121To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 29 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Count De Montmorin is so obliging as to offer me an Occasion of writing to you by a Courier which I am loth to refuse for fear of betraying a Want of Respect to you or give Reason to others to suspect that I have no Share in your Confidence. I have nothing material to communicate unless the uneasiness I feel in being left here ignorant of the Situation of our...
122To 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...
123From Benjamin Franklin to Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, 30 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress M. Dumas has written a Long letter to M. Bowdoin [Baudouin] Acquainting him, that the Ambassador had sent for him, produc’d and read to him his Letter to Mr. Charmichael cover’d him with reproches, and menaced his Ruin he has also written to me disiring to know how I dispos’d of that letter he having sent it under Cover of a Letter to me dated Feb. 25. which last was...
124To 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...
125To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Roussille, 30 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je me trouve malgré moi dans La nécessitte demprunter une plume etranger pour réclamer vos bontés, quelque jours avant mon depart pour me rendre a bordeau il m’est Survenu une indisposition qui ma totalement privé de Cet avantage pour une maladie qui Sest déclaré, dans Le principe est très Serieuse Ce qui me retient encore au Lit. Mes jours ont été pendant...
126To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 30 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I informed you in my last that the Farmers insisted on the payment of the Duties, & even made a merit of not seizing the Goods. I am sure this is because they do not understand the nature of my Request for it is not an exemption from any Duty which I ask, but I ask not to pay a Duty which I am only liable to by having...
127From Benjamin Franklin to William Carmichael, 31 March[–7 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Copies (two): Library of Congress I received by M. Gerard your kind Letter written at Philadelphia. His safe Return has given me great pleasure. As soon as I received yours of Jan 25 from Cadix, I order’d a Credit of 1000 Louis d’ors to be Lodg’d for Mr. Jay and you, by Mr. Grand with his Banker at Madrid. He wrote by the next post. It does not appear by yours of March 13, that you had then...
128From Benjamin Franklin to [Dumas], 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library; transcript: National Archives I wrote to you yesterday relating to the Affair of your Letter to Mr Carmichael that you might know exactly the Truth of the Transaction. On Reflection I think it proper to add, that what I wrote was for your Satisfaction only; and that as the making it publick would give infinite Pain to a very worthy Man, Mr. F. Grand, who would then...
129From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L and copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 14th by Mr Dryburugh. I had also another from Mess. Gourlade and Moylan acquainting me that they had received the Ransom Money about 200£ sterling, as paid to me, agreable to the Bill of Ransom; and had given my Acct. Credit for that Sum. This lays me under a Difficulty, for I am thus become accountable for that Sum to the People of the...
130From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received yours of the 26th. I am promised an Answer from Mr. Paulze this Morning and If I receive it shall send it to you by tomourrow’s Post. This Soliciting of Interested People to forgive Duties they think their Right, is an odious Task to me. I had rather at any time, If I could afford it, pay ’em myself. Mr. Chaumont thinks Mr. Bondfield’s Propositions too...
131To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief J’eus la satisfaction, mardi au soir, de voir notre Ami au moment de son arrivée. Il m’a reçu très-cordialement. Je lui avois écrit deux jours auparavant, pour lui demander cet entretien; & je l’avois régalé du Rendez-vous de Salomon chez la Reine de Saba, & de la bile de H [ deleted: arris] ce qui lui avoit fait grand plaisir. Je lui communiquai une longue...
132To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris: Two Letters, 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS and LS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have just recvd by the hands of our mutual Friend Mr Holker your favour of the 22d Octr last recommending the affairs of Monsr De la Freté with Mr. Roulhac of Edenton to my assistance. I had already engaged in that service and you may depend that every recommendation of yours has the Force & effect...
133To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Pouves vous me dire ou Est un mr d’orbrais qui, allant en amérique chargé de quelque Commission de votre part, a Eté fait prisonnier? Il doit Etre a present de retour en france. Il S’est chargé de quelques bagatelles pour moy, Je Suis surpris de ne pas en entendre parler. En relisant la lettre ou on m’en parle Je vois que Jay mal traduit ce n’est pas...
134To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Recd. the Letter your Excellency did me the Honnour to write me the 21st. Feby., with the Judgement for the owner’s adventure, which I have sent to Quimper corantin, & am thankfull for same. The Papers relating to the Betsey, have been sent by the admiralty of Brest, to Mr. De Grandbourg Secretary to S. A. S. the Duc De Penthievre, by Error, & it Is...
135Franklin and Chaumont to Arnauld de La Porte, with La Porte’s Reply, 1[–5] April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque du Port, Brest M. de Sartines m’a autorisé en mettant L’apostille au memoire cy Joint de vous Confier L’objet dont il Sagit. M. William Neveu de M. franklin doit envoyer de Nantes de L’orient et de Morlaix L’habillement Complet pour dix mil hommes, et M. de Beaumé a envoyé de Paris douze Caisses de Medicaments, Le tout a L’adresse de M. Bersole a Brest pour estre Embarqués...
136From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress; transcript: American Philosophical Society Enclosed is the Order from the Prince de Montbarey, for the Delivery to you of the Arms and Gun powder mentioned in Mine of Yesterday, which you will receive per Post.— This Courier carries also from me a Pacquet directed to you from Mr. Dumas, enclosing one for Congress to your Care.— By the Post M. de Chaumont has...
137To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 2[–5] April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is long since we had a line from you, but we have sometimes heard of you; to hear you are well gives us pleasure. Though you do not write I trust you do not forget us, nor wish us to forget you, therefore I take this favourable opportunity of sending you a long letter, such I intend it to be, for I fancy I have a great deal to say, as it is so long since...
138To Benjamin Franklin from William Dorsett, 2 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Comes to Let You know that I am one of Maryland Who Saild from Alexadria and had the misfortune to Be taken the Day after we Left the Capes of Virginnea they Being Scarse of Provisions Sent all the men a Shore On perroal Except me only they Carried into Newyork the Prize Master Being a friend to a Maricah Gave me Liberty to Make my Escape if I Could I...
139To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 2 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer ci joint un mémoire imprimé qui m’a été adressé par les armateurs du Corsaire François qui faisoit partie de l’Escadre du Commodore Paul Jones. Ils réclament leur Part dans la totalité des Prises faites par cette Escadre combinée; Ils établissent leurs prétentions sur des faits qui paroissent mériter votre attention; Je vous...
140To Benjamin Franklin from Patrick Dowlin, 3 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yrs. I Recd. the 27th ult, wherein you were pleased to Inform me of my future Conduct in Regard of Prisoners, which I wou’d be glad to know Sooner as I have been destressed so far as to Set 21 Men at Liberty they Signing Proper Duplicates for the Same and I being on the Enemies Coast Short of Provisions &c. caused me to do the Same, has took two of the...
141From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Rinquin: Three Letters, 4 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I), (II) and (III) Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 22d. past inclosing the Pieces relating to The Prize Brigantine the Papillon. I do not recollect that Those Pieces were sent to me before. Inclosed you have the Judgment upon that Prize. With great Regard, I have the honour to be sir, your m. o. h. S. I received the Letter you did me...
142From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 4 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If by any Operation of War in the ensuing Campaign, the Regiment of Neustrie should happen to be near your army, the Chevr. Le Veneur, Lieutenant Colonel of that Regiment, will probably have the honour of paying his Respects to your Excellency. He is recommended to me by Persons of Worth, as a Gentleman of Excellent Character, highly esteemed by all that know him. As...
143To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 4 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have received yesterday yours of the 1st by Express from Versailles and went immediately down to Port Louis where I was told that the powder is ready but that a considerable part of the Small Arms are not expected there before the 15th.— The necessary Arrangement to receive them will in the meantime be made on board the...
144To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Ridout, 4 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my embarking at Annapolis, in the Ship Buckskin of Baltimore, the 26th of December last, Mr: Carroll committed to my Care the Letter herewith enclosed for yr. Excellency— An intense Frost detained the Ship near two Months in the River Potuxent, & it was not till yesterday She arrivd at this City— Some Mercantile affairs at this place, deprives me at this...
145From Benjamin Franklin to Juliana Ritchie, 5 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me the 5th. and 29th. of last Month. I have never learnt any thing of Mr. Ritchie since I left America in 1776. The officers that left that Country last year are scarce any of them now at Paris, nor do I know where they are at present, but I will make what Enquiries I can, and if I learn any thing...
146To Benjamin Franklin from Puchelberg & Cie., 5 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have the honnour to inform Your Excellence, that the Kings officer appointed for the affairs of the marine having given his orders for the transportation of all the English prisoners, all those made by the american privateers which were yet behind, have been transferred likewise to Dinan, except a single Boy, who being sick is in the hospital. Several of...
147To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Guillaume-Thomas-François Raynal, 5 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’abbé Raynal a eté plusieurs fois a passy pour avoir l’honneur de voir monsieur le docteur, sans pouvoir le joindre. Il le supplie de vouloir bien recevoir ses hommages, et de lui renvoyer ses livres et ses papiers. L’amerique est devenue si interessante pour toutes les nations quon ne peut instruire trop tot le public de ce qui la regarde. Addressed: A...
148To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Jean-Georges Cabanis, 6 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous Renvoye L’Epreuve Corrigée. Vous pouvez actuellement La tirer; je La crois Correcte. Je me sais bien bon gré de pouvoir vous être bon à quelque Chose. Ne m’Epargnez pas, je vous prie. Vous savez Combien nous avons de plaisir à penser à vous à Auteuil, et par Conséquent Combien nous Desirons que vous pensiez un peu à nous. La bonne Dame & L’abbé de...
149To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 6 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you a few days ago by Capt Snelling, and sent a few news papers & books. I now embrace the oppertunity by capn. Cozeneau to send you the news papers of the day & a few political publications, which tho in the lump may not be worth your reading, will in some measure shew the disposition of the times, which seem to be galloping fast on to some...
150To Benjamin Franklin from Van de Perre & Meÿners, 6 April 1780: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Middelburg, April 6, 1780, in French: Monseigneur, we beg you to help us obtain the restitution of our ship the Berkenbos , Capt. Arÿ de Neve, captured by Capt. John Paul Jones in early January, on its way from Liverpool to Leghorn with a cargo of herring and lead. The ship was sent to Boston or Philadelphia under the false pretext that the cargo was...