51To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 7[–8] November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thursday last I had the pleasure to send a Copy of General Lee’s Letter to Lord Thanet, and on Monday [another of?] one to General Howe, both these I suppose you received [ torn .] I made strickt inquiry as you directed me after [ torn ], and find he died, and was buried about a Week before [ torn Cam?]bridge, the Ten Dollars you paid into my Hands [ torn...
52To Benjamin Franklin from William Govett, [between 9 November 1775 and 25] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Committee of Safety meet tomorrow Morning at 9 oClock And attend the Committee of Assembly at 10. On Wednesday Morning 9 oClock the Board meet and go into the Consideration of the appointment of a Commodore, at which times the Members are Requested to meet Punctually. See the note on the committee’s advertisement above, July 28. The dates derive from...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, [13 November 1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Some days Past Plast [Placed] you at home happy with your Dear Children and Sister. I am not able to find Words to tell you how Pleasd I am to have our Boy with you I wish he may Deserve Such Goodness God Will Reward you. Thank you for your Kind letter from New haven I Shall write you as Soon as I get home am Just going. I write to Ray but the letter...
54To Benjamin Franklin from William Greene, 13 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my Coming here I found Your Favor from Newhaven, it gives me great pleasure To hear You was so far on Your journey well, hope before this You have Arriv’d safe home. My little son who You have Taken with You how shall I enough express my Gratitude, I was much at a loss what to Doe with him. I had three Years past a good writing master so that he learn’t...
55To Benjamin Franklin from [David Hartley], 14 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; copy: Clements Library Hartley’s cast of mind was similar to that of the peace negotiators with whom Franklin dealt during his last months in England. All of them regarded reconciliation as a problem to be analyzed, ordered, and reduced to rational terms from which a rational solution might emerge. Barclay and Fothergill pinned their hopes on negotiating by...
56To Benjamin Franklin from [David Hartley], 14 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office I send you a copy of the petition from the County of Berks for lenient measures with America, which my Brother and I have signed with about a thousand others. Some time ago the ministerial agents began to move for vindictive addresses, and got many from boroughs, several of them by surprize and management, as I have been informed by public newspapers. All these...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Crafton, 15 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office I can’t excuse myself from troubling you at this critical Juncture, having a very momentous Affair to communicate, with my poor Sentiments on it; and when a proper Conveyance offers, I should be glad of yours in return. A Peace and Union between G. Britain and America, is certainly worth some Sacrifice on each Part; and if a middle Line could be drawn; tho’ it should...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Stevenson, 16 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you and all your Dear family ar weel as to my Self, i am, in tolerable health but Confind to my Roome on acont my Leg wich is vere panfull a nights, but ho [oh? know?] if i could geat to America i should be hapey; but that is such a distant prospict that i fear never will be, so I shall never see you my Dearst freind, but only thinke and wish that I...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Crafton, 22 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office Tho’ I have already addressed you by this Conveyance; yet as my Mind is not quite clear, I must trouble you again; and I trust to your Friendship and Candour, to impute my Presumption to the best Motives. Always sanguine in my Ideas, I am already looking forward; and supposing, that the fair and equitable Terms, which our Friend will offer to the House on Monday...
60To Benjamin Franklin from [David Hartley], 23 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office Some American friends have desired to have an account drawn out of Mr. Hartleys proposition for terms of accommodation, drawn up with a view to send it to some of their friends in America for their opinion, therefore an account of the plan of those motions which are to be actually moved in the house next week has been drawn up from part of the letter which was sent...
61To Benjamin Franklin from [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 23 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Public Record Office I have already written to you by this Ship, since which I have come to a Conclusion with Mr. Blunt and shall engage in my new Business next Week. The Terms are to be as follows. I am to be ’till next July on probation; at the End of that Time I shall be able to judge of the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Connection. We are then to begin our Partnership, my share...
62To Benjamin Franklin from [Jonathan Williams, Jr.], 23 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Public Record Office Since writing the Inclosed, I have had some Conversation with a Gentleman relative to the proposed Bill, which he assures me is to look Back to all the Seizures made by the Kings Ships in America, and make them as well as all future ones legal Prises. The Bills proposed to be repealed are only the two fis[hing?] ones, and they intend to have as large a F[leet?] in...
63To Benjamin Franklin from George Ross, 27 November 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Extracts and paraphrase: Parke Bernet sale catalogue, May 16, 1967, p. 40 <November 27, 1775: I am sending you, as president of the Pennsylvania committee of safety, a copy of the minutes of the local committee that relate to provincial arms, for which money is in short supply. No public funds are available, and the workmen ask to be paid for repairing the weapons.> For Ross see the letter...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Catherine Meed, 28 November [1775?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter is the first appearance of a niece whose existence Franklin seems to have forgotten. He had doubtless not seen her for many years, and she lived in a remote part of Pennsylvania. All we know of her first brief effort to refresh her uncle’s recollection of her is in the present letter and another below, December 16. She had written him on his...
65To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 5 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society For this Week past Fortune has Smiled upon Us from All Quarters, and last Night, word was brought out of Boston by some Inhabitants who left it Yesterday, that a Vessel was Just arrived there from Quebeck. The Master of which Declared that Our Troops, Assisted by near 6000 Canadians, took Possession of that Capital a day or Two After the Middle of November;...
66To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 7 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Pleasure to write you upon Monday by Express. I now inclose to you, a Copy of General Lees Letter lately sent to General Burgoyne which if you approve of it may be publish’d in the News paper. I long to send you Lees and my Opinions of the measures to be pursued in Consequence of the Conquest of Canada, that is the Military Measures, somany...
67To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 10 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I find that Gates has sent you a copy of my letter; I hope that is correct as I am desirous it shou’d be printed, on condition it meets with your approbation. The other too (Ld. Thanet) you may likewise publish, but I cou’d wish that his Lordship’s name shou’d be omitted and that the title shou’d be General Lee’s letter to a noble Lord. We are all here a...
68To Benjamin Franklin from George Ross, 10 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Amherst College Library I am told that the Congress have determined to raise four more Battalians in the Province. And as a member of the committee of Safety have been applyed to by several Gent who will be glad to enter into the Service. Among others Mr: Thomas Hartly of York Town a Gent of the Law of distinguished Zeal in the Cause he is generally known to the Genl: [Gentlemen] who are...
69To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 12 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By not being inform’d in proper time I have miss’d several opportunities of writing to you, which I regret because I wish to live in your memory, and to convince you that you are in mine. Do not sigh at the addition I make to the packet, for I ask no return, you have enough to do without scribbling to me, and my letters you may lay by till you have a few...
70Deed from Israel and Mary Pemberton Discharging Ground Rent, 13 December 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy of abstract: Department of Records, Recorder of Deeds, City of Philadelphia <December 13, 1775: Israel Pemberton, merchant of Philadelphia, and his wife Mary, in consideration of £350 on lawful Pennsylvania money, release and confirm to Benjamin Franklin the annual ground rent of fifteen Spanish pistoles, or the equivalent in Pennsylvania currency, due from James Pearson to Pemberton by...
71To Benjamin Franklin from Catherine Meed, 16 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Recevd your kind Condesenging letter, and think myself happy to Inform you who I am-the Daughter of John Croker. I was once at your House when Very little. I am not Very Bigg yet but I am Sure I am at least A head taller Since you honered me with A letter. I hope I Shall never grow so proud but allways Endeavour to Deserve the Notice of so good and worthy...
72To Benjamin Franklin from [Edward Bancroft], 23 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The difficulties and Dangers attending all American Correspondence have for sometime suspended those Communications which Friendship would have inclined me otherwise to make you. I am however several Letters in advance with you and of which you have not acknowledged the Receipt. This will be Delivered by Mr. Wrixon a Gentleman who was formerly a Field...
73To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 23 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Mr. Wrixon, a Gentleman of Character and good Connexions in Ireland, I beg leave to introduce to your Frindship, Civility and protection. Major Trent is well acquainted with Mr. Wrixon, and knows his useful Qualifications, and I dare say, will, with great Pleasure mention Them to You; and give Me leave to add, That Mr. Wrixon has not been...
74To Benjamin Franklin from George Ross, 26 December 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, December 26, 1775: Pardon my asking your support in obtaining for my son James, now a captain in a company of the rifle battalion, a majority in one of the four battalions about to be raised. I shall be obliged for your friendship in the matter.> For James Ross’s rifle company see Pa. delegates to the Lancaster County committee above, July...
75To Benjamin Franklin from Israel Gilpin, 29 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My kinsman Doct. George Gilpin informs me that Severil of the manufactorys is like to Suffer for want of Stone or ground Coal Such as the glass work and blacksmith who is imployd in making Iron work for the Coloneys Ships &c. I think it is very provible if Strict Sarch and inquiry was made Coal mout bee had but am not sirtin but prohaps it wold Not bee a...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Strettell Jones, 30 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Col. Lewis of Lower Dublin has ordered the Bearer to deliver these Prisoners to me as Secretary of the Committee of this City and Liberties; but apprehending them to fall more properly under the Notice of the Committee of Safety I have taken the Liberty of referring to you for your Orders being Sir Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: Honble: Benjamin Franklin...
77To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, [before 24 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld pays his respectful compliments to Doctor franklyn and beggs from him the favour of having for few moments the Minutes of the Convention held at Philadelphia for the Pennsylvanian Legislation . He wants of them for seeing and adding to his translation the subscriptions which are at the end of the Minutes, and which are not in the...
78To Benjamin Franklin from [the Comte de Lauraguais?], [before 21 December? 1776] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society I congratulate your arrival with an intelligence of the first moment, which you will apply with your wonted caution. Mr. de morande is secretary to m. beaumarchais, and brother to a refugee of the same name in London, lately acquitted in the Kings bench , of a suit by the chev. d’Eon, and known by every body to be a man a tout faire . There is also m. Charles...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Lestarjette, [before 15 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of offering you my best Services in this kingdom being extremely well versed in both English, and French languages, especially in the French as my mother tongue and brought up in the College of the four Nations at Paris where I was eight Years. Capn. Cochran and myself married two Sisters in South Carolina. I came over with him in the...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 13 January 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Some times feel quite Bashfull Scribling a way to you So much but when troublesom a hint will do. But now I think of it it will Relax you for a moment from hard Study. How do you do Methinks Rather low Spirited. I have every letter Sayd or inquerd after Ray but Never of you of My Dear good Friend your Sister. Is She not extreem low Spirited for her? Dear...
81To Benjamin Franklin from Trevor Newland, 5 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society Immediately after I had waited upon you at Philada. I proceeded to N. York, and finding much difficulty in pursuing my Intended journey, I deliver’d your Dispatches to Mr. Lewis, by Direction of Mr. Van B. Levingston, and wrote to you at my return acquainting you therewith. I have not wrote to you so frequently as I would do Immagining that your time might be...
82To Benjamin Franklin from [Arthur Lee], 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives; copies: National Archives; copy: University of Virginia Library This is the first time that we have printed a letter addressed to Franklin but not meant for him. Our reason is that he eventually received it, contrary to the writer’s intent. The whole episode remains to this day, thanks to the character of Arthur Lee, in Winston Churchill’s phrase “a riddle wrapped in a...
83To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I lament this unhappy war, as on more serious accounts, so not a little that it renders my correspondence with you so precarious. I have had three letters from you, and have written as often; but the last, by Mr. Temple, I have been informed he could not take. What is become of it I cannot tell. This accompanies a copy of my second volume of Observations on...
84To Benjamin Franklin from William Goforth, 22[-23] February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been informd that it is a Custom in the polite world when about to address a Stranger to Apoligize for so doing. But in order to Evade the Necessity of Such Tedious Business I have only to prove that I am perfectly well acquainted with you, which I Shall Evince by assureing you that a Number of years ago when in Providence and looking out of a window...
85To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be deliverd to you by The Baron de Woedtkee, who appears to be a Gentleman, and a Veteran Charectors you will esteem him for he has with him other recommendations to your Notice, from some of your Paris acquaintance; if I had never fallen out with Royalty for any other reason, I should detest it, upon the poor Barons account, for the Tyrannical...
86To Benjamin Franklin from [David Hartley], 24 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Library of Congress It is so long since I have had the pleasure of hearing from you that I fear the administration has but too effectually stopt the Channel of Communication between this Country and its colonies. I have allways dreaded this event as fatal and final to the prospect of national reconciliation. When in any contention the parties...
87To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 1 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreeable to your desire I now inclose your Acct. Drawn in the best manor I now Cane tho’ not So partecular as I Could wish as Some of my Old books and papers were Consumed Last may in my werehouses but I belive it is nearly right. I received an acct. of yours from England drawn by Jonathan in which was Some omitions the £50. paid your niece on her marage...
88To Benjamin Franklin from the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 4 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives In order to carry into execution the Resolve of Congress for the manufacturing Fifty Tons of Salt Petre into Powder the Committee of Safety have purchased a seat for erecting a Powder Mill which they intend to build in such manner as to manufacture about four tons per Week, and they are of opinion it will be necessary to build a magazine for the secure keeping the Powder...
89Instructions and Commission from Congress to Franklin, Charles Carroll, and Samuel Chase for the Canadian Mission, 20 … (Franklin Papers)
I: Copy, National Archives; II: DS , Yale University Library; copy, National Archives. On February 15, in response to the report the day before from the committee of secret correspondence, Congress resolved to send a committee of three as its commissioners to Canada. Two of the members were to be delegates, and Franklin and Samuel Chase were chosen. The third member was Charles Carroll of...
90To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, [21 March 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is too long since I wrote to any of my Friends your way, being you know a dilatory Correspondent, but not I hope a forgetful Friend. The Relish of the Conversation at Mr. Bowdoin’s last Fall is not quite gone off yet. Have you been well ever since? “Accidents of Health, Sir Wm. Temple some where says, are often Accidents of State.” I esteem America not a...
91To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [24 March 1776]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives This paragraph extracted and translated from Dubourg’s letter, the original of which has disappeared, introduced a man who played a considerable role in the first two years of the war. The Chevalier Gilles-Jean Barazer de Kermorvan (1740–1817) was the scion of a Breton family. He entered the French army at eighteen, but five years later his corps was disbanded; he...
92To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 31 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter was written, a modern scholar has suggested, at the initiative of the man who is the subject of it, Admiral Lord Howe. The suggestion is plausible: Barclay and Howe were not well acquainted, as far as is known; but in the circumstances their common friendship with Lord Hyde might have been enough to elicit this testimonial. Franklin’s Quaker...
93To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Schuyler, 13 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The lake is open in so many places that I am of opinion you may set out for this place as Early as you can. I have received some dispatches from Canada which I Inclose you and by which you will see the necessity of sending a large reinforcement. Please to bring up with you the papers I Inclose as I have no Copies of them. The Bearer goes Express to Congress and...
94Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 30 April[– 9 May 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague. J’ai reçu le 6e de ce mois à La Haie, des mains de Mr. Tho. Storey, les dépêches dont vous l’aviez chargé pour moi en date du 9e Xbr. 1775. Je suis touché, pénétré jusqu’au fond du coeur, de l’honneur que me fait et de la confiance que me témoigne le Committé nommé par le Congrès général pour la Correspondance...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer Hazard, 3 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have no News here, except that the last Phila. Post brought Advice that the Roebuck of 44 Guns was on Shore on the East Bank of Brandywine, and that eight Row Gallies, the Province Ship and Reprisal were gone down to take her. The Phila. Post is not arrived today, and we are not yet informed whether they have been successful. Mr. Measum writes me that...
96To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 7 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favored by yours of the 18th. Ultimo from Lake George; this I hope will find you well at Montreal. Yesterday the Alarm Guns were fired, which put the Town into some Consternation for a short time, the Alarm was on Account of three Men of War which were at the Capes, coming up the Bay, we now suppose for Water; should they attempt to come up the River...
97To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Carroll and Samuel Chase, 11 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress We are fully sensible of the great Risk of taking post at Dechambeau. We have suggested in Writing the Difficulties and Reasons which have occurred to us against that Measure to Genl: Arnold. Our Army’s remaining at Dechambeau will depend in great Measure on the Strength of the Enemy’s Land Forces, and their Activity and Diligence in following up the Blow they have...
98To Benjamin Franklin from John Carroll, 11 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library Among the inclosed papers is an open letter to Genl. Schuyler in recommendation of Mrs. Walker, which your B[rothe]r Commissioners desire you would deliver to her. If you can conveniently wait all tomorrow at S. Johns, you will oblige me much, as I am uncertain whether I shall not join you. Believe me, my Dear Sir, that no one can wish your welfare more...
99Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 14 May[–6 June 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: National Archives; letterbook draft: Algemeen Rijksarchief, the Hague Après vous avoir donné ci-joint copie ou extrait de ce qu’il y avoit de plus essentiel dans ma premiere dépeche que je nommerai A pour la briéveté, je commence celle-ci, que je nomme B, en forme de Journal. Ayez la bonté, conséquemment, lorsque vous m’écrirez, de me marquer que vous avez reçu, ou non, la Dépeche...
100To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 14 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have not had the Pleasure of a Line from you since I last wrote you. I wish I had time to give you a particular Account of the Action between our armed Boats and his Majesty’s Ships the Roebuck of 44 Guns, and Liverpoole of 28 Guns, off Wilmington. I fully intended it this Morning, but have been so much employed, I find it impossible. I must therefore...