1Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and John Jay, 28 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Delaware Mr Adams and Mr Jay present their Compliments to Dr Franklin and inform him, that they have just seen Mr Laurens and agreed with him upon a Meeting of the American Ministers Tomorrow at Eleven, at Mr Laurens’s Lodgings. The Drs Company is desired, and Mr Franklin Junr is requested also to attend. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre...
3Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 28 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society We had the honor of receiving your Favour of the 20th. Inst, and are persuaded that the Communication of the Friendly Disposition of his Prussian Majesty made to you by the Baron de Thuilemeyer will give great Pleasure to Congress. The Respect with which the Reputation of that great Prince has impress’d the United States, early induced them to consider his...
4To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 14 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have this Day drawn. a Set of Bills of Exchange on your Excellency in Favour of the Marquis D’Yranda payable at Ninety Days after Date for forty thousand one hundred and twenty five Livres Tournois— I shall soon be obliged to draw also for the Residue of the Money for the two months Bills and for our Salaries. I have the honour to be, Your Excellency’s most obedt. &...
5John Jay: Account of Conversation with Franklin, September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Columbia University Library Dr. Franklin lived at Pha. in the Neighbourhood of Mr Boudinot the Father of Elias Boudinot the present Presidt. of Congress—the Father was a Silver Smith who had come from NYork to settle at Pha., a man much devoted to Whitfield, by whom his Son was baptized Elias after the Prophet of that Name— Dr. Franklin remembers Elias coming to his Father’s Door with...
6Contract between the Secret Committee and John Brown, [before 20 January 1776]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy with DS by Nicholas Brown: John Carter Brown Library <[Before Jan. 20, 1776]: Agreed between John Brown on the one part and members of the committee on the other that a voyage or voyages will be undertaken to procure thirty-six tons of gunpowder (or, failing that, sufficient saltpetre and sulphur to make up the same amount), 1,000 stand of good arms, 1,000 gun locks, twenty tons of lead,...
7To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 13 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received your Favor respecting the Pump at aldgate. I have since (two Days Ago) recd. Letters from Congress assuring me that no further Bills shall be drawn upon me. These Dispatches have given me so much Business that I am obliged to desire Mr. Carm to write you the News, and to assure you without further additions to this Letter that I am most sincerely, Your...
8To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress I have the Honor of transmitting to you the enclosed Copy of an Act of Congress of the 23rd. Ulto: Being ignorant of the Gentlemen mentioned in it, and all Information respecting them having been received by Congress prior to my Arrival, I applied to the Secretary for the necessary Intelligence— He this...
9To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 5 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Altho’ you have not informed me that you had recd. my Letter from St. Ildefonso, yet I find it has not only come safe to your Hands, but that Mr. Grand (to whom I wrote a few Lines by last Post) is actually engaged in obtaining the Object of it. I thank you for this in both the Capacities of American & Friend. How far the Responsibility of the King of Spain may be a...
10To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Library of Congress; AL (draft) Columbia University Library; copy: National Archives; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society You will perceive from the enclosed Resolution of Congress which passed Yesterday That you are permitted to return to America as soon as convenient. This Circumstance must afford great Pleasure to your Family and Friends here, and I am persuaded you will...
11To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I am & have lately been, so employed, as that your obliging Letters of the 20th. Augt. & 4 Septr. last, must remain a little longer unanswered. Among the enclosed Papers you will find several Copies of Letters & Extracts sent me by Mr. R Morris— I enclose open for your Perusal, my Letter to Congress of this Date,— after reading be pleased to seal &...
12Franklin and John Jay to David Hartley, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: William L. Clements Library We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindred Travelling, had occasion’d a Delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number...
13Contract between the Secret Committee and John and Nicholas Brown, 6 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: John Carter Brown Library <Philadelphia, February 6, 1776: The Browns will procure in Europe 10,000 good blankets at approximately 4 s. 6 d. to 5 s. sterling apiece; 9,200 yards of blue and brown broadcloth for uniforms and 800 yards of different colors for facings, most of the cloth, being for privates, at about 4 s. sterling per yard and the rest, for officers, at 6 s. ; ten tons of...
14To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have been favored with your Letter of Yesterday, & will answer it explicitly— I have no Reason whatever to believe that you was averse to our obtaining the full Extent of Boundary & Fishery secured to us by the Treaty.— Your Conduct respecting them throughout the Negociation indicated a strong & steady attachment to both those objects, & in my opinion...
15The Committee of Secret Correspondence to John Bradford, 30 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; typescript of ALS : Yale University Library We take the liberty to enclose herein some dispatches for Messrs. Saml. & J. H. Delap Merchts. in Bourdeaux which youl please to deliver into Capt. Clevelands own hands with a strict charge to take the utmost care of them and follow the orders also enclosed herein directed to him which you will be pleased to deliver and...
16To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 13 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL (draft): Columbia University Library The Marqs. de la Fayette is so obliging as to take Charge of this Letter. He has seen much of our Country since his Arrival, and, having had many Opportunities of knowing our true Situation, will be able to give you full Information on the Subject. I think he is (and has Reason to be) convinced that the Attachment of America to him, has not been...
17To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Columbia University Library On this Day I gave the House of Messrs. Jaques, Louis And Laurt. Le Couteullx of this Place, a Set of Bills on you for two Thousand five hundred and Sixty four Livres Eighteen Sols and ten Donrs. [deniers] payable ninety Days after the Date. I am Dear Sir with great Regard & Esteem your most Obedient Servant For this firm’s prior...
18To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [25 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette is about to depart, & wishes for a speedy answer to his Letter— The enclosed Draft of one, meets with Mr Adam’s approbation, & if it also meets with your’s, be pleased to sign a Copy of it, and send it by the Bearer— I am Dr Sir sincerely Yours & Addressed: His Exy. / Doctr. Franklin / Passy The date of Lafayette’s departure for Brest; see...
19To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 9 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress As our Salaries are payables in Sterling money, I am too much at a Loss to determine the Rate of Exchange to fix upon any at present. I remember that your former Advances on this Account were at the rate of twenty four thousand Livres for a thousand Louis, supposing a Louis to be equal to a pound sterling, Our half years Salaries would amount to seventeen hundred &...
20To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress You will find herewith enclosed an Extract of a sensible priv. Letter I recd. from the Secy of Congress on the Subject of their Finances—you will publish it or not as circumstances may render expedient. A Variety of Circumstances lead me to suspect that Negotiations for Peace are in agitation in pursuance of the Emperors...
21John Jay to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your favors of the 2d. 8th: and 10 June last have been recd. and Copies transmitted to the Committee. The subject of them certainly merits their Attention, and I hope your Advice will be litterally complied with. As I have not now the Honor of a Seat in Congress, having been called to an office which will confine me in this State, any Information I can...
22To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Since we parted I have been so much & so long indisposed as that (except short Letters to Mrs. Jay) I have denied myself the Pleasure of writing to my Friends. The Kindness you have shewn us both, has nevertheless not been forgotten, nor has my Disposition to acknowledge and be influenced by it in the least abated....
23To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 18 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library All our Trouble and anxiety abt the Bills payable here this Month has been in vain they are protested. The following are the Reasons which I have desired the Notary to recite exactly in the Protest vizt (here insert Reasons verb. [verbatim]) It is proper you shd be informed that Mr. Garbarrus [Cabarrus], some Months ago voluntary offered (thro Mr....
24To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 21 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Columbia University Library; copies: National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library It seems as if my chief business here was to fatigue you and our good Allies with incessant Sollications on the Subject of the ill-timed, & I had almost said cursed Bills drawn upon me by Congress. It is happy for me that you are a Philosopher, and for our Country that our allies are indeed...
25To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 30 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library I had Yesterday the Satisfaction of receiving your Favor of the 15th. Instant. You will find by a Letter which I wrote you on the 11th.— Instant that I imputed your Silence to its true Cause, being well persuaded that the same Attention which you have always paid to the...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [18] June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society (two), Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library, Harvard University Library, His Excellency M. Jacques Delarue Caron de Beaumarchais (1976); copy: Library of Congress I enclose you Acts of Congress of the 5th. and 18th. Instant respecting Bills of Exchange for two Million four hundred thousand Livres Tournois Principal and four...
27To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have this Day drawn upon you a Bill in Favor of the Marquis d’Yranda for ninety thousand one hundred & thirty five Liv. Tourn. at ninety Days Sight. I shall also soon be obliged to draw for the Balance of the 25000 Doll. for the two Months Sight Bills— I am Dear Sir, Your obliged & obt. Servant. The $25,000 BF had promised to provide for bills of credit drawn on...
28To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Having on the 7th. of November last lost our Masts off the Banks of Newfound Land and been obliged to come to this Place to refit, I am constrained to draw upon you for Part of the Salary due to me as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to his Catholic Majesty, agreable to the Intention of Congress expressed in their Resolution of the 15th. of...
29To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 11 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library The last Letter I had the Pleasure of writing to you was dated the 31 Ult. and referred to a former one of the 21 november last in which I stated my Difficulties on Acct. of the Bills, the Improbability of my obtaining any Relief here, & consequently the necessity I was...
30To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 18 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copy: Library of Congress; two AL (drafts): Columbia University Library; (II) copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library This will be delivered to you by the Baron Giusti, who having been charge des affairs not only of the Emperor, but of the Grand Duke of Tuscany at this Court, is now Returning to Vienna. This Gentleman’s knowledge and acquirements, exclusive of...
31Franklin and John Jay to Thomas Mifflin, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress We duly received the Letters your Excellency did us the honour of writing to us the 14th of January by Colonel Harmar & Lieut. Col. David Franks, with the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty, the Proclamation, & the Recommendatory Resolves of Congress. On the Arrival of Col. Harmar, we immediately wrote to Mr Hartley,...
32To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 8 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have recd. your Favor of the 22 & 23 Ult. They have determined me to set out for Paris. I shall leave this Place the latter End of next Week. Mrs. Jay & my Nephew go with me. Be pleased to take Lodgings for me, and to inform me of them, by a Line to Mr Delap or Mr Bondfield at Bordeaux. The Embassador of France...
33To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 25 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your very agreable and friendly Letters I have recd. and shall take an early Opportunity of answering fully.— I have no Reason as yet to think a Loan here will be practicable. Bills on me arrive daily. Be pleased to send me a Credit for Residue of our Salaries.— America rises in the general Estimation here. Tell Mr. Deane I have recd. four of his Letters & written...
34To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 28 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In your Letter of seventh Inst. the Receipt of which I yesterday aknowledged by the post, mention is made of a Bill drawn by me upon you for 4564 livs. 18 s. 10 d. which had been persented and accepted and would be duly paid. I did not Yesterday attend to the Sum, but the fact is that none of the Bills drawn by me on you are for that Sum, so there must either be a...
35To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, [24 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Mr Oswald expressed his Desire to me last Evening that we would meet him, at any Time & place that might be convenient to us. As Mr Strachey is confined by a swelled Face, at Mr Oswalds; I promised the latter to propose to you our meeting there at 11 OClk. Tomorrow. I am Dear Sir Sincerely Yours &c Endorsed: recd Nov. 24. 82 For this meeting, which opened the final...
36To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, New-York Historical Society It having been suspected that I concurred in the appointment of your Grandson to the Place of Secretary to the american Commission for peace, at your Instance, I think it right thus unsollicited to put it in your power to correct that...
37To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have this Day drawn upon your Exy three Sets of Bills in Favor of the Marqs D Yranda for £ 4600 4400 4297.10.6 13297.10.6 being the Ballance of principal and Interest due to him on the Sum of one Million seven hundred and Eighty thousand eight hundred and sixty seven Reals of Vellon and twenty six Marevodis, borrowed of him by me on the 11 April...
38John Jay to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives On the 21st. Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived.— The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business— Congress...
39To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 14 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society You informed M. Franks in a late letter that the Capt. of the Vessell in wch. he came from philada. complained of his having left Cadiz without paying for his passage— This complaint is unjust. The Majors instructions under M. R. Morris’ hand (which I am acquainted with) mention expressly that he (Mr. Morris) had engaged to pay the passage Money in question...
40To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 24 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am told an Express will set out this Evening from hence to Paris, & tho’ I have not time say as much as I would wish, I cannot omit this Opportunity of returning you my warmest Thanks for your very friendly Letter by my Courier. Col. Laurens informs me that on his arrival he delivered some Letters he brought from America for me to you— as none of them have as yet...
41To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Two Days ago I requested the favor of Mr. W. Franklin to mention to you the Case of Mr. Johnsons Bills, and to inform me whether it would be convenient to You to provide for their paymt. & when, in Case I accepted them. Mr Johnson is anxious to know my Determination, and offers to be the Bearer of this note— I am Dr. Sir your obliged & obt Servt Addressed:...
42To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Proposed Letter, [on or before 2 August 1779] (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): National Archives The Burning of Suffolk in Virginia Fairfield East Haven Green’s Farms & Norwalk in Connecticut together with the Ravages committed in Georgia & South Carolina form a cruel Commentary upon the Proclamation of the british Commissioners. This Proclamation was defended in their Parliament as meaning no more than that in future the War was to be carried on agt. America...
43To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 31 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives, Huntington Library I learn from Marqs. DYranda that my Letter to You of the 21 Ult. has reached You. The Want of a good Opportunity has for some time past prevented my writing to You so particularly as I could have wished. Things remain here exactly in Statu quo , except that your Aid daily becomes...
44To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 22 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library, Columbia University Library I have lately written to you several Letters. Enclosed is a Copy of one to Count de Vergennes, which Ct. de Montmorin, who also writes to him on the same Subject, is so obliging as to send together with this, by a Courier to bayonne. The Papers you have heretofore recd. from me, with those...
45To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 29 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library As your Letter permitting me to draw upon you for the amount of the Bills payable in this & the next Month, did not arrive till after several of them had become payable, Mr Cabarrus was so obliging as to advance the necessary Sums— I have this Day drawn Bills in his favor on you to the amount of 76,681 Livrs. 13 Sols & 6 Den. which at 14.8. the present...
46To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 30 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have this Day drawn upon Mr. Grand, in favour of the Marqs. D’Yranda for 487,320 liv. Tournois at ninety Days after Date, in order to enable me to pay Bills drawn upon me by Congress which will become due next month. I have by this Days post advised Mr. Grand of this Draft, & have desired him to carry it to your Account. The enclosed is a Copy of the Marquis Acct....
47To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 9 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania I enclose you an act of Congress of the 8th. of this Instant June, directing that Bills should be drawn upon you to the amount of three hundred and sixty thousand Livres Tournois for the purpose of importing Military Stores. I have accordingly drawn four setts, payable to the Honble: Henry Laurens, Francis Lewis, James...
48To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library I have lately recd. a very friendly Letter from the Marqs. de la Fayette, covering some Dispatches from Mr Livingston. I find that the objects of his Voyage are interesting to us, and that it is the Desire of Congress that we should...
49The Secret Committee to John Ross, 27 September 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : New York Public Library <Philadelphia, September 27, 1776: Several vessels bringing clothing have been captured. Please purchase on the best possible terms 10,000 striped blankets, 30,000 yards of blue and brown broadcloth at 3 s. to 6 s. the yard, 3,000 yards of different colors for facings at about 4 s. , and 1,000 pieces of Duffields or the equivalent at about 90 s. Use either funds on...
50To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I have had the Pleasure of recg. your favor of the 2d. June last. The act of Congress respecting Col Diricks alluded to in it; mentioned no public Business comd. to his Care, but in Compliance with his Request supported by Govr. Trumbul simply recommended him to your notice— As this will be delivered to you by Monsr. Gerard It will be unnecessary to...