33391To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 3 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Chevalier Mauduit Du Plessis by whose hands I received your introductory favr. last year is also the Bearer of this to acknowledge the service you did your Country, as well as the honor confered on me in that Instance. To be more particular in commending the good and brave conduct of this worthy Officer would be to sanctify the repeated acts of Congress...
33392To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 1 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Columbia University Library; copy: Library of Congress Notwithstanding my repeated and earnest applications to the Count D Florida Blanca I have as yet been able to obtain only, 34880 dollars of the 150,000 Dollars expressly promised me in Decr. last. He has on the contrary assured me that this promise could not be complied with in less than six Months, it therefore became...
33393To Benjamin Franklin from Lebègue de Presle, [August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me suis engagé la derniere fois que J’ai eu l’honneur de vous voir, a vous communiquer quelques details sur le coup de foudre dont a ete frappée la salle d’assemblée de Purfleet; mais je n’ai pu le faire plutot parceque le dessein necessaire pour entendre le rapport etoit chez le graveur. Je vous envoye Monsieur la premiere epreuve avec les circonstances...
33394To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [25 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je vous ai promis de vous écrire un mot, et malheureusement il faut que je tienne ma parolle au piéd de la lettre; j’aime a prométtre peu, et a tenir davantage surtout quand je cause avéc vous mon chér papa; il me semble que lorsqu’on S’aime beaucoup, l’espoir n’a rien a faire et que le coeur seul conduit la plume, hors vous sçavés qu’un coeur est toujours...
33395To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Je recois Monsieur, La Lettre de ce jour dont vous mavés honoré et La resolution de L’Etat de mary Land que vous aves bien voulu me Communiquér. Je l’ai lue avec Le plus grand plaisir et je la garde pour La montrér au Roi qui y trouvera La conviction de la Confiance quil a dans La fidelité de ses alliés Les Etats unis. Il faut Esperér qu’n langage aussi affirmatif...
33396To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Gadd, 10 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Marstrand, Sweden, September 10, 1778: American vessels have been coming here, and there now remain only a brig commanded by one Capt. Child, and a ship, Capt. Loweth, both from South Carolina. These addressed themselves to merchants in Gothenburg which is not a free port, and where an English consul named Erskine is active. When they need protection I can...
33397To Benjamin Franklin from François-Louis Bayard, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library J’ai Lhonneur de vous prier de faire mettre votre Légalisation au bas de la Procuration cy incluse, elle a pour objet la Suite des malheureuses expeditions que j’ai fait d’aprês mon traitté avec les Etats de Georgie, on m’assure Monsieur que cette Procuration pourroit être contestée en Amerique Si vous n’aviéz La bonté d’y Donner cette Sanction; Comme...
33398To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 1 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In consequence of the report of my Interpreter I found my self under the Nesesity to make A propesetion to Dotun wich is to Give him the tract of land for his securety untill he can Asertain the defecancy if there be Aney. Your Exelency will be So Oblidging to Inform Mr Dotun about the Land As you Know the tittle is Good for wich I shall Greatfully...
33399To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 25 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote thee, on the 14th Instant by a Vessell bound for Hull, in which Vessell went Passengers, Capt. Hay and some other Officers, and in that Letter I inclosd thee Four depositions, relative to the Goods (designd for the treaty at Pittsburgh) being burnt and destroy’d by a Number of the Inhabitants of Cumberland County; which Depositions &c. I hope will...
33400To Benjamin Franklin from Catherine de Wesselow Cramer, 12 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le dérangement de ma santé & l’espérance d’aller à Paris, m’ont empêchée, Monsieur, d’avoir l’honneur de vous écrire plutôt, & de vous remercier de la marque d’attention que vous avez bien voulu me donner: mais mon voyage devenant chaque jour plus incertain, je ne puis tarder davantage à vous dire combien ce que vous me mandez de votre petit fils me cause...
33401To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Collinson, 12 November 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Enclos’d we return your Letter and are much obligd by your communicating the same—as also for transmitting the other Leters. My Father desires me to ask whether you have received any Intelligence about the House at Philadelphia—Copy of the Grant of which [he] thinks he gave you—with much Esteem subscribe myself your obliged Friend Addressed: To / Benjn....
33402From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 24 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of April 22d and that of May 8th. are recd. I will Examine, Mr Fizeaus accounts as soon as my Friend Mr Thaxter, is a little better, who is now sick of a Fever. I have attempted it alone, but I find a few little Variations from my accounts, of no great Consequence, which however perhaps Mr Thaxter may clear up. The arrangements of Time and Place, mentioned in Lord Shelburne’s...
33403To Benjamin Franklin from Henri Walter, 15 October 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Hildesheim in lower Saxony, October 15, 1777, in French: We have all kinds of cloth, which we send to Spain, Portugal, Holland, Norway, and England; the sizes range from twenty to sixty ells, and the price for the former from one and two-thirds to ten pfennigs according to quality. I should be glad to come to Paris with my samples. > Having heard nothing...
33404To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 9 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter and subsequent ones from Joseph Galloway, George Croghan, William Franklin, and the Pennsylvania Assembly attest the seriousness of Indian affairs in the newly acquired western territories, and the urgent necessity of pacifying the savages by a formal settlement of the boundary that Sir William Johnson had discussed with them in 1765....
33405To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 12 July 1753 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society On Sunday last, about 45 Minutes after 3 in the Morning, a Dwelling House, one of a continued Row on the West Side of Second-Street in this Town, was struck by Lightning, but, being at that Time untenanted, no Person was hurt. About 6 aClock the same Morning, I went to take a View thereof, and at that Time made some Notes of the Course which I observ’d the...
33406To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Salt, [1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your’s received was glad to hear of your Safe Arivall to England. As your Stay will be for Some time hope youll take a Tower in this Country and Shall be proud to See you at Bir[ming]ham but Should with a grate dale more Plesure had I not Lost the best of friends the Dearest Companion your Relation my wife who Departed this Life the 26 of January 1764. I do...
33407To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Rudolph Tschiffelÿ, 1 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Daignes Monsieur permetre que mettant de coté vos eminentes dignites politiques, je ne m’addresse qu’au Philosophe, qu’au précieux ami de l’humanité. La passion pour l’Agriculture m’a fait passer touts les moments de loisir a l’etudier et a la pratiquer. J’en ai fait renaitre le gout parmis mes concitoÿens, et puissament soutenu par plusieurs d’entre eux,...
33408To Benjamin Franklin from Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. Morris, and Mr. Lloyd, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Lloyd Mrs. Morris and Mr. Lloyd present their Compliments to Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Franklyns, and desire the Favour of their Company this afternoon to meet Miss Gambier. None of these persons has been identified. They may have been friends of Margaret Stevenson, BF ’s landlady. Probable terminal date established by the use of “Mr.” instead of “Dr.” for...
33409To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bell, 4 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Expect to Sail for Phila’ in 12 or 15 days if You have Any Letters to Send You may depend on my Care of them. I had the pleashur of Living, in Manheim at Mr. Morris for 5 or 6 Weeks Whare Mr. Beach & family Was Thay Ware All Will in July Last When I left them Mrs. Beach Wold not Go to Philad till Octobr. on Account of hir daughter for fear of hir Health...
33410To 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...
33411To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse Conway, 1 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am most trouble and perplex for the news ill, that I See in the gazette of Europe. It is true that our friends have to quit ticonderago? I hope not, and as I Suppose that you are instructed better that me, I pray you Dear Sir, do me the kindness of to get me out anxiety were I am upon our friends and upon my dear husband. You are dear Sir all my Comfort,...
33412To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On the 3d. Instant I received from the French Embassador Your Excys. obliging favor of the 11th. Ulto. I should have done myself the honor of answering it the Same day by Mr Clonard the Bearer of Dispatches from the Chevalier de La Luzern & General Rochambeau, Had not my whole Time been taken up in Copying letters to Mr Jay which I was afraid had been...
33413To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, [16?] December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society In January last the Governor & council of Virginia appointed me their Agent cheifly to transact in Europe some business as directed by the General Assembly & ordered me in their written Instructions to communicate the whole matter to you desiring the favour of your advice & assistance as in the space of 4 months we could not find Bills to buy, nor Tobacco to...
33414To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Eckerling, 5 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Brethren Israel and Gabriel Eckerling were taken by the French and Indians from the Aligany Mountains in the Month of August 1757 and some Time after sent to Rochelle in France w[h] ere I am informed they died in the Hospital. I shall esteem it a particular Favour if you will enquire wether my Information be true or not. Please to let me know by a few...
33415To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Thruffé and Other Favor Seekers, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the period covered by the present volume, Franklin continued to receive a steady stream of letters asking for favors, most of them from people he did not know. We summarize them here, beginning with those individuals seeking help with financial predicaments ranging from temporary indebtedness to outright poverty. A particularly dramatic appeal for...
33416To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Coder: Memorandum, [before March 1780]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society <[before March, 1780], in French: I feel sorrier every day that my suggestions of two years ago were not accepted. Had we been allowed to attack under the American flag the English sailing in the Mediterranean, as I proposed, we would have destroyed their commerce. If Sartine had given me the twelve hundred deserters for which I had asked, I would have...
33417To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Isaac Poissonnier, 15 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Société Royale de medecine Monsieur, m’a chargé de vous renouveller son invitation a la séance publique qu’Elle doit tenir mardy prochain 20 du présent mois. Je seray fort aise d’avoir a luy apprendre que vous y viendrés surement. Je saisis cette occasion de vous répeter les assurances de la Consideration trés distinguée et de l’attachement inviolable...
33418To Benjamin Franklin from John Houstoun, 17 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having the Honor to act as Governor of this State I take the Liberty of addressing you upon a Case of a most singular Nature. Mr. OBrien a Gentleman of this State had a Son, whose Name is William, at Smith’s Academy, Stoke Newington, about six Miles from London, at School, under the Charge of one Mr. William Telfair an American Merchant resident in London....
33419To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, [7 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. This Evening the inclosed Lettrs. &c. from London. They had been opened, and when I see You, will explain by whom. I therefore broke them afresh, which impute to my impatience to know the particulars of the important Contents, on which I congratulate You most sincerely. I wish to see You early in the Morning here, as the Business I wish to confer on...
33420To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Bartt, 28 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez qu’un Petit Suget aye L’honneur de vous offrier Lassurance de ces respect, et vous represanter qu’en 1777. il á armé a Bordeaux sur le corsaire nommé Lecxinton avec le capitaine Jonson amériquin, par devant Mr. des Laps négocient Logeant au chartron; depuis le départ de Bordeaux le corsaire a mis six mois jusquâ Morlay ou il a Eté pris a la...
33421To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 13 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my way to Town this evening I call’d on Mr. D. to request he wou’d write the Letter to Nantes that had been talked of, which he promised to do, at the same time he inform’d me he was going on Monday next into the Country for some weeks, and proposed that we shou’d together wait on you on Sunday Morning to settle what was best to be done. This proposition...
33422To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 13 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : Yale University Library, American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Harvard University Library, Library of Congress I have written to you, under Yesterday’s Date, on a very interesting Subject; and I will now add Something farther which I did not chuse to place in that Letter, as a Copy of it is transmitted to the Houses in Holland. And first I will...
33423To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 10 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the request of Mr Champion I forward the Accompanying Book to your Excellency. Our Mutual & Worthy friend Mr Laurens leaves Bath this day for Falmouth to go with his Son for New York. May Heaven protect them and spare your Excellency’s long and useful life is the prayer of Dr Sir Yr: Excellency’s obliged & Faithful Notation: Edward Bridgen. June 10....
33424To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, 10 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai lhonneur de vous renvoyer mon Illustre Docteur La lettre de mon beau Père et le projet de rèponse que j’y ai fait tant bien que mal car Je suis bien loin d’y avoir fait parler comme je le désirois, et comme Il le feroit lui même, Le Libérateur de L’Amérique; mais enfin je vous l’envoye telle qu’elle est. Si je n’avois été un profane J’aurois éte vous...
33425To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 11 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to write you a few days past relative to Captn Bell & take the liberty once more to beg your Excellencys attention to what I requested in his favor.— Mr. Berard, a very Considerable Merchant in this place, who has frequently done business for Gentlemen in America, has this Evening inform’d me, that he found some difficulty in procuring a...
33426To Benjamin Franklin from John Wright, 19 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I embrace with Satisfaction the opportunity which offers of writing to thee whom for many years I have been used to consider as a valuable sincere friend to myself in particular and to mankind in general and have often regretted the Cause of thy Seperation the unhappy cause which has so long deprived this once happy & beloved Country of thy presence...
33427To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Golowkin, 7 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Il y à des Siècles que je ne vous ai vû—je trouve ce tems bien long, parceque je vous aime, voilà le beau tems, ne viendrès vous pas un jour dejeuner avec moi? Mandès moi celui qui vous conviendras et croÿés que vous ne saurès me faire un plus grand plaisir. Adieu, mon cher Papa, je vous embrasse bien tendrement, et j’attendrai votre reponse avec impatiance...
33428To Benjamin Franklin from ――― Duvaunoel, 6 August 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Gaillon, August 6, 1777, in French: I offer you my commercial services at home or abroad. The delicate work I have done makes me confident that I can be useful to you in a number of ways, and I will prove it by giving you the letters with which M. Turgot honored me when he was in office.>
33429To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 10 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I have had some conferences respecting terms of peace wch. I have pressed in the strongest manner whether with effect or no will appear after the holidays. The grounds upon wch. I argued it were confidence & certainty and upon those grounds a friend of yours wd gladly offer his Services, but that friend of yours will never lend himself to transmitt or to...
33430To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 22 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Mother hopes you receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Collinson, for she desir’d him to write to you one evening about a Bill which he told her was not accepted. The enclos’d are all that came since you heard last from us. Mr. Strahan presents his Respects to you and begs the Favour of your Company at Dinner next Tuesday to meet Sir John Pringle and some body...
33431To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 19 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society It was supposed, and asserted here that no Treaty could be had with you , without mixing the French with it, who had no business to interfere at all with our and your affair, in our Opinion not. That Advice you gave me in your Letters of Feb. 1. and 12. of which you certainly have a copy (as several copies have been handed about of those Letters, I have...
33432To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you last Post relative to a ship of 300 Tons which is offered for Freight to take out the public Stores. The proprietor of this Ship is Mr Arnoux one of our principal Merchants here & his son in Law Mr Mitchel will call on you to talk on the subject whatever you do with him therefore will be conclusive on Mr Arnoux & I...
33433To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 17 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I this moment arrived in the City, & have only time enough to request your Excellency, if not done already, to send me Letters of recommendation for the Govr. of Martinico, or Dominica, as I mean to sail from hence to St Eustatia, from thence visit those Islands. I am with all possible Respect your Excellency’s most obedient Servant Addressed: A Son...
33434To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Forestier, 27 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Hesdin in Artois, June 27, 1778, in French: I feel compelled to warn you that a man has recently appeared here who calls himself de Bonne. Until lately he was a merchant, and he left town because of business troubles and misconduct. He is dressed in brown, vulgarly known as puce, with yellow trousers, vest, cuffs, and collar, and a gold epaulette like a...
33435From a Reader to the Printer, 11 April 1734 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , April 11, 1734. Tho’ your News-paper is sometimes as empty as those of others, yet I think you have for the most part (tho’ you were once in one particular a sad Offender) had the Modesty to keep it pretty clear of Scandal , a Subject that others delight to wallow in. These People, probably from some Corruption in themselves, and possibly from their own...
33436To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, 27 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Les abbés Chalut et Arnoux assurent de leur respect Monsieur franklin, ils auront l’honneur de se rendre à son invitation pour Celebrer l’heureuse et éternelle independence de l’amerique. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Ministre / plenipotentiaire des états / unis d’Amerique / à Passy Elderly friends of the American cause ( XXV , 382), replying to...
33437To Benjamin Franklin from William Ferguson, [15 July? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania General Edward Braddock and advance units of his army reached a point about nine miles from Fort Duquesne, July 9, when they ran into a force of French and Indians commanded by Capt. Daniel Liénard de Beaujeau. In the three-hour engagement that followed the British were utterly defeated. Braddock was mortally wounded (he died on the 13th) and more...
33438To Benjamin Franklin from Philippe-François Thiérin, 14 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’eus l’honneur le 11 passé de vous etre présenté par Monsr. Harmanson de la Virginie et de vous remettre une lettre d’un de mes Amis de st. Malo. Vous me Promites d’y faire une réponse que vous m’addresseriez pour la lui faire parvenir: comme la multiplicité et l’importance de vos Affaires vous auroient bien pu faire perdre celle ci de vue, permettez moi,...
33439To Benjamin Franklin from John Sargent, 20 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Sargent presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desires the favour of his Company to Dinner on Thursday next to meet Sir Matthew Fetherstone. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / at Mrs. Stephenson’s / Craven Street For Sargent, one of BF ’s English friends of long standing, see above, VII , 322 n. June 20 fell on a Saturday in 1767 and in 1772 during BF...
33440To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Charles O’Connell, [12 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. O’Connell has the honour to present his respects to his Excellency Dr. Franklin, requests he may be so good to grant him a quarter of an hour’s Audience on friday Morning about some business, If that Day shu’d not be convenient to his Excellency Mr. O’Connell shall wait on him any other moment he shall be pleased to appoint. Notation: O’Connell....