues as the Whites. I mean the Whites of Europe, for I would...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, [before 20 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La Société Royale de Medecine m’a chargé de vous adresser un certain nombre des Pieces qui ont été distribuées dans sa derniere séance publique, avec un Rapport concernant les sepultures de l’Ile de Malthe, et imprimé aux fraix de L’Ordre. S’il vous est possible de faire parvenir quelques-unes de ces Pieces en Amérique, Nous vous en aurons beaucoup...
14Franklin: Proposed New Version of the Bible, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 308–9. It is now more than 170 years since the translation of our common English Bible. The language in that time is much changed, and the stile being obsolete, and thence less agreeable, is perhaps one reason why the reading of that excellent book is of...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Juppin, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mon papa lon ma priée de vous demander, si les papiers que je vous envoyes ont quelque valeur, si la personne a qui ils appartiennent peut esperer en tirer quelque argent, et sil ne faut pas ladresser a Mr Jay. Je vous presente mon papa, mes civilites, et amities et mes compliments a Mr votre petit fils. The Brillons’ former governess: XXVIII , 8n. Dated on...
16The Abbé Alessandro (Agostino) Beliardi’s Account of Franklin’s Remedy for a Cold, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Bibliothèque nationale M. Holcker a appris du docteur francklin qu’une petite cuiellerée à café de quinquinà jettée dans le fond d’un goblet où l’on verse un peu de lait pour Les bien meler ensemble, ensuitte remplissant le reste du goblet avec du lait, et en avalant un verre le matin à jeune, un autre en se mettant à table pour dinner, et un troisieme en se couchant, que çest un...
17Cash Book, [1 March 1782–1791] (Hamilton Papers)
1) Dr. Pierre Van Cortlandt Cr. £ 1784 Feby To this sum due for the Clerkship of his son P. V. Cortlandt commenced 150 Dr. Jacob LeRoy & Sons Cr. 1784 To this sum due for the Clerkship of his son Jas. LeRoy commenced this day 150 this sum given up as Mr. LeRoy did not continue his Clerkship 150 May To opinion given in the case of Kelly & Lot 1.10.0
18From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [1783–1789] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived My Dear Betsey at this place yesterday Evening not so much fatigued as I expected to have been but with my Cold somewhat increased. I am however better to day and hope to finish my business so as to return on Thursday. If a Vessel offers at the time and a fair wind I may take that mode of conveyance. I hope you have been attentive to your medicine. Remember Mrs. Powel on the...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Anne Le Page Fiquet, Dame Duboccage, [after 21 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Duboccage rend mille tres humbles graces a Mr. franklin; la Vision de Colomb donne une champ bien vaste a l’imagination du poëte et l’ange avoit Sans doute prévu qu’il naîtroit un législateur tel que le tres docte franklin pour donner la liberté, de bonnes loix et Beaucoup de gloire a son païs. Mde. Duboccage ne renvoie point l’imprimé en cas qu’elle...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Caroline (Charlotte)-Bertrande Chapelle de Jumilhac-Cubjac Bertin, [after 1 March 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Madame Bertine, and acquaints her that he long since gave the Recommendatory Letter and Passport desired, to the Portuguese Ambassador, who had before demanded the same thing: and that the Letter receiv’d thro’ her hands from M. le Baron de Jumilhac shall be duly attended to. He begs leave to assure M. Bertin of...
21Jefferson’s Form Letter for Refusing Requests for Use of his Influence, [1784–1789] (Jefferson Papers)
Je recois Mr. la lettre que vous vous etes donné la peine de m’ecrire pour me demander ma protection auprès de M———. Ma protection ne vous serviroit à rien, car quoique je sois ———. je ne le vois que très rarement, parceque je ——— et d’ailleurs je ne fais jamais demande ni de recommendation à M———. Trouvez donc bon Monsr. que je me dispense d’une pareille demarche qui seroit une indiscretion...
22Notes on France and Great Britain, [1784–1789] (Jefferson Papers)
Comparative view of France and the British islands in Europe. France. British islands. Extent. 150,000 square miles 104,000 square miles. Souls 17,000,000. 5¾ acres to each person 6¾ acres to each person. Ecclesiastics 500,000. Paris 600,000. London. 1,000,000. Rental 52,800,000 32,000,000. Plate, jewels &c. 52,500,000 20,000,000
23Enclosure II: Report on Navigability of Rivers in Northwest Territory, 1788–1789 (Jefferson Papers)
leagues From Post Vincennes to the mouth of the Wabash is called 60 From do. to Tomhoute (no rapids and a good navigation) 40. From Tomhoute (or Terrehoute) to Vermillion river on the North side. (the navigation as good as before) 20. To the Weeha (the navigation is still better) 20. To the river and town Ibossicanoes on the N. side. (the navigation is excellent 6. To la Vache qui pisse...
24To James Madison from George Washington, Ca. 1789-1796 (Madison Papers)
§ From George Washington. Ca. 1789–1796. Three notes requesting consultation with JM on unspecified matters: “Thursday, 9 oclk. “If you could make it convenient to call here before you go to the House, you would oblige me. I want to have some conversation with you on two or three matters. Yrs Affectly.” “Sunday ½ past 7 oclk. “If you have leisure to give the enclosed a reading, and me an...
25From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [1789–1795] (Hamilton Papers)
[ 1789–1795 .] Encloses the decision of the Federal District Court of Connecticut on the petition of Captain Timothy Savage. Suspects Savage of intent to defraud. LS , Yale University Library. The MS is a fragment without date or place.
26From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [1789–1795] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hamilton will with pleasure execute the command of the President by the time appointed and have the honor of waiting upon him. AL , Photostat, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 1789–1795 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hamilton will with pleasure execute the command of the President by the time appointed and have the honor of waiting upon him. AL , CtY .
28To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Lincoln, [1789] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Boston, 1789. ] Discusses the difficulty of distinguishing between goods on which duties have been paid and those on which they have not been paid. Proposes a system of branding casks, chests, and boxes, and marking bales to prevent smuggling. LC , RG 36, Letters from the Treasury and Others, 1789–1818, Vol. 11, National Archives.
29Tax Assessment, 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, 1789. Hamilton’s house at 58 Wall Street was assessed at £1,200 and his personal property at £750. Tax Assessment Record for New York City (Manhattan), Municipal Reference Library, New York City. For background to this document, see “Conveyance from James Barclay and Others,” September 17, 1785 (printed in this volume). New York currency.
30Farm Reports: Statement of Crops for 1789 (Washington Papers)
AD , DLC:GW . For background to this document, see Farm Reports, 6–12 Dec. 1789, source note . A balk is a ridge or strip of ground left unplowed as a boundary between two furrows. Root of scarcity ( Beta vulgaris or mangel-wurzel) is a coarse beet grown primarily as cattle fodder. For additional information on GW’s cultivation of this plant, see Diaries Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds....