1201To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 28 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; three copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society Article XIII of the proposed commercial treaty that Franklin had brought with him prohibited French export duties on West Indian molasses coming into the United States. This provision had raised uncertainties at the start, and the commissioners had been empowered to waive it if need...
1202To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour of the 22 Instant with the Judgement of the Mifflins Prize Goods, and Mr Coulougnac’s Proposals about furnishing Cloth &c. Agreeable to your desire I have conversed with him and find that he realy can furnish at good Prices, but he has no great Quantity by him at present. I have taken some Patterns...
1203To Benjamin Franklin from Count Andreas Peter von Bernstorff, 8 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives; press copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Si Vous etiés un Homme moins connû et moins consideré, j’aurois eté fort incertain au Sujet de la Lettre que jai eu l’honneur de recevoir de votre part, et qui ne m’est parvenue qu’au 31. du Mois de Janvier. J’aurois pû la regarder comme une demarche...
1204To Benjamin Franklin from ——— and ——— de Monregard, 7 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Madame de Monregard, et leur fils acceptent avec le plus grand plaisir la proposition de Monsieur Franklin d’avoir l’honneur de diner chez luy samedy prochain 13. de ce mois, et ils s’y rendront avec grand Empressement. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / A Passy. The only year of BF ’s residence at Passy when the seventh of February was a Sunday.
1205To Benjamin Franklin from John Willson and Stephen Hamson, 9 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the Undernamed persons being Natives and Subjects of America, take the Liberty to Inform you of our Disagreeable Situation as finding no Redress Elsewhere— We Were on the 15th Octr. 1780 on A Schooner from Marblehead bound to Cadiz Onfortunatly taken by An English Cruizer Called the Albert, the Captn. of Which thought proper to Leave three of Our Ships...
1206To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Court de Gébelin, 6 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu avec autant de reconnoissance que de plaisir le précieux present que vous venez de me faire et qui augmente mes richesses sur les Langues de l’Amerique. Je suis bien faché de n’avoir pas connu plutot cet ouvrage, j’en aurois tiré grand parti dans un Memoire que j’ai fait imprimer dans mon 8me. volume, qui va paroitre dans le courant de ce mois; ce...
1207To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 13. de ce mois, celle que vous avez écrite à l’agent des Etats unis à l’Orient et je me suis empressé de lui faire passer le Commissaire de la Marine dans ce port. Je doute qu’elle soit arrivée assez promptement pour que cet Agent ait remis au Capitaine du Navire Anglois...
1208To Benjamin Franklin from ——— De Reine, 26 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les harricots que j’ai eu lhonneur de vous donner hier chez Madame, Sont originaire du cap de bonne Esperance, ils ont étés recoltés a versailles. Ce un tres bon farineux, Surtout a l’huile et au vinaigre, en verd et Sec. Cette espece d’harricot, Monsieur, propagera beaucoup, et je Suis tres persuadé quil reussira tres bien en amerique, ou ils deviendront...
1209To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Reinhold Forster, 27 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce to Your acquaintance the Bearer Mr. Loder, first Physician to the Duke of Saxe Weimar a Man remarkable for his natural & acquired talents & one of the first Anatomists of our Germany. The happy moments which my Son has passed in Yr. company & the civilities You honoured him with as well as the condescendence & Kindness You are used to...
1210To Benjamin Franklin from J.F. Frin & Co., 17 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons reçu hier une Lettre de nos amis d’amsterdam Mrs. Del. [Messieurs Daniel] Crommelin & fs. renfermant un avis que nous croyons devoir vous participer, nous le transcrivons Litteralement en joignant à la présente les deux Signatures de cette maison pour vous aider à reconnoitre Le faux S’il y en a. “Nous sommes informés que nos amis de st. Eustache...
1211To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 17 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Library of Congress I have been honord with your favour of the 2d. April by Monsieur De Cenis written on behalf of that Gentleman on the credit of Monsr. Turgot’s recommendation. I should have been happy had it been in my power, in deference to your recommendation, founded upon that of so respectable a character as Monsr. Turgot, to afford Mr. De Cenis the encouragement, his zeal and...
1212To Benjamin Franklin from ——— d’Urbainville, 2 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je rends avec plaisir cet hommage à une Nation naissante, qui offre à l’Univers le Modèle d’un des plus beaux gouvernemens politiques qui aient eû lieu. Puisse votre Constitution nationale ne recevoir Jamais aucune atteinte; et accélérer l’heureuse révolution que le progrès des lumières semble annoncer comme prochaine, en faveur du Commerce des Nations! On...
1213To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd your kind favour of the 14th and 20th Inst. the first reccommending M. de Bretigny &c. to whom I will show every possible assistance and civility as far as is consistent with my orders, the last informing me of Mr. Deans absence and of the necessity of waiting his return. I hope he will be by this time at paris and that I may have some orders...
1214To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 7 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with pleasure I embrace the oppertunity afforded me by Mr. Ridley of renewing our correspondence, and of assuring you of the continuance of my esteem and friendship for you— I presume you are not unacquainted with Mr Ridley’s character and person: his being appointed Commercial Agent for this State is proof of his attachment to our cause and country...
1215To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 1 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make bold to recommend to you the bearer, who is a Clergyman of my country. He has received a letter from Ireland to be forwarded to Albany in North America, and is charged at the same time to have the answer directed to him in Paris. Will you be so kind as to let him know, how he is to send off this letter? I think it may be by means of some Merchant in...
1216To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Wharton, Jr., 27 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The many marks of your esteem for me at Passy, at the same time that they are so many proofs of the kindness of your disposition, lays me under the agreeable necessity of acknowledging them with gratitude and thankfullness. And as that disposition is not confined, but with the most amiable generosity, seeks opportunities of doing good, it gives me peculiar...
1217To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 28 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your friendly remmbrences of me by the bearer of this is so flattering, I could not permit his return to you without making my Acknowlegments by letter for so pleasing a marke of your esteem, It allways gave me and Mrs. West the greatest satisfaction to hear of your health—a confirmation of which I have not only recived by our friend, but have now before in...
1218To Benjamin Franklin from Louis d’Ussieux, [before 19 March 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation: American Philosophical Society L∴R∴L∴ des Neuf Sœurs, Est convoquée pour le Lundi 19 du 1er. mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5781. à onze heures précises. Les FF∴ DE Sauvigny, Dezedes & Morel prêteront le serment d’Affiliation. On fera la distribution des Jettons à midi un quart sonnant. Les FF∴ qui arriveront passé cette heure, n’y auront plus de droit. Cet article est de rigueur....
1219To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste-Xavier Joyeuse, 19 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’interêt que j’ay toujours pris, Monsieur, aux succés des Colonies unies de l’Amerique, vû la bonté qui m’a paru dans leur cause, me donne le desir de tâcher d’y contribuer, si je le pouvais. Le déperissement de l’Armée Anglaise en Amerique, attribué principalement a la mauvaise qualité des Vivres qu’on leur distribüe, dont je lisais le détail, il y a...
1220To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Destouches, 14 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser la lettre cy jointe du Cap Bennet Negus, dont la conduite dans la croisiere qu’il vient de faire avec le Corsaire qui portoit l’illustre nom de Votre excellence a merité vos eloges, et votre bienveillance pour lui. Je suis persuadé que vous voudrez bien lui en faire sentir les effets. Il honore la nouvelle republique qui doit...
1221To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Louis Galissard de Marignac, 20 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Benjamin F. Bailar, Houston, Texas (1990) Monsieur Cramer m’avoit écrit de préparer une place dans ma pension à Monsieur vôtre petit fils, je l’ai fait avec plaisir à sa recommandation & a cause de vous; ils arrivèrent hier dix neuf avril en parfaite santé; Je sens bien, Monsieur, que cest à ses bontés que je dois l’honneur de vôtre confiance; mais il est de mon devoir de vous assurer...
1222To Benjamin Franklin from ——— St. Juste, 29 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Rodez, May 29, 1778, in French: I have a project that you will doubtless approve, for a corps to be raised, trained, and ready for action within a year. It will have a new kind of discipline and way of fighting, along with weapons of my invention that are far more effective than cannons. I want to use it for particular purposes that suit my skills and the...
1223From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 22 September 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have lately written to you several Letters. Enclosed is a Copy of one to Count de Vergennes, which Count Montmorin, who also writes to him on the same Subject, is so obliging as to send together with this, by a Courier to Bayonne. The papers you have heretofore received from me, with those now sent will enable you to understand it, and I am persuaded your Abilities, and Influence will be...
1224To Benjamin Franklin from Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 25 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Votre aprobation sur ce que je dis du traité d’amitié et de commerce, et du traité d’alliance éventuelle entre la france et les états unis de l’amerique, m’aurait fait grand plaisir; mais je n’ai pas été le maitre de la meriter. J’ai ma maniere de considerer cette grande affaire politique, et je l’avais racontée le mieux que j’avais pu, il a fallu tout...
1225To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 28 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Honnor to Inform you, that I am Security for, & have a Procuration from Capt. Stephen Merchant of the Black Prince Cutter, fitted out here; & from all his Crew, to act for them all, as also for the owners & Concerns, & represent the former as their Sole agent in the sale of all the Prises they Shod. make, & to do all Transactions whatsoever...
1226To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis Cadet de Vaux, 8 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer du pain de pommes de terre, fait sans un seul atome de farine et sans mélange d’aucune autre substance étrangere. Cette decouverte si prétieuse, si intéressante est due a M. Parmentier mon confrere et mon ami; tous deux réunis sur cet objet, nous cherchons maintenant à le porter au point de perfection dont il est susceptible,...
1227To Benjamin Franklin from George Scott, 23 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I confirm the contents of my two letters which I had the pleasure to write you from hence on the 13th. & 17th. May last, to which I hope you paid the necessary attention. By the last post I received a letter from our very worthy friend Dr. P——who desires me, in case I shall return thro’ Paris, to communicate to you certain events respecting his parting from...
1228To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I received your favour of the 12th. inst. after I had written my Answer to yours of the 2d: & 4th. so I let that go as it is and you have it accordingly inclosed— Immediately on the arrival of Monsr. de Chaumonts Courier with his and your Packets Mr: de Montaudoin sent for me to Answer his Interrogatories & justify my cause,—I...
1229To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Lee, 1 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pursuant to an Order given by you, to Mr. Jones, in consequence of a Letter I presumed to write you, I entered On board the Bon homme Richard as Secretary, to Mr. Jones, the 19th. day of March last, in which Employment, I continued ’till the 1st. day of August with an Assiduity approved by all; when Copying a Memorandum for Mr. Jones, and not having it...
1230To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 2[–8] January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 269–74. I have recieved the favour of yours of the 15th of December by Mr. Alexander. I most heartily join with you in the wish that we could find some means to stop the spreading flames of this devilish war . I will not despair. The communications which he...
1231To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library I have spoken to the Gentleman who gave me the plan. Mr. Anthus the second in the House has thoughts of going into that Country soon, in the mean time they will make the necessary enquiries relative to Seamen. I understand the place they propose to build in is not in the Government of Sweden but of prussia. I have...
1232To Benjamin Franklin from Caffiéri, 25 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vien D’aprendre par Des vois indirect que Les Etats unis de L’amerique etoient dans Lintentions de faire Elevé une Statue a La Gloire Du Roy, Si La chose est vraie, il Sauroit tres flateure pour moi D’Etres chargé de L’execution de Se monument. Je vous prie Monsieur Dans cette occasion et Dans touts autre de vouloire bien vous Resouvenire de moy et...
1233To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Garnier, 21 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettés moi de vous rappeller que, lorsque je vous présentai le prospectus d’un ouvrage ayant pour titre, Spectacle de la Galerie de Dusseldorf, vous eûtes la bonté de me promettre de me faire passer une réponse, après l’examen fait du dit prospectus. Ma mauvaise Santé ne me permettant point de l’aller receuillir, je vous prie d’en charger le présent...
1234To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodge, 15 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should not trouble your Excellency with writing, but having wrote to Mr. Deane immediately after my arrival here upon the 26th of March and having receiv’d no answer, makes me conjecture that He had taken his departure from Paris before the arrival of my letter. I shall take the liberty of inclosing to Your Excellency the Copies of two letters, which I...
1235To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [after 20 April 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library M. Le Roy prie son illustre ami Monsieur Franklin de vouloir bien s’intéresser auprès de M. De Sartine pour qu’il accorde à M. Wibert, Lieutenant-Colonel au Service des Etats unis, son passage sur le vaisseau qui portera M. Le Chr. De La Luzerne en amèrique. Monsieur Franklin se rappellera sans doute que M. Adams pendant son sejour ici a donné en...
1236To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier, 26 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Le S. fouquet qui aura lhonneur de vous remettre la présente lettre, est un sujet intelligent, attaché très anciennement au Service des poudres de france, qui a passé il y a quelques années en amérique, pour y construire des fabriques de poudre. L’objet de son voyage se trouvant rempli à la Satisfaction du congrès des etats unis, il vient de repasser en france....
1237To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremiah Terry, 7 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I set out from London the 2d. Inst. and arrived here about 4. o’Clock this Evening. My Principal Business is to learn a more Satisfactory account of my Countrymen in America, than I have been able to do in England, for which Purpose if you will Signify when you will be at leasure I will do myself the Honor to wait on you. In the meantime I remain with great...
1238To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 18 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have yours of 2d. June via Boston— I have also since received a few Lines from you of 10th. Jany., covering Letters for some French Gentlemen in our Army, which I have forwarded to them— I am glad to find you got mine of the 22d. October last, as I am now certain you have received the loan Office bills for Interest of your Money— You do not mention the...
1239To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Jenings, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I Know not, whether your Excellency has received a Copy of the King of Great Britains Speech to his Houses of Parliament, and as it will be at least a Matter of Curiosity, I take the Liberty of inclosing One herewith.— It was brought to Ostend by a Pilot of Dover. Give me leave to inform your Excellency, that I have been in this City about two months,...
1240To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de la Pleignière, 8 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first letter in the volume that offers services; the writer apparently hopes that Paris is full of young Americans eager to learn equitation. On April 2 Delaire, in La Rochelle, makes a similar suggestion; it is addressed to Silas Deane, but came to Franklin and is among his papers. The writer has had business setbacks but remains in good...
1241To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed letters I brought with me from London—several circumstances concurred to detain me in England longer than I wished or expected, or there would not have been so long a space between the date of these letters and their delivery— Dr. Fothergill would have written to you long before, but deferred it, for obvious reasons, untill some safe...
1242To Benjamin Franklin from Cradock Taylor, 25 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Yesterday Recd. a letter from Mr. Gregoire informing me that your Excellency has no objection to giveing me my liberty provided you were assured that I was raly an American. Inclosed I send you three Letters I have receivd. from Mr Frazier which is all I can do to convince you Mr. Frazier has likewise informed me that he has acquainted your Excellency...
1243To Benjamin Franklin from Marc-Antoine-Maximilien-Cesar Le Francq, 20 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society échapé des mains de nos ennemis je prens la liberté de vous addresser le memoire ci joint, supliant Votre excellence de vouloir bien y jetter les yeux, et m’honnorer de ses ordres que j’attens avec autant d’empressement que j’en ai a vous prier d’agrèer les assurances des sentimens de la parfaite vénération et du profond respect avec lesquels je suis...
1244To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer is the Honble. John Wheelock President of Dartmouth College, who has come to Europe with a Deputation from the Trustees, supported by strong Recommendations from the first Characters in America, in order to obtain Donations for an Institution for the propagation of Knowledge & Virtue. The respectable Recommendations Mr. Wheelock has with him make...
1245To Benjamin Franklin from John Emery, 20 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Michael Dupee in a Small Schooner I dispatchd from this place for Newbury Port the 26th. Octr. with Salt and Cloathing has made his Voyage and returnd here the 17th. Instant which gives me an opportunity to Inclose you the Two latest News papers he brought; my letters from my friends there Contain Nothing Material. If these papers give you aney...
1246To Benjamin Franklin from Charles B. Cochran, 3 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Serai venu vous rendre plutot mes devoirs mais jen ai été empeché par une grosse maladie Causée par le trop grand chagrin que jai eu ces jours passés: jai été saigné trois fois, et je prendrai ma troisieme medecine demain; aussitot que je pourrais sortir comptez, Monsieur, que je ne manquerai pas de venir deposer à vos pieds mes humbles hommages;...
1247To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Gabriel Bonnot de Mably, [1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La personne dont l’abbé de Mably a eu l’honneur de parler à Monsieur jay, et qu’il vouloit aussi avoir l’honneur de recommander à monsieur franklyn, s’appelle Rochas, c’est un jeune homme âgé de vingt quatre ans, il est bien né d’une famille de riches marchands de Romans en dauphiné. Il y a trois ans qu’il est à Marseille pour s’instruire et se former au...
1248To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Chastellux, 1 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur coste qui vous remettra cette lettre est mon cher docteur, un três habile medecin et un excellent homme. Il étoit premier medecin de notre petite armée americaine. Il a souvent eté dans le cas de traitter vos soldats et il l’a fait avec zele et avec succès. Il aime vos compatriotes et en est aimé. L’ouvrage qu’il vous presente prouve l’estime...
1249To Benjamin Franklin from John Hay, Jr., 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency may perhaps wish to hear of the progress of a person, whose strong affection, for America, and the cause in which she is engaged, induced him to undertake so long a journey to visit a Gentleman so very respectable in his private character; and so very honorable, in his publick capacity. I left Paris at Midnight of the second instant since...
1250To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon, 25 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Lady who intends to wait upon you with this letter is Daughter to an Irish Gentleman Sir Walter Rutledge, and married to a French Officer M. le Chevalier D’Herbigny. She is related to Mr. Rutledge of America, who was, I think and perhaps is still in Congress. She wants to obtain a favour that depends upon M. le Comte De Vergennes, and begged me to...