1To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Having wrote you at large by the America that has lately sailed from Portsmouth, you will give me Leave to write this merely as an Introduction to my Friend Benjn. Austin junr. Brother to Mr Austin who carried to France the News of Burgoigne’s Surrender. He is a worthy Branch of a respectable Family; a young Gentleman of much good Sense, highly...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 6 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum My State of Health, and Excursions upon that Account into the Country must be my Excuse for not taking an earlier Notice of your very obliging Packet of 8th June, for which I return you my particular Thanks. Your Letter and Replies to Mr. Strahan’s Questions gave me great Pleasure, tho the closing and prophetic Part coming from one so capable of discerning amidst...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 6 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce my self to you as an Officer belonging to the Alliance Friggate & Nephew to Doctr. Cooper, who was pleased to give me a letter of recommendation to you when I came to France in the Friggate Alliance twelve months ago; I was prevented from making a tour to any part of france in consequence of the Ships short tarry— I have a Brother by...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just wrote to you by Mr Duncan Ingraham Junr. upon some public Affairs— I beg Leave in this, lest he might be oblig’d to destroy that, should he meet with an Enemy just to mention him to you as my Friend, for whom I have a great Regard— He goes to France on a Plan of Business in his own Vessel: as he is a Stranger there he would be glad to be...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, [1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Before you left America, I believe I mention’d to you the great Losses I had sustain’d from the Enemy, in my Household Furniture, Books, Debts from Persons who took Refuge in Howe’s Army &c. so that take all together, I am perhaps, as large a Sufferer, in Proportion to what I possess’d, as any one in this Town; nor would two thousand Pounds Lawf: Money make...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 12 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My little Grandson Samuel Cooper Johonnot will have the Honour of presenting this to you. Mr Adams kindly indulges him with a Portion of that Care which he gives to his own Sons who are nearly of his Age. He goes to France with a View to acquire the Purity of the French Language in Speaking and Writing. Young as he is, he has learned long ago to repeat and...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library This will be delivered to you by Mr Jeremy Allen a Merchant in this Town of Good Reputation, and of a very ancient and respectable Family among us, and for whom I have a particular Regard. He goes to Europe chiefly upon a Plan of Business, and I take the Liberty to introduce him to your Excellency, not only as my own Friend, but as one who has the highest...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 20 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I never in all my Life wrote a Letter with half the Difficulty of this— Sick in my Chamber, attended by two Physicians &c. But I could not allow the Chevr. de Bonne leave without bringing to you my warmest Thanks for introducing to the Acqaintance of a Gentleman of such fine Talents & promising Abilities. You seem to speak of him as designed for the Service...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you not long since by the Rambler from Salem, and the Pallas from Newbury Port and have now too much Reason to fear that the Vessel in which Mr Austin sailed from hence the latter End of Jany, or the Beginning of Feby, is lost, as we have hitherto received no Account of it: By that Gentleman I wrote you largely. This will be delivered to you by Mr...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 21 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library I know not how to express my Obligations to you for introducing me to the Acquaintance & Friendship of Count Segurs. I have known him but a few days and yet he has induldged me wth an Intimacy. So many shining, so many amiable Qualities we seldom see united in one Man. He has inspired me with an Esteem, a Respect, and a Love coexistent with myself. Think, my...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 2 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I repeat the Honour I have already done myself of writing to your Excellency by this Opportunity, on Purpose to mention to you M. de Corney, a Gentleman of Distinction, and Member of several literary Societies in Europe, who came to America with the Marquiss la Fayette before the Arrival of the Brest Fleet, and on public Business preparatory to the...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am afraid, not having receiv’d a single Line from you since last May that my Letters to you have miscarried, and your’s to me. I wrote you the latter End of Octr. a long Letter giving as clear and particular an Account as I was able of the Northern Campaign, and it’s truly glorious Success. What has taken Place since will be related to you by Mr. Adams...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 14 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I wrote you two Days ago; but hearing the Vessel is unexpectedly detain’d, I send you a plaintive poetic Piece just publish’d here, which I hope will reach her before she sails. You cannot conceive what Joy the Treaties with France have diffus’d among all true Americans, nor the chagrine they have given to the few interested and slavish Partizans of...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As it is uncertain when this Letter will be delivered to you, or whether it will ever reach you, and as I write you more directly by a Vessel just going to Bilboa, I shall now only mention, That the Desire of my Countrymen of good Families who go abroad is so ardent to have the Honour of an Introduction to you, that I often find it irresistable. Your...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 28 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library If this Line ever reaches you, it will be deliverd by Mr. Joseph Hixon, a Gentleman born in Montserrat, and whose Estate lies in that Island. Bound from thence on Business to London, by the Way of Corke, He was taken by an American Ship of War and brought to this Port in October last. I need not mention the Opinion I have entertain’d of his Probity and Worth,...
16To 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...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I never was more pleased with the Spirit of my Country than upon a late general Apprehension that Sr. Guy Carleton had come from the Court of London with a Design to create Divisions in these States and sow Jealousies between us and our great and good Ally, by Propositions particularly for some separate Negotiations. The Indignity and Contempt with which...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum I wrote you the 6. Inst. acknowledging the Receit. of your very obliging Packet of June 8th. and mentioning the Use I have made of your Letter &c among some of the leading Men in our H. of Represent. in whom I could confide. They agreed with me that your Principles were incontestible, your reasoning clear and conclusive, and supported by History and Fact. The King...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been confin’d to my House great Part of this Winter by my valetudinary State, and been little able to see and converse with my Friends, and less to write to them. A Line from you would have greatly refresh’d me in this Confinement, as your Letters have ever been one of the greatest Entertainments of my Life: but I do not mean to complain, having been...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Having been inform’d that the French Frigate from Corunna with Duplicates for the Congress, is immediately to sail, I sit down to congratulate you on the agreable Prospect of our Affairs, and to acknowledge your kind Favors of the 17th. and 27th Feby. last, which were the more welcome as I had not heard from you by Letter for a twelve month, and as they...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 9 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft copy: British Museum This letter carries on the story begun in Cooper’s earlier one above, August 15, of the collapse of royal authority in Massachusetts. But, as with his description of the crisis that culminated in the Tea Party, the chronology is confused; and in the confusion the principal developments are obscured. Outside Boston, as the King’s...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; incomplete ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Your Friends Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Holker left this Place last Thursday for York Town where the Congress sits. The Day before, being the Anniversary for Election of Counsellors, I had the Pleasure of dining with them in Public at Faneuil Hall, where the King of France, his Army and Navy, and our...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 10 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum I received your valuable Favors of the 7th and 25th of July, and you will please to accept the Thanks of the Committee of our Congregation as well as my own for the Trouble you have very kindly given yourself in your clear and particular Account of the warming Machines for large Rooms, and your Advice respecting our new Building, together with the truly philosophical...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 22 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I wrote you some Weeks ago how pleased I was with the Spirit of my Countrymen in the Manner in which they received the Account that Genl. Carleton was come from the new Ministry to attempt a seperate Peace with these States, and to detach us from our Allies. The Idea was every where treated with Scorn and Indignation. The Legislature of this and the other...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 8 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having very Short Warning of an Opportunity to France by Bilboa, I can only give you a short and abrupt Account of Things here. Last Monday all the Towns of this State assembled for the Choice of a Governor, Lt Governor, and Senators, according to the new Constitution. In this Town Mr S. Adams had 1. Vote, for Governor, Mr Bowdoin 64. Mr Hancock 853. This...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 25 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: Henry E. Huntington Library In the last Winter my only Daughter was married here to Joseph Hixon Esqr. of Monserrat, in the W. Indies. He went from hence in the Spring by Way of Cork to London. I beg you to take the Trouble of sending by the first safe Opportunity an enclosed Letter from her to him. The...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 3 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum I am now to acknowledg the repeated Favor of your Letters, with the Notes of Mr. P.’ Speech in Parliament, the arguments on the Dissenting Cause; and the Political Pamphlets, in which you have given me no small Entertainment. I could not forbear communicating what you wrote to some particular Friends, to whom I knew it would give great Pleasure, and to allow some...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, [21 March 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is too long since I wrote to any of my Friends your way, being you know a dilatory Correspondent, but not I hope a forgetful Friend. The Relish of the Conversation at Mr. Bowdoin’s last Fall is not quite gone off yet. Have you been well ever since? “Accidents of Health, Sir Wm. Temple some where says, are often Accidents of State.” I esteem America not a...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum In my last of Novr [15] I mention’d the Uses I had made of the Sentiments you were pleas’d to communicate to me, and the Effect they had upon the leading Men of our House of Commons. I did this with much Caution as that no Disadvantage can acrue to you from any Quarter. The same Caution I shall ever use respecting my Friends on your Side the Water who are so good as...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 16 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Consul General of France kindly informing me that a Vessel was on the Point of sailing for Brest, I have only a Moment to inform you that the House of Representatives for this State have this Moment passed an Act for a Duty of 5 pr Cent on all Goods imported for paying the Interest of our National Debt, according to the Requisition of Congress. This...
31To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Cooper], 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I wrote you some Time ago, acknowledging the Receit of your kind Letter dated from Philadelphia 25th Octr. last, the Day you embarqued for Europe, and read your affectionate Leave to all our Friends. We often think and talk of you, and constantly follow you with our best Wishes. I have lately heard with particular Pleasure of your safe Arrival in France,...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 10 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum I should sooner have acknowledg’d the Receit of your Favors of Decemr 30. and Feby 5. had not the State of my Health call’d me out of Town, and oblig’d me to be sparing in Writing. My Thanks are due to you for writing me with so much Freedom and I endeavor to make the best Use of what you communicate to me. Your Interposition in Favor of the Charter was kind, and...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you four or five Times not long since, but from all our Arrivals from France of late have not the Pleasure of a single Line, but I know your Crowd of important Business. Accidentally hearing of a Vessel that sails for France this day, I enclose you a Philadelphia Paper bro’t by a swift Post last Evening, and containing the Proceedings of the...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 23 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some Months past your Letter from Passy dated Octr. 27. 1779, and lately a Copy of it by The Marquiss Fayette, who arrived here in the Hermoine with M. Corny. As the Arrival of the Marquiss diffused a general Joy, every Expression of it was given here that Circumstances would allow, and particular Respects paid by the Government, as well as the...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 4 January 1778 [i.e., 1779] (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; extract: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I shall write you by the Marquiss de le Fayette who goes in the same Vessel with Mr Bradford who begs the Honor of presenting this Line to you, and taking this Opportunity of paying you his particular Respects. He is an amiable young Gentleman; His Father...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 14[–15] June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): British Museum I wrote you on the 15th. March and 23d of April last, and mention’d in these Letters, which I hope you have receiv’d, the most important Political Occurrences among us, particularly the grand Discussion, in the last Session of Assembly between the Governor and both Houses, and the great Effect it had upon the Minds of...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot forbear expressing to you the Pleasure I receivd from hearing you were appointed by Congress with others to confer with Lord and Genl. Howe. The Subject of this Conference we do not as yet certainly know, but suppose it was desird on their Part for something more than settling an Exchange of Prisoners. I am not sorry our Enemies appear so eager for...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 27 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just arrived here after a long Journey in the Country, and am this Moment informed of a Frigate being on the Point of sailing for France. Short as the Notice is, I cannot omit to congratulate you on the happy Success of the combined Arms of France and America, in the Capture of Lord Cornwallis and his whole Army at Yorktown in Virginia....
39To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; draft: British Museum I wrote you in Septr and Aug: last, and it is a great While indeed since I have had the Pleasure of a Line from you. The Anxiety and Distress bro’t upon us by the Port Bill and other Acts, and the Troops and Ships of War station’d here have been great; and much Art and Pains have been employ’d to dismay us, or provoke us to some...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Extract, [5 May 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of extract: American Philosophical Society —“There is a Party among us disposed to avail themselves of every Incident, and of all personal Resentments to weaken and divide our public Counsils, and injure the Alliance. Regard to the general Good, as well as private, and the most constant Friendship oblige me to state Things as...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 6 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society In a Letter I wrote you a few Weeks past, giving some general Account of our Affairs, I mentioned my Kinsman William Cooper, and Mr Leverett, who I then thought were Prisoners in England, since which they with many others of our Countrymen have happily arrived here. I have been suspicious that our late severe Disappointment in the West Indies by the Defeat...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 23 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum Tho I wrote you not long since by Mr. Lane, yet Commodore Gambier telling me He shall take Pleasure in bringing you a Letter; I cannot forbear mentioning the Obligations we are under to this Gentleman in his Department as Commander of the Ships station’d here. Ever attentive to the Kings Service He has enterd into no Parties; He has treated with great Humanity and...
43To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Cooper], 30 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you within a few Weeks a Number of Letters, and long to receive one from you. I know you will give me that Pleasure as soon as an Opportunity and your many and weighty Employments will allow. I had some Expectation of receiving one by a Ship from France, arriv’d a few days ago at Portsmouth, with a French Gentleman, Who appears to be a General...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 25 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have but a Moment to write by the Mars a Vessel belonging to this State, the Voyage having been kept secret upon political Accounts. I congratulate you on the Arrival of the Fleet from Brest, under the Orders of the Chevalier de Ternay, at Newport, after a Passage of about ten Weeks; not a single Vessel of the whole Fleet missing. You will hear before...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum In this letter, written the day after the Tea Party, Cooper confined himself until his conclusion to narrating the developments that culminated in destruction of the tea. His narrative is difficult to follow because it is not in chronological order; to clarify it we list the actual sequence of events. In his concluding comments on these events Cooper echoed a number...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Colonel Laurens, an Officer highly esteemed in the Army of the United States, Son of the late President Laurens now a Prisoner in the Tower of London, who goes to France upon an important public Errand, can acquaint you in the clearest manner with the present State of our public Affairs. He can give you a particular Account of the Progress of the Enemy in...