6951To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 6 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Gentleman who will deliver you this was as I understand sent by Congress to General Washington. He was to have given specimens of his abilities as Engineer and been recommended accordingly. Whether He is a great Engineer or no I cannot pretend to say, as He has had no fair opportunity of displaying his talents. The few small works He has thrown up have been in...
6952To Benjamin Franklin from William Jackson: Three Letters, 2 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and transcript: National Archives; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives; (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 28 ultimo, while at the Texel superintending some matters relating to the Ship—equally concerned for the...
6953To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 11 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Correspondants at Morlaix & Capt. Macatter send me a Copy of their report & of the Letters they had the Honnor to write to your Excellency. The Circumstances & great Losses attended with the abusive detaintion of the Black Princess, are a havey Strock on us, as they are not only missing the Best opportunities to make Prises & to destress the Ennemy, but...
6954To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Mercy-Argenteau, 4 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’ambassadeur de LEmpereur aura grand soin de faire parvenir Le Paquet adressé a Mr d’Ingenhouse, que Monsieur Franklin Lui a fait l’honneur de lui envoÿer, il a celui de lui offrir ses hommages tres humbles. Notation: de l’Empereur. 4. Oct. 1782 The ambassador of the Holy Roman Empire, who had forwarded books and letters to Jan Ingenhousz from BF and...
6955To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Defay, 10 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je pars de paris pour Notre Manufacture avec la joie que me donne lEsperance de vous y recevoir Monsieur. Cette Maison Etablie depuis plus de quarantte ans sous la protection de Monseigneur le Duc dorleans En recevera un nouveau Lustre Et dont le prince protecteur qui En sera informe comme des premiers avis que vous avez bien voulue me donner vous En saura...
6956To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 23 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May this serve for an introduction with your Excellence for Capn. Moses Grinnell, who saild many years from Boston to our consignment in the employ of Colonel Isaac Sears; and now had the misfortune to fall into the Ennemy’s hands on the Coast of Schotland. He saw here both Comodor Jones and Capn. Cunningham. Your Excellencys directions to procure him or...
6957To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 12 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have been for Some time past in hopes of having the pleasure of hearing from your Excellency in answer to what I had the honour of writing to you the 17th. of last month. Since that time Mess De Neufville have totally rejected any Arbitration relative to the Settlement of their demand and have applied to Congress— Consequently my Stay here on their account...
6958To Benjamin Franklin from [Pétronille Le Roy], [September? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mils bonjour au cher et respectable papa. Sa petite famme de poche envoye savoire de cest [ses] nouvelle. Elle espere que sa chute ne l’aura pas incomode; elle luy demande par la meme ocasion se qu’il fait se soire parce que cest [ses] amis on le plus grand besoint de le voire pour calmer leur douleur il irois passe la soire avec luy car iere [hier] aux...
6959To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac-Jean-Georges-Jonas Grand, 11 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Cher. Grand prie Son Excellençe Monsieur Le Docteur Francklin & Monsieur Son Fils de luy faire l’honneur de Diner chez luy Lundy prochain 16 de ce mois, avec M. Le Duc De La Vauguyon. The duc de La Vauguyon had returned to Versailles with his wife on account of her ill health: La Vauguyon to Vergennes, Nov. 8, 1782; Laurent Bérenger to Vergennes, Nov. 29,...
6960To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bell, 31 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I had the Honor to Write your Excellency, the 28: of Last Month, to Which I have not been favor’d With an Answer,— Mr. Nesbitt, has Likewise mentiond my Situation to you— I have this Day, recieved A Letter from Captn. John Kinnear, the person for Whom it was proposed I should be Exchanged, Who Engages in Case he Gets his Liberty on Parole, to Make his...
6961To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Weisheim, 10 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Cologne, February 10, 1778, in French: I have waited for a chance to convince you of my zeal for your service, and now hear that you have cordially received a young man from Aixla-Chapelle. God has endowed me with few of this world’s goods, but has trained me in jurisprudence, arithmetic and accounting; if you have any employment for me, I will furnish my...
6962To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Mouret, 3 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I depend upon your goodness to Excuse this Liberty, and to grant me the favour I am Soliciting which is the Cause that Urges me to it. Been Just arived here, from English prison where I have been Confind Since the 28 of august last, captured In a Briganting Caled the Retaliation Phylip Kolock Comd. belonging to Messrs. Moris—& Ord—in Philadelphya Bound to...
6963To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of making a Request which I hope will not be considered as improper, if it is I beg you will kindly tell me so & there the matter will end. If it is not your compliance will highly oblige me.— My Wifes Grandfather has written me a very kind Letter of approbation of my marriage & in it he informs of his Intention to go to Grenada to...
6964To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was yesterday honoured with your Letter of the 25 Octr 1779 being the only Letter I have been favoured with from you these two Years past. I cannot express my Gratitude & Thanks for your obliging Favour which has relieved my Mind from much Anxiety on my Father’s Account. I send you a Bill for thirty Guineas & the Bill you mention shall be paid as soon as...
6965To Benjamin Franklin from Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 16 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je prie votre excellence de vouloir bien me renvoyer sans retard, les épreuves que j’ai pris la liberté de lui adresser, parceque le retard gêne les imprimeurs, qui n’ont pas assés de caracteres pour attendre plus longtems. J’ai l’honneur de lui envoyer les feuilles K L & M, dont j’ai deja lu de premieres épreuves. Je suis avec la consideration la plus...
6966William Alexander to Franklin and William Temple Franklin, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Betsey wrote you last week to ask a day when you & your son Can dine wt Madme de la Marke any time before the 20th— We have no Answer— You will oblige me by desiring your son to write— On recolection I address this to Him & beg He will drop me a line to st Germains— I am most faithfully Your & His Most obt hble s Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin...
6967From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and William Jackson, 18 June 1781 (Adams Papers)
This is a Copy of a Letter from Coll. Laurens to me, which I have given to Major Jackson, to shew to his Excellency Dr. Franklin. I should think it most adviseable for Major Jackson to lay the Accounts of the Indian before his Excellency, and pray him to authorize, Major Jackson or Mr. De Neufville to draw upon him, for the Amount, in case of my absence, from this Republick, which may become...
6968Lafayette to Franklin and John Jay, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Columbia University Library Mquis. de Lafayette’s Compliments waït upon Mr. Franklin and Mr. Jay, and Has the Honour to Acquaint them He Had letters from America down to the first of May— On Many points He is Referred to the letters those Gentlemen Must Have Received— The Mquis. de Lafayette Intends paying them His Respects to Morrow at Breakfast time, and will Communicate what...
6969John Adams to [Franklin and Arthur Lee], 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr. Adams has recd. from the Count De Vergennes a Letter containing Information that his Majesty will see Mr. A. on Fryday, and an Invitation from the Count to Messrs. Franklin Lee and Adams to dine with him on that Day. The Letter is addressed to Messrs Franklin Lee and Adams. Notation: 5 May 78 Elicited by Vergennes’ note to the commissioners the day before....
6970John S. Harmanson to Franklin and Arthur Lee, 24 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. George Kindall a Neighbour of mine, being bound to France, & not provided with Letters to Paris, I have taken the Liberty to request the favor of Your Civilities shoud he visit Paris— I hope you’ll excuse this Liberty, & also the Liberty to inform you that as I am situated on the Eastern Coast of Virginia oposite to Sandshoal [Island?] abt. 20 Miles...
6971John Bondfield to Franklin and Arthur Lee, 14 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Tucker pays unwearied attention to get forward the Ship so that on a Days notice we shall be soon in readiness to obey whatever Commands your Honors will see fitting to give. Her sails Rigging and Stores are all preparing. There has been no arrivals from the United States on this Coast since my last of the 10th Instant. The present unsettled State...
6972To Benjamin Franklin from John Atwood, Jacob Vere, and Nathan Chadwick, 7 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We take Leave to write to your Honour to Let you know We are amaricans taken prisoners By the English and Endangered our Lives to get to france Expecting to get our Liberty and the people are suspicious of our Being English and we Desire the favour to Come Before your honour to answer for our Selves. We are your honours most humble and obedient Servents...
Congress having appointed the Honble Henry Laurens to solicit a Loan of Money in the United Provinces of the Low Countries, in Order to facilitate his Success the enclosed Resolution has been passed. We need say Nothing to explain or urge it, except that it is thought a Mark of Attention and Confidence due to those Powers; that their Interest, if the State of Politicks incline them to exert...
6974Committee for Foreign Affairs to Franklin and John Jay, 11 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: National Archives; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Congress have appointed the Honorable Henry Laurens Esqr to solicit a loan of Money in the United provinces of the low Countries, in order to facilitate his Success the enclosed resolution, has been passed. We need say nothing to explain or urge it, except that it is thought a Mark of attention and confidence due to...
6975To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library A mon retour de L’Orient j’ai trouve une Notte de votre part, (sans datte) que me demande des Renseignements a sujet de la Pacotile que notre Ami feu Monsr. Dubourg avait confié a mon Frere—. En reponse a cette Demande J’ai l’honneur de vous remettre les Copies de 3 Lettres que J’ai ecrit—Scavoir A Monsr. Breton le 4 Août 1779 A Monsr. Dubourg le 10. 7bre. 1779 A...
6976M. and Mme. Jean-Jacques de Lafreté to Franklin and William Temple Franklin, 14 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Mad. De Lafreté ont l’honneur de faire mille complimens à Messieurs Francklin; ils se flattent que ces Messieurs n’ont pas oublié l’engagement qu’ils ont pris, de venir diner avec eux jeudi prochain 16. de ce mois. He was a businessman and a former high official in the postal service; see J.F. Bosher, French Finances, 1770–1795 . . . (Cambridge,...
6977Madame F. Pechigny to Franklin or William Temple Franklin, 13 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Pechigny supplie monsieur franklin de vouloir bien lui permettre le 26. du present, de lui presenter lhommage de sa vive reconnoissance en lui remettant les 300 l.t. que noblement il lui a preté et dagréer les regret de limpossibilité ou elle a èté de ne les lui avoir pas remis plûtot. Si monsieur franklin a un protegé qui enseigne langlois mde....
6978From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Adams Papers)
As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed To Congress. By what Vessell it will be proper to Send it, deserves to be considered as soon as possible,...
6979Jasper Yeates to Franklin and James Wilson, 6 July 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Lancaster, July 6, 1776: I received your favor this afternoon, and think it my duty cheerfully to accept the appointment by the Congress. My company is under marching orders to Trenton, and I am uneasy about leaving it; but I shall be happy to render my country any service in the position assigned to me. Please...
6980To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Estourneau Delatouche, 10 September 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <La Touche, September 10, 1777, in French: I decided to join your army, and last December asked my nephew to get me the command of a regiment. I thought that I deserved one after having served under Marshal Saxe (who taught officers their trade) in seventeen sieges and three battles. I learned that for the present this is impossible, but see that you are...
6981Vergennes to Franklin and John Jay, [5 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: National Archives J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 29 du Mois dernier et par laquelle vous demandez, au Nom des Etats Unis un Secours extraordinaire de 1900/m l.t. Le Roi se seroit fait un Plaisir, Messieurs, de prendre votre Demande...
6982Baron de Thun to Franklin and John Jay, 7 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Since at least March, when independence seemed assured, certain members of the diplomatic corps had wondered when Franklin would present his card, which would allow them to recognize him officially. Franklin explained that he would do no such thing until news of the ratification arrived. On July 2, prompted by Vergennes, the three American commissioners paid their...
6983John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society As I am informed that next Wednesday is appointed for the Signature of the definitive Treaties of Peace, I Suppose it will be thought proper to think of Some Conveyance of the Ratification of the Provisional Treaty, and of the Original of our definitive Treaty as Soon as it Shall be Signed to Congress. By what Vessell it...
6984John Watson and John Swain to Franklin and Arthur Lee, 17 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With submission I shall take the Liberty of Acquainting Your honour that thair is two of us that is in this Prison that Was taken the 15th of October 1777 in the west indians And Sent to England whare we was condemed to prison And thair confind for Eleven months Before we could make our Escape from Fortain prison in England which after we Maid our Escape...
6985John Bondfield to Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, 14 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Bordeaux, 14 April 1778. RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers). Bondfield, still unaware that JA was at Paris, gave general shipping information, noted Capt. Tucker’s exertions to prepare the Boston for sea, and commented on the stagnation of Franco-American trade that would continue “until War is declared or Peace is establish’d.” RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers).