1031To 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...
1032To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas-Joseph Hüllmandel, 22 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Le Pere d’un de mes amis croit avoir fait une découverte en Phisique qui Seroit très importante, il a chargé Son fils de la Soumettre au jugement de la Personne la plus éclairée et Surtout de celle qui l’est assés pour ne pas se laisser aveugler par les prestiges des Sistêmes. C’est vous Monsieur qui avés cet amour de la verité, c’est vous qu’il desire...
1033To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel & Moses Myers, 22 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We take the liberty to inform your Excellency that we are fitting out a Brigg for Philadelphia call’d the Grace Bermuda Built 160 Tons Burden Mounts Ten Six pound Cannon, & Forty Men. Commanded by George Mitchell intierly American property for which Vessell we Stand in need of a Commission. Shoud it be convenient to your Excellencey to send One, to Mr....
1034To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Luton Durival, 21 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Si nous devons, Monsieur, avoir l’honneur de vous voir après demain mardy, je vous prie de ne pas oublier d’apporter votre cachet, pour être apposé sur la convention signée le 16. du courant entre vous et M. le Cte. de Vergennes; Si au contraire vous ne deviez pas venir ici, je vous prierois en ce cas de vouloir bien m’adresser par une occasion sure le...
1035To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, 20 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. D’amezaga, fait ses Plus Tendres Complimens à Monsieur de franklin, Il luy fait demander Sil dinne demain chés luy, dimanche et Sil veut bien que Mr. Damezaga aille L’embrasser. The only year during BF ’s stay in France that July 20 fell on a Saturday.
1036To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, 20 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay lhonneur de joindre icy suivant vos desirs, l’Etat de Situation du Compte de Mr. Morris, dicy à la fin de l’année; Vous y verrés monsieur, que les Gros payements faits & à faire absorbent les fonds qu’il à en france, & qu’au lieu de pouvoir contracter de nouveaux Engagements, il faut S’occuper des actuellement des moyens de pourvoir aux anciens qui...
1037To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Penn, Jr., 20 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I take the Liberty of recommending to your notice the bearer of this Mr. Philip Livingston a Gentleman with whom I have had a very great Intimacy for many Years Past both in this Country & on the other side the Atlantic & I will answer for it that you will find him in every respect worthy of your Acquaintance. My Wife & Family join me in our most...
1038To Benjamin Franklin from Schweighauser & Dobrée, 20 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Altho.’ we are without any answer to the Letters we have had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 18 December and the 8 of last Month you will please to permit us to refer thereto. By Letter received the day before Yesterday from Philadelphia via Cadiz we have inclose a resolve of Congress authorising Joshua Johnson Esqe. to examine our account...
1039To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Colomb, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Voila deux ans et demy d’Ecoulés depuis mon depart de l’amerique Septentrionale, sous le congé qui me fut acordé par le Congrés avec la faculté de venir rejoindre mes drapeaux lorsque Les Circonstances me le permetroient, et que ma Santé Epuisée par les fatigues du service penible que J’y avois fait pend’ 3 ans, et de la dure prison que J’y avois soufferte...
1040To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Dr Shuttleworth informed me that he intended going to Paris in order to consult you upon some American business of his own, and desired an introduction from me. He attended Mr Hewson’s Lectures, and as he has dined several times at our table you probably may have seen him. He was in Maryland with Mr Eden. I am highly delighted with the importance I am...
1041To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you yesterday, in which I acquainted you that I shou’d go to the Secretary’s Office, in order to have the pacquet, which I had made up for you, forwarded by a Courier if any was going. I accordingly went & saw the Earl of Shelburne who entered into a Good deal of Conversation about you & Peace, protested & vowed in the fullest manner & in the...
1042To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If I was to permit my friend and nabour Mr. Green to visit Paris without convaying this to your excellency, I should think myself defecient in that friendship I have ever wished to shew him. He is an Artist of distinguished merrit in Mezzatinto engraving, and has done most of the esteemed prints in that manner from my paintings. He visits France in the line...
1043To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 18 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have recd yours of the 18th, but not that per Mr Young, I immediately set about procuring you the necessary Information Relative to the Marquis de Fayette & inclosed you have an Acc’t of the Wine & Salt as per Catalogue for Sale which I hope will be fully Satisfactory— if any thing further I mean Oath & Notarial Certificate shou’d be necessary, please...
1044To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Norbert d’Artus, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la liberté de vous adresser un memoire Relatif au Sr Penet. Linteret que je prends à ce jeune homme depuis sa plus tendre enfance et mon attachement pour son honnette famille me font ressentir l’amertume de son malheur. Instruit des Causes qui ÿ ont donné lieu, j’ose m’adresser à votre Excellence dans une pleine conviction de sa justice et de...
1045To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of receiving your Excellencys of the 5th which I shoud have acknowledged by return of post, but I defer’d doing it for some days, in order to examine my situation and to endeavour to fill in some method of getting away the remainder of the public goods without being further troublesome to your Excellency. I have not hitherto made great...
1046To Benjamin Franklin from Sally Beckwith, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The inclosed Letter which I regret exceedingly not having in my power to deliver in person, I onely had the pleasure of receiving yesterday, its detention has been owing to a long and dangerous illness of the Gentleman to whose care the Paquet was adressed in which it was contained. The Friendship Mr Strahan has ever testified for our Family & that in...
1047To Benjamin Franklin from the Loge des Commandeurs du Temple, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society A La Gloire du grand Architecte de Lunivers. d’un lieu éclairé ou regnent le Silence, la paix et La Charité La Loge reguliere des Commandeurs du Temple Seante A Lorient de Carcassonne. Lan de La V∴ L∴ 5782 et Le. 17e. Jour du 5me. mois Au Trés Digne Tres Vertueux et Tres Respectable Frere Franklin Ministre des Etats unis de L’amerique au pres de La Cour de...
1048To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Mildred, 16 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My friend Richard Vaux being on his Voyage to America and intending to pass thro’ France, I take the liberty of introducing him to thee as a Gentleman and a particular freind of mine. Any Civilities shewn him Shall esteem as confer’d on my Self and Should he have occasion for Cash if thou wilt do me the favour to Supply him to the Amount of One hundred...
1049To Benjamin Franklin from William Jones and John Paradise, 15 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Paradise and Mr. Jones present their grateful respects to their inestimable friend Dr. Franklin, and beg leave to trouble him with the enclosed letter for Aleppo by the way of Marseilles, requesting him at the same time, if he has not had leisure to write the letters, with which he kindly intended to favour them, to send them by the post directed to...
1050To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 13 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my last in which I acquainted you with my having rec’d the £200 got by mistake into my namesakes hands in Aldersgate —&c—I have recd your esteemed favor of the 14th Ultimo— I made application immediately for the two Men on board the Conquistador & was promised that if there, they shou’d be discharged & sent in the next Cartel Vessell— The...
1051To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 13 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I most Ardently wish for the hour, that I shall be able to pay my personal respects to your Excellency and thank you for the repeated and unmerited favors you have conferred upon me; Lady Newenham, who accompanies me to Paris & from thence to Neuchatel & Rome, is equaly desirous to pay her respects to that Great & Respectable Character which she has...
1052To Benjamin Franklin from Guy(Gui)-Jean-Baptiste Target, 13 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de présenter mes respectueux hommages a Monsieur Franklin, et de lui adresser un ouvrage anglois que M. de Crevecœur me charge de lui faire parvenir. Je dois des remercimens a M. de Crevecœur de m’avoir procuré L’occasion de me rapeller au Souvenir de Monsieur Franklin et de Lui offrir Lassurance de mon dévouement et de mon respect Notation:...
1053To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-André Gargaz: Proposed Letter from Franklin(?) to Louis XVI, [c. 10 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania When fifty-two-year-old Pierre-André Gargaz arrived at the gate of the hôtel de Valentinois, probably toward the end of May, 1782, he cut an unusual figure. Having served a twenty-year sentence on the galleys at Toulon for a murder he maintained he did not commit and now branded as a convict, Gargaz walked from the south of France to Paris carrying a...
1054To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I am far from meaning [to] trouble you with letters of recommendation for English Travellers. The bearer of this, Dr Stokes, is a promising young man, who will think himself happy in getting only a sight of you, and in this I hope you will have no objection to indulge him. I have given him letters to other persons, who, I hope, will shew him such...
1055To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Major Sherburne who will deliver this has already several Introductions to you, I cannot however let him go away without adding my assurances that I think him a Gentleman worthy of your Friendship & Civility & I therefore request you will honour him with your particular notice. I am as ever most dutifully & affecy Your Addressed: His Excellency / Doctor...
1056To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Young, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am exceedingly sorry that Your Excellency gave yourself the trouble to answer my Paper. I did not expect an answer. I was perfectly satisfied with the reasons given for not paying the whole of the Account when I had the honor of waiting on Your Excellency, and only committed to writing what I would have said before I heard those reasons my...
1057To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London 1817–18), II , 386. I have the honour to inform you, my dear Sir, that Mr. Grenville’s express is arrived this morning by way of Ostend. The gentleman is gone to Versailles. I fancy he will wait upon you, and will be much obliged to you, to let me know what your opinion...
1058To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I beg to introduce to your acquaintance My friend Mr Benjn. Savage, a young Gentn., born in South Carolina. By some accident or other, his friends have chosen the wrong side of the question, though he has relations very warmly contending on the right side. Politics however do not much warp his mind, which is as candid a one almost as I ever knew; and...
1059To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you the 26 June relative to the affair of Mr Springer & his Comrades at Brest. I since hear the prize is condemned to the admiral which tho’ I think an unlawfull proceeding may turn out well enough for the admiral in these Cases always gives up the Prize to the Captors. The proceedings of the admiralty at Brest are I...
1060Excerpts from Chaumont’s Revision of His Account with Franklin, [9 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having agreed on July 7 to submit his accounts to arbitration, Chaumont quickly altered his claim. The account he submitted on July 9 was a revised version of what he had initially given to Franklin, published above under the date of [before April 26]. He dropped items 3, 14, and 15, all of which Grand had ruled against in his report of May 7. The three...
1061To Benjamin Franklin from Séqueville, [before 9 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Printed form, signed, with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Le Roi ne verra point Mardi prochain 9 — du mois, Messieurs les Ambassadeurs et Ministres étrangers. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur francklin Ministre / Plenipte des Etats unis de / L’Amerique Septentrionale / A Passy / Desequeville Below this line BF wrote “Juillet 82”.
1062To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On the 3d. Instant I received from the French Embassador Your Excys. obliging favor of the 11th. Ulto. I should have done myself the honor of answering it the Same day by Mr Clonard the Bearer of Dispatches from the Chevalier de La Luzern & General Rochambeau, Had not my whole Time been taken up in Copying letters to Mr Jay which I was afraid had been...
1063To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je continue de profiter des bontés de S.E.M. l’Ambassadeur, en vous faisant parvenir la présente par le Courier qu’il expédie ce soir. L’Escadre du Texel est sortie enfin, & sera maîtresse à son tour dans les mers du Nord, à moins que les Anglois ne détachent une portion de la leur, suffisante pour faire rentrer dans la coquille les Hollandois. Dans ce cas...
1064To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley: Memorandum, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 385–6. To a person who no longer thinks of American dependence, what disadvantage can there be in making its independence a fixed article (whether the treaty succeeds or no) instead of making it a first article of the treaty, and so to depend on the success...
1065To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Virginia Historical Society I am advised that Robt. Morris Esqr. The Superintendant General of Finance for Congress, has directed you to pay me, what is due to me from Congress out of the first money that came into your hands. I am now to request that you will please to inform me whether you have, or have not recd. such directions from...
1066To Benjamin Franklin from Pieter Buyck, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je prends la Respectueuse liberté de Vous envoier cÿ inclus une lettre que Je Vous prie de faire Remettre à Monsieur Laurens qui Je Suppose Sera encore à Paris au Cas qu’il Soit deja parti ne doutant nullement que Vous ne Sachiez ou il est Je Vous supplie d’avoir La Complaisance de L’enveloper & La lui faire parvenir. Si en Pareille ou toute autre...
1067To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Benyowzky, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Pardon si je prend La liberté de vous ecrire, je vien d’aprendre que un nomé Graubner bourgois de paris, a eté ché vous Monsieur, pour vous importuner par a port [par rapport] une Lettre de change, de mon mary Le quelle a eté doné pour de l’anciene déte de mon bau frére qui a été au Service du Congré, je vous demande mille excuse a La place de mon mary,...
1068To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Je recois Monsieur, La Lettre de ce jour dont vous mavés honoré et La resolution de L’Etat de mary Land que vous aves bien voulu me Communiquér. Je l’ai lue avec Le plus grand plaisir et je la garde pour La montrér au Roi qui y trouvera La conviction de la Confiance quil a dans La fidelité de ses alliés Les Etats unis. Il faut Esperér qu’n langage aussi affirmatif...
1069To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have the honor to transmit you a letter from the United States in Congress to his most Christian Majesty, together with a copy for your perusal, I also enclose a Resolution of Congress on the subject of Mr Lee’s demands, which you will see carried into effect—nothing of moment has...
1070To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I enclose to you the form of an acknowledgement of our Debt to the Court of France which I desire you would Seal and execute, After having ascertained the Amount of the Debt, and that you will send Copies thereof thro the Office of foreign Affairs to Congress; as well as inform me of the Amount of the Debt and the Time of...
1071To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received in course the Letter wch. Mr. Will: Franklin honor’d me with, inclosing your condemnation of the prize Mary of London captur’d by the privateer Revolution of Salem. I now beg leave to trouble you with the procedure of the prize st. Pierre of st. Andere [Santander] recaptured by the Ship Carolina Cap: Newell of Philadelphia after being four days...
1072To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have by my friend Mr Hobart sent You a Printed Copy of the Three Memorials which I published on the Subject of America, one addressed to the Souvereigns of Europe—& two others addressd to the Souvereign of Gr Brittain. And I beg your acceptance of them. I hope you received my Letter of May 13 1782 forwarded by Mr Bridgen as also the Package containing 187...
1073To Benjamin Franklin from Bethia Alexander, 3 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je vois bien, mon cher Docteur, qu’il faut renoncer a notre partie de Marly, ou plutôt y substituer un diner chez vous—ce n’etoit pas un beau Jardin que nous desirions voir mais nos amis et Je m’imagine que nous les trouverons tous réunis a Passy— tout ce qui me chagrine c’est que mon Pere à votre priere et à celle de Mad: Helvetius avoit engagé ses...
1074To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 3 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Hearing this Moment of an opportunity for France, from an Eastern port —I inclose you Mr. R Morris’ Draft on Mons. Grand a 60 days for Lrs. 3200 Livres, being Moneys recd. from Christian Scheinder of German Town say £200. this Curry. on acct. of the Family in Germany, who sent me a power of Attorney to receive a Legacy for them from him, whose name I...
1075To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 1 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Library of Congress I have deferred until this Moment my Answers to your Letters of the fourth ninth and thirtieth of March in Expectation that I should have heard from you by the Marquis de la fayette. A Vessel now about to depart induces me to address you— I enclose an Act of Congress by which you are empowered to...
1076To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 1 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society By the earliest opportunity after the arrival of the Brig Firebrand Capn. Caleb Trowbridge from Boston in forty eight days. We have the honor of forwarding to your Excelly. the Letters we received to your address, we had not an opportunity of acknowledging with propriety the Letter we were favoured with, in date of 4 Feby. untill all the accounts relative to...
1077To Benjamin Franklin from Parish & Thomson, 1 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We had the honour to receive in Course your Letter of the 19 April, & agreeable to the Contents, our Bills on Mr. Jay have all been paid in Paris by your Excellency’s orders. As it will always give us singular Pleasure to render You agreeable Services, we beg leave to inform You that we have at present a remarkably fine sailing American Vessel just now...
1078To Benjamin Franklin from [Philip?] Keay, [June 1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Keay presents his Respects to Mr. Franklin, & takes the liberty of enclosing the relation of the Accident at Philadelphia. The Person who mention’d it to Made. de Cheminot had seen Conductors upon the House, & had hastily concluded, that they had been put up previous to the accident, which they certainly were not— Madame de Cheminot presents her...
1079To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 31 June 1782 [i.e., on or after 30 June 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We do ourselves the honor to forward Sundry Papers respecting two Prizes brought in here by the Revolution Privateer, with which We beg you will do the needfull. Permit us to inform that there are some Americans Confined in Jail, they experienced a long Confinement in England, escaped, & arrived in Brest, applied there for a Passage home, were sent here,...
1080To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 28 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai profité la semaine passée d’un Courier expédié par Mr. l’Ambr. pour vous faire une de mes Lettres pour le Congrès No. 4, laquelle j’espere que vous aurez bien reçue ainsi que mes précédente. Il ne s’est rien passé ici depuis que j’aie à y ajouter. Mais après mercredi prochain, les Etats d’hollde., qui se rassembleront alors, pourront me fournir matiere...