9241To Benjamin Franklin from John Baynes, [15 October 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Hôtel de Luxembourg—Ruë des Petits Augustins. Wedn. Morning. [October 15, 1783] Sir I take the liberty of informing your Excellency, that I shall sett off for England either tomorrow Evening or Friday. Not having my own servant with me just now, I send this by a Messenger who will either wait for any letters with which you may wish to favor me, or will call...
9242To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society His Excellency the French Ambassador at the Hague appeared to me to think so ill of sending letters by Post that I durst not venture to forward the within evidence against Captain Landais by that insecure conveyance, and I was unwilling to be at the expence of sending an Express, especially as I am not sure whether Captain Landais has or has not yet left...
9243To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 20 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society <Versailles, June 20, in French: I have received a letter from M. Schweighauser asking about the disposition of the prizes taken by the Ranger and Providence . I am answering that the usual formalities, although handled amicably, should be observed, and am forwarding this information to you and...
9244To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 31 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May it please your Excellency! That having not receivd an answer to our Last, proposing to continue to Accept the bills drawn on Henry Laurens Esqr.; we may Suppose that the quantity drawn hath been a trifle, and that your Excellency had no objection to our going on, as we had begun, in which the approbation of Your Excy. Shall always be of no little...
9245To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 10 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From what I heard in Paris the day I came away, there seem’d a probability that the Captain who commands the Alliance Frigate would be dismiss’d. If that Event should take place, I should think myself happy to succeed him in the command of her. I hope your Excellency can have no sort of apprehensions that I should in any shape, or under any circumstances,...
9246To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 18 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum I have this moment Anchored here. M. de Chaumont will communicate to you the Object of my present destenation as well as inform you where I mean to anchor about Ten days hence to receive your final Orders.— I have had a most disagreeable Task to compose Affairs on board the Alliance— The two principal Officers Lieutenants...
9247To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gerard, 7 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Suivant les ordres que jai recu de Mr. J. Torris de Dunkerque de vous donner avis de ce qui me parviendra de Nouveau concernant le Corsaire le Blalk Prince j’ai lhonneur de vous donner avis de sa relache icy aprés avoir eté chassé par deux fregattes Angloises qu’il croit de 36 Canons qui lui ont donné la chasse depuis les sorlingues jusqu’a Belle-isle ce qui...
9248To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, [22 December 1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress D. Barclay presents his Respects and acquaints Dr. Franklin, that the Merchants in general highly disaproving of Attendance on anonymous Advertizements, (as no Person would own that inserted in the paper to Day), Agreed to disaprove it, by another to be published Tomorrow, on a more liberal Plan, with an Invitation for All Merchants and others interested in the...
9249To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Tissington, 27 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I got here last Wednesday Evening, am at present closely engag’d in what brought me to Town, but in a day or two, hope to wait upon you, in the Interim, let the penny Post tell me if you and Mrs. Stevenson are well. My Wife is much recover’d, and talk’d of sending Mrs. Stevenson, a Stubble Goose by this Weeks Carrier, which I hope will get safe and sweet...
9250To Benjamin Franklin from Larwood, Van Hasselt & Van Suchtelen, 21 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are honnoured with your Excellency’s much respected favour of 11th Instt. and well observe the Contents, for which please to accept our Thanks; the honnourable John Adams Esqr. hath accepted the 51 bills in question to gether f. 40958:—Bank & in consequence thereof these bills have been duely paid to us. We beg leave to make Your Excellency an offer of...
9251To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The letter of Sepr. 18 with an inclosd Bill reachd me but a very few days ago, & I immedeately made the necessary enquirys about Mr Jones. This Genn. [Gentleman] is not in England but I hear He is coming this way, & is at present in Amsterdam, where (I suppose) he is playing similar tricks to those He has imposd upon You. The good old Doctor of whom I...
9252To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé André Morellet, [22 January 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a trois mortels mois que je suis privé du plaisir de voir monsieur Franklin. Je ne lui dirai que la verité en l’assurant que je sens tous les jours cette privation. Il croira facilement qu’il n’y a pas de ma faute si je lui dis que je ne vois pas davantage la dame d’auteuil. Si j’étois maitre de ma vie si je n’etois pas attaché à mon bureau par une...
9253To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 29 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress; (II) copy: Library of Congress J’ai eu l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous écrire le 14 du mois d’octobre dernier relativement au nommé françois Vermeille et quelqu’autres marins qui reclament les parts qui leur reviennent dans les quatorze prises faites par le Corsaire Americain la Revange pendant une croisiere de trois mois, vous...
9254To Benjamin Franklin from St. Clair, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour to write to your Excellency two days ago by the post but as I have not been honoured with an answer I take the liberty once more to importunate you but not being possesed of three sols to pay the postage I find myself obliged to be the carrier of it. I have now no other party or choice left if your Excellency does not furnish me with the...
9255To Benjamin Franklin from Gioanni de Bernardi with Franklin’s Note for a Reply: résumé, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Turin, March 20, 1779, in Italian: The reputation acquired throughout Europe by the glorious thirteen American colonies, their success and wise legislation, have aroused in me a desire to see this new republic with my own eyes and offer it my services as a jurist. The best way I can think to accomplish this is to turn to you. I realize that you know...
9256To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 12 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Soon after I received your Letter enclosing a Copy of a Grant of Lands in Pennsylvania to Major Robert Thompson, which you received from Mr. Whately, I happened to meet with our Friend Mr. Galloway, and mentioning the Matter to him, I found he was perfectly acquainted with every Circumstance relative to the Grant, owing to his having been formerly Attorney...
9257To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 1 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Vous aurés peut éstre déja vû mon chér papa lorsque vous recevrés cette léttre un mr de Lon a qui j’ai donné un petit mot pour lui servir de passeport auprés de vous; cet homme qui peut a ce qu’il me paroist avoir a peu prés soixante ans, accompagnoit ici Mylord cholmondeley a titre d’ami, plusieurs personnes assurent qu’il l’accompagnoit comme une éspéce de...
9258To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 18 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I this moment had the honor of receiving yours of this days date; containing Copies of the Resolutions of Congress of Septr. 11th. & 14th. and October 22d. I shall do myself the honor of paying my Compliments to you on your appointment tomorrow about 12’O’Clock. Nothing can be more agreeable to me than your intention...
9259To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Schuyler, 1 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce to your Excellencys attention John Carter Esqr. my son-in-law and Colo: Wadsworth of Hartford they have been joint agents for supplying the french troops who have served in America. Count Rochambeau, General Chatlus and other of the General Officers have afforded me the pleasure of signifying to me, how well the Army was served, and...
9260To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 28 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer Coll: Ogdin of the New Jersey Line, a Gentleman who has been greatly distinguished for his Bravery& good Conduct, from the first commencement of the present War, having received the permission of Congress to make a Voyage to France, on his private concerns; I must take the Liberty to reccommend him to your...
9261To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be presented you by Mrs Richards who with her Children, is coming hither to meet & continue with her Husband.— Mr. Richards has been here some time past, & has been employed by Mr Johnson & myself in our ’Counting Houses, as his Intention is to continue in the american Business in this Place, or perhaps to settle with his Family in america, we...
9262To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 20 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am much obliged for yesterday’s Communications. You’ll permit me to adopt a request of Father Beccaria. “Si alia habeas [Scripta praesertim Franklini] quae a me desiderari posse putes (quid autem esse potest Franklinianarum Rerum quod non planè depeream?) quaeque verecundè peti abs me posse arbitrere, ut mittas etiam atque etiam efflagito.” I congratulate...
9263To Benjamin Franklin from Rosalia Maria Paradis, 27 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardonnés la liberté que je prend de vous importuner Mais l’amittié que vous avés bien voullu Nous temoigner M’enhardit a vous faire une prierre. Le desir que Nous avons de Nous procure un Souvenire d’un homme qui est aussi Célebre par Ses tellents et Son Mérite personelle que vous. Nous Mettrions au Comble de faveur Si vous voulliés bien Nous Mettre un Mot...
9264To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 1 March 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I am favoured with yours and shall immediately order the sum of £40 1 s . 10 d . (which I suppose is at 7 s . 6 d . per dollar) to be paid to Mr. Williams. There is still wanting the charge at Annapolis. I have heard that there has been a Dutch trading Ship seized at Anchor at Sandy hook. As the forfeiture arises from importing &c. Is it not worth...
9265To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes: Two Letters, 25 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, M, un paquet pour M. le cher. de la Luzerne; je vous prie de vouloir bien en charger le cape. du bâtiment amèricain qui se trouve dans le port de Nantes, et qui est au moment de Son dèpart pour l’amerique. Je ne suis pas encore en état, M, de vous informer de la...
9266From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 18 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Thomas Beer, with his Wife and two small Children came to my House this forenoon, and presented me a Letter from Mr Coffyn of Dunkirk of the 2d. of Octr, recommending Beer to me as a Person who had been obliged to fly from England, for having assisted American Prisoners to escape; and inclosing a Copy of a Letter from your Excellency to Mr Coffyn of the 22d. of August, advising Beer to go to...
9267To Benjamin Franklin from Baron von Grimm, 28 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Bon. de Grimm, Ministre Plénipe. de Saxe Gotha, prend la liberté de recommander aux bontés de Monsieur Franklin les porteurs de ce billet, M. Landolt de Zurich et Son Mentor, M. le Chanoine Neckerman de Coblence. Ces deux voyageurs ne peuvent Se résoudre à quiter la France, Sans avoir rendu leurs hommages à Monsieur Franklin. Le Bon. de Grimm Supplie...
9268To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 16 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have at last recieved Letters from Mr. Dana. Mr. Sayer arrived in town yesterday with Letters to me, and dispatches for Congress, which I shall transmit by the best opportunity. Three days before I had recieved a Letter which came by Sea, but had been almost four Months upon the passage. Mr. Dana appears to be...
9269To Benjamin Franklin from [Antoine?] Gautier fils & Rey, 2 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Nous sommes forcé de vous temoigner le mauvais effet qu’ont produittes dans ce pays les reponses que vous aves faittes a divers négociants au sujet de M. Stephen Ceronio duquel nous avions endossé pour 500 Livres Sterling de Lettres de change et en même tems pretté de fortes sommes pour l’honneur du congrès, parceque ce monsieur etoit reduit a déposer...
9270To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [9 November? 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Thursday night; probably November 9, 1769. A note in the third person to inform Franklin that Wharton has just received via Bristol a letter from the latter’s wife, dated Sept. 20, 1769, saying that the Franklin family was well.] The brigantine Concord cleared from Philadelphia for Bristol at the right time to have carried a letter written on...
9271To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Hubbart, 1 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I imagine you now Consulting the safty, of the Poor unhappy People on your Fronteres; with all the Wisdom and Greavity, of the most Noble Romane. I almost envey you the Power of doing so much good, and what is worse, I quite dispare of being admited to the Heaven prepared for you, if as we are taught (and I think it is one of the most reasonable Doctrines...
9272To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, Enclosing [Madame Brillon] to Him: Two Notes, [March? 1777] (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and (II) AL : American Philosophical Society These notes are the earliest surviving record of Franklin’s relations with neighbors in Passy who came to be close friends. Both lived near his new quarters in the Hôtel de Valentinois and were well acquainted with his host, Le Ray de Chaumont. Le Veillard (1733–94), often referred to as “le grand voisin,” had married a wealthy wife and...
9273To Benjamin Franklin from Woestyn frères, 20 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les vœux que toutte la france forme pour l’heureux accomplissement des soins qui vous occupent et le desir qui nous anime de contribuer en notre particulier et par nos foibles moiens à reduire nos énnemis Communs, nous à determiné de faire construire au havre de grace, une frégatte pour la Course de 24 canons de 8 lb. de balle et de Suplier Son Excéllence...
9274To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Eyre, 24 February 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library Company of Philadelphia I wrote you an Account on the 20th. of January of Mr. Moore’s Act being that Day referred to the Board of Trade. Since which the Board of Trade have referred it with several other Pensilvania Acts to their Counsell Sir Mathew Lambe, And as this is a private Act he makes a seperate Report thereon, for which I have already payd him his Fee of five Guineas,...
9275To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Fichet, 4 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous Remettre Incluse la Copie d’une Lettre du Sieur françois C. Rouxel, Commandant mon Navire le prudent de ce port, Expedié en Août dernier pour le grand cabotage; D’abort d’ici a lorient, de ce lieu a St. ander, ou il a chargé pour Londres, et rechargé a ce dernier lieu pour Madere; a l’entrée duquel port, ayant Même un pilot du lieu a...
9276To Benjamin Franklin from John Ross, 20 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this time I presume You Can pretty nearly Judge what is to be the issue of our Application to His Majesty for protection, and shou’d more Ingredients be Wanting, We are daily furnished with them, to prove, What is lamentably too true, that we have only the form without the powers of Government. We seem at present to have two kinds of Governments on the...
9277To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Fabre Dubosquet, 2 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il ÿ a Pres de trois ans que Présenté chez Vous Par Mr. paul jones Commodore des états unis de lamérique, Nous Dissértames un peu de temps Sur les qualités D’un Métal pour le Doublage Des Vaisseaux Dont Mr. Paul jones Vous avoit remis un échantillon. Ce nouveau Doublage Monsieur, est aujourdhuÿ a sa perfection; ainsi que les Cloux de fer Vernissés, qui...
9278To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society A few days ago I recd: two packets indorsed & forwarded by Mr. Williams of Nantes the 25th. February last, inclosing french Memoirs & papers of Inquiry after a number of french Gentlemen on this side the Atlantick, without a single line from you, Temple or Ben. Within two or three weeks last past, there has been several arrivals from france, into...
9279To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [May 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dont forget your Appointment tomorrow at 3, or soon after. I send you herewith the 10th. Vol. of the Statutes; but the American Tea Act is not yet printed, but will be done in a Day or two. I am Dear Sir Most affectionately Yours Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street [ In another hand ] At Mr Nelson’s / In Bush Lane / Scotch Yard / Cannon Street. So...
9280To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Mallet, 2 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la liberté de vous donner avis qu’un jeunhomme d’ici ma présenté hier un M. qui dit vous appartenir comme neveu, né à Boston, quil est Suivant un passeport délivré à Cherbourg le 24. May dernier, marin, venant des prisons angloises par le Paquebot le prince Indien et quil se nomme William Williams. Il dit vous avoir Ecrit hier et ce jour. J’ai...
9281To Benjamin Franklin from William Bean, 24 March 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Coverley’s Fields, opposite the Cock and Hoop; March 24, 1768. He called on Franklin on March 16 and found him engaged, and asks to know whether “there is Any Encouragement for Me in the Colonies.”] In her letter to BF above, Jan. 21–22, 1768, DF had remarked that “the Beens is at New York.” If this cryptic reference is to people rather than the...
9282To Benjamin Franklin from Achille-Guillaume Lebègue de Presle, 21 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prie votre Excellence de recevoir mes remercimens du renvoy que m’a fait mr Grand des Livres de Londres venus sous votre nom; et mes excuses d’avoir differé jusqu’a ce jour a m’acquitter de ce devoir. Le retard a ete causé par mon deplacement qui m’a donné des occupations pressantes et des distractions de toute espece. Les soins de mon depart, au moment...
9283To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, [28 October 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Mr Morris par sa Lettre du 27 May, me marque qu’il attendoit une future occasion pour me repondre au sujet de Fonds des Etats Unis, toutes les miennes l’ayant prevenu de mes besoins. Cette occasion s’est bien présentée, puisque J’ai reçu diverses de ses Lettres depuis, mais dans aucune il n’a été question de cet objet tout important qu’il fût, ne lui ayant point laissé...
9284To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Maussallé, 26 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis chargé d’avoir L’honneur de vous voir pour une affaire qui interresse un Negociant de Dunkerque dont j’ay la confiance, et qui vous a été renvoyée par M. De sartine. Je vous prie de m’indiquer le jour et l’heure de votre commodité auxquels je pouray me rendre chez vous a cet effet. Je suis avec Respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant...
9285To Benjamin Franklin from Lamarque, Fabre & Cie., 10 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Pour prouver à Votre Excellence qu’elle a daigné honorer de ses bontés de Négociants honnêtes qu’un évenément inattendu avoit mis dans la détresse & affecté la délicatesse, nous prenons la liberté, Monseigneur, de remettre à Votre Excellence un Etat des sommes que nous avons payé par le secours que nous a procuré M Gillon qui forme la moitié de ce que...
9286To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 4 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this oportunity to acquaint you that on the 22d. of last month our Assembly met with the same fate of that in Decr. 1768, the principal cause seemed to be their having Committed the deputy Secretary for refusing to give evidence to a Committee of the House on an information against the deputy surveyor general for taking double fees in his Office...
9287To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Wilhelm Abraham Jaeger, 20 December 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfurt-on-Main, December 20, 1777, in French: I have a powder mill with twenty-six mixers, and am planning a new one on the model of an oil mill with perpendicular stone mixers, as in the enclosure. Ordinary stone may produce explosions; I experimented with marble and found that it apparently did not. A foreign powder-maker whom I met told me that it is...
9288To Benjamin Franklin from James Searle, 28 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Searle’s respectfull compliments to Doctor Franklin— Mr. S. will most Chearfully wait on the Doctor at Dinner to morrow— Addressed: Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Passy The first extant letter from Searle since a March 15 acceptance of another dinner invitation: XXXIV , 455n. In the interim Searle had made futile attempts to raise a loan in the...
9289To Benjamin Franklin from John Coakley Lettsom, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society The enclosed is a rough sketch of a few data, which I mean to enlarge, as soon as I am informed; of the certainty of these data. May I request the favour of a line; which shall be confidential. I have a copy of the enclosed, which need not be returned. I have desired my frd, Des Gesnettes to wait upon thee for any commands; in order to take off any trouble of...
9290To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 12 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania The above is Copy of a Message sent down by the Governor a few hours ago to which the House returned a Verbal Message “that they unanimously adhered to their Bill and were of Opinion that if the Bill should not receive the Governors Assent the ill Consequences he had pointed out must lye upon him.” Soon after I came from the House I received...