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...
49031To Benjamin Franklin from John Hartwell, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make Bould to Beg one Favour of you if you will Be So good and Gracious as to grant to me a Poor Prisoner to Take me out of Prison and I will Be Ready to Searve you at aney Call I am an amiricainn I was Borne in Boston I was in the Engilsh Searvis a wile and I made my Escape from them and got into a Smugler going over to flushing thining to git to france...
49032To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I don’t loose Any time in informing You that mde de Lafayette is happily deliver’d of a son, and too much depend on your friendship not to be Certain that You will be pleas’d with the intelligence— The Boy shall be Call’d George , and you will easily Gess that he bears that Name as a tribute of Respect and love for my dear friend Gnl Washington. I Beg you...
49033To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Merry, 24 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The many pleasing Convivial hours we formerly spent together in Cornhill and Queen Square, and the continued proofs I ever received of the Social humane turn of your disposition; makes me certain that you will not deem any Apology necessary for my giving You this trouble, and begging Your most friendly care of Conveying the enclosed letter to a most worthy...
49034To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il faudroit que je fusse bien ingrat pour ne pas dans ce renouvellement d’année où même les plus indifferents temoignent de la reconnoissance vous temoigner combien je suis sensible à toutes les bontés que vous avès eues pour moi; je vous promets, Mon cher bon papa, que j’en conserverai toujours la memoire dans mon coeur et vous pouvés être assuré du...
49035To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [25 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Bancroft presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin. He called to Communicate a Letter which he has just recd. from Mr. Ridley (in Maryland) mentioning that Mr. Jno. Adams is appointed to return to Europe to assist in any future Treaty of Peace, and that Mr. Lawrence (son I believe of the Late President) is appointed Secretary of Embassy at...
49036To Benjamin Franklin from [the Marquise de Boulainvilliers], [25 December? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Nous avons lhonneur de faire Mille remerciments a Monsieur franklin de son attention obligeante. Nous sommes dans linquietudes et dans l’impassiances la plus vive des nouvelles; nous suplions Monsieur franklin de nous en intruire quand il le poura et de venir bientot recevoir nos tandres homages; ma petitte accouchée qui vat a ravir me prie de dire a...
49037To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Montgomery, 25 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of Paying my Respects to your Eccely: under the 18th Current and Since have your Truly Esteem’d of the 26th ulto and beg lave to Return you my best thanks for the Satisfaction you are Pleased to Express on Learning that I had been Quieted in my Establishment here by the favour of his Catholic Majesty, and Also for your good Wishes for the...
49038To Benjamin Franklin from Henry M. Mühlenberg, 25 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia Your Excellency’s most humble Servants, the united german Lutheran Ministers in the A: Ind: states should not perturbate the extensive political Circles in Your most weighty Station for the Interest of the States, if we could avoid it. Being called, sent and supported into these Parts of the Globe by...
49039To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Sensible Frigate is arrived in Corogne in Spain & by her I have a Letter from an intimate & well informed Friend dated 14 Nov. the day she put to sea. He tells me that Mr Adams is on board & with Credentials as minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of London. This extraordinary piece of Intelligence I have thought proper not to give out in public, for...
49040To Benjamin Franklin from James Woodmason, [25 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Order you gave me, is at last, with much disappointment to myself compleated. I desird Mr: Caslon to acquaint you that Mr: Whatman had made me a Parcel, which upon tryal did not bear Ink strong enough. About 2 months since he finish’d another which pleased me much, this Ltre is on a Sht: of it. I immediately sent 2 Reams to be Marbled, & till this day...
49041From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 16th. with one from Mr. Mazzey. I have known him a long time and have always esteemed him an honest worthy man, and a man of substance. I know nothing of his present Situation but what he writes me. I think he is not well us’d by the Gentlemen in whom he had a Credit. But I am too much embarrassed by the multiplicity of Demands upon me to...
49042From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 15th with Letters from Commodore Jones and Capt. Conyingham. I would write to them and send to Capt. C. a Letter I have from his wife for him, but suppose the Ship has left Holland. I Send you one of our latest papers from America containing an Account of the Conquest of the Iroquois County by our army under general Sulivan, and some other...
49043To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Having on the 7th. of November last lost our Masts off the Banks of Newfound Land and been obliged to come to this Place to refit, I am constrained to draw upon you for Part of the Salary due to me as Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to his Catholic Majesty, agreable to the Intention of Congress expressed in their Resolution of the 15th. of...
49044To Benjamin Franklin from John Torris, 27 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I This Moment receive the Petition to Your Excellency from Our Surgeon Boutey. Was this restless man a Good Subject, he certainly wou’d not have troubled Your Excellency on a Matter which he well knew, was not in my power to perform untill I had received from Morlaix the Accounts of the Sales of the prises, the amount of Same, & the remainder of the...
49045From Benjamin Franklin to J.F. Frin & Co., 28 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I return your 49 Bills accepted, as of the Day on which they were presented. The obligations of Congress, mentioned to you by Messrs. Cromelin and fils ought not to have been brought to Europe, their Operation is in America and they must be returned thither and produced annually to the Treasurer in order to receive the interest. As the Obligations are if I am not...
49046To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour of the 22 Instant with the Judgement of the Mifflins Prize Goods, and Mr Coulougnac’s Proposals about furnishing Cloth &c. Agreeable to your desire I have conversed with him and find that he realy can furnish at good Prices, but he has no great Quantity by him at present. I have taken some Patterns...
49047From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Johnson, 29 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am much obliged by your kind attention in sending me from time to time the American newspapers that have come to your hands. Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements. I have the Pleasure now to acquaint you that tho’ my application at your Request for arms or a Loan of money for your Province in particular was not attended with success the Opinion here being...
49048To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 29 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): National Archives I find that there remain scarce fifty pounds of the funds that were in my hands, & my inevitable expences in quitting this place & returning to my Country, will I apprehend amount to four or five hundred. If the state of the public funds in your disposal will permit you to furnish me with that Sum it will save me from very great difficulties & distress. I have the...
49049To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 30 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I Receiv’d only the 15th Decemr. the copy of a letter from Capt Jones to your Excellency, dated on board the ship of War Serapis, at anchor without the Texel Octor. 3d. 1779 (but not certifyed by your Excellency, as you did me the honor to tell me you wou’d do) of which letter you told me the copy was in a newspaper. I beg to know in which, for I had never...
49050To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Lee, 30 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of writing to You hoping that you wont take it amiss I Henry Lee nave to General in America Has met with the Misfortune to be in Goal in Cadis. I Came here Second Capt of a Brigg from Phillidelphia Loaded with Tobaco and I haveing four Barrells & two Boxes of Snuff for my Private trade came here and not Knowing the Laws of this Place...