1To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 29 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the hands of Mr. Paradise I have receivd a copy of the instructions for the Protection of Captn. Cooke which you circulated among the Armd Vessels of your Friends in N America. I perus’d the paper with the Greatest pleasure for having never doubted my self that the liberal & enlargd sentiments I had always admird in your mind remaind there in full...
2To 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...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 24 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I last Night received your respected Letter of the 20th. Instant; inclosing one from Capt. Landais to which the Within is an Answer sent open for your Perusal. I should make no Objection to your Supplying the Alliance with such Provisions as might be necessary for the present Subsistance of the People that are on board her, many of whom are exchanged Prisoners, honest...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D F.R.S. &c . …, (2nd ed.; 2 vols., London, 1817), I , 58–9. I thank you for your political Squibs , they are well made. I am glad to find you have such plenty of good powder. You propose that Kill-pig , the butcher, should operate upon himself. You will find some thoughts on that subject in a...
5To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Pougens, 8 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoïer un paquet que je suis chargé de vous remettre. Le mauvais état de ma santé et de ma vüe m’empeche de venir vous le porter moi même, n’aïant pas la certitude que vous Soiés visible, voulés vous bien me fixer le moment où je pourrai Sans indiscrétion venir vous offrir mes respects et mon admiration. Je joins ici le plan d’un...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours inclosing a very obliging Letter from Mr. President Banks. The Congress cannot be said to have ordered the Instructions I gave, tho’ they would no doubt have done it, if such a Thing had been mentioned to them. It is therefore not proper to use any farther Endeavours to procure a Medal for them. I do not indeed perceive that one is intended for me as...
7Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Now that Franklin was distributing printed promissory note forms to prisoners receiving assistance, we will no longer publish individual promissory notes as sample documents. Instead, in this and subsequent editorial notes, we will take notice of each person, the date on which he received a loan, and the sum. Printed forms survive from thirteen escaped prisoners for the months covered by this...
8John Paul Jones: Memorandum on Landais, 17 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress When the Treaty of Alliance with France arrived in America Congress feeling the most lively Sentiments of Gratitude towards France, thought how they might manifest the Satisfaction of the Continent by some public Act. The finest Frigate in the Service was on the stocks ready to be Launched and it was Resolved to call her the Alliance. M. Landais a french subject who...
9From 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...
10To 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...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Arendt, 22 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Baron de Arendt présente Ses trés humbles rêspects et répéte Ses adieux a Monsieur Le Docteur Francklin, il est trés mortifié d’être obligé de l’incommoder encore car il n’aime pas d’être a charge à quelqu’n, mais se trouvant dans la plus grande peine par le refus que M. Le Docteur lui fit hier, il L’invite d’avoir la complaisance de dire seulement au...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Balthazar-Georges Sage, 22 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai appris par Mr. Leschevin que vous aviez eté voir à versailles Le Cabinet de Minéraux de Mr Son frere; Les objets qu’il renferme sont tous beaux, bien choisis, le Catalogue en a été fait par Mr Delisle, et je me suis chargé avec plaisir de le Completer de sorte que Les Morceaux qui n’y Sont point indiqués sont etiquetés par moi. Cette Collection fera...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Count Andreas Peter von Bernstorff, 8 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copies: Columbia University Library, National Archives; press copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Si Vous etiés un Homme moins connû et moins consideré, j’aurois eté fort incertain au Sujet de la Lettre que jai eu l’honneur de recevoir de votre part, et qui ne m’est parvenue qu’au 31. du Mois de Janvier. J’aurois pû la regarder comme une demarche...
14To Benjamin Franklin from ——— De Reine, 26 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les harricots que j’ai eu lhonneur de vous donner hier chez Madame, Sont originaire du cap de bonne Esperance, ils ont étés recoltés a versailles. Ce un tres bon farineux, Surtout a l’huile et au vinaigre, en verd et Sec. Cette espece d’harricot, Monsieur, propagera beaucoup, et je Suis tres persuadé quil reussira tres bien en amerique, ou ils deviendront...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 10 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer M. Billion des Gayeres goes to America in some Employ relative to the Provision for the Subsistance of the French Troops. His Friends have requested of me a Letter of Introduction to some Friend of mine in Philadelphia. As I know of no one so well acquainted with, & so capable of advising in such Affairs as yourself, I take the Liberty of recommending...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Wharton, Jr., 27 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The many marks of your esteem for me at Passy, at the same time that they are so many proofs of the kindness of your disposition, lays me under the agreeable necessity of acknowledging them with gratitude and thankfullness. And as that disposition is not confined, but with the most amiable generosity, seeks opportunities of doing good, it gives me peculiar...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Wulffen, 10 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de joindre ici 3. Lettres que je supplie Votre Excellence de vouloir bien faire passer en Amerique. Leur contenu ne renferme autre chose que l’annonce de mon arrivée, & de mon séjour en cette ville. Cÿ-inclus aussi les 3. Billets tous signés en vous suppliant de vouloir bien me remettre le billet que le Medecin-chirurgien de Mr. Le Bon. de...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Simon-Benjamin Duvivier, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Médaille dont Votre excellence m’a chargé est gravèe et je la regarde comme finie, je desirerois avant de faire tremper les coins avoir lhonneur de vous en montrer les Epreuves pour profiter de vos avis pendant quil en est encore temps. Pouriez vous me fixer un jour ou je pourois estre sur de vous rencontrer chez vous, ou bien en venant a Paris voudriez...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gillon, 12 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society When I had the pleasure of seeing you last, I acquainted your Excellency that there was strong hopes, that I should want Seamen & requested your Aid which you was pleased to promise me, observing that there was no men wanted for the immediate Service of the Continent, as the Alliance had more men than she wanted, I have now the direction of One Vessell for...
20Certification of a Signature, [29 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library I do hereby certify that the Signature P Henry to this Instrument is truly the Hand-writing of the Governor of Virginia. At Passy, this 29th Day of March 1780. Most probably written on behalf of Louis-Pierre Penot Lombart de Laneuville, a brigadier general in the American army who was now lobbying for the rank of lt. col. in the French army (which...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Collins, 29 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As you are the gentleman orethersed to hear and Redress the Complants of those americans who has Bin presners In England I make Bold to Rite to your honer as a Child wold to a father for I hop Sir you wold Be a father to me at this presant time. I wold Informe your honer that I was taken the 9 of September In the yer 1778 In a Contenantle Brig Resestance...
22From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 16 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress The Marquis de la Fayette, our firm & constant Friend, returning to America, I have written a long Letter by him to the President, of which a Copy goes by this Ship.— M. Gerard is since arrived, and I have received the Dispatches you mentioned to me but no Letter in answer to mine, a very long one, by the Chevr de...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas White et al., 10 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 5th. Instant and am glad to hear that you are safely arrived at Dunkirk. But the Letter you mention of the 4th. April, is not yet come to hand, Though I have one of the 11th. from the french Consul at Bergen. He gives me such an Account of your good and prudent Conduct while there, as affords me great pleasure. I had complain’d in strong Terms...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je fais de mon mieux pour pallier & exténuer ici le mal de Charlestown; & j’y reussis passablement. Si je pouvois produire un mot de votre part sous les yeux de notre ami là-dessus, ce ne seroit pas mal. Il craint que cela n’ébranle la constance du Congrès: & je m’évertue à le rassurer là-dessus. Je fus avant hier matin chez le Prince de Galitzin Envoyé...
25From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours offering the Govr. Livingston and mary fearon for the service of the United States. Understanding little about shipping, I leave those Matters to Mr. de Chaumont and Mr. Williams. I have spoken to the former, and given him your letter. He is gone to Versailles to Day, where some Points are to be considered relating to The transport of the Goods, and...
26From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; two copies: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 25. & 28th past. I am glad to learn that you can take a Quantity of the Cloathing and Arms: and that you can accommodate the 4 Gentlemen I had mentiond to you. M. De Sartine desires also a Place for a Passenger that goes on some Business from him: I make no doubt of your...
27From Benjamin Franklin to John Fothergill, 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin (2 vols., London, 1817), I , 64–5. My dear old friend, Dr. Fothergill, may assure Lady H. of my respects, and of any service in my power to render her, or her affairs in America. I believe matters in Georgia cannot much longer continue in their present situation, but will return to that state in which they...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 7 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief J’ai l’honneur des trois vôtres, deux du 29 & une du 31e. Mars. La terreur & la ruse, jointes au désespoir de ma famille, qui avoit découvert (je ne sai comment) ce qui se passoit, & qui se croyoit perdue avec moi, m’avoient fait tourner la tête, & extorqué ma Lettre lâche du 4e Avril. Selon ce que l’on m’avoit fait...
29To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Wulffen, [before 1 June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Jean Henry Baron de Wulffen, natif de Magdeburg, ci-devant Lieutenant & Aide major au Regiment Infanterie de general major de Rohrt au Service de S. M. Le Roi de Prusse, a présent Capitaine de Dragons au Service des 13. provinces unies d’Amerique, fait prisonnier en octobre 1779, a Amboy province de Jersey, Echangé le 18: Avril, est arrivé d’Angleterre a...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Sarsfield, 8 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay Eté tres faché Monsieur que Mr Votre petit fils et vous vous Soyez trouvés Engagés mercredi mais vous pouvez m’en consoler aisement en me donnant Jeudi ou Samedy. Je vous offre ces deux Jours afin que vous Choisissiez celui qui vous sera le plus commode. J’ay Eu si peu lhonneur de vous voir cet hiver que Je desire infiniment que vous ne me refusiez pas....
31To Benjamin Franklin from John Diot & Co., 2 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We Receiv’d Your Excellency’s honored Letter 23d. May in answer to the One we had the honnour to Write to you the 10th. Do. but whereon we forgot to put the date. We are Very Sorry to See what your Excellency is pleased to mention about the Prize Betzey, and are Surprised that the Papers relative to that Vessell have not been produced to you, as We have...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 23 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Pay to W.T. Franklin ten Louis d’Ors he having advanced the Same by my order to Several American sailors to assist them in getting to LOrient Vizt. To Bury [Benj] Taylor 48 l.t. To Benj Carr. 48 To Ch. Herbert 48 To Joseph Plummer 48 To James Tille 24 To Frank Foster 24 £240 Charge the Same to the publick Account of sir Your humble servt Notations by...
33To Benjamin Franklin from J.F. Frin & Co., 9 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons remis chez M Grand dès le 23 du mois passé 19 effets du congrès sur vous passés à notre ordre ensemble Drs. [Dollars] 648., plus un autre de Drs. 300 no. 247 ce der. à l’ordre de Mr Daniel Crommelin & fils d’amsterdam à qui nous devons le renvoyer quand il sera accepté. Comme voici 15 Jours que vous avez ces effets, nous présumons, Monsieur, que...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bond, 27 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The young Gentlemen whom I wish to be so lucky as to be the bearers of this to you, Mr. John Foulke & Mr. George Fox are the sons of our worthy deceased Friends Judah Foulke and Joseph Fox.— They have both had a liberal Education, and are now in the Laudable pursuit of further useful knowledge in Europe: and being desirous of your Advice and Patronage...
35To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 10 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to acknowledge the reception of your Letters of the 14 & 26 Ultimo, & also one from Mr Grand with bill enclosed £100 to be applied to the relief of such prisoners as may be in the greatest distress— The Inclosures by the same conveyance were forwarded— I am very glad you have taken Notice of Mr Wren, his Zeal his Activity & Diligence are great beyond...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Franco and Adrianus Dubbeldemuts, [c. 28 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Come Le Navire nommé de goude Roos. Cape. Willem de Wind. appartenant a des Habitans de Cette Province Suivant La Declaration que nous Prennons La Liberté de vous Envoÿer Cy Inclus, Sur Son voÿage de Hamboürg a St. Crüx [Croix] a Eté pris par un Corsaire Anglois & apres Repris Par un Corsaire Americain, & Conduit a New York, nous vous Prions de nous faire...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society J’avois promis de vous envoyer dans ma première lettre une pièce de dessin, mais ce sera pour une autre fois, m’empressant de vous écrire aujourdui pour vous apprendre que j’ai remporté le prix pour avoir mieux traduit un morceau de latin en françois que les autres écoliers; ce prix se donne publiquement dans léglise cathédrale et par le premier...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-François Prost de Royer, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Malgré vos grandes occupations et le tourbillon ou vous avez vécu, vous pourrez encore vous souvenir que J’ai eu l’honneur de vous faire ma cour chez vous en 1776 et 1777 Rue Jacob a l’hotel d’hambourg, et de vous voir souvent chez M. Paulze et M. Elie de Baumont mon ami. Je vous laissai même un mémoire des objets de commerce qui pourroient etablir des...
39From 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...
40To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 21 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Our last year’s Voyage to & from Labradore was a safe one, the Eskimaux remain friendly, and our people at both Missions were well. Many thanks to you for the last year’s Passport, which I here return again, that you may be sure no ill use can be made of it by us. Our Captain Mugford is this year not in such a state of Health as to be able to perform the...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Blackit, 30 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is to acquaint you that I was lately Boatswain of the Princess Privateer belonging to america. I must give to understand that about two month ago we took a Prize, a brigg belonging to Wales the mate of which was brought on board the Princess Privateer & about forty or fifty prisoners more being on board; & about three weeks after the taking of the Said...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 17 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai qu’un instant pour profiter de l’occasion d’un Exprès que Mr. Gillon envoie à Paris, & vous envoyer la belle & rare copie de l’Acte original de l’Union d’Utrecht, dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler à Paris que je le destinois pour les Archives du Congrès, auquel je serois bien aise qu’il pût parvenir promptement mais sans trop risquer: car il est...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Cabanis, 10 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon pere qui me parle bien souvent de vous, Monsieur, ne Connait qu’une très petite partie de vos ouvrages, et voudrait avoir des Détails sur La Construction des Conducteurs pour garantir Les maisons de La foudre, et sur celle des para-tonnerre dont Les personnes se servent en Amérique. Je prends la Liberté de m’adresser à vous pour cela. Il m’est égal que...
44To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of the Note that you forwarded me with two Letters, one adress’d to the Honble. Cap: Landais late Commander of the Ship Alliance, and the other, to Lieutent. James Degge and the other Officers of the said Ship I gave immediate advice of their reception and that I was ready to deliver them agreeable to my instructions. No other notice being...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Reed: Three Letters, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : New-York Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Pendleton Satterthwaite, East Orange, N.J. (1955); (II) LS : New-York Historical Society; (II) and (III) copy: Library of Congress I have just received the Pamphlet you did me the Honour to send me, by Monsr Gerard, and have read it with Pleasure, not only as the clear State of Facts, do you Honour, but as they prove the...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Millon, 11 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je m’apercois dans le moment que ma memoire me servit bien mal avant hier mardy 9. lorsque, dans la rüe de la Pelleterie ou vous vous trouviez, pour lEssay ratté d’une Pompe, je vous citay un passage de Diodore de sicille que j’estime appartenir a lElectricité. Je vous indiquois le XIIe. Livre de Cet historien, et Je me trompois. Cest le XIe. Livre,...
47Franklin’s List of Papers relating to the Alliance, [before 26 June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library List of Papers. N° 1. Letter from the Navy Board. Dec. 21. 1778. mentioning the Orders to Capt. Landais to obey the Orders of Mr Franklin 2. Second Letter from the Officers of the Alliance complaining of Capt. Landais Feb. 2. 1779. Note, Another in stronger Terms was receiv’d & sent to America. 3. Another from Ditto complaining of Short Allowance March...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, [1 March? 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont a L’honneur d’envoyer a S. Ex. la depesche cy Jointe de M. Dumas, et La Lettre de M. Landais pour Scavoir Ce que S. Ex. veut qu’il Reponde. M. De Chaumont Croit que M. Jones n’a lair de Chercher a estre employé en france que pour pouvoir dire en amerique qu’il ne Couroit pas après Le Commandement de L’alliance. Notation: M. de Chaumont. On...
49To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 2 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Adams’s respectfull Compliments to Dr Franklin. Informs him that Monsieur the Comte De Vergennes has appointed him next Tuesday to be at Versailles in order to be presented to the King and Royal Family. Mr Adams will have the Honour to breakefast at Passy with Dr Franklin, at an hour early enough to go to Versailles, which he supposes will be 8 o Clock....
50To Benjamin Franklin from Kéralio, 8 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Messieurs des Deux-ponts, Monsieur, m’écrivent du 2e. et me chargent de vous parler de leur bien tendre vénération et de Leur reconnoissance. Vous devés avoir reçu une Lettre de L’ainé: ils avoient Leurs ordres pour s’embarquer le 4e, et le 8e tout devoit être prêt à mettre à la voile. Ils passent L’un et L’autre à Bord du vaisseau L’éveillé de 64 Canons....