9241To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 16 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is my Duty as well as Inclination to Inform you much oftner than I have done of my Situation and Afairs, I acknolidg I have Suffered very Trifling circumstances to cause me to Neglect it for the Time; you are the only Person in the world I wish to know all my Transactions an the motives to them as such a Friend as my Dear Brother would Subject me to the...
9242To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Beauharnais, 20 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettéz, Monsieur, que je vous envoie ce memoire en faveur d’un infortuné digne a tous egards de votre compassion? Vous y verrés qu’une chute qu’il a faite l’hiver dernier le met hors detat de continuér ses travaux; votre coeur genereux et sensible qui previent les besoins des malheureux qui les devine meme me repond que celui cy vous interessera, oui...
9243To Benjamin Franklin from [François-Louis?] Perregaux, 20 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Perregaux a l’honeur de présenter ses civilités à Monsieur le Docteur Francklin & ainsi qu’il le désire celui de lui envoyer incluse la traitte de Mr. Leveux de Calais de l.t. 1722 5 s. sur lui afin qu’il y aye la complaisance de l’accepter & de la lui renvoyer par la petite poste— Notation: Perregaux 20 Aout 1784 An associate in the Perregaux bank,...
9244To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, [before 23 August 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Chaumont prie S. Ex. Monsieur franklin de demander a Son petit fils, tous Les Renseignements qu’il poura prendre Sur les Meilleures Mecaniques employées en angleterre a la filature du Cotton et Sur Le Cas qu’on en fait. Et Le Charger en mesme tems d’apporter avec luy quelques échantillons de filatures et d’etoffes fabriquees avec. The day WTF left Passy; see...
9245To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Chabaud and Other Favor Seekers, 23 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society During the months covered by this volume, Franklin continues to receive unsolicited appeals for favors or help of various kinds. We summarize here the letters to which no responses have been found, publishing the earliest request—from Chabaud—as an example. The descriptions are organized into three categories: letters soliciting positions with the United...
9246To Benjamin Franklin from James McHenry, 24 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As it may be a satisfaction to the friends of the Marquiss de la Fayette, to learn that his visit to this country has been extremely flattering to its citizens, and that his reception has been marked by every circumstance expressive of gratitude and respect, I thought it would give pleasure to you (of whom I have often heard him express the liveliest...
9247To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 24 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to introduce to your friendly Notice the Bearer of this Letter Mr. John Rucker who is one of the acting Partners in a Commercial House which I have lately established in New York. Your Countenance Protection and Assistance to this Gentleman will very much oblige Dr Sir your most obedient & humble Servant For John Rucker, whom BF had previously...
9248To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 26 [i.e., 25] August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here at Noon this Day,—and Safe! —which is rather extraordinary considering the Situation of my Wheels; they certainly could not have gone a Post farther without a thorough Repair: Before I got to Chantilly one of the Iron Circles broke, & precisely over the joining of the Timber, this occasiond several of the Spokes to get loose; & made me lose a...
9249To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 26 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered into your Hands by my worthy Friend and Neighbour, Mr Berdmore the celebrated Dentist, who is just setting out for Paris on a little Jaunt of Pleasure for a few Days, and who being desirous of the Honour of being known to you, I have therefore troubled you with this Line to introduce him.— If you have leisure to have any Conversation...
9250To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 27 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Fearing least you should be uneasy about me, as the Weather has been very Stormy; I think it well to inform you, that we are still kept here by contrary Winds:— There is Hopes of our sailing at high Water this Afternoon, but there is no certainty: The Weather is become fair—& the Wind much abated but still contrary.— The Post is near setting off, & this...
9251To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 27 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Vous m’avez fait remettre, Monsieur, un Extrait des Instructions que le Congres vous a addressées le 11e. Mai dernier; Elles portent qu’en aucun Cas les Etats Unis ne traiteront aucune Nation, relativement au Commerce plus avantageusement que la Nation Françoise; cette Disposition est d’autant plus sage,...
9252To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 27 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La société Royale de medécine me charge de Vous envoier des Billets pour sa séance publique prochaine, dont elle Vous prie de disposer. Elle présume avec peine que Votre incommodité ne Vous permettra pas d’y assiter. Je ne manquerai pas de Vous adresser les pieces qui y auront été distribuées. J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec respect Monsieur Votre trés humble et...
9253To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 28 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Musee national de la Cooperation franco-américaine du Château de Blérancourt Your favor of 17 June last, is now before me, and having just heard of a Vessel for L’Orient which goes in a few hours; I take up my pen to let you know, in the first place that the family is well—they are yet in the Country, but I purpose bringing them to Town in a few days— We are sorry to hear of the Malady...
9254To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 28 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a very disagreable Passage, which lasted from 8 last Night to 8. this Morning, we arrived here safe. I was sick the whole Passage—& I think more so than in either going or returning from America.— Mais comme en toutes Choses, “il faut toujours regarder la Belle Jambe ”.— I flatter myself with the Notion that it will prove a Crise salutaire, as Mesmers...
9255To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Harrison, 28 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will introduce to you Mr William Short, a Gentleman of my particular acquaintance, and a member of the Council of this State; you will find him the agreeable Gentleman, a man of considerable abilities, and in every respect worthy your civilities at [and] attentions, to which I most earnestly recommend him. He goes to France to join his intimate friend...
9256To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Shewell, 29 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have presumed to forward you the resolve of Congress respecting the seizure of the Brig L’amiable Elizabeth at St. John’s Newfoundland by Nicholas Gill Esquire judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty at that place, with sundry other papers. The Honble Charles Thomson Esquire secretary to Congress writes by this oppertunity requesting you’ll be so obliging to...
9257To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 13 August [i.e., September] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 26th Ulto. this day & knowing that a Spanish Courier extraordinary is to set off this Evening for Paris I avail myself of the occasion to thank your Excy for the information contained therein as well as for those proofs of Amity which appear in the whole tenor of the Letter I have just received;...
9258To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Roussille, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, [c. 1 September 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Sr. prre. Roussille natif, & habitant a Bordeaux a l’honneur de vous exposer humblement qu’il S’embarqu’a le 22 mai 1778. en qualité de volontaire Sur la frégate des Etats unis de l’amerique Septentrionale nommée la Boston, Commandée par le Capitaine Tucker, armee en Guerre, et faisant course Sur l’ennemi. Ils firent le 19 juin de la même année la prise...
9259To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 2 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Little did I imagine, when I wrote you from Dover, of the Inconveniences I had experienced on the Passage, and of the Uneasiness I then felt, & which I supposed was caused by the Sea Sickness, that the Result would be, a fever and Ague! But Alas! it is too true.— That very Night on my Arrival at Cantorberry I was seized with a shivering; it did not however...
9260To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas Léger Moutard, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 2 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Moutard a L’honneur d’assurer M. franklin de son respect et a celui de lui faire hommage de 12 Exemplaire des Rapports sur le magnetisme de L’edition in 8°./. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin / A Passy Endorsed: Present my Compliments thankful Acknowledgements & Acceptance of the Favour &c Notation: Moutard 2 Sept. 1784.— For this Parisian...
9261To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Huet de La Valinière, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Me permetra de vous dire que depuis le moment, ou j’ai eu l’honneur de vous presenter mes respects en votre Hotel a Passy, je n’ai cessé de travailler pour votre peïs & le Canada; si je n’ai pas reüssi, ce n’est pas ma faute. Je suis ce Prêtre qui, aprés avoir passé 26. ans en Canada, ai eu le malheur d’en être exilé a raison de suspicion: ensorte que plus...
9262To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 4 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will you my Dear Sir excuse the liberty I hereby take to introduce to yr: Excellency the bearer Mr Canning as a particular friend of mine and of Liberty he being very desirous of paying his respects to so eminent a person and any civillities you may have the goodness to shew him I shall esteem as personally done to Yr: Excellency’s much obliged & Obedt...
9263To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, 5 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je viens, mon cher amy, de recevoir une lettre du comte de Mirabeau dattée de Londre; il a perdu ici au conseil un procès contre sa femme, et, comme a l’occasion de cette affaire il a eu des querelles tres vives avec mr. le garde des Sceaux, on luy a donné avis, a ce qu’il me mande, qu’on l’avoit laissé tranquille a cause de son procès prest a estre jugé,...
9264To Benjamin Franklin from Julien-Michel Guiard, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, and Other Offerers of Remedies for the … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Since 1782, when he suffered his first attack of his bladder stone, Franklin had been receiving remedies and advice from individuals throughout France and England. Most of this was unsolicited, sent by friends and strangers who were eager to offer anything that might ease the pain if not cure the affliction. In the spring of 1784, when the jostle of a carriage was...
9265To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Ochs, 6 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A votre porte attendent dans un humble Silence un Suisse & sa femme, l’inestimable bonheur de païer le tribut de leur hommage et de leur admiration au Génie de Franklin. Ils n’auront rien vû à Paris, s’ils ne vous ont vû, Monsieur. La seule question que leur feront à leur retour leurs Concitoyens, Sera de leur demander, s’ils ont été puiser dans vos regards...
9266To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Chapel, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 7 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je me propose d’aller Incessemment a Londres pour L’avantage de mon commerce en Batistes, J’ose encore reclamer les bontés de Votre Excellence Sous L’appui de la Lettre que J’eus l’honneur de lui Remettre de la part de Monsieur le Marechal de Castries, pour la Supplier de Vouloir Bien m’en donner une de Recommandation pour Son excellence Monsieur Le Ministre...
9267To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 7 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now the Pleasure of informing you, (and indeed it is a great one) that I have got the better of that stubborn Monster the Fever & Ague. I thought myself exceedingly unfortunate when I was taken with it,—but I esteem myself fortunate to a much greater Degree in being so soon quit of it. It is to the excellent Advice of Dr. Jefferies, the constant &...
9268To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Sylvain Bailly, 8 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Comme mrs les commissaires doivent aller voir demain jeudi Mr Franklin, mr Bailly a l’honneur de lui envoier le registre original qui doit etre signé demain; afin que Monsieur Franklin puisse en prendre lecture, et signer aussi demain avec les autres commissaires. Il suffit qu’il lise depuis la pag 87 ou sa derniere signature est placée. Quoiqu’il n’y ait...
9269To Benjamin Franklin from Cristoforo Vincenzo Spinola, 9 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives Le Serenissime Gouvernement de Gênes desirant favoriser autant qu’il lui est possible le Commerce que ses Sujets font dans les Provinces et Ports des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale que vous avez l’honneur de representer, est entré dans la Determination d’envoyer à Boston un Consul ou Agent pour qu’il puisse dans tous les Cas et circonstances possibles...
9270To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 9 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai recu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’Honneur de m’écrire le 3e. de ce Mois: vous y declarez, au Nom du Congrès, que les Etats Unis auront Soin de ne traiter aucun Nation, relativement au Commerce, plus avantageusement que la Nation Françoise. Cette Declaration fondée sur le Traité du 6e:...