1The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners to France, 24 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copies: Library of Congress; National Archives The Congress having Committed to our Charge and Management their Ship of War called the Reprisal, Commanded by Lambert Wickes Esqr. carrying sixteen Six pounders and about one hundred and twenty Men, We have allotted her to carry Doctor Franklin to France and directed Capt. Wickes to proceed for the...
2From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
3The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 21[–23] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, New York Public Library, University of Virginia Library, British Library; AL (incomplete draft ): American Philosophical Society; three copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress This letter was in response to Deane’s of October 1, which was the first word from him in Paris that reached Philadelphia. He complained hotly...
4The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Amerìcan Commissioners, 30 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; Haverford College Library; LS without postscript: Joseph E. Fields, Joliet, Ill. (1958); AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives (two) The military defeats that had followed consistently on the Battle of Long Island, and had brought the British so near Philadelphia that Congress had fled to...
LS : Library of Congress; University of Pennsylvania Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (four) Congress relying on your wisdom and integrity, and well knowing the great Importance of the Case, have appointed you their Commissioner to negotiate a treaty of friendship and commerce with the Court of Spain. The Idea of Congress on this Subject you will find in the instructions...
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
7The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress; Yale University Library Captain Hammond having been detained longer than we expected, furnishes us with an opportunity of giving you the information we have since our last received from the Army, thro a Committee of Congress left at Philadelphia; for we have yet had no regular accounts from General Washington. On the 2d....
8The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; LS : American Philosophical Society, Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress, British Library. I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th and 29th Novr. by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred and twenty Six Brass Canon and Arms and equipage compleat for three thousand...
9The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
10The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; LS : Rutgers University Library ; draft: Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress You will recieve inclosed copies of our letters of the 21st. and 30th. Decemr., and of the Resolves of Congress accompanying them. It concerns us not less than we are sure it will you, that you should have heard so seldom from us, but...
11The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
12The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
13The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; draft: Harvard University Library We have the honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress that is of great Importance to the public Service, which has suffered considerably the last Fall, and during this Winter, by the insufficient manner in which our Soldiers were clothed. Having found much Delay heretofore in getting Cloth made up, the Congress desire that 40,000...
14The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 18 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library You will receive herewith a Copy of our Letter of Yesterday by the Lexington, with its enclosures. This goes to Boston for a Passage from thence. An armed Vessel belonging to that State will carry the dispatches and will be governed by your directions respecting her Load back, and the Time of her return. Should you have failed in obtaining the Loan, or of...
15The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; two copies: National Archives; draft: American Philosophical Society The events of war have not since our last furnished any thing decisive. The enemies Army still remains encamped upon the hills near Brunswick, and still our Troops continue to beat back and destroy their Convoys insomuch that we understand their Horses dye in numbers, and we have reason to...
16The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives We send you herewith the Draught of a Frigate, by a very ingenious Officer in this service, which appears to Us peculiarly suitable for Our purpose, and We are in hopes of being able to ship Cordage and Sail Cloth, and Anchors &c. sufficient for Five or Six such Frigates, by the Time you can have them built. Though deprived of any intelligence from you since the...
17The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
18The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the American Commissioners, 25 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress We are commanded by Congress to transmit Copies of their Resolve of the 13 instant to all the Gentlemen abroad that hold correspondance with any of their Committees. The Necessity of Such a resolution and due attention to it, is fully evinced by the heavy expence america has been put to by many Gentlemen received into their...
19The American Commissioners to [the Committee of Secret Correspondence], 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We wrote to you pretty fully on the State of Affairs here, in ours of the 12th of March and 19th of this Month, since which there has been little Alteration. There is yet no Certainty of a sudden Declaration of War, but the Preparations go on vigorously both here and in Spain, the Armies of france drawing towards the Sea Coasts, and those of Spain to the...
20The Secret Committee to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Johns Hopkins University Library; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives, Library of Congress, University of Virginia Library This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already performed signal services in Vessels of little Force and in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board...
21To Benjamin Franklin from James Jay with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 14 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Implicit faith on any point, in opposition to every attending circumstance and appearance, is so great a difficulty to a person accustomed to require conviction before he yields assent, that I cannot, notwithstanding the high opinion I entertain of your judgment, acquiesce in either the impropriety or impracticability of indulging me with a passage in the...
22To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Ponteney with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An consequance de ce dont nous sommes convenus ansemble le jour que j’ait eu l’honneur de diner avec vous, Monsieur, chez Mr. de la faye, j’ait celuy de vous anvoier la notte et les echantillions des marchandise que mon mari peut fournir vandues sur le port a auxonne pour de la etre transportees par la saône et le Rhône a arles, soit pour etre ambarquees...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Barthélemy-Pélage Georgelin du Cosquer with the Draft of Franklin’s Reply, 11 June 1778 … (Franklin Papers)
ALS and D : American Philosophical Society <Paris, June 11, 1778, in French: Your concern, as an ally, for a nation that cherishes and reveres you as much as your own does must make you groan at the number and length of lawsuits in France. My patriotic plan, modeled on the twenty-fifth article of the Pennsylvania constitution, to remedy these abuses will, I hope, have your support. The...
24Exchanges with Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy: Six Letters circa July 27, 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society; (III) AL : American Philosophical Society; (IV) AL (draft) and autograph copy or press copy: American Philosophical Society; (V) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (VI) ALS : American Philosophical Society As is often the case with the Doctor’s much-admired neighbor in Passy, chronology hangs on tenuous...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, with Franklin’s Undated Reply, [10 December and after 10 December 1778?] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL and copy: American Philosophical Society Once again Madame Brillon’s failure to date her letters compels us to offer a hypothetical cluster. The following exchange, along with her letters published under December 15 and 20, form a group linked by its common theme: a fantasy of paradise to come. The only solid clue to a date is her allusion here...
26To Benjamin Franklin from A. Sube, ——— Laporte, and P. Fauchier, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 14 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Hier treize de ce mois nous avons celebré l’anniversaire de la fete etablie en l’honneur de nos bons amis et alliés les insurgents. Nous vous faisons passer un imprimé qui vous apprendra en detail ce qui s’est fait dans cette delicieuse journée. Nous avons bu au bruit des boëtes la santé du roy, celle des insurgents, et celle du comte d’estaing. Nous...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Brutiere with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Granville, February 21, 1779, in French: I fear you did not receive my letter of the 5th of last month, and remind you of what I wrote then. M. Stadelle furnished you with three copies of my captain’s report to the admiralty, of which you forwarded two to Congress for verification. You promised me justice. The owner of the privateer owes me 4–5,000 l.t. ,...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Rousseaux with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me suis fait Lhonneur de vous Ecrire trois lettre sans avoir eu aucune de vos reponce au sujet de ma part de Prisé et appointemant. Je crois monsieur que cest une chose qui a ette trop bien Gagnié pour que je les perdre non seuremant [seulement] ce que jay Gagnié mes [mais] ausy mes Effet que jay perdu etant a votre service et vous croy trop juste pour...
29To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Duverger and Other People with Goods to Offer, with Franklin’s Notes for Replies, 3 March … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Goodwill toward America and its representative kept flowing—sometimes at a price—from various sources. Some correspondents wanted to help the war effort, others to make known whatever interesting discoveries they had made. On March 3 came the offer, printed below, of the Liège arms manufacturer Duverger. Writing from Pennautier, near Carcassonne, on March...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Bon de Corcelles and Other Applicants for Emigration, with Franklin’s Notes for … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Of the nine people who applied to Franklin for his help in emigrating to America during the four months covered by this volume, three still believed that land in America was to be had for the asking. Pierre Bon de Corcelles, whose letter is printed below, desires land for himself and some soldats-agriculteurs . So does Count Werzerÿ who, writing from...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Marie Boyenval and Other Commission Seekers, with Franklin’s Notes for Replies, 13 March … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is doubtful that any of the people who applied to Franklin for commissions in the American army during the spring of 1779 ever crossed the ocean. Franklin was under orders from Congress not to send over any more French officers and France, anyway, was at war. Still, some twelve candidates tried their luck. During the first weeks of his tenure as Minister...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Gioanni de Bernardi with Franklin’s Note for a Reply: résumé, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Turin, March 20, 1779, in Italian: The reputation acquired throughout Europe by the glorious thirteen American colonies, their success and wise legislation, have aroused in me a desire to see this new republic with my own eyes and offer it my services as a jurist. The best way I can think to accomplish this is to turn to you. I realize that you know...
33To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Allemand with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 22 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser la Note que vous m’avés demandée; je me reproche la peine que vous voulés bien prendre pour coopérer à la perfection de mon ouvrage sur les Canaux. C’est un tribut d’estime que je paye à votre Nation, et dont je me plais à m’acquitter, en la proposant pour exemple à ma patrie. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec un très-profond respect...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Roussille with a Draft of Franklin’s Reply, 27 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jose prendre la liberté de m’adresser a vous Comme L’armement de la frégate Le Boston ayant été fait a Bordx. le 22 mai 1778. me procura la Connoissance du Capne. Tucker me fit décider de tanter fortune Sur Son bord, pour cet effet jobteins de lui une place de volontaire aux appointmts de 28 l.t. 10 s par mois avec promesse part et portion aux prises S’il...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-François de Boy with Franklin’s Note to John Laurens and Laurens’ Response, May 7 [–on … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Sent to you the Copy of the Certificate, and too that of the Some Sundry papers, from the War Office who Given to me, because I have Lost’d my Comission from the Hble. Congress, when the ennemies have Taken Brunswick, and too Besides all my things. I shall desire to Go again in your Country, if you Can Employ me, as you will please, very much oblige, to...
36To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Du Mourier with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 18 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’etais dejà penetré depuis longtems de veneration pour vos connaissances, votre patriotisme & vos vertus. Mr. Nixon Eclesiastique vient de me confier sa position & votre generosité, je luy ay payé sur le champ la lettre de Change qu’il tire sur vous. Mr. Le Mis. de Clarac qui se trouvait chez moy vous la remettra, & recevra de vous le comptant, il a voulu...
37To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 20 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Je Vous fais de tout mon Coeur, Monsieur, sur votre bonne fortune en Amerique, Mon Compliment. La santé de Mr de Maurepas, m’affecte si vivement que la prise de Cornwallis, ne ma Pas procuré les transports que J’aurois eû, sans la Situation dun homme a qui Jai été extremement toujours attachée. Je vous prie de ne pas douter de la Sincerité des Sentiments...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Maurice-Augustin Montgolfier, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, [before 28 January 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society D’après L’honneur de La votre du 29. Passé, j’ay adressé à un ami à Lyon Pour vous faire Parvenir par quelque occasion ou par la Messagerie, un Pacquet contenant deux feuilles de Chacque Grandeur des plus usités de mes Papiers avec Le Poids de chacque Rame Et le Prix. J’En ai mis 2. feuilles de Chaque Espèce dans L’Espérance que vous voudrez Bien me faire...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Louise-Geneviève Du Ponceau, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 15 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La bontez de votre coeur pour les mallereux mes [m’est] si fort connuë que jose prendre la libertez de vous en Gager a vouloir bien à Voir la bontez de me fasilitez une correspondanse avec un frere que jes a philadelphie qui est premier sécretaire du ministre des afaire étrangère: élas je resoi si rarement des nouvelle de se tendre frere que Si vous vouliez...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Palteau de Veimerange, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 11 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Les perquisitions que j’ai fait faire pour trouver des Navires propres à transporter en Amérique, les differens effets qui ont été rassemblés à Brest, pour le Service des Etats unis, n’ont pas été heureuses jusqu’à présent. J’ai la certitude qu’il n’en pourra être fourni aucun de Nantes et de l’Orient; il n’y a pas lieu d’esperer qu’il puisse S’en trouver à...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, with a Draft of Franklin’s Reply, [8 April 1782] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I just hear from Amsterdam that Bills accepted by Mr. J. Jay at Madrid are come back unpaid & protested to the Amount of 20000 Ducats. If you are desirous they should be paid you will be so Kind as to send me your Orders for that purpose & I shall pursuant thereto write by tomorrow’s Mail to the above friends to give notice to the holders of the Bills that...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Colomb, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Voila deux ans et demy d’Ecoulés depuis mon depart de l’amerique Septentrionale, sous le congé qui me fut acordé par le Congrés avec la faculté de venir rejoindre mes drapeaux lorsque Les Circonstances me le permetroient, et que ma Santé Epuisée par les fatigues du service penible que J’y avois fait pend’ 3 ans, et de la dure prison que J’y avois soufferte...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Nicholas Servin, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 16 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Je viens de faire imprimer a Basle un ouvrage Sur La Législation Criminelle Auquel le Celebre Monsieur Iselin a joint des observations de Sa façon. Je Vous prie de permettre Que mon Libraire Vous en adresse un Exemplaire par la poste. C’est un hommage Que je dois a un des plus Grands hommes d’etat et des Scavans Les plus distingués de l’univers. J’ose...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Deacon M. Auer, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Rien n’est plus genereux, que l’Action, que Vous venez de faire, Monseigneur! La pauvre Veuve Hoeklin se croit heureuse. Elle a reçu un Billet que Son Excellence, Votre Beaufils aye accepté 200 Pound de Mons. Schneider a Germantown. Mons. Richard Bache a ecrit lui meme. Mais a cette heure nous sommes en peine. Permettez donc, je Vous supplie, de Vous...
45To 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...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Guillaume Backhaus, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 7 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de feliciter Vôtre Excellence de la paix glorieuse, qui vient être conclue, & dont l’histoire èternisera Vôtre nom très réspectable & Vos insignes merites. A Son rétour me vinrent quelques considerations en égard de l’Armée des Etats Souvrains de l’Amerique Septentrionale, les quelles mon Zêle m’inspira, & ma confiance réspectueuse aux...
47To Benjamin Franklin from J. Torris & Wante, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 16 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons appris par Mrs. Maussallè & Bertrand L’acceuil Obligeant dont Vous les avez honnoré, et la promesse que vous Leur avoit faite de nous addresser un passeport du Nombre des cent que vous attendez de la Cour de Londres, avec une Lettre de Recommandation pour la maison de Messrs. Bache & Shée à Philadelphie, la multitude d’Armement qui Se fait Tant...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Herman Heyman’s Sons, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 17 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Satisfaction, that we Observed by the Publick papers the Declaration of Independence from Great Brittain to the United States, a Situation which we Have heartily wished to the latter for many Years past, and by which means our Country, will be now abel to enter in the most frindly & advantageous Alliance with the same; to convince the...
49To Benjamin Franklin from John Fottrell, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing you About Sixteen Months ago per Mr DeClerck; the Subject whereof was for advice of a Draft on your Excellency for a Trifling Sum advancd to one Mr Robeson: I only mention this Circumstance to facilitate your recalling me to mind, and you was So Kind sir at that time to give him a List of Such articles as were then most In Demand...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 6 March [i.e., April] 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will have the goodness to excuse my not communicating in person the following extract of a letter from my Brother Ben, which I should do with a great deal of pleasure, was it not entirely out of my power from the Business I have at present; &, as the latter part should be communicated early. “Tell Dr Franklin, with my most affectionate respects,...