33391To 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...
33392To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Having been inform’d that the French Frigate from Corunna with Duplicates for the Congress, is immediately to sail, I sit down to congratulate you on the agreable Prospect of our Affairs, and to acknowledge your kind Favors of the 17th. and 27th Feby. last, which were the more welcome as I had not heard from you by Letter for a twelve month, and as they...
33393To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 9 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft copy: British Museum This letter carries on the story begun in Cooper’s earlier one above, August 15, of the collapse of royal authority in Massachusetts. But, as with his description of the crisis that culminated in the Tea Party, the chronology is confused; and in the confusion the principal developments are obscured. Outside Boston, as the King’s...
33394To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 6 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce my self to you as an Officer belonging to the Alliance Friggate & Nephew to Doctr. Cooper, who was pleased to give me a letter of recommendation to you when I came to France in the Friggate Alliance twelve months ago; I was prevented from making a tour to any part of france in consequence of the Ships short tarry— I have a Brother by...
33395To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 22 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
We have received here with uncommon Pleasure the Accounts of the Success of your important Negotiations in Holland notwithstanding the Opposition and Traversings of a pow’rful British Party in that Country. By the last Vessel from France, which left Nants the Beginning of June, we are told, that the Independence of these States has been acknowledged by all the States of Holland, and your...
33396To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just wrote to you by Mr Duncan Ingraham Junr. upon some public Affairs— I beg Leave in this, lest he might be oblig’d to destroy that, should he meet with an Enemy just to mention him to you as my Friend, for whom I have a great Regard— He goes to France on a Plan of Business in his own Vessel: as he is a Stranger there he would be glad to be...
33397To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 22 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
I wrote last Thursday Morning by the Post to our Friend Mr. S. Adams—to which I refer you on some Things of a public Nature. After so many Weeks Possession of this Town you would be surpriz’d to see in what a defenceless State we still remain. The Business of Fortifying has lain between Genl. Ward and a Committee of the General Court: Between them both, little or nothing has yet been done. We...
33398To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; incomplete ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Your Friends Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Holker left this Place last Thursday for York Town where the Congress sits. The Day before, being the Anniversary for Election of Counsellors, I had the Pleasure of dining with them in Public at Faneuil Hall, where the King of France, his Army and Navy, and our...
33399To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 10 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum I received your valuable Favors of the 7th and 25th of July, and you will please to accept the Thanks of the Committee of our Congregation as well as my own for the Trouble you have very kindly given yourself in your clear and particular Account of the warming Machines for large Rooms, and your Advice respecting our new Building, together with the truly philosophical...
33400To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 23 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Marquiss de la Fayette did me the Honour to deliver me the Letter you kindly wrote by Him. As his arrival diffused a general Joy, every Expression of it was given here that circumstances would allow, and particular Respects were paid by the Government as well as the People at large to this prudent and gallant young Nobleman who keeps the Cause of America so warm at his Heart. In these...
33401To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 22 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I wrote you some Weeks ago how pleased I was with the Spirit of my Countrymen in the Manner in which they received the Account that Genl. Carleton was come from the new Ministry to attempt a seperate Peace with these States, and to detach us from our Allies. The Idea was every where treated with Scorn and Indignation. The Legislature of this and the other...
33402To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 27 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
I find by your Letter of 16th. Instant that you had no Expectation of the disagreable News from Canada. Our Accounts from thence are not very perfect. According to these, A Reinforcement for Quebec came up the River before the City on 6th. of this Month. Our Army suddenly retir’d, leaving good Part at least, of Cannon Baggage, and their sick. They had determin’d it is said, in a Council of...
33403To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 10 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have lately wrote you more than one Letter which I hope you have receiv’d. Howe has confess’d his Inferiority in the Field by retreating from the Jerseys, but I am sorry He has escap’d so whole. I have been in Hopes that our Army would have been strong enough to have taken some Station between Brunswick and Amboy, and to have cripled Him in his Retreat if not totally cut it off. I long for...
33404To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 24 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
No Event since the Commencement of the War has excited such Indignation and Astonishment as the Evacuation of Tyconderoga in so disgraceful a Manner! General Washington’s Idea of the State of that Garrison answers to all the Accounts we have receiv’d here. There were 4000 Troops in the Place well arm’d, and well supplied with ev’ry Thing. Two of the fullest Regiments of this State were at...
33405To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 8 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having very Short Warning of an Opportunity to France by Bilboa, I can only give you a short and abrupt Account of Things here. Last Monday all the Towns of this State assembled for the Choice of a Governor, Lt Governor, and Senators, according to the new Constitution. In this Town Mr S. Adams had 1. Vote, for Governor, Mr Bowdoin 64. Mr Hancock 853. This...
33406To George Washington from Samuel Cooper, 9 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
Knowing how important it is that your Excellency should receive the latest and most authentic Advices from our Friends in Europe, particularly upon the great Point of Peace, I have taken the Liberty to send you a Transcript of a Letter I lately received from our Minister to States of Holland, Mr Adams, dated at the Hague July 2d 1782. His Words are. “When we shall have Peace I know not; I...
33407To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 25 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: Henry E. Huntington Library In the last Winter my only Daughter was married here to Joseph Hixon Esqr. of Monserrat, in the W. Indies. He went from hence in the Spring by Way of Cork to London. I beg you to take the Trouble of sending by the first safe Opportunity an enclosed Letter from her to him. The...
33408To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 3 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): British Museum I am now to acknowledg the repeated Favor of your Letters, with the Notes of Mr. P.’ Speech in Parliament, the arguments on the Dissenting Cause; and the Political Pamphlets, in which you have given me no small Entertainment. I could not forbear communicating what you wrote to some particular Friends, to whom I knew it would give great Pleasure, and to allow some...
33409To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, [1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Before you left America, I believe I mention’d to you the great Losses I had sustain’d from the Enemy, in my Household Furniture, Books, Debts from Persons who took Refuge in Howe’s Army &c. so that take all together, I am perhaps, as large a Sufferer, in Proportion to what I possess’d, as any one in this Town; nor would two thousand Pounds Lawf: Money make...
33410To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 12 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My little Grandson Samuel Cooper Johonnot will have the Honour of presenting this to you. Mr Adams kindly indulges him with a Portion of that Care which he gives to his own Sons who are nearly of his Age. He goes to France with a View to acquire the Purity of the French Language in Speaking and Writing. Young as he is, he has learned long ago to repeat and...
33411To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library This will be delivered to you by Mr Jeremy Allen a Merchant in this Town of Good Reputation, and of a very ancient and respectable Family among us, and for whom I have a particular Regard. He goes to Europe chiefly upon a Plan of Business, and I take the Liberty to introduce him to your Excellency, not only as my own Friend, but as one who has the highest...
33412To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 20 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I never in all my Life wrote a Letter with half the Difficulty of this— Sick in my Chamber, attended by two Physicians &c. But I could not allow the Chevr. de Bonne leave without bringing to you my warmest Thanks for introducing to the Acqaintance of a Gentleman of such fine Talents & promising Abilities. You seem to speak of him as designed for the Service...
33413To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 14 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of June 10, in Answer to mine on the Continental Currency, I have now to thank you for. Who brought it I know not, but it was never deliver’d to me till four days ago. A Number of the most sensible Gentlemen among us, with whom I have convers’d upon the Subject are fully of opinion that there is no Way they can at present think of, so effectual to promote public Credit in the...
33414To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, [21 March 1776] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is too long since I wrote to any of my Friends your way, being you know a dilatory Correspondent, but not I hope a forgetful Friend. The Relish of the Conversation at Mr. Bowdoin’s last Fall is not quite gone off yet. Have you been well ever since? “Accidents of Health, Sir Wm. Temple some where says, are often Accidents of State.” I esteem America not a...
33415To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 January 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum In my last of Novr [15] I mention’d the Uses I had made of the Sentiments you were pleas’d to communicate to me, and the Effect they had upon the leading Men of our House of Commons. I did this with much Caution as that no Disadvantage can acrue to you from any Quarter. The same Caution I shall ever use respecting my Friends on your Side the Water who are so good as...
33416To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you not long since by the Rambler from Salem, and the Pallas from Newbury Port and have now too much Reason to fear that the Vessel in which Mr Austin sailed from hence the latter End of Jany, or the Beginning of Feby, is lost, as we have hitherto received no Account of it: By that Gentleman I wrote you largely. This will be delivered to you by Mr...
33417To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 21 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library I know not how to express my Obligations to you for introducing me to the Acquaintance & Friendship of Count Segurs. I have known him but a few days and yet he has induldged me wth an Intimacy. So many shining, so many amiable Qualities we seldom see united in one Man. He has inspired me with an Esteem, a Respect, and a Love coexistent with myself. Think, my...
33418To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 16 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Consul General of France kindly informing me that a Vessel was on the Point of sailing for Brest, I have only a Moment to inform you that the House of Representatives for this State have this Moment passed an Act for a Duty of 5 pr Cent on all Goods imported for paying the Interest of our National Debt, according to the Requisition of Congress. This...
33419To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 29 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wish, with you, that N. England may not fail to furnish their Quota of the Continental Army even to a single man; but am afraid we shall not be able to accomplish it soon. Some Towns have already rais’d and sent forward their full Proportion. This has done much more, besides Manning the State Vessels and Privateers: but others are yet greatly deficient; and yet all Circum stances...
33420To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Cooper], 27 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I wrote you some Time ago, acknowledging the Receit of your kind Letter dated from Philadelphia 25th Octr. last, the Day you embarqued for Europe, and read your affectionate Leave to all our Friends. We often think and talk of you, and constantly follow you with our best Wishes. I have lately heard with particular Pleasure of your safe Arrival in France,...
33421To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 10 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum I should sooner have acknowledg’d the Receit of your Favors of Decemr 30. and Feby 5. had not the State of my Health call’d me out of Town, and oblig’d me to be sparing in Writing. My Thanks are due to you for writing me with so much Freedom and I endeavor to make the best Use of what you communicate to me. Your Interposition in Favor of the Charter was kind, and...
33422To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 2 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I repeat the Honour I have already done myself of writing to your Excellency by this Opportunity, on Purpose to mention to you M. de Corney, a Gentleman of Distinction, and Member of several literary Societies in Europe, who came to America with the Marquiss la Fayette before the Arrival of the Brest Fleet, and on public Business preparatory to the...
33423To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you four or five Times not long since, but from all our Arrivals from France of late have not the Pleasure of a single Line, but I know your Crowd of important Business. Accidentally hearing of a Vessel that sails for France this day, I enclose you a Philadelphia Paper bro’t by a swift Post last Evening, and containing the Proceedings of the...
33424To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 23 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some Months past your Letter from Passy dated Octr. 27. 1779, and lately a Copy of it by The Marquiss Fayette, who arrived here in the Hermoine with M. Corny. As the Arrival of the Marquiss diffused a general Joy, every Expression of it was given here that Circumstances would allow, and particular Respects paid by the Government, as well as the...
33425To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 4 January 1778 [i.e., 1779] (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; extract: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I shall write you by the Marquiss de le Fayette who goes in the same Vessel with Mr Bradford who begs the Honor of presenting this Line to you, and taking this Opportunity of paying you his particular Respects. He is an amiable young Gentleman; His Father...
33426To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 14[–15] June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): British Museum I wrote you on the 15th. March and 23d of April last, and mention’d in these Letters, which I hope you have receiv’d, the most important Political Occurrences among us, particularly the grand Discussion, in the last Session of Assembly between the Governor and both Houses, and the great Effect it had upon the Minds of...
33427To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 20 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
By the last Post I received your’s of May 6th. and am not troubled at your Acceptance of the Resignation of G. W. He is, indeed, a cool prudent Man, and accepted the Post of Danger for his Country at a critical Time, when others seem’d to decline it. He is a through New England Man in his Principles and Inclinations, but not made for an high Command in the Field. I cannot wholly excuse any...
33428To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 9 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Johonnot who sails in the Frigate Alliance, I expected would have tarried with us a day or two longer. His sudden and unexpected Call to go on Board this Ship which now lies at some Distance from the Town allows me but a Moment to write you. The Colonel can give you all the News. Colonel Laurens who goes in the same Vessel upon some secret and important Errand of Congress is capable of...
33429To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am afraid, not having receiv’d a single Line from you since last May that my Letters to you have miscarried, and your’s to me. I wrote you the latter End of Octr. a long Letter giving as clear and particular an Account as I was able of the Northern Campaign, and it’s truly glorious Success. What has taken Place since will be related to you by Mr. Adams...
33430To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 17 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot forbear expressing to you the Pleasure I receivd from hearing you were appointed by Congress with others to confer with Lord and Genl. Howe. The Subject of this Conference we do not as yet certainly know, but suppose it was desird on their Part for something more than settling an Exchange of Prisoners. I am not sorry our Enemies appear so eager for...
33431To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 27 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just arrived here after a long Journey in the Country, and am this Moment informed of a Frigate being on the Point of sailing for France. Short as the Notice is, I cannot omit to congratulate you on the happy Success of the combined Arms of France and America, in the Capture of Lord Cornwallis and his whole Army at Yorktown in Virginia....
33432To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 15 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
It gives me high Pleasure, if my Narration of Nantasket was acceptable to you. I did not lay the least Imputation upon your Neighbors. They did all that Circumstances would allow. Canada, you know, lay much upon my Mind. I was long ago apprehensive. There was too much Neglect on all Sides of that important Quarter, and, without doubt, great Misconduct there. Pray let it be strictly examin’d,...
33433To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 4 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Four days ago I received the Favor of your Letter of Aug: 12th., and it gave me the highest Pleasure to hear you were well. The Marquiss de la Fayette will do me the Honour to take the Charge of this Letter who carries with him the Esteem and Affection of the Army and the States. His Intrepidity and Discretion, his Conduct in the Field, in Council, and in all private Circles have gained him an...
33434To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 6 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I take the first Opportunity to acknowledg the Honor I receiv’d in a Letter sign’d by you as Chairman of a Committee of the Honorable Congress for obtaining a just and well authenticated account of the Hostilities committed by the Ministerial Troops and Navy &c., and desiring me to take some Part in this Business. You will be so good as to present my Compliments to the other Gentlemen of the...
33435To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 16 October 1774 (Adams Papers)
Having just been informed that Mr. Tudor is going to Philadelphia, I take this opportunity to thank you for the obliging favor of your letter of 29th September. The struggle, as you justly observe, between fleets and armies and commercial regulations, must be very unequal: We hope, however, the congress will carry this mode of defence as far as it will go, and endeavor to render it as early...
33436To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 1 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; draft: British Museum I wrote you in Septr and Aug: last, and it is a great While indeed since I have had the Pleasure of a Line from you. The Anxiety and Distress bro’t upon us by the Port Bill and other Acts, and the Troops and Ships of War station’d here have been great; and much Art and Pains have been employ’d to dismay us, or provoke us to some...
33437To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 14 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I wrote you two Days ago; but hearing the Vessel is unexpectedly detain’d, I send you a plaintive poetic Piece just publish’d here, which I hope will reach her before she sails. You cannot conceive what Joy the Treaties with France have diffus’d among all true Americans, nor the chagrine they have given to the few interested and slavish Partizans of...
33438To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 24 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
Two days agoe I wrote you an hasty Script. Perhaps I express’d myself too suddenly and strongly upon an important Subject. The Terms which Gates has given Burgoyne might be as well for the States as Circumstances would allow; tho I own, from what Glover, and ev’ry Officer on the Spot had written, I concluded the Enemy must have been totally in our Power. But if we have not all we could wish,...
33439To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 3 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
I scratch a Line in utmost Hast—Your kind Letter I receiv’d by Mr Jackson the Day after sending one to you. Your Tickets sell rapidly. Your Loan Office will fill apace. I wrote to you, or Mr Adams on the American Navy. Manly’s Character rises here. He has sail’d to Cape Ann for some Men there and has press’d thro great Difficulties to get out—something must be done to expedit Matters in that...
33440To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Extract, [5 May 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of extract: American Philosophical Society —“There is a Party among us disposed to avail themselves of every Incident, and of all personal Resentments to weaken and divide our public Counsils, and injure the Alliance. Regard to the general Good, as well as private, and the most constant Friendship oblige me to state Things as...