30751To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Peter Halkett, 23 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 175–6. May 23, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are quoted in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 209). Sir Peter...
30752To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 29 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Roi de Suede arriva ici le 26 au soir & repart ce soir. Il a soupé le 26 & le 27 chez Mr. l’Ambr. de France; & le 28 chez l’Ambr. d’Angle. qui s’est donné beaucoup de mouvement pour cela; & l’on a eu quelque peine a engager le Roi d’y aller. Comme le Spectacle est suspendu pendant ces 2 semaines, Mr. l’Ambr. de France a donné le 27 & le 28 ce Spectacle...
30753To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 1 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I got Safe here Wednesday evening, after one of the Pleasantest Journeys I ever made, and made the Girls very happy with the prospect of a visit from you. If the Business of that Musty Town you reside in can admit of a few weeks interuption you will find travelling infinitely more comfortable than when the Warm weather Sets in, besides when I was a young...
30754To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 20 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress A few days since—by the Chevr. De Chatteleaux I had the honor to receive your favor of the 19th. of March introductory of him, and thank you for bringing me acquainted with a Gentleman of his merit, knowledge, and agreeable manners.— I spent several days very happily with him at our Camp near the Great Falls of Passaic in...
30755To Benjamin Franklin from John and Sarah Jay, 3 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. & Mrs. Jay request the honor of Dr. Franklin’s Company at Dinner at 3 o’Clock on Saturday the 7th. Inst.— Addressed: His Excellency Dr. Franklin / Passy— In the hand of Sarah Jay. The only year during the Jays’ stay in France that Feb. 7 fell on a Saturday. John Jay had only just returned from England; he rejoined his family at the end of January: Jay...
30756To Benjamin Franklin from John Fothergill, 19 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and extract: Library of Congress Be kind enough to take the charge of the inclosed and convey them at thy leisure. [ Deleted ] is a staunch Anti American. I have received a letter from him to day by way of Liverpool which hurts me much. Get him, Jas. Pemberton and two or three more together, and inform them, that whatever specious pretences are offerd, they are all hollow and that to get a...
30757To Benjamin Franklin from Fizeaux, Grand & Cie., 3 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Conformément á la lettre que vous nous avéz fait l’honneur de nous écrire le 23 du mois dernier, nous avons acquité la traitte de M. Morris Sur nous de L2458.10. & Suivant vos ordres nous nous en remboursons par la nôtre Sur vous Monsieur de 820 écus, á 20 jours de date, á nôtre ordre. Nous en créditons le Compte des Etats unis au che. [change] de 54 5/16 en...
30758To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Dominique de Roberdeau and Other Favor Seekers and Admirers, 6 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A number of people asked Franklin for a favor during the spring of 1779. According to our custom, we publish a collective summary of their requests, grouped by topic: the forwarding of mail, financial advice or assistance, a position as commissary, and sheer admiration of Franklin. The favor most frequently applied for is that of forwarding mail to America....
30759To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Valentin Embser, 6 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ce n’est pas au Vengeur de l’Amérique, ni au Ministre d’un Peuple, qui a osé défendre si glorieusement aux yeux de l’univers etonné les droits sacrés de l’humanité, que j’addresse cette Lettre; c’est à l’illustre Savant, qui étant à la tête de la République des Lettres depuis long-tems a encore su servir de flambeau à un nouvel Hémisphère dont Il a créé &...
30760To Benjamin Franklin from James Jay, 18 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Affair of the Officers last winter having nothing to do with our present business, I decline saying any thing on the subject, without however admitting that the representation you give of it is free of error. Had you read what I said of implicit faith with a little more attention, you would have found it was applied to matters of judgment, not of...
30761To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform you that I have this day drawn upon you, a sett of 2 Bills of Exchange, at one usance, in favour of Messrs Fizeaux Grand & Co, for Six hundred and twenty five Pounds sterling being my Salary for one Quarter, computed in the Bill at four Thousands seven hundred and thirty three Crowns, Ten Sols and nine Deniers, of Sixty...
30762To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, 23 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez Mon Illustre Docteur que Je vous demande une grace pour La personne qui aura lhonneur de vous remettre ce billet. C’est M. Tremel habile Mécanicien on lui a presenté des billets de différrentes especes du Congrès et de différrentes dattes Qu’on voudroit lui donner en payement pour des machines qu’on voudroit lui faire faire mais craignant qu’ils...
30763To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, 6 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society The Marquis de la Fayette has the Honor to present his Compliments to Mr. Franklin and begs the Favor of His Company at Dinner on Monday next An Answer is desired June 9. BF was a frequent guest at the Monday dinners held at Lafayette’s magnificent new home: XXXIX , 520–1n; Louis Gottschalk, Lafayette between the American...
30764To Benjamin Franklin from Pieter Buyck, 29 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de Vous Confirmer ma dernre. du 17. feve. Sur la quelle Je me flattois de me Voir favorisé de Votre reponse, mais a mon deplaisir Je m’en trouve frustré Jusqu’a ce moment. Puisque Je trouve que Le plus long terme, que m’a fixé monsr. Wm. Bell de Recevoir de Son Excellence La Remise des f. 6888..10..8 de change, est Échu aux environs d’un mois,...
30765To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 6 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received Your favour of the 27th ult. It is true I would Chuse rather all Americains for the Ship’s crew than part of it french for that mixture has ever since the begining of the war brought trouble and discontent on board the Ships have had it beside they Should be of litle use having no officers that tock french, However I would prefer to have Some of...
30766To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’aurois repondu plutot Monsieur et cher confrère, à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l honneur de m’écrire; si je n’avois voulu vous parler de celle que vous m’avez fait remettre, par LAbbé Morellet, pour M. Le Duc de la Vrillière. J’ai conçu, par là, que vous desiriez que je la remisse en main propre à ce Ministre, et ce n’est que depuis quelques Jours, que...
30767To Benjamin Franklin from A.-R.-J. Turgot, [c. February 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Note recommandée a Monsieur Franklin par Mr Turgot. Le Sr. Roulhac fils du Lieutenant General, ou premier officier de la senechaussée de Limoges est passé il y a un an a Boston en qualité de facteur des Srs. Raimbaud et Basmarein Negociants a Bordeaux. Il a parcouru les differens ports de l’Amerique septentrionale pour y former des relations de commerce, et...
30768To Benjamin Franklin from John Barry, 27 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: New-York Historical Society I have the Honor to Acquaint your Excellency of my safe Arrival here yesterday, with the Frigate Alliance in Order to Receive your dispatches for America, which I hope will be here next post. But should that not be the case as the Alliance may want some few things, I shall wait for the Return of the Post for them; but it...
30769To Benjamin Franklin from Julien-Michel Guiard, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, and Other Offerers of Remedies for the … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Since 1782, when he suffered his first attack of his bladder stone, Franklin had been receiving remedies and advice from individuals throughout France and England. Most of this was unsolicited, sent by friends and strangers who were eager to offer anything that might ease the pain if not cure the affliction. In the spring of 1784, when the jostle of a carriage was...
30770To Benjamin Franklin from Cradock Taylor, 3 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope your Excellency will excuse my troubling you with this letter as I think it a favourable Oppertunity of Convincing you that I am no Imposture. Mr. Gregoire (a Merchant of this City who I am perfectly well acquainted with) will do me the Service to acquaint your Excellency that he has always Understood me to be an American & that he has likewise been...
30771To Benjamin Franklin from John Browne, 13 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was first Lieutenant, of the Ship Boston, under Captn. Mc.Neil, the first Cruize she made, But when Captn. Tucker got her, I left her, I then got the command of the Continential Brigg Dispatch, to come to France, but had the misfortune to be taken, and Carried to Scotland, and with much Difficulty, got from thence to France, I was at your house in Passey,...
30772To Benjamin Franklin from William Dames, 16 March 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ Missing ] letters frequently are sent down by the westren [ missing ] post to Annapolis, which occations a [ missing ] delay, Expence, and trouble, Shall be obliged [ missing ] if you give your Young Man directions [ missing ] all my Letters for our New town, or [Chester?]town post, to be by him forwarded me. [ Missing ] Can in any shape serve...
30773To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquess of Lansdowne, 11 [December] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I am sorry that your Grandson did not stay long enough for me to shew him all the civility I wish’d in consequence of your recommendation. If he should ever find it desireable to settle in this Country, I shall be glad to do him any service, which lyes in my power. I am oblig’d to you for your account of Mr. Mesmer— We have many such Gentry, but unhappily we have no...
30774To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 12 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you by the same conveyance with this on the 8th. Int., and the detention the bearer has met with gives me an opportunity to forward a few more news papers; as well as to inform you that I have got things in such a way with Capn. C——m as to render his situation much more comfortable and easy to himself. I wish I had it in my power to say as much...
30775To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je reçois a l’instant une lettre du grand voisin qui me paroist inquiét et qui me dit que vous l’éstes aussi mon bon papa; rassurés vous mes bons amis mon état est en verité meilleur que je n’osois l’éspérér, le régime que lorry me fait suivre, et le beau soleil qu’il m’a conseillé d’allér chercher me réussissent par merveille; mon ame toujours tendre,...
30776To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft:) Virginia Historical Society Before I quitted this place it was my wish to put the public commercial business, as far as I was empowerd, into such a train that it might be conducted with harmony and effect. I had experienced in myself that the partiality you and Mr. Deane manifested for Mr. Williams and the powers with which you thought proper to invest him had greatly impeded me in...
30777To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Coombe, 17 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favour of the 5th January, I receiv’d per Cap. Falconer. The Book you was pleased to send me, I also received, and accept as a mark of the Authors Friendship, tho the Instances of the very extraordinary kindness shewn my Son and your Assurances of it’s continuance, together with the Pleasure you are pleased to express in my recommending him to you, are...
30778To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Brossière, 5 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mille pardons si Je prens la liberté de vous détourner un instant de vos immenses occupations; mais la Circonstance dans laquelle Je me trouve, demande un éclaircissement qu’on m’a assuré que vous pouviés me donner. Voici le fait. Une certaine Demoiselle, nommée Desbois, originaire de cette Province, est venû demeurer dans cette Ville; elle y est entré, y...
30779To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel W. Stockton, 7 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Some few weeks since I received information from The Honble Wm. Lee Esqr. that he had not expectation of the continuance of supplies from The Honble The Commissioners at Paris, and therefore he advised my return to America. He sets out in a few hours for Paris and is kind enough to promise to forward this to Passy. I intend myself to depart tomorrow from...
30780To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 10 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I had the honor of receiving your Letter of yesterday in which you inform me, that Messrs. Bayard, Chaumont, & Montieu were the Merchants you alluded to in your Letter to my Brother, & that you understood their terms were those proposed by Virginia. The first of these Gentlemen, who never applied to me, I understand is a...