1031To Benjamin Franklin from David Sears, 10 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday came up to Town the Sloop Independance belonging to Mr Isaac Sears & Co of Boston she left Virginia the 16th Apl last and came north about but brings nothing so late as you must be already furnish’d with— I have settled my affairs in Europe and shall now return to Boston in the above mentioned Vessell (at least I shall take passage in her) because...
1032To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 7 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Your mind is too enlarged, as well as your Genius too extensive for your Mind to be wholy absorbed in public cares, hence I dare hope that the woes of your Amelia will be listened to;— They shall not detain you long. My dear Mr. Barry is no more!— he died at this Place (whither we came for the recovery as we hoped, of his health,) the 15th of Octr. and has...
1033To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 9 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Jersey Historical Society; draft: Library of Congress I was very much obliged by the letter which you did me the honor to write me by our amiable young friend the Marquis De La Fayette, whose exertions to serve this Country in his own are additional proofs of his zealous attachment to our cause, and has endeared him to us still more. He came out flushed with expectations of a...
1034To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 15 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The most upright Intentions cannot command Success. The Shallow Ken of Man cannot penetrate into futurity; and cannot therefore ascertain what is, or is not most beneficial to Societies. What we have here to do, is to act the most consistently with our Judgment of Circumstances. I know you have done this. Britain is most certainly hurting herself by an...
1035To Benjamin Franklin from Louis d’Ussieux, [before 22 January 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation: American Philosophical Society La R∴ L∴ des Neuf-Sœurs fera sa rentrée, d’après les Vacances, le Lundi 22 du onzième mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5781. Elle commencera ses travaux à onze heures précises, par la Réception du Candidat Ginguené & l’Affiliation du F( Gireau . A midi on fera la distribution des Jettons; ensuite les FF( Comte de Milly, de la Dixmerie, Changeux,...
1036To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway, 27 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je ne puis vous exprimer Combien je suis fachée d’être La Cause innocente, du désagrement que vous èprouvés, pour avoir voulu m’obliger en La personne de mr mullens; ce n’est que d’aprés ses instances que je vous ai engagé à reparer Les pertes qu’il a faites dans sa traversée, et lorsque je lui ai remis La petite lettre de change de votre part je lui ai dit...
1037To Benjamin Franklin from the Eastern Navy Board, 18 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: New York Public Library We were honored with your favor of the 2d of June, but not till several days after the Arrival of the French Frigate, which prevented us the pleasure of acknowledging it by the Mercury Packet which sailed for France about a fortnight agoe. We are Sorry that any differences have subsisted among the Officers on board the...
1038To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 5 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Yr. Favour of the 29th. is just received, & the packet for the Commodore will be forwarded this very night, as were formerly yr. other Letters for the same, & for Capt. Landais without any Loss of time. The Commodore is not yet quite ready to sail. They say it will be so in the week to come; & then the day depends from the...
1039To Benjamin Franklin from James Turing and Son, 2 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency will we trust pardon Our boldness in adressing you on the present Occasion, And we therefore without further apology for the intrusion, beg leave to acquant you that Our Vessel De Brunetta Cap’n Thomas Griffiey with a cargo of Wine & Fruit from Oporto was Seized upon, on the nineteenth of August in Lat: 49”11 Long: 7”3 from Teneriffe by the...
1040To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Nicolas Jullian and Other Applicants for Emigration, 17 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A number of people, as usual, sought Franklin’s help to emigrate to the New World or recommended their restless friends to his good graces. As far as we know, none of them received any encouragement from him. Louis Fouché writes from Romegoux in the Charente on December 4. Thirty-six years old, a native of the island of Oléron, and son of Capt. André Fouché...
1041To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 28 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you two letters last Summer in which I mentioned the feu Gregois and the Comte de Rostaing. I wish I had known by a single line That They came Safe to Hand. This goes by that Gentleman who is a Genl. officer of Artilery, and a Man of great Worth. If You will venture to take a friend of my recommending I recommend Him to you. He was sent out as...
1042To Benjamin Franklin from [ ——— Montécot], 26 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society A number of letters like this that make concrete and, as far as we know, fruitless offers can conveniently be discussed together here. At about the same time as Montécot’s proposal, but with no date, comes one to the commissioners from Louis-Gabriel Le Roÿ in Paris. He is a master carpenter and cabinet-maker for French officers, and the enclosed prospectus...
1043To Benjamin Franklin from Fleury & Demadières, 10 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous recevons dans le moment d’envoy de mr Jn Williams de nantes pour votre Compte 6 Caisses de madere, a leur arrivées nous les avons examinées, il sen est trouvé quelsqunes de Cassées & ce parcequ’elles etoient fort mal Embalées, & si il faut vous les expedier dans le tat ou elles sonts vous En aurez plus de la moitié de Cassées dicy Chez vous En...
1044To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Christophe Valmont de Bomare, 29 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library L’eloignement et une multitude d’affaires, m’ont empêché d’aller vous temoigner moi même, la part que j’ai prise à votre maladie et à votre retablissement— Je n’ai pû envoyer chez vous que mon domestique— Je vous supplie de ne pas douter du vif interêt que je prens à votre conservation et prosperité. Je vous prie aussi de presenter mes civilitez à...
1045To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Chondeville, 2 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bourges, January 2, 1779, in French: I want to warn you against a certain Leralle who has just gone bankrupt for more than 60,000 francs and has sneaked off to Paris to implore your protection. He is a perfect scoundrel who owes money to everybody here and especially to me. He has debauched a young man of good family, baron de Bussiere, whom he is now...
1046To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 22 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I This moment made up my Packet for america Sent by a old faithful Servant of Doct Franklin Sons: from New Jersey of govonr Franklins— This man is Sent off to america from his master who is now Lodging in Suffolk Street no 16 where he Sd. govonor has undertaken to pettition in aid on behalf of all the tories together with the famous of that Partie— His late...
1047To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, [before 23 January 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You who know so well the public & private obligations we have to the Marquis de Yranda, would never pardon me, If I should suffer one of his family to pass thro’ Paris, without giving you an opportunity of convincing him of the sense you have of the obliging notice, it has taken of us here—But you would be Still more offended with me, After having been...
1048To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 27 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The interruption of our correspondence is truly mortifying to me. I wrote to you some time in march, and as I have received no answer I think either your letter or mine has been stopt. Why our letters should be detained I cannot see, for I am sure I can give you no political intelligence, and as no purpose would be answered by your giving it to me, I am...
1049To Benjamin Franklin from François-Marie-des-Neiges-Emmanuel de Rohan-Poulduc, 21 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; draft: Royal Library of Malta; copy and transcript: National Archives J’ai reçu avec la plus vive sensibilité la médaille que Votre Excellence m’a fait parvenir, et le prix que je mets à cette acquisition ne laisse pas de bornes à ma reconnaissance. Ce monument de la liberté Américaine, d’un événement que Votre Excellence a eu la...
1050To Benjamin Franklin from John Diot, 28 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Owners of the Black Prince privateer haveing intrusted me With the managment of all the business and transactions here, Concerning Said Vessell, I have the honnour to forward to your Excellency, a Journal of her proceedings at Sea, by which you’ll See, that Captn. Merchant, Mr. Luke Ryan, one of the owners on board, as well as all the Rest of the Crew,...
1051To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 16 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Wrote you that I Could not obtain a new addition of the Common prayer Book. I have Since found one. I take this oppertunity to send it by the Bearrer mr. [ blank ]. Your friends Wh. are many have expectations of Seing you here some time in the summer & I belive you will find them as harry & prehaps more so then ever. London is so much like home that I...
1052To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Admiralty, 6 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives By the enclosed affidavits and protests you will perceive that James Robinson Esquire late commander of the continental Sloop Fly being dispossed of that sloop by a Majority of the Crew at Sea, was together with his Docter and Pilot put on board a Schooner called the Daphne bound from Providence to New York which schooner they also took possession of and carried her...
1053To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 21 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La societé Royale de medecine m’a Chargé d’avoir l’honneur de Vous adresser des Billets pour sa séance publique qui aura lieu le 26 de ce mois; elle Vous prie d’en agréer l’hommage et de Vouloir bien en Disposer. La societé toujours flattée lorsque Vous Voulez bien l’honorer de Votre Présence Vous prie d’assister à Cette séance. J’y Lirai l’Eloge de feu M...
1054To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Brown, 23 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Youl please to Excuse my freedom in Troubling you with these few lines to ask the favour Wheather your Exelencey Ever granted one Mr. Benjn. Joy a pass for goods to be Shipt. in London for america as I had the pleasuer to Captor Sd Joy on my pasage here in a fine Copper Bottom Brig Mounting Six Six poundirs and the people I took out of her tells me that She...
1055To Benjamin Franklin from Chevalier Gilles-Jean Barazer de Kermorvan, 19 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous faire part de la délivrance heureuse de notre reine, elle est accouchée aujourdhuy a onze heures quarante deux minutes, d’une fille, on s’etoit trompé pendant une heure sur le sexe, soit par l’excès de la joye ou par l’embarras d’annoncer une fille, on a annoncé un dauphin au peuple. La reine a etè en travail depuis deux heures et...
1056To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Ségur, 5 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress M de Ségur a L’honneur de faire à Monsieur franklin ses Remerciments du soin quil a bien voulu prendre de Lui faire adresser Les depeches de L’amerique septle. qui lui sont parvenues pour Lui; il le prie en même tems dagréer ses sinceres Compliments./. These had been brought by Capt. Joshua Barney of the packet General Washington; he arrived in Paris on Nov. 5: Barney...
1057To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Butler, 30 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having been sent for this Port (in the Privat Armed Ship Wolf with a Cargo of Tobacco) by a Number of the principal Merchants of Virginia and North Carolina, with a design to know if the Price offered here would encourage them to Send their Ships to this Market Ladened with that Article, I have taken the Liberty to acquaint your Excellency of the...
1058To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I enclose you a letter received Yesterday from Dr. Berkenhout, the Author of those which were communicated to you the Year before last on the same Subject. If you think any use can be made of it for the public Good, I shall be glad to be informed of it. One of those, which I sent you before with the Answer I proposed giving to it, I have searched for and...
1059To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 6 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write to you more to prove my remembrance of you, than for the importance of any thing I have to communicate. The two defeats near Boston seem to have made little impression on the Ministry. They still talk of great things to be expected from their Generals and Troops when united. One of your judgment will draw more information from the single word Rebels...
1060To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas and Mary Barclay, 23 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Barclay presents their Complimts. to Doctor Franklin, and will have the Honor of Waiting on him at Dinner on Thursday. Addressed: His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Passy This is one of three extant dinner acceptances from the Barclays, all written from Auteuil in a hand we now recognize as Henry Champion’s (for whom see the following...