31701To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan: Two Letters, 16 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg permission to introduce to your warm civilities, Lord Daer, son of the Earl of Selkirk. He was introduced to me lately as a very valuable & philosophical acquaintance, & my short intercourse with him has confirmed every report I had heard of him. His political principles are well known, & very friendly to us. He means to stay some time at...
31702To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Hancock, 10 August 1741 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Boston Public Library Inclosed you have Coppys of Seven note of hand from Sundry Persons who have Since Run away in my Debt, and I am Told are Gon Towards Philadelphia the Jerseys and Penciliania. I have therefore Taken the Freedom per this Opportunity to ask the Favor of you to make Inquiery after the within named Gentry, and if to be found pray Secure them, or Oblige ’em to pay the...
31703To Benjamin Franklin from [James Theobald], 7 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of acquainting You by means of my Particular Freind Mr. James Joseph de Bay Manufactor of Lace in the New Street near the Play House at Brussells, That on the 27 past I Recieved a Letter from Miss Lydia B. of Preston Acquainting Us That on the 24 past She and her afflicted Sisters had the Misfortune to loose the very best of Mothers. She...
31704To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I have little agreeable to say, and your Time must be much better employ’d than in reading any Thing I can say, I shall the less intrude on you. I imagined you would be on the Return before this: but I heard there was not that Expectation, I wrote you a few Days ago per Capt. Miller. My Son is about embarking, and perhaps may sail before this for London:...
31705To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 26 January 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I emptied my Budget Largely by unfortunate Capt. Davis and as our Friend Smith comes in Capt. Shirley it will save Mee a very Long detail of what has passed between Mee and your proprietor as He has been privy to most of It, in General I can tell you He is Ardent in promoting Enlish Schools for teaching the Germans, as you will see by the Scheme When Mr....
31706To Benjamin Franklin from Simon-Pierre Fournier le jeune, 15 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me Suis fait honneur en entier de votre Portrait a mon beau pere, qui étoit avec moi, et Principalement ma femme, qui a été au Comble. Je vous en Réitere mes très humbles Remercimens votre Portrait fait sur mon ame million de fois Plus de Plaisir que Les accessoires que j’ai cru devoir y faire. Jai été trop sensible a La maniere honnête et délicate avec...
31707To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Empson, 23 April 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours by the last post—and return you a thousand thanks for the money you are so kind as to Alow me which I have Drawn on you for. I am affraid by the Manner and Shortness of your letter that you [are?] displeased with the freedom I have taken [in my writing?] to you. But alass Sir if you [were in my situation?] without friends or money you...
31708To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 23 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Fraklin and will have the pleasure of waiting on him tomorrow forenoon to take leave and hopes the Copy of the Treatys will be ready for him. Addressed: Honble / Benjamen Franklin Esqr. Notation: W. Lee 23 March 1778 to BF. He had requested these copies on the 19th. BF , answering on the 24th, pointed...
31709To Benjamin Franklin from Herman Heyman’s Sons, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 17 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Satisfaction, that we Observed by the Publick papers the Declaration of Independence from Great Brittain to the United States, a Situation which we Have heartily wished to the latter for many Years past, and by which means our Country, will be now abel to enter in the most frindly & advantageous Alliance with the same; to convince the...
31710To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 20 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour to in form your Exelency that I am At libirty And have Arranged with DAutun to A great advantage there is A ballance due me by him of 30,000 Livers wich I Hope he will pay me in A few days then will have it in my power to remet to your Exelency the 12 Louis you was Kind Enough to lend me When in destress for wich I Ever shall Greatfully...
31711To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Antoine de Rubigny de Berteval, 3 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis on ne peust plus reconnoisant de la bonté que vous avez Eut de repondre a La Lettre que Javois Eut L’honneur de vous Ecrire Je suis pleinement satisfait de votre reponse. Le 1e. moment ou mes affaire me permetront de quiter Je nauray rien de plus pressé que daller Vous presenter mon Respect. Jay L’honneur d’Estre avec Une grande consideration...
31712To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, 14 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En ma qualité de Secretaire intime de notre céleste amie, j’ai l’honneur de vous rappeller de sa part la promesse que vous Lui avés faite de Lui procurer pour ses enfants des Lettres de crédit sur la nouvelle angleterre. Dans ce cas elle desireroit une Lettre de 24,000 l.t. pour chacun d’eux; elle en a déja Sur Les isles; mais ou je suis bien trompé, ou...
31713To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 7 June 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office William Strahan was one of the few British political correspondents whom Franklin retained after leaving England. The Scot had bought himself a seat in Parliament in 1774, and consistently supported the government’s American policy. The outbreak of war, much as he regretted it, did not shake his faith...
31714To Benjamin Franklin from John Trusler, 6 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Engraved form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society The Literary Society desirous of extending their Scheme, and rendering it as general as possible, have presumed to enclose one of their Plans, and are induced to hope, should it meet with your Approbation, for the Honour of your Name as a Subscribing Member, and for any further Encouragement you may think proper to...
31715To Benjamin Franklin from Aimé (Amé)-Ambroise-Joseph Feutry, 25 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Schedel, négociant de Nuremberg en franconie, établi à Rouen, connu à La manufacture du Clos-Le-Prestre, desire d’avoir l’honneur d’assurer Monsieur Franklin de son respect, et de Lui faire quelques propositions etc. Feutry Lui a promis de l’informer du moment où M. Franklin pourra L’entendre. Endorsed: Schedel Manufacturier The only appearance in this...
31716To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society Il est essentiel, Monsieur, que Je puisse avoir l’honneur de conferer avec vous, avec M. Adams et avec ceux de Mrs. [Messieurs] Vos Collegues qui peuvent se trouver à Paris. Je vous prie en consequence, Monsieur, de vouloir bien inviter ces Mrs. à se rendre a Versailles avec vous Lundi avant dix heures du Matin. Il seroit bon...
31717To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 18 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress (two), National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress I have the honor of enclosing you an official Letter, directed to our Ministers Plenipotentiary at Paris. The Resignation of the late Secretary for foreign affairs, (occasioned by his Preference of the Chancellorship of the State of New-York, which he could not hold longer, &...
31718To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; draft: Library of Congress; copy: American Philosophical Society 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...
31719To Benjamin Franklin from John Laurens, [before 13 May 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send your Excellency the Estimate of the Board of War with the prices— Your note to Mr de La Rouerie was dispatched immediately— As sunday is the day which the Count de Vergennes has appointed for my taking leave, I shall be deprived of the pleasure of dining with Your Excellency—but shall endeavour to pay you my respects as frequently as possible in the...
31720To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Joseph Vernet, 6 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous allez voir qu’on me croit un grand saint auprés de vous, puisque des amis de versailles m’onts prié de vous Recommander Mr. Fossard premier huissier audiancier a La Prevôté de L’hôtel, qui desireroit passer en Amerique; luy meme vous expliqueroit ses intentions, et ses desirs; cela occationneroit un mariage entres Luy et Madlle. de Montauville; L’un et...
31721To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 2 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your last Letters to us were dated October, but we have had the pleasure since of hearing you were well in January— I have wrote you repeatedly of late; By this Ship a Son of Mr. Jos: Fox, & another of Judah Foulke go Passengers, their Friends have applied to me for Letters of introduction to you. I have given them Letters, tho’ I hesitated a while about...
31722To Benjamin Franklin from Horatio Gates, 23 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be deliverd to you by The Baron de Woedtkee, who appears to be a Gentleman, and a Veteran Charectors you will esteem him for he has with him other recommendations to your Notice, from some of your Paris acquaintance; if I had never fallen out with Royalty for any other reason, I should detest it, upon the poor Barons account, for the Tyrannical...
31723To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Ruston: Two Letters, 2 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society Your favour of the 9th: of October 1780, gave me great pleasure. The Scheme of a Bank, which you was pleased to say you would forward to a friend in Congress, I presume was sent to Mr...
31724To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Hardy, 19 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Beg leave to inform you that I am one of the unfortunate persons that was captured in the Confederacy Frigate and sent a prisoner from New York for England but by accident happened to put into Ireland, where I made my escape & arrived here in France a few Months past.— I expected to have taken passage for Philada, in the last vessel that sailed from...
31725To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 25 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress At the Embassadors Table I had the Pleasure of meeting Mr. Senrat the Bearer of this Letter. He hath just returned to Europe after a long Absence from his native Country France, which he quitted with a View of travelling at the kings Expence in Africa & the east Indies & returns loaded with the Spoils of these Countries in the Vegetable & animal World, He expressed a...
31726To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 23 [i.e., 22] June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: American Philosophical Society, National Archives; transcript: National Archives I have this Day the honour of a Letter from his Excellency the Comte De Vergennes, on the subject of the Resolutions of Congress of the Eighteenth of March, concerning the Paper-Bills; in which his Excellency...
31727To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, [6?]–13 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society <Passy, September [6?]–13, 1778: In order to understand our affairs and to be able to account to our constituents we should decide which expenses we will pay jointly and which separately. I think we should pay jointly for the rent of the house and furniture, hire of coachman, horses, and carriage, wages of maitre d’hôtel and cook, and table...
31728To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Rieger, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society According to your request I have taken the liberty in writeing to you haveing enclosd five letters directed to the care Mr. Parr a particular friend of mine in Philadelphia. As my business oblidges me to tarry longer here then I first expected, and anxious that my friends should hear from me, I have taken this liberty of encloseing them to your care and if...
31729To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Trumbull, 5 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty to introduce Messrs. Gerrey, and Buckingham, the Bearers to your kind notice to advise means for thier recovering some money due on some French Bills of Exchange, which they lost by accident and were accepted for payment premiture to thier presentation: probably you may put ’em in a way for to assert thier Rights if the evidence they have...
31730From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 26 December 1783 (Jay Papers)
Since we parted I have been so much & so long indisposed as that (except short letters to M rs . Jay) I have denied myself the Pleasure of writing to my Friends. The Kindness you have shewn us both, has nevertheless not been forgotten, nor has my Disposition to acknowledge and be influenced by it in the least abated. We have lately had a Report here that you was very ill with the Stone, and...
31731To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 9 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few Lines yesterday per Packet. Our Election is now over, and all the Old Members (save a few that resigned ) again are returned as Representatives in Assemby: And in the stead of those who are left out, such are come in as are warm for the Change of our Government. So that I have no Doubt but you will receive from the New House further...
31732To Benjamin Franklin from John Winthrop, 6 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed from extract in Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America … (London, 1769), p. 485. I have read in the Philosophical Transactions the account of the effects of lightning on St. Bride’s steeple. ’Tis amazing to me, that after the full demonstration you had given, of the identity of lightning and of electricity, and the power of...
31733From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I congratulate you, on the Return of your Health and thank you for the Extract from Dr. Styles, which I have communicated to Mr. Searle and Mr. Dumas as you desired. Shall be happy to See, the detail of Arnolds Conduct. As long, as Congress and Courts Martial inflict So gentle Punishments upon flagrant Criminals, and then entrust them with Commands and Employments as if nothing had happened,...
31734To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 3 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I hope you are not so entirely involved in the troublesome business of the world Politic, as to have abandon’d entirely the world of Nature, whose laws, made by the supreme wisdom are as constant, and inalterable as its Legislator himself. It would, indeed, be hard to me to concieve, that a man, a Philosopher so often and so successfully employed in researches of the...
31735To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 20 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you was the Beginning of November last, very short, as I was then taken with the Gout in my Hand, and could scarce write at all: I had just then received yours of the Middle of Sept. with the Invoice of the Goods you sent to Mr. Hughes of New-York: I immediately wrote to a Friend at New-York, as I was unable to Stir myself: They arrived just...
31736To Benjamin Franklin from Alice Freeborn, 4 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I hope your Excellancy, will Excuse the liberty I take, in beging your assistance, to relieve my Newphew, who is now Closely confin’d in Forton Prison in England— His Name is Isaac Allen son of my Brother William Allen and Grandson to the late James Franklin your Excellancies Brother— He in the early part of the present War, enterd the cause of his Country,...
31737To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Hancock, 30 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Reason I have Presum’d to take the Liberty To Address you, was to Inform you My Motive for Comming with M. Welsh Was By the Advice of many Friends To That Noble Cause you Are Engaged In, to Inform you of those Past Proceedings And Glad to have Your Instruction How to Act for The feauter [future]. Therefore As we Could not give your Honor Any Information...
31738To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 9 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very kind favours I duly received and should have answered them respectively, only that I waited in expectation of transmitting the sum then supposed necessary, trust however to your goodness to excuse the omission being at that time disappointed; your unparralell’d kindness in so readily complying with the request (through me) of the Assembly demands...
31739To Benjamin Franklin from William Hunter, [30 November 1757] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If convenient, I should be oblig’d to you for three or four Hundred Pound Draughts on your Banker. My Sister wants one of Twenty Pound; for Marketting. Yours, Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin On Dec. 1, 1757, BF noted payments of £400 and £20 in accordance with Hunter’s request below. “Account of Expences,” p. 7; PMHB , LV (1931), 105. On another part of the...
31740To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 20 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Was very happy in recieving your lettre containing the explication of the stroke of lightning at Cremona, and an other, dated July 4th, which came to hand before yesterday. Recieve my most harty thanks for both these favours and particularly for your kindness of forwarding my lettre to mr. Sam. Wharton and joining to it an admonitory note of your own on...
31741To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Neave and Son, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Reluctance that we trouble your Excellency with our Distress’d situation, but as it is likely to become Worse every day unless we can Obtain some Credit or releif, we hope you will excuse us.— When we had the Honour to see you last March, we beg’d the favor of you to Interfere so far between us & Mr. Wharton, that he might be...
31742To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Maseres, [1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Maseres presents his compliments to Dr: Franklyn and sends him two more copies of the collection of Quebec instruments and the draught of a toleration-act; of which he desires the doctor to transmit one set to his son, Governour Franklyn of New Jersey, and the other to Mr: Galloway, of Philadelphia, the speaker of the house of Assembly, with Mr: Maseres...
31743To Benjamin Franklin from [Philip?] Keay, [June 1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Keay presents his Respects to Mr. Franklin, & takes the liberty of enclosing the relation of the Accident at Philadelphia. The Person who mention’d it to Made. de Cheminot had seen Conductors upon the House, & had hastily concluded, that they had been put up previous to the accident, which they certainly were not— Madame de Cheminot presents her...
31744To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society John Adams arrived in Paris on the evening of Saturday, October 26, after a ten-day journey from The Hague. The first person he sought out the following morning was Matthew Ridley. Ridley gave him general information on the state of the negotiations, and filled him in on Franklin’s health: the Doctor was still weak and had ceased his custom of...
31745To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, [30 November … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society A Letter received of His Excellencÿ Robt. Morris Esqr. induced us to apply to your Excelly., Since we Satisfyed all the demands of Mr. Grand in consequence of the order of Said Mr. Morris, who was pleased to Say that he Should make no further disposal on us till he received our advice. We received a Letter of him dated 5 augt. that the armey being...
31746To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, 9 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Moses Grimmel who called on me this day for the Money of 2 acceptances of yours to two Loan office Bills informed me of his misfortunes. The seizure of the £15000 in Bills he had about him endorsed in blanc is an Irregularity to be sure, but not deserving such an Important Loss. We could therefore prevent part of it if said Gentlman could inform us only...
31747To Benjamin Franklin from David Gregorie, 30 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am desired to lay before your Excellency the Subjoined vouchers to Establish a proof of the atrocious abuse made by Capt Edward Macatter Commander of the black Princess Privateer, of the Power vested in him by the United States of America. The paper No 1 is a regular Protest taken by John McIsaac master of the Brig the John, at Dublin the 13 July last and...
31748To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 21 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je profite de la Lettre que Mr. De Nle. vous écrit aujourd’hui. Autrement j’aurois différé d’un ordinaire, afin de pouvoir vous apprendre ce qui se sera passé aujourd’hui à Lahaie au sujet du second Mémoire de Sir J. Y.— Il y a grande apparence, que la résolution qui sera prise à ce sujet ne plaira guere à ce dernier. Les Libelles séditieux de la part des...
31749To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, [8 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld est chargé par Madame sa mere d’engager Monsieur franklyn à lui faire l’honneur de diner chez elle samedi 14. ou Dimanche 15. ou Lundi 16. à son choix; il est prié de vouloir bien amener Monsieur son petit fils à qui M[essieu]rs de Chabot ne veulent pas manquer de faire leurs adieux, et il est prié aussi de proposer à M. Deane le...
31750To Benjamin Franklin from Simeon Samson, 28 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society As Mr. Watson waited on your Excellency with the Dispatches I had the honor to bring for you from Congress I did not write you untill the 7 Inst: when the Mercury was Clean’d and Ready for the Sea then acquainted your excellency with the same and that I was waiting your orders which was my Instructions from the Honble. Navy board at Boston & not having the...