31701To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 3 December 1747 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Sparks, Works , VII , 24–7. I have expected to see thee here for several weeks, according to my son’s information, with Euclid’s title-page printed, and my Mattaire’s Lives of the Stephenses; but it is probable thy thoughts of thy new excellent project have in some measure diverted thee, to which I most heartily wish all possible success; of which, notwithstanding, I have some...
31702To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Montgomery, 25 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of Paying my Respects to your Eccely: under the 18th Current and Since have your Truly Esteem’d of the 26th ulto and beg lave to Return you my best thanks for the Satisfaction you are Pleased to Express on Learning that I had been Quieted in my Establishment here by the favour of his Catholic Majesty, and Also for your good Wishes for the...
31703To Benjamin Franklin from Hannah Walker, 18 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received yours on the 16th. Instant with greater Joy then we Can Express to us all to think you are safe arrived in England in so short atime and were Extremely glad to hear that your good Family are all well when I read on the 10th: Instant in the Newse Paper as you was to Embark for England it was with the greatest Joy Imaginable to Read Over Such a...
31704To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer en original une lettre qui m’a été ecrite par un Sr. Schaffer qui se dit Lieutenant Colonel de la Milice des Etats Unis, et qui est actuellement détenu dans les prisons de la Conciergerie dans l’attente du Jugement d’un procès criminel qui s’instruit contre lui au Chatelet...
31705To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwalader Evans, 15 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Ship Chalkley, Capt. Volans I sent to you Owen Biddle’s, and Joel Bailey’s, observations, of the Transit of Venus, at Cape Henlopen; but as there was some error in that hasty copy, I am desired to inclose a more correct one. I have not got the observations made at the Statehouse, or at David Rittenhouse’s, but woud if I had known time enough to...
31706To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 3 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Several Packets of Letters for your Excellency, which I receiv’d by the Ships Luzerne, & Anne, both arrived here the first instant were immediately put into the Post office, but I fear too late for the Post, and suppose you will receive them at same time with this Letter.— No doubt your Letters contain the freshest intelligence; I shall not therefore...
31707To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Paine, 20 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just Time to write you a Word or two, and have the pleasure of acquainting you of my being appointd Secretary to the Committee for foreign Affairs. I conceive the honor to be the greater as the appointment was [ not ] only unsolicited on my part but made unknown to me. The News of your safe arrival in France was received here with inexpressible...
31708To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel] Potts, 3 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Potts presents his Compliments to Mr. Frankland and desires the favour of his Company to dine on a Buck of the Postmaster Generals on Wednesday next at the Kings Arms in Cornhill at 3 in the Afternoon. On the basis of handwriting comparison the editors have attributed this note to Samuel Potts, controller of the Post Office’s Inland Office, 1765–87, and...
31709To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 8 June 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have read the first Chapter of Dr. Colden’s piece on Gravitation which you was so good as to inclose in yours of the 14th. Ult. and endeavoured to understand it, but with as little Success as yourself. I have ventured notwithstanding to make in the margin a few remarks on several passages, which detach’d from the rest I tho’t I understood; but it is...
31710To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 15 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Les Etats d’Hollande se séparerent Samedi, sans avoir rien résolu du tout. Ils se rassembleront demain en huit. J’ai eu le plaisir de voir arriver successivement Mr. Sturler de l’Altemberg & Mr. De Neufville. L’un & l’autre m’ont appris les arrangemens pris avec ce dernier, tant de votre part, Monsieur, que de la part...
31711To Benjamin Franklin from F. Franklin Laboureau, 25 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This woman’s identity is tantalizing. She gives no substantial clues to whom she is. She mentions one man, and another two years later mentions her; but they are only names to us. After this letter she wrote Franklin two others that survive; each adds a bit of detail but leaves her story in shadow. One of January 22, 1781, repeats her request for an...
31712To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 25 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We this day received your kind favour by Mr Whitefoord. After a silence of more than a year we hardly expected ever to hear from you again. We are always happy to learn you are well, which Mr W. assures us you were when he saw you. I was much surprised to find you did not know of our removal to this place, as Mr Alexander saw us here in Feby. last. He slipt...
31713To Benjamin Franklin from Abel James, 19 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty to repeat my Request to thee that Thou wilt lay before James West Esqr. the Inclos’d Paper, hoping that, that worthy Gentleman will give Orders to the Executor of Peter Razor deceased to let me dispose of the Trunk of Cloaths as he desir’d me to do by the within mention’d Paper, which I got proved before I left Philada. The other Trunk...
31714To Benjamin Franklin from William Gordon, 13 August[–15 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library Your duplicate of May 1st has been recd. Am obliged to you for sending the letter to London by a safe hand, and for your kind offer with respect to any future packits. Have taken the allowed liberty of accompanying this with a few sermons. Would have Mr. Sowden’s wait till an opportunity may offer of sending it on without any great expence, or he may think that the sermon...
31715To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 26 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous avez écrit à M. le Cte de Vergennes, Monsieur, au sujet d’une lettre que vous avez reçüe le 20. de ce mois, et qui est relative au navire de Dublin les trois amis. Vous mobligerez beaucoup si vous voulez bien me renvoyer cette lettre avec l’enveloppe: j’ai lieu de la croire de M. le Cte. de Vergennes, et c’est par inadvertence qu’elle a eté expédiée...
31716To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 1 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), 1, 314–20; two incomplete copies: American Philosophical Society Depuis six mois que je suis occupé presque sans relâche de la traduction et de l’édition de vos Oeuvres, je me suis un peu familiarisé avec l’Electricité. Il faudroit avoir l’esprit bien bouché pour ne pas devenir Electrician avec vous. Mais...
31717To Benjamin Franklin from Ernst Frederik von Walterstorff, 13 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. de Walterstorff is very sorry he cannot have the honour of dining to-day with Dr. Franklin, owing to his being previously engaged; but will have the pleasure of waiting on Dr. Franklin sometime this forenoon, if possibly he can. Walterstorff (1755–1820), currently chamberlain of the king of Denmark, had met BF during a visit to Paris in 1782: BF to...
31718To Benjamin Franklin from John Emery, 17 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I yesterday recd. the Inclosed Letter from Capt. Sargent Ingersoll of the Saucy Jack, Cutter belonging to Mr. Nat Tracy of Newberry Port & myself— by the Capt. Declaration his Vessell Was taken too Nigh the Shore to be a legal prize & Genl. Oriley gives the Capt hopes of recovering her again, tho from the Spirited manner in which the court of Spain have...
31719To Benjamin Franklin from Girardot, Haller & Co., 25 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Our Corrispondents Mess. F. & A. Dubbeldemitts of Rotterdam Transmitted us a letter for you, which we immediately forwarded on the 18 Current. They are desirous of establishing a Corrispondance in America and for that reason desire we woud request of you to favor them with as speedy an answer to their abovementioned as possible. We shall likewise be...
31720To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Armand Flöbergue de la Motte de la Rocatelle, [August? 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Toul, [August?, 1778], in French: On the 28th of last June I addressed a memorandum to Congress and to M. Washington and sent the packet to M. Williams to forward. He did not reply, and I have heard nothing from America; the packet, I fear, was lost. I send you enclosed the same memorandum, in which I propose to head a school to teach young Americans all...
31721To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 30 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Harvard University Library, Library of Congress This is rather a late Day to acknowlege your Favors of the twenty fifth of December, and fifteenth of June last, but I have always intended in my Acknowlegement of them to close our public Correspondence, and I have always been disappointed in my Expectation of being able speedily to quit this...
31722To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [after 22 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I had the pleasure of seeing You I did not know that we were to quit our present Habitation before five O’Clock. I therefore trouble with this, to desire that you will by him send Your Commands for England, and the paper I left with you. Let your Evening and Morning Contemplation be the Inscription on the Peace of Munster. As much depends on You , in...
31723To Benjamin Franklin from J. Mosneron l’Ainé, 31 December 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, December 31, 1776, in French: I pay homage to the Archimedes and Solon of his country, known throughout the world. The press of business and callers while you were here kept me from trying to push through the crowd; I was afraid of becoming one more favor-seeker. The philosophe whom I know through your works will, I trust, approve of my asking...
31724To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Coder, 15 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La bonté que vous avez eu de faire parvenir à Mr. de Sartine l’intéret que vous prenez à mon Sort a determiné plus que tout ce ministre a renvoyer mon frere à St. Domingue avec un Conseil de Guerre qui a eu le courage de s’opposer à la volonté injuste et oppressive du Gouverneur qui avoit mandé au ministre que mon frere ne pouvoit plus retourner à son...
31725To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 30 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you the inclosed that you may see the Disposition the good People of this City are in, respecting the Tea, that is hourly expected. The Paper however is designed more as a Scare Crow, than any thing else. I am with Respect Dear sir Your Affectionate son Addressed: To / Doctor Benjamin Franklin / Craven Street / London He doubtless enclosed the...
31726To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gillon, [25 May 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I much regret that I had not the pleasure of meeting your Excellency at Home on my first visit to you since my return from Holland. I was as unlucky Yesterday, being detain’d by unforeseen Events, so that I cou’d not wait on you till the Afternoon, missing you then also, I tho’t it best to come here in hopes of seeing you this day;—will your Excellency...
31727To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 9[–15] November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Importance of Mr: Floods defence, & the Statement of his Conduct having been so plainly & truly Expressed, that I imagine the enclosed paper will prove agreable to you—it has entirely overthrown his Antagonist Mr Grattan in the public estimation— Tomorrow “is the Day, the Important Day”; the Grand National Convention meet at the Royal Exchange at 12...
31728To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gillon, 1 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I inform’d your Excelly. of my intended Rout last time I had the pleasure of Seeing you, I now with satisfaction assure you that notwithstanding some extraordinary difficulty that arose in Prussia, I adjusted a very essential piece of business there, & know at what terms I can build & fit out these, but little can be done during the winter season there,...
31729To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, 20 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Les abbés de Chalut et Arnoux assurent de leur attachement respectueux Monsieur franklin, ils le felicitent et se rejouissent avec lui de la prise de Cornualis et de toute son armée. Ils luy demandent la permission d’aller diner avec lui à Passy dimanche prochain pour Celebrer, Le verre à la main, Cet heureux Evenement. Les deux abbés font leurs tendres et...
31730To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to You by my son John, who goes (via Paris) in order to be an inmate in the House of Messrs. Barton & Co. at Bourdoux; to perfect himself in the Language, acquire experience in Business, and form connections, preparatory to his setling in North America, so soon as our unhappy disputes are at an end; as I am more and more determined to...
31731To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gordon, 5 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is a Tax on Superior Merrit and Benevolence, to be troubled with Importunities of every kind of People, who want Assistance. Your kindness formerly to my own Son, Encourages me now to Apply in behalf of my Son in Law Henry Benbridge, a very Deserving youth who has been Several Years in Italy for his improvement in Painting, and is now going to London for...
31732To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Beyer, 17 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Les bontés dont vous daignés m’honorer m’enhardissent à prendre la liberté de vous informer que MM. de l’académie m’ont fait dire de me rendre à leur assemblée de mercredi prochain, avec l’instrument dont je Suis l’inventeur. Comme je ne fais aucun doute, Monsieur, du plaisir que vous aurés à apprendre le Jugement que ces Mrs. auront porté Sur la...
31733To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 20 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Inclosd will inform you fully of some applications made Mr H for the release of some Prisoners now at St. Omers which seem to have passd your notice. They are American—Capturd & have lately petitiond the admiralty to procure their release. The Capt Scott mentiond also in the inclosd Letter, will I hope stand against Capt Manley; The Board of Sick &...
31734To Benjamin Franklin from Maxwell Garthshore, 31 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having formerly the honour to be a little known to you, I presume to address you in the Cause of Humanity.— The eldest Son & Heir of the late Mr. Pollhill Member for Southwark, who had the honour to be known to you, is with His Lady now in this Hotel, on His way to Nice, for the recovery of His Health, which the Climate of Paris seems very unfavourable...
31735To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library As It is proper for every prudent Man to know on what Ground he proceeds before he engages too far, and as now we have a general Peace there can no longer be a Reason for keeping the Terms of it Secret, I beg you will kindly resolve the following Questions. 1 Does the Prohibition of English Goods in America cease, on Britains...
31736To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bennett Lloyd, 2 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed copy is from a letter which Mr. Hartley has received from the Office for sick & wounded seamen— I would have sent you it by the last Mail but was prevented by a violent cold and inflammation in my eyes— I make no doubt if these people have been in earnest, but that you have heard from them before this time—. Mr. Hartley received me with much...
31737To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 26 September 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My Interpreter & Attorney has Just Left me he Sais it is absolutly nessesry to Offir Securety Alltho he is Sure it will Not be Asked— I am Sure and Evry Body Agrees that I can ruin Dotun the moment the seals are broke & bring him in for Great Damadgus Besedes Recovering the 15200 Livers I Lost on the sale of the luggar— I have No other Securaty to offer...
31738To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 15 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Letter of the 10th. instant mentioned a Book, which I begged your kind Acceptance of. It was: Simlerus de Rebus publicis Helvetiorum . That Book went off this morning, (without my Letter, brought by Mistake to the Post-Office,) by a Merchant of this Place, Mr. Benoit Charpin; recommended to the care of Monsr. Constant, Rüe de Gesvres, a la Tête noire, à...
31739To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Thérèse Jogues Le Ray de Chaumont, 31 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je désire Monsieur, que ma lettre arrive aussi mâtin que j’aurois eu le plaisir de vous embrasser, de vous souhaiter une bonne année, a se souhait j’en joint bien dautres et sur tout la durée de la vie de Guillaume Pen; cest bien en meme tems souhaiter le bonheur du monde, a propos de bonheur je ne trouve pas de paroles pour vous exprimer ma joye sur vos...
31740To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 27 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Had it pleased the wise disposer of Events to have permited our inestimable Friend & Colleague, to have lived until this day; I should have been spared the melancholy , ’tho pleasing reflections of that good man’s multiplied great Actions— Doctor Lyttsom a physician of London, has undertaken, & I think has well executed, the Biography of our late dear...
31741To Benjamin Franklin from Josiah Darrell, 25 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Josiah Darrell of the Brig Polly, from Charles Town, declares, that after having ship’d a few Men, and with great Difficulty and Trouble made up a Complement of Sailors, (with those, he had on board, that came with him from Charles Town;) that there is a great Likelihood of his losing the cheifest Part of his Men, by Reason of his not being able to get any...
31742To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 21 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Desire of Some of the honest membrs in Parliment this Inclosd proposals for a very useful paper (which is much wanted at this time)—the news papers are So undr the Direction of the Party of george—that no truth Comes out to inform the People—the people grone undr the tyrant and by assistance from America will through Such useful papers open the way...
31743To Benjamin Franklin from Kéralio, 16 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Notre bonne Dame qui se dispose à retourner chès elle, mon respectable ami, desire fort que vous veuilliés lui donner un jour, dans la semaine prochaine, pour venir diner ches elle, avec mr. votre fils; je n’ai pas besoin de vous dire tout le plaisir que vous lui ferés. On mande de Cadix du 31e. janvier— Le capitaine d’un batiment américain parti de boston...
31744To Benjamin Franklin from James Short: Bill and Receipt, with notes on the Care of the Telescope, 28 July 1762 (Franklin Papers)
DS and AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Franklin Dr. to James Short To three new Speculums to a 2 foot reflecting } £ 10. 10. – Telescope and reparations of the Brass work &c; London 2d Aug. 1762 Received of Dr. Franklin the above Sum in full of all Demands [On the reverse side:] Endorsed: Mr Short £10. 10. 0 Rules given by Mr. Short to keep the Telescope in Order 1. Let the...
31745To Benjamin Franklin from the Prince de Conti, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je suis convenu, Monsieur, avec MM. de Vergennes et de Sartine qu’ils me feroient delivrer les Passeports necessaires pour envoyer en toute seureté le né [nommé] Riotto mon Piqueur qui va me chercher en angleterre des chevaux et des chiens avec un palfrenier. Je vous serois tres obligé de vouloir bien y joindre le votre pour le mettre a couvert de tous les...
31746To Benjamin Franklin from Miromesnil, 23 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai Recu avec bien de la Reconnoissance, Les constitutions des Etats unis de lamérique, que Monsieur Franklin a bien voulu MEnvoier. Je le prie de Recevoir mes Remerciements de Cette marque de Son attention. Je lirai avec attention ce Code qui fait une partie tres Interessante du Droit Public du monde, Et qui sera toujours un monument Insigne de La vertu de...
31747To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes: Two Letters, 24 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) copy: Library of Congress; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères M. L’Ambassadeur de Hollande continue, Monsieur, à se plaindre de la Prise du Navire la Flora, faite par le Corsaire le Prince Noir, Vous êtes trop éclairé pour ne pas sentir que l’armateur de Ce Corsaire, Sujet du Roi et domicilié à Dunkerque, ne peut reconnoitre d’autre Autorité que celles de Ses...
31748To Benjamin Franklin from John Ellis, 8 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ellis presents his kindest respects to Doctor Franklin, he has seen Doctor Fothergill very lately, who is very urgent to have his thoughts on Coffee go to the press. Mr. Ellis hopes that Doctor Franklin will be so good accordingly to promise to send him his thoughts on the [?] Subject, considering it in a Political light of the advantages it would be to...
31749To Benjamin Franklin from Mounier & Denis, 17 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons pris la liberté de vous ecrire une Lettre au 19 novb. pour vous prier de vouloir bien avoir la bonté, de vous Interesser en faveur de notre navire Neerlants Welvaart Me. [Maitre] C: T: Wessling, afin quil fut donné libre, (sont fret paÿe, si les americains devoient confisquer sa cargaison) et que l’on nous dedomagoit en quelque facon, du retard...
31750To Benjamin Franklin from Humphry Marshall, 27 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recieved thy favour of the 22d of the 4th mo. Last in Which thou Wart Pleased to favour me With an account that the Coppies of thy Letters Sent Back Was not much to thy Predejuce Which Was Pleasing to hear. Our Collonies is Gone into the Importation of Goods by accounts more Largely than Ever. However I hope their remains Such a Sprerit to promote...