1621To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 22 [February] 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ignore les usages d’un autre monde mon cher papa; mais je sçais que dans notre civile europe, on ne se rend léttres et portraits que lorsque l’on veut rompre ensemble: un homme de votre connoissance, un homme que vous ne pouvés vous empêcher d’aimér; hier au soir á jetté par térre et foulée aux piéds une léttre d’une fémme; un jeune homme la ramassée et...
1622To Benjamin Franklin from [Baussay], 25 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai apris avec plaisir que la lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire le 22 may dernier vous a bien eté remise. Supposant que vous ne seré pas faché d’etre instruit a la continue de ce qui ce passe ici, et en particulier de ce qui peut etre relatif a vos Colonies, j’aurai donc l’honneur de vous dire Monsieur, que le Chevalier Yorke vient de faire...
1623To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 20 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I again acknowledge receipt of your Favors, per Captain Paul Jones, of the 16th. March, 3d & 27th June, 4h Octr. & 9h. Decr., & copies of Letters to & from Ben, all of which have given us the greatest satisfaction & pleasure, his profile too, which you sent us, has added not a little to our gratification; we have had it framed, and it hangs now in our...
1624To Benjamin Franklin from Martha Johnson, 15 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this opertunety to inquier after your helth and should have Done it much sooner had I have known how. But the time I wrot to Jonathon the gentelman who took it told me he was not Cartain he should Be premited to Carrey it or I should have wrot to you at the same time. I hope when you heard from America last all our frinds are in good helth altho in a...
1625To Benjamin Franklin from John Diot & Co., 2 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We Receiv’d Your Excellency’s honored Letter 23d. May in answer to the One we had the honnour to Write to you the 10th. Do. but whereon we forgot to put the date. We are Very Sorry to See what your Excellency is pleased to mention about the Prize Betzey, and are Surprised that the Papers relative to that Vessell have not been produced to you, as We have...
1626To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, [24 July or 31 or 7 August 1776] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr: Rush begs leave to inform Dr. Franklin that the members of the Canadian Committee will wait upon him this afternoon at 6 oClock at his own house. Addressed: Dr Franklin The committee was to hear Canadian petitions; its meetings determine the note’s possible dates. See Smith, Letters , IV , 537 n.
1627To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Oswald, [5 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: University of South Carolina Library (two), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Lawrens while under Confinement in England, proposed that, upon his being liberated upon his Parole, he would apply to you for an Exchange in favour of My Lord Cornwallis, by a Discharge of his Lps. [Lordship’s] Parole granted upon the Surrendry of his Garrison at the Village of...
1628To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Hancock, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania As you have Been so good to Premitt Me to have the Honour to Pay you a Visit, Thought it my Duty to Aquint you that I Set out from hence in Two or Three Days. Would Have Come Amatley [immediately] on Recipt of your Letter To Mr. Le Grand only waits for the Arivell of the Englesh Post By which I Expect to Recive Some Letters. Mr. Le Grands Behavour to Me...
1629To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Congress has ordered me to prepare and lay before them a State of the pay Rations and Subsistence of the Officers and Men in the Armies of the different powers in Europe—as these often vary I have no means of procuring the necessary information with accuracy from any books I have seen— I am under the...
1630To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Johnson, 11 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the honour of Incloseing you some American News Papers the 29 Ultimo which I hope you got safe. Inclosed you have the only one I have received since. Some time ago you was so obligeing as to write me that you had procured an exemtion of the Duties on my Furniture. I would rather pay ten times the sum than to be troublesome, but the ungenteel...
1631To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Pierre Dufourny de Villiers, 16 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’Ingénieur françois qui a commandé au siége d’York-town, pour lequel je vous avois demandé audience, n’a pu profitter de la faveur que vous luy avies accordeé, les lettres par lesquelles je luy en faisois part ne luy etant point parvenües, soit qu’il m’aie mal indiqué sa demeure, soit qu’il soit parti de Paris dans le même tems, ce qui me paroit le plus...
1632To Benjamin Franklin from ——— La Hure: Bill for Clothing, [15 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
DS : University of Pennsylvania Mémoire Pour Monsieur franklin Pere Du 19. fevrier 1779 La façon d’un habit Complet de drap de Vigogne 17 l.t. fourni 3 aus. drap de Vigogne à 90 l.t. 270 ” ” 4. aus. ¾ Satin pour doubler à 8.5 39 3 9 ⅞ toille de Coton pour défaut
1633To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 30 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After my most hearty and Sincer love to you and your grandson—Friends &ce. I have The pleasure to tell you my hopes is more fixt on you then Ever My Inthuizam encreases Evry day and from good authority Can Say my politicall Creed is well founded: you will be Very Shortly Calld upon by the People—. (Providence Whome I trust) will Call all the wise honest...
1634To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avoue qu’il y a longtemps que je ne vous ai écrit cependant je pense toujours à vous si j’avois eu plus de temps je vous aurais écris en anglois il y à aussi longtems que vous ne m’avès ècris mais je sçais bien que ce n’est pas de vôtre faute et que c’est les affaires qui vous en enpechent. J’espère que vous aves reçu mon prix dans la derniere lettre je...
1635To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer S. Platt, 6 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nessessaty obliges me to trouble you to forward the Inclos’d letter, as I have the Misfortune to be detain’d a Prisner in Newgate, and not Knowing when I shall obtain my Liberty. Therefore am under the Nessessaty of Writing to my Pardner in Savannah in Georgea, to make me a small Remitance, by way of France, and have taken the Liberty to request him to...
1636To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 21 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you the News Paper. The Spanish Declaration was not made on Tuesday, But I have a Letter, which says, That it was to be deliver’d on Wednesday. They write from London, That the New York Mail brings Advice,—of General Clinton’s detaching three thousand Men upon an Expedition (to sail the 8th of May) and That Genrl Washington supposing it to be to...
1637To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not words to express, the Pleaseur I had in Receving your very kind leter, which you was so good as to send me by Mr. Lamot, for allthoug I have not seen you for this lage(?) Past, my heart warms when ever I here your Naime mensiend, as does my wife, for She Loves you sincearly. Could wee but have the Pleaseur to Injoy you here, was it but for a few...
1638To Benjamin Franklin from Le Ray de Chaumont, [after 8 January 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont a L’honneur de proposer a S. E Monsieur franklin d’aller faire unne visite ce matin a M. Le Comte Dorvilliers qui a Si Bien accueilli nos freres americains. M. franklin voudra Bien dire a quelle heure il partira Si la proposition luy Convient. When the comte d’Orvilliers ( XXVI , 236n), the recently retired former commander of the great...
1639To Benjamin Franklin from François Willem de Monchy, 15 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Father joins me in compliments and thanks for the trouble you have had in procuring such accurate information concerning the Fire Engine, and also for inquiring about the microscopes which at length I have recieved. Agreeable to your desire I have send you two drawings of an Ice-boat. That without the mast is in the proportion of an Inch to a foot, and...
1640To Benjamin Franklin from René-Georges Gastellier, 22 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je viens de recevoir une lettre de Mademoiselle de fay par la quelle J’apprends avec un plaisir vraiment indicible que vous aviés bien voulú jetter un Coup d’oeil favorable sur les deux ouvrages qu’elle vous a presentés en mon nom. Ma satisfaction seroit Complette si j’etois persuadé que vous les avés trouvés dignes sinon de votre suffrage aumoins de votre...
1641To Benjamin Franklin from Amezaga, 25 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. D’amezaga est dépuis Six semaines à la Campagne. Il meurent d’envie de voir son cher Monsieur de Franklin. Il â trouvé à la Campagne un Noble Genois qui S’apelle Mr. de sélezia qui a porter chés Monsieur de Franklin, un Paquet dont on L’avoit changé [chargé]. Il n’a point trouvé Monsieur de Franklin chés luy et à Laissés Son Paquet. Mr. de Sélezia qui...
1642From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 14 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Extracts of Letters You was so good as to send me, have been inserted in the Papers, and I should be obliged to You, for future Communications of the same kind. Notwithstanding the flow of Spirits, and the vigorous Exertions of our Countrymen this Year, I am sorry to say I cannot see a prospect of any thing decisive this Campaign. The fatal defect in the plan of the Campaign, in not...
1643To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 23 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Dimanche 21 au soir arriva enfin le Courier attendu, sur les Dépêches duquel on étoit déjà préparé ici par celle du Résidt [Résident] Swart reçue le 21 & écrite par la poste le 5, & dont voici la Substance. “Le 31 Xbre. dernier, les Plenipes. holl. [Plenipotentiaires hollandais], & Mr. Swart, eurent une derniere conférence...
1644To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 28 [April] 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure to See your Son at my house govonour Franklin and acording to my Custom I had a long Chatt with him—as I am now in Fashon at Court or in other words am not in the Same Disgrace as while America was in Rebelion —Wherefore now I Can Speak out Such truths as may be useful to the honest Well meaning Rulers: who all own, they have not had...
1645To Benjamin Franklin from Griffith Jones, 6 October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though I presume Mr. Cumming’s Letter, which you receive at the same time with this, informs you of the Motive which induced the Friends of the Bearer to send him to Philadelphia; yet as being the Father of the Boy, I thought it necessary for your Satisfaction, briefly to relate to you my Reasons for taking this Step; and likewise to give you some Account...
1646To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Ann Davies, 17 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I took the liberty of writing You a Letter last April to enquire after your Health. At the same time (not doubting the continuation of your friendship) I made so free as to trouble You with some account of my present Situation, entreating your Advice, but I am so unfortunate as never to have had any Answer. I have been and am still in the greatest Anxiety...
1647To Benjamin Franklin from Marie Del de Sanlecque, 16 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Il m’a été assûré que vous desiriés vous procurer des caracteres pour l’Impression. C’est d’après cette annonce que je prends la Liberté de vous offrir ce qui me reste de fontes. 1º En une fonte de petit Romain-Romain pezant 415. L 2º en une de cicero-Romain pezant 711. 3º en une autre de cicero-Italique pezant 260. En tout 1386 Ces trois fontes, Monsieur,...
1648From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 20 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
Seven Vessels have lately arrived at Nantz & Lorient from Am., two of them directly from Philadelphia & but one Letter brought by them has as yet reached me— It gives me Reason to expect others by every Post, and ^ as ^ well as to suppose that Dispatches of an important Nature have been arrived in them for You. My Correspondent informs me that certain Measures relative to peace were preparing...
1649To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 26 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avèz fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19 de ce mois; elle étoit accompagnée des Résolutions par les quelles le Congrès a ordonné qu’il seroit fourni de nouvelles traites sur vous pour environ 1400. M. Tournois...
1650To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; letterbook copy: Yale University Library Some time since I received a Letter from Mr. Dubourg offering to interest me in his Contract, my answer to that I inclosed to you: Mr. D has not since written a syllable in return. Several Letters have passed between Mr. Alexander and me and from him I have received the outlines of the plan; the conditions I...