151From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 26 November 1781 (Adams Papers)
I presume You have a Copy from Congress of their Instructions to me of the 16th. of August: but as it is possible it may be otherwise, I have inclosed one. I have communicated them to the Duke de la Vauguion, who says they are très bien vues, très bien combinées. I shall do nothing in the business, without communicating it beforehand to him, with the most entire Confidence, and recieving his...
152To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 13 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I had Yesterday, at Amsterdam, the Honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of June 2d. The Discovery that Mr Grenvilles Power, was only to treat with France does not Surprize me, at all. The British Ministry, are too much divided among themselves, and have too formidable an opposition against them, in the King and the old Ministers, and are...
153To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 17 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 10th. I received the Day before Yesterday, and am glad to hear that the Chevalier is making diligent Preparation for his Departure, for I wish, most impatiently to see him. Every day, now is a great Loss. In a Letter I wrote a few days ago I mentioned Some Reasons for prefering Boston to Delaware. I think there can be no doubt that there...
154From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 18 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Thomas Beer, with his Wife and two small Children came to my House this forenoon, and presented me a Letter from Mr Coffyn of Dunkirk of the 2d. of Octr, recommending Beer to me as a Person who had been obliged to fly from England, for having assisted American Prisoners to escape; and inclosing a Copy of a Letter from your Excellency to Mr Coffyn of the 22d. of August, advising Beer to go to...
155To 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...
156To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 16 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have at last recieved Letters from Mr. Dana. Mr. Sayer arrived in town yesterday with Letters to me, and dispatches for Congress, which I shall transmit by the best opportunity. Three days before I had recieved a Letter which came by Sea, but had been almost four Months upon the passage. Mr. Dana appears to be...
157To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 10 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Should the British Forces now in New York and Charlestown evacuate those Places and go to the West India Islands, they might give a good deal of Trouble to the French and Spanish Possessions there. It would cost those Powers many Men and Ships and a great deal of Money and Time perhaps to manage them: whereas...
158From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 20 February 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour of yours of the 12th. and will take an early opportunity to send you all the Lights I can obtain, by Inferences from the Numbers of the Bills. Those already presented I shall accept according to your Advice. Your office is certainly a disagreable one in many respects, and mine grows every day more and more disgusting to me. I wish myself at home every hour in the 24,...
159From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 24 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which your Excellency did me the Honour to write me on the thirteenth is recieved, and I have accordingly accepted the Bills, and shall draw upon your Excellency about the Time they become payable, for Money, to enable me to discharge them, provided I should not succeed in my Endeavours to borrow it here. I have hitherto no prospect at all. When I first arrived here, I had such...
160To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and Francis Dana, [on or after 11 February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Adams & Mr. Dana present their most respectful Complaments to his Excellency Dr. Franklin and wou’d acquaint him that as Mr. Adams had invited Company to dine with him on Sunday next, previous to his Excellency’s invitation, to dine with him on that Day, they cannot do themselves the honor of waiting upon him. Addressed: His Excellency Dr: Franklin /...
161To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 19 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have been informed, that the State of Maryland, have named Mr Charmichael, Mr Johnson, Mr Williams, Mr Lloyd, and Mr Jennings, as proper Persons, out of whom they have desired, your Excellency to choose one, in order to draw out of the English Funds a Sum of Money, they have there, for which the Agent is to have two...
162To Benjamin Franklin from John Quincy Adams, 12 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library I am obliged to you, for the Mention you have been so good as to make of me in several of your letters to my Pappa, whom I have accompanied to Brest & back to Nantes. I hope you have recovered a perfect state of Health & that you will enjoy it a long time. I beg of you to remember me respectfully to Mr Franklin & affectionately to Mr Benjamin. I have wrote...
163To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Hills and Joseph Adams, 8 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library After Receiving your kinness Every officer on Bord the Ship was Content and was Determined to stay on Bord to fulfill what we wrote to your honnor Butt our hopes of this kind soone vanished for Capt Landis his mettod of Govrning his Ship so Contry to all Nations In the world that it is impossable for humane natur to Live with him I would Inform your...
164Two Notes to Franklin at the Hotel d’Hambourg, from Michel Adanson and John Greenwood, [between 30 December 1776, and 27 … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These brief communications, from men of some distinction, are undated, but have an address that provides a bracket of plausible dates. We know that Franklin was at the Hotel d’Entragues until December 29 and at the Hambourg by January 8; hence he moved at earliest on December 30. He arrived at Passy on or about Feb. 27. These notes might have been written...
165To Benjamin Franklin from Franz Ulrich Theodor Aepinus, 1 [i.e., 12] February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Vous pardonnerez sans doute, à l’empressement, que je montre, à l’occasion de la grande nouvelle, qui nous est arrivée, ces jours-ci, de me rappeller à Votre souvenir, qui me sera aussi precieux, que me l’a été dans le tems, l’approbation, que Vous avez crû pouvoir accorder autrefois, à mes travaux pour l’avancement des sciences. J’ai l’honneur de Vous...
166To Benjamin Franklin from Thérèse Aerts, August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La confience que vous inspire à toutes les personnes qui ont l’honneur de vous connaitre m’enhardit à recourir une seconde fois à vos bontés. Ma reconnoissance ose vous rappeller Monsieur La lettre que vous m’avez fait la grace de m’écrire en datte du 28 Aout 1782. Le Sentiment en est profondement gravé dans mon Coeur. Cette lettre a fait Longtêms mon...
167To Benjamin Franklin from “a Freeman and Associator,” [between 3 and 19 August? 1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In the summer of 1775, while a subcommittee of the Pennsylvania committee of safety was wrestling with the organization of the associators, the rank and file of fledgling soldiers in Philadelphia were voicing three main concerns. Two of them, their pay and the treatment of those who refused to volunteer, are discussed in the headnote on the report of...
168To Benjamin Franklin from ——— d’Aguiton, 28 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Aguiton presents his respects to Mr. Franklin and Sends him Inclos’d a Letter from his friend Hutton, which he would have deliver’d in person but that he understands Mr. Franklin is frequently engaged on business, and as he Should be happy to wait upon him before he Leaves this Country he would take it as a particular favour if Mr. Franklin would permit...
169To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne d’Ahax, with Franklin’s Draft of a Reply, 12 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur apres avoir eu le bonheur de vous voir je desir de le renouveller et vous demande votre heurs la plus Comode ou je puis avoir la bonheur de vous revoir Seul car jai besoin dun Confidant et jesper de le trouver dans L’etre que je revere le plus au monde. Jai l’honneur d’etre avec la plus grand veneration monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeisante...
170To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Aillaud, 26 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le triste etat dans lequel Melle Basseporte se trouve actuellement ne me permettant plus de me flatter que je puisse joüir encore longtemps du plaisir detre aupres d’elle, je crois devoir me donner des mouvemens pour tacher pendant qu’elle existe, de massurer une pension sur sa charge. Cela depend principalement de Monsieur De Buffond que vous connoissez...
171To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Akin, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make Bold to Rite these Lines to Let you know my Condition about Eighteen months ago I was taken in a Ship from Bedford in Dartmouth Bound to Bourdaux By an English frigit and Carred into porchmouth where I was put in prison I Staid there Six weeks and then I made my Escape to London where I found a gentelman that had Lived at Nantucket and there I Staid...
172To Benjamin Franklin from ——— d’Alagnac, 11 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne, April 11, 1778, in French: I trust that you will give me, though a stranger, news of my relative the chevalier de Pontgibaud, who left Nantes on October 11 last with recommendations to M. Lafayette and Gen. Conway. For six months I have had no word, and his father, seventy-seven, is in great anxiety. You are presumably...
173To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Albon, 25 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est avec empressement, Monsieur, que jai l’honneur de vous envoier mon ouvrage. L’hommage que je vous en fais vous est dû mieux qu’à toute autre personne. Je m’y suis attaché à défendre Les intêréts d’un peuple opprimé dont vous êtes aujourdhui le representant, comme vous en fûtes le créateur, car, le vrai créateur d’un peuple est celui qui lui donne de...
174To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, 25 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Dartmouth College Library M. d’Alembert a l’honneur d’assurer son illustre et respectable confrere de son respectueux attachement, et lui fait mille remercimens du beau présent qu’il a reçu de lui. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin, / de l’Academie Royale des Sciences, / et Ministre plenipotentiaire / des Etats unis de l’Amerique / a Passy This renowned philosophe , who admired BF...
175To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander J. Alexander, 17 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I propose doing myself the Pleasure to call upon you on sunday Morning to communicate some letters that have past between a friend of yours & myself you may probably guess what the Subject is I hope I shall find you at home I beg my Complements to your Son & am most sincerely Dr Sir your Most Obt Humble Servt Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / A...
176To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander John Alexander, 26 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to Introduce to your Acquaintance a very Old Friend of mine, Mr Robert Young, whose friendship I have experienced upon many Occasions, but more particularly lately, since this Island became French; when it became necessary for my friends, to Ballance by their Activity, that Improper Influence, which you know has been so much employed against me in...
177To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander John Alexander, 14 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I expected to have had the pleasure of breakfasting with you allongst with my Brother who is returned & to have beged the favour of you to have delivered the two Memoires Inclosed to Mr De Sartine & Mr De Vergennes which I mentioned to you on Sunday I am most respectfully Dr Sir your Most Obt Humble Servt Notation: Alexander A. J. 14. Dec. 1779. Apparently...
178To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 9 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library La peste, mon cher Docteur a derangée tous les projets du Philosophe de Toulouse— il n’y aura ni Thèse ni dedicace— ainsi nous voila quitte de tous ces embarras là.— Je voudrois savoir si vous avez fait une visite à Madame la Comtesse de la Mark comme vous me l’avez promis—si vous l’avez oublier vous meritrez que J’aille à Paris exprès pour vous...
179To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, [27 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’espere que vous n’avez pas oublié, mon cher Docteur, notre partie de Marly—la permission de manger dans les Jardins ou dans les pavillons est obtenu.— Messrs: de Breuil et Pechmeja vienent—et porteront avec eux une bonne provision du fruit—pour moi Je porterai la plus grande longe de veau que Je pourrois trouver à St. Germain et quelques couverts—la reste...
180To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 29 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This brief and cryptic message refers to one of the causes célèbres of the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI. Comte Thomas-Arthur de Lally, baron de Tollendal (1702–1766), son of the colonel in command of the Irish Dillon regiment, was a fervent Jacobite and a brave soldier. Appointed commander-in-chief of the French expedition to India in 1756, at the...
181To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 29 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis chargée d’une invitation pour vous mon cher Docteur, qu’il faudroit bien que vous acceptiez. Madame la Comtesse de la Mark a été desolée de ne vous avoir pas vu avant hier, pour se dedommager elle veut absolument que vous veniez passer une Journée chez elle ici et pour eviter un refus elle vous donne a choisir tous les Jours du mois prochain...
182To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 3 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je vois bien, mon cher Docteur, qu’il faut renoncer a notre partie de Marly, ou plutôt y substituer un diner chez vous—ce n’etoit pas un beau Jardin que nous desirions voir mais nos amis et Je m’imagine que nous les trouverons tous réunis a Passy— tout ce qui me chagrine c’est que mon Pere à votre priere et à celle de Mad: Helvetius avoit engagé ses...
183To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, [c. June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Une Dame, qui j’aime assez quoique je la connois peu, vient de m’ecrire, mon cher Docteur, pour me demander une grace qui malheureusement depende de vous. Je dis malheureusement car je vous connois tant d’occupation que je n’ai entrepris de vous ecrire qu’a regret—voici L’affaire—Madm: la Comtesse Dillon a plusieurs de ses amis, et je crois même son Mari...
184To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you two letters last Summer in which I mentioned the feu Gregois and the Comte de Rostaing. I wish I had known by a single line That They came Safe to Hand. This goes by that Gentleman who is a Genl. officer of Artilery, and a Man of great Worth. If You will venture to take a friend of my recommending I recommend Him to you. He was sent out as...
185To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 4 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 244. Upon a night’s reflection it is thought right that you be possessed of the inclosed, to be afterwards returned without taking copy in case no business be done. Will you let me know by the bearer if we are to see you in town to day, and when, that I...
186To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 1 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I got Safe here Wednesday evening, after one of the Pleasantest Journeys I ever made, and made the Girls very happy with the prospect of a visit from you. If the Business of that Musty Town you reside in can admit of a few weeks interuption you will find travelling infinitely more comfortable than when the Warm weather Sets in, besides when I was a young...
187To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our friend W ——, has taken his measures & has Already agreed wt most of his people at 6, 12, 18 Months & 2 Years by equal payments— He hopes he will meet no difficulty with the others but thinks that the Extension of his protection to a year (it Expires the 6 septr) woud secure his Object by preventing any troublesome Man from laying by to Catch undue...
188To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 26 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Paper Contains a short sketch of Dr. Blacks Doctrine of Latent heat. It is there applied only to a few phenomena but the Dr. has experiments to shew that it is also the Cause of vapour, and He Explains How Evaporation Generates Cold, and the whole Theory of fluidity. After you have red this short paper, When you meet with my B[rothe]r He will...
189To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 7 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter of the 4th came to hand this morning and I immediatly Called at the post office, where I found Monr. Dubourgs letter which woud have remaind there untill Doomsday as I am neither known, as Marchand, nor Americquain. The post goes only Tuesday So I expect to save a day by sending you this by my Friend Monr. de Montarché formerly intendant de St....
190To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 19 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I know it will give you pleasure to learn that by a letter received yesterday from Grenada My Brother has got two verdicts from Juries which I think reduced his and my adversaries to reason. I Expect Him here in a Couple of Months which will induce me to Continue, whereas I thought of giving the Girls a few Months of Italy for the Sake of the Language...
191To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for your Attention in returng my papers So early, and have no doubt but you have solid reasons for declining the Execution of the plan, without pretending even to Conjecture what they may be, It is obvious that a Commonwealth shoud be Governd by different Maxims from a Monarchy. I am exceedingly obliged to you for Suggesting to me the most...
192To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 29 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I leave no letter from you unanswerd, but wait your orders about what is to be done with the tobacco Contract which Lyes still here. There is a story current here that the British Ministry have applied to have a Mr. Dean deliverd up on a pretext that He was Concernd in Burning Portsmouth, which Calls to a mind a story that happend a good many years since. A...
193To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I hope my Dear Sir you will acquit me of Impertinent Curiosity, in wishing very anxiously to know, what is likely to be the fate of an Island, in which my family yet think, they have a stake because a little knowledge of this, will Affect my measures, & may Save some Expence. If there be any thing improper in the request, be So kind as let your Son tell...
194To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 24 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your letter of the 8th Instt. came duely to hand. I do not wonder that M. Du bourg thought my terms too high, and I doubt not but he will get many Cheaper Undertakers. May They prove good and Cheap for his Sake. His affairs have afforded me some hours amusement which I do not regret. I see you have a bad opinion of our ministerial news, but by letters I...
195To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 7 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for returning me the letter that came to hand after my leaving Paris, and still more for letting me hear from you. That no news are Good News is an old proverb, very applicable to the present times. Your letter Coverd also a Blank Cover under which was an original of the Contract between Mons. Dubourg and the Farmers. I know not with what...
196To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 8 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In the spring of 1779, Franklin had taught Jonathan Williams, Jr., the principles of “moral algebra” to help him resolve one of his most troublesome dilemmas—whether or not to return to America. “By the Way,” Franklin added, “if you do not learn it, I apprehend you will never be married.” Williams protested that where marriage was concerned, his negative...
197To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 22 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can hardly express my surprise on first hearing of your arrival, And Altho’ motives are here assigned for your Journey which I will not beleive unless you Confirm them yourself, That safety is your object, and I will only believe you, because I think you one of the few Politicians, to whom Lying will be unnecessary. Be that as it will, my hypothesis is...
198To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, [19 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library, Library of Congress, Pendleton Satterthwaite, East Orange, N.J. (1955) I send you adjoined the Certificate you desire, and am perfectly convinc’d from Conversations I have since had with Mr. Pultney that no body was authorised to hold the Language which has been imputed to him on that Subject; and I have a high...
199To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 3 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Altho’ I expect to see you in a Day or two after this comes to hand, I cannot let slip the Opportunity of M. Moore formerly with Mr. Williams to inform you that the addresses in Consequences of the Question carried on Wednesday, was carried to the King by the whole Opposition on Friday, That the answer after the common place phrazes and the repetition of...
200To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 20 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I consider it as one of the great misfortunes of the times in which we live, that we are deprived of the pleasure of hearing from you. I need hardly say that you have the wishes of all Good Men for your welfare, and That you may be the happy Instrument of Restoring the public tranquility on a permanent basis for the General Good of Mankind, And for the...