34951To Benjamin Franklin from David Rittenhouse, 29 April 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Amidst the many important objects of your attention I doubt not but you sometimes unbend your mind by an Excursion thro’ the fields of Philosophy, I shall therefore make no apology for communicating to you a freak of Nature which seems to be new, at least it is so to us. On the 19th. of August last during a heavy Shower of Rain, not attended by any Thunder...
34952To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 10 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favors of Jany. 9, 29, Feby. 13, and Mar. 13. I think I before acknowledg’d the Receipt of the Remainder of the Postscript of Decr. 19. It is not in my Power to give such particular Answers to them as I could wish, being now busily engag’d with the Assembly, who are just on the Point of Rising. Besides I am in doubt whether this will find...
34953To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have the pleasure to inform you that the Marquis de la Fayette is now loaded & ready for the Sea. I sent on last post my Letters to Congress & the Agent for supplying the Army informing them of all that is necessary relative to the Cargo, so that the Ship now only waits for your final Orders. My Presence at L’Orient has not been necessary for had I...
34954To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Lafayette, 20 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On m’a dit, monsieur, qu’on avoit eu des nouvelles de Charlestown. Elles m’interessent trop vivement, pour que je n’aye pas quelques droits, a vous demander ce que vous pourriés, et ce que vous voudries bien m’en dire; et Si ce qu’on debitoit, il y a quelques jours de La deroute des anglois, et de la mort du Gal. [General] Clinton se confirme. Ce ne peut...
34955To Benjamin Franklin from William Rawle, 26 June 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with reluctance I give your Excellency a trouble which necessity alone could induce me to think of. Soon after my return to Ostend from Paris, I was seiz’d with a violent cold and fever, which, added to the effects of a former indisposition at London, has render’d me so exceedingly weak, that I have been prevail’d on by my friends to defer my voyage...
34956To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 9 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; incomplete copy: Library of Congress; transcript: Library of Congress You have a copy of my Letter to the board of Admiralty of the 15th of July last. I writ again upon the same subject on the 27th ultimo, saying that as you had so strongly expressed your desire to me to concur in every measure which might in any degree alleviate the miseries of war, I was...
34957To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives I am honored with your letter of the 8th.— I hope to send on board some of the Cannon tomorrow.— As we have no Assistance from the Port our repairs do not advance as fast as I could wish: In making the new Sails we are much at a loss for hands.— Mr: Lee arrived here the Evening before last, and Mr: Lockyer...
34958To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Friedrich Hartmann, 1 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of Latin ALS : American Philosophical Society To the highly venerable Franklin, S.p.D. Johann Friedrich Hartmann The most enjoyable memory of that day when it was first possible to see you and converse with you has often come back to me. Believe me, I strongly regret that for reasons of time and place I could not offer for your inspection the electrical machines and experiments in...
34959To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwallader Colden, 24 October 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: New-York Historical Society I now send back to you Wilson on Electricity for the use of which I am much obliged. My youngest son the only one I have with me hopes to be able to make Electrical experiments tollerably well. Mr. Wilson I think is on the true scent of the cause of Electricity though it be plain he is not sufficiently informed of the nature of that elastic fluid which he...
34960To Benjamin Franklin or William Temple Franklin from Madame F. Pechigny, 10 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Oserois je vous demander monsieur en quoi jai pu demeriter au près de vous et si les personnes que vous mavez fait la grace de me procurer ont eu a se plaindre de ma maison, j’apprend avec la plus vive douleur que vous mavez retiré la protection dont vous mhonoriez autrefois, en placant chés le sieur usson un pensionnaire que vous étiez le maitre de me...
34961To Benjamin Franklin from Franklin and Samuel Wharton: Memorial to Congress, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives This memorial from Franklin and his long-time partner in western land ventures Samuel Wharton recapitulates the history of their efforts to establish a legitimate title to lands they had purchased in the unsettled area south of the Ohio River. Their enterprise originated in 1768 as an attempt by a group of Pennsylvania merchants, the “suffering traders,” to obtain land...
34962From John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, 30 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was duly honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the eighth of October by Mr. Searle. I thank You, Sir, for inclosing the Resolution of Congress respecting my Salary and Mr. Dana’s. I wish I could see a prospect of relieving You from this Burthen, as well as that of the Bills of Exchange drawn upon Mr. Laurens, but at present there is not a prospect of obtaining a Shilling. What Turn...
34963To Benjamin Franklin from John Hawkesworth, [15 May? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Many, many Thanks, my dear Friend, for your obliging favour of the 8th. My Enquiry was on the behalf of a Friend who is very near and dear to me, to whom I have transcribed your Letter, and if she should be inclined to make the Experiment I will claim the kind offer which your humanity has made me. It will not bring you to Bromley, but I hope you will...
34964To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 1 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Transcripts: National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society I have received a Packet from you containing several Letters of various Dates. As I shall probably have a safe Opportunity of Conveyance to you when Mr. Laurens leaves this Country, I am now sitting down to write to you an omnium Kind of a Letter, of various Matters as they occur. The late Ministry being departed, I may now speak...
34965To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 28 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am honoured with your favour of the 11th. June which lais me under great obligation; I should not have been so tardy in my reply but that I have for some considerable time past been greatly afflicted in my wife’s Illness the latter part of her pregnancy and since her delivery occasioned by repeated Accidents which very much endangered...
34966To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 17 October 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was pleased to hear of your safe arrival by a short agreeable Letter from Exeter, which I had the pleasure of receiving about a Month ago. The small but violent Party continues the same political Systems here expecting, I suppose, to be supported by Power and Influence at Home, where you will have...
34967To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to introduce to your particular Notice and Friendship my Friends Mr Nat Barrett and Mr Frazer, the former of these Gentlemen is the son of an old Friend of yours and the Latter is particularly reccommended to me. Mr Barrett has many Letters for you, and I have given him the one you sent to me for Mr Paradise that Gentleman being returned to...
34968To Benjamin Franklin from John Barry, 23 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor to receive yours dated the 17th. inst. but it leaves me intirely in the dark.— As I have no orders from you, and as there is no person here for me to apply to, in Consequence of it and to Comply with my orders from the Honble. the Admiralty I have took the Ship the Marquis delafayette with public Stores onboard under my direction and shall...
34969To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Julien Richard de La Prade, 24 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mes compatriotes parlent de vous avec tant de vénération, que je ne crains point de vous prier de favoriser un projet que j’ai conçû depuis quelques années, d’aller etudier la medecine des climats dans les colonies anglaises. On dit que vous etes humain, vrai philosophe et que vous protegez ceux qui cultivent les sciences; ne dois-je pas espérer que vous...
34970To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 17 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you many Letters, but fear very few ever reached your Hand. In particular I wrote fully by the unfortunate President Laurens enclosing some of my Labours in the Cause (such as they were). They fell into the Hands of the British & were probably handed up to Court with great Solemnity, along with Papers of more Consequence—they are heartily...
34971To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 21 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de vous informer, que Mr. Deshayes Commissaire des Classes à Cherbourg represente qu’il arrive journellement d’Angleterre des Sujets des Etats Unis qui se trouvent sans ressources et qu’il seroit a désirer que vous voulussiez bien nommer un Agent dans ce Port pour pourvoir dans ces Occasions à leurs Besoins. Ce Commissaire s’est jusqu’a present chargé...
34972To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, 5 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. De Beaumarchais a l’honneur de présenter son très humble hommage a Monsieur franklin. Il le prie de vouloir bien lui mander, par le postilion porteur de cette lettre, quel Jour il poura conférer avec Lui et Mr. Lée, Sur l’objet de la Théréze. Les lettres de Nantes exigent que Mr. De Beaumarchais donne promptement des ordres pour la vente, que le moment...
34973To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Wharton, 31 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Joseph Wharton present’s his best Respects to his Excellency Dr. Franklin and by Desire of his Father returns the American Papers with many Thanks.— Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / &c &c &c / Passy A son of Samuel Wharton: Anna H. Wharton, Genealogy of the Wharton Family of Philadelphia, 1664 to 1880 (Philadelphia, 1880), p....
34974To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Knox, 28 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): New-York Historical Society I take the liberty to introduce to your acquaintance and civilities Jeremiah Platt, a gentleman of this City, who has just returned from a long exile of seven years, in which period he has in every instance approved himself a zealous and upright citizen of the republick, a warm asserter of its liberties and ever ready to contribute his full proportion...
34975To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 7 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 6. de ce mois, celles qui y etoient jointes par M. Le Duc de la Vauguyon et M. Jones: Je les ai fait remettre au Courier que M. Le Cte. de Vergennes a expedié à La Haye. J’examinerai le Memoire que M. d’argent, Deputé du Commerce pour la province de picardie vous a recommandé; et je...
34976To Benjamin Franklin from Simon-Pierre Fournier le jeune, 10 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay L’honneur de vous prier de m’indiquer Par Le Nomé dupui macçon Le moyen d’empecher La fumé de Ces nouvelles Cheminé de votre invention: ma Cheminée servait pour un Poële en Niche: on na mis pardevant une Languette et La Cheminée fait Cecy. Je Crains quil ny est Pas assez de renfoncement vu La niche qui monte droite et La fumé se trouve arrété par Les...
34977To Benjamin Franklin from Destouches, 19 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur d’informer Votre Excellence que le cutter Le franklin est entré hier en ce port. Il fait l’admiration d’un chacun, on n’en a vu, ni n’en peut voir de plus beau, Et le nom de Votre Excellence ajoute encore à son Interêt. Le batiment frappe ici tous les yeux et son armement fait la plus grande sensation. Je vous fais son Eloge par le plaisir...
34978To Benjamin Franklin from Gourlade & Moylan, 27 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Louis Le Grand, a principal Merchant of Havre de Grace and our very perticular friend, writes us, that he is very anxious to be of the number of those who have the honor of your personal acquaintance. This gentleman has invariably shewn a particular attachment to the cause of the United States of America, and has been of great utility to us, in...
34979To Benjamin Franklin from Le Ray de Chaumont, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two AL : American Philosophical Society Chaumont a L’honneur de prevenir M. franklin que M. Villiam a tiré sur luy Chaumont pour 250 mils Livres de Lettres de Change a valoir sur L’habillement des troupes americains qu’ils font executer par œconomie pourquoy M. franklin doit se Munir d’un Bon de M. D’harvelay de 250/m l.t. qui Serviront a acquitter Les traites de M. William que M de Chaumont...
34980To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 4 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library Since writing on the other Side, The apprehensions of Hostility’s shortly commencing, unless the Indians could be quieted by the Agents, Are too soon (And too fataly for my Partners and self) confirmed. An Express, yesterday brought us, the following alarming Advices. That Our Factor at Fort Pitt had sent from Thence, in July last, Two large Batteaus, With...
34981To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Taunton, 29 December 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Few documents could be more exasperating to editors trying conscientiously to do their duty by future readers. Nothing has been found to identify the writer beyond what he himself says here or in the three other letters printed below, pp. 267–9. This letter gives a month and day of writing but no year and the other three bear no dates at all. The sheet on...
34982To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 November 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society My two last to you by Capt. Budden to London, and Capt. Stewart to Liverpoole, contained the first and second Copies of a Bill of Exchange for £100. Sterling, which I hope are come to hand and paid. Inclosed you have now the first Copy of another Bill of Exchange for One Hundred Pounds more, of which with the others before sent, please to advise...
34983To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Opportunity by a private Hand to return you Capt Folgers Bond & Oath, in order to save the postage. I will write by the Post. I am in haste yours most dutifully and affectionately Notation: J. Williams 24. Fevr. 1782. See JW to BF , Nov. 10, and BF ’s reply of Nov. 19.
34984To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This being the last month in the Year, I have been ’till now busily employed in casting up and settling my affairs, and as I never form’d very great Expectations, I find myself very content with the result. It appears that I have good enough to pay all I owe, and £300 Sterling left being the clear profits of last years Business. In the last Account I gave...
34985To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gloro, 10 January 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Hennebon, near Lorient, January 10, 1777, in French: I have served the Compagnie des Indes since 1752, and was returning from China in 1776 when my ship put in at Ascension Island to revictual and take on turtles. There I encountered a Mr. Benjamin Salter, out of St. Eustatius from Bermuda, waiting to make purchases from passing vessels. I made friends...
34986To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 8 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform your Excellency, that Congress, having judged it proper to appoint me to a new Mission in Europe I embarked on the thirteenth of November, at the Instance of The Chevalier de La Luzerne and Mr. Gerard, on Board the same Frigate that carried me to America. Soon after We got to Sea a...
34987To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Louis-Bertrand Robineau de Beaunoir, 25 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le moment ou le ciel comble le vœu le plus doux des francais est celui ou sous un autre hemisphere, L’homme a L’ombre des Lys vient de briser la chaine de la Tyrannie: vous jouissez de ce double Bonheur et Quand nous le Celebrons C’est vous procurer sans doute un plaisir bien pur que de vous faire partager notre joie. En Consequence La R. M. L. E. du...
34988To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Mr. Chaumonts Servant is here I embrace the opportunity to convey to you two of your Bankers Books which I found among my papers. I impatiently wait to hear from you relative the subject of my last. I have no news but am very respectfully and affectionately Your dutifull kinsman
34989To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price: Observations on the Expectations of Lives, 3 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Printed from the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LIX (for 1769; London, 1770), 89–125. The document that follows is only in form a letter to Franklin. Price addressed it to him, presumably as a way of acknowledging the latter’s work on population; Franklin transmitted it to the Royal Society, where it was read on April 27 and May 4 and subsequently printed in the Transactions . How...
34990To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, [29 September 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania You have intimated in a late letter to me, in answer to one wherein I attempted to describe the folly & infatuation of these people in their extraordinary exultations ever since the taking of Charles Town, “That the second ‘hour of their Insolence’ might be of as short duration as the first ”. This has been strictly veryfyd, & the whole City is as much...
34991To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington, 20 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I have the Honor to inform you that the Honorable Francis Dana Esquire is appointed to repair to the Court of Petersburgh in the Character of Minister from these United States. He will communicate to you his Powers and Instructions, and avail himself of your Information & Advice on the Subject of his Mission. And provided he shall proceed to that Court you are to supply...
34992To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 7 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; incomplete copy: Yale University Library Agreeable to my Intention I plainly told Mr. S that the Conditions of partnership which he proposed would not answer. He again told me that he thought that Sum would be sufficient for the purpose, but that the Goods being in hand any Funds in his power to raise should not be wanting. He said however he would agree...
34993To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 2 February 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Vanderhorst with his Daughter are on an excursion to Paris, and their return will be most favorable for remittance, if you should, in consiquence of my Letter and a bill of Exchange enclosed to you a few days ago, have it in your power, you’ll oblige me to send by Mr. Vanderhorst who is directed in that case to pay the money, or transmit the seal to my...
34994To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 19 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre derniere lettre m’ayant eté remise par Mr. Williams m’a fait un plaisir singulier. L’avantage qu’il a de vous appartenir de si près formoit un prejugé bien favorable pour lui, sa physiognomie ne previent pas moins en sa faveur, les qualités de son esprit et la douceur de ses moeurs y repondent parfaitement. Il se fait aimer generalement icy des hommes...
34995To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 3 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to introduce to your Acquaintance & Civilities, Mr. Petitt, Son of my Friend Mr Charles Petitt of this place; I believe him to be a young Gentleman of merit, and as such beg leave to recommend him to your Notice & Esteem— Sally & the Children are well, I am ever Dear Sir Yours affectionately Addressed: His Excellency / Dr. Franklin / at / Passy /...
34996To Benjamin Franklin from William MacCreery, 6 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to address your Excellency some short time ago on the subject of Port Duties here chargeable on sundry goods shipp’d by the Subjects of the United States of America. Since that time the Ship Buckskin is arrived at this Port, and will be ready in a very short time to take her Cargo on board; and least your Excellency shou’d not be able to...
34997To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 25 January [1772–75?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Jermyn Street, January 25, [1772–75? ], in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. Invites Franklin to dinner tomorrow.> BF ’s acquaintance with the Bishop of St. Asaph and his family began, as far as we know, in the summer of 1771; we are therefore assigning this invitation to what seems to be the earliest likely date.
34998To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 14 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me to address you with the Compliment of the Season; not merely as a Compliment, but with a fervent sincerity. May this Year give you a happy sight of your Native Country, and of those dear Relations you left in it; and if there is anything else wanting to compleat your Felicity, May that be added! May you enjoy a long succession of Years, fraught...
34999To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Didelot, 6 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Sachant que votre Excélence est curieuse des nouvelles découvertes, J’ai l’honneur de vous prévenir que je viens d’en faire une, ainsy que j’ai eu celui de lui dire vendredy dr. chez Mr. de la Blanchery. Après une 20ne. d’années de recherches et d’epreuves Tacites et Succéssives qui me paroit d’autant plus interessante qu’elle est l’antidote puissant de...
35000To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 23 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send You a few Letters which pray may be sent forward by Your express tomorrow Morning if You send, if not, pray to know how soon You will dispatch Your express, for if You put off for a Day, I shall improve the Time to write a Letter or Two more. I have the honor to be with the utmost respect Dr sir Your most Obedt. & Very huml. servt Addressed: His...