49001To Benjamin Franklin from [Jean L’Air de Lamotte], 12 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Dubourg a été très mal hier et aujourd’huy, il est un peu moins mal ce soir, mais il y a beaucoup a craindre. La tête est prise entierement, on desire des évacuations et on n’a point encore pu les obtenir. Barbeu-Dubourg’s great-nephew, protégé, and recently his secretary: see Coder’s letter of Dec. 17. The young man would soon become BF ’s secretary....
49002To Benjamin Franklin from John Ridout, 12 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Multiplicity of important Affairs which must of late have engrossed your Attention & the Length of Time that has elapsed since I had last the pleasure of being in your Company may perhaps have effaced my Name from your Memory, but knowing your Benevolence to be such that you are ever ready to confer Favours, I take the liberty relying on that to give...
49003To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 13 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honord by your favor of the 16th Ulto to Messrs Watts & Smith I shall be attentive to render this place to them agreable and particularly so thro’ your recommendation which I honor & revere. We are greatly disapointed by the intellige. receivd from Georgia notwithstanding I do not apprehend the effects so dreadful as painted. The English are greatly...
49004To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two), South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have this day had the honor to receive your Excellency’s Orders of the 6th: Current respecting the Prisoners taken in Merchant Ships and at present on board the Alliance— and I hope that the within Copy of...
49005To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander John Alexander, 14 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I expected to have had the pleasure of breakfasting with you allongst with my Brother who is returned & to have beged the favour of you to have delivered the two Memoires Inclosed to Mr De Sartine & Mr De Vergennes which I mentioned to you on Sunday I am most respectfully Dr Sir your Most Obt Humble Servt Notation: Alexander A. J. 14. Dec. 1779. Apparently...
49006To Benjamin Franklin from L’Air de Lamotte, [before 15 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation: American Philosophical Society Vous êtes priés d’assister aux Convoi, Service & Enterrement de Me. Jacques BARBEU DUBOURG, Docteur-Régent de la Faculté de Médecine de Paris, Membre des Sociétés Royales de Médecine de Paris & de Montpellier, de la Société Médicale de Londres, de l’Academie de Stockholm, & de la Société Philosophique de Philadelphie, décédé en son...
49007To Benjamin Franklin from Chaumont: Memorandum, [c. 15 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress M. Lée a mandé en amerique que M. le Cte. de vergennes luy avait ecrit unne Lettre dans Laquelle Ce Ministre desavouoit Ce que M. Gerard avait dit du peu de Confiance qu’il avait dans Le Dit Sieur Lée, que L’indignation du Roy Seroit la punition du Sr. Gerard. M. Lée avait eu Connoissance du Langage de M. Gerard il s’etoit Rendu a versailles pour Scavoir Si M. de...
49008To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 15 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis ici depuis deux jours, incommodé de rhumatismes. Assez bien cependant, pour pouvoir partir aujourdhui pour Lahaie, d’où je suis absent depuis le 5 Nov. J’aurai l’honneür de vous écrire de là plus amplement. Les vents contraires & les tempêtes empêchent toujours le Commodore de quitter sa triste rade. Je n’ai pu y tenir plus longtemps; & j’ai dû m’en...
49009To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 15 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, Monsieur, avec la lettre de M. de la Villehelio Administrateur à Nantes, celle de la De. de St. Maurice, mére de la Delle. Des Bois enlevée de St. Méen par le Sieur Lock, avec le quel elle se disposoit a passer en Angleterre, sur la promesse que lui avoit faite ce Prisonnier de l’Epouser. Vous verrez, Monsieur, que M. De la Villehélio,...
49010To Benjamin Franklin from John Willson et al., 15 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I most humbly Make bold to Accquaint your honour that I was taken by the English regular troops at the retreat of Ticonderogae being then in Major Stephen’s train of Artillery under the Commd: of Genrall Patterson— and being then sent down to Quebeck and from thence to England as A Prissoner & after some time made my Esscape where having no means of...
49011To Benjamin Franklin from Beccaria: résumé, 16 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; four drafts: American Philosophical Society <Turin, December 16, 1779, in Italian: Mr. Chantel gave me your very gracious letter and told me about the audience— most gratifying to me—with which you honored him. I am sorry that for the present time I do not have the energy I could wish to thank you properly in writing. To make up for it, I shall try...
49012To 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...
49013To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Phillip Mazzei Esqr is lately arrived here from Ireland after having been captured on his passage from Virginia hither, and long confined by the Enemy. He tells me he is charged with public Business of an important Nature on the Subject of which he is ordered to consult with you. Being under some Embarrasement on accot of the Refusal of the Merchant on whom...
49014To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Coder, 17 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Dubourg quatre mois avant l’arrivée de Mr. Dean en france a fait sortir son neveu du College des Grassins, où il payoit sa pension, pour luy servir de secretaire et ne pas confier à des étrangers les écritures qu’il avoit a faire relativement aux affaires de votre Pays. Ce jeune homme en a été occupé constamment pendant 2 ans et s’est toujours conduit...
49015To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am afraid the Commn for the purchase of the Books &ca. will take me so much time as to make you suppose I neglect it, but they are old & by so many authors that I find it difficult to collect them. They shall be forwarded as soon as possible— The Accot agt. Capn. Gustavs —— was forwarded the 11th Int. I mentioned to T——e what you requested— He got the...
49016To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 17 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After having received & taken for myself copies of the inclosed Letters, which were sent me under a cachet volant, I have no more time left than is necessary for closing & sending this away. This only I must add, that I can’t help thinking the Commodore as perfectly in the right, as others in the wrong by certain arrangements which, between ourselves, I...
49017From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 20 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your favour of Nov. 11. inclosing Capt. Samson’s Receipt for the Packets & Bills of Lading. This with your subsequent of Nov. 27. containing your accounts are now before me. I approve of your Charitable Care of the sick man Edward Slade and the poor Girl. Please to inform me if you know, how they came in to Europe. Is the Girl incapable of doing any...
49018From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I return herewith the Letters of Mr. de la Villehelis and de la Dame de st. Maurice which your Excellency did me the honour of communicating to me the 15th. Instant. I begin to have a bad Opinion of this Mr. Lock he has written me a Letter, in which he pretends to be an American, but it is so written as to make me suspect the Contrary. I knew nothing of the Damsel Des...
49019To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 6 inst, whereunto please to be referred. Agreable to my promise, I here inclose the two Bonds respecting the privateers Black Prince Capn. Patrick Dowlin and the Black Princess Capn. Edwd Maccatter, Sign’d by Mr. Riviere l’ainé, of Gravelinnes, and Messr. John Francis and Charles Torris of this place,...
49020To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Algemeen Rijksarchief J’espere que vous aurez bien reçu mes dernieres tant d’Amst. que d’ici, sous couvert de Mr. Grand, comme celle-ci. Celle de vendredi passé renfermoit deux Lettres de Mr. Jones, l’une addressée à vous-même, l’autre, copie de ce qu’il a écrit sur le même sujet à Mr. l’Ambr. de F ——. Voici d’autres Copies d’une suite de 4 Lettres,...
49021To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As perhaps the inclosed accot of Genl Sullivans Successes against the Indians & Tories has not yet reached you I thought it worth the Postage.— I am in haste (Post agoing) ever your dutifull & affectionate kinsman Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin ministre / plénipotentiaire des / Etats unis de l’amerique / septentrionalle / a Passy / près Paris...
49022From Benjamin Franklin to Count Andreas Peter von Bernstorff, 22 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Columbia University Library, Library of Congress; AL (draft): Library of Congress; press copies: Library of Congress (two); transcript: National Archives I have received a Letter from M. De Chezaulx, Consul of France at Berghen in Norway, acquainting me that two Ships, viz. the Betsey and the Union, Prizes taken from the...
49023From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine: Two Letters, 22 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) copy: Library of Congress They have written to me from England, that they propose to Send two Cartel Vessels with American Prisoners to Morlaix, one from Portsmouth, the other from Plymouth, in order to clear both Prisons at once. For this purpose they desire another Passport; which if your Excellency has no Objection to it, I Should be glad to send by the first Opportunity. I am,...
49024From Benjamin Franklin to John Dalton et al., 22 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 9th. Instant. Herewith you have the Order of Mr. de sartine for your Discharge. For your present Relief, and to bear your Expences to Nantes, you may draw a Bill upon me for two Hundred and forty Livres, which shal be paid here upon Sight. Be frugal and make the most of it. Your friend and servant. Sartine must have acted immediately on BF ’s...
49025From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Ever since September 18, when Franklin had forwarded to Vergennes Congress’ invoices for military supplies and clothing, he had been awaiting the French government’s response. At long last, it came. When Franklin wrote the following letter, he must have just received Vergennes’ promise of a new loan of 3,000,000 l.t. The sum was generous, but did not come close to...
49026To Benjamin Franklin from J.F. Frin & Co., 22 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons reçu hier une lettre de nos amis d’amsterdam Mrs. Daniel Crommelin & fils, dont nous prenons la liberté de vous remettre cijoint une copie par laquelle vous verrez ce qu’ils desirent relativement au paiement de divers effets du congrès dont ils sont porteurs et les observations qu’ils font pour faciliter à l’avenir une circulation plus suivie et...
49027To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe-Ferdinand Grand, [after 22 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Grand a Lhonneur de presenter Son respect á Monsieur franklin & de lui observer qu’il Conviendroit peut etre denvoyer en hollande la notte des articles que Le Congrés demande pour en sçavoir Les prix & les Comparer avec Ceux des autres Pays doù l’on peut les tirer; il n’est pas necessaire dattendre pour Cella que les promesses soyent Imprimées. Mr Grand...
49028To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Laneuville, [after 22 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La lettre de change de 60 dollars que j’ai perdu, n’a pu se retrouver; mr grand m’a déclaré ne la pouvoir payer que sur un mot de votre main; si cela peut se faire sans inconvénient vous m’obligeries beaucoup. J’ai recu depuis des duplicata de mr TurmBull s’il etoit possible que vous en acceptiés un par duplicata je crois que cela leveroit toutes...
49029To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am now waiting here for a Passage for France and hope to embark in Two or Three Weeks in the Fendant, a Twenty four Gun Ship commanded by the Marquiss De Vaudreuil, by way of Martinico. Your Daughter and Family were in good health, when I left Philadelphia.— We are now alarmed here with Accounts from New York of an Invasion of this, and the other Southern...
49030To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have not yet been able to get the order for Books you some time ago sent me, so fully compleated as I wish; the Bookseller is busey in compleating it & gives me fair promises it shall be done by monday, at least all those that are not out of print. I will then forward it as you direct & draw for the amot. together with the overplus of Cap. C——s accot...