1To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 7 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives Richard Oswald Esq. who will do me the honour of delivering this, is a Gentleman of the strictest candour and integrity, I dare give such assurance from an experience little short of thirty Years and to add, You will be perfectly safe in conversing freely with him on the business which he will...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 30 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Library of Congress, South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I writ to you on the 7th. Inst: by Mr Oswald, since which, that is to say, on the 28th. I was honored by the receipt of your letter of the 12th. inclosing a copy of the Commission for treating for Peace, by the hands of Mr Young. The Recognizance exacted from me...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 17 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; draft: University of South Carolina Library; two transcripts: National Archives I had the honour of addressing you under the 30th Ulto. by Post, a duplicate of which will accompany this, in order to guard against the Effect of a Miscarriage in the first Instance and I beg leave to refer to the contents. On the 10th. Current, and no sooner your very obliging favour of...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 20 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Letters inclosed under Cover with this were detained in order to have been forwarded by Mr. Young for whom I have been waiting some days, he is now arrived & determined to proceed to Hague, therefore I embrace the opportunity of Mr. Bacon who has promised care of the Packet & to deliver it without delay. Notation: H. Laurens. Among the enclosures may...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 24 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; L (draft): University of South Carolina Library In pursuance of the measure which I had the honour of intimating in my last of the 17th. Ulto. I waited on Mr. Adams at Hague and made a tender of my Service in the duty first charg’d upon me by Congress, that of borrowing Money for the Use of our United States, provided I was included and Authoriz’d in the Commission...
6To 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...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 3 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you very sincerely for the kind attention to my health & welfare signified in your favor of the 19th. Ult. My acknowledgements are also due for your condescensions to my Son lately at Passy. I am waiting now for permission to re-enter England & to embark at Falmouth for New York with a Passport for proceeding thence to Philadelphia which I have...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 10 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): University of South Carolina Library I had the honor of addressing you under the 3d Inst. requesting you to procure & transmit a Passport for myself & family to go out of this Kingdom into England—this Morning I am advised from London that the proper document of leave to re-enter the latter, had been obtained & would be forwarded to Mr. Ginett...
9The American Peace Commissioners: Commission for William Temple Franklin, [1 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Yale University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society The present document, penned by William Temple Franklin on October 1, was most likely signed by Franklin the same day. It was eventually signed by all the peace commissioners, but not without hesitation (on the part of John Jay) and outright hostility (on the part...
10Preliminary Articles of Peace: Second Draft Treaty, [4–7 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
D and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two D and copy: Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives As new American and British negotiators were converging on Paris, Franklin’s isolation in Passy posed certain inconveniences. John Adams arrived on October 26 but, as he initially refused to call on Franklin, the latter was evidently unaware of his arrival until Matthew Ridley...
11The American Peace Commissioners to Henry Strachey, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: National Archives (three), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives We have been honoured with your Favor of the 5th. Instant, and as our Answer to a Letter We recieved from Mr. Oswald on the same subject contains our unanimous Sentiments respecting it, We take...
12The American Peace Commissioners to Richard Oswald, 7 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives, North Carolina State Division of Archives and History; press copy of copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives In answer to the letter you did us the honor to write...
13The American Peace Commissioners to Lafayette, [27 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society We have recd. the Letter you did us the Honor to write on the 25th. Inst. Our Country has had early & repeated Proofs both of your Readiness and abilities to do her Service. The Prospect of an inactive Campaign in america, induced us to adopt the opinion, that you might be more useful...
14Preliminary Articles of Peace, [30 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Public Record Office; copies: National Archives (six), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society (two), William L. Clements Library; press copies of copies: American Philosophical Society (two); transcripts: National Archives (four) Articles agreed upon, by and between Richard Oswald Esquire, the Commissioner of his Britannic Majesty, for treating of Peace with the...
15To 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.
16The American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS, AL (draft), and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: Library of Congress We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain Shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the...
17The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 14 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives We have the honour to congratulate Congress on the Signature of the Preliminaries of a Peace between the Crown of Great Britain & the United States of America, to be inscribed, in a definitive Treaty...
18The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 20 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Proposal inclosed, has been transmitted to us by Mr Bridgen, a Gentleman in London, who has been uniformly a Friend to America, and in a Variety of Ways, and at a great Expence has Served her Cause. It is a Project for introducing Copper Coins into the United States, and Seems to Us to merit the early Attention of Congress, to whom We have the Honour to recommend...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 24 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: South Carolina Historical Society Mr. Laurens presents his Compliments to Doctor Franklin & requests him to give a place to the Inclosed Letter for Robt. R. Livingston Esqr among his dispatches for the Ship Washington & to inform him whether he will be in time for saving the Courier with other Letters any time to day. Addressed: His Excellency /...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 30 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Laurens presents his Compliments to Doctor Franklin and requests the honor of his company at dinner on thursday next at 3 oClock. In the hand of Henry Laurens, Jr. Laurens sent a separate invitation to WTF on the same day ( APS ). He was still in ill health, and on Jan. 9 he asked WTF to procure passports for himself, his son, and a servant to return...
21The American Peace Commissioners: Acceptance of the British Declaration of the Cessation of Hostilities, [20 January … (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives (three), Library of Congress (two), Public Record Office, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy: National Archives; transcripts: National Archives (three) When Franklin, Adams, and William Temple Franklin arrived at Vergennes’ office at ten o’clock on the morning of January 20, they learned that...
22The American Peace Commissioners: Passport for British Ships, [3 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), Library of Congress We John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, three of the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain. To all Captains or Commanders of Ships of War, Privateers or armed Vessels belonging to the said States, or to either of them, or to any of the Citizens of the same, And...
23The American Peace Commissioners to Alleyne Fitzherbert, [20 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have recd. the Letter wh you did us the Honor to write on the 18th. Inst, together with the Passports mentioned in it. His britannic Majesty’s Proclamation of the 14th. Instant has our entire approbation, and we have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, a Declaration perfectly correspondent with it. It appears to us important to...
24The American Peace Commissioners: Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, 20 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ADS and AD (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives By the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain: A Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea, as Land, agreed upon between His Majesty the King of Great Britain and the United States of...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 6 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; incomplete copy: South Carolina Historical Society Hitherto, since my arrival on this side of the Channel I have had nothing worth your attention, to offer, indeed five or six last days excepted I had been confined at Bath. Mr. Oswald said to me yesterday, he was going to the proper place for learning, whether he should be soon, or when required to attend upon the...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 17 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I beg leave to refer to my letter of the 6th Instant by the hands of Mr. Storer—to speak in the current stile, Government is still a float. In the moment when it was thought an Administration would be formed, the prospects of the Coalition have been dashed— The K. it seems has been the stipulator, insisted upon keeping the Lord...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 4 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I had the honor of recieving your letter of the 20th. Ulto. on the 31st. It affords me great satisfaction to recieve your favorable sentiments respecting my transient Residence on this Spot, I might have selected a place more agreeable to my health and tranquility and less expensive to my pocket. I have not been quite idle nor...
28The American Peace Commissioners: Three Proposed Articles, [29 April 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives (two), William L. Clements Library, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; transcript and partial copy: National Archives No. 1. Article It is agreed, that so soon, as his Britannic Majesty shall have withdrawn all his Armies, Garrisons and...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 19 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Laurens presents his respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin & thanks the Doctor for his goodness in sending the American News Papers, Mr. L. will convey them to Mr. Adams to morrow. Addressed: His Excellency / Doctor Franklin / Passy.
30The American Peace Commissioners to Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 22 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 10th. Day of this Month, containing a brief State of the affairs of the United States in your hands. We see the Difficulties you are in, and are sorry to say that it is not in our Power to afford you any Relief....
31The American Peace Commissioners to Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 22 … (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Mr. Grand, has laid before us, a State of the affairs of the United States under his Care, and the Demands upon him for money to discharge the Bills drawn upon him, are such as to require some assistance from you, if the Demands upon you will admit of it. If therefore, the State of...
32Henry Laurens to the Other American Peace Commissioners, 10 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress This Moment landed— As a Boat is going over to Calais, the inclosed Proclamation may possibly arrive new to you. To me it wears the Aspect of one Part of a commercial Treaty. I shall not wonder, should I see our Friend, D. H. in London this Week. I purpose Lodging there to night. There & every where, I shall be as I am, Your...
33Henry Laurens to the Other American Peace Commissioners, 17 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, South Carolina Historical Society I had the honor of addressing you the 10th. immediately after my landing at Dover— As early as possible after my arrival here I obtained an Interview with Mr. Secretary Fox, who was pleased to read to me part of his latest Dispatches to Mr. Hartley which he supposed would reach Paris...
34Henry Laurens to the Other American Peace Commissioners, 20 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, South Carolina Historical Society Permit me to refer to what I had the honor of writing to you the 17th. You will recollect my Suggestions, as soon as we perceived the falling off, from those warm Assurances which had been pressed in March and April, they were not ill founded; I dalayed a Week in hopes of Intelligence & left you...
35The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley: Answers to Propositions, [29 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives (two), Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives Answers to Mr Hartleys six Propositions for the definitive Treaty— To the 1st This matter has been already regulated in the 5th & 6th Articles of the Provisional Treaty to the utmost extent of our...
36The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley: Proposals, [29 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy and transcript: National Archives Propositions made to Mr Hartley for the definitive Treaty— 1st To omit in the Definitive Treaty the Exception at the End of the 2d Article of the Provisional Treaty: Viz: these Words “Excepting such Islands...
37The American Peace Commissioners to Prince Bariatinskii, [2 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Retranslation: reprinted from Nina N. Bashkina et al. , eds., The United States and Russia: the Beginning of Relations, 1765–1815 ([Washington, D.C., 1980]), p. 199. On Tuesday, July 1, at the weekly gathering of ministers at Versailles, Vergennes informed the American peace commissioners that the Anglo-French treaty had been settled, pending British approval, and the time had come for them to...
38The American Peace Commissioners to Vergennes, 10 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Messieurs Adams, Franklin & Jay, Ministers of the United States for treating of Peace, present their Respects to Mr le Comte de Vergennes, & request he would be pleased to favour them with a Copy of the Offer made by the two Imperial Courts of their Mediation. Notations: juillet 10 / rep. le 31 Juillet 1783. Written by BF . At Versailles on...
39Draft Letter from the American Peace Commissioners to Bariatinskii and Arkadii Markov, [before 15 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Around July 13, the American commissioners had been given to understand that mediation by the imperial courts was “a mere formality—a mere Compliment, consisting wholly in the Imperial Ministers putting their names & Seals to the parchment, & can have no ill effect.” On that basis, and believing that Vergennes was in favor of it, Adams drafted the...
40The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30th. of November 1782, and we are ready...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I have but this moment 1 o Clock PM been honored with your Letter of the 6th. Instant, it has been long in its Passage, I must endeavour to make more Expedition in complying with your wish to return as soon as possible to Paris. I had flattered myself with hopes of being free. As tis possible nay probable that I shall be with...
42The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Yale University Library; transcript: National Archives We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25th. of March & 21st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have...
43The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society The Definitive Treaties between the late beligerent Powers are none of them yet compleated. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the Necessity Mr. Hartley (Successor of Mr Oswald) thinks himself under of sending every Proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their Approbation; and their Delay...
44Henry Laurens to the Other American Peace Commissioners, 9 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; two copies and transcript: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society Availing my self of your consent & recommendation I embarked at le Havre on board the Washington & Sailed from thence the 1st. Inst. On the 2d. at 9 o’Clo. AM. we were within six Leagues of Poole in Dorsetshire. The Wind being very favorable, I quitted the Ship, went on...
45The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the honour to write on the 12th. Inst. and shall take the first Opportunity of conveying to Congress the agreable Information contained in it. The Sentiments & Sensations which the Re-establishment of Peace between our two Countries,...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 27 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: University of South Carolina Library My thanks are due for the justice you did me, in beleiving I had written to some one or other of my Colleagus since my last return to London, altho’ it appears by the Letter you have honored me with under the 21st Inst. mine of the 9th. addressed to the whole had not reached them, an unlucky circumstance which gives me much...
47The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 30 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of copy: National Archives The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great Britain, present their Compliments to Mr. Hartley. They regret that Mr. Hartley’s Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America at the Place...
48The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives; copies of draft: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet...
49The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachussetts Historical Society, Library of Congress We have the honour of transmitting herewith enclosed an Extract of a Resolution of Congress of the 1. May last, which we have Just recd. You will perceive from it that we may daily expect a Commission in due Form, for the Purposes mentioned in it, and we assure you of our Readiness to enter upon the Business, whenever you may think...
50The American Peace Commissioners to Elias Boudinot, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties were concluded, between all the late belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Britain. We most sincerely & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on this...