29451To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 29 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I communicated what you desird in a letter of Octor. 18th. to the friend who has of late been often the subject of my letters. His reply was abundance of thanks to you, desiring His best wishes & respects &ca &ca. I have been out of the line of communicating with Him since about the 25th of last month, but I often hear from him by message of a Friend....
29452To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, 13 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania J’ai l’honneur de vous renvoyer la lettre de Mr. Le Comte de Vergennes et le projet d’Acte qu’elle renfermait, que l’on a omis d’insérer dans celle que j’ai eu celui de vous écrire hier. Je n’ai rien a ajouter a ce que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous marquer au Sujet de ces piéces. Mais je dois vous observer encore que le Traité du 16. Juillet 1782. n’ayant...
29453To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Mante, 12 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope that you will not think me importunate in soliciting an answer to the letter that I had the honour of writing to you some few days past. Though I would wish to avoid asking of you pecuniary aid yet the distress of my situation orleaps the barrier of delicacy and again compels me to address myself to your humanity. A short time I hope will enable me...
29454To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Rogers, [20 February 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Major Rogers presents his most respectful Compliments to Doctr. Franklin, informs him that his Petition for a Tour thro’ the North American Continent, comes on before the Committee of Council on Tuesday next, when he hopes for the Doctrs. Interest on that affair. At the same time requests the Doctr. will inform him where Govr. Pomlin lives. Addressed: To...
29455To Benjamin Franklin from Aimé (Amé)-Ambroise-Joseph Feutry, 22 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Connoissant la sensibilité de votre coeur, et Sa bienfaisance, J’ose vous adresser ce petit mémoire, auquel je vous supplie de vouloir bien vous intéresser. J’ai oublié d’avoir l’honneur de vous le présenter hier; J’aurai certainement celui de m’informer de votre santé vendredi prochain, en allant chez M. de chaumont. Si vous vouliez, Monsieur, parcourir ma...
29456To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous écrire la presente qui vous sera remise par les nommés Whipple Crow & Binjamin Hocum tous deux americains qui ont été pris sur le navire brign la Polly de Rhode Island et conduits a Bristol d’ou ils se Sont sauvés des prisons & sont arrivés ici manquant de tout, comme ils cherchent a retourner en Amerique, Je leurs ai fourni pour le...
29457To Benjamin Franklin from Laignel Sauvage, 7 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Calais, August 7, in French: A local shoemaker offers two thousand pairs of shoes at 3 l.t. 12 sols the pair; do you want them? I advanced four Louis to Mr. Meulens, an officer in the Berwick regiment who wanted to go to Liége and had no money, and who is now in the American service; please repay me if you can. Nowhere are shirts cheaper than here; I offer...
29458To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de Deux-Ponts, 14 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L or AL : American Philosophical Society Memoire M. Le Prince des Deuxponts S’est déja adressé a monsieur Franklin pour Savoir Si LElectorat Palatin et Le Duché de Baviére pourroient entrer en Liaisons de Commerce avec Les treize Etats unis de Lamérique. Mais n’en ayant obtenu qu’une Réponse trop vague pour etre transmise a Ses Commettans, il Le prie tres instamment de vouloir bien Lui...
29459To Benjamin Franklin from the Marine Committee: Proposed Letter, [after 19 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: National Archives Inclosed you have a certified Copy of a Resolution of Congress dated July 19. 1779; By which you will perceive the Marine Committee are empowered and directed by Congress to carry into Execution their Manifesto of the 30 of Octr. 1778. In pursuance of this Authority and for the more speedy accomplishment of the Ends proposed, we authorise and most...
29460To Benjamin Franklin from John Winthrop, 4 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I received your favor of Septr. 18. I return you many thanks for Dr. Priestly’s Piece on impregnating water with fix’d air. If this should prove an effectual remedy for the sea-scurvy, it would be indeed a most important discovery. I am extremely concerned to hear, that Dr. Priestly is so meanly provided for, while so many [ blank ] are rolling about here in...
29461To Benjamin Franklin from R. Hippisley, 19 April 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having completed an Analysis of Oratory, as more particularly mentioned in the enclosed proposals, Upon a plan never attempted before in any language, I take the liberty to address You, as a friend to learning and an Encourager of arts and sciences. You will view the drawing, now laid before you, as the first, and as it were a rude, sketch of the Design,...
29462To Benjamin Franklin from François Bowens, 8 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have in Course received the honour of your Excellencies favour of the 24th. Ulto. in Consequence of which I transmitted the necessary directions to London, on the 2d Currt. to prevent your Newspapers from being sent me in future which I have no doubt will be paid proper attention to. I am very sensible to the acknowledgements, Your Excellency, makes me on...
29463To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 11 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send the Servant who occasionally does my little messages, for that Protection for the Good Intent Capt. Francis Mugford , to go to and from Labradore, to the Moravian mission Settlements for the conversion of the Heathen, so kindly promised last Friday. The Person who was to have brought it yesterday never came. I hope it has not miscarried. Many thanks...
29464To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my letter to you of the 12th. I have seen Jas Garnet who is loungeing & going so idly about the Streets, & whom I have detected in so many lies, that I think it necessary to apprise you of Him in order that Monsieur Chamont may be warnd not to pay too implicit faith to what Garnet may write. He told me had drawn two Bills on Him before He gave me...
29465To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 21 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. John Coxe, the Son of Mr. William Coxe my Friend and Neighbour, comes to England with Intent to finish his Study of the Law at one of the Temples. His good Character and close Application to the Business of his intended Profession, added to an Opinion I have entertained of his Abilities, induces me to recommend him to your Notice and Advice. Any Favors...
29466To Benjamin Franklin from William Vaughan, 31 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From the friendly concern with which you have so frequently interested yourself respecting our family, it will give you some pleasure to learn of their safe arrival at Phia— My father landed severely afflicted with the Gout, the rest of the family were all well and experiencing Mrs. Beache’s hospitality. They had been under her roof for some days, but were...
29467To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 13 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Library of Congress, University of Pennsylvania Library The unanimous appointment to the Superintendancy of our Finances with which the Congress have honoured me, and my Conviction of the necessity that some one Person should endeavour to introduce Method & Oeconomy into the administration of affairs have induced me tho with reluctance to...
29468To Benjamin Franklin from Kornmann & Co., 17 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons eu l’honneur de vous faire parvenir par le Canal de M. Grand une lettre qui nous a eté adressée pour vous par un de nos amis de Conigberg, nous avions prié M. grand d’en Solliciter la réponse et il Vient de nous faire dire que nous devions, Monsieur, nous adresser à vous directement. Nous vous prions, Monsieur, de nous faire l’honneur de nous...
29469To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Girard, 17 February 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Philippeville, February 17, 1777, in French: I have heard of your arrival from Boston, and write to ask whether you can give me news of Mr. Penn, settled in the colonies and head of Pennsylvania, and enable me to send a letter to him.> A retired lieutenant colonel, who had been named a chevalier de Saint-Louis in 1760: Etat militaire de France . . . for...
29470To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 28 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We hope yoúr Excellency may have approved of the plan of the Loan which we had the honoúr to convey by oúr last; or that we may come to some alterations, which should prove agreable and practicable at the same time, bútt we heard the former loan should not you be shúre, before we should attempt to any further measúres this we should be glad to know exactly,...
29471To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Smith, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sur I take This Opurtunety to inform You Of the Onhapy Setuation of Our People Now in this Prison. I Must inform You that thay Are Entering Out of Prison Averry Day for the Wont of Close and Vitels for thare Are Sum of them that Have Ben Hear this Aight Monts And Have Not Had the Lest Asistance from Any Body. And thare is the french and Duch and Spanish...
29472To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Collas, 9 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Forgive me for dareing to incroch on one of you precious moments by obligeing you to read a trifeling letter from me, but as a number of letters will by Gods permition be handed to you by the Same person who brings this I cant help leting you know that this person is my Husband, whom I tenderly love and in whome all my hopes of happiness in this life are...
29473To Benjamin Franklin from James Searle, 26 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Searle’s respectfull compliments to Dor. Franklin— Mr. S begs leave to remind the Doctor of his kind promise of an introductory line to the Marquis de Castres which the Dor. will be so kind as to send to Mr. S. at the first leisure as Mr. S wishes to make the application he informed the Doctor off. Mr. Searle woud have paid his Duty to the Doctor in...
29474To Benjamin Franklin from the Board of Treasury, 3 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Board do themselves the honor to transmit enclosed sundry orders respecting bills of Exchange together with the resolutions authorising them to be drawn, that you may be enabled to discover counterfeits— You will please to observe, that the several extracts from the Minutes of this Office refer to other Extracts which it is presumed are in your...
29475To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 6 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The Happiness I enjoy’d last friday has afforded me pleasing reflections for the week past. I attended with delight to your kind Instructions, and my highest Amusement ever since has been to recollect them. You obligingly condescended to satisfy my Curiosity about the Barometer, and by your explanation I clearly conceived the cause of the rise and fall of...
29476To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, 21 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je viens d’Etre informmé que votre Exelance est Continuellement assailli de la part de mes Creantiers qui nont ny pretantions ny droits meme de L’interompre a Ce Sujet. Cette Conduite Est ausi enprutande que mechante puisque je les ài prevennuë que mes engagements nav’oient rien de Comun avec Votre Exelance, et que Ceux a quis il est Düe pour L’Etat de...
29477To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, 18 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ma mere vous avoit invité, Monsieur, à un concert qui doit se tenir demain chez nous, et elle se faisoit un grand honneur et un grand plaisir de pouvoir vous procurer un petit amusement; mais voici une circonstance qu’elle ignoroit et dont elle me charge de vous prévenir. Ce concert est formé par souscription, et Lady Stormont est une des souscrivantes....
29478To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee of Commerce, 21 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library By a Letter dated New Orleans 10th April last from Oliver Pollock Esquire Continental Agent at that place is the following Paragraph. “I have this day drawn on Messrs. Samuel and J.H. Delap sundry Bills amounting to 10,897 Dollars at 90 days sight, but as it is still uncertain whether Mr. Geronimo la Chapelle will be there when they arrive, or that...
29479To Benjamin Franklin from David Hume, 10 May 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a great many Thanks to give you for your Goodness in remembering my Request, and for the exact Description, which you sent me of your Method of preserving Houses from Thunder. I communicated it to our philosophical Society, as you gave me Permission; and they desire me to tell you that they claim it as their own, and intend to enrich with it the...
29480To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roux, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est à Mr. Le coeur, mon ami, et au précepteur de m. votre petit-fils, que j’ai l’obligation d’avoir pu vous voir et vous communiquer quelques papiers qui peuvent être utiles au public. Je vous prie instamment, Monsieur, de me faire le plaisir de remettre à Monsieur Necker le Mémoire intitulé Plan d’un Nouvel Etablissement patriotique et désinterressé &c....
29481To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, [16?–28? November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Americans and remove their chief Complaint and all reasonable Cause of [Murmurs?] and Discontent, notwithstanding their present objections to it. They will naturally conceive it their Duty to obey Institutions and Laws agreed on by their own representatives; And in my Opinion This woud form the Strongest and most indissoluble Bond of Union, that...
29482To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 18 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu vôtre lettre avec beaucoup de plaisir parcequ’il y avoit long temps que je n’avois eu de vos nouvelles et De celles de mon Papa et de ma maman. J’ai donné le gouter que vous m’avés acordé et je vous en remercie beaucoup j’en fus très content ainsi que tous mes amis je ne vous envoie pas une pièce de dessin parce qu’elle n’est pas tout à fait finie...
29483To Benjamin Franklin from William Temple Franklin, 24 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Gerrad not being in town, I waited upon Count Vergennes, and delivered him the Letters, which he put in his Pocket, and desired I would call upon him for his answer, at 9 OClock tomorrow morning; so that I purpose staying here to night and have taken the Liberty of keeping the Carriage and Servants. Present my respects to Messrs. Deane and Lee and...
29484To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, 27 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write to you by every Packet, but having heard that a Vessel sails for Philadelphia to morrow am desirous of troubling you with a few Lines which I hope will be in Time. I have had but one letter from you a great While, but though this would be Matter of Chagrin to me at all Times, the Occasion of my Loss gives me much more concern, I flatter myself...
29485To Benjamin Franklin from Duboisviollette, Genevois & Cie., 6 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS or LS : American Philosophical Society Having made an agreement with Mr. John King in behalf of the Common Wealth of Wirginia for a quantity of Salt to be deliver’d in James River, per our Ship the Algonquin, as you’ll be pleased to See by the inclosed Contract, this Ship is quite ready Since a fortnight to put in Sea, only expecting a fair Wind, having for Pilote for the American Cost Mr....
29486To Benjamin Franklin from William Robertson, 12 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was favoured with your letter of the 26th recommending Sir Rogers of New York to a degree in Divinity. I hope that I need not say that every request from you, has with me the authority of a command, because I am sure you will recommend no person who is not entitled to that mark of our respect which you sollicit for him. On this occasion, I have not the...
29487To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 12 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library This accompanies your Letters and Manuscript, which I have perused with very great Pleasure and Admiration. Please to accept my grateful Acknowledgments for them. Must ask your Pardon for not Returning them sooner — but as sundry Gentlemen here were desirous to read them, I hoped your Benevolence and Love of Communicating ingenious Discoveries to Mankind, would...
29488To Benjamin Franklin from Patrick Henry, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Captain Lemaire the Gentleman whom you were pleased to recommend to his Excellency General Washington will have the honor to deliver you this. He called here in his Way to the Camp, and fell into Conversation with Mr. Loyaute our Inspector general of Artillery and Military Stores on the Subject of his Department, in which are many capital Deficiencies....
29489To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College, 4 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” Colonial Society of Massachusetts Publications , X (1907), 236. Voted 4. That the Thanks of this Board be given to Dr. Benja. Franklin for his very acceptable Present, of a fine Bust of that great Assertor of American Liberties, Lord Chatham. The bust was presumably a copy of the only one known from this period, that executed by...
29490To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, [c. 15 September 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avouë qu’il y a très longtems que je ne vous ai écrit c’est pourquoi je vous écris une lettre assez longue pour vous donner de mes nouvelles. Je pense toujours à vous et je vous envoye pas la pièce de dessin, parceque je veux en faire quatre differentes je fais tous mes efforts pour vous contenter et pour avoir un autre prix l’année prochaine. Je crois...
29491To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Nous avons l’honneur de vous remettre cy joint les procédures des mis en Regle par L’amirauté de Vannes, ausy que La Reconnoissance de Monr Le Commandant de nôtre port des prisonniers que nous lui avons Livrés. Nous Sommes avec Respect Monsieur Vos trés humbles & trés obeissants Serviteurs Endorsed: Williams & Moore 21. Octr. 1782. Signed by James Moore....
29492To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, with Franklin’s Undated Reply, [10 December and after 10 December 1778?] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL and copy: American Philosophical Society Once again Madame Brillon’s failure to date her letters compels us to offer a hypothetical cluster. The following exchange, along with her letters published under December 15 and 20, form a group linked by its common theme: a fantasy of paradise to come. The only solid clue to a date is her allusion here...
29493To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly: Account of an Experiment, 7 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AD (incomplete): American Philosophical Society; remainder printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions ..., LXIV (1774), 402–3 The experiment described below was part of a series that Henly undertook in 1771–72 to test Franklin’s theory about the path of the lightning discharge. The theory was under attack from Benjamin Wilson, who held that the discharge, given several...
29494To Benjamin Franklin from John Williamson, [October 1759] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] of the Innocent Sort in pensylvany or the plantations will be very acceptable as also an account of what books and Tracts They have write your or Their Correspondence in This particulars will be very acceptab Let me know how I coud Send letters or Tracts to you and I shall be ready to do it an I think Them worthy and woud be...
29495To Benjamin Franklin from L. Martineau aîné and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, 25 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Once the general peace was declared, merchant firms and individuals all over Europe wanted to form connections with the United States. For many of them, writing to Franklin was the first step. The letters we summarize in this headnote did not, to the best of our knowledge, receive responses. The earliest letter, published below, seeks a generous advance...
29496To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, [27 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Veillard prie monsieur franklin de vouloir bien luy faire savoir si le billet quil a reçu de mr. de sequeville marquait que madame la comtesse d’Artois avait reçu hier ses derniers sacrements; comme alors il n’y auroit pas de grand couvert mr. Le Veillard n’irait pas a versailles, mais mr. filleul y va a quatre heures et pourra porter la lettre a mr....
29497To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The american Captains that are here have applied to me to draw up a Memorial to the american Ambassadors to obtain a Convoy off this Coast, which I have accordingly done, and in addition beg leave to request your favourable attention to their Request, for it is realy the most mortifying of all their Misfortunes to be taken as many have on the Day of their...
29498To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Desegray, 16 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Desegray, Neg[ocian]t de St. Malo, logè à Paris à l’hôtel de Nock, ruë de Richelieu, No. 154 , est venu pour presenter ses Respects à Son Excellence, et pour luy remettre la lettre cy jointe. Il la prie de vouloir bien, s’il veut faire reponse à cette lettre, l’envoyer chez luy à l’hôtel susdit, ou de luy faire sçavoir si et quand il pourra venir la...
29499From George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of addressing this letter to you by Colonel Laurens, one of my Aid De Camps, whom Congress has been pleased to Commission for particular purposes to the Court of Versailles. Justice to the character of this Gentleman conspiring with motives of friendship will not permit me to let him depart without testifying to you the high opinion I have of his worth as a Citizen & as a...
29500To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, [23 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin & begs the honor of his Company at Dinner on Wednesday the 25. Currt.— M R begs Leave to inform Dr. Franklin it will be a Christmas dinner &, the principal dainty a Round, of Beef Addressed: A Son Excellence / Son Excellence Monr. Franklin / a Passy The only year that Dec. 25 fell on a Wednesday during...