48361Intelligence from Bilbao and Other Places, 3 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
D : National Archives During the months covered by the present volume there was a considerable decline in the volume of intelligence collected by the chevalier de Kéralio and given to Franklin for eventual forwarding to Congress. Kéralio was absent from Paris for much of the period and made arrangements to provide such information during his absence, but from late August until the end of...
48362To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, [before 4 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We begg leave to address oúr selfs again to Your Excellency, and to begg for her favoúrs by the personall appearance of oúr Worthy frend Mr. Dumas, the Worthy Agent for Congress— He would be Kind enough to charge himself with this present, and we dare promitt oúr selfs from his frendship, that if yoúr Excellence already had some goodness for ús he will...
48363From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 4 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This Morning some Bills drawn by you were presented to me amounting to 19800 livres which I declin’d accepting for want of advice. The Person who brought them was hardly out of the house before I found on my table unopened yours of the 29th past which advises of those Drafts. I immediately Sent after him, but he was not overtaken; and not knowing from what house in...
48364From Benjamin Franklin to Stephen Marchant, 4 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours with the Acct. of your Cruise, in which I see you have been both diligent and successful. The Misfortune of having several of your Prises retaken was what you could not help.— You have done good Service in bringing in so many Prisoners. I cannot get the particular Exhange made which you desire; but in the general Exchange which is going on your Men...
48365To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 4 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to write you the 2d. an account of the arrival of the Alliance & Pallas with an Irish Brigantine which they brought in as a Prize.— Captain Landais has reported that Vessel as being destined for America, so that I shall suffer no further step to be taken without your approbation. I have the satisfaction to inform you that the damage of the...
48366To Benjamin Franklin from David Moffett, 4 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make Bould to trubell you with this as I will Know you have the Intrest of america and its natifes so much at hearte which I happen to be one of them that has the messfortan to be a pressaner in france at presant and has bein for this 9 mounths past I Should have made applacton to your Honnr Befor but as I had some money Deuw to me in England I was in...
48367To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Vigneron and Other Applicants for Emigration, 4 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The first two applicants for emigration in the course of the four months covered by this volume were quite demanding. Vigneron, whose letter is printed below, wanted no less than a county named after him in one of the “warm colonies.” Charles Epp, who had sent Franklin some political advice one year earlier, writes on July 12 from Altorf, in Switzerland, to...
48368From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Gillon, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library I received the Honour of yours dated the 29th. past. The Zeal you show for the Relief of Carolina is very laudable: and I wish it was in my Power to second it by complying with your Proposition. But the little Squadron which you suppose to be in my disposition, is not as you seem to imagine fitted out at the Expense of the United States;...
48369To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Davison, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I having saild from Norfolk Virginia the first of may with the Sloop Phianix Burthen 80 tons mounting 8 carrige Guns 20 men I purpose mounting four more & Shipping as many hands here as is necessary to fight her. She is ownd By Saml Cad Morris of Phila. henry & thos. of Norfolk Mr. Brown having applyd at williamsburg for a commissn the Governor not having...
48370To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I send you for fear of accidents copies of two letters wch I have lately writ to you. I told you in my last that I hoped that our negotiation had done some good upon at least the minds of Men they had not been immediately as effectual as I cd have wished. Perhaps you may incline to the same opinion when you see the last paragraph of the King’s Speech viz that...
48371To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library I embraced the Opportunity which presented itself to write to you by the Captain of the Epervier who arrived here the day before, it is believed, from Martinico and as he went off express Undertook to deliver my letter to you at Passy on his way to Paris.— I have now the honor to forward a letter from Captn. Landais with Copies of the Papers that respect the...
48372To Benjamin Franklin from William Kentisbear, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being now a Prisoner at this Place & on My Peroole of Honour, begs leave to address your Excellency on this present occasion, As Being a Subject to the United & Independent States of America, Sollicits your Honour to Use your interest & influence to Procure my Enlargement & Liberty As there being but two Unhappy Sufferers of Us natives of America puts Great...
48373To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer une lettre que le Sr. Samuel Will detenu à Carhaix m’a fait passer, et par la quelle il represente qu’ayant été pris par le Corsaire le Ranger au mois d’avril 1778. Il a été oublié dans l’Echange qui a été fait des Prisonniers Americains , et en conséquence il demande sa liberté. Je vous prie de vouloir bien donner vos ordres...
48374To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh, 5 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sience the prisoners, who were detain’d on board the patience brig in Brest road, receiv’d the honour of your oblidging Answer to their Memorial. persuant to your Excellency’s desire I did meself the honour of sending you an account of the provisions which were served us, and have not been so happy, as to know whether you receiv’d said account.—or a letter...
48375Toasts at an Independence Day Banquet, [5 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society The anniversary of American independence, which fell on a Sunday in 1779, was celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic on Monday, the fifth of July. While back in Philadelphia the French minister plenipotentiary, consul, local officials, and visiting dignitaries were being hosted by Congress, in Passy Franklin was hosting Americans and French friends of the...
48376The Abbé André Morellet’s Song in Honor of Franklin, [c. 5 July 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
Two AD : American Philosophical Society, Nationale Forschungs-und-Gedenkstätten der klassischen deutschen Literatur, Weimar A love of music was one of the many things that Franklin and Morellet discovered they had in common when the two first met at Lord Shelburne’s estate in 1772. Their discussions of Morellet’s recently published theories on the subject inspired Franklin, upon his return to...
48377From Benjamin Franklin to the Abbé Morellet, [after 5 July? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from M. Lémontey, ed., Mémoires de l’abbé Morellet … (2 vols., Paris, 1821), I , 294–7; copy: American Philosophical Society Vous m’avez souvent égayé, mon très-cher ami, par vos excellentes chansons à boire; en échange, je désire vous édifier par quelques réflexions chrétiennes, morales et philosophiques sur le même sujet. In vino veritas , dit le sage. La verité est dans le vin....
48378To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Bessel and Other Commission Seekers, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Of the ten people who applied for commissions in the Continental Army between July 1 and October 31, 1779, four were German, three were French, two were English, and one was a Frenchman who had passed into German service. While paying lip service to America’s struggle for freedom, most claim candidly that personal advancement is their motivation. Baron de...
48379To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I make use of the oppertunity by the under Spanish Secretary (who takes his departure today with the remaining domestiques of the Ambassador) to forward you this; in which I take the liberty to inclose one for Mr. Johnson at Nantes under a French direction & I am to beg the favor of you to cause it to be put into the common post as soon as may be. I...
48380To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On a eu besoin de moi ici pour répandre la note ci-jointe. La suspension a été accordée, à la priere de la ville d’Amst., qui, quoique la Province, par complaisance pour un grand personnage, n’eût pas accepté la médiation, n’a pas laissé d’intercéder, vendredi 8 jours, pour les villes souffrantes. Vendredi matin ceux de Rotterdam avoient aussi demandé grace...
48381To Benjamin Franklin from John Hay, Jr., 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency may perhaps wish to hear of the progress of a person, whose strong affection, for America, and the cause in which she is engaged, induced him to undertake so long a journey to visit a Gentleman so very respectable in his private character; and so very honorable, in his publick capacity. I left Paris at Midnight of the second instant since...
48382To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Montgomery, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of Addressing your Eccelly the 26th: ulto. advising that by the officious Impertinence of the Assesor to this Governour I had been Arrested and my House Embargoed, notwithstanding I had Presented my Certificat and Pasport, Given by the Plenipotentiarys of the united States residing at Paris, and also proved that I had always Subscribed my...
48383To Benjamin Franklin from Petre Sargét, 6 July 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <La Rochelle, July 6, 1779, in French: I left New Orleans on April 20 and arrived here June 19. The Americans had taken Illinois and Vincennes, but the post of Vincennes was retaken by the British last November. Col. [George Rogers] Clark has gone by land and sent troops by water to recapture it; there is every reason to believe he has been successful....
48384To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 6 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have this instant heard of this opportunity. I can put up nothing; scarcely this letter. Every thing appears to me huddled and uncertain; we were a little up, but the apparent imbecillity of those to act against us, has let the spirit cool again very much. And danger made a cry for unanimity that did us mischief. Your paper about the aurora has been a good...
48385To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Laneuville, 7 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis arrivé dimanche 4 de ce mois de la campagne, Votre Excellence pourroit me soupconner de peu d’Empressement a répondre a son honorable invitation pour célébrer le 5 l’indépendance Américaine, si je ne lui expliquois pas les motifs qui m’ont privé de cet honneur. Aÿant donné Ordre que l’on me fit passer au chateau de Brueil les lettres qui me seroient...
48386From Benjamin Franklin to Laneuville, [after 7 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): American Philosophical Society Dr Franklin regrets much M le Chevr de La neufville, not receiving his Invitation to Celebrate the anniversary of American Independence, ‘till the Day appointed was past. He assures him however that he was not forgot when the Company drank, to the Brave Strangers who have hazarded their Lives in support of American Liberty. If M. le Chevalier is not...
48387From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress (two) I received your Favours of the second and 4th Inst. I am sorry for the Accidents that have obliged your little Squadron to return & refit; but hope all may be for the best. Some Days since, Mr Chaumont handed to me the Substance of a Letter in French, which contained heads of the Instructions that M. De Sartine wish’d me to give you. I...
48388From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 1st. & 2d. Instand. Inclos’d I send as you desire Mr. Lee’s original Letter declining any farther Concern with the Accounts. As it contains some malevolent Insinuations relating to them that are groundless, I think it right you should at the same time see my Observations on them, in the Drafts of a letter Intended to send him in...
48389To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Collins et al., 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Wee understand by Capt obrey that you are the gentelman aurthorized to hear & Redress the Complant and Grievances of the amrican presoners wee thearfore make bold to petition to you Sir on this head that you will be So Good as to hear & answer this our petition poor naked & Distitute as we are hear having bin plundred of all our Clothes & money by The...
48390To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have just receivd a Letter from my Brother in Germany informing me of your having written to him, that— “When Capt. Lemaire came over last year & made known here the wants of Virginia, you found three different Merchants of ability, who offerd each of them separately to supply the whole”— I shall be very much obligd to you...
48391From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Merchants alluded to in my Letter to your Brother, were Mr. Bayard, Mr. Monthieu, and M. Chaumont. The Terms I understood to be those proposed by Virginia. I have the honour to be with great respect, Sir Your most obedient and most humble servant An obvious mistranscription by the copyist.
48392To Benjamin Franklin from George Leopold Besson and Other Favor Seekers, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The most obvious category of favor seekers is made up of people who simply want a handout and tell their hard luck story at greater or lesser length. Most persistent among those was George Leopold Besson who penned eight appeals in the course of one year and whose initial plea, dated July 9, is printed below. He tries again on August 27, giving more...
48393To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum I should have acknowledged sooner the receipt of Your Orders dated the 30th. Ulto. which I recd. the 7th. Curr. but waited for the letter which yours alludes to from M. de Chaumont which has but this moment appeared and except the Name of a Merchant contains nothing New. I have had...
48394To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society (three), University of Pennsylvania Library; copy and transcript: National Archives I send by this Opportunity Journals & Gazettes with some Letters which were to have gone by Way of Martinique some time ago with others that I hope will reach you by that Channel. I add a Compleat Set of the Journals as far as they are printed viz 1st. Vol 2d Vol and from...
48395To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return the american paper with many Thanks. Inclosed, you have the London packet, containing part of Mr. Galloway’s extraordinary Evidence. A Gentleman, a Native of the united States, writes July 2d,— That Sir Charles Hardy sailed out of the Channel with thirty One Sail of the Line, and if the Wind continued Easterly a few Days, several more Ships would...
48396To Benjamin Franklin from John Antes, 10 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You may perhaps still remember a young Man wich in the Year 1763 amussed himself with making Musicall Instruments such as Harpsichords Violins etc. whome Curiosity and Disire of Learning once led to your House at Philadelphia without anything to introduce him but a little American Cordiality. This Man am I. The noble and generous Treatment I received of you...
48397To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 10 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I had the honor of receiving your Letter of yesterday in which you inform me, that Messrs. Bayard, Chaumont, & Montieu were the Merchants you alluded to in your Letter to my Brother, & that you understood their terms were those proposed by Virginia. The first of these Gentlemen, who never applied to me, I understand is a...
48398From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your Bill on Mr. Grand will be paid. I am much obliged by your kind Letters, and pray you to continue them. I find it an Endless and fruitless Business to consider and give Opinions upon Propositions of Peace, drawn up by Persons who have no authority to treat. I hope You will therefore excuse my Silence on yours. I can at present only thank you.— We are in daily...
48399From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: Library of Congress I am glad to hear that another Cargo of Prisoners are on the Way. I will give Directions to assemble an equal Number immediately at Nantes in order to dispatch the Cartel with all Expedition: And I will direct Mr. Schweighauser to correspond more exactly with the Board, and send Returns of the Prisoners as desired. I shall endeavour to obtain...
48400From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bennett Lloyd, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours inclosing two Letters from Maryland. I have made some enquiry, and cannot find that any Person here would be willing to purchase Bills upon Maryland; Those who want Tobacco’s from thence having already more Money in that Country than they can well get away, one Cargo from hence being sufficient to purchase several of the product, and...
48401From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have at Length found your Good Father, as you will see by the inclos’d, and have given Orders to furnish him with 100 £. which you will please to remit to me in Congress Interest Bills, or in a Bill from ———. The Bearer of this M. Vateville who goes over with a View of settling in Pensylvania and leaves some Money with our Banker. He is recommended to me, as a...
48402To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only now to acknowledge the foregoing to be Copy of my last, & to congratulate your Excellency upon the repulse given the British Troops the 14 may by Genl moultrie at Charlestown South Carolina, we have been impatiently waiting for particulars of this glorious Event authenticated by Congress, but some Accident, or a Desire to compleat the Advantage...
48403To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum The Bowsprit of the Bon homme Richard, having been landed and examined is found not only Sprung in 2 places but in several others much decayed and Rotten:— It is therefore condemned as being Unfit for future Service.— The Old Bowsprit mentioned in my last is now Undergoing a Survey and...
48404To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Lafayette, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society How happy I feel, when surrounded By so many preparations Against England, My respected friend doctor franklin will easily conceive— There is nothing to be found in france which might offer to me so delightfull a prospect, as those ships, troops, warlike stores of all Kinds which are Getting Ready for to visit our good neighbours—Every thing will be soon...
48405To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Speakman, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am a Native of America & am now waiting at this place—with my Wife & Children for an Opportunity to Return—but being at a loss how to find the most Eligible way—& as an American Subject—hope your Excellency will point out the most adviseable method to pursue & also to send a passport for travelling to the place your Excellency advises us to go to— I am Yr...
48406To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives Nationales J’ai L’honneur Mr. De Vous prevenir que la frégate américaine Lalliance commandee par Mr. Landais a arreté et conduit dans le port de l’orient le batiment anglois les trois amis, de Dublin. Le batiment etoit muni d’un passeport que le Roi a accordé le 30 8bre der [dernier] a des negotians de Bordeaux pour transporter des vins en angleterre. Ce passeport m’a été...
48407To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Three Letters, 13 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (III) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library In answer to the two papers inclosed in your favour of the 9th. Instant, the first containing a Detail of Insults offered to the Spanish Flagg by three american Vessells of War called the Resolution the...
48408To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, [on or before 14 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Delaware M. de Chaumont suplie Son Excellence M. franklin d’ecrire a M. Jones que M. de Sartine desire que M. Chamillard de Varville Lieutenant Colonel d’infanterie aye Le Commandement en Second des volontaires francais du Bonhomme Richard, attendu que M. Chamillard de Varville devoit S’embarquer avec M. le Marquis de la fayette dont il est Connu pour un officier...
48409From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 14 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Delaware In compliance with the within Recommendation of M. de Sartine, I do hereby desire you to admit M. Chamillard de Varville to the Command en second of the French Voluntiers on board the Bonhomme Richard. Wishing you every kind of Success and Prosperity, I have the Honour to be, Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
48410To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 14 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having the promise of getting this safe into a Post office on the other side of the water I have stept into a Coffee House to inclose to you the Satys. and yesterdays Gazettes of the Amn News. Much joy was expressd on the rect of the first wch came remarkably quick from N York, but was as most Gazettes are lookd upon as nothing the day after. There were...