7831To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Simon, 14 February 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Marseilles, February 14, 1777, in English: Some local merchants are sending me to the East Indies in a new ship that I am to outfit. An inquiry in England about how to equip her with an electric conductor produced the surprising answer that the British navy has not yet adopted such conductors. You are the best person to help me on that aspect of your...
7832Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 8, 1778: After the capture of the English warship Drake , Capt. Jones appointed me to take her to Brest. I enclose a copy of his instructions. On May 5, while she was in tow, he ordered me to cast her loose and—so we all understood—make my own way to port. We were chased by a brig, tried to rejoin the Ranger , and did so early in the...
7833Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 3 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, July 3, 1778: Thank you for your interposition on my behalf. Captain Jones has released me from prison to sail for America, but holds me suspended until a court martial summons us to meet face to face. I enclose a copy of my parole. Immediately upon my release I inquired of Mr. Williams at Nantes about vessels bound to America; several are bound to...
7834Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 27 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Brest, July 27, 1778: I wrote you from Nantes that I was planning to sail on the Providence . Mr. Livingston arrived from Paris informing me that you had appointed him to command the Ranger , but gave that post to me when Capt. Jones delivered up my parole. Your letters to Capt. Whipple and Mr. Schweighauser also arrived; Whipple ordered me on the 24th to...
7835Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 18 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you by Captain Niles, that on receiving an answer from Captain Whipple, I shou’d immediately follow his instructions, his letter came to hand the 12th, I embarked at Brest the 15th. and arrived here the 17th Instant, and am now to proceed for America in the Providence, where I hope to have the pleasure of being immediately bro’t to trial. I tho’t my...
7836To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 15 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The most upright Intentions cannot command Success. The Shallow Ken of Man cannot penetrate into futurity; and cannot therefore ascertain what is, or is not most beneficial to Societies. What we have here to do, is to act the most consistently with our Judgment of Circumstances. I know you have done this. Britain is most certainly hurting herself by an...
7837To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [after 22 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I had the pleasure of seeing You I did not know that we were to quit our present Habitation before five O’Clock. I therefore trouble with this, to desire that you will by him send Your Commands for England, and the paper I left with you. Let your Evening and Morning Contemplation be the Inscription on the Peace of Munster. As much depends on You , in...
7838To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [c. 1764] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity , 1769 edition, pp. 440–1. I have just recollected that in one of our great storms of lightning, I saw an appearance, which I never observed before, nor ever heard described. I am persuaded that I saw the flash which struck St. Bride’s steeple. Sitting at my window, and looking to the north, I saw what...
7839To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [before 22 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being thus far in my way to England, and being informed that you live out of Town, I take this Opportunity of enquiring of your Welfare, and beg to know whether Capt Nairn, Brother to Mr Nairn in Cornhill, gave you a paper on Ventilation, and the History of it. I hope to receive a favourable Answer to these particulars, and ever remain Dear Sir Your...
7840To Benjamin Franklin from [Alexander Small], 5 July 1763 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I do not know whether any of our Burnet Seed, has yet been sent to your great World; and therefore to make sure of it, I send you Six pounds. It is a Native of England, but has hitherto passed unnoticed. The attention now paid it is intirely owing to one Roque a Gardener near Chelsea, a most curious Mortal. I truely think the World will be...
7841To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 1 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having called on our Friend in Craven Street who informed me that my former Letter was not yet gone I give you this second trouble to acquaint you that the sturgeon you recommended to Dr. Templeman was examined a few days ago, and did not give Satisfaction. The Baltick Sturgeon has no Spices added to it. Capt. Blake was of Opinion that the fish was boiled...
7842To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 22 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ we can no longer call ourselves Fellow Subjects of the Same Sovereign, yet I hope we shall never forget that we are Fellow Labourers in the Service of Humanity. This gives a right to claim reciprocaly Good-offices. Now that you have in some degree settled the various Interests of great Empires, I hope you will find time to exert Yourself in the Service...
7843To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 13 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Having soon dispatched all I could do in Jamaica, and having no Opportunity of returning soon to Britain from thence, I was tempted by a very ingenious Gentleman Mr. Shariff to accompany him hither. As he purposes being in England some time this Summer, I shall give him a Letter of introduction to you. As I gave you from Jamaica an Account of...
7844To Benjamin Franklin from William Small, 10 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The reason of your having no sooner received the Quotation from Celsus is, that I wished to employ my very first leisure in looking in several other ancient books for passages to the same purpose, and to send you all together. But Mr. Keir having told me of your desire to see that immediately, you have it almost alone. In the article de Tabe in his third book,...
7845To Benjamin Franklin from William Small, 19 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I know not how to return the obligation you laid me under by making me acquainted with your respectable friend Mr. Pownall so properly as by introducing to you Dr. Roebuck. The Dr. proposes to make but a short stay in London on this occasion, yet, as he will be in your part of the town, I am desirous you should have the pleasure of meeting each other, if it...
7846To 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...
7847To Benjamin Franklin from Esther Smith, 4 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I intreat you to Pardon the liberty I have taken in Addressing you, and Beg your Patience, while I explain the reason of my Temerity. I have a worthy Husband, a Resolve Smith who has the Happiness of being employed in the Service of his Country in the Civil line of Life. His dwelling at Philadelphia, from whom I can get no intelligence although I have wrote...
7848To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Smith, Jr., [before 17 May 1771] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I called at Mrs. Stevenson’s yesterday, but was so unfortunate as to find you absent. As I am told that you design for the country in a day or two, and I may perhaps lose an opportunity of seeing you, I have used, sir, the freedom of addressing you in this manner and would beg the favour of your kind advice with regard to my intended expedition to France...
7849To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Smith, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sur I take This Opurtunety to inform You Of the Onhapy Setuation of Our People Now in this Prison. I Must inform You that thay Are Entering Out of Prison Averry Day for the Wont of Close and Vitels for thare Are Sum of them that Have Ben Hear this Aight Monts And Have Not Had the Lest Asistance from Any Body. And thare is the french and Duch and Spanish...
7850James Smith to the Commissioners, November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Your very extraordinary letter of the 17 of Novr. I have received and acknowledge myself Obliged to you for the representation of my Case to his Excellency the Count De Vergennes. You say you do not think you can consistantly Grant my request unless I previously Subscribe the decliration and take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and that when I comply with this condition...
7851James Smith to the Commissioners, 15 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to enclose you the Testimony of Mr. Anthy. Payn concerning the detention of my Goods at Calis with the names of the Officer by whom they were taken and the Servant of Mr. Payn who was also eye witness to the transaction and lives at the Hotel Lyon d’Argent at Calais. It may be also proper to inform you that a Gentleman who I have been given to understand by Mr. Williams is...
7852James Smith to the American Commissioners, 15 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <Paris, November 15, 1778: I enclose the testimony of Mr. Anthony Payn concerning the detention of my goods, which gives the names of the officer who took them and of Mr. Payn’s servant, who was also a witness. Your agent at Calais, together with Mr. Whitall and Miss Farrel were also informed at the time about the case. Mr. Williams...
7853James Smith to the American Commissioners, [after 17 November 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <[after November 17, 1778]: I have received your very extraordinary letter of Nov. 17 and thank you for presenting my case to the count de Vergennes. You say that if I subscribe to the declaration and take the oath of allegiance to the United States you will give me the customary passport to Calais. Unless this passport will remove...
7854To Benjamin Franklin from James Smith, 25 October 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Drayton M. Smith, Philadelphia (1958) Yours of the 17th mentioning my chance in the New York Lottery for which I return you thanks And when you Shall get the money Please to Acquaint me. I may have Occation of Somthing in your way So that if you please to let the money lye with you tell then. I am with respects Sir Your Most humble Servant Addressed: To Mr. Benjamin Franklin...
7855James Smith to the American Commissioners, 24 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, August 24, 1778: When I reached Calais on May 4 the customs officers detained part of my luggage, consisting of household linen and plate, as contraband. Soon after arriving in Paris I mentioned the matter to Mr. [Arthur] Lee, who told me that I had no remedy; his brother, though a public minister, had had to pay fifteen guineas. Public officials...
7856To Benjamin Franklin from James Smith, [between 27 December 1778 and 17 April 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society It is requested by Doctor Smith that the “Articles particularly a Dozen of Knives and Forks Some Table Cloths and Napkins wrapt up in a peice of Crocus” being from this discription contained in a Note delivered to him by Mr Loyd from Doctor Franklin part of the Baggage detained at Calis by the Custom House Officers and said to be left at Passy may be...
7857To Benjamin Franklin from John Smith, 2 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with great pleasure, I hear of thy undertaking a voyage to London, at a time, when not only the province which has deputed thee, but all North America, wants a friend there (and could have no other that I know of) so well qualifyed to serve both the particular and General Interest. May the Divine Blessing attend thy person and Benevolent designs, and...
7858To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Smith, 8 December 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thy several favours of the 19th of March 10th. and 12th. April and 11th of June have been duly received and communicated to the Committee of Correspondence and by them laid before the House of Assembly at a late sessions at Amboy where they gave very general satisfaction. In answer to that part of thy Letter of 19th March respecting Sherwoods Accounts I may...
7859To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Smith, 1 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reciev’d thy Letter of the 6. Feby. but not till after the dissolution of the late Assembly which I believe was in consequence of a request they made at the close of their last Session after they had granted the money requested for the supply of the Troops and were on good terms with the Governor, the matter in dispute being amicably settled. The present...
7860To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Smith, 6 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose thee printed Copies of the Acts pass’d last Session of Assembly among which is the Act for striking £100,000 in Bills of Credit. I wish the Kings Assent may be obtaind to it before the breaking up of Parliament. I suppose a Copy of this Bill has long since been sent to the Board of Trade by our Governor. This is sent for thy own information. The...