1The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives Since Our last We have received the inclosed Intelligence from London, which we take the earliest Opportunity of forwarding, in hopes it may be received with Our other Letters by Nantes. A Vessel from So: Carolina, loaded by that state, which sailed the 20th December, is arrived at L’Orient with Rice and Indigo. As We were particular in Our last which was sent...
2From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
ALS and copy: National Archives I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London. We have had an Audience of the Minister, Count de Vergennes, and were respectfully receiv’d. We left for his Consideration a Sketch of the propos’d Treaty. We are to wait upon him tomorrow with a strong Memorial requesting the Aids mentioned in our...
4The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 6 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library Since our last, a Copy of which is enclosed Mr. Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, and has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage and was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service, pointed out by you, at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the Papers we...
5The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 17[–22] January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society We joined each other at this place on the 22d. of December and on the 28th. had an Audience of his Excellency the Count De Vergennes, one of his most Christian Majesty’s principal Secretarys of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. We laid before him our Commission with the Articles of the proposed Treaty of...
6The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives We send you herewith the Draught of a Frigate, by a very ingenious Officer in this service, which appears to Us peculiarly suitable for Our purpose, and We are in hopes of being able to ship Cordage and Sail Cloth, and Anchors &c. sufficient for Five or Six such Frigates, by the Time you can have them built. Though deprived of any intelligence from you since the...
7The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 12 March[–9 April 1777] (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; L : British Library; copy: National Archives It is now more than 4 Months since Mr. Franklin’s Departure from Philadelphia, and not a Line from thence written since that time has hitherto reached either of your Commissioners in Europe. We have had no Information of what passes in America but thro’ England, and the Advices are for the most part such only as the Ministry...
8The American Commissioners to [the Committee of Secret Correspondence], 28 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library We wrote to you pretty fully on the State of Affairs here, in ours of the 12th of March and 19th of this Month, since which there has been little Alteration. There is yet no Certainty of a sudden Declaration of War, but the Preparations go on vigorously both here and in Spain, the Armies of france drawing towards the Sea Coasts, and those of Spain to the...
9To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 19 January 1782 (Jay Papers)
In mine of the 15 th . I mention’d my Intention of writing fully to you by this Days Post. But understanding since that a Courier will soon go from Versailles, I rather chuse that Conveyance. I received duly your Letter of Nov r . 21. but it found me in a very perplexed Situation. I had great Payments to make for the extravagant & very inconvenient Purchase in Holland together with large...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 7 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two) I have been sometime in Suspense about Writing to you, not knowing whether you were at Cadiz or Madrid. But being inform’d a few Days since that you had set out for the latter, I now acknowledge the receipt of your several Favours of Sept. 26. from Philadelphia. Decr 27. from Martinique, Jan 26th. & 28th and March 3d from...
11From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On August 15, Richard Oswald informed Franklin (at Passy) and John Jay (in Paris) that the official copy of his commission to treat for peace had arrived. It was identical in wording to the preliminary version that Shelburne had sent a week earlier. Jay had vigorously objected to that preliminary version on the grounds that it did not explicitly acknowledge...
12From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 13 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; two copies: Library of Congress It was a Mistake of a figure in my Letter that occasion’d you the Trouble of writing yours of the 28th. April. I find you charg’d only with 2564 Livres, 18.10 and not with 4564.18.10. l.t. That Bill is paid, as also another drawn since for 3596. livres, 13. Sols. 0 dated March 20. In setting...
13To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 23 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
I wrote a few Lines to you from Passy to go by the Post of this Day, pressing you to come hither as soon as possible. I have just mention’d it to M de Vergennes, who is of Opinion it will be proper to leave M r . Carmichael there, that it may not seem as if we abandon’d that Court. As I understand, a Courier is just setting out from hence for Madrid, I add this Line, to inform you of this...
14To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 20 August 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have before me several of your late letters, which tho’ not formally , have been substantially answered, by the Payment of your Bills. I got our Banker to examine the Marquis’s Account, who explained it to me, and satisfy’d me that it was right. There are Intricacies in the Affair of Exchange, which neither you nor I well understand, and we are therefore under a Necessity of placing...
15From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 16 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received yours by Major Franks, which I shall answer fully per Saturday’s Post. The Letters you sent me of Capt. Gillon & Mr. Searle, give me, as you expected, abundance of Chagrin. I am afraid that Gillon will loiter at Corunna as he did at Amsterdam, and sell the Goods of the United States as he did those of the...
16From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Reproduced in Joseph M. Maddalena, Profiles in History Auction Catalogue no. 15 (Beverly Hills, California, Winter, 1991), p. 3. I am much in your Debt on Account of Letters. I have had a long Fit of the Gout, and am but just getting abroad again after near 10 Weeks Confinement. I have accepted your Bill. I shall write fully to you & Mr Carmichael very soon. This accompanies a Number of...
17From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 15 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; copies: Henry E. Huntington Library, Columbia University Library, Library of Congress, National Archives Mr Grand tells me that he hears from Madrid, you are uneasy at my long Silence. I have had much Vexation and Perplexity lately with the Affair of our Goods in Holland: And I have so many urgent Correspondencies to keep up, that some of them at times...
18To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 4 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
I received a few Days since a very obliging Letter from you. I have it not with me here, and therefore cannot mention the Date. I shall answer it particularly by the next Opportunity. This serves chiefly to cover the Communication of two Letters, which I have viewed, one from M r Adams, relative to the Propos’d Mediation. The other from some Merchants who possess Congress Drafts of a Late...
19To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 13 June 1780 (Jay Papers)
It was a Mistake of a Figure in my Letter that occasion’d you the Trouble of writing yours of the 28 th . April.— I find you charg’d only with 2564 ^ Livres ^ , 18..10 and not with £4564.18.10. That Bill is paid, as also another drawn since for £3596 ^ livres ^ .. 13 ^ Sols ^ ..0. dated March 20. In setting right these Money Matters, it is fit to mention ^ a ^ small Mistake that you have made;...
20To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 14 February 1782 (Jay Papers)
If you are anxious to see a Series of new electrical experiments directed to establish many a principle hitherto unknown, I Shall do myself the pleasure of Summitting them to your judgment. Your Comparison of the Keystone of an Arch is very pretty, tending to make me almost content with my Situation. ^ But ^ I suspect you have heard our Story of the Harrow. If not, here it is. A Farmer in our...
21From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just receiv’d the Enclos’d from Mr E. Bridgen of London. Please to return me his Letter. I long to finish my private Affair you are so good as to assist me in, & shall be glad to receive the additional Provisions you intended, that I may copy the whole, for I think my present Situation more hazardous than those about me seem to imagine. With sincere...
22From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 24 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Archives, Windsor Castle The Prince de Massaran, being so good as to desire carrying a Letter to you, I sit down to write you a few Lines, tho’ I hope soon to see you. Enclosed I send a Copy of one of Mr. Deanes Letters. I shall show you more when you come. In consequence of a Proposition I sent over, the Parliament of Britain have just passed an Act for exchanging American...
23From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 20 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress (two) I have before me several of your late letters, which tho’ not formally , have been substantially answered, by the Payment of your Bills. I got our Banker to examine the Marquis’s Account, who explained it to me, and satisfy’d me that it was right. There are Intricacies in the Affair of...
24The American Commissioners to John Jay, 2 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 ulto. of which we sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send you the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North, is unguarded, the Greenland Whale Fishery and the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Could two or three of our frigates accompanied by...
25To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 30 June 1781 (Jay Papers)
You acquaint me that Bills have appear’d drawn on you in March last, and ask very properly if this can be reconciled to the obvious Dictates of Prudence & Policy?— It cannot. And if you are unable to pay them, they must be protested: For it will not be in my Power to help you. And I see that nothing will cure the Congress of this Madness of drawing upon the Pump at Aldgate, but such a Proof...
26From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 16 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Boston; copies: Columbia University Library, Henry E. Huntington Library, Library of Congress, National Archives I have received your several Favours of Jan. 30. Feb. 11. and March 1. and propose to write fully to you per next Post. In the mean time this Line may serve to acquaint you that I have paid duly all your former Bills drawn in favour...
27From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 19 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and incomplete copy: Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Henry E. Huntington Library In mine of the 15th. I mention’d my Intention of writing fully to you by this Days Post. But understanding since that a Courier will soon go from Versailles, I rather chuse that Conveyance. I received duly your Letter of Novr. 21. but it found me in a very perplexed...
28From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; copies (two): Library of Congress I received duly and in good Order the several Letters you have written to me of Augt. 16. 19. Sept. 8. & 22. The Papers that accompanied them of your writing, gave me the Pleasure of seeing the Affairs of our Country in such good Hands, and the Prospect from your Youth of its having the Service of so able a Minister for a...
29From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 2 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: Columbia University Library I received a few Days since by way of St Eustatia, the Duplicate of a Letter you did me the honour to write to me of 3d Jany. But the Act of Congress of Decr 23d which you mention is not yet come to hand. Col Diricks whom the Secretary names to you called here in his way to Holland, and brought me a...
30To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 12 April 1781 (Jay Papers)
I have before me the several Letters you have honour’d me with dated Feb. 27. March 11. and April 1. I was much pleased to learn that you have obtained a Promise for 150,000 Dollars; your Reflection on the Consequence is just. As this Sum must be used in Payment of the Bills drawn upon you, and probably no Part of it can be applied to your Subsistance, I desire that you would draw upon me for...
31To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 16 March 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have received your several favors of January 30 th . February 11 th . and March 1 st . and propose to write fully to you p r . the next Post. In the mean time, this Line may serve to acquaint you that I have paid Duly all your former Bills drawn in favor of M r . Cabarrus; and that having obtained a promise of six Millions for this year, to be paid me Quarterly, I now see that I shall be...
32To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 15 January 1782, enclosing Vergennes to Benjamin Franklin, 31 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
M r . Grand tells me that he hears from Madrid, you are uneasy at my long Silence.— I have had much Vexation and Perplexity lately with the Affair of our Goods in Holland: And I have so many urgent Correspondencies to keep up, that some of them at times necessarily suffer. I purpose writing fully to you per next Post. In the mean time I send the enclos’d for your Meditation. The “cursed...
33From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; two copies: Library of Congress Mr. Ross having been employed by the Committee of Commerce to purchase Goods for the Use of the Army, has advanced and engaged his Credit for near 20,000£ Sterling more than he has been supply’d with by that Committee; several ships they had sent with Tobacco for that Purpose having been taken, and what arriv’d having been...
34To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 27 January 1781 (Jay Papers)
I believe my last to you was of the 2 d October. I was soon after laid up with a long & severe fit of the Gout, which confined me for near 8 Weeks, and I have not quite recovered the free use of my Feet: This put my writing Business a good deal behind hand, & has brought me much in Arrear with you; having since I wrote received your several Favours of Oct. 5 th . 25 th . 30 th . & Dec r . 25...
35To John Jay from the American Commissioners (Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane), 2 June 1777 (Jay Papers)
We refer the Committee to ours to You of the 26 Ult o . of which we Sent Duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the Contrary we send You the Substance in this. The Brittish Commerce in Europe, especially in the North is unguarded, The Greenland Whale Fishery & the Hudsons Bay Shipps in particular. Cou’d two or three of our Frigates accompanied by lesser swift sailing Vessels...
36To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 2 October 1780 (Jay Papers)
I received duly and in good Order the several Letters you have written to me of Augt. 16. 19. Sept. 8. & 22. The Papers that accompanied them of your writing, gave me the Pleasure of seeing the Affairs of our Country in such good Hands, and the Prospect from your Youth of its having the Service of so able a Minister for a great Number of Years: But the little Success that has attended your...
37To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 22 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
I have undertaken to pay all the Bills of your Acceptance that have come to my knowledge, and I hope in God no more will be drawn upon us, but when Funds are first provided. In that Case your constant Residence at Madrid is no longer ^ so ^ necessary. You may make a Journey either for Health or Pleasure without retarding the Progress of a Negociation not yet begun. Here you are greatly wanted,...
38To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 24 April 1782 (Jay Papers)
The Prince de Masseran, being so good as to desire carrying a Letter to you, I sit down to write you a few Lines, tho’ I hope soon to see you. Enclosed I send a Copy of one of M r . Deanes Letters. I shall shew you more when you come. In consequence of a Proposition I sent over, the Parliament of Britain have just passed an Act for exchanging American Prisoners. They have near 1100 in the...
39To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1782 (Jay Papers)
Inclos’d is a true Copy of the Extracts from Gen. Carleton’s Instructions given to me by M r Vaughan from Lord Shelbourn. You will see that the Instruction I mention’d as given to M r Grenville is acknowledged and recited. Is it not probable therefore that M r Oswald may have the same? and if he has, and will execute it by making ministerially in Writing the Declaration intended, perhaps the...
40From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 4[–28] October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, Sheffield City Library, South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour to write to me of the of June last inclosing Acts of Congress respecting Bills of Exchange for 2,400,000 Livres tournois, drawn on me in favour of M. De...
41From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Archives, Windsor Castle I have undertaken to pay all the Bills of your Acceptance that have come to my knowledge, and I hope in God no more will be drawn upon us, but when Funds are first provided. In that Case your constant Residence at Madrid is no longer so necessary. You may make a Journey either for Health or Pleasure without retarding the Progress of a Negociation not yet...
42From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 31 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Library of Congress I write this Line just to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 17th. & Mr. Carmichaels of the 18th. (with the Pacquet of Papers in good Order,) which I shall soon answer fully. At present I can only say that I have given Orders for a Credit to you of another 1000 £ Sterg., to be proportionally divided between you: I...
43From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 27 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I believe my last to you was of the 2d. October. I was soon after laid up with a long & severe fit of the Gout, which confined me for near 8 Weeks, and I have not quite recovered the free use of my Feet: This put my writing Business a good deal behind hand, & has brought me much in Arrear with you; having since...
44From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 4 September 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 , 396. Mr. Oswald’s courier being returned, with directions to him, to make the independence of America the first article in the treaty, I would wait on you if I could, to discourse on the subject: but as I cannot, I wish to see you here this evening, if not...
45From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 23 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library I wrote a few Lines to you from Passy to go by the Post of this Day, pressing you to come hither as soon as possible. I have just mention’d it to M de Vergennes, who is of Opinion it will be proper to leave Mr. Carmichael there, that it may not seem as if we abandon’d that Court. As I understand a Courier is just setting out from hence for Madrid, I add this...
46From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], [after 14 February 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Your Comparison of the Keystone of an Arch is very pretty, tending to make me content with my Situation. But I suspect you have heard our Story of the Harrow. If not, here it is. A Farmer in our Country sent two of his Servants to borrow one, of a Neighbour, ordering them to bring it between them on their Shoulders. When they came to look at it, one of...
47From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 4 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I received a few Days since a very obliging Letter from you. I have it not with me here, and therefore cannot mention the Date. I shall answer it particularly by the next Opportunity. This serves chiefly to cover the Communication of two Letters, which I have received, one from Mr Adams, relative to the Propos’d...
48From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 12 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I have before me the several Letters you have honour’d me with dated Feb. 21. March 11. and April 1. I was much pleased to learn that you have obtained a Promise for 150,000 Dollars; your Reflection on the Consequence is just. As this Sum must be used in Payment of the Bills drawn upon you, and probably no Part...
49To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 29 September 1781 (Jay Papers)
I received yours of the 10 th . Instant, and have given Orders that you should have the Credit you require for October & November; viz 16157 Dollars. Please to let me know if this Sum includes the Ballance of the 25000 Dollars. I begin to have hopes of the Loan in Holland, in which Case, I shall be able also to pay your next Years Salaries. But in that Case, the Drafts should be quarterly: And...
50To John Jay from Benjamin Franklin, 7 April 1780 (Jay Papers)
I have been sometime in Suspense about Writing to you, not knowing whether you were at Cadiz or Madrid. But being inform’d a few Days since that you had set out for the latter, I now acknowledge the receipt of your several Favours of Sept. 26. from Philadelphia. Dec r 27 from Martinique, Jan 26 th . & 28 th and March 3 d from Cadiz. The Account you give of the prudent & pleasing Conduct of M....