The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great Britain, present their Compliments to M r. Hartley. They regret that M r. Hartley’s Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America, at the Place appointed for the Signature of the others. They will nevertheless have the Honour of waiting upon Mr. Hartley at his Lodgings at Paris, for the...
2From John Jay to David Hartley, 8 January 1795 (Jay Papers)
I have been fav d . with your letter of the 5 th . Instant, stating the Case of M r . and M rs . Miniconi, who are in France, and requesting me to take measures to procure a Passport for them and their Servants— In my opinion I cannot better promote your wishes in this Respect, than by sending a Copy of Your Letter to M r . Munro at Paris, & requesting his friendly attention to the Subject of...
3From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 16 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library I have nothing material to write to you respecting public affairs, but I cannot let Mr Adams who will see you go without a line, to enquire after your welfare, to inform you of mine, & to assure you of my constant respect and attachment. I think with you that our quaker article is a good one & that men will in time have sense enough to adopt it, but I fear...
4From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 21 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : M.H. Venables, Bristol, England (1976); copy and transcript: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 2d Inst. I am sorry you have had so much Trouble in the Affair of the Prisoners. You have been deceived as well as we. No Cartel Ship has yet appear’d. And it is now evident that the Delays have been of Design, to give more Opportunity of seducing the Men by Promises and...
5From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 8 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I arrived here on Friday Evening, and the next morning was unanimously chosen by the General Assembly a Delegate for the ensuing Congress, which is to meet on Wednesday. You will have heard before this reaches you of the Commencement of a Civil War; the End of it perhaps neither myself, nor you, who are much younger, may live to see. I find here all Ranks of...
6From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It is some time since I procured the Discharge of your Capt. Stephenson. He did not call here in his Way home. I hope he arrived safely, and had a happy Meeting with his friends and family. I have long postponed answering your Letter of the 29th. of June. A principal Point in it, on which you seemed to desire my Opinion, was the Conduct you thought America ought to...
7The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 29 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Propositions made to M r Hartley for the Definitive Treaty— 1 st To omit in the Definitive Treaty, the Exception at the End of the 2 nd Article of the Provisional Treaty, viz, these words, “Excepting such Islands as now are, or heretofore have been within the Limits of the said Province of Nova Scotia[”] Article 2 dly The Prisoners made respectively by the arms of his Britannic Majesty and the...
8From John Jay to David Hartley, 22 February 1784, enclosing John Jay to Messrs. Smith, Wright, and Gray, 22 February … (Jay Papers)
In whatever Point of Light our two Countries may in future view each other, or whatever System of Politics may prevail in either, I always ^ shall ^ continue to consider you as one to whom who merits my Esteem as a public Man, and my acknowledgments as a Friend. I regret my leaving England without having seen ^ had an opportunity of bidding ^ you farewell, and the more ^ so ^ as it is not
9From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 29 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Library of Scotland; transcript: Library of Congress I have heard nothing from you lately concerning the Exchange of the Prisoners. Is that Affair dropt? Winter is coming on apace. I understand that your charitable Contribution is near expended, and not likely to be renewed. Many of those unfortunate People must suffer greatly. I wish to have a Line from you, informing me what...
10From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 4 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: Library of Congress; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I received your several favours, viz: One of April the 10 one of the 20th. and two of the 22d. all on the same Day but by different Conveyances. I need not repeat, what we have each of us so often repeated, the Wish for Peace. I will begin by frankly assuring you that tho’ I think a direct, immediate...
11From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 20 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and transcript: Library of Congress It is a long time Since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. Your last favours received were two of the 24th of June, and one of july 5. The second Cargo of Prisoners you mentioned is since safely arrived. M. Schweighauser wrote to me that the Captain of the Cartel was impatient to return, and as Capt. Babcock of the general Mifflin, and others...
12From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 5 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I am exceedingly obliged by your interesting yourself so warmly in behalf of those unhappy people. I understand you advanc’d money: Your bills on that account will be punctually paid. As yet I have heard of none. Understanding that a certain Person promised to make proposals for healing a certain Breach, I postpon’d and delayed a material Operation till I should...
13Franklin and John Jay to David Hartley, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: William L. Clements Library We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindred Travelling, had occasion’d a Delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number...
14From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 5 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I wrote a few Lines to you the 31st. past, and promised to write more fully. On pursuing again your Letters of the 11th. 12th. & 21st. I do not find any Notice taken of one from me dated Feby. 16. I therefore now send you a Copy made from it in the Press. The uncertainty of safe Transmission discourages a free Communication of Sentiments on these important Affairs;...
15The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the honour to write on the 12th. Inst. and shall take the first Opportunity of conveying to Congress the agreable Information contained in it. The Sentiments & Sensations which the Re-establishment of Peace between our two Countries,...
16From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 3 October 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in Benjamin Vaughan, ed., Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces . . . Written by Benj. Franklin . . . (London, 1779), pp. 555–6; copy: D. A. F. H. H. Hartley Russell, on deposit in the Berkshire Record Office (1955); copy: Library of Congress I wish as ardently as you can do for peace, and should rejoice exceedingly in co-operating with you to that end. But every...
We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindered Travelling had occasioned a delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number were got together, the Treaty was taken into Consideration, and the...
18The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet with cordial Returns on our Part; and we sincerely rejoice with you in that event; by which the Ruler of Nations has been graciously pleased to give Peace to our two Countries. We are no less ready to join our endeavours than our wishes with...
19The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives; copies of draft: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet...
20From Benjamin Franklin to [David Hartley], 3 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received your favour of the 23d. past, in which you mention, “that the Alliance between France and America is the great Stumbling Block, in the way of Making Peace,” and you go on to observe, that whatever Engagements America “may have entred into, they may, (at least by consent of Parties) be relinquished for the purpose of removing so material an...
21From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 8 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS and transcript: Library of Congress; copy: William L. Clements Library I received your favour of the 24th past, and rejoice that you have a reasonable Prospect of the Recovery of your dear Sister in time. I join with you most cordially in “Wishes to forward, not only the Continuance of Peace between the two Countries, but the Improvement of Reconciliation”; and I “presume” as...
22[From Thomas Jefferson to David Hartley, 29 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “David Hartley esq. State of American affairs.” Not found.]
[ Paris, 29 April 1783 ]. PRINTED: JA , D&A , 3:114–115 . MS ( Adams Papers ). LbC ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 109. LbC-Tr
24From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 6 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, William L. Clements Library (two), Library of Congress (two) Inclosed is my Letter to Mr. Fox. I beg you would assure him, that my Expressions of Esteem for him are not mere Professions. I really think him a Great Man; & I could not think so, if I did not believe he was at Bottom, and would prove himself, a good One. Guard him against Mistaken Notions...
25From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: Library of Congress I am glad to hear that another Cargo of Prisoners are on the Way. I will give Directions to assemble an equal Number immediately at Nantes in order to dispatch the Cartel with all Expedition: And I will direct Mr. Schweighauser to correspond more exactly with the Board, and send Returns of the Prisoners as desired. I shall endeavour to obtain...
26From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 20 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copies: National Maritime Museum, Public Record Office; transcript: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 9th. Instant, with a Copy of the Letter from the Admiralty Office relative to the proposed Exchange of Prisoners, in which the precise Number of those we have here is desired. I cannot at present give it you, they being dispers’d in different Ports;...
27From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 22 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), 11, 439. I received my dear friend’s kind letter of the 4th instant from Bath, with your proposed temporary convention which you desire me to shew to my colleagues. They are both by this time in London, where you will undoubtedly see and converse with them on...
28From Thomas Jefferson to David Hartley, 5 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Apr. 15, happened to be put into my hands at the same time with a large parcel of letters from America, which contained a variety of intelligence. It was then put where I usually place my unanswered letters, and I from time to time put off acknoleging the receipt of it till I should be able to furnish you American intelligence worth communicating. A favorable opportunity, by a...
29From Thomas Jefferson to David Hartley, [29 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Hartley and sends him a copy of the act of assembly of Massachusets giving Congress the powers asked by their resolutions of Apr. 30. 1784. which act is complete. The printed leaf from the journals of the Virginia assembly contains only the beginning of the resolutions. It was inclosed him by a friend just before he left America, with information that the...
30From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley: Two Letters, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Library of Congress (two), William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) Copies: Library of Congress (two), William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office The enclosed Letters to you and to Mr. Fox were written before I saw you yesterday. On my return home last night I found despatches from Congress which may remove the...
31The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30th. of November 1782, and we are ready...
32From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 26 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I received yours without Date, containing an old Scotch Sonnet full of natural Sentiment and beautiful Simplicity, I cannot make an entire application of it to present Circumstances; but taking it in Parts, and changing Persons, some of it is extreamly a propos . First Jenie may be supposed old England and Jamie America. Jenie laments the Loss of Jamie, and...
33The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley: Proposals, [29 June 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy and transcript: National Archives Propositions made to Mr Hartley for the definitive Treaty— 1st To omit in the Definitive Treaty the Exception at the End of the 2d Article of the Provisional Treaty: Viz: these Words “Excepting such Islands...
34From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Scriptorium (1990); copies: William L. Clements Library, National Archives (London); transcript: National Archives I have considered the Observations you did me the honour of communicating to me, concerning certain Inaccuracies of Expression and suppos’d Defects of Formality in the Instrument of Ratification, some of which are said to be of such a Nature as to affect “the Validity of...
35The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Adams Papers)
We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30 th. of November 1782, and we are ready to exchange Ratifications with his Britannic Majesty’s Ministers as soon as may be. By the same Articles it is stipulated, that his Britannic Majesty shall with all convenient Speed, and without causing any...
36From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I received, my dear Friends, kind Letter of the 15th. Instant, and immediately communicated your Request of a Passport to M. le Comte de Vergennes. His Answer, which I have but just received, expresses an Apprehention that the Circumstance of granting a Passport to you, as you mention the Purpose of your coming to be the discoursing with me on the Subject of...
37From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 28 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : D.A.F.H.H. Hartley Russell (1955) on deposit in the Berkshire County Record Office I received your very kind Letters of Oct. 29, 31, & Nov. 8. I thank you much for the Receipt you send me. It may be of use hereafter, tho’ at present the Gravel has left me. I shall send the Book you desire by Mr Vaughan. And you may depend on my doing every thing in my Power to serve the Person you...
38From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted in William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 269. I received your favour of September 26, containing your very judicious proposition of securing the spectators in the opera and play-houses from the danger of fire. I communicated it where it might be useful. You will see by the inclosed that the subject...
39The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 30 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of copy: National Archives The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great Britain, present their Compliments to Mr. Hartley. They regret that Mr. Hartley’s Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America at the Place...
40From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 31 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; LS : Keya Gallery, New York (1997); copy: William L. Clements Library I have just received your Favours of March 11 & 12. forwarded to me by Mr. Digges, and another of the 21st. per Post. I congratulate you on the returning good Disposition of your Nation towards America, which appears in the Resolutions of Parliamt. that you have sent me: and I hope...
41From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 3 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I received duly your Favours of July 14. and August 14. I hoped to have answered them sooner, by sending the Passport. Multiplicity of Business has I suppose been the only Occasion of Delay in the Ministers to consider of and make out the said Passport. I hope now soon to have it, as I do not find there is any Objection made to it. In a former Letter I propos’d...
42The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 29 June 1783 (Adams Papers)
Answers to M r Hartley’s six Propositions for the definitive Treaty To the 1 st This Matter has been already regulated in the 5 th and 6 th Articles of the Provisional Treaty to the utmost extent of our Powers: The Rest must be left to the several States— 2 d. All the Lakes, Rivers and Waters, divided by the Boundary Line or Lines, between the United States and his Britannic Majesty’s...
43From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 14 October[–11 December] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Library of Congress I received duly your Letter of May 2nd. 77. including a Copy of one you had sent me the Year before, which never came to hand, and which it seems has been the Case with some I wrote to you from America. Filled tho’ our Letters have always been, with Sentiments of Good Will to both Countries, and earnest Desires of...
44William Temple Franklin to David Hartley, 21 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society (two) After Hartley gave his proposed article to the American peace commissioners on the evening of May 21 (see Hartley’s memorial and proposed article, [May 19]), the Americans withdrew for discussion. Unsure of whether Hartley had the authority to sign it without consultation with his court, they...
45Proposal by the American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley (Adams Papers)
Paris, 22 May 1783. PRINTED: JA , D&A , 3:125–127 . LbC-Tr ( Adams Papers ); APM Reel 103. With this offer the commissioners sought to counter Hartley’s proposal of the previous day (above) as well as the 14 May Order in Council. They proposed an agreement whereby both parties would appoint ministers to negotiate a permanent commercial treaty. Until such time as an agreement was concluded,...
46From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 11 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Library of Congress; copy: William L. Clements Library I received duly your Favours of Jany. 28. and March 2.— I find Dr Ross to answer the Character given of him by Mr Dempster, and shall give him the Letters of Recommendation desired.— I have wondered at the long Delay of the Ratification; but a Letter I have just receiv’d from the Secretary of Congress explains it to me....
47From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 3 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin … (2nd ed., 2 vols., London, 1817), II , 455–7. I received your kind letter of December 1, from Bath. I am glad to hear that your good sister is in a fair way towards recovery; my respects and best wishes attend her. I communicated your letter to Mr. Jefferson, to remind him of his promise to...
48From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 13 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies and transcript: Library of Congress Inclosed is the List of our Prisoners, which by an accident was long in coming to us. There are supposed to be about 15 more remaining in the Hospital, whose names we have not yet obtained, and about as many who being recovered of their wounds have been suffered to go home to England. If you continue in the Opinion of making the exchange at...
49From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 12 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: Library of Congress A thousand Thanks for your so readily engaging in the Means of relieving our poor Captives, and the Pains you have taken, and the Advances you have made for that purpose. I received your kind Letter of the 3d Instant, and send you enclosed a Bill for £100. I much approve of...
50From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 19 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : M.D.A.F.H.H. Hartley Russell, on deposit in the Berkshire Record Office (1955); copy and transcript: Library of Congress Having just received the Passport desired for the Cartel to make use of the Port of Morlaix, I take this first Opportunity of sending it to you, in hopes of releasing by more expeditious Voyages the poor Prisoners on both Sides before the Severity of Winter comes on....