29751To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 19 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec La Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 16 de ce mois, les pieces relatives au Brigantin Américain le Whim, entré à l’Isle de Rhé pour se reparer après avoir fait côte pres de Trance en Poitou. Je me suis empressé de faire passer ces pieces au Conseil des Prises et je ne doute pas que ce Tribunal ne rende son Jugement le plus...
29752To Benjamin Franklin from Paulze, 27 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. Paulze fait mille complimens à M. Le Docteur franklin, il a l’honneur de le prevenir que la Biblioteque du Roy lui sera ouverte Jeudi prochain 30. depuis onze heures jusques à deux, que MM. les Bibliotequaires s’empresseront de l’y recevoir et lui montrer tout ce qu’il est de rare. Il est à propos que M. franklin et sa compagnie se trouvent a onze heures...
29753To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Franklin, 17 May 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received your kind favour of the 5 febr. and am verry Glad to hear that you and Coz. Sally Were Well and it adds to our joy the encouragement you give us of Seeing you once more in Boston. My wife and Children have thro gods goodness (Enjoyd) with myself a good Share of health which is a great Blessing. I have one favour to ask of you Sir that is one more...
29754To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 10 December 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in [Charles Thomson], An Enquiry into the Causes of the Alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians from the British Interest , … (London, 1759), pp. 172–82. Lawrence Wroth first identified Thomson as the author of this letter, Pemberton as the author of that which follows next, and Franklin as the recipient of both, on the strength of a statement in...
29755To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Edes, 9 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Fearing you may not know how to direct your Answer to mine of yesterday, I take the liberty to send you my address. I am with great Respect, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant Addressed: Benjamin Franklin, Esq: Notation: Caroline Edes Decr. 9. 1781 This is the first letter in a brief correspondence from a woman whose name appears nowhere else in BF ’s papers....
29756To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Marin Beaugeard, [before 28 March 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Beaugeard, Tresorier des Etats de Bretagne, prie Monsieur franklin et Monsieur son petit fils de lui faire l’honneur de venir diner chez lui samedy 28 Mars ainsi qu’ils ont bien voulu le luy promettre. Reponse s’il vous plait. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin Deputé des / Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionalle / maison de M. LeRey de Chaumont /...
29757To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de La Rouërie, [after 13 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Une mere dont l’inquietude ne peut s’exprimer, suplie Monsieur franckin, de vouloir bien lui apprendre le sort du Colonel Armand, son fils, qui sert dans l’armée amériquaine et dont elle n’a eu aucune nouvelle depuis l’affaire de Camden, ou, elle à appris par les papiers publics qu’il étoit, sous les ordres du Général Gates. Notation: La mere du Colonel...
29758To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 21 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I trouble you afresh with a packet designed for our friend Dr. Price. Be pleased to peruse the letter and papers ere you forward them to him. I wished to put both parties out of conceit with Mr. Hutchinson, which I think will be effected by what is in Edes’s papers, and will be confirmed in two or three subsequent ones. Such a man ought to have no...
29759To Benjamin Franklin from Filangieri, 2 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Translation from ALS in Italian: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I don’t know whether you received my previous letter in which I alluded to what I am now obliged today to explain with greater clarity. I awaited your answer with impatience; but four months have already gone by and up to now I have not had the pleasure of seeing your writing. I flatter myself that this second letter will meet...
29760To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The return of Mr White enables me to send you some of the articles you asked of me to procure. You will find the list inclosed, and in my next I will try to send you a bill of my disbursements, both now & formerly.— Mr Franklin’s glasses will be forwarded by Mr Storer, or earlier, if an opportunity offers. They would have gone now by Mr White, had I...
29761To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inclose a Copy of a Letter I yesterday recieved from Corunna. I communicate it to your Excellency in Confidence. The Writer is a particular Friend of yours. He has so good an Heart, and is so amiable a Man, that I would not expose him to the Resentment of any of the Gentlemen, and therefore pray your Excellency to keep his Letter secret....
29762To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 28 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am sure I shall tell you something which you will have no pleasure in repeating again, when I inform you that Lord Chatham is very ill indeed. Alarming symptoms have appeared, and no likelyhood of his getting rid of them, as he grows weaker every day. This intelligence is fresh from Hayes, where he now is. As I am afraid this great man is dying, I think it...
29763To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 17 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai qu’un instant pour profiter de l’occasion d’un Exprès que Mr. Gillon envoie à Paris, & vous envoyer la belle & rare copie de l’Acte original de l’Union d’Utrecht, dont j’ai eu l’honneur de vous parler à Paris que je le destinois pour les Archives du Congrès, auquel je serois bien aise qu’il pût parvenir promptement mais sans trop risquer: car il est...
29764To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Borde Duchatelet, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, and Other Applicants for … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The cessation of hostilities and Franklin’s reputation as a philanthropist continue to inspire the hopes of prospective emigrants. During the five months covered by this volume, letters come from France, Italy, the Austrian Netherlands, Germany, and England. Petitioners appeal either to American national interest by detailing the essential skills they...
29765To Benjamin Franklin from [Philip?] Keay, 29 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Keay presents his Respects to Mr. Franklin, & returns many thanks for the History of the Welch Poetry: he should not have kept it so long, had he not flatter’d himself every day with the pleasure of accompanying Made. de Cheminot to wait upon Mr. Franklin; But she is still so weak as not to be able to bear the motion of the Carriage. Notation: Keay...
29766To Benjamin Franklin from Pio, 20 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Pio a reçu avec le plus grand plaisir La Medaille, dont Monsieur Franklin a bien voulu lui faire le genéreux present. Il a l’honneur de Lui en faire tous ses remercimens, et de lui temoigner toute sa reconnaissance./. The Libertas Americana medal that he requested on March 20, above.
29767To Benjamin Franklin from Watson & Cossoul, 20 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We duly rec’d your favr. of the 16th. inst. directed to our E. Watson, and have to acknowledge your Kind attention, & inform your Excellency that our friends Messrs. J. Cottin & fils & Jauge advise us, that they have found the bill in question. We have the honour to be respectfully Your Excellency’s Very Obedient Servants. Addressed: The Honbl. Benja....
29768To Benjamin Franklin from Coder: A Memorandum, [after 14 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Notte pour monsieur le docteur franklin. En me retirant dans ma chaumiere je previens monsieur le docteur que les anciens fourniseurs emploies par M. deaene, acoutumés a gagnier cent pour cent sur les fournitures qu’ils font et n’ayant pu se resoudre a se contenter du profit modique qu’il y a a faire sur la miene et honteux de continuér la leur dont j’ai...
29769To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 22 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Addinell S. Hewson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (1957) I received your packets of the 26th. of April and 14th of June, with the two little books, for which I thank you. They came to me very safe by the post and I do not grudge the postage. The Sepr. Vol. of l’ami des enfans, which completed the set, I also received, but I know not by what conveyance it came to Sutton, whence it was brought...
29770To Benjamin Franklin from Cabanis, 10 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon pere qui me parle bien souvent de vous, Monsieur, ne Connait qu’une très petite partie de vos ouvrages, et voudrait avoir des Détails sur La Construction des Conducteurs pour garantir Les maisons de La foudre, et sur celle des para-tonnerre dont Les personnes se servent en Amérique. Je prends la Liberté de m’adresser à vous pour cela. Il m’est égal que...
29771To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Schuyler, 13 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives The lake is open in so many places that I am of opinion you may set out for this place as Early as you can. I have received some dispatches from Canada which I Inclose you and by which you will see the necessity of sending a large reinforcement. Please to bring up with you the papers I Inclose as I have no Copies of them. The Bearer goes Express to Congress and...
29772To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, [1765–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Govr. Pownall presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin finds he shall necessarily be detained at home here to too late an hour for breakfasting with Dr. Franklin. But will if not inconvenient call upon him about eleven. Addressed: Dr Franklin / at Mrs Stevenson’s / Craven Street/ Strand
29773To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 12 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Honor of sending you the MORNING POST of this day, & entreat by a Single Line, that you will, by the return of the post let me Know whether you received, as I shall thereby Judge of the regularity of our new Establishment, & shall take my measures accordingly— I am inclined to think the Tools of Government may take out the MORNING Post &...
29774To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Deux-Ponts, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I put so much confidence in your Excellencys friendship to me, that I depend on your forgiveness, for the freedom I take, to beg of you the conveyance of the inclos’d to Chevr. La Luzerne which includes some Lines to my american friends. I shall be very particularly oblig’d to you for it and am with wery respectfull sentiments Your Excellencys Most obedient...
29775To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 26 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society As you are not only a lover of Learning but without a Compliment an Ornoment to it in the Age wherein you live you will forgive the freedom I take in Recommending to your Favour and Friendship Mr. John and Samuel Winthrop two worthy young Gentlemen making a Journey this Way partly for their Health as also to see this Country. The elder is...
29776To Benjamin Franklin from Juliana Ritchie, 27 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to thank you in all sincerity—for your great politeness in answering my letter— My poor suffering heart will ever retain a just sence of what I owe to your good nature & kind condesention in that proof of your pardoning my intrusions. Nothing but my state of anxiety—cou’d have induced me to break thro’ all rules of decoram, by impertinently...
29777To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 4 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Vanderpar a Gentleman from Zeeland prays to have the honor of waiting on You Tomorrow Morning on the subject of a Vessel taken by Capt. Jones and by him sent to America. If Agreeable I shall wait on You with him in the Morning at Breakfast, & doubt not but that You will be well pleased with an Acquaintance with him. Meantime I have the honor to be with...
29778To Benjamin Franklin from John Temple, 26 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Your Obliging favor of the 15th Instant from Passey, is now before me; and I received it with the greater pleasure as it confirmed what I had before heard—that you are very well and in good spirits. The several circumstances you have mentioned, are sufficient to determine me not to come to Paris, especially as there are no American Vessells now at the Ports of France;...
29779To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 16 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have seen Sir Geo. Grand who was Yesterday at Versailles, and this morning with Mons. De Sartine; I find it impossible for me to go out this Afternoon, as I must be engaged every moment in Business. I must pray you to excuse me to Marechal Maillebois. He put into my hands a Memoire of one Millin de la Brosse, which I forgot to shew you, but I sent a...
29780To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 25 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of the Note that you forwarded me with two Letters, one adress’d to the Honble. Cap: Landais late Commander of the Ship Alliance, and the other, to Lieutent. James Degge and the other Officers of the said Ship I gave immediate advice of their reception and that I was ready to deliver them agreeable to my instructions. No other notice being...
29781To Benjamin Franklin from John Hughes, 1 January 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office, London As I am Just now Inform’d that a vessel is going from New York to London I Embrace the Opertunity of Letting You know Your friends are Generally in health Especially Mrs. Franklin and Family whom I Continue to visit frequently in Your Absence and if Occation Required shou’d be fond of an Oppertunity to Serve You or Yours, but Mrs. Franklin’s Good Oeconomy...
29782To Benjamin Franklin from Pieter Buyck, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je prends la Respectueuse liberté de Vous envoier cÿ inclus une lettre que Je Vous prie de faire Remettre à Monsieur Laurens qui Je Suppose Sera encore à Paris au Cas qu’il Soit deja parti ne doutant nullement que Vous ne Sachiez ou il est Je Vous supplie d’avoir La Complaisance de L’enveloper & La lui faire parvenir. Si en Pareille ou toute autre...
29783To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 3 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library I am & have lately been, so employed, as that your obliging Letters of the 20th. Augt. & 4 Septr. last, must remain a little longer unanswered. Among the enclosed Papers you will find several Copies of Letters & Extracts sent me by Mr. R Morris— I enclose open for your Perusal, my Letter to Congress of this Date,— after reading be pleased to seal &...
29784To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 14 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Concern I knew my Ever Dear Brother would be in to know what was become of me made me take the first opertunity to write to him and twice since, but did not recve a line from you till the day befor yesterday when I recd. yrs of the 17 June and this Day I have recd. the first you wrot, it had been Return’d from Cambridg and had lane 3 weeks in Newport...
29785To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 30 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received Yesterday some Letters from my Brother via N York tho’ of a prior Date to our last Intelligences from Philada. Yet I thought it would not be improper to mention the following paragraph. “I have but little News to add, save acquainting thee that our Assembly was to have met the Night before last (Janry 7th) but the Deep Snow has prevented the...
29786To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 20 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I wrote you in my last that the Gentlemen, to whom I had communicated the papers you Sent me under Cover of your’s of the 2d December last, were of opinion that they ought to be retained on this side the water to be hereafter improved as the Exigency of our affairs may require or at least that authenticated Copies ought to be taken before they are returned: I shall...
29787To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 22 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am at last determined on sending my Son to an Academy near Brussels, for a short Time, & having an Opportunity for his going in a few Days pray You to give him a Passport, for which he has the honor to wait on You, & to take his leave. I am with The highest respect Dear sir Your most Obedt & Very humle servt Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin /...
29788To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 20 July 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is a great pleasure to Mee to receive so many repeated Instances of my Dear friends regard for Mee, In his Sundry favours of Aprill 17: May 9 June 1. I omitted in a Hurry in mine by Shirley to tell you that your £60 Bill on Lane is accepted and shall be applyed as you have Directed. I know not who Mr. Blair Is or where he Dwells Elce should Inquire after...
29789To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Millon, 11 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je m’apercois dans le moment que ma memoire me servit bien mal avant hier mardy 9. lorsque, dans la rüe de la Pelleterie ou vous vous trouviez, pour lEssay ratté d’une Pompe, je vous citay un passage de Diodore de sicille que j’estime appartenir a lElectricité. Je vous indiquois le XIIe. Livre de Cet historien, et Je me trompois. Cest le XIe. Livre,...
29790To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Whately, [1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Whately presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklyn and will be much obliged to him, if he will do him the favor to call upon him at the Treasury tomorrow morning between twelve and one OClock. Addressed: To / —— Franklyn Esqr. / Craven Street / T Whately Thomas Whately ( c. 1728–1772) was secretary to George Grenville and then to the Treasury, October 1763...
29791To Benjamin Franklin from Hannah Sowden, 2 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Excuse the liberty I take in acquanting you with the decease of one who during his life was honored with your occasional correspondance, The Revd. Mr. Sowden who died on the 22d of june last my worthy and honored parent, after a residence of 30 years in this City. How much his sudden and almost momentary death is publicly or privately regretted, does not...
29792To Benjamin Franklin from John Hawkesworth, 5 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer, Mr. Ackland, is a Candidate for the Afternoon Preacher-ship at the Foundling Hospital: and I earnestly recommend him to your Assistance; in this I am not only countenanced by your Friendship, but prompted by Duty. Mr. Ackland is a worthy and ingenious Man, and a most excellent Preacher, and to serve him in his profession is to promote rational...
29793To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de La Merville, 2 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre probité et votre Reputation me Repondent de votre honneteté sur un procedé qui ne peut vous appartenir. Le nommé le noir qui est encore a mon service me demande son congé disant que vous l’avés arreté a 200 l.t. de gages et d’autres proffits. Comme il a ma livrée sur le corps il ne peut estre en monsieur frankelin de prendre a son service un valet...
29794To Benjamin Franklin from Doerner, [17 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Dartmouth College Library Mr. John James Doerner who sets off for Bordeaux to Morrow in Company of Mr. Märck to establish a House of Commerce at Charles-town North-America. If Doctor Francklin is so obliging and favour Messrs. Doerner and Marck with Letters of introduction for the honorable Congress and Gentlemen at Charles-Town, for some places in the Province of Virginia &ca.; Doerner...
29795To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Virginia Historical Society I am advised that Robt. Morris Esqr. The Superintendant General of Finance for Congress, has directed you to pay me, what is due to me from Congress out of the first money that came into your hands. I am now to request that you will please to inform me whether you have, or have not recd. such directions from...
29796To Benjamin Franklin from Count von Sickingen, [11 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Leroy Et d’autres personnes de La Connaissance de Monsieur franklin, se rassembleronts Lundi 14 7bre chez Le Comte de Sickingen, et on s’y occuppera de quelques recherches sur la Platine; si Cette Societé et Le motif qui La rassemble pouvaient Engager Monsieur franklin a faire L’honneur au Comte de Sickingen de Diner ce jour Chez Luy, il En serait...
29797To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams: Two Letters, 4 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), Columbia University Library; press copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Since the 25th of August, when I had the honor to write You, this is the first Time that I have taken a Pen in hand to...
29798To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 11 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Nationaal Archief L’incluse vous apprendra la suite des affaires ici. Je crois pouvoir vous dire de plus, d’avance, que cette semaine la proposition de la Gr. Br. pour finir la paix ici ou à Londres, sera rejettée aux Etats d’holle. par tous les Membres, excepté le Corps des Nobles, c’est-à-dire le Str. [Stadhouder]— Il retardera tant qu’il pourra la même...
29799To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am afraid the Commn for the purchase of the Books &ca. will take me so much time as to make you suppose I neglect it, but they are old & by so many authors that I find it difficult to collect them. They shall be forwarded as soon as possible— The Accot agt. Capn. Gustavs —— was forwarded the 11th Int. I mentioned to T——e what you requested— He got the...
29800To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 6 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I am much obliged to you for introducing me to the acquaintance of General Lee. He came hither from the Southward about a month ago, when I had the pleasure of receiving by him your agreable Letter of July 28. 1773. The character you give of him is very just, and what compleats it is, that he is a hearty Friend of America. This may be no...