7751Francis Dana to the American Peace Commissioners, 3/14 January [i.e., 14 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I was honoured with your favour of the 12th. of Decr: by the last post, enclosing a Copy of the preliminary Treaty of Peace between his Britannic Majesty and the United-States. I most heartily congratulate with you upon this great event, in which you have had the honour of so distinguished a part. I think that we ought to be, and shall be satisfied with...
7752To Benjamin Franklin from Sidney Lee, 14 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope the enclosed will meet with your Excellency’s approbation, and that I am not guilty of an impropriety in requesting of you the favor of transmitting it to his Excellency General Washington. I am Sr with great respect your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: His Excellency Benjamn Franklin Sister and principal heir of Maj.-Gen. Charles Lee ( XXII...
7753To Benjamin Franklin from Léonard Appée, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les Bonté que vous faite regallire [rejaillir] Sur un umbre [nombre] infinie De malhureux Et la justice Du congrés donc vous En nette [êtes] le digne réprésentant me fait prendre la liberté de vous adressé la présante pour imploré Votre protections, de plus Monsieur la justice de ma Cause me fait tout Esperé De Votre imtegrittée je reclâme dont monsieur 3...
7754To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Curson, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have some time had in veiw the intention of fixing myself in Lisbon, for the purpose of transacting business for my countrymen,— This seems a favourable moment, if credit is to be given to the report, of that place being lately opend, to American vessels,— Am induced to think your Excellency will be acquainted with the truth of this; my reason for...
7755To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer la copie d’un Mémoire qui m’a été adressé par les Srs. faure Donneau et Compagnie de Marseille propriétaire du Senaut l’Elégante. Vous avez déjà connoissance de cette affaire, puisque ces Négociants vous ont transmis leurs représentations sur cet objet, et vous avez...
7756To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 17 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ay Eté Bien affligée de voir hier a ma porte Le nom de Mon Cher Et Respectable Docteur, je le prie D’Estre persuadé de mes Regrets Et Du Desir que j’ay depuis Longtems de le Voir Et de le feliciter De L’heureuse paix qui Va Couronner sy heureusement Et sy Glorieusement ses Voeux Et Ses traveaux; puisqu’il Vient quelques fois a paris je puis me flatter De...
7757To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, 17 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a des siécles Mon Illustre Docteur que je n’ai eu lhonneur et le plaisir de vous voir et je m’en ennuye beaucoup. Tous ces jours cy Jai voulu Aller à Passy mais incertain de vous y trouver j’ai differré Jusqu’a ce que ce tems des visites fut passé. Enfin pour etre plus sur de passer quelques momens avec vous jai cru qu’il etoit mieux de vous demander à...
7758To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society Il est essentiel, Monsieur, que Je puisse avoir l’honneur de conferer avec vous, avec M. Adams et avec ceux de Mrs. [Messieurs] Vos Collegues qui peuvent se trouver à Paris. Je vous prie en consequence, Monsieur, de vouloir bien inviter ces Mrs. à se rendre a Versailles avec vous Lundi avant dix heures du Matin. Il seroit bon...
7759To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 423–4. I cannot but in the most earnest manner and from recent circumstances, press your going early to Versailles to-morrow; and I have considerable reason to think, that your appearance there will not displease the person whom you address. I am of opinion...
7760To Benjamin Franklin from René-Georges Gastellier, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Recevés, je vous supplie, mes actions de Graces trés humbles de l’honneur que vous voulés bien me faire en recevant la dédicace d’un ouvrage qui vient d’être orné du sceau de la societé royale de médecine à la quelle j’ai l’avantage d’appartenir, votre nom à son frontispice sera un témoignage aussi flatteur qu’honorable pour l’auteur. Mademoiselle de fay...
7761To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable the Delagates of Virginia have applied to me for my Assistance in obtaining from France certain Arms and Ammunition said to have been furnished by the Court for that State according to an Agreement entered into between Mr. Harrison a special Agent appointed by the Legislature and Monsr....
7762To Benjamin Franklin from Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr vaughan, m’ayant dit que vous seriés Curieux de voir le nouveau métal qu’on vient de proposer au gouvernement, pour doubler les vaisseaux, je m’empresse de vous envoyer avec grand plaisir, le petit echantillon que j’en possède, que mr douët de la Boulaye intendant Géneral des mines a eu la Bonté de me donner, ainsi q’un des cloux qui doivent Servir a...
7763To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress B V: presents his most affectionate respects to Dr. Franklin, and is unfortunately so engaged to day, as not to be able to accept of his kind welcome. B V’s brother acted for the best, but not being privy to circumstances, misunderstood him.— Tomorrow evening B V will however call at Passy, unless inconvenient to his friend, and directed otherwise. Addressed: A Monsr /...
7764To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Julien Garos, 20 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Quil me Soit permis d’implorer votre protection pour un particulier françois d’origine Résidant depuis très Long-tems à philadelphie. Je vais, Monseigneur, vous mettre Sous les yeux les faits tels quils Se Sont passés, afin que vous puissiez Juger Si ce particulier peut tirer de la position où Il Se trouve tous les avantages quil paroit S’en promettre....
7765To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Millet, 20 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai lhonneur de Vous adressér cy joint Le Mémoire des Marchandises d’Epicéries que je Vous ait fournie, jespere que Vous Vouderez bien Employer Votre autorité pour Scavoir ce qu’est devenus Le S. duchemin Votre Me. d’hotel ne le connoissant point jaurais crû Manquer Si jeû refuses crédit Sachant que Les Marchandises etoient pour Votre consommation, et La...
7766To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Gabriel de Messey, [after 20 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay apris avec la mesme Satisfaction lheureuse nouvelle de la paye finie que selle de la liberté que nos hommes ont procuré au quatorze provinse de la Merique, Evenement qui Eternise a james la mémoire dun des plus grant homme de notre siecle en votre Respectable persone. Permette moi monsieur davoir lhoneur de vous an faire mon compliment, je doit set...
7767To 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...
7768To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Caffiéri, 22 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’europe entiere a Les yeux sur L’epoque à jamais memorable de La liberté de l’amerique, votre patrie Scait apprecier L’etendue de vos Lumieres, et combien vous ave contribué a La Rendre L’egale Des Roys—peutetre S’empressera t’elle de Transmettre a La Posterité Cette Epoque qui L’immortalise, par un Monument qui en atteste La Gloire, ou Rendre a vos...
7769To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gebhard and Other Favor Seekers, 22 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As usual, Franklin receives a steady stream of requests for favors of all kinds. The first of these, printed below, asks him to forward a letter. Four other letters request a similar favor. On March 29 Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben, writing in German from Cüstrin, begs Franklin once again to forward a letter to his son the general, and in return will pray...
7770To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Trout and Richard Davis, 22 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We hope you will pardon the Liberty we take in sending you these few lines, was it not on Account of your general good Character, and the Distress we labour under we assure you we should not be so bold; but thinking our Situation very hard and more than ever our true Countrymen met with since the Commencement of the present Hostilities, encourages us to be...
7771To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 23 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur d’Envoyer a Monsieur franclin deux Nouvelles Epreveuves de la medaille, en observant que La tete n’est pas encore au point de perfection ou elle doit etre, que Les Serpens que tient L’enfant Seront plus grands et plus Caracterisés; en outre Le graveur a mis intans , au lieu d’ infans et qu’il Corrigera Ce deffaut d’Ortographe— J’ai L’honneur...
7772To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Saint-Auban, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 23 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous etes au comble de la gloire, veullie le ciel que vous jouissies long tems de votre triomphe, les dieux vous ont bien privilegié en vous acordant autant de superiorité de genie, puisque vous vous etes aquis la plus haute celebrité dans les sciences sublimes, et que vous les avès apliquées a la conservation de lhumanité; vos vues se sont ensuite tournées...
7773To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache: Two Letters, with a Note from Richard Bache, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Coll Cambray, who we shall miss very much, is the bearer of this, he will tell you how all the Family do, I paraded all the Children to day on purpose for him to tell you how they look’d, and if he does not say they are fine and handsome, I know not were he will find his beauties—the news papers that came since Major Franks’ paket was made up I...
7774To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You may remember my Tears of Jan. 20. 1778. They are wiped off. They were made an Article of Scoffing in a Lr. to Lord Chatham published by Almon. My Congratulations on Peace attend you. I thank you again & again for your very kind & ready granting my Request of a Passport for our Labradore Ship. & for sending my Lr. to America wrote in your Room at Passy...
7775To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de La Touche, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Lespoir que jai eu jusqua ce moment que ma Sante me permetterait davoir lhonneur de vous presenter mon hommage respectueux et vous faire agreer mon compliment Sur la paix et la recconnaissance de lindépendance des etats unis ma empéché de vous remettre La lettre cy jointe qui ma été remise a londres par chr Sargeant votre ami. Me trouvant for incomodé et...
7776To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent and Marie-Anne-Pierrette Paulze Lavoisier, [24 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Mde. Lavoisier sont passés mercredy au soir ches M. francklin pour le feliciter Sur la grande revolution que son genie avoit preparée et qui vient d’etre affermie par la signature de la Paix. Ils Se proposoient de l’engager a venir diner avec eux lundi prochain 27 a l’arsenal. Ils auront un peu de musique apres diner et ils seroient bien flattés...
7777To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Perrault and Other Applicants for Emigration, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The number of people applying to Franklin for help in emigrating to America increases markedly during the months following the signing of the preliminary peace treaty. Those letters for which no responses have been located are summarized here, with Perrault’s letter published as a sample. Johann Philipp Breidenstein writes in Latin from Giessen on February...
7778To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Smith, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sur I take This Opurtunety to inform You Of the Onhapy Setuation of Our People Now in this Prison. I Must inform You that thay Are Entering Out of Prison Averry Day for the Wont of Close and Vitels for thare Are Sum of them that Have Ben Hear this Aight Monts And Have Not Had the Lest Asistance from Any Body. And thare is the french and Duch and Spanish...
7779To Benjamin Franklin from Sally Beckwith, 25 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Encouraged by the assurances of my Dear Friend Mrs. Bache that you will not think my writing a peice of presumption I take this method at once of assuring you of my gratitude for past favors & to beg that when you shall hear that your Friends here have so very far outdone your utmost intention of serving me it may not so much be atributed to any art I have...
7780To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [25 January? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Tout le monde veut ici Mon Illustre Docteur que votre Excellence ait fait un discours au Roi et tout le monde me le demande et que je le traduise. Un mot un Seul mot mon Illustre confrere pour Savoir ce qui en est ou Si ce Sera pour Mardy Ou envoyez moi confiez le moi pour que je le traduise. Je ferai tous mes efforts pour y faire passer cet esprit de...
7781To Benjamin Franklin from L. Martineau aîné and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, 25 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Once the general peace was declared, merchant firms and individuals all over Europe wanted to form connections with the United States. For many of them, writing to Franklin was the first step. The letters we summarize in this headnote did not, to the best of our knowledge, receive responses. The earliest letter, published below, seeks a generous advance...
7782To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 25 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The present Serves to hand you some Letters brought by my Father who is in my house in perfect Health. When I have arranged my Business so as to be able to leave it I shall wait on you with him & bring home Mrs W in return. I thank you for your Note to Lord Shelburne which I hope...
7783To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An Express arrivd yesterday proclaimd Peace permit me to renew my Compliments of Congratulation. Mr Barclay wrote me some posts past from Lorient to have the returns of the prisoners at this City which I have transmitted and expect his further instructions by return of Post. I took the liberty to request a protection for two small Brigs I have which will...
7784To Benjamin Franklin from Alleyne Fitzherbert, 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress M. Fitz-Herbert est venu pour avoir l’honneur de faire part qu’il a eu Mardi 21 de ce mois ses premiéres audiences du Roi, de la Reine, et de la famille Royale en qualité de Ministre Plenipotentiaire de Sa Majesté Britannique. Fitzherbert had been appointed minister plenipotentiary the preceding summer ( XXXVII , 685n), but was received by the royal family only when...
7785To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Rec’d your favor of the 14th per Mr Oswald & am much obliged to you for your friendly Intentions, I have the Satisfaction to inform you that after all the Alarms & Apprehensions the upshot was tolerable, much better than I expected. I without delay waited upon the Secretary of State with the discharges of the Officers you sent me & he readily...
7786To 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...
7787To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty to Inform you that after a passage of twenty days I have ariv’d hear in Nantes hope the pleasure of Seing you Soon, I Left all our friends Well in America. I most hartly Congratelate you On the good News of Peace thanks to God. Belive me ever your most Dutyfull Nephew & Hble Servant Notation: Jona. Williams Jany. 26. 1782. He had been...
7788To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Fanning, 27 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society That having wrote your Excellency several Petitions in justification of my Conduct, during my last Cruise on Board of the Eclipse, which has made such a Noise in this Part of the World relative to my Crew having Plundered a certain danish Vessel which has been transacted without my Knowledge, or consent, as appears by my Interogation as well as those of my...
7789To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, with a Note by the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 27 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons appris aujourd’hui, mon Respectable ami, que les préliminaires de la paix avoient êté signés le 20e entre les puissances belligérantes, et sur le champ la Dame du chateau a ordonné à son secrétaire intime de mettre son tendre hommage aux pieds du libérateur de l’amérique, du Vengeur du droit des Nations, en attendant qu’elle puisse l’embrasser de...
7790To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Duché, Jr., 28 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the earliest Opportunity, since the Signing of the Provisional & Preliminary Articles of a General Peace, of expressing my sincere Congratulations to your Excellency on that happy Event, and at the same Time of communicating to you my most ardent Desire of returning to my Native City; earnestly requesting you to honour me with your Opinion &...
7791To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Pitot Duhellés and Other Consulship Seekers, 28 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Once the preliminary peace treaties were signed, applications for American consulships came streaming into Passy from all over Europe. Most of the applicants expected their home ports would soon begin a vigorous trade with America and that Congress would appoint consuls immediately. Franklin, on the other hand, believed that the United States could not...
7792To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Grasse, 28 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Permettez, Monsieur, que J’ay l’honneur De faire a Votre Execellence mon sincere Compliment Sur la Signature des preliminaires De la Paix & Sur l’Independance Reconnue & Definitive Des Etats unis De l’amerique. J’ose me flatter que Votre Execelence Sera plus Convaincüe De la sastifaction que J’ay Ressentie De Ce grand Evenemement que Je ne puis La luy...
7793To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 28 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I expected every day to hear that peace was actualy made, I postponed to write to you, fearing to interrupt your attention now engaged in more whighty affaires than the Content of my lettres. I hope you have put the wire inclosed in my last to the test in a phial filled with fine dephlogisticated air. If you have, I am Sure you will have been pleased...
7794To Benjamin Franklin from John Sargent, 28 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Charettier, the Bearer hereof, who had the Honour of paying His respects to You two Years agoe being about to set for Paris again, in a few Hours, to give an account of a Trust He hath executed for that Court, as Commissary for Their Prisoners of War, with great Credit, I beg Leave to recommend Him to Your Favour, & Protection, as a very honest...
7795To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library As It is proper for every prudent Man to know on what Ground he proceeds before he engages too far, and as now we have a general Peace there can no longer be a Reason for keeping the Terms of it Secret, I beg you will kindly resolve the following Questions. 1 Does the Prohibition of English Goods in America cease, on Britains...
7796To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of receiving the Letter which your Excellency was so kind as to Write me the 21st. instant and I very heartily and sincerely Congratulate you on your having seen such Important Events take place as the Independence of America, and General Peace of Europe. There are now in this port several American Vessels ready to push to Sea, and if there...
7797To Benjamin Franklin from Maxwell Garthshore, 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Garthshore returns His respl. Compts. & Thanks to Dr. Franklin, it is with infinite regret He finds Himself oblidged to leave Paris this day, where He has only staid a very few & without having it once in His power to wait on Dr. Franklin but that single time on His return from Versailles, which He was conscious was an improper Hour, but was owing to His...
7798To 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:...
7799To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Your kind Favour of the 7th Inst. came to hand safe the 16th.— Please to accept my sincere & hearty thanks for your good Advice, & the many Obligations I am under to so good a Benefactor, & permit me also, to congratulate You upon the Peace lately concluded, which gives me the greatest Joy as a Patriot & by the Hopes I have that it will ease You of a...
7800To Benjamin Franklin from François-Félix Nogaret, 29 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Aimable Docteur! homme utile! Votre santé est-elle retablie? Personne ne le desire plus que vos respectueux amis de versailles homme et femme f. nogaret. Je vous prierai d’agréer, pour vos etrennes, Le portrait de notre archevêque de Paris, qui paraîtra dans les premiers jours de janvier, et qu’on vous portera. Menagés une Santé precieuse à tout le monde,...