1121To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre du Calvet, 20 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophial Society Avec le vulgaire des grands, on ne parle guéres de comptes et de dettes, quoi que non personnelles et de pur office pour eux; beaucoup moins en vat’on jusqu’a en Solliciter avec Succés le payement auprés d’eux; leur fierté, leur délicatesse Se formalisent de ces details triviaux, et le peu d’intérest quils prennent aux bésoins étrangers, rend infructueuse...
1122To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Pougens, 8 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoïer un paquet que je suis chargé de vous remettre. Le mauvais état de ma santé et de ma vüe m’empeche de venir vous le porter moi même, n’aïant pas la certitude que vous Soiés visible, voulés vous bien me fixer le moment où je pourrai Sans indiscrétion venir vous offrir mes respects et mon admiration. Je joins ici le plan d’un...
1123To Benjamin Franklin from [Henry] Potts, [1765–1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Doctor Francklin and desires the favor of his Company at Dinner Thursday next the 19th Instant. An Answer is desired. Addressed: Benjamin Francklin Esq. / Craven Street Analysis of handwriting has led the editors to conclude that this note and the one immediately following were written by Henry Potts, secretary of the...
1124To Benjamin Franklin from William Augustus Miles, 11 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is by the express desire of my friend Sir Edward Newenham that I transmit you the inclos’d printed extracts from the irish Papers. It will afford me a real pleasure to hear of them having arriv’d Safe and in the interim I have the honor to remain with the utmost respect Sir Your most obedt: & most Oblig’d Hble Servt Notation: Miles Oct 11. 1784— Who had...
1125To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Bussy-Dagoneau, 1 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mes Ennemis vouloient m’éloigner de la france, J’aurois desiré combâttre ceux d’un peuple qui vous doit en partie ses vertûs, son Energie, et son Bonheur. Des maladies et des procés me retiennent encore, Monsieur. J’arriveray peutêtre un jour a Boston, trop tard pour ma gloire, a temps pour admirer celle de Vos Concitoyens et de mes compatriotes. Garcilasse...
1126To Benjamin Franklin from John Apthorp, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Apthorp’s compliments to Mr. Franklyn and desires the favour of his Company to dine with him on Fry-day next ¼ past three. Addressed: Benjn Franklyn Esqr / Buckingham Street, Probably John Apthorp (d. 1772), son of the Charles Apthorp of Boston who was agent for Hanbury & Thomlinson in the northern colonies and involved in supplying specie for British...
1127To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 26 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Not having any thing particular to Communicate I have deferred too long paying my tribute of thanks for the Civilities I recd from you during my short stay at Paris— I saw the Minister soon after my Return, who was much upon the Fish to know why I paid you a Visit, I turned it off, by saying we had a long Acc’t to settle & that I flatterred myself my...
1128To Benjamin Franklin from Walter Pollard, [c. 3 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Gentleman, who was concerned in the Business which Mr: Dumas has hinted in his Letter to his Excellency, is sorry to say, that it was written only with the friendly Intention of introducing Him at Passy; for his Satisfaction would have been greater, had He been recommended, not by his Friends alone, or by any formal Declaration of his Principles, but by...
1129To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, [1 April 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Madame la Comtesse D’houdetot Et toutte Sa Societé Sont tres affligées de ne pas Voir Demain Monsieur franklin. Madame D’houdetot Espere qu’il Voudra Bien L’En dedomager un autre jour Et ne point oublier qu’il Est attendû a Sanois pour une petite Ceremonie a Laquelle Madame La Comtesse Est fort attachée Et que L’arbre qui Doit Estre placé dans son Jardin ne...
1130To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway: Two Notes, [August? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These two undated notes, we believe, were written in the order in which we print them, and between hers of April 14 from Ville-d’Avray, near Sèvres, where she was no doubt visiting a friend, and that below of September 1 from her home in Auxerre. These two can be assigned with some confidence to a single month, August. The first note refers to a battle...
1131List of Payments Made by Ferdinand Grand, [25 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
D : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Copie de lEtat fourni à Mr. de fleury & signé par Mr. Franklin le 25 Juillet 1781 . Etat des payemens faits par Mr. Grand, pour le Service des Etats Unis par ordre de Mr. Franklin depuis le 4 Janvr. 1781 jusques au 27 Juillet inclusivement l.t. 3.447.389. 1.3 à quoi il faut ajouter les payemens à faire de ses Engagemens ou acceptns. connus à...
1132To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Isaac Peuch, 15 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En qualité de Sujet d’un Etat libre qui a tout sacrifié pour se procurer l’independance, j’ai admiré plus d’une fois les efforts surprénnans et généreux de vos Compatriotes pour se procurer les mêmes avantages et se délivrer d’un joug qui auroit certainement été aggravé, à mésure que les Oppresseurs auroient trouvé de facilité de l’appesantir. Comme...
1133To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Benyowzky, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Pardon si je prend La liberté de vous ecrire, je vien d’aprendre que un nomé Graubner bourgois de paris, a eté ché vous Monsieur, pour vous importuner par a port [par rapport] une Lettre de change, de mon mary Le quelle a eté doné pour de l’anciene déte de mon bau frére qui a été au Service du Congré, je vous demande mille excuse a La place de mon mary,...
1134To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, October [i.e., 6 November] 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Capn. Barney has the honor of assuring his Excelly. Doctr. Franklin of his most respectfull Comps. & wth. pleasure accepts his polite invitation to dinner on Saturday next Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Le Doctr. Franklin / ministre Plenipotentiare / des Etats Units de / L’Amerique en / son hotel / a Passy The day after Barney arrived in Paris with...
1135To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Conway: Certificate, [3 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Je certifie que j’ai eu L’honneur De servir en amerique avec Mr De saintuary; que cet officier qui ÿ servoit a ses Depens, etait aimé et consideré par ses superieurs. J’ai vû Mr De santuary montrer Beaucoup De Zêle et D’activité aux Batailles De Brandÿweine et De Germàntown. Je certifie que Mr De santuary a eté fait prisonnier en Novembre 1777 auprés De...
1136To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Nogaret, [after 6 December 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme nous Sommes privés du plaisir de vous voir, je vous Suppose un mal, peutetre apocryphé, Mais qui vous va bien dans la circonstance où vous vous derobés aux acclamations de tout Paris. The day BF informed Vergennes that he was not well enough to continue his regular visits to Versailles; his letter is immediately above. The following poem is a variant...
1137To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 7 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library A few days ago your Friend Mr. Alexander forwarded to me from Virginia your favor of the 2d: November accompanied with a packet for Dr. Cooper of Boston, which I shall forward to him by some private hand, to save expence of postage; having already found that expence from Virginia pretty heavy, for not withstanding your name was on the packet, as a frank, the post...
1138To Benjamin Franklin from [Ferdinand Grand], [before 14 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This is the earliest document in a correspondence that stretches over six weeks and gives an example of the way Franklin handled a diplomatic crisis. Gustavus Conyngham was, once again, at the center of it. On May 31, his cutter, The Revenge , seized the Henrica Sophia , a Swedish ship laden with a Spanish cargo. The Swedish ambassador to Versailles, Count...
1139To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not one Word from you yet: No Packet since the December one arrived: But your Friends happily heard of your Arrival in England, by an Article of News brought by a Vessel to New York from Ireland. Otherwise, we should all have been in Pain and Distress about you till this Day: that News arrived 14 Days ago: I wrote you twice or thrice since your Departure...
1140To Benjamin Franklin from Th.M. Laënnec, 10 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le corsaire des états unis le prince noir a conduit au port d’audierne sous le département de l’amirauté de quimper un Brigantin anglais dont il S’etait emparé. M. Diot Dèpositaire du corsaire a du prevenir Votre excellence de cet èvenement. Mais les officiers de nôtre Siege qui ont Scellé la prise et interrogé les prisoniers aïant omis de vous adresser une...
1141To Benjamin Franklin from [Charles] Jackson, 4 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Jackson presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin, with many Thanks for his obliging Note; and the Order for Ten Guineas, for which he has the pleasure to send him the under written Receipt. Charles Jackson held the post of comptroller of the Foreign Office in the General Post Office, London. His son of the same name also served later in the Secret...
1142To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 21 March 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Conveyance of our friend Mr. Watson whose Letter I inclose this will informe you the Abbe sent three books. I only send One by this Ship and another by the Next for fear of Accidents and if you give Mee Leave I will keep the third for my Self. You’l see the purport of Mr. Watsons Letter, the Booke is sent to Messr. Neat & Neave to Come in their...
1143To Benjamin Franklin from James Johnson, 4 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Brook Street, Feb. 4, (1768?). An invitation to dinner on Monday the 8th. ] The Bishop of Worcester, for whom see above, XII , 124 n. BF ’s acquaintance with the Bishop began in 1765. Feb. 8 was a Monday in 1768 and 1773, and in accordance with our practice we assign the note to the earlier possible year.
1144To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 July 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Received June the 30. 1753. On Board the London for Philadelphia One long Case Mark’d L 4 M C No. 1 which I promise to Deliver (Dangers of the sea Excepted) . paid Freight and primage 6 s. besides one Brown paper bundle of Books of which I cannot give the particulars for I am Just come to Town and To Morrow the Letters are taken away and I go out of Town by...
1145To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 3 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As we are making up our Accounts to tranfer to New Ballance Inclosed I take the liberty to transmit you the State of my Account with your Excellency in which is incerted the advances I have made to sundry Americans for which I have taken their receipts others for which I find I have neglected I have left out as all we advanct was to prevent them from...
1146To Benjamin Franklin from Veuve Jean Martin Smets, 1 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La presente etant uniquement pour avoir l’honneur de vous prevenir de vous avoir Expedié par la diligence ordinaire un pacquet a votre adresse reçu de Monsieur Aychmayer de Rotterdam, esperant que vous l’aurez deja Reçu bien Conditionne, charmez que cette occasion me procure Celle de vous offrir mes Services, vous priant de disposez de moi, et de me Croire...
1147To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Knight, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Knight’s compliments to Mr. Franklin and Mr. William Franklin and desires the favor of their company at dinner on tuesday next the 27th. Addressed: Craven-Street Possibly Gowin Knight (1713–1772), F.R.S., whose work on magnetism BF had known and admired before going to England (see above, VI , 103, 177–8). He was appointed principal librarian of the...
1148John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 11 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
Last night I received your obliging Favour of the fifth of this Month. Your Excellencys Sentiment, “that the Foundation of Credit abroad must be laid at Home” is perfectly just, and accords with the General Sentiment of the Money Lenders, Undertakers and Brokers in this Country, whose Universal Cry is “We Should choose to see Some certain Method agreed on and established, for the Payment of...
1149To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [1 September 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Madame Brillon fait dire a son aimable papa que le jour est pris pour allér au sallon et déjeunér chés monsieur Vérnet jeudi; mércredi on prendra l’heure et les arrangemens. Madame Brillon prie le bon papa de venir a 6 heures précises prendre le thé mércredi parceque monsieur Wattellét et madame le comte viénnent ce jour la disnér avéc elle. Si le papa...
1150To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington: Résumé, 9 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress ⟨Philadelphia, December 9, 1783: Dr. Witherspoon, whom you know, is going to Great Britain on business and may possibly travel to France. I recommend him to your civility and attention.⟩ In the hand of GW ’s clerk Tobias Lear. There is no evidence that Witherspoon ever delivered the letter (now missing). John Witherspoon, president of the College of New Jersey, had...
1151To Benjamin Franklin from Beccaria: résumé, 16 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; four drafts: American Philosophical Society <Turin, December 16, 1779, in Italian: Mr. Chantel gave me your very gracious letter and told me about the audience— most gratifying to me—with which you honored him. I am sorry that for the present time I do not have the energy I could wish to thank you properly in writing. To make up for it, I shall try...
1152To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 August 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum This letter brought Franklin his earliest first-hand news, as far as we know, that the crown was losing control of Massachusetts. The arrival on May 13 of the commander in chief and new governor, Thomas Gage, did not slow the process. The General Court that had just been elected clashed with him immediately on the choice of Council members, and on the transfer of the...
1153To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Hillegas, 17 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Permit me to thank you for your very agreeable Letter of the 7th. of October last, and of expressing my Obligation to you for your kind Inclination of serving Mr. McCreery in the Negociating his Certificates of our Continental Loan Office, but am sorry you were with some reason “ told that our Money had depriciated ” and that therefore “ you could not...
1154To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 31 May–10 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The 22d and 24th Instant, I wrote you per Capt. Haight, inclosing you the 2d of a Bill for £100. Sterling and the first of a Bill from Mr. Hercules Courtenay, Post-Master of Baltimore, for £141 6 s. 11 d. Sterling drawn by Stevenson on Hervey of London, of which this has the 2d inclosed: Mr. Courtenay says it is the whole of the Ballance due from him. I...
1155To Benjamin Franklin from Coder, [on or after 7 March? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Les persecutions que je ne cesse d’eprouvér, pour avoir constament fait mon devoir, le tendre et vif interet que prenent a mes malheurx, MM. turgot, malherbes, M. le marechal de soubise, MM. le marquis de castries, francès etc. doivent me faire ecouté favorablement, des honnetes gens eclairés et surtout de Monsieur le docteur franklin. Vous aurez du voir par...
1156To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Philip, [before 28 December 1780] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society M. MALOUIN, Médecin ordinaire de la Reine, Lecteur & Professeur en Médecine au Collége Royal de France, de l’Académie Royale des Sciences; ayant légué à la Faculté de Médecine, dont il étoit Membre, une somme annuelle, aux conditions qu’elle tiendra chaque année une Séance Publique pour y faire l’exposé de ses Travaux relatifs aux progrès de l’Art, & l’Eloge...
1157To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Caffiéri, 13 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai demendé a Monsieur votre fils, les Noms surnoms et qualités du Genéral Mongomery, le lieu et la Datte de sa naissance, en quel tems il a passé à Boston les grades par lesquels il a passé et les plus belles actions de sa vie, comment il à attaqué Quebec en quel lieu il à été tué, et les dattes surtouts de sa mort, et son âge et ces armes. Cela me sera...
1158To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 13 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Things here in general are much in the same State as they were in my last, only Mr. Foxcroft being returned from Virginia to Philadelphia; you will doubtless hear from him. I think I told you, I had sent the Bond for the whole I have had of you to Mrs. Franklin. The first of the inclosed Bill I sent per last Packet, I send this lest any Accident attend it....
1159To Benjamin Franklin from Cadet de Vaux, 13 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M.M. Quinquet et lange, auteurs de la lampe dont J’ai eu l’honneur de vous Parler, desirent avoir l’Avantage de la mettre à vos lumieres; ils S’Estimeront heureux Si leur dècouverte mérite votre approbation. Je Suis avec un profond respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur In fact, Antoine-Arnoult Quinquet and Ambroise-Bonaventure Lange...
1160To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben: résumé, 11 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Cüstrin, February 11, 1780, in German: I have received and thank you for your letter of November 21. I am sad to announce that my dear wife has been taken by God at age 73. Please forward the enclosed letter to my son.> Or Küstrin, on the Oder. For BF ’s letter, actually Nov. 27, see XXX , 617–18n. Mary Dorothea von Jagow (1706–80) married the senior von...
1161To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Rosehill, 9 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reced. Your Obligeing Information Concerning Your Son, I am again to bege the favour of You to be so Good as to Informe me by the Return of the Post if there are Any Gentlemen of Note, belonging to the State of Virginia, at this time in Paris, & if there is, then Names, and Addresse.— Haveing a Very Conciderable Interest in New Jersey, I will do my self...
1162To Benjamin Franklin from Ingraham & Bromfield, 10 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Letter which we have the Honor to enclose reach’d us Yesterday under a Cover dated so long ago as last October. We proffit of this Opportunity to mention that we have here a Ship which will be ready to sail for New England in a few Days & beg Leave to ask whether a particular Passport will be necessary for Security against Capture, or whether any Act of...
1163To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan and Anna Mordaunt Shipley, [before 9 February 1772]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Before February 9, in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. He and his wife invite Franklin to dinner next Sunday, February 9.> Feb. 9 fell on a Sunday during BF ’s second mission only in 1766 and 1772, and as far as we know he was not acquainted with the Shipleys until 1771.
1164To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 11 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Messrs. J. F. Berard & Co of this place inform me that they are aprehensive some reports have been made to you to prejudice their requisition for a Commission of Letter of Mark for the Brig Antoinette wch. they are fitting out here under the Command of John Angus late of the Ship Franklin, and request me to communicate to your Excellency what knowlege I...
1165To Benjamin Franklin from William Shipley, 1 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also copy: “Dr. Templeman’s Transactions,” Royal Society of Arts, London I am order’d to acquaint you, that the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce have unanimously elected you a Corresponding Member; and it gives the Society a singular Pleasure to place upon their List a Gentleman whose publick Spirit and uncommon Abilities...
1166To Benjamin Franklin from Franklin Read, 19 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not had it in my Power to give You aney Acount of my Procedings relative to what you recomended me when I had the Honour of your Favour (untie now). I found on my Return home that my Business was dull and as I had gained Experience in the Sea way that it was much more to my Advantage to follow it. It would be a great Satisfaction for me to Stay at...
1167To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 6 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library As the English News Writers have been endeavouring to hurt us by giving bad News, I think it my Duty to give you Copy of an Account contradicting their Publication which I received from L’Orient the 4th Inst & which I wish may give you as much Pleasure as it has me. I am with much Respect Your ever Affectionate Kinsman Addressed: a monsieur / Monsieur...
1168From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
A few days since—by the Chevr De Chatteleaux I had the honor to receive your favor of the 19th of March introductory of him, and thank you for bringing me acquainted with a Gentleman of his merit, knowledge, and agreeable manners. I spent several days very happily with him at our Camp near the Great Falls of Passaic in New Jersey before the Army removed to its places of Cantonment the...
1169To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes,5 March [i.e., April] 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai communiqué, Monsieur, à Mr. le Garde des Sceaux la demande que vous avez faite pour publier par la voye de l’impression la traduction du livre des constitutions des Etats-unis de l’amque. Sepale. Mr. le Garde des Sceaux vient, Monsieur, de me répondre qu’il avoit autorisé le Sr. Pierres Imprimeur à...
1170To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Gover, 10 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Robert Gover Aged 25 years Belonging to Baltermore in Maryland Saild from that port September 10: 1775 mate of a ship Bound to London at his Arrivel went out mate of a ship to Senegall returnd Back to London October 1: 1777 Saild from London Febuary 20 for Newyork Intending to git home at his Arrivel at Newyork was not allowd a pass by the mayor of that...