191To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 9 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Friendship which I have Experiencd from you in your so speedily sending me Accounts of the Progress of the new Art of Flying which makes such rapid advances in the Countrey you now inhabit I beg to acknowledge with real gratitude. I wish I had more than gratitude something(?) to Communicate in return but times must Come when I shall be able to repay the...
192To 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...
193To Benjamin Franklin from J. Nebon, 10 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer ci joint à votre Excellence une lettre que Mr Le Doctr. cooper m’avoit chargé de remettre En main propre; mes [mais] mes affaires ne me permettant point de me rendre immédiatement à Paris, je crois qu’il Est nécessaire de Vous L’acheminer: aussi profitte je du premier courier. Jai Lhonneur d’Etre avec le plus profond Respect,...
194To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 11 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Nationaal Archief L’incluse vous apprendra la suite des affaires ici. Je crois pouvoir vous dire de plus, d’avance, que cette semaine la proposition de la Gr. Br. pour finir la paix ici ou à Londres, sera rejettée aux Etats d’holle. par tous les Membres, excepté le Corps des Nobles, c’est-à-dire le Str. [Stadhouder]— Il retardera tant qu’il pourra la même...
195To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bouttret Durivault fils and Other Favor Seekers, 12 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Whether they are asking for information, advice, personal assistance, or money, many of the favor seekers who contact Franklin during the five and a half months covered by this volume preface their requests with congratulations on the hard-won independence of the United States. But some of those Frenchmen who had risked the most for the American victory...
196To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Girault de Kéroudou, 12 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans Le recueil de M. Le President Rolland, que J’ay eû L’honneur d’envoyer à votre Excellence, il Se trouve une dissertation sur L’emplois de La Langue française dans Les inscriptions, Les traités, &c. L’autheur desirant y faire Les Changements et Les additions Convenables, me Charge de recourrir à vos Lumieres pour Sçavoir si Les delibérations de votre...
197To Benjamin Franklin from Luigi Pio, 12 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. de Pio a l’honneur de presenter ses hommages à Monsieur Franklin, et de lui envoyer le IV. volume de l’Ouvrage de Mr. filangieri de Naples avec sa lettre aussi. Filangieri’s letter is above, Oct. 27.
198To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [13 December 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Inclosed is a Paper I intend to Present to the Several Ministers, with the Hope it May Give them some favourable ideas Upon the American trade— But Before I do it, I wish of Course to Have Your Approbation— Be so kind, My dear Sir, as to Read it Over, and if You think it May Answer a Good purpose, I will in My private Capacity Give it to Marechal de...
199To Benjamin Franklin from Menier de Saint Yver, 13 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre Excellence a toujours eu la bonté de promettre à M. Schaffer qu’aussitot le retour de M. Barcklay elle engageroit ce Consul a lui rendre service. Veuillés donc bien, Monsieur, puisqu’il est de retour ne pas refuser à m. Schaffer de le faire reclamer par quelqu’un qui puisse au moins nous tirer du precipice où votre silence nous a plongé; ce Service...
200To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 14 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society The Day before Yesterday, Mr. Boudinot called upon me, with Dispatches from the President of Congress, his Brother. There were two Letters addressed to the “Ministers” and these I opened but found little or Nothing but Duplicates of Dispatches, receiv’d by you before I left Auteuil. There are two letters, and one large Packet addressed to you, which I...
201To Benjamin Franklin from Laurent-Jean-Antoine de Leutre, 15 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’homme justement celebre, le citoyen vertueux, le philosophe aussi humain qu’eclairé qui a donné la liberté à sa patrie, et qui voit couronner ce grand ouvrage par la paix générale, doit être le plus bel ornement d’une fête celebre à l’occasion de cette paix si desirée. Ce sont ces motifs, T.C.F. qui portent les freres de la R∴ L∴ du Contrat Social, M∴ L∴...
202To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Sorin, 15 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Sorin a l’honneur de faire mille complimens à monsieur franklin et d’Envoyer savoir de Ses nouvelles. Elle lui aurait infiniment d’obligation si il pouvait lui procurer un Exemplaire du Traité de paix des Etâts unis de L’amérique avec l’angleterre et un autre de cette même puissance avec L’Espâgne. Mde. Sorin ainsi que Mr. et Mde. Roger prient Monsieur...
203To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 16 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress I return you the Papers relative to the Attachments laid on the property of the United States by Messrs. Forsters & Puchelberg & Co. and I beg leave to remark that as on the one hand I never did mean to bring up a new Mode of arranging such affairs, neither on the other, have I been willing to give up a point which I...
204To Benjamin Franklin from Guillaume-Pierre-François Delamardelle, 17 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme je Crois que vous pouvez Etre instruit de La demeure de Mr. Barclay, Et que je desirerois de Le voir; ozeroisje vous prier de m’indiquer sa demeure. On m’a dit qu’il Etoit agent de L’Etat de virginie, Et Chargé En Cette qualité des interets de son Pays. J’ay L’honeur d’Etre avec La plus haute Estime Et Le plus grand Respect Monsieur de votre...
205To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, 19 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to Acknowledge the Rect. of your letter of 16th.— The three Barrells and Box seeds I have this day shipp’d on bd. a Vessell for Rouen. I hope they will arrive in Good order, the Nuts your Excelly. Speaks of I have None, but will If you think proper bring on my next Voyage a Quantity—I return you my Sincere thanks for your kind offer, but...
206To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Bonnefoy, 19 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Daignez excuser La liberté que je prens de vous écrire, en faveur du motif qui m’y engage. L’univers vous doit des autels pour votre sublime découverte des paratonnerres; l’amérique qui vous doit sa liberté aquitera cette dette, et au bas de votre statue sera gravé ce vers devenu immortel: Eripuit coelo fulmen, sceptrum que tyrannis Je vois cette nouvelle...
207To Benjamin Franklin from Anne d’Estko, 19 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai nul droit qui puisse m’autoriser à Vous demander une grace, mais je sais par Votre grande reputation jusqu’a quel point Votre Ame èst bienfaisante, et qu’en lui offrant les moyens de faire une bonne action on peut s’adresser à Vous avec confiense: Mon Frere Thadé Koscüuszko passé depuis long tems au service des Etats Unis de l’Amerique, m’a laissé...
208To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Jérôme Le Français de Lalande, 19 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library J’ai reçu avec bien de la reconoissance la lettre que votre Excellence a pris la peine de m’ecrire pour m’apprendre les observations de la nouvelle comete; je les communiquerai a l’academie de votre part; mais ce qui m’est personel c’est l’obligation que je vous ai d’avoir daigné vous Souvenir de moi dans cette occasion. Celui qui fait la gloire de l’humanité...
209To Benjamin Franklin from John and Rosamond Sargent, 19 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Sargent present Their most affectionate Compliments to Dr. Franklin, & being acquainted by Monsr. Charettier, the Gentleman Mr. S. introduced to His Acquaintance some Time agoe, He was returning to Paris, on the Business of His Mission, could not help seizing the Opportunity to assure The Doctor of Their constant Regard & Devotion—& desiring, if...
210To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Vaudreuil and Other Consulship Seekers, 19 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The number of solicitations for American consulships in European ports, sent by either the candidates themselves or people recommending them, began to diminish during the period covered by this volume. Franklin continued to explain that he had no power to grant such appointments. The question of whether foreign nationals would be permitted to serve as...
211To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Chase, 20 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did Myself the Honour of writing You from this City, on the 18 of September, and on the 8 of November. I inclosed Papers on two Subjects, the first concerning the loss of a Ship from the Misconduct of the Commander of a french frigate, the other relating to a young Lady of Annapolis. I took the liberty to request your advice & Assistance. Both my letters...
212To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 20 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Captain Paul Jones returns his respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin and has the honor to accept his kind Invitation for Dinner on Thursday the 25th. Instant. Addressed: His Excellency / B. Franklin Esquire &c &c / Passy This is the first of several responses to BF ’S invitation to dinner on Dec. 25. None of the actual invitations has been located.
213To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 20 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honour’d with your favour of Sept 13th. Inclosing a Bill Drawn in my favr on Doctr. Cooper for 2722 Livres 16 s. 8 d. being the Amount of What you have paid for the Education & other expences of his Grand Son, you advice to apply to the Father if in Boston, I hear he is, but he is Shut up & good for nothing, Doctr. Cooper was Sick When I recd your...
214To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, 21 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday in Examining Sundry Packages onbd. I found one Directed to Your Excellency which I had brought onshore. It was Opened & proved [ to ] be Snuff & Tobacco. I really do not know who Sent it from America, but suppose you have letters respecting it it seems that there is a heavy fine of 1200 l.t. if I had been detected Bringing it onshore. It is now...
215To Benjamin Franklin from Bariatinskii, 22 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Around December 14, Major Pierre-Charles L’Enfant arrived in Paris from Philadelphia on a mission from the Society of the Cincinnati. The society was a fraternal organization of Continental Army officers that had formed the previous spring as the troops were disbanding. Its aims, as stated in its institution (charter), included promoting national unity,...
216To Benjamin Franklin from John Dickinson, 22 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Mr. Vernon proposing to return from a Visit to America thro France, and earnestly desiring to have the Honor of your Acquaintance, I cannot forbear complying with the Wishes of a Gentleman recommended by his Politeness and his favorable Dispositions towards this Country. I am with the sincerest Esteem Sir, your most obedient & hble servant Notation: John...
217To Benjamin Franklin from Mercy-Argenteau, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 22 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de l’Empereur ayant été chargé par sa Cour de recourir à la complaisance de Monsieur Franklin relativement à l’Envoi des deux Lettres ci-jointes à l’adresse de MMrs. le Baron de Beelen et le Professeur Märter, il a l’honneur de Le prier de vouloir bien les faire passer à leur destination par la premiere occasion qui se présentera, L’Ambassadeur...
218To Benjamin Franklin from Monsieur and Madame de Valnais, 22 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. de Valnais’s most Respectful Compliments to his Excellency Dtr. Franklin & propose to wait upon him next thursday agreable to his polite invitation— Mr. de Valnais Returns his thanks to Mr. Franklin Junr. for the Letter from Dtr. Cooper, he was So kind as to Send him which he Receiv’d in good order. Addressed: A Son Excéllence / Son Excéllence...
219To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Harrison, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Harrison presents his respectful Compliments to His Excellency, is sensible of his polite Invitation at same Time is sorry that an Indisposition that has Kept him confined since his arrival in Paris, prevents his having the Honor to wait on His Excellency on Thursday next. Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / en Son hôtel / a Passy The...
220To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [23 December 1783?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society My Dear Doctor give me leave to Send you these two petitions The One for The Woman That I talked to you of and who cries night and Day for a Son who She thinks is dead now, having had no news from him These Seven years. The other is for an Officer who fought in America for your good cause and who is the brother-in Law of The young M. Cassini. Accept my Dear...
221To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Mayo, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Mayo presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and is very sorry that a late illness, of which he still feels the effects, will prevent his having the honor of dining with his Excellency on thursday next.— Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin, Ministre / Plenipotentiare des Etats unis de l’a- / mérique— / à Passy— The former...
222To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 23 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Nesbitts most respectful Compliments wait on Doctr Franklin & will do himself the honor to dine with him on Thursday next.— Mr Nesbitt incloses the Letter of Mr. de Vergennes relative to the 22d Article of the Preliminary Treaty— Notation: Nesbit, Decr. 23. 1784. Dec. 25; see John Paul Jones to BF , Dec. 20. The enclosure is missing. Nesbitt had already...
223To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Creuzé, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vos Talens consacrés au bonheur de L’humanité, vous attachent a tous les pays. Vous Estes par vos vertus le citoyen du monde Entiér. Me Serait il permis Monsieur de vous considerér un Seul moment Sous cet unique point de vüe? Pourrais je vous adresser quelques reflexïons touchant la machine aerostatique? Ce n’est point une curiosité puerille qu’il S’agit de...
224To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee Perkins, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society; University of Pennsylvania Library I have lately received from America a Diploma, constituting my late honoured and dear Father Dr. John Perkins a corresponding member of the Royal Society of Medicine at Paris, which arrived there after his decease and which was transmitted to me. Recalling to mind the favors and civilities You was pleased formerly to...
225To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society M. Le C. de Vergennes a l’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur franklin un paquet pour Mr. le Chever. de La Luzerne. Il le prie de vouloir bien le faire passer à Sa destination par le vaisseau le Wazington. /. Vergennes’ dispatch no. 53 to La Luzerne, of the same date. Vergennes expressed relief that Congress had denied BF ’s request to return home; he thought it...
226To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 25 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library Before you receive this you will have heard of a total change of the British Administration. It is not as yet many hours since this event has taken place. The Cabinet is as follows viz Mr Pitt first Lord of the treasury Ld Thurlow chancellor marquis of Carmarthen } Secretaries of State Ld Gower President of Council Lord Sidney Ld Howe first Ld of the...
227To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Breteuil, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, La lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire et par laquelle vous demandez au nom des Parens du Né. [nommé] schaffer détenu dans les Prisons de La Conciergerie, des Ordres du Roi pour le faire passer aux Isles.—Je vais en Ecrire à M. Lenoir, et je vous prie d’Etre persuadé d’avance que je ferai tout ce que Les Circonstances...
228To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez-vous, Monsieur, que je vous recommande le paquet ci-joint. Je Supose que la fregate le Washington n’est pas encore parti. Un de mes amis, Monsieur, desiroit avoir une lettre de recommandation de Votre part pour M. le Dr. Price, et je Serois Sensiblement obligé Si vous vouliez bien me l’accorder. Mon ami S’appelle de Chateaufort; il va passé...
229To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Since we parted I have been so much & so long indisposed as that (except short Letters to Mrs. Jay) I have denied myself the Pleasure of writing to my Friends. The Kindness you have shewn us both, has nevertheless not been forgotten, nor has my Disposition to acknowledge and be influenced by it in the least abated....
230To Benjamin Franklin from Jérôme-Marie Champion de Cicé, 27 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress J’ay reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire au sujet des Catholiques americains. Vous pouvez etre Sur en Cette occasion Comme en toute autre de mon empressement à Seconder vos vües tant par rapport à vos Catholiques dont il est facile d’assurer le Service, qu’en faveur de M. L’abbé de la Roche que j’estime et aime. J’aurois besoin dans le...
231To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., 27 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It has long been my sincerest wish to return you my warmest & best thanks for your kind & affectionate attentions to me when at Paris, but I refrained troubling you with a letter till I could entertain you with something new & worthy your attention. Till the present moment I have unfortunately been only in those spots that you have yourself formerly...
232To Benjamin Franklin from John Charretié, 28 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Charretié presents his best respects to his Excellency Dr Franklin he proposed having the honour of waiting upon him but his business at Versailles having prevented him, from whence he is this moment returned, with an express order from the Minister to sett out for London on Teusday morning, this renders his going to Passy impossible, he therefore sends...
233To Benjamin Franklin from the Société Typographique de Lausanne, 28 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Printed D with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Nous avons l’honneur de vous donner avis, d’une entreprise que nous venons de faire, & qui nous a paru jusqu’à présent, aussi désirée qu’utile au Public. C’est de prendre dans la nouvelle Encyclopédie par ordre de matieres, tout ce qui manque à la premiere Encyclopédie par ordre alphabétique, & d’en former un Supplément à l’usage de...
234To Benjamin Franklin from John Walter, 29 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As a Gentleman of Science & a Well Wisher to the new erected Empire, I address myself to You on an Improvement, which is now introduc’d into the World, on which a pamphlet is just publish’d, to print with Words entire, instead of single Letters, which will be of the most important Use in the future Conduct of the Press, both for Dispatch, neatness, &...
235To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 29 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wrote you a few days ago adviceing that Doctr. Coopers being Sick provented my presenting your Bill, he is now dead, he die’d this Day about 12 oClock, I shall endever to git your Bill answerd, I think the famley will pay it as the Doctr. has left a good Estate for one of the Cloth we think the death of this Ameable man is not only a Loss to his famley &...
236To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Marguerite-Jean-Baptiste Mercier Dupaty, 30 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosphical Society I have the honour to send you with a thousand thanks, the book you have been so good as to lend me. I have perused it with satisfaction, notwithstanding I thougt the system of the Author incomplete, sometimes erroneus, often chimerical, and in general treated in a manner rather too superficial. But the importance of the subject, the continual clearness of...
237To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Du Ponceau, 30 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am in the last uneasiness Concerning my Brother’s Fate. There is one year Since I receiv’d letters from him. I am afraid he Could be Sick; for I am at a loss how interpret Such a Silence. If by your assistance I could have knowledge of What it is become of him Nothing Could equal my obligations. He Was in the beginning under Secretary in the department of...
238To Benjamin Franklin from Breteuil, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Depuis la lettre, Monsieur, que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire le Vingt Six de ce mois au Sujet du Nommé Schaffer, j’ai eté informé que ce particulier a eté arreté au mois de juillet dernier Comme prevenu d’Escroqueries; que Son procès ayant eté instruit, il a eté Condamné au Carcan et au bannissement, et que Sur L’appel de ce Jugement il a eté transféré...
239To Benjamin Franklin from Caffiéri, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si je netois pas indisposé, j’aurois l’honneur D’aller vous Souhaiter au renouvellement de cette année tout ce qui peut arriver de plus heureux à un homme de votre merite; privé de ce bonheur permettes moi de vous faire parvenir Les assurances de mon respect. J’apprens par Les papiers publics que malgré une guerre dispendieuse Les Etats Americains, pour...
240To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Dubuysson, 31 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M Le marquis de lafayette me fait demander Les papiers que J’ai eu L’honneur de vous faire passer. Je ne scais si c’est pour vous Les Communiquer ou pour vérifier Lui même. Si je Suis susceptible de Lordre des Cincinati en [ ce ] cas Je vous prie Monsieur, de vouloir bien Les Lui faire passer sur Le champ j’ôse en même tems vous suplier Monsieur, de m’être...