47461To Benjamin Franklin from G. Anquetil Brutiere, [5 January 1779]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <[January 5, 1779,] in French: Last September I called on you with M. Stadelle, merchant of Strasbourg, and explained my loss of 4–5,000 l.t. when my ship on the Newfoundland Banks had to take on seven English prisoners from a Massachusetts privateer. You asked me to give you my complaint in legal form and in triplicate, two for the colony and one for your...
47462To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Courcelle, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sans avoire lhonner detre connue de vous Monsieur, premetté que je vous fasse mes remerciments, d’un service que vous maves rendus aux sollicitations de Mr. Levellard votre ami, et le mien, dans la personne du jeunne Briffaut qui a eté tres bien recus a Boston dou il ma ecrit ainsi qu’a sa famille, qui vous prie Monsieur de vouloire bien lui faire passer...
47463To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas: Two Letters, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Avant de nous hazarder à vous présenter Mr. Jean de Neufville, Négociant d’Amsterdam, pour faire des affaires avec lui, nous nous sommes consultés longtemps, l’ami de Mr. De Chaumont & moi, & nous avons pris toutes les précautions & informations prudemment possibles, pour nous assurer de la propriété d’une telle démarche. Notre Ami, sous lequel...
47464To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society As you were so polite as to enclose me a Letter from my Namesake permit me the liberty of using the same Channel of conveyance and to ask the favor of you to forward the enclosed. I am very respectfully Dr. Sir Yr. most obt. & very huml. Servt. Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esquire / Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court / of France— /...
47465To Benjamin Franklin from John Bradford, 6 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having had the honour of a Letter under your signature on Bus’ness formerly, I venture to take the liberty to wrte you by my son, to introduce him to your presence, praying you to Afford him your patronage and Advice, his disposition is amiable and I flatter my self he wont discredit the people, that the Benevolent Monarch of France has lately taken into...
47466The American Commissioners to Sartine: Two Letters, 7 January 1779: letter and résumé (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have the Honour to inclose your Excellency two Memorials concerning a French Vessell retaken from an English Privateer by An American Privateer the Hampden commanded by Captain Pickering. As there is nothing in either of the Treaties between his Majesty and the united States,...
47467Gentlemen at Nantes to the American Commissioners, 7 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, January 7, 1779: We believed, in consequence of the “Treaty of Alliance, Friendship and Commerce,” that our commercial engagements would be encouraged and protected by this kingdom. We requested of M. de Sartine and yourselves to solicit protection for a number of vessels destined with valuable cargo for several American states. The Minister...
47468Sartine to the American Commissioners, 8 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 25. du mois passé pour me faire part de l’offre que fait M. Langdon de fournir des mats à la France. Je ne puis que vous remercier d’avoir bien voulu me communiquer cette proposition, dont cependant je ne puis faire aucun Usage, parce...
47469The American Commissioners to Vergennes, [before 9 January 1779]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (drafts): Harvard University Library, Massachusetts Historical Society (two); two copies and two transcripts: National Archives The commissioners, particularly Lee and Adams, devoted substantial effort to the drafting of this memorandum asking that a powerful French fleet be sent to American waters. Their efforts were doomed to failure, at...
47470John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 9 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives <Bordeaux, January 9, 1779: Yesterday the convoy for the French islands sailed, accompanied by three small cutters for the United States. From a vessel arriving out of Edenton I have learned that tobacco is £10 per hundred weight in American currency. American prices are extraordinarily high because of the excessive emission of...
47471Vergennes to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 9 January 1779: résumés (Franklin Papers)
(I) L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress; (II) L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives <Versailles, January 9, 1779, in French: I have received your undated letter. We will take its contents into consideration as...
47472To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Greenleaf, 9 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Williams favours me with an opportunity of addressing a few lines to you upon a subject very interesting to me— I have an only son, by name Thomas, who is now a prisoner in Portsmouth gaol, & has been so for several months. My request to you is, for your Influence to get him exchanged, if possible, & put into such public service as he is capable of; He...
47473To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collas, 10 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I, with honner & pleasure imform you of your favr. Received by Mr. Wharton, likways of the Articles thering Mantion’d, Recevd Since of Captn. Joyner without any Messing . . . also two printed papers of the Dutys of those things; which, you have been So Pleased to Account for for which favr. I Sincerley Aknolige my Self indet. [ torn: some letters missing ]...
47474To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Holtzendorff, 10 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your intention being to Shew to them other Gentlemen, your Collegues, the Papers I had the honour to give you yesterday, may it please you, Sir, to communicate to them also Gnl. Washington’s letter & my Congé I do myself the honour to send you hereby upon the other side of my letter. I join also my declaration made to all american officers in the...
47475To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 11 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society About a month ago I received a letter from you without a date, for which accept my thanks. We were happy to hear you were well, but my mother was much mortified that your letter was not addrest to her; it appears to me of no importance which of our names is superscribed, to her it is of great. However, you hurt her, not only by not writing to her...
47476From Benjamin Franklin to the Abbé du Bois, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft) or copy: American Philosophical Society Le grand nombre d’affaires dont je suis chargé, Monsieur, ne ma pas permis de repondre plutost a l’honeur que vous m’avez fait et de vous remercier pour mon pays de la fable ingénieuse que vous m’avez addressée; je n’ai pas assez d’usage de vostre Langue pour sentir tout le mérite de la poësie, mais l’idée m’en paroist excéllente et...
47477From Benjamin Franklin to the Chevalier de Noeufville de Brunaubois-Montador, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft) or copy: Library of Congress Les affaires dont je suis chargé, Monsieur, ne m’ont pas permis de faire reponse plutost a la lettre que vous mavez fait lhoneur de mécrire, et de vous remercier de l’ouvrage que vous y avez joingt; je n’ai pas assez d’usage du français pour bien apprécier la poësie, mais l’idée de vostre fable me paroist tres ingénieuse et bien appliquée; je me rejouis...
47478From Benjamin Franklin to Sube and La Porte, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft) or copy: American Philosophical Society Rien n’est plus flatteur pour ma nation que de rencontrer un aussi grand nombre de partisants chez celle a qui tant de motifs l’attachent, jay lu avéc grand plaisir les statuts de vostre fondation et les jolis vers que vous m’avez envoyés, et je suis on ne peut pas plus sensible aux honeurs que j’ay reçus de la joyeuse societé des amis de...
47479Dumas to the American Commissioners, 12[-14] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 12[-14], 1779: The States of Holland reassemble tomorrow. The French ambassador has received an express message from his court. January 13: I learn that Amsterdam will have permission to trade with the French West Indies, and I have been authorized to inform certain friendly merchant houses of this....
47480Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I had the honor of writing to you, in the 2d. instant informg. you that the credit wch. I had receivd from the Commissioners was exhausted, & that I should be obligd to you if you woud let me know whether it was most agreeble to you to renew it, or that I shoud draw on you for what money I might have occasion for. As this matter appeard to acquire no great deliberation,...
47481To Benjamin Franklin from Dr. Joseph Jeffries, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr Jeffries, who saw a letter to a common friend, in wc it was said, I desire to be remembered to the Society wc you know I love & esteem , with pleasure takes this oppertunity of assuring you, in their name & his own,— that their love & esteem of you is not in the least abated since you left them. Notation: [A?] Dr Jeffries to B. F. For this dissenting...
47482To Benjamin Franklin from Le Maire de Gimel, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il est arrivé à Mindin samedi dernier a neuf heures du matin un accident funeste, le feu prit à la Sainte Barbe du Navire le flaman, Capne. Blondeau, apartenant à M. de Montieux, cent dix hommes d’equipage ont sautés, ce Nre. etoit monté de 26. canons en batterie. J’ai eu l’honneur de vous ecrire diverses lettres pour vous prier de m’honorer de vos ordres...
47483To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Soller, 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Quoique je n’aÿe pas L’honneur de vous étre Connû, je me flatte néantmoins que vous ne désaperouverés pas celui que j’ai de vous ecrire, c’est Monsieur, de L’objet des fers de mes forges de Dilling citués prés de Cette Ville, que des amis me Conseillent de vous entretenir en ce quil pouroit vous Interresser. J’en fait fabriquer de tous Calibres en sortes...
47484To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 12 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Project of going to America has met with a very severe check— One of the richest Ships to my address with her Cargo & upwards of 100 men on board is blown up, & every Soul, Perished & not a Farthing saved.— Mr de Chaumont has lost by this accident upward of 100,000 Livres, & I fear Mr Montieu more than twice as much, by a fortunate neglect, I had nothing...
47485The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 13 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives (two) <Passy, January 13, 1779: We received yesterday your letter of the seventh and one from the comte de Vergennes, a copy of which is enclosed. We wrote his Excellency today requesting the convoy be sent to Nantes. We regret the convoy will not be able to go all the way to America, and hope it will continue...
47486The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (two), Library of Congress We have the Honour of your Excellency’s Letter of the 9th of this Month, requesting to be informed of the Port where those Vessels are which have occasion for a Convoy to America. These Vessels are at Nantes where they wait for the Convoy, which...
47487Sartine to the American Commissioners: Two Letters, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives; (II) copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Messieurs, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 2. de ce mois. Je sais que vous chargés vos Agens dans differens Ports du Royaume de fournir aux prisonniers Americains echapés, ou revenant d’angleterre, les objets dont ils peuvent avoir besoin à leur arrivée; mais il ne paroit pas...
47488To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honor’d with your Letter of the 25th. decr; also with your Excellencey’s Opinion, approving the proposition I had made. But, unfortunately it came too late— the Ship intended for the Voyage was sold at public auction, not many days before the answer was received. As my Letter went from hence the 7th of novr. there was full time enough, & I lament the...
47489John Adams and Arthur Lee to Ralph Izard, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We had the Honour of your Letter of Yesterdays date, on the same Day, informing Us of your having drawn a Bill upon Us, for five hundred Louis D’ors. We have the Honour to inform you that the Bill, being presented to Us, was accepted the same day by, Sir your most obedient &c BF , opposed to...
47490John Adams and Arthur Lee to William Lee, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) The Letter which you did Us the Honour to write Us on the 15 December, We have received.— As We have heard nothing further of the Congress in Germany, which you inform Us was talked of, We presume that no such Measure will take Place. However, whether there be a Congress or not, We cannot comply...
47491The American Commissioners to Benjamin Gunnison, 14 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have written to Mr John Daniel Schweighauser of Nantes, to receive your Cargo and dispose of it; but he writes us that he is apprehensive you will require a Letter from us to you. This is therefore to authorize and direct you to deliver, the Cargo of the Morris to Mr....
47492Franklin’s Draft Memoranda to Congress, 15 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AL (draft): American Philosophical Society As I find I have given great Offence to the honble Mr Izard & perhaps to the honble Mr Wm Lee by refusing my Assent to the Payment of their Late Drafts on the Commissioners; & as considering my Age it is probable I may never have an Opportunity in Person of explaining my Conduct in that Business to the Congress, and it may be subject to...
47493To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 15 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je vois avec une très-grande satisfaction, par les deux honorées vôtres du 7 et 25 xbr., que vous approuvez ma conduite sur ce qui en fait le sujet. J’ai donné un Extrait de toutes les deux à notre Ami: ce qui lui a fait plaisir; surtout de voir que vous désapprouvez le projet. Au surplus, j’ai lieu de croire que ces...
47494To Benjamin Franklin from Lavabre, Doerner & Cie., 15 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le 5. Novbre. 1777. nous payames de vôtre ordre a Monsieur Grand la somme de six cent Livres Tournois, & vous eutes la bonté décrire a Monsr. Pre. Tymothy a Charlestown, de payer cette valeur a un Jeune homme en Caroline nommé Colomb de Nismes qui entra au service des Etats unis de L’amerique dans le Regimt. de Savanah en Georgie, comme il est a presumer...
47495Dumas to the American Commissioners, 16[-18] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 16[-18], 1779, in French: The French ambassador has informed a number of high officials that Dutch shipping except for that of Amsterdam henceforth will be excluded from French trade privileges. These officials expressed their displeasure, claiming it was unprecedented that France should treat with only...
47496To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write and write and write again and again to you, but I cannot hear whether or not my Letters, any of them, ever reach you— It is now many months since we had the happiness of a Line from you— Not long since, I wrote you a very long letter Via Baltimore by the Brig Saratoga, but I find she is carried into Newyork, the Captain of her is come here & tells...
47497To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pickerin, 16 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I writ you the 30th. Ulto. advising you of my Proceedings, and the two Captors I had made since I Left Brest on the 1st. Ulto. Vizt. a Brigantine Laden with dry Codd Fish, from Nw.fd.Land a Dutch Dogger from Barcelona with Nutts &c. Bound to London the Cargoe by the Captains Declaration was the Property of some Merchants there— The Court of Admiralty here...
47498To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Agreeable to my promise I send you two of your Chapters. I have but 3 & take the Liberty to keep one for myself which hope you will permit.— The wind & weather has been the best possible for outward Bound Ships these 15 Days past, had I been under Sail I should be at least onehalf the Distance between this & America. I impatiently wait the arrival of Monsr....
47499John Watson and John Swain to Franklin and Arthur Lee, 17 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With submission I shall take the Liberty of Acquainting Your honour that thair is two of us that is in this Prison that Was taken the 15th of October 1777 in the west indians And Sent to England whare we was condemed to prison And thair confind for Eleven months Before we could make our Escape from Fortain prison in England which after we Maid our Escape...
47500To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 17 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I did myself the pleasure of writing a long letter to you very lately, but am afraid it is taken as I beleive many of yours are, I am unwilling to think you neglect us, tho Mr Ingersolls coming from France without letters from you has given me great uneasyness, he lodged too in the same house with little Ben, and not a line from him, I hope soon however to be made...
47501Richard Price to the American Commissioners, 18 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: National Archives (two), South Carolina Historical Society <London, January 18, 1779: Dr. Price returns thanks for the invitation from Congress to become a member of the United States and assist them in regulating their finances. Honored as he is at their favorable opinion of him, he knows himself not qualified, and is at such an advanced age...
47502To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-François Nicolas, 18 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la liberté de vous addresser un exemplaire de ma dissertation chymique sur les eaux minerales de la Lorraine; la theorie que je donne de la formation du Gas dans ces eaux et de cet être singulier que les chymistes pneumatiques nomment air fixe, air Méphytique &a &a. a tant d’analogie avec vos propres idées que je la regarde en quelque sorte comme...
47503To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price: Two Letters, 18 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (II) AL : American Philosophical Society The Bearer has been recommended to me; and, I believe, he has no improper views. He has urgent reasons for going abroad; and if Dr F——n will be So good as to enable him to get access to the persons he wants to See, he will oblige one who is, with great affection and respect, his very Humble Servt: and Friend I...
47504The American Commissioners to Sartine, 19 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We beg your Excellencys Pardon for delaying the inclosed Paper So long.—We had the Honour of your Letter in Season, but by some Means or other it was, not attended to so Soon as it ought. In JA ’s hand. One of the copies at the National Archives is in Ford’s hand. The enclosures that might have...
47505Dumas to the American Commissioners, 19[-24] January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, January 19[-24], 1779, in French: The only thing that happened at the Assembly of Holland was the reading of the ambassador’s latest memorandum. I met five times today with the French ambassador and as often with our friend. January 20: The pensionaries of Amsterdam have expressed to the ambassador their hope...
47506To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 19 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie de n’avoir aucun égard à une Lettre ouverte, qui vous sera peut-être présentée de ma part, par un Mr. Poirier Avocat de Dunquerque . Je l’ai vu fréquemment tous ces jours passés à l’hôtel de france. Il est ici pour réclamer diverses prises faites par des Armateurs de Dunkerque, reprises dans les Eaux de Zélande par des Pirates Anglois nichés à...
47507To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Gillon, 19 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I crave your Pardon for the freedom I preuse in addressing the inclos’d to your Excellency, you will greatly favour me in communicating its contents to their Excellencies your Colleagues, particularly to Mr. Izard, if he is with you. I hope soon to have the satisfaction of assuring you in Person, with what Respect I am—Your Excellencies Most Obedt. hble...
47508To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, 19 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous adresser une Lettre sur quelques objets d’Electricité que M. Le prince de Gallitzin m’a chargé de vous faire parvenir. Vous verrés dans la copie de celle qu’il m’a adressée les secours qu’il attend de vos bontés. Notre bonne amie dans toutes ses Lettres me recommande toujours de vous parler de sa tendre amitié. Ci-joint tout ce que...
47509To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Mammès Pahin Champlain de La Blancherie, 19 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai l’honneur d’envoyer à Votre Excellence, le nouveau plan de l’établissement que je dirige tel que la consistence que votre protection lui a donnée, a exigé qu’il fût rédige. C’est mercrédi 20. de ce mois à cinq heures après midi l’ouverture de la premiere assemblée dans le beau logement que l’on m’a donné et arrangé pour cela j’ose esperer que Votre...
47510To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard, 20 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You promised in the presence of your Colleagues Mr. Lee, & Mr. Adams to send me a copy of the Letter which you wrote as an answer to mine of the 2d. instant, & to which those Gentlemen did not think proper to sign their names. This promise was made eight days ago, & I call upon you to fulfil it. If you will at the same time favour me with all your reasons,...