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...
51341To Benjamin Franklin from John Thayer, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The world in general attributes to You the most perfect benevolence. They have long conceiv’d the idea that the good of mankind was the end of all your valuable writings & of all your endeavors. Every body thinks You a Yorick in ev’ry tender sensation, that your heart sympthetically vibrates with the miseries of your fellow creatures, & that your soul is...
51342Certificate from the Padua Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts: Résumé, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Printed document, signed, with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society <Padua, December 20, 1781, in Italian: Zeal in promoting the increase of useful knowledge naturally unites in a general society all those who consecrate their talents to such a noble cause, and the act of electing them into a learned organization is an acknowledgment of the original titles of their relationship. The...
51343To Benjamin Franklin from John Temple, [before 21 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I had the Pleasure to write to you by Mr. Knox on the 2d Nov. last, to Acquaint you of my safe Arrival, and to congratulate you on the Glorious & Important Events of the last Campaigne. Events which I hope & trust will cause an Almost immediate Peace; concluding, as I do, that the English Ministry cannot be quite so distracted as to think of...
51344To Benjamin Franklin from John Angus, 21 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I tack the liberty to Inform you After being taken in the Ship Franklin, am now Returned to this place, & have taken the Command of A Brig Called the Antonia, of About 100 Tuns Burthan Mounting 8 guns 6 pounders & 20 Men, purchased And fitted out by the House of T. Se(?) Berard & Co. of this place, by order And for Account of Messrs.— La Caze &...
51345To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 21 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I duly reced your favor of the 19th Ultimo with the sundry inclosures for which I return you my best thanks, Mr. Grand has remitted me £400..15. on your Acco’t for the use of the Prisoners, I have acquainted Mr Vaughan with your directions concerning the supplying of Mr Laurens, he has been acquainted therewith, but hitherto no application has been made to...
51346To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Pope et al., 21 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Most Humble Petitioners Hopeth Your Honour will be Pleasd. to Compassionate Their Distressd: Situation as we Have Underwent The Greatest fateague and trouble Immaginable Since we Had The Misfortune of Beeing Captivatd. in the westindeas and Carreed Into Jimeca and Sent from Thence on Board His Majesties Ships here where we now remain Expecting Dealy to...
51347To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes: Two Letters, 21 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) LS : Library of Congress; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la lettre que vous m’avez fait lhonneur de m’ecrire le 10. de ce mois, celle que vous avez reçue de M. Mason, habitant de la Virginie nouvellement arrivé à Marseille. Je vais prendre des informations par raport au refus que le Commandant de cette ville a fait d’y souffrir...
51348To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Saint-Auban, [before 22 December 1781?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous somme aux dessepoire mon cher monsieur destre engages pour samedis prochin ches mr Le marechalle de biront ce La ne peux ce rompe car cest son jours mes [mais] si vous aves la bontes de choisire de lundis ou düe mecredis prochin avec votre petis fils a qui nous disont mils chosse comme a vous ayent lhonneur destre votres humble et tres obeissente...
51349Invitation to a Funeral, [before 22 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation: American Philosophical Society VOUS êtes prié de la part de Messieurs LES DOYEN, CHANOINES ET CHAPITRE de l’Eglise de Paris, d’assister au Service solemnel qu’ils célébreront Samedi 22 Décembre 1781, à onze heures très-précises, pour le repos de l’Ame d’Illustrissime & Révérendissime Pere en Dieu, Monseigneur CHRISTOPHE DE BEAUMONT, Archevêque de Paris, Duc de Saint-Cloud,...
51350To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Pierre Brissot de Warville, 22 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous suplie de vouloir bien derober un moment à vos grandes occupations pour Jeter un coup d’œil sur le prospectus que J’ai L’honneur de vous adresser. Le desir d’ameliorer notre Législation si defectueuse preside à cette Entreprise, et Je suis fermement convaincu qu’on ne poura y parvenir qu’en rassemblant ce qu’on a ecrit de mieux sur cet objet. Ce...
51351To Benjamin Franklin from David Salisbury Franks, 23 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th. and in Answer beg leave to assure You that I am fully convinced that the french are naturally polite to Strangers and at the same time that I have not been in any way treated as a Subject of a Country in Alliance with that Nation. I again with all defference, represent to Your Excellency, that I took...
51352To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 23 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : James S. Bradford (Philadelphia, 1956) A whole year has elapsed since we received one line from you. Perhaps you mean to drop all correspondence with us, but we will not let you off quite so easy as you may think, for whenever an opportunity offers I shall send you a letter. Being this morning informed by an old friend of ours that a young lady would set out in a few days to Paris I take...
51353To Benjamin Franklin from Jaume, 23 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je suis bien flaté de la lettre que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 7. de ce mois. Le Jeune Johonnot m’ecrit quelque fois. Il me temoigne toujours le plus grand desir d’etre elevé dans l’academie d’Ecully. Il se persuade que Mrs. ses Parents ne lui sçauroient refuser cette satisfaction si interessante et que vous y joindrés celle de ne pas le...
51354To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 24 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honour to acquaint your Excellency that Mr. De Neufville has inform’d Mr. Adams and my self, that the owners of the two Vessells who have the Cloathing belonging to the United States in possession, have agreed to deliver it, upon getting a Receipt, and indemnification against Mr. Gillons demanding it hereafter. The stipulation which they want to...
51355To Benjamin Franklin from Benyowzky, 24 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le Comte de Benyowzky a l’honeur, de Lui envoier la premie partie de son memoir en Francois et le Journal de son voyage de Kamtsattka il souhaite que la Lecture Soit agreable; Le Comte de Benjowzky, aura ensuitte encore l’honneur, de Comuniquer a Son Excellence, la suitte de son memoir, et son journal de Madagascar. Il prie encore Son Excellence de vouloir...
51356To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon et al., 24 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Permettez, qu’une famille qui vous fut chere, se rappelle à votre souvenir dans ce premier jour de L’année, et reclame, Monseigneur , des bontés de votre Grandeur , une portion d’amitié que vous voulutes bien lui accorder; Cette famille que vous oubliez si complettement; Monseigneur , n’a rien fait qui la mette dans le cas d’etre traitée si rigoureusement de...
51357To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 24 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May It please your Excellency We should now Inform you that we have been so happy after Conferring sundry times with the Owners of the Dutch Ships to have settled that business so far as to have been enabled already to Offer the Goods to his Excellency Mr. Adams to whom they will be deliver’d the moment H. E shall please & find it convenient to receive...
51358To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Desouches de Varenne, 24 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon départ précipité pour le Languedoc, où mon état m’appella immédiatement apres la première audience dont vous m’honorâtes, ne m’a pas permis de profiter de vos offres obligeantes et de vos lumieres: mais il me reste au moins la Correspondance que vous eûtes la bonté de m’offrir. Qu’il me soit permis, Monsieur, de vous demander aujourdhui, et avant que le...
51359From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 25 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL and AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Vous me boudes, ma chere Amie, que je n’avois pas vous envoyé l’histoire de notre grande Victoire. Je suis bien sensible de la Magnitude de notre Avantage, & de ses possibles bonnes Consequences; mais je ne triomphe pas. Sçachant que la Guerre est plein de Varieté & d’Incertitude; dans la mauvaise Fortune j’espere la bonne; & dans la bonne je...
51360To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 25 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Réparation authentique mon chér papa, je ne vous appellerés plus n’y monseigneur n’y mesme monsieur; mon placét a réussi avant de vous estre parvenu, nos larmes sont éssuyées, vous nous aimés, vous nous le distes, vous vous portés bien et vous estes aussi coquin que par le passé, puisque vous projéttés de me voller a Brillon et de me menér faire un tour en...
51361To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Clegg, 25 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Subscriber humbly hopes the importance of the subject proposed will plead his pardon for the want of all formalities of Address. The Bearer Mr Henry Wild has some things to lay before you, of such a kind as it is humbly hoped, will claim your attention. He is a prudent and honest man, and with his connected friends, equal to the Proposed Undertaking. If...
51362To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Sazérac l’aîné & fils, 25 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Suivant Lordre que nous a Donné notre Digne amy, monsr. john Bondfield De bordeaux, nous avons mis hier a la diligence, une poule D’inde farçie De truffes, a l’adresse De Votre Excellence, et comme celuy qui a Ecrit Ladresse a mis Votre Demeure a Poissi au lieu de Passi, nous prions Votre Excellence de Vouloir bien envoyer retirer cette D’inde, au bureau De...
51363From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Burke, Matthew Ridley, and Vergennes: Three Unsent Letters, [before 26 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I), (II), and (III) AL (draft): Library of Congress On December 13, Franklin learned that Matthew Ridley was planning a trip to England to visit his wife. He proposed furnishing Ridley with powers to exchange Henry Laurens for John Burgoyne, and giving him instructions for the relief of American prisoners. Eight days later he promised Ridley a commission and instructions. Ridley was...
51364To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Feray and Other Favor Seekers, [on or before 26 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Involvement with Franco-American commerce is the theme of many of the letters sent to Franklin during the period covered by this volume. A number of Frenchmen apply for the post of consul, a position that Franklin was not yet allowed to grant, as he kept repeating, while imploring Congress to send someone to relieve him of that responsibility. The letter...
51365To Benjamin Franklin from James Searle, 26 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Searle’s respectfull compliments to Dor. Franklin— Mr. S begs leave to remind the Doctor of his kind promise of an introductory line to the Marquis de Castres which the Dor. will be so kind as to send to Mr. S. at the first leisure as Mr. S wishes to make the application he informed the Doctor off. Mr. Searle woud have paid his Duty to the Doctor in...
51366To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, [before 27 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay Lhonneur de Vous retourner la lettre de monsieur De Vergennes & de repondre a Celle dont vous m’avés honoré, que 500 / m l.t. peuvent vous Suffire pour le present, mais non pas pour vous Eviter le desagrement de renouveller des demandes pour le mois de fevrier pour lequel je vois quil ne vous restera absolument rien. Cest ce que jaurois...
51367From Benjamin Franklin to [David Salisbury Franks], 27 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 20th. Inst, that from Mr. Jay, which you mention to have inclosed, is not come to hand. I can therefore form no Opinion of Mr. Jay’s Reasons for wishing you to return to Spain, & cannot advise you in the Affair. If you do undertake that Journey, I request you would deliver the Dispatches & letters I...
51368From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 27 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 21st Inst; and having understood from Mr Grand that he had lately obtained a Sum that would be sufficient for the present Month, I communicated your Letter to him, and desired his Opinion whether instead of the Million I had...
51369To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, [27 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Veillard prie monsieur franklin de vouloir bien luy faire savoir si le billet quil a reçu de mr. de sequeville marquait que madame la comtesse d’Artois avait reçu hier ses derniers sacrements; comme alors il n’y auroit pas de grand couvert mr. Le Veillard n’irait pas a versailles, mais mr. filleul y va a quatre heures et pourra porter la lettre a mr....
51370To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 27 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though we have nothing to add on the Business Which we are sorry has given your Excellency & ourselves so much trouble— yet it may be some Satisfaction to you we should Confirm what we said before of the Continental goods being now at the disposal of the Honble. Thos. Barclay Esqr. & His Excy. Mr. Adams who doubtless have apprized you thereof, & of the...
51371To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Vinfrais, 27 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Sans avoir Lhonneur d’etre Connu de Vous n’y auroit-il pas d’indiscretion à vous demander Le Congé de Jean Pierre Le Duc Soldat dans la Compagnie de M. Le Chevalier de Varenne Legion de Luxembourg présentement au Service des Colonies aux Etats de La Caroline du Sud, lequel a été blesse dans le combat du 14 7bre. à l’epaule gauche et au doit major de la main...
51372To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 27 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having so convenient an Opportunity to pay my Respects to you through the Gentleman who is so Kind to deliver this into your Hands (Mr Pigott) I could not help embracing It—as more expressive of that Respect & Honour I have ever held your Character in—& which no Subsequent Circumstances have diminished in my Opinion—but Otherwise. You have probably heard...
51373To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Pigott, [after 27 December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Pigott presents respectfull compliments to his Excellency Dr. Franklyn & has the Honor to send Three Letters which He brought from Geneva. Mr. Pigott hopes his Excellence will permit Him the Honor to make his personal respects as soon as may be. Pigott ( DNB ), convinced that the American Revolution presaged the ruin of England, had sold his Shropshire...
51374To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 28 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I do myself the Honour to introduce to your Excellency Mr William Cheever, a Citizen of Boston who proposes to Spend Sometime in France and will be very much obliged to you for your good Councils. Any Civilities you may shew him, will be so many obligations, conferred on, Sir your most obedient and respectfull humble Servant Notation: John Adams Decr. 28....
51375To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Rosalie Filleul, 28 [December 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde filleul souhaitte le bonjour, a Monsieur Le docteur francklin et le prie de luy faire donnér des nouvelles de Mde la Comtesse D’artois D’aujourdhui, sil en a recüe Ce matin. Elle luy sera infiniment obligé. The 28th was a Friday. Mme Filleul’s husband had gone to Versailles the previous afternoon and may not yet have returned with news of the comtesse....
51376To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Hillegas, 28 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After congratulating you (and every friend to American Liberty) on the Capture of Lord Cornwallis with his Army &ca. the particulars of which I doubt not you have reced some weeks past, permit me to add, That this will be handed to you by Captn. De Frey, who has been in the Continental service; The Certificate he has obtained from his Excellency Genl:...
51377To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François Richard, 28 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Vous demande mille pardons si Je ne suis point venu vous rendre Compte plutôt de mon arrivée et de la perte de L’alexander, prise faitte le 6 7bre dernier par l’Indien présentement la Caroline du sud, Commandé par Mr. le Commodor Gillon et le sr. John Joyner, mes blessures et le deffaut d’argent m’ont fait une Nécessité de rester pendant quelque tems à...
51378From Benjamin Franklin to Castries, 29 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and draft: Library of Congress Permettez moi de presenter à votre Excellence Monsr. le Colonel Searle de la Province de Pensilvanie où il est fort respecté et dont il est l’Agent en France. Cet officier ayant quelque chose à proposer concernant les Intérêts de cet Etat, Je prie votre Exe. de vouloir bien lui accorder une Audience favorable. Je suis avec Respect, Monsieur, De votre...
51379From Benjamin Franklin to Martha Laurens, 29 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received your very sensible Letter of the 14th past. Your Brother Col. Laurens being here when I received the former, I informed him of the Steps I had then taken respecting your good Father, and requested him to answer your Letter for me. I did suppose he had done it; but his great and constant Occupation while here, might occasion his omitting it. The...
51380To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bery: Receipt for Brass Stencils, 29 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Monten des caraters fourni par bery a Son eclence le docteure flanklin Savoire 2 caracteres magescule 16 l.t. 2 dite a..12 l.t. 12 11 caractere ten romint quitalique a 4 l.t 44 2 caracteres de lettre orené 16 6 boredure a 1 l.t. 10 s.