27431John Canton: Electrical Experiments, 6 December 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , XLVIII , pt. 1 (1753), 350–8. Experiment 1. From the cieling, or any convenient part of a room, let two cork-balls, each about the bigness of a small pea, be suspended by linen threads of eight or nine inches in length, so as to be in contact with each other. Bring the excited glass tube under the balls, and they will be separated by...
27432To Benjamin Franklin from John Canton, 29 June 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 14th of March came to my Hands the 15th of May last, and gave me great pleasure. The first Experiment of Mr. Kinnersley’s which you mention, is, as you observe, a beautiful one to see; and I think, fully proves that the Fusion of Metals by Lightning is not a cold Fusion. I have myself, several times, melted small brass Wire by a Stroke...
27433To Benjamin Franklin from John Canton, 31 October 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society Having procur’d some thin Glass Balls of about an Inch and a half in Diameter, with Stems, or Tubes of eight or nine Inches in length, I electrified them, some positively on the inside, and others negatively, after the manner of charging the Leyden Bottle, and sealed them hermetically. Soon after, I applied the naked Balls to my Electrometer, and could not discover the...
27434To Benjamin Franklin from John Canton, 21 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LII (1761–62), 457–61. Mr. Delaval, in his curious electrical experiments, found that Portland stone, common tobacco-pipe, &c. would readily conduct the electrical fluid, when very hot, or when quite cold; but were non-conductors in an intermediate state. As no one, that I know of, has yet attempted to account for...
27435To Benjamin Franklin from William Canton, 18 March 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Wednesday evening, March 18, [1772 ], a note in the third person. His father, who is considerably worse than the previous Saturday, but because of laudanum in not quite so much pain, thanks Franklin for his kind inquiry.> The son and subsequently the biographer of BF ’s old friend; see the DNB under John Canton. Four days before John Canton’s death. BF...
27436To James Madison from Antonio Capellano, 5 September 1817 (Madison Papers)
Understanding from Mr Lee that it was your desire I should go to your Seat to take your Bust in the month of September, I have the honour of informing you that I am now at leisure & will sett off at any moment you may be pleased to appoint. The price of a Bust, the natural size in Italian Marble is $800. I need not assure you Sir, that if you do me the honour of permitting me to take your...
27437To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 28 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’étois Sur le point de Vous écrire lorsque je me vis honoré de votre Lettre du 20 du Courant. Je Vous ai beaucoup d’obligation de la brochure Francoise, que Vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoier. Elle ne manquera pas de guerir bien de prejugés; mais aussi, a ce que j’ai deja remarqué, elle allarmera les Peuples Commerçans, qui craigneront quils ne Seront pas en etat de Soutenir la Concurrence...
27438Capellen tot den Pol, Joan Derk, Baron van der, 6 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai la Satisfaction de communiquer à Votre Excell: que les Etats d’Overÿssel ont resolu hier nemine contradicente, de reconnoitre Votre Excell: comme Ministre des Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale. Dieu en Soit beni!
27439To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 6 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Votre Excellence Saura de Monsr. de Neufville que j’ai l’intention de placer encore 12 mille florins dans les fonds de l’Amerique. Peut etre que je Serai en etat dÿ ajouter encore 5 mille; mais cecÿ n’est pas encore decidé. Je prefere l’Emprunt, d’ont votre Excell: est chargé, a celui qui Se fait Sous la garantie de la France et de cette Republique, parce que je ne pretends pas etre Si...
27440Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 24 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I should already have had the pleasure of replying in person to your esteemed letter of the 9th of this month had the cold weather allowed me to embark this past Tuesday, as I had planned. I shall take the liberty of pursuing the thread of your letter in this one. If governor Pownall intended to alarm this republic and possibly other nations, it would have been more prudent not to publish the...
27441To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 5 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai écrit amplement au Bourguemaitre Hooft touchant la Situation des affaires dans cette Province, avec priere de Vous en donner Communication. Les Villes ont pris de bonnes Resolutions. Mais je Suis encore incertain au Sujet des Nobles. Mecredi, a eu juger par les apparences et quelques informations, ils etoient peu disposés a reconnoitre L’independance. Mais il ÿ eu qui croient quils ont...
27442To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Aiant appris que le Congress vous a muni des memes pouvoirs qu’Il avoit confié au Collonel Laurens, dont la facheuse catastrophe me desole, et qu’entre autres votre mission a pour but une negociation pour L’Amerique Unie, je prens la liberté de Vous prier de m’en envoier le plustot possible les Conditions; un Parent m’aiant temoigné de l’inclination d’y placer 20,000 florins de Hollande. Si...
27443Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 2 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter of the 6th of April. The reasons cited by your excellency have convinced me that it would be impossible toemploy, in this country, my friend Valck in the service of Congress. Because of this, he decided to emigrate, and I can assure your excellency that we are losing an enlightened and worthy citizen. I will greatly miss him. Mr. Jan Hendrick Christiaan Heineken, son of...
27444Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 6 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
It has been some time since one of my closest relations wrote me to ask if one of his nephews could be enlisted in the American army. He served as captain for the republic but was obligated to sell his company because of overspending. Moreover, he is respectable and from a good family. At first I responded that I believed it was impossible, given the number of officers in the American army, in...
27445To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
Les Magistrats de Deventer ont pris Jeudi au Soir une Resolution dans les formes pour recevoir Votre Excellence en qualité de Ministre plenipotentiaire des 13 Etats Unis de L’Amerique. Vendredi au matin la requete des Citoiens de cette Ville a été presentée et les Magistrats ÿ ont repondus qu’ils avoient deja pris la Resolution mentionnée. La ville de Campen, a ce que j’ai été informé, est...
27446Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
When I had the honor to see you last in Amsterdam, I took the liberty of lending you a letter and some papers that you wished to read that were sent to me by his Excellency Governor Trumbull. Since I would very much like to have them back, it would give me pleasure if you could return them (when you are finished with them) to Mr. Tegelaar, with whom I no longer have a role. Also my business...
27447Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 28 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was on the verge of writing you when I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th instant. I am much obliged to you for the French pamphlet that you were good enough to send me. It will not fail to heal many prejudices; but, as I have previously remarked, it will alarm the commercial nations, which may fear that they may not be in a condition to withstand the competition of the...
27448To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 24 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
J’aurois deja eu le plaisir de repondre de bouche a votre honnorée du 9 de ce mois Si la gelée m’avoit permis de m’embarquer Mardi passé, comme je l’avoir projetté. Je prendrai la liberté d’en Suivre le fil dans celle cÿ. Si Gouverneur Pownall peut avoir eu dessein d’allarmer cette Republique et peut etre d’autres Nations il eût été plus prudent de ne pas publier La brochure en François Sans...
27449Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 6 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have the satisfaction to communicate to Your Excellency that the States of Overijssel resolved yesterday, nemine contradicente, to recognize Your Excellency as minister of the United States of North America. Blessed be God. RC ( Adams Papers ). Without opposition.
27450To George Washington from Joan Derk, Baron van der Capellen tot den Pol, 20 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
Une Societé patriotique etablie a Enkhuizen Ville de la Province de Hollande et beaucoup interessée a la peche du hareng, m’aiant prié d’accompagner d’une Lettre un petit present de cette denrée Hollandoise, qu’Elle prend la liberté d’offrir a Votre Excellence, je n’ai pu me refuser a cette demande, d’autant moins, que c’est a l’influence que les Membres de cette Societé respectable ont eûe...
27451Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 6 January 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Excellency will know, through Mr. de Neufville, that I intend to place 12 thousand florins in the American funds. Perhaps I will be in a position to add an additional 5 thousand, but we will see. I prefer a loan, made chargeable to your Excellency, rather than a loan made under the guarantee of France and of this republic. I say this because I will not pretend to be as ridiculous as my...
27452Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 5 April 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to Burgomaster Hooft, fully explaining the situation here in this province, and asked him to write to you. The cities made good resolutions. But I am still uncertain about the nobility. Wednesday, by all appearances and some information, they were hardly disposed to recognize independence. But some believed that they received orders from The Hague on Wednesday evening, and at the very...
27453To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 2 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
J’ai recu votre honorée du 6 Avril. Les raisons alleguées par votre Excell: me convainquent de l’impossibilité d’emploier mon Ami Valk, dans ce Païs, au Service du Congress. Il a resolu en consequence de transmigrer, et je puis assurer Votre Excell: que nous perdons en Lui un tres digne et tres éclairé Citoien. Je le regrette beaucoup. Monsr. Jan Hendr: Ch: Heineken, fils d’un brave...
27454To George Washington from Joan Derk, Baron van der Capellen tot den Pol, 22 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
As we, together with other inhabitants of this Common wealth in earlier times declared free, and more and more inspired with the spirit of freedom, may boast of having co,operated to the Just acknow legement of the freedom of America long unjustly opprest, by petitions to the representatives in the government of our City—An event at which the wellmeaning part of the Netherlands highly rejoice...
27455To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 6 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
Il ÿ quelque tems qu’un de mes plus proches parens S’addressa a moi pour me consulter, S’il n’ÿ auroit pas moien de placer dans l’armée Americaine un de Ses Neveux, qui a Servi la Republique en qualité de Capitaine, mais qui pour avoir depensé un peu trop d’argent, a été obligé de vendre Sa Compagnie, du reste, de bonne conduite et d’une famille tres distinguée. J’ai dabord repondu que je...
27456Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 16 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
Having learned that Congress has given you the same powers it had given Colonel Laurens, whose sad fate grieves me, and that one of your mission’s objectives is to raise a loan for the United States, I take the liberty of asking you to please send me its terms as soon as possible; a relative of mine having voiced interest in investing 20,000 Dutch florins in the project. If you seek a...
27457To John Adams from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 29 April 1781 (Adams Papers)
L’orsque j’eus l’honneur de Vous voir dernierement a Amsterdam j’ai pris la liberté de Vous preter une Lettre et quelques papiers que Son Excell: le Gouverneur Trumbull m’avoit envoiés, et que Vous Souhaitiez de lire. Comme je Serois charmé de les avoir de retour Vous me fairiez plaisir de les remettre (quand Vous n’en aurez plus besoin) a Monsr. Tegelaar, de qui Vous apprendrez que mon role...
27458Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol to John Adams: A Translation, 31 March 1782 (Adams Papers)
On Thursday evening, the Deventer magistrates passed the resolution necessary for your Excellency’s recognition as minister plenipotentiary of the thirteen United States of America. The citizens of this city presented their petition Friday morning and the magistrates responded that they had already passed the resolution. Kampen, I was informed, was very well disposed. It was linking its...
27459To Benjamin Franklin from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu l’honneur de recevoir le paquet que Vous m’avez expedié le 26 Sept.; mais je Vous Supplie d’avoir la bonté de m’envoier a l’avenir de telles Depeches Sous quelque addresse, Soit de Mr. Dumas, ou de quelqu’autre; du moins de ne plus les Signer de votre nom ouvertement Sur l’enveloppe, puisque cela ne peut qu’exciter la curiosité de ceux, par les...
27460To Benjamin Franklin from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 6 September[–after 14 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Translations: Public Record Office, National Archives; incomplete ALS : American Philosophical Society; incomplete copies: National Archives, Connecticut State Library, Massachusetts Historical Society (two) I took the liberty to write you a Letter dated Zwol April 28. this year, and I was about writting you a second to inquire if you had received the first, when I found myself honoured with a...
27461To Benjamin Franklin from Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol, 26 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Connecticut State Library; Massachusetts Historical Society (two); National Archives Comme j’ai été le premier, ou pour mieux dire, le seul de tous les Membres de notre Etat, qui ait osé se declarer ouvertement pour la cause Ameriquaine, et cela dans un tems ou elle étoit bien problematique encore, je m’empresse a ne pas étre le dernier a Vous...
27462To Thomas Jefferson from Capellen, 29 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Je me suis presenté hier avec Mr. van Staphorst à vôtre Hotel avec intention de vous présenter mes homages, et pour Vous prier de m’accorder des Lettres de recommandation à vos Amis en Amerique, en faveur de mon Ami Mr. François Adrien van der Kemp, victime très remarquable de la persécution existante en Hollande, qui se propose de s’établir avec Sa Femme et ses Enfants parmis vos dignes et...
27463To Thomas Jefferson from Capello, 28 December 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Chevr: Capello est venu pour avoir L’honneur de voir Monsieur de Jestenon Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de L’Amerique Septentrionale et lui faire part, qu’il a eu hier Mardi 27 de ce mois se premieres audiences du Roi, de la Reine, et de la Famille Royale en qualité d’Ambassadeur de La Republique de Venise. RC ( DLC ). For a graphic characterization of Capello, see Carmichael to...
27464Capel & Osgood Hanbury to John Parke Custis, 6 April 1767 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd we send the Accot Sales of thy 12 Hhds Tobacco ⅌ the Hanbury we assure thee that no care or endeavou⟨r⟩s of ours have been wanting to make the most thereof It gives us a real Concern that we are not favourd wth a larger part of thy Consignments we flatter ourselves that we can make as much of thy Crops as Carys or any other House if thee will give us the opportunity we will endeavour...
27465To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 20 June 1768 (Washington Papers)
We have now before us thy favor of 5th May the contents of which are duly noticed—The Insurce on the 10 Hhds Tobacco belonging to J. P. Custis on board the Hanbury shall be made —inclos’d is our Letter to him left open for thy perusal to which refer respecting the state of his Account under our care —If at any time thee should have Tobacco to spare, we should be oblig’d to thee for thy...
27466To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 25 October 1769 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure to advise the receipt of thy favor of 25th July and note the contents—We remark thy observation respecting the Balance of thy Account being £7.10.0, and that had thee thought of our Debit against ⟨thee⟩ at the time thee was disposing of thy Tobacco, thee should have order’d one Hhd on board the Hanbury in discharge of it, this we should have been oblig’d to thee for, but...
27467To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 4 April 1760 (Washington Papers)
We hope ours ⅌ Capt. Walker got to hand of whh please to ⟨ mutilated ⟩ Inclosd are the Sales of thy 17 Hhds DPC ⅌ ⟨the Anna⟩ to assure thee that We have taken every method that We could think of to make the most of them & had they not been out of Condition we should have got a much better price for them. hope the next We have will be of a fine s[c]ent & quality & that We shall have the...
27468To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 27 March 1766 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d we send Thy Acct Currt the Receipt of wch please to advise & that it proves right or if otherwise to point out the Error, & it shall be immediately rectified —We Congratulate Thee & all our Friends in America upon the Repeal of the Stampt Act We used our b⟨est en⟩deavours to prevent the Act passing when first it was in agitation & have ever since it passed spar’d no endeavours to...
27469To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 26 July 1769 (Washington Papers)
This serves to advise the arrival of the Hanbury Capt. James Esten, after a favor⟨abl⟩e passage of about 5 Weeks, by him we observe we are favor’d with 8 Hhds Tobacco from our friend J.P. Custis, in the Sale of which our best endeavors shall be exerted for his Interest—The Ship came up to her Moorings yesterday, and we are preparing to Land her Cargo the begining of the next Week—The prices of...
27470To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 21 October 1766 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure of thy favrs of June 23 & 28, and to receive 12 Hds Tobo of J. P. Custis’s by Capt. Esten of wch we are endeavouring to make the most. the Insurance orderd upon the said Tobacco was saved. The Accot Current thee requests to be furnished wth was sent by Necks & hope is got to hand & found right. The Sales of J. P. Custis’s 12 Hds Tobo ⅌ the Fauquier last Year sent ⅌ the...
27471To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 28 January 1765 (Washington Papers)
We have not had the pleasure of one line or any Consignments from thee for some time past which we are sorry for. By Capt. Esten or the Bearer if thee sends us some of thy Crops, & they turn out fine, we doubt not of sendg such sales as will be a pleasure to us to forward & satisfaction to thee to receive. We are with Esteem, Thy Assured Friends LS , ViHi : Custis Papers. The letter was...
27472To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 20 October 1767 (Washington Papers)
Thy favr of July 25 is before us & the Contents duly attended to. No Care or endeavours of ours is wanting to make the most of the Estates 8 Hhds Tobo ⅌ the Hanbury we are sorry that so small a share of its favrs falls to our Lot & so much to Messrs Carys & Compy we are informd that 60 Hhds belonging to the Estate is now on board Boyes consignd to that House we intend ere long to send our...
27473To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 28 March 1763 (Washington Papers)
wrote thee ⅌ the Randolph to wch refer since that we have not had the pleasure of one line from thee: and it gives us concern the not having one Hd Tobacco from thee for some Years past, hope it will not be the case again this Year & that ⅌ Capt. Esten we shall receive some fine Tobacco from thee & then we doubt not of geting as good price for it. We are yet without any proof of the Speakers...
27474To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 20 November 1765 (Washington Papers)
Thy favr of Sepr 20 is before us & in answer thereto have to advise that no Care or endeavrs of ours shall be wanting to render satisfactory Sales of the 12 Hds Tobo now on board the Fauquier at Portsmo. We are drawing out our friends Accots Currt to send in the Spring & due Credits given to D. P. Custis’s Estate as directed by thee. As we have not yet been concern’d in the Hemp & flax Trade...
27475Capel & Osgood Hanbury to John Parke Custis, 1 July 1766 (Washington Papers)
We wrote thee by Capt. Necks wth thy Accot Current. it will be a Satisfaction to us to hear that it is got to hand & pro⟨v⟩es right. Inclosd we send the Sale of thy 12 Hds Tobacco ⅌ the Fauquier. we can truly say that no care has been wanting in us to make the most thereof. We hope by Capt. Esten or by Capt. Necks to be favourd wth a larger Share of thy Consignments—Our Market is rather heavy...
27476To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 20 May 1769 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure to advise the Receipt of thy favor of 4th Novemr last, and to acquaint thee, that thy Bill to J. Gibson for £100 has been duly Honor’d, & is plac’d to the Debit of J.P. Custis’s Account. We now forward Accounts Sales for his 9 Hhds Tobacco received ⅌ the Hanbury which is under cover of a Letter address’d to him inclos’d herein —we flatter ourselves they will prove...
27477To George Washington from Capel and Osgood Hanbury, 10 December 1767 (Washington Papers)
We Wrote thee the 20 Octobr last ⅌ Capt. Johnson to which refer since then we have not reced any of thy favours—The Estates 8 Hhds Tobo ⅌ the Hanbury are not yet dispos’d of as the buyers do not come up to the price we think them worth, however hope that after Xmass the Market will be brisker —As the Bearer Capt. Esten will in all probability be an early Ship in the Country we flatter...
27478Enclosure: Capel & Osgood Hanbury to John Parke Custis, 20 June 1768 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d we send the Sales of thy 8 Hhds Tobacco ⅌ the Hanbury, Nt proceeds £114. ⟨ Mutilated ⟩, hope they will meet with thy approbation, of which it will give us pleasure to be inform’d. We have just had the satisfaction of receiving our friend Geo: Washingtons favor of 5th May The Insurance therein directed on 10 Hhds of thy Tobacco by Capt. Esten, shall be duly made, and no endeavours of...
27479To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 11 October 1768 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d we send thy Account Current to the 1st of August last the recet of which please to acknowledge & that it proves right, or if otherwise to point out the Error, and it shall be rectified. We have the pleasure to advise the receipt of 9 Hhds Tobacco per Capt. Esten belonging to Master Custis, which we are using our best endeavors to make the most of, and shall forward the Sales as soon...
27480To George Washington from Capel & Osgood Hanbury, 30 August 1770 (Washington Papers)
We had the pleasure of writing Thee the 21st of May last, ⅌ the Lunn & Lloyd Capn Necks, which We hope will come safe to hand, since which, We have received Thy favor of the 21st June, advising of Thy bill on Us in favor of Peyton Randolph for £250, which has not yet appear’d, when it does it shall meet due honor, & agreeable to Thy directions shall be plac’d to the debit of the Estate of...