32351To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 29 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May it please your Excellency; That we lay before her, that by bills of Exchange drawn on Henry Lawrence Esqr. as Commissioner of the United States, to reside in Amsterdam, it appeard to us that it was expected in America this Gentleman was to be here before this; butt neither here nor at the Hague we could have the pleasure to learn anything about it. That...
32352To Benjamin Franklin from Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 25 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je saisis avec empressement l’occasion d’assurer monsieur franklin de mon respect et de mon attachement sincere et suis de son excellence Le très humble & très obeissant serviteur P.S. Je desire que le petit monument que j’ai voulu ériger à la mémoire de la pauvre mis Mac Rea, Paraisse agréable à lui et à ses amis Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin /...
32353To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 16 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The mariage of one of the loveliest men in the world to as lovely a Woman, both of whom look upon me as their own and I them as my own, has brought me to Holland. I do not remember whether I ever mentioned to you a friend who in your time was Sub Preceptor to the P. of Wales, a Mr. de Salgas. This is the name of the man and his Lady was widow of a rich Mr....
32354To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Filleul: A Wedding Invitation, [on or before 30 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Monsieur FILLEUL a l’honneur de vous faire part de son Mariage, avec Mademoiselle BOQUET, et vous prie d’assister à la Bénediction Nuptiale, qui leur sera donnée Mercredi premier Octobre 1777, à cinq heures du matin, à Passy. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur de francklin / en sa Maison / a Passy Or, more strictly speaking, an invitation to attend the blessing...
32355John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 29 June 1784 (Adams Papers)
The Baron de Reishack, has several times said to me that his Court expected that Congress would announce formally their Independence, and asked me, if any Step of that Sort had been taken. that I may be able to give him an Answer, I must request of your Excellency to inform me whether you have made the Annunciation directed in the first Article of the Instructions of the 29 of October 1783 and...
32356To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-François Rolandeau, 21 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme il y a 7 jours que je suis malade et que je me propose de jour en jour de vous aller voir et vous demander mon déportement (?) pour rejoindre [ mon régiment ], dans cet intervalle de ma maladie le marquis d’Ossun et Madame de la Fayette m’ont fait remettre deux lettres pour vous mettre en main. Etant malade et ne pouvant que vous les envoyer, je vous...
32357From John Jay to Benjamin Franklin, 31 December 1781 (Jay Papers)
I learn from Marq s . DYranda that my Letter to You of the 21 Ult. had ^ has ^ reached You. The last I have had the Pleasure of recieving from You is dated 22 d . Ult. The Want of a good Opportunity has since ^ for some time past ^
32358To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, [28 February 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: Library of Congress A week passed after Howe’s discouraging note of February 20. When Franklin heard nothing from him and nothing of moment from Barclay or Fothergill, he inquired of Mrs. Howe whether he could be of any further use to her brother; if not, he would consider himself free “to take other Measures.” She forwarded this cryptic message and, in the following note, Howe’s...
32359To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Guillaume-Thomas-François Raynal, 5 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’abbé Raynal a eté plusieurs fois a passy pour avoir l’honneur de voir monsieur le docteur, sans pouvoir le joindre. Il le supplie de vouloir bien recevoir ses hommages, et de lui renvoyer ses livres et ses papiers. L’amerique est devenue si interessante pour toutes les nations quon ne peut instruire trop tot le public de ce qui la regarde. Addressed: A...
32360To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 6 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; extract: Papers of the Earl of Dartmouth deposited in the Staffordshire County Record Office I have your Favour of July 7th. acknowleging the Receit of mine of April 8th. and May 5th. and am very sorry you seem to think Matters are now gone so far as to be past all Accommodation. But as you tell me that Words and Arguments are now of no Use , I shall not...
32361To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Kelsick: Certificate as Burgess and Freeman of Norfolk, 10 April 1756 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society At THE Borough OF Norfolk the Tenth Day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty six The which Day in Presence of the Worshipfull Richard Kelsick Esquire Mayor of the Borough of Norfolk, John Hutchings, Robert Tucker, Josiah Smith, John Phripp, John Tucker, Wilson Newton, Christopher Perkins, and George Abyoon, Aldermen thereof, Benjamin Franklin...
32362To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 8 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Since my Letter of the twenty sixth ultimo, I have compleated the sale of the Bills on Mr. grand to the extent of the livres five hundred thousand proposed as you will perceive by the letters and lists sent under your cover for that gentleman. I was in hopes that this sum would have carried me thro’ untill payments from some of the States on account of...
32363To Benjamin Franklin from Emmanuel-Pierre de La Plaigne, 11 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il m’est ordonné ce jour de me Rendre a oakhampton devon prisonier sur ma parole d’honneur avec ma famille et autres personnes qui étoient passagers avec moy dans le d’argentré; j’ay eû l’honneur d’écrire à votre exçellençe que j’étais depoüillé de tout et sans argent quelconque. Je la priais de vouloir bien me secourir ne fussent que mes appointements qui...
32364To Benjamin Franklin from John Perkins, 12 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Just as I was about inclosing my papers it came in my head to mention to you a notion I have sometimes had that Pit-Coal is a vegitable production as of Grass or other Herbage of which the rich and fat Soil of our fresh Marshes is form’d. We know that these are constantly filling up by the Annual Supplys of this kind so that perhaps many places that were...
32365To Benjamin Franklin from Castries, 16 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Mr. De Sartine, Monsieur, par sa dépêche du 14 octobre 1779 à eu l’honneur de vous faire part de la reclamation de plusieurs marins qui n’ont point êté payés de leurs gages, et des parts qui leur reviennent dans les prises faites par le Corsaire le Revange sorti de Dunkerque sous le Commandement du Capitaine Cuningham. Vous avez pensé qu’on ne pouvoit...
32366To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Rodolph Valltravers, 10 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Just returned from a Tour thro’ the principal of our Cantons, I found all my Countrymen concerned for the Misfortunes of England and N. America. Is there no Means to prevent the Destruction of both? Yes, there is, please God! Let but a just, equitable, pacifying Mediator step between both, and reconcile them upon liberal, safe, and honorable Principles....
32367To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is the Receit for the Books. They told me at the Coffeehouse yesterday, that the Captain takes his Bag away tomorrow. Please to remember your Engagement to dine with me tomorrow at 4. I am ever Dear Sir Your affectionate humble Servant Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street Aug. 27 also fell on a Thursday in 1767, but in that year BF would...
32368To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 27 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I embrace the opportunity of my Friend Baron Dimsdale to convey to Thee two attempts on the Character of our late valuable Friend Doctor Fothergill, another more at large is in the press— I am—Thy respectful Friend. Addressed: Dr. Franklin Notation: David Barclay 27. May 1782. The Quaker physician Thomas Dimsdale, for whom see the DNB and Namier and...
32369To Benjamin Franklin from R. Parsons, 17 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Th’o I was not so fortunate to receive any answer to my last letter, I venture once more to address you upon the same melancholy subject. Pray Sir, forgive my presumption, forgive the reiterated trouble my distress forces me to give you. I am almost distracted, and I know not which way to turn for relief. I am under the humiliating necessity of deviating...
32370To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 20 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter of the 11t Inst. Which put an End to your long Silence gave Me great Pleasure, but at the same Time I am surpriz’d at not receiving any News from America since the 3d February. However I must take Patience. We are All well here & hope that is the Case with You,— I am perfectly sensible of the good Advice You give Me in your Letter, I shall make...
32371To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Morel Dufaux, 11 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society For a while past Messieurs Veuve Dque. Morel & Self had the honor of writing to your Highness. Tho’ not honoured with an answer, yet I make it bold Humbly to beg of your Highness to accept my petition with regard to obtaining a prefference for the Consular office in Dunkirk. Thro’ the Channel of Mr Grand Banker in Paris we had occasion to render Important...
32372To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 11 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We begg leave to give your Excellency our most sincere thanks for the contents of her most obliging favour of the 29h. October; we are happy for our American frinds that no bills will be payd in a manner that they or the states could be losers by; the Captors of the vessell which we mentiond have already attempted to receive money in England on some letters...
32373To Benjamin Franklin from Solomon Williams, 25 January 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Lyme Historical Society-Florence Griswold Association, Inc., Old Lyme, Conn. You Will Pardon this Trouble and My Freedom In using your Name When I inform you that Mr. Webster for Whom is the Enclosed Desired me thus to Make use of your Name to Carry a Letter to him with the Assurance that he had your Favorable permission for it. Since I have this Occasion to Speak to you Allow me sir in...
32374To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The inclosed Letter I recvd by this days Post from my House at L’Orient. I am at same Time informed that the Sailors you wrote Williams Moore & Co about are set at Liberty. I refer you to my last which was on the subject of your affairs with Mr de Chaumont. I am as ever with the greatest Respect most dutifully & affectionately...
32375To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have this day received a Letter from Mr de Chaumont, in which he tells me, he has purchased the Breton & that she will be ready to take in at L’orient by the last of next Month, so that what I wrote you by the last Post need not be shewn to him, since the Business is now going on, and you may depend it will on my Side go on...
32376To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 1 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being one of the Committee for Foreign applications I had it in my power to pay the more immediate attention to your recommendation of le Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis and through Favor of Congress immediately procured him a Commission for Capt. of Artillery and he was with out delay in two or three days after his arrival here forwarded to General...
32377To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Oliver has written me a letter from Barbadoes, desiring me to procure from my connections letters to the French Governors of Grenada & St. Vincents; in both which islands he has property, more particularly in the former. As I take for granted this hint was intended for you , and will be such as your opinion of him will induce to comply with; I take the...
32378To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Vesey et al., 17 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society We that Have our Name Hear prescribed Have hade the Misfourten To Be twise taken the first time Taken By the english when we wase Bound from Boston to Cape fransaay & Carried to Jemac’a & then Sent Horn prisoners to england & after making our eskeep we got to London where we had got a voyage for Hallifax in Hopes of geating to our own homes But fourtun Would...
32379To Benjamin Franklin from John Charretié, 28 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Charretié presents his best respects to his Excellency Dr Franklin he proposed having the honour of waiting upon him but his business at Versailles having prevented him, from whence he is this moment returned, with an express order from the Minister to sett out for London on Teusday morning, this renders his going to Passy impossible, he therefore sends...
32380To Benjamin Franklin from Veuve Morel & fils, 4 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ We never had the advantage of being favored With any of your much Esteem’d Letters, yet We make it Bold to Embrace the opportunity of the present Season to offer you our Sincerest Wishes for your Welfare & that any of your undertaking may answer both your Expectation & that of your Country. We Shall Esteem our Selfs Very happy to merit your Confidence...