1The American Commissioners to Matthew Ridley, 22 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letter dated Paris September 29 1778, with the valuable Present to the united States of America, of a Manuscript Book of the Commissioners of the English Navy, containing a Description of the Dimensions, Guns, Men &c. of most Ships, in Commission at the Time when it was written. We thank you, Sir...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, Matthew Ridley, and Vergennes: Three Unsent Letters, [before 26 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I), (II), and (III) AL (draft): Library of Congress On December 13, Franklin learned that Matthew Ridley was planning a trip to England to visit his wife. He proposed furnishing Ridley with powers to exchange Henry Laurens for John Burgoyne, and giving him instructions for the relief of American prisoners. Eight days later he promised Ridley a commission and instructions. Ridley was...
3From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your Letter of the 20th. Your Reserve upon the Subject of the Maryland Loan needed no Apology. I was Soon informed of your Engagements with Messrs. Van Staphorsts, and Some Persons may possibly think I ought to have opposed them. But I am not myself of that opinion. I think that on one hand a Minister of the United States is not obliged to do any Thing to promote a Loan...
4From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
It would give me great Pleasure to See, and converse freely with the Gentn you mention upon Men and Things. I have long known him a Man of Honour and Abilities. He and I have often differed in opinion, and each of us has Supported his opinion with Ardour: this We may do again without abating a mutual Esteem or Affection, as long as a Perswasion remains of Candour, Integrity and Sincerity, as...
5From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 8 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I recd your favor of 29 Ult, with its Inclosure, last night. Great News indeed. Inclosed is an answer. This Day at Noon, I Am to meet the Lords the Deputies of their High Mightinesses, to Sign the Treaty. It has been delayed Sometime, in order to have the Silver Boxes for the Seals made with Suitable Elegance and Dignity for the Taste of these magnificent Republicans, too much of the Dignity...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Matthew Ridley, 28 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have read the Letter from Monsieur de Rayneval to you of the 20th. instant, wherein he thinks that the Representation of Mr. Putnam’s Case as stated by a Resolve of Congress of Septr 4. 1780, ought to be from me. The Multiplicity of Affairs in which I was engaged when Mr. Putnam was at Paris made me wish that some American Gentleman would...
7From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 25 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I rec d , last Week, at Amsterdam, your Favour of Dec r. 27. and Sympathize, most Sincerely with you, in your Affliction but I Still hope, M rs Ridley will recover. As an Article in our Confederation, Stipulates, that “no State Shall confer any Title of Nobility” and as the Genius of our Governments is averse to all Such Distinctions, I am no Friend to the Errand of Major L’Enfant. I wonder,...
8From John Jay to Matthew Ridley, 3 September 1784 (Jay Papers)
At Length my good Friend I am arrived at the Land of my nativity, and I bless God that it is also the Land of Light Liberty & Plenty. My Emotions on the occasion need ^ can ^ not be described—you are susceptible of similar ones, and I hope you will soon experience and enjoy them. I have not been to Philadelphia, nor further in Jersey than Eliz. Town where we found the Family well— Kitty indeed...
9From John Jay to Matthew Ridley, 19 January 1785 (Jay Papers)
It gave me great Pleasure to recieve your favor of the 2 d . Nov r . last, which came to Hand the Day before Yesterday. I thank you for your friendly Congratulations on our safe arrival in our native Country, & am happy to learn that your Health is so far re-established—You have our best wishes for its perfect Restoration, and for the Enjoym t of as much Happiness as the State of Things in...
10From John Jay to Matthew Ridley, 4 January 1788 (Jay Papers)
I have been favored ^ with ^ yours of the 6 of last ^ month ^ and am happy to learn from it, as well as & from others recd. ^ by ^ M rs . Jay, that M rs . Ridley’s