49161To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Shipley, 3 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society How shall I sufficiently express my raptures on recieving your dear delightfull letter & most valuable present. The pleasure I felt was encreased if possible at the sight of the beloved little lock of Hair, I kissed both that & the picture a 1000 times: the miniature is admirably painted, the Artist (whose name I wish to learn) appears inferior to none we...
49162From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 27th. past. I begin to be apprehensive with you for the Fate of the Confederacy. The only hope we have is founded on the Report of some Persons who Left philadelphia 10. Days after she Sail’d, that it was understood there, that she was to call at Charlestown before she quitted the Continent. If that was the Case, she may yet be safe,...
49163From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received but a few days since your favours of January 17. and 18. I send here with the Commission desired for Capt. Ryan & The fearnot. I heartily wish you and him all the success you desire and deserve. The Bond is to be executed and Left at Mr. Coffin’s, where you will find the Commission, as the English have paid no Regard to the written paroles taken by the...
49164To 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...
49165To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you a few lines by Capn. B—— [Belt] the 28th ultio, & hope to have it in my power in a few days to forward the Contents of this by another friend for fear it may be lost by the common conveyance of Post. The Royal Society at their last meeting, came to a resolution to have a certain number of Gold, Silver & Copper medals struck of Captain Cooke;...
49166To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Les Etats d’Hollde. ont enfin pris la Résolution finale & unanime, de comprendre sous leurs Convois les Bois de Construction, & d’annoncer à la Cour de Londres qu’on protegera le Commerce de la Rep. dans toute l’étendue des Traités. Comme cette Résolution annulle toutes celles de L.H.P. qui, sans se relâcher sur le droit,...
49167From Benjamin Franklin to [——— d’Anglemont], 5 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. Torris informs me that eight of the Prisoners formerly brought in to Dunkirque by the Black prince an american Privateer are desirous of serving under Capt. Ryan in the fearnot, and that the said Captain knowing them, and placing Confidence in them, is desirous of having them in his service; I do hereby request that you would be pleased to deliver the said Eight...
49168From Benjamin Franklin to Luke Ryan, 5 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 29th. past, am glad to hear that your Health is re-established, and that you have got a Vessel that you like. I send by this post the Commission you desire, to which I make no doubt you will do honour by your Bravery and good Conduct: I send also to The Commissary, my Request that he will deliver to you the eight Men you ask for. No regard...
49169From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 6 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I received but very lately your kind Favour of Oct. 14 Dr Ingenhausz who brought it having staid long in Holland, I sent the enclos’d directly to Mr L. It gave me great Pleasure to understand that you continue well. Take care of yourself. Your Life is a valuable one. Your Writings, after all the Abuse you & they have met with, begin to make...
49170To Benjamin Franklin from George Scott, 7 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return you my best thanks for the trouble you took for me in the procuring me my passport— I find I cannot depart until Wednesday— I purposed to have gone this evening, but, on application at the Bureau, my servant found all the places taken. A thought has occurred to me, which has induced me to take the liberty (before my departure) to ask you a...
49171To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, [before 8 February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Having so good an opportunity of conveying a letter safely to you, I thought it might not be amiss to give you a general idea of my present situation, not with a view to any particular request or proposal, but only thinking it right, that a few of my best friends should know it in confidence , as it is possible that something or other may occur to them which...
49172From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress Your kind Letter of Sept. 27. came to hand but very lately, the Bearer having staid long in Holland. I always rejoice to hear of your being still employ’d in Experimental Researches into Nature, and of the Success you meet with. The rapid Progress true Science now makes, occasions my Regretting sometimes that I was born so soon. It is impossible...
49173From Benjamin Franklin to the Baron de Servières, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I never say or heard of the Book you mention. If such a Work has been published in England, undoubtedly you may obtain it by sending thither for it. Having never lived in that Part of america where Tobacco grows, I know nothing of its Cultivation. If I could give you any material Information on the subject, I should do it readily and chearfully. I have the honour to...
49174From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of Nov. 2. in which I see you have started a good deal of philosophical Game; let me know from time to time your success and send me some of the Venison. Mr. fabrony call’d to see me, but express’d no desire of altering his Voyage, and proceeded immediately to Italy. I received also yours of Jan. 4. with the Sheets of the appendix but I have not...
49175To Benjamin Franklin from William R. Boyd et al., 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Humble Petition of the Mariners formerly belonging to the Patriote Captain Green. To his Excellency the Right Honorable Benjamin Franklin Prime Minister of the 13 United States of America. Sheweth That Your honours humble Petitioners as met with the Misfortune to be Cast Away and has lost the best Part of our Apparel Owing to the Vessel sinking so...
49176To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Herewith I send you the remedy I promised in my last. Somebody writes to me what follows “Un Capitaine arrivé depuis peu en Zélande m’a assuré avoir vu le Cape. Jones a plus de 50 lieues à l’Ouest de l’Irlande, tenant route opposée avec une prise.” 873. 337. 64. 833. 879. 470 419., 30 & 16 would 168. But 2. 879. 470. 601....
49177To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, D’Acosta frères & Cie., 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania May it please your Excellency, as we are ready to expedite to North America a vessel call’d the Kensington, to accept our services you may commit your dispatches to the Care of Samuel Smith Commander of sd. vessel: And at the same time, We beg, you would forward us immediately a Commission for war; you will find here annex’d the usual obligation with its...
49178Certificate Condemning Prizes, [before 9 February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Historical Society of Delaware I the underwritten, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of France, have perused the Procés Verbaux , or Examinations taken before the Judges of the Admiralty of the Eveché de Vannes, and by them transmitted to me, relating to the following Captures and Ransoms made by the Black Prince Privateer, Capt. Patrick Dowlin...
49179From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received yours by Capt. Belt I shall Comply with his request as he is recommended by you. I have written largely to Mr Hartley by Mr. Barber and before to Mr. Hodgson about the American Prisoners and the Cartel.— I am concern’d for Capt. Manley, who is a brave and useful Officer, and desire you to supply him with Necessaries to the amount of 25. Guineas....
49180From Benjamin Franklin to Patrick Dowlin, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 27th. past, I congratulate you on the success you have had against our Enemies of which I had the pleasure of hearing before, by the Copy of your Journal sent me by Mr. Diot. The Prisoners you have brought in will soon procure us the Liberty of as many of our Countrymen, Who have long been confin’d in the Goals of Great Britain. It is there...
49181From Benjamin Franklin to Rinquin, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me the 21st. of January and The 2d. of this Instant; with The Proces Verbaux relating to The ships the Jacques Thomas, and The Camden, both of which I judge from the Said Procés to be good Prizes; as also those which were ransomed and for which William Hillier and Robert Story were Hostages. At the Request of...
49182From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I send you herewith the Judgments of the Sloop Providence, the Brig. James and Thomas and The Ship Camden also that of the Two Ransomers for the Brigt. success and The Brig. Samuel.— The Proces verbaux relating to The Brig. Owners adventure, and the Brig. Betsey which you mention are not yet come to my hands. As soon as I have receiv’d and perus’d them, I shall send...
49183To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Chantereyne, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai lhonneur de prier votre excellence de voulloir bien me faire passer le jugement de Confiscation de la Prise La Providence, faite par le Corsaire Americain Le Black Prince, dont la Procedure vous a eté adressée par notre Amirauté de Cherbourg par la voye de M. Du Coudrey. Jenvoye à la bourse de Paris les affiches pour la vente que jai eté autorisé à...
49184To Benjamin Franklin from William Churchill Houston, 9 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of troubling you with the enclosed Letters to put them in the Way of reaching the several Persons to whom they are addressed, being assurred you will excuse it. A Plan at this Time lies before Congress for establishing regular Packets to France which bids fairer to be attended with Success and Execution than any hitherto attempted or...
49185To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 10 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you on a matter of business by Capn. B——t [Belt] the 28th. ulo. & hope as the interest of himself & five or six other Countrymen is nearly concernd, the prayer of his petition has been complyd with. I have many applications of a similar nature; & I rather encourage them, from seeing the advantages that must arrise to the Country for which they...
49186To Benjamin Franklin from Th.M. Laënnec, 10 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le corsaire des états unis le prince noir a conduit au port d’audierne sous le département de l’amirauté de quimper un Brigantin anglais dont il S’etait emparé. M. Diot Dèpositaire du corsaire a du prevenir Votre excellence de cet èvenement. Mais les officiers de nôtre Siege qui ont Scellé la prise et interrogé les prisoniers aïant omis de vous adresser une...
49187To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 10 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been ever Since, January 15th, waiting for the favour of your answer, to the letter I had the Honour to Send you the Same day; and for the Copy of the letter from Monsieur de Sartine to you, in Consequence of which, you Ordered me to come to Paris, which you was so obliging to tell me you would Sent me, as I do want it for to write my justification...
49188To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and Francis Dana, [on or after 11 February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Adams & Mr. Dana present their most respectful Complaments to his Excellency Dr. Franklin and wou’d acquaint him that as Mr. Adams had invited Company to dine with him on Sunday next, previous to his Excellency’s invitation, to dine with him on that Day, they cannot do themselves the honor of waiting upon him. Addressed: His Excellency Dr: Franklin /...
49189To Benjamin Franklin from Cradock Taylor, 11 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to inform your Excellency of my unhappy situation; the Vessel I expected a passage in to Martinico is now Stop’d as they are inform’d of the English fleet being at Gibraltar & for me to go to Bordeaux without money is a thing impossable. I hope your Excellency will be so kind as to take my case into consideration & afford me some small...
49190To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben: résumé, 11 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Cüstrin, February 11, 1780, in German: I have received and thank you for your letter of November 21. I am sad to announce that my dear wife has been taken by God at age 73. Please forward the enclosed letter to my son.> Or Küstrin, on the Oder. For BF ’s letter, actually Nov. 27, see XXX , 617–18n. Mary Dorothea von Jagow (1706–80) married the senior von...