1The Continental Congress to Franklin, William Bollan, Edmund Burke, Charles Garth, Arthur Lee, Thomas Life, and Paul … (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress This letter from the Congress over the signature of its president carried to England the official news, so long awaited, of what had happened in Philadelphia. The letter was drafted at the end of the session by a committee of two and approved on the last day, October 26. Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Congress, enclosed it in a covering letter of the same date...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, Matthew Ridley, and Vergennes: Three Unsent Letters, [before 26 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I), (II), and (III) AL (draft): Library of Congress On December 13, Franklin learned that Matthew Ridley was planning a trip to England to visit his wife. He proposed furnishing Ridley with powers to exchange Henry Laurens for John Burgoyne, and giving him instructions for the relief of American prisoners. Eight days later he promised Ridley a commission and instructions. Ridley was...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 15 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Central Library, Sheffield The background of this letter was conversations between the two men during Franklin’s last months in London. Burke’s record of their final meeting, even though not committed to paper until years later, is revealing enough to be worth extensive quotation. “As far as a man, so locked up as Dr. Franklin, could be expected to communicate his ideas, I believe he...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 15 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two copies: Sheffield Central Library; two copies: Library of Congress I received but a few days ago your very friendly Letter of August last, on the Subject of General Burgoyne. Since the foolish Part of Mankind will make Wars from time to time with each other, not having Sense enough otherwise to settle their Differences, it certainly becomes the wiser Part, who cannot prevent those...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 19 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Central Library, Sheffield The Congress had told the seven active colonial agents to deliver its petition into the King’s hands. This instruction raised a delicate question of protocol, for the method of direct presentation, although not entirely unprecedented, was contrary to the normal one of delivering a petition to the American Secretary to be forwarded. The meeting that was the...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Sheffield Central Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I did myself the honour of writing to you about two Months since. I have not heard whether that Letter was receiv’d; and being told that a Packet Boat was lost about that time, I fear it miscarried, and therefore send a Copy. With great Respect, I am, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant, Endorsed: Dr....
7From John Jay to Edmund Burke, 12 December 1795 (Jay Papers)
The last time I had the pleasure of seeing you we conversed among other things, and spea^eing of the apples of this Country I promised to send you a few ^some apple^ Trees of some of the best Sorts — Fifty Trees have been put ^of five different Sorts are now^ on Board the Rosanna Cap t . John Pollard, whose Rec[eip] t . for them you will find herewith enclosed Ten of these Trees are in the New...