William Franklin to William Temple Franklin, 16 December 1784
William Franklin to William Temple Franklin
ALS: American Philosophical Society
London Decr. 16. 1784 ½ after 12 o’Clock, at Night
My dear Son
Dr Jeffries has informd me that he is to set off for Dover early Tomorrow Morning, in order to embark in Blanchard’s Balloon for France.3 I dare say you will like to be one of the first who gets a Letter across the British Channel by this kind of aerial Conveyance: I have therefore availed myself of the Opportunity, to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters from Calais and Paris, which afforded me the Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival, and the good Health of my Father.— I shall execute all your Commissions as soon as possible, and write you fully in a few Days.— I need not recommend the Doctor to your Civilities, as I am sure you will render him all in your Power, should he be so fortunate as to succeed in this new and hazardous Attempt.4
Wishing you every Happiness, I remain Your affect. Father
Wm. Franklin
W. T. Franklin, Esqr.
Addressed: To / William T. Franklin, Esqr. / Passy / near / Paris / Favoured by Dr. Jeffries
Notation: Wm. Franklin 16. Decr. 1784.—
3. Jeffries and Blanchard arrived at Dover on Dec. 18, but would have to wait three weeks until the weather conditions were favorable. On Jan. 7, 1785, at one P.M., they finally ascended from the Dover cliffs. They struggled to keep the balloon aloft and during the flight were forced to jettison all ballast and provisions; the balloon’s wings, governail, anchor, moulinet, cords, and decorations; and even their own clothing. About five miles from the French coast, the balloon began to rise again and shortly before four P.M. landed safely in the forest of Guînes, near Calais. The aeronauts were feted and honored first in Calais, then upon their arrival in Paris on Jan. 11, and again over the course of the following week at Versailles, where they were presented to the king and queen. Jeffries stayed in Paris until Feb. 21 and enjoyed dinners, receptions, balls, opera and theater visits, and sightseeing: John Jeffries’ diary, entries of Dec. 18, 1784, and Jan. 5, 1785, Harvard University Library; John Jeffries, A Narrative of the Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard … (1786; reprint, with excerpts from Jeffries’ diary, [New York, 1941]), pp. 39–49, 72–85.
4. Jeffries wrote to WTF, enclosing WF’s letter, when he arrived in Paris on Jan. 11. WTF responded on Jan. 14, and that evening Jeffries visited BF at Passy, where he was “very hospitably & kindly received”. Jeffries’ diary (cited above) records five dinners at Passy over the next month. On Jan. 15 he met there a “number [of] Ladies & Gent”. At table on Jan. 22 were BF, WTF, JW, Edward Bancroft, and John Paul Jones, from whom Jeffries “received many compliments on my enterprise—& returned them, he deserving them much more than me.” On Jan. 31 he dined with WTF and JW. On Feb. 11 he “walked out to Passy & dined with Dr Franklin, very kindly received & entertained by him & very pleasant conversation with him”. On Feb. 14 he attended a large dinner party to which Williamos was also invited; see the latter’s Feb. 9 letter. A calling card that reads “Dr Jeffries to pay his Respects” survives among BF’s papers at the APS and must date from this period.