30451To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 17 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je crois devoir profiter de la poste de Rotterdam, qui part demain pour la France, pour vous communiquer ce qui suit plus promptement. Un ami vient de m’écrire, que quoiqu’il ne puisse pas supposer que je puisse ignorer l’arrivée d’un Mr. Searle ou Searce (car je ne puis pas bien lire le nom tel qu’il est écrit) il croît...
30452To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very sorry to hear that you have an attack of the Gout, but I hope it will soon be over. As to Business I must refer you to the inclosed. As I suppose I am to stay here some time longer, I shall be glad to hear from you what my future Line of Life is to be, for I take it for granted that I am not to return to England again. Mr. Lee mention’d that you...
30453To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This lettre will be delivred to you by the Countesse de Fries, a lady, to whose family I am obliged for their constant kindness and civitilities towards me. Her Husband, one of the richest and the most respectable men of Europe, establish’d here in the most extensive banking business, a protestant and a Republican, being a Swish born; being very desirous of...
30454To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, [before 24 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Partial AL : Library of Congress … [sous] les yeux de M. le Cte. de Vergennes. Je desirerois fort, Monsieur, davoir un entretien avec vous et M. Jay, et vous m’obligeriez si vous vouliez me recevoir et me donner à diner avec lui jeudy prochain. J’attendrai votre réponse. J’ai l’honneur dêtre avec un On Oct. 24, a Thursday, Jay dined with BF at Passy and was surprised to find Rayneval there....
30455To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 26 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Rec’d your favor of the 14th per Mr Oswald & am much obliged to you for your friendly Intentions, I have the Satisfaction to inform you that after all the Alarms & Apprehensions the upshot was tolerable, much better than I expected. I without delay waited upon the Secretary of State with the discharges of the Officers you sent me & he readily...
30456To Benjamin Franklin from John Bradford, Jr., [after 21 September 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I inform you that I am an American, and have been favour’d with an academical Education, you will conclude that I am not unacquainted with your political or literary Character. You will not therefore expect that I should attempt to add to the Encomiums which are resounded over every part of Europe, as it would surpass the power of human Invention to...
30457To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Pigott, [after 27 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Pigott presents respectfull compliments to his Excellency Dr. Franklyn & has the Honor to send Three Letters which He brought from Geneva. Mr. Pigott hopes his Excellence will permit Him the Honor to make his personal respects as soon as may be. Pigott ( DNB ), convinced that the American Revolution presaged the ruin of England, had sold his Shropshire...
30458To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 6 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the immediate opportunity of Mr: John Collin’s return from Paris, to Express my sincere and most Gratefull thanks to you, for your repeated favors, which have left Impressions on my mind that no Time can Efface; Happy shall I Esteem myself in every opportunity of Shewing my respect to so Great & Eminently distinguished a Character; May The Almighty...
30459To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Carloman de Rulhière, 22 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library Monsieur franklin a eu la bonté de me promettre un livre qui a paru nouvellement en Angleterre sur le grand evenement de la liberté Americaine, et qui a eté composé en grande partie d’après des memoires que lui même avoit donnès autrefois à un homme qui dans ce tems là etait membre du parlement. Je crains qu’il ne m’ait òublié, ce monument est trop precieus pour...
30460To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Holland, 25 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Husband Thomas Holland Was an officer in the Congress Service and Was kild, he left me with three Children in the outmost Distress in boy [body] and mind your Well Knowing goodness will take my Cause into your Serious Consideration and Communicate it to the Congress that I might meet with Such Relief as they Shall think most proper my Husband and me was...
30461To Benjamin Franklin from James Hopkins and James Corrick, 2 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We the underwritten being Natives of America (hearing there are Ships belonging to the united States at Nantes and bound for America) Pettiton your Excellency that you would gett us the Liberty to go in one of those Vessells in order for our proceeding to America and as we are able to engage in any office or Station onboard a Ship we hope your excellency...
30462To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 17 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I beg leave to refer to my letter of the 6th Instant by the hands of Mr. Storer—to speak in the current stile, Government is still a float. In the moment when it was thought an Administration would be formed, the prospects of the Coalition have been dashed— The K. it seems has been the stipulator, insisted upon keeping the Lord...
30463To Benjamin Franklin from John Risdel, 19 February 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <St. Malo, February 19, 1778: I served on the Reprisal for twenty months and was then in hospital for three. I am not yet able to do hard work, and lack clothes and cash; wages and prize money are due me. Please send me either money or a draft on a St. Malo merchant; I am in great need of help.> A seaman left behind when Wickes sailed the previous...
30464To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 14 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had Yesterday the honour of receiving Your Excellencys letter of the 4th. and I shou’d immediately wait upon You at Passy, but I think it better to remain here for your reply to what I shall now write, and that shall intirely govern my Proceedings— I have not Yet been able to procure proper Conveyances for the supply’s that are here, nor indeed Can I say...
30465To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been confin’d to my House great Part of this Winter by my valetudinary State, and been little able to see and converse with my Friends, and less to write to them. A Line from you would have greatly refresh’d me in this Confinement, as your Letters have ever been one of the greatest Entertainments of my Life: but I do not mean to complain, having been...
30466To Benjamin Franklin from Landais: Two Letters, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Having received a Letter of the 13 Inst. from my Surgeon Mr Windship, whom I sent Express to you, Intimating to me that my Crew is to be compleated with French Seamen, that I am to go from hence to Port L’Orient to be refitted & Careen’d, & from thence to America. Upon which, I beg leave to observe to your...
30467To Benjamin Franklin from Kéralio, 20 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nôtre excellente Douairiere, mon respectable ami, Espere que vous aurés reçu avec votre bonté ordinaire la petite marque d’amitié qu’elle a cru devoir vous donner, après la perte que vous aviés faite de sa premiere canne. Plaignés la de n’avoir pu vous aller voir depuis long-temps; mais vous concevés toutes les affaires tous les embarras dont elle est...
30468To Benjamin Franklin from John Ross, [November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society In the Midst of our Confusions, You will permit me to trouble You with the reading a line from me also, but to give You a Regular Course of Intelligence Concerning our affairs, is What I will not Attempt, as I hate Writing Very much, and leave that to Mr. Hughes our Welsh Squire, who upon Honour has fought the Battle Manfully, and I think there...
30469To Benjamin Franklin from Gruel, 28 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je ne suivrai point l’usage, ni ne vous ferai de compliment du jour; le sentiment ne connoit pas ce language; je me bornerai à vous exprimer la sincerité des voeux que je forme pour vous en ce nouvel an: je vous souhaite, monsieur, une continuation de parfaite santé une issue satisfaisante dans vos glorieux projets, et l’accomplissement en entier de tout ce...
30470To Benjamin Franklin from Catherine Macaulay, 8 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have some affaires which demand my immediat return to England. You are very sensible that the suspenssion of the Habeas Corpus Act subjects me to an immediat imprisonment on any suspicion of my having held a correspondence with your Countrymen on this side the Water. This Sir is the only reason why I did not fix a day to have the honor of seeing you at my...
30471To Benjamin Franklin from Andreas Christian Knoepffel, 4 March 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The present volume contains a number of letters from Frenchmen and other Europeans who want to settle in the United States, and we summarize them here in a single group. The writers are not only would-be emigrants, for a number of those included in our headnote on candidates for military service in America expect to make it their home. The ones...
30472To Benjamin Franklin from John Davies and David Gavin, 26 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library It is with much concern that we find ourselves reduced to the necessity of beging leave to lay before your Excellency the real state of our situation; which is that of being private Citizens and subjects of Great Britain, taken prisoners at Sea on Board the Snow Industery John Brown master, on our passage from the Island of Antigua to Britain, by the...
30473To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 5 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The friendship you showd me in transacting the Debt that was due to me by Benjamin Mecom (for which I reckon myself much oblidgd to you) embol[dens me] to ask the favour, that with your Convenience you will also tr[ansact the] debt due to me, by Mr. James Parker of New York lately deceasd. [ Torn. ] I send you the Accompt, by which there is a ballance due to...
30474To Benjamin Franklin from ———, [1759–1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragment): Historical Society of Pennsylvania [ First part missing ] Franklyn for the Favor of his Invitation, sho’d have answer’d his Card sooner but has been kept at Westminster the whole Day, begs Leave now to say, that He will wait on the Doctor, and in the mean Time begs his Acceptance of his most respectful Compliments. The writer has not been identified, though the handwriting bears...
30475To Benjamin Franklin from John Green, 23 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) or copy: Carrow Thibault, (Ardmore, Pa. 1955) On the Seventh of this presant Septr. Captn John Manley now In Mill Prison in the presence of Captn John F Williams & Captn Gideon Hanfield Boath Captive did heare Captn Manley prepose his Selling his turn of gowing in the Furst Carteel to me or anney outher person that Would purtches it of him for the Sum of twenty one Shilling paid...
30476To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 13 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Izard’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and returns him the Newspapers he was so obliging as to send him. Mr. Izard encloses the Gazette Extraordinary, which gives an account of the evacuation of Mud Island, and Red Bank. Howe’s Letter gives us reason to expect news of very great importance soon. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. le Dr. Franklin / a / Passy...
30477To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Albon, 25 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est avec empressement, Monsieur, que jai l’honneur de vous envoier mon ouvrage. L’hommage que je vous en fais vous est dû mieux qu’à toute autre personne. Je m’y suis attaché à défendre Les intêréts d’un peuple opprimé dont vous êtes aujourdhui le representant, comme vous en fûtes le créateur, car, le vrai créateur d’un peuple est celui qui lui donne de...
30478To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Girard, 23 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Reclame votre justice, pour obtenir Celle qui m’est dûe par Lun de vos Compatriotes appellé Vinzandt. Ce M: qui passa icy au mois d’aout 1777. etoit Descandu Chez L’un de nos Negts. quand il y eût fait ses affaires qui Ly avoient amené et quil fut à la veille de son depart, M: de la Croix Chez Lequel il etoit descandu veint avec Lui me demander une...
30479To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Etienne Gaucher, [before 26 May 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society T∴ C∴ F∴ L∴ R∴ L∴ des Neuf Sœurs, est convoquée pour le lundy 26 du 3e. mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5783, en son local, rue Coquéron, à 4 heures précises. Il y aura Reception au 1er. Grade et affiliation, l’on fera la Nomination des officiers, ensuite Banquet . Vous êtes prié d’y venir augmenter les douceurs de l’union...
30480To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 2 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Letter I did myself the honnour to write your Excellency the 30th. ulto. Conveyd the Particulars of the Cruise of the Black Prince Cutter. Her Cap. Mr. Stephen marchant, Sends me, recd. per yesterday mail, The List of his Prisonners deliverd in Morlaix, & also, a List of 21, equal number, of his men on Board of the 6 Prises, which, he has all reason to...
30481To Benjamin Franklin from John Porter, 6 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you’l Excuse my Presumtion In thus Addressing you, as, It is not only In Order to Acquaint you of my Misfortune, by being taken on the 1 Inst. of May by the Faydrant Capt. Jervis, within a few Leagues of Nonte River to which Place I was Bound in a Bermuda Builte Sloop Cald the Alice Belonging to Messr. Thoms. Savage, Blake, Russell, Greenwood, &...
30482To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 17 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: General Post Office, London Mr. Todd presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and sends him an extract of a Letter to Messrs. Foxcroft and Finlay of the 9th. of Decr. last concerning the Balance remaining in his Hands to which he has not as yet received an Answer, but makes no doubt when it comes it will clear up every Difficulty in settling his Accounts finally with this...
30483To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 10 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Two Bills which I have the honor to inclose you for Acceptance were sent me by Edward Bird Esqr: of Philada: with orders to procure payment for the same, unless I had advice that Major Peter Scull was arriv’d in France.— The firsts of these Bills were deliver’d to Major Scull & the seconds were forwarded by the Diana, which Vessell I understand is...
30484To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 28 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the short stay my mother made here I could not find time to write a letter, therefore I hop’d my verbal acknowledgments would be accepted, yet I did not intend my pen should neglect it’s duty. I really am much oblig’d to you for the trouble you took to gratify me, and notwithstanding the frequency of my obligations to you I always have great pleasure...
30485To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Marchant, 27 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope that you will Exkus my a wrighting To you and I hope that youre honner will Not be afronted at my Not aquanting him of my Comming here But I Receved a Letter that If I wood Com to Dunkirk I shold have the Command off a Prvereter and thinking It a Bad time of the yeare for to goo upon the American kost I consented for to Com Back and found for to Be...
30486To Benjamin Franklin from the Princesse de Chimay, [before 22 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Made. la Psse. de Chimay prie monsieur Francklin de diner au traitement que la Reine donne à Madame l’Ambassadrice d’Angleterre, chez Mr. le Marquis de Talaru Premier Maitre d’hôtel de Sa Majesté, mardi 22 juillet Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin, ministre Plénipotentiaire / des Etats unis de L’Amérique Septentrionale / A Passy Laure-Auguste de...
30487To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 12 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai mis Sous les yeux de M. le Cte. de Vergennes, M, les differentes letres que M Hartley vous a écrites, ainsi que votre projet de rèponse; ce Ministre a donné une entiére aprobation à la manière dont vous vous exprimez. Je joins ici un postscriptum concernant M. forth; M. le Cte. de Vergennes, qui en a pris lecture, trouve que vous...
30488To Benjamin Franklin from O’Reilly de Quane, 26 July 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Abbaye de St. Martin, Aumale, July 26, 1777, in French: I have long been one of your most constant admirers [he gives the reasons at great length] and one of the warmest friends of your cause; in this I take after my Irish father, an intrepid defender of justice. I cannot, because of my calling, shed my blood for the Americans, as I otherwise should to the...
30489To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 22 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the pleasure a few days ago of writing you a long Letter, which I committed to the care of Capt. All— also wrote to Temple & Ben—sent you the Indian Spelling Book, & the Dutch & English papers; these last I committed to the care of a Mr. Ray, a young Man that I have recommended to your notice, as he purposes visiting Paris soon after his...
30490To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Mailhe, 21 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’horreur qe j’ai conçue dès long-temps pour la Tyrannie des Anglois, et la justice de la cause américaine, m’ont inspiré cette piece de vers. Que n’ont-ils la vertu d’entraîner quiconque n’est pas partisan du Congrès? Ce nombre est pourtant bien petit. On ne parle plus que de Vashington et de Franclin. L’Amérique, pour secouer le joug anglican, avait...
30491To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris: Two Letters, 27 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Two LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society, Yale University Library, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Library of Congress I have the Honor to enclose the Copy of Acts of Congress of the fourteenth and twenty third Instant, together with the Copy of my Letter of the...
30492To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Toussaint Masson, 22 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai lu avec plaisir dans le Courier de l’Europe une traduction du fameux vers latin, qui vous est si justement apliqué. Elle m’a parue bien faite, et n’avoir d’autre défaut, que de ne point aprocher de la brieveté de l’original. C’est ce qui m’a engagé a en tenter une autre, qui n’a peut être d’autre mérite, qu’une plus grande précision. Quoiqu’il en soit,...
30493To Benjamin Franklin from Nogaret, July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Recevez nos Sinceres remercimens du cadeau sans prix que vous avez eu la bonté de nous faire. Le Peintre ne nous la remis qu’aujourd’hui jeudi. Puissiez vous vivre autant que durera votre portrait. Ce bijou devient un immeuble dont personne de nous ne peut jamais être tenté de se déffaire: il passera dans la famille de pere en fils, et Sera respecté des...
30494To Benjamin Franklin from Magellan, 22 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Celle-ci est pour un acte d’amitié & d’humanité, auquel je suis sur que vous prendrez tout parti, & vous employeres pour reussir. C’est en faveur d’un ami, de celui que vous connoissez & voyez à Passy. Son frere Richard Nairne, capitain du vaisseau Marchand nommé the generous Friends. , en venant de Newfound Land, fut pris par la Fregate Flora , commandée...
30495To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 4 November 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have received yours of the 31: of Octr. by which I find my Self obliged for your kind Intention to have made an Electrical Operation upon me at Burlington had your Affairs allowd your coming thither which I am sorry they did not for I had concieved much Satisfaction in the Experiment being made by a Gentleman of so much knowledge and practice...
30496To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 4 October 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office Though I have nothing new to communicate yet as this is the last regular Packett that is to sail from hence for some time at least, I do not choose to let it go without dropping you a Line. I see with Concern that you have accepted of the Place of Postmaster from the Congress, a Step of itself which...
30497To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 8 August 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having received yours of the 11th of May, and 8th of June, the 30th of last Month, on my Way towards Burlington, with the Packet and Commission for Land-Waiter at New-York it may be not unnecessary, that I answer as fully as I can. As it was unexpected, and far from my Thoughts, I was the more surprized: It naturally excited me to reflect upon your...
30498To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 26 February 1744 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks); another transcript: American Philosophical Society I have this day read over my version of Cicero’s Cato Major in thy Print, with my Notes on it, and cannot but applaud thy care but wish thou hadst not begun in pa: 49 with Greek Letter, since thou hadst not enough of the same character to go on with it, for to this alone I must impute the failure....
30499To Benjamin Franklin from Simon-Pierre Fournier le Jeune, 14 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay l’honneur de vous réiterer votre demande de la fonte de Petit Romain par laquelle vous attendiés des modelles: Pour regler la hauteur en Papier, étant Prêt a la faire commencer, comme vous m’en avés Parû Pressé. Si votre courier d’anglettere est arrivé, et que vous daigné m’en faire Part vous obligérés celui qui a l’honneur d’être avec Respect,...
30500To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 23 April 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Lord North being at the Head of Affairs and having show’d an Inclination in my Favour upon an Application made in my Behalf by Mrs. Johnson makes me flatter myself that, something or other may possibly be obtain’d for my Benefit. To this purpose I have wrote to the Bishop of Worcester, and as he is in the Country during the Summer Season have told him...