51331To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 16 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives Since my last of which I send a duplicate by this Conveyance nothing material has happened here, unless it be the evacuation of Wilmington, which is perhaps the most important Post of Communication with the disaffected People of the Country of any they held in America—...
51332From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 17 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have received the Packet, containing the Correspondence relating to the Goods. I suppose that Mr Barclay is there before this time, and the Affair in a way of Accommodation. Young Mr Neufville is here; but I have thought it best not to give him as yet any Hopes of my Paying the Bills unless the Goods are delivered. I shall...
51333From Benjamin Franklin to David Franks, 17 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, acquainting me with your being taken up at Brest, examined & uncivilly treated. Methinks you are too ready to suppose this was done with an Intention to offend you. It is the Duty of those who have the Care of the Ports, when Strangers appear there, to enquire who & what they are. Brest is an...
51334To Benjamin Franklin from Eleazer Dorlay, 17 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As your Honour must be entirely unacquainted with my person, I would wish to Recomend myself as an Officer who was Gunner of the Continential ship Confedracy when taken sent into N York put on board a prison Ship from thence was sent to England suffering every Act of Cruelty which they thought proper to inflict, Then thrown into Mill prison and Commited for...
51335To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Morellet, [18 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Vous etes trop bon monsieur et vous me montres trop d’amitié pour que je ne me croye pas obligé de vous faire part de l’accouchement de ma niece qui nous a donnè ce matin un beau garçon. Je lui apprendrai de bonne heure vôtre nom et je lui enseignerai à ne le prononcer qu’avec veneration et avec interêt. Dites bien des choses pour moi à votre cher fils...
51336To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 18 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received last Post a letter from Mr Moylan of L’orient in which are these Words. “If you wish to be deputy Consul of your district I have good Reason to imagine Mr Barclay would willingly authorize you to the Office, let me know your mind privately.” I have answered thus. “I conceive myself highly obliged to Mr Barclay for his Intention & much indebted to...
51337From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 19 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Haverford College Library; AL (draft) and partial copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I duly received yours of the 7th. per young Mr. de Neufville, enclosing the Pamphlets, of which I gave one the next Day to M. Beaudoin. It was so long since we had heard from you, that we feared you were sick. I inclose sundry American News-papers, out of which perhaps some thing may...
51338To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I pray you to excuse the trouble I give you which is indispensable in the line of your Ministry. I have inclosed you the form of the Passports you Granted us, any alterations you may judge proper to incert in Virtue of changes since that period please to make or any other form which may have been addopted in like Cases. I hope to have frequent occation to...
51339To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Curson and Isaac Gouverneur, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We are honour’d with your esteemd letter of 22d Ulto. from Passy, and observe what you mention respecting our property in the retaken vessells.— Our correspondents in Holland employd agents in France to reclaim these eff[ects] but having no encouragement from their attempts, we have now wrote them to deliver the Bills lading to Mr. Grand, who being on the...
51340To Benjamin Franklin from David Salisbury Franks, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I wrote you last I have recd. the inclosed Letter from Mr. Jay, by which you will see that he thinks I had best return to Spain, & embark from that Country for America; after you have read his Letter, I should be obliged to your Excellency for your orders or opinion on the Subject. I am persuaded he has something of Consequence more to send to...