1111To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 28. du mois der [dernier]. Le Roi à qui j’ai rendu Compte de la demande que vous me faites de permettre au Batiment parlementaire destiné à l’Echange des Prisonniers Americains et Anglois, d’aborder dans le port de Morlaix, a bien voulu consentir à lui accorder cette permission; J’ai...
1112To Benjamin Franklin from James Mathews, 19 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sir I have taken this oppertunity of wrighting These few lines to let you know the sewerahson [situation?] that i am in i belong to a meracahn ship belonging To the congres my ship left me behind i had the Misfortune of looseing my Cloathes the ship Left me at haver de grass and i went down to belone for to get a shipe and the comeserey Wou’ld not let...
1113To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 8 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je joins ici, Messieurs, un Manuscrit en six cayers, ayant pour titre, lettres de plusieurs Membres du Congrès &c. que l’on desire de faire imprimer. Je n’ai point voulu y donner mon Consentement sans vous l’avoir communiqué auparavant. Je vous prie en consequence d’en prendre lecture et de me marquer, en me le renvoyant ce que vous en aurez pensé. J’ai l’honneur...
1114To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Perrault and Other Applicants for Emigration, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The number of people applying to Franklin for help in emigrating to America increases markedly during the months following the signing of the preliminary peace treaty. Those letters for which no responses have been located are summarized here, with Perrault’s letter published as a sample. Johann Philipp Breidenstein writes in Latin from Giessen on February...
1115To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Du Mourier with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 18 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’etais dejà penetré depuis longtems de veneration pour vos connaissances, votre patriotisme & vos vertus. Mr. Nixon Eclesiastique vient de me confier sa position & votre generosité, je luy ay payé sur le champ la lettre de Change qu’il tire sur vous. Mr. Le Mis. de Clarac qui se trouvait chez moy vous la remettra, & recevra de vous le comptant, il a voulu...
1116To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 2 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May this find Your Excellency in a better state of health, then we observed by the reception of her last favour, she had been in, this being our wish, and to obey always her most respected Commands, we have Accepted, to be comprehended with those of the Month of October the three thousand eigt hundred and Fifty Gilders on Mr. Laurens, and we have taken the...
1117To Benjamin Franklin from the Conde de Sousa Coutinho, 20 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania L’Ambassadeur de Portugal a l’honneur de faire ses compliments à Monsieur Francklin, et de rapeler à son souvenir le passeport et lettre de recommendation en faveur du Pere Patrice Ôcleary qui se dispose a passer en Amerique relativement à la succession dont il lui a parlé il y a quelque tems: L’Ambassadeur de Portugal auroit été voir lui même Monsieur...
1118To Benjamin Franklin from Hezekiah Ford, 20 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Notwithstanding I am confident I left the papers containing the Resolves of Congress in your Book at Passi, after I had finished the Copy for M Lee; Yet I have made diligent search for them; and I do assure you they are not at Chaillot. I have therefore only to request, that you woud be so kind as to reexamine your papers, & I have no doubt but that you...
1119To Benjamin Franklin from John Viny and Family, 21 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will forgive my trespassing on your most valuable moments, but I could not forego the Oppertunity by favor of Mosr Du Chateau, to express my great pleasure in hearing of your Health &c. O Sir, how happy shou’d I be, once more to take you by the hand, but from a Line I read of yours at Cheam I have but little hopes as I am confind, but happy...
1120To Benjamin Franklin from Henrÿ Dubois, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les offres gracieuses que votre Excellence a daigné me faire lorsque j’eus l’honneur de la voir dans mon voyage de paris au mois de mars dernier, me donne la Confiance de lui marquer que jusqu’a présent je n’ai pas été assez heureux de trouver l’occasion de lui être utile; sauf celle d’aider M. Wallisch et Mr. hancock, de posmoute, en les recommandant a M....
1121To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, [23 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’espere que vous aurez eu un heureux voyage jusques à Paris, et je l’apprendrai avec la plus grande satisfaction. Je regrette infiniment de n’avoir pu avoir celle de vous rendre plus souvent mes devoirs icy. Maintenant j’ai l’honneur de vous écrire la presente pour vous faire part de l’arrivée icy du Navire La fanny Cap. Tokely chargé pour compte des Etats...
1122To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Etienne Bertier, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The first letter about a candidate for American service in this volume, as in the previous one, happens to be a recommendation. Again, therefore, we deal first with those who wrote for others and then with those who wrote for themselves. The total number is far less than it had been, and a larger percentage is from outside France. Frenchmen’s incentive to...
1123To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, 1 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will be Glad to hear of our geting home Safe which we did Friday night being 9½ Days on our Journey 10 on the Rhode layd by one throw a Careless trick of Catharines but as Dont Choose to Leson her in your esteem Shall not tell the Particuliars. I wrote you from New Rochell after we had Past the troubled Waters which hope you have Receivd. After that had...
1124To Benjamin Franklin from [Christophe-Claire] Danyel de Kervégan et al., 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Le Régisseur des Octrois de cette Ville veut contraindre les Négocians de L’amérique Septentrionale établis à Nantes, à lui payer, sur les Tabacs qui leur sont adressés vingt sols par quintal comme droguerie , au lieu de trois sols par fardeau de 150 livres pesant comme marchandise prohibée; Il s’est élevé un procès à ce sujet, parcequ’il se trouve une...
1125To Benjamin Franklin from Jakob Oberleithner, 9 January 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Vienna, January 9, 1778, in Latin: Jakob Oberleithner, doctor of medicine, sends greetings to the most illustrious Benjamin de Francklin. We understand from the newspapers that you are acting for the Americans with authority and loving solicitude, and you will doubtless be looking for excellent physicians. If you need me, qualified as I am by my degree,...
1126To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Parny des Falines, 21 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mes chargés d’affaires ont déposé dans le trésor public de charles-town, une somme de Vingt mille pounds, portant intérêt de 7%, et remboursable au 7 Janvier 1779. Ils m’en ont fait passer les Contrats. Mon intention étant de les réaliser en argent, je vous prie de vouloir bien me faire sçavoir si le Congrès a pris quelques arrangements en france pour le...
1127To Benjamin Franklin from John Hay, Jr., 1 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After the trouble already given to Your Excellency You may perhaps think it extraordinary to receive more from the same quarter— What I neglected mentioning to You when I waited on Your Excellency this morning was the strong desire the Concerned (in the expedition to which You have granted Your protection) have to know Your Excellency’s opinion of the...
1128To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, [4 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosd is the Substence of Ld. Chathams motion. The court numbers show at once the hopes and intention of the Ministry. I am with much respect Your very humble Servant. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsieur le Docteur Franklin / à Passy Notation: Carmicael On May 31 the Public Advertiser reported the defeat in the House of Lords the day before, by a vote of...
1129To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 15 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Mr. Dashwood who arrived Yesterday in the Harriott Packet Captn. Lee I rec’d a most Friendly and Polite Letter from our mutual good Friend Ld. Le Despencer wherein He approves of every step I have taken in those troublesome times, which if I mistake not will give you pleasure. I am very sorry to find by a Letter from your Son that some People has had the...
1130To 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...
1131To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 9 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur Le Duc D’harcourt Vient De me faire dire Mon Cher Docteur que Monsieur De Castries Luy Mande qu’il n’attend que Votre Consentement pour donner la Liberté sur parole aux prisonniers Detenus au Chateau De St. Malo Dont Mr. De St. Jean Et moy avons Eû L’honneur De Vous parler; ayez donc la Bonté Mon Cher Docteur De Vouloir bien ou M’Envoyer le...
1132To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Herbaut de Marcenay, 12 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library J’ai fait part monsieur à madame de breget des marques de votre souvenir et de l’invitation dont vous m’aviez charge, pour l’engager à aller diner un jour à passy. Elle serait bien flattée d’avoir l’honneur de vous aller chercher mais, étant à sa campagne, il serait peut être difficile de choisir d’ici à longtems, un jour qui vous seroit commode, pour...
1133To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Lefèvre, 23 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voila une lettre qui après avoir courຠle monde, pendant plusieurs mois, m’a eté remise depuis quelque temps, comme à l’ancien des docteurs de notre maison. J’aurois voulຠqu’elle vous parvint plutost, mais desirant depuis longtemps d’avoir l’honneur de vous voir, je desirois aussi de vous la rendre par moi meme. Quelques defauts de santé et des...
1134To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques de Lafreté, 31 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Lafreté a reçû a la Campagne le petit Billet de Monsieur franklin, sans quoi il auroit eu l’honneur de le remercier plustôt de la lettre de M. Robert Morris qu’il a la bonté de lui communiquer, et qu’il lui renvoye ci joint. Il a laissé a 15. lieües de Paris, Made. Lafreté, qui l’a chargé de la rappeller au souvenir de Monsieur francklin elle le prie de...
1135To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine Faillieux le Jeune, 18 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, August 18, 1778, in French: I delivered a letter to you from one of your correspondents in Amsterdam and have left my address that the answer may be returned to my care.> He signs himself, “Negt. rüe des petis champs St Martin.”
1136To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society What excuse can I make for delaying to answer so kind so wise so delightful a Letter as I recievd from my ever honour’d Friend two Months ago? I spent the Summer at my Diocese, where I heard but little & could find no channel of correspondence. The Consequences of Ld Rockinghams Death I doubt not, were sooner & more circumstantially known to You than to me:...
1137To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, 20 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) By a most unlucky Mistake I did not forward the Resolve of May 5th. with the Ratifications of the Treaties sent in that Month in the Packets A.B.C.; but I have sent them in D.E. via Martinique; and now forward them in F.G. via Boston, not allowing myself to wait for the Concurrence of the Committee in a...
1138To Benjamin Franklin from C. Drogart, 27 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May I presume to acquaint you that I have directed the Business of the House of Penet DaCosta freres & Co. and that of Penet distinctly whilst I thought their dealings consistent with the Principles of Honour & Honesty. With the latter I relinquish’d all kind of Intercourse from the time I condescended to write in Paris Octr. the 30th Ulto. the letter to...
1139To Benjamin Franklin from George Anderson, 22 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace this opportunity to inform Your Excellency, I was to have been the bearer of the Ratification of the Treaty between France and America together with a large Number of letters and papers from the Congress and the Governor and Counsel of Virginia (of the utmost consequence) to Their Excellencies The Ambassadors at paris; but was unfortunately taken...
1140To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne de Frëý, 18 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Cest Madame de Fréÿ epouse de Mr le baron de fréÿ premier Capitaine de la légion de pulauswki au Service des etats unis de l’amerique, qui a l’honneur de vous ecrire pour vous prier Monsieur de vouloir bien faire parvenir à Son mari la lettre cy jointe. Je prends Monsieur la liberté de m’adresser à vous parce que de 6 a 7 lettres que jai ecritte à mon mari...
1141To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Courtauld II, 10 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to acquaint you my departure is put off ’till Sunday next, being under the necessity of returning to Versailles tomorrow for an Order to go with the Convoy. I have the honor to be with Respect sir Your most Obt. humble servt. Notation: Saml. Courtauld Paris 10. april 1782. Identified in XXXVI , 406n. In anticipation of his emigration to...
1142From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 16 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday noon, Mr William Vaughan of London, came to my House, with Mr Laurens, the son of the President, and brought me a Line from the latter, and told me, that the President was at Harlem, and desired to see me. I went out to Haerlem and found, my old Friend at the golden Lyon. He told me that he was come partly for his Health and the Pleasure of seeing me and partly, to converse with me...
1143To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 21 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Columbia University Library Your Favor of the 15 ult. with the Packets mentioned in it, arrived in good order. I regret your long Silence, tho’ I am strongly tempted to rejoice in the Cause of it—a Fit of the Gout, it is said, often prolongs Life. Affairs here begin to wear a better Aspect— I have been promised three Millions of Reals, that is one hundred...
1144To Benjamin Franklin from Tench Coxe, 4 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and LS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency with information of an accident which lately happened to some Bills of Exchange drawn by the Commissioner for the time being at the Court of Versailles. The fourth Bills of four sets were delivered to a gentleman in Philada. to be taken to Borden Town in order to procure a continuation of the set as it...
1145To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 11–14 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Aujourdhui 11e. le Corps des Marchands d’Amst—— présente une Adresse à l’Amirauté, pour presser les Convois en conséquence de la Résolution du 26 Avril, sur la foi de laquelle ils ont déjà fait leurs speculations & pris leurs mesures, notamment pour des bois de construction. Nous verrons comment l’Amirauté se comportera....
1146To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges: Two Letters, 15 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer of this Letter, Mr Fabroni, has obligingly given me an oppertunity to send the inclosd to You.— He is a young Gentleman of distinguishd worth from Italy, and has been some time travelling with His ingenious Friend & Companion Mr Fontana. They mean to spend a few days at Paris on their return...
1147To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 28 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai reçû, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 24. de ce mois, ainsi que les deux piéces qui y étoient jointes. Les contradictions qu’elles renferment sont dignes de remarques; non-seulement elles s’entredétruisent réciproquement, mais elles sont aussi l’une et l’autre dans...
1148To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 1 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An English Paper mentions that you are actually preparing to return to America; I hope it is not true: Surely you will not risque your person in America, till the contest be finally determined, and your safety ascertained: Should success attend the British arms, your Virtue your Talents, nor your years, would shelter you if in their power, from vindictive...
1149To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 25 [November] 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’envoye sçavoir de vos nouvélles mon bon papa; lès miénnes sont meilleures mais je suis encore loin du but: je comptois vous envoyér mes nottes; des amis ont pris le tems que je vous résérvois en venant causér avéc moi; ils ne m’ont point empêchés de pensér a vous et de vous aimér, nulle puissance n’en viendroit a bout! Mais je n’ai pû vous écrire: adieu...
1150To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 20 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voici Monsieur Les Ciseaux que je Vous ait promis. Vous Voyez que je Multiplie autant que je le puis Les Moiens de me rapeller a Votre souvenir, pardonnéz Moi charmant homme les petites ruse que Linteret de Mon Coeur Me suggere, ce sont les seule dont je sois Capable; en changeant de chemise, en vous promenant, et en ecrivant, vous Voila forcés de songér a...
1151To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 8 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot imagine what has prevented my hearing from you for these two month relating to the Cartel. I therefore send you a copy of a letter from the board of Sick & Hurt to me of Novr 15 1779 wch is the place where we left off & where we stick now. I wish I cd expedite things but it is not in my power. You see where the matter has been Stopt these two...
1152From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 16 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
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 in good Spirits. He has communicated himself to the Marquis de Verac, and has been...
1153To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 28 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: National Archives As the Marquis De la Fayette will deliver this, we refer you to his Conversation in addition to the Gazettes for an Account of the Movements of the Enemy. He will doubtless gain some further Knowledge of them before he leaves Boston than what we are now possessed of. We shall speedily have Opportunities of forwarding...
1154To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Saint-Auban, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Vous nous avez fait l’honneur, Monsieur, de nous promettre a m. de st. auban et a moy que Vous nous feriez celuy de venir diner avec nous a notre retour de la campagne que nous avons quittée depuis 15. Jours. M. de st. auban n’auroit pas laissé passer ce temps, sans vous aller rappeller cette promesse s’il n’en eut eté empesché par un gros rhume. Dans la...
1155To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: E. Marie Lorimer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1957) I wrote you last Post a particular Letter relative to Mr de Chaumonts affairs since which I find they are publicly known & the alarm is general. Every man who has taken my Bills on him in this Place have mentioned to me his stoppage of payment, but I am happy to find they have great Confidence...
1156To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, Sr., 31 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The above is a Coppy of mine of the 28 ultimo by Cap. Adams. This will be delivered you by my son, whom the Council of this State have Employed at the Continental expence to proceed to France and to deliver You a number of Letters which they have lately received, from the Secret Committee of Congress. I think myself happy that he will be under your Eye and...
1157To Benjamin Franklin from William Robeson, 22 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having for sometime past Resolved on my Return to America, and for this Purpose had Sollicited my good & Worthy Friend Mr. Williams, to procure me a Passage in the M. D L Fyatte, Which he was so Politely Civil as to do, but the detention or Delay of this Ship, has far Exceeded my Exspectation, and her departure Seems at so great a distance that my Mind is...
1158To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Georg Joseph Vogler, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu l’honneur tant au Musée de Paris, dont je suis membre, qu’à Passi chez vous même, de vous expliquer quoîque bien faiblement ma Theorie nouvelle musicale ainsi que mon Instrument le Tonometre approuvè par l’academie des Sciences. Vous avez bien voulu m’accorder vos suffrages et encourager un auteur qui paroit pour la premiere fois en France. J’ose...
1159To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just Coming from Versailles where I went à hunting with the king, and I Do take this first opportunity of inquiring for the state of your health— I hope you are free by this time from your troublesome Gout— I make no doubt but that you knew last Night of the Senegal being taken by our troops— that Advantage I think is interesting for the Allied powers,...
1160To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 1 February 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 , 280–1. I write to you one line by this mail only to tell you that I have seen the Minister since I last wrote to you, and that he never did entertain the idea one Moment of any propositions being thrown out on your part in the least degree inconsistent with...