1To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua and Catherine Johnson, and Matthew and Anne Ridley, 13 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Johnson presents their most respectfull compliments to Dr. Franklin & will do themselves the honor to wait on him. Mr. Johnson did not receive the honor of Dr. Franklin’s Billet til late last Evening or he would have returned an immediate answer. Mr. & Mrs. Ridleys Compliments & will do themselves the honor to attend Dr. Franklin today. Johnson’s...
2To 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...
3Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 3 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is Mr. Ebenezer Platt; with whose sufferings in the cause of America you are not unacquainted. He has lately got released from his confinement in consequence of a Petition from the Committee for American Prisoners. Mr. Platt is desirous of returning to his Country; and every mode but the one through France being stop’d I have taken the...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 2 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr. Ridley has the honor to present his respects to Mr. Franklin.— The inclosed obligation was Sent Mr Ridley by Mr. Johnson for the purpose of procuring a Letter of Marque for a Vessel at Nantes— As Mr. Johnson is very pressing with Mr. Ridley to forward it, he will think himself obliged to Mr. Franklin if he will...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 24 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Massachusetts Historical Society The memorandum you were pleased to entrust me with relative to the Manuscripts in the hands of J Massey, I sent to my Friend in London, desiring him to apply to Massey about them.— I have a Letter from my Friend by this days Post adviseing me he had made the application, and was told they had been disposed of...
6Matthew Ridley to the American Commissioners, 29 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Paris, September 29, 1778: A number of years ago, in London, I came upon a manuscript book of the commissioners of the English navy. It contains accurate descriptions of the ships and their equipment then in commission as well as calculations for their repair and the duties of their officers. Conceiving this...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 6 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Midy de la Grainerais of Rouen being desirous of seeing you to ask some Questions relative to a deed of a Mr. Shaffre’s for Lands in Pensylvania, has begd of me to give him a Letter to you for the purpose.— I have told him I doubted much your power of giving him any Information: but he still wishes to see you— Monsieur de la Grainerais has been...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 7 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley has the Honor to present his Respects to Mr. Franklin & incloses him 14 Bills numbered as underneath which he begs the favor of him to accept & return with the Letter intended for Holland. No. 48 –––––– 12 302 –––––– 18 187 –––––– 300 180 –––––– 18 2571 –––––– 24 661 –––––– 120 492 Dollars Addressed: A Son Excellence / Son Excellence B Franklin...
9Matthew Ridley to the American Peace Commissioners, [before 6 May? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my return from Versailles I found a Letter from my Friend Mr. Joshua Johnson at Nantes covering the Inclosed Extract of a Letter from Mr S Chase & sent him by his Brother the Governor of Maryland— Mr. J. Johnson desires me to communicate the Intelligence it contains to you & also to the Ministers of the French Court—it being probably the only authentic...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 2 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty inclosing you a power of Attorney executed by me & to beg you will affix a Certificate there to with your Seal annexed— I should not have given your Excellency this Trouble had not some difficulties been made by the Notary here as to the Form— I would not pretend to dictate to you the form of a Certificate but wish if agreeable to you...