91To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, [19 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Library, Library of Congress, Pendleton Satterthwaite, East Orange, N.J. (1955) I send you adjoined the Certificate you desire, and am perfectly convinc’d from Conversations I have since had with Mr. Pultney that no body was authorised to hold the Language which has been imputed to him on that Subject; and I have a high...
92From 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...
93From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours (without Date) in which you mention a Desire that the alliance could come off Nourmautier to take in the Cloth. I have written to Captain Jones to do it if practicable. Perhaps the Mary fearon or Govr. Livingston or both may be taken up for the Publick service. I shall know to morrow, and if so shall write to you to ship the other Things in those...
94From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS and copy: Library of Congress; (II) copy: Library of Congress I beg leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance & Civilities, Monsr. le Chevalier De Chastelleux; Major General in the French Troops, now about to embark for America, whom I have long known and esteem’d highly in his several Characters of a Soldier, a Gentleman, & a Man of Letters. His excellent Book on Publick...
95To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Ross et al., 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Humble Petition of three Men late belonging to the Continential Ship Reprisal Lambert Weeks Esqr. Commr. Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioners has just arrived from Mill Prison in Plymo. being Exchanged in the Adventure Carteel upon our Arrival at Morlaix we received thirty two Livres to bear our Expences to Lorient and now we are arrived here we are...
96From Benjamin Franklin to Leonard Lafitte, 20 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received The Letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 11th. Instant. The loan office Bills of which you send me a List, have not as yet been presented for acceptation, when they appear, I Shall give particular attention to the Indorsements in order to prevent their being paid if they should not have come through the proper Channel. My Grandson is very...
97From Benjamin Franklin to Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 20 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives de la Marine; copy: Library of Congress In compliance with your Excellency’s Opinion, express’d in the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me on the 14th. of October last, that I should send for Capt. Landais to Paris, to give an account of his Conduct respecting the late Engagement with the Serapis, where in it had appear’d to your Excellency, “that if the Frigate...
98To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, 20 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are Again Going to Sail, But no News about our cloathing— What is Become of it, I Cannot Guess, and am extremely sorry that they are not Arriv’d— I hope the Whole will be soon Sent to America, and this intelligence will I dare Say Be very Agreable to the Army. In Wishing You A Good health, and the accomplishment of any thing You May desire, in Wishing...
99To Benjamin Franklin from John Holker, 21 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did not faill Informing my Self of the Preseis of laid as Sould in this Marquit which youl find here inclosed, which my friend Garvey Sends me, and I know no one more Capable of making the Purchas as he chifly buys all with Redy mony, having a Considerable Capital in hand, & In caise you send me any further orders on this head I certinly shall apploy to...
100To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 23 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Gillon will bring or forward you two packets; in one of which is the rare, elegant & authentic copy of the Utrecht Union, destined for the records of Congress, with some philosophic books for your entertainment. The other is for Captain Jones, & contains a packet for the honourable Robt. Morris, which I beg the favour to be forwarded before the sailing...
101To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Fowler, [after 25 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Le Sr. Fowler, Chimiste, auteur d’une Poudre anti-hémorragiste expose très humblement, à Votre Excellence, qu’il a été mandé Le 22 Mars, Présent mois, par ordre du Gouvernement, pour répondre au Mémoire injurieux d’un Sr. faynard, qui L’accuse, entr’autre, d’avoir fait usage de sa Poudre pour le Succès de ses expériences, y alléguant, que dans une visite...
102To Benjamin Franklin from François-Marie d’Angelÿ and Other Commission Seekers, 25 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Rochambeau’s army was gathering at Brest in the spring of 1780, Franklin received several letters from officers seeking to join “Washington’s army.” D’Angelÿ (d’Angély), whose letter is printed below, wants permission to raise light infantry and cavalry troops in America to complete General Washington’s army. De Flaghac, writing from Strasbourg on March...
103To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous avouë qu’il y a Longtemps, que je ne vous ai écrit, Mais il y a encore plus longtemps, que je n’ai eu de vos nouvelles; j’aurois aimé que mon cher cousin ou mon ami Cochran m’eussent ecrit; si vos ocupations, comme je le pense, vous empechoient de le faire Monsieur Marignac et moi aurions été tres en peine, si nous n’avions pas eu de vos nouvelles...
104To Benjamin Franklin from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, [25 March? 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vient vous proposer mon cher et respectable amis de faire demain au soir Vos paques avec moi mes enfants le pere Caillot Keralio fontenet &c &c. Nous N’auronts que gens qui vous Conviendronts, Nous boiront du thes Nous joueronts aux echecs, tandis que Notre jeunesse a La tette de la quelle sera votre bon, et aimable fils a ce que jespere fera le train je...
105To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Rousseau, 25 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Le mémoire que je prends la liberté d’addresser à Vôtre Excellence, a êté composé comme Elle peut le voir par le contenu, il y a bientôt deux ans: il n’est connu que de trois personnes distinguées à la Cour de France, à qui des Copies en ont été envoiées depuis: peut être auront-elles êté communiquées à V. E.; dans cette incertitude néanmoins l’Autheur...
106To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Condorcet, 26 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous aviez eu la bonte de me promettre de m’envoier des lettres pour recomander a vos amis d’amérique le Prince Emmanuel de Salm. Vous m’avez oublié. Cependant il part demain et je voudrais bien avoir Les lettres ce matin. J’ai oublié de vous parler d’un point essentiel, du cheval de monture en trouve-t-on en Amérique de bien dressés, qui soient un peu...
107To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library This document alludes to Jonathan Williams, Jr.’s, relationships with two key figures in Franklin’s life: Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont and Edward Bancroft. All three men were involved individually and with one another in private business ventures, Williams arranging for the shipping of thousands of livres worth of...
108To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 27 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send by this date another letter with enclosures relating to the Exchange of prisoners. I hope in God that nothing will happen to interrupt that Exchange wch I look upon as a link of communication wch may by degrees lead us to farther pacific intercourses. The only object of my thoughts is by every possible means to soften animosities and to counteract by...
109To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 27 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have red yrs of Octr. 25 & rejoyce you continue in helth & have so many Comforts about you the Agreable situation of yr Dwelling, Beautifull Gardens, & yr choice of the best of company. I often form to my self an Idea of; & wish you could Injoy them hear with the same Benifit to yr Native country. You are happy in that you can never want friends go where...
110To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library Mr De Chaumont has sent me Mr Bondfields Letter to you with authority to freight his Ships on the same Conditions as the King Freights which Mr Bondfield supposes to be 25 l.t. pr Ton & Insurance out & home without Premium. As it does not appear by Mr De Chaumonts Letter that he understands more than Insurance out & that at...
111To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Admiralty, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives By the annex’d list you will perceive the present disposition of the Continental Navy in North america. The detachment of four Ships to gaurd the Harbour of Charles Town has subjected our Coasts to the depredations of the enemys armed vessels from New York who of late have frequently appeared in our Bays and...
112To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas: Two Letters, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous verrez, par l’avis ci-joint, que la Frise a accédé à la Résolution d’Hollande. Je n’apprends rien encore du parti qu’ont pris les autres Provinces. Il est vrai qu’étant indisposé, je n’ai pu m’informer, mais il paroît clairement, sur le tout, qu’on ne cherche ici qu’à pousser le temps par les épaules. Mr. Y—— a présenté le 21e. un Mémoire...
113To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Gridley, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is some time since, I requested the favour of Mr. Jona Williams to write you for an Order, Pass, or some kind of paper in my favour, to enable me to obtain a passage to America on board the Frigatte Alliance; which Mr Williams judged with me was a Necessary & regular application, but he has received no Answer. There are other Vessells going to America,...
114To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you on the 10th Current to which I beg to be referred— Since when I am much concerned to find that the Cartel Vessell is returned from Morlaix without a single prisoner in Exchange— I heard this from Plymo & have since been desired to go to the Sick & Hurt office who confirmed the Acc’t. They appear to be very much disgusted at the proceeding & say...
115To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives I have received your Orders of the 18th. and have written to Nantes for particular information respecting the Anchorage off Noirmontier that I may take measures accordingly.— I am very glad that Doctor Bancroft who has been an Eye and Ear witness to the Situation of Affairs onboard the Alliance can explain to...
116To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 28 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was yesterday honoured with your Letter of the 25 Octr 1779 being the only Letter I have been favoured with from you these two Years past. I cannot express my Gratitude & Thanks for your obliging Favour which has relieved my Mind from much Anxiety on my Father’s Account. I send you a Bill for thirty Guineas & the Bill you mention shall be paid as soon as...
117From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas: Two Letters, 29 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I did receive the Letter you mention to have enclos’d for Mr. Carmichael in yours of the 25th. of february. I had before received a Letter from him Dated at Cadiz, acquainting me that he was just Setting out for Madrid, and desiring I would send him a Credit there for 200 Louis. Mr. F. Grand, our Banker here had undertaken...
118Certification 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...
119To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 29 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yours of the 29h. Octr. last came to hand only a few days ago, and is the only one I have had from you for some Month’s past— I embrace this opportunity of Mr. Gerards Nephew who goes Via Virginia to hand to you 3d. Bills of the Setts sent you by Mr. Gerard who I hope has got safe home at last— My Love to Temple, tell him, I thank him for his care in...
120To 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...