181To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 15 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With inexpressible grief, I have the Honnour to acquaint Your Excellency with the Loss of our poor Black Prince Captn. Dowlin. She has Suffered all the hardships She ever cou’d, from the French, these Few weeks past. The Self-Conceited & Weak Commissary of Morlaix has forced my Correspondants there, to disembark the 22d to 25th. ulto., all her men that...
182To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, [after 17 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Veillard souhaite le bonjour a monsieur franklin et le prie de vouloir bien luy faire dire s’il peut le prendre en passant pour aller ensemble diner chéz mr. de Malesherbes, et si monsieur Jones y viendra aussi, mr. de Malesherbes ayant chargé monsieur franklin le petit fils de l’y engager. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin ministre plenipo- /...
183To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 17 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This morning at about 4 O’Clock I was awaked by the arrival of Capt. Jones & Mr. Montplaisir from L’Orient. The Latter went forward to Paris, but Capt. Jones not having stopped since he Left L’Orient is lain down for a little Sleep. I shall call him in about half an hour & as soon after as he can dress I suppose he will wait on you. He brought me the...
184To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges: Two Letters, 17 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. J. Harvey Pierce, and Mr. William Sprague will hand you this. They are two professional & good men who mean to quit this Country for a better, & will I make no doubt carry over knowlege & political opinions which will be beneficial to any part of our Country where they may fix for life. Their particular intentions will be best explaind...
185To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 17 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je suis ici depuis Samedi, chez Mrs. De Neufville, qui me sachant accablé de chagrin à Lahaie, m’ont pressé de passer quelques jours chez eux pour le dissiper, s’il est possible. Si quelque chose est capable de produire cet effet, ce devra certainement être l’amitié de ces braves gens, qui viennent de me convaincre, non...
186To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 18 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Before I sailed from the Isle of Groa on my late expedition I gave written Orders to every Captain under my command, with proper signals of Reconnoissance and three points of Rendezvous in letters sealed up one within another, to be Opened only in case of necessity.— After every necessary arrangement had been made for the departure of my proper...
187To Benjamin Franklin from Juliana Ritchie, 18 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The 7th. instant, I was favored with the letter that you did me the honor to write to me the 5th. I beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks—for that proof of your politeness & good nature. Tho’ you have not been able to give me any intellegence respecting my husband, yet you have taken a weight from off my spirits, that I am not able to express—as, from...
188To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have by order of M. de Chaumont embraced every opportunity I could to send Cloathing to Brest to be thence exported by M. Bersolle to America, and what I have hitherto sent amount to as follows … Vizt. 3260 Coats. 3260 Waistcoats 975 Breeches. 3300 Overalls 4530 pr Shoes 2022 Hatts 13032 Shirts 11000 Ells of Linnen for...
189To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 19 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have been informed, that the State of Maryland, have named Mr Charmichael, Mr Johnson, Mr Williams, Mr Lloyd, and Mr Jennings, as proper Persons, out of whom they have desired, your Excellency to choose one, in order to draw out of the English Funds a Sum of Money, they have there, for which the Agent is to have two...
190To Benjamin Franklin from Nicholas George Möeballe, 19 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society To be reported by your most humble Servant the Subscriber having the Honor to be Known in person by your Excellency as former a Colonel in the American Service, Virginia Troupes,— how that a verry disagreable mormure, as well in the Province of Holland as here, do Compel me, as a thrue friend to the American Cause, to Trouble your Excellency with this...
191To 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...
192To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: American Philosophical Society It is now near two Years since I was honored by an invitation from the Court of Versailles to continue in Europe, accompanied with a promise of being thereby the more usefully employed against the common Enemy. This invitation I accepted with your and your Colleagues approbation, and my best endeavours...
193To 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...
194To Benjamin Franklin from George Scott, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here safe on the Evening of the 13th. Currt. after a very dilatory & tedious Journey. On leaving Paris Monsr. L’Abbé Rozier happend to be one of the Company in the Coach & was particularly civil to me. He went no further than Lyons. Here I took the Coch D’Eau for Avignion, a great number in the Boat amongst the number the Marquis de Clugny shewed...
195To Benjamin Franklin from James Turing & Son, 20 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We did Ourselves the honor of adressing your Excellency the 28th. October last, requesting Your Excellency would condescend to forward Some Documents to Mr. J. Williams at Boston, tending to Empower him to Sue for & reclaim from Capt Babcock on his Sureties, Our Brigg the Brunetta late commanded by Capn Griffiey, about which your Excellency was pleased to...
196From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 21 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress The Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me Yesterday, gives me the first Information of the Resolution mentioned as taken by the State of Maryland relating to their Money in England. If there is no Mistake in the Intelligence, (which I apprehend there may be) and such a Power as is supposed should come to my...
197To 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...
198To Benjamin Franklin from Timothy Matlack, 21 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society To you as President of the American Philosophical society, I beg leave to enclose an oration delivered last month before that respectable society. The revd. Dr Ewing had long ago been appointed to perform this annual duty; but he being chosen Provost of the University, and that seminary having greatly suffered during the war, his whole time and attention...
199From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 22 April[–3 June 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received your favours of the 14th. & 17th. Instant. I am sorry to understand from you that the wollens are in such a situation as to endanger their being lost to the states: But do not see why it should be expected of me to point out a Vessel for them to be shipt in, or to approve or accept of any Contract you may make for the freight of them. The affair is...
200To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 22[–27] April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have at length the pleasure of being relieved from much Anxiety by the Receipit of your Letter of the 31st. of March and 7th. of April. I endeavoured to recollect every Circumstance of my Conduct since I left france, and altho’ I found in this Scrutiny that I had left many things undone which I ought to have done, I brought myself in not guilty biased perhaps by...
201From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 22 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer waits upon your Excellency for the order you were so good as to promise on thursday last, for the sale of the Prizes taken by the squadron under Commodore Jones. He waits here for that order only and the ship must be detained at a great expence till it can be executed. With the greatest Respect I am your Excellency’s, most obedient and most humble servant....
202To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 22 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I beg leave to recommend to Your usual civility and attention the Bearer of this my friend Docr. Plunkett, who means to take a journey in a few days to Holland & France; and should He return from Paris directly hither He will obligingly take charge of any thing you may have to send to this quarter. You will find him a good friend to the rights of...
203To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 22 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Gerard prie Monsieur franklin de vouloir bien remettre le paquet cijoint pour L’amerique à Mr. le Capitaine Paul Jones qui a bien voulu lui promettre de s’en charger. Il l’assure en même tems de son respect et de son attachement. Jones may have encountered Rayneval during his recent visits to Versailles.
204To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 22 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Letter will be presented by Mr. Foulk the Son of Judah Foulk of this City whom you may remember. I beg leave to recommend him to your Notice, he is a worthy young Man in his private Character—whether Whig or Tory I cannot say—his Connections are for the most part of the latter Denomination.— I wrote to you by Mr. Gerard who is I hope safe arrived at...
205To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library Capt McKirdy in the Dove is just arrived From Maryland & by him it appears that Clinton has at last appeared in So Carolina: I send you the only important Papers I have recvd by him. Mr Lewis a Passenger assures me that our People are strong in Force in that Quarter & do not fear the Enemy. I cannot find either by Letter...
206To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society In the Letter that I wrote you from Corogna, in Spain, I remember to have been particular respecting the Brigantine that I had met with off Cape finistere Under Dutch Colours. She appeared to be from Liverpool, having been taken from the Subjects of America by a Liverpool Privater, and sent in a short time before.— The Alliance has very much the appearance...
207From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I am Much pleased with the Account you give me, of the Disposition with which the Proposals from the Empress of Russia have been received, and desire to be informed from time to time of the progress of that interesting Business. I Shall be glad to hear of your perfect Reconciliation with the Because a Continuance of your Difference will...
208From Benjamin Franklin to Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your respected favours of the Instant with your Acct of Expences relating to the Cases of Characters &ca. which I have desired M. F. Grand to discharge in my Behalf, and am much obliged by your Care in forwarding them to Rouen. Plese to Accept my Thanks and belive me to be with sincere Esteem. Gentlemene Y. m. o. and M. h. S. These were the eight boxes of...
209From Benjamin Franklin to Octavie Guichard Durey de Meinières, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society It is certain that Mr. Franklin has promised Madame Helvetius that he will accompany her on Wednesday next to the Pavillions de Chaillot. He has long desired to pay his Duty there, but was afraid to encounter the keen and fine Reproaches of Made de Meinieres, which he had before experienc’d, and which his Conscience told him he deserved. He resolved,...
210From Benjamin Franklin to Van de Perre & Meÿners, 23 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 6th. Instant: I took the first Opportunity of Communicating it to Commodore Jones, and I send you inclosed the Answer I have received from him, by which you will perceive that he absolutely denies his having used any force to obtain from your Captain the declaration he made that the Cargo was...