30351To Benjamin Franklin from Bailly, 2 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania M. Bailly présente ses respects à Monsieur Franklin. Il a l’honneur de lui envoyer la continuation du Regître de MM. les Commissaires du Magnétisme animal. Il le prie de vouloir bien en prendre lecture, le signer et le lui renvoyer le plus tôt qu’il le pourra. Il auroit bien desiré le lui porter lui même, mais il est obligé d’aller si fréquemment à Paris...
30352To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 29 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of my Friend Mr. John Wilcocks, I take the Liberty of introducing to your Notice & Civilities Mr. Fox, Son of the late Mr. Joseph Fox, with whom you was well acquainted; I have not the pleasure of knowing this young Gentleman, but from the Character I have of him, I trust you will find him deserving of your Countenance & protection— I am ever...
30353To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 30 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Library of Congress, South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I writ to you on the 7th. Inst: by Mr Oswald, since which, that is to say, on the 28th. I was honored by the receipt of your letter of the 12th. inclosing a copy of the Commission for treating for Peace, by the hands of Mr Young. The Recognizance exacted from me...
30354To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have lately received a letter from Tristram Dalton Esqr. of Newbury-Port, informing me that you some Time ago advis’d him of having obtain’d orders for payment of a Sum, for the loss sustain’d by the owners of the Brigt. Fair-Play; & that you would deposit it in my hands— Mr. Dalton desires me to give him some information...
30355To Benjamin Franklin from Le Rouge, 20 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettes Monsieur que Jaye lhonneur de Vous presenter la reduction de la Carte que Vs. aves bien voulu me Communiquer. Cest un homage que je Comptois avoir lhonneur de Vs: rendre moi meme Si ma Santé le permettoit. Comme les Environs du fort Pitt Sont fort detaillées, J’en ai fait une Carte calquée sur l’original et par consequent sur la même Echelle que...
30356To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 22 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague Vous aurez vu, avec Mr. D― par ma lettre du 21e. à Mr. C― la situation très désagréable où je me trouve. Depuis quelques mois la famille où je demeure est un enfer, gouverné par une furie, qui nous fait payer, à ses enfants et à moi, de toutes les manieres possibles à sa méchanceté, les folies qu’elle a faites depuis une année, et qui, de...
30357To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Haine, 16 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency will be so kind is to Excuse the Liberty of my troubling your honr. in Ragard of my Sitttion which as oblidged me to take the Liberty of Writing to you. Sir I am a Stranger Whome is married to an amaricn Belonging to new Berry naetief of that Country in the State of Masituseds Bay in new England Who Sailed out of This Pourt & as had the...
30358To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library This will be presented to you by Doctor John Foulke & Mr Fox who are warmly reccommended to me from Philadelphia. I beg leave to introduce them to you & shall be particularly obliged by your Civilities to them. I am with the greatest Respect Dear & honoured Sir Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman Addressed: A monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre...
30359To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Fisher, 14 August 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have received your kind Letter as also your Present of most excellent Madeira, which was the more agreeable to us as Mr. Fisher was seized with an Illness soon after you left these Parts, under which his Physicians have obliged him to drink a greater Quantity of generous Wine than before he was used to. His ail is a Mortification in his Foot, which...
30360To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Bearer of this Letter Doctor Texier late Surgeon of Count Pulaski’s Legion will shew you a Certificate for two thousand one hundred and ten dollars signed by Joseph Nourse Esquire Register of the Treasury of the United States and issued by Virtue of a Warrant of the eighth day of January last from me. This Money is on Interest at six per Cent from the fifth of...
30361To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [March 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardon Mon Illustre Docteur Si je ne vous ai pas envoyé plutôt La note Sur L’auteur de cette espece de Fourneau où on met le feu par dessus et où la flamme descend et remonte ensuite par un Tuyau de façon qu’on ne voit pas Sans étonnement la fumée Se precipiter en bas et passer ensuite dans le tuyau qui Sert à L’emporter. J’ai été Si occupé depuis Jeudy que...
30362To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 13 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Le certificat dont il est question dans ma Lettre ci-jointe à Mr. le gd. Pre. d’Hollde. est celui dont je vous envoyai copie en son temps de la part de Mr. Jones. Ainsi il est superflu d’en joindre ici une autre. Hier il arriva un Exprès d’Angleterre, avec la nouvelle que les cargaisons des navires Hollandois chargés de...
30363To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Franklin, 28 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I humbly ask pardon for giving you the trouble of this but hearing you was att Lutterworth Some time Since and Inquired after me but had not the happyness of Seeing you has gave me a great deal of uneasyness but now I am in my way again of bussiness, and am Inform’d you are in London have taken this Opportunity to Write to you. I have not heard you purpose...
30364To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 23 October 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL : American Philosophical Society In the Inclos’d you have all I have to say of that Matter. It prov’d longer than I expected so that I was forced to ad a Cover to it. I confess it looks like a Dispute but that is quite contrary to my Intention. The Sincerity of Friendship and Esteem were my motives nor do I doubt your scrupling the goodness of the Intention. However I must confess I...
30365To Benjamin Franklin from Achille-Guillaume Lebègue de Presle, 10 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai lhonneur denvoyer a votre Excellence l’ouvrage de Scheele qu’elle m’avoit chargé de remettre a mr Turgot et que jai reclamé pour elle depuis la mort de ce Ministre. Je prie votre Excellence d’agreer les assurances de mon respect Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742–1786) was one of the founders of organic chemistry and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of...
30366To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 25 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I am honored with your Excellencies letter of the 19th.— I feel your reasons for Urging frugallity, and as I have not hitherto been among the most extravagant Servants of America so you may depend on it my regard for you will make me particularly Nice in my present situation. It will give me very great pleasure to be able to...
30367From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have already accepted Bills drawn upon Mr. Laurens, to the Amount of Thirty four Thousand three hundred and fifty Eight Guilders. How many more will arrive I know not. I shall inform your Excellency from Time to Time, as they appear, and I accept them. This Republick is in a violent Crisis. If a certain Party prevails, We Shall raise no Money here. If they do not We shall raise very little....
30368To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Arnoux, [before May 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’abbé Arnoux prie Monsieur franklin de lui donner une lettre de Recommandione auprès de quelques uns de ses amis de Neuport de providence ou de Rhodisland pour M. Petry Secretaire de l’armée françoise aux ordres de M. de Rochambeau, et sous Lieutenant d’infanterie. M. petry est très honnette, et on ne scauroit dire trop de bien de son esprit et de son...
30369To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, [14?–]16 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society but be fore I can say aney thing I muste Stop to tell who I am writeing to I tell him to Grand papah so then he is gon so I am to tell you that this morning Capt. Loxley is arived but I have not had a letter as yit I have not a lowed my selef the libertey to make complaintes to you of aney Sorte but this has bin the moste malleycoley winter that I ever knew...
30370To Benjamin Franklin from Charles James Fox, 1 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress; AL (draft): Public Record Office; transcripts: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) Though Mr. Oswald will no doubt have informed you of the nature of Mr. Grenville’s Commission, yet I can not refrain from making use of the opportunity his going offers me, to assure you of the esteem and Respect which I have borne to your character, and to beg...
30371To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 28 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will Convey to thee an account of this Places Breaking through the non importation agreement which happened on the 20th by a Large Majority of the Votes of the Subscribers about 5 to 1. I am Sorry it has So happend but it is only what Might have beene Expected from the first and what I Realy Did Expect and thiarefore Wold not Meddle in it for I always...
30372To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 18 September 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society About the time you left America I was employed in endeavouring with my Fathers assistance to form an Explication of the Phenomena of Electricity, on his Principles of Action in Matter; some conceptions had occurred to me in pursuing the Experiments made by you and Mr. Canton which gave me reason to hope it might be effected, on very simple principles. If you...
30373To Benjamin Franklin from John Shuttleworth, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library My Servt. will waite your leisure for the papers you are so good to give me and for any letter or letters you may please to commit to my care. Permit me once more to acknowledge your very great civillities and to assure you that I shall ever remember them with gratitude I remain Dr Sir Yr most obedt: Servt Addressed: Doctor Franklin / Plassy Notation:...
30374To Benjamin Franklin from C[S?]. P. Heltier [Geltier?], 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Un curieux seroit charmé d’avoir de vous L’explication de la contrariete suivante car vous seul avés parle raison sur L’éléctricité qui vous est si redevable. Tout le monde convient que le tems sec et froid donne le plus d’energie a L’Electricite, au petit tonnere que nous avons entre les mains depuis environ 40 ans: d’un autre coste tout le monde convient...
30375To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 17 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you lately by the Ship Delaware Capt Prowl, and by Major Franks, which letters I hope may get safe to hand, this will be delivered to you by the Son of an Old Friend by whom Mr Bache has wrote, his Fathers kindness to me in your Absence when I was ill of the Measles, and afterwards in sending his Carriage every day for me to ride I shall never...
30376To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé François Rozier, 21 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettés moi de vous prier de me communiquer votre memoire sur L’aurore Boréale, Pour L’imprimer dans Le journal de physique. J’ose vous faire cette demande au nom de Tous Les physiciens. Vous savés combien tout ce qui sort de votre Plume est interressant Pour eux. Le mercure de France en donnera un extrait, mais un extrait n’est Bon que pour ceux qui ne...
30377To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Young, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this letter is Mr. Cephas Dawes a Gentleman of a very respectable family in Pennsylvania, he was settled as a Merchant in the West Indies previous to the commencement of the war, and is a warm friend to the cause of America, which I hope will be my apology for taking this liberty with Your Excellency. Mr. Dawes will Carry with him some of the...
30378To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 31 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have no pretensions to trouble the person affording me this conveyance with a large pacquet, otherwise I might send you more sheets. We are indeed just finished; only that I have expectations of procuring your preface to Mr Galway’s speech, and in consequence the epitaph; all which can very easily be inserted. Indeed it was through great carelessness that...
30379To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine Sproule Douglas, 28 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society To accept my unbounded thanks for the Honor you did my freind Miss Maxwell when in Paris which I Sincerly Charge to my acct of Gratitude! & thanks to almighty God! for puting in my Heart to presume on Such an application; which I again most Gratefully imbrace on the Permission Graciously & bountifully granted by your Excellency to miss Maxwell! which I
30380To Benjamin Franklin from J. Rocquette, T.A. Elsevier & P.Th. Rocquette, 7 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Your much esteemed letter of the 4 augt: duely reach’d us, we observed there in with pleasure the receit of the two parcells we Sent you, the forwarding of Same deserves no thanks, we are allways devoted to your Commands, and shall be ready at any time to render you any Service in our power. This daÿ a Jew and a Jewish call’d on one of our Friends here, to...
30381To Benjamin Franklin from Reichsgraf Windisch-Grätz, 9 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Sátní oblastní archiv v Plzni, pracovištěe Klášter Vous avez fait tant de bien a votre patrie, et vous avez rendu de Si grands Services a l’humanité en général par les lumieres, que vous avez répandues; que tout homme, qui croit avoir des vuës utiles, peut Se flatter, que vous voudrez bien concourrir a les propager. C’est là Monsieur ce qui me...
30382To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 18 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have duly received your Excellencies dispatches of the 4th and 9th Current.— The Wind is Fair, the Pilot on Board, and the Ship will be under Sail at day Break.— Mr. Gourlade nor M. de La Grave have not yet appeared.— I will Steer as directly as possible for our Ports.— Enclosed is a receipt from Messrs. Gourlade and Moylan...
30383To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, [January 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I arrived here in September last, with a purpose of visiting France and of paying my respects and offering my Congratulations on the restoration of Peace, and to you for the honor you have acquired in this business, as I cannot now do it personally permit the offering in this mode with my best wishes for a continuance of your health and strength of which I...
30384To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 4 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I had the honor last of waiting on your Excellency at Passy, you were pleas’d to promise to give orders at Nantes for the Release of Captain Kinnear in Exchange for Captn Bell. The Death of Mr: Schweighauser no doubt is the Cause that nothing has hitherto been done in this affair, and unless your Excellency will please to give fresh orders to the...
30385To Benjamin Franklin from Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 29 December 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; abstract reprinted from Thomas G. Morton and Frank Woodbury, The History of the Pennsylvania Hospital 1751–1895 (Philadelphia, 1895), p. 43. “On December 29, 1760, a letter was written to Franklin for some necessary drugs and medicines, and he was also asked ‘to join with some others of our fellow citizens, now in London, in soliciting contributions on behalf of the Hospital from...
30386To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 12 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society Here is a visible Aurora Borealis; at 7 a Clock it was about two hours high, to the northward pretty bright. Soon after Day light disappeared it was much more East, where it was redder with some faint streamers, whose Points reached near 45 Degrees Elevation, which soon disappeared, and the Light descended by Degrees under the Pole, and by 10 a Clock was near...
30387To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 24 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy and transcript: National Archives Vous trouverez ci-joint, M, un office qui m’a été remis de la part de la Cour de Coppenhague; cette piéce est relative à des excès qui doivent avoir été commis près des côtes de Norwège par trois Vx. [Vaisseaux] Americains; je ne doute pas que vous ne vous empressiez à le faire parvenir au...
30388To Benjamin Franklin from John Viny, with a Note by Mary Hewson, [after 28 November 1783] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I am favourd with yours of the third of Octobr, in about ten days, the contents of which, does me the highest Honor as it is demonstrative of your desire to serve me and my Family, from the Impulse of Affection, the Evidence of which is so like your Self, most Indearingly conveyed; but no more, let it Suffice that we love, honor, and Revere you, and wait...
30389To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am thus far arrived on my Journey, and have met with every success I could possibly have expected. I have been introduced to the first Houses in Liverpool, and this place, and am likely to make very valuable connections. I do not mean to make any sudden engagements, but to establish a correspondence in every place, and in every manufacturing branch, which...
30390To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copies: New-York Historical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives Majr Genl Du Portail will have the honor to present this. Congress in consideration of their Long & faithful services in this country have grantd permission to him & Colls. De Laumoy & Gouvion to revisit their friends in Europe for the winter. As the merit of these...
30391To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Le Poole, 12 March 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Amsterdam, March 12, 1778, in English: I have just learned that inquiries have been made of you from here about whether I am a Congressional agent, and that you have answered that I am not but have connections with Virginia merchants. I send copies of two certificates, from the Governors of North Carolina and Virginia, given me before I left Charleston. I...
30392To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 29 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Samuel Andrews, formely of Boston lately of Demarara, is going to Paris upon Business, respecting a Vessell taken by the French and carried into Martinico. He will lay before you his Papers, and hopes for your Countenance, in the Prosecution of his Appeal, altho he claims as a Dutchman. I have the Honour to recommend him to your Excellencys Notice. I...
30393To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 20 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure of writing you a day or two ago by the Shelala Capt. Holmes, on board of whom I have put 2 Barrels of Pippins & one large Barrel of Nuts, I also sent you the 2d. Sets of your Interest Bills; I now inclose you the third. We are just informed that Capt. Smith in the Kensington is arrived at Boston, having been chased in there, by a Frigate,...
30394To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Sowden, 7 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of Your very obliging permission, I transmit the inclosed to Your Care. Its immediate destination is to my good Friend Mr. Rumsey, who, when he has read will transmit it to Mr. Gordon. You will therefore render me a very acceptable favor, if after the perusal of its contents, You will be so good as to seal, and address it to Mr. Rumsey. But...
30395To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 3 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Adams has the Honour to inform Dr Franklin that the American Ministers for the Peace, are desired by the British Minister to meet him at the Hotel du Parc Royal, Wednesday, at Eleven, for a Conference concerning the Definitive Treaty. Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats Unis...
30396To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 6 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The mystery which you so delicately mention in your much esteemed favor of the 24th. Ulto.— it has been my intention for more than Twelve Months past to communicate to you; which however I have put off from time to time on reflecting that the Account must give you more pain than pleasure:—yet had I not, on my sudden departure from hence for Paris,...
30397To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent, Chambers and Co., 25 January 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Mincing Lane, January 25, 1772, in the third person. The firm has received instructions by Mr. Bache to withdraw Franklin’s account, which with interest amounts to £149 16 s. 1 d. ; what does he wish to have done with the money? > For the mercantile firm, formerly Sargent Aufrere, see above, IX , 359 n; XIII , 295 n. The withdrawal was part of a present of...
30398To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas Desmarest, 6 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Although this is the only letter that survives between Franklin and his fellow academician Nicolas Desmarest, the two men must have spent hours discussing a topic of mutual fascination: the technology of papermaking. Franklin attended a meeting of the Academy of Sciences on December 19, 1781, at which writing paper manufactured at the newly-renovated...
30399To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [on or after 23 February 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La dame a mille choses à répondre au monsieur, mais elle craint malgré la bonté de sa cause, qu’il ne garde sa prévention contre elle, leur oppinion étant absolument contraire; le monsieur, (grand phillosophe) suit la doctrine d’Anacréon et celle d’épicure; la dame est platoniciénne: l’un veut un amour gras, pottellé, un amour de chair et d’os; gasté choyé...
30400To Benjamin Franklin from François Bernier, 6 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Lorsque j’eus hier l’honneur de rendre mes hommages a votre Excellence, avec Mr. le Marquis de la Salle, en vous engageant a venir voir nos travaux, j’eus celui de vous dire qu’il serait assés tôt sur les unze heures, mais aiant fait reflexions qu’il y a tres peu d’especes a fraper, nos opérations Effigiaires pourraient être finiës dés les huit heures, Jai...