52301To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I enclose to you the form of an acknowledgement of our Debt to the Court of France which I desire you would Seal and execute, After having ascertained the Amount of the Debt, and that you will send Copies thereof thro the Office of foreign Affairs to Congress; as well as inform me of the Amount of the Debt and the Time of...
52302To Benjamin Franklin from James Moylan, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received in course the Letter wch. Mr. Will: Franklin honor’d me with, inclosing your condemnation of the prize Mary of London captur’d by the privateer Revolution of Salem. I now beg leave to trouble you with the procedure of the prize st. Pierre of st. Andere [Santander] recaptured by the Ship Carolina Cap: Newell of Philadelphia after being four days...
52303To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 5 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have by my friend Mr Hobart sent You a Printed Copy of the Three Memorials which I published on the Subject of America, one addressed to the Souvereigns of Europe—& two others addressd to the Souvereign of Gr Brittain. And I beg your acceptance of them. I hope you received my Letter of May 13 1782 forwarded by Mr Bridgen as also the Package containing 187...
52304From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The State of Maryland being the last that acceded to the Confederation, & therefore esteemed by some the least hearty in the Cause, your Excellency may judge, by the Sentiments of the General Assembly of that State, as express’d in their Resolutions which I have the honour to send you enclos’d, what Reception any Propositions made by General...
52305To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Benyowzky, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Pardon si je prend La liberté de vous ecrire, je vien d’aprendre que un nomé Graubner bourgois de paris, a eté ché vous Monsieur, pour vous importuner par a port [par rapport] une Lettre de change, de mon mary Le quelle a eté doné pour de l’anciene déte de mon bau frére qui a été au Service du Congré, je vous demande mille excuse a La place de mon mary,...
52306To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 6 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Je recois Monsieur, La Lettre de ce jour dont vous mavés honoré et La resolution de L’Etat de mary Land que vous aves bien voulu me Communiquér. Je l’ai lue avec Le plus grand plaisir et je la garde pour La montrér au Roi qui y trouvera La conviction de la Confiance quil a dans La fidelité de ses alliés Les Etats unis. Il faut Esperér qu’n langage aussi affirmatif...
52307From Benjamin Franklin to James Hutton, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress A Letter written by you to M. Bertin, Ministre d’Etat, containing an Account of the abominable Murders committed by some of the frontier People on the poor Moravian Indians, has given me infinite Pain and Vexation. The Dispensations of Providence in this World puzzle my weak Reason. I cannot comprehend why cruel Men should have been permitted thus to destroy...
52308Franklin and Chaumont: Agreement for Arbitration by Grand and Dangirard, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives Nationales, Paris; D : American Philosophical Society Aujourdhui sont comparus pardevant les Conseillers du Roi Notaires au Chatelet de Paris Soussignés S.E. Benjamin franklin Ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale, demeurant à Passy près Paris, d’une part Et M. Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, demeurant pareillement à Passy près Paris, d’autre...
52309To Benjamin Franklin from Pieter Buyck, 7 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je prends la Respectueuse liberté de Vous envoier cÿ inclus une lettre que Je Vous prie de faire Remettre à Monsieur Laurens qui Je Suppose Sera encore à Paris au Cas qu’il Soit deja parti ne doutant nullement que Vous ne Sachiez ou il est Je Vous supplie d’avoir La Complaisance de L’enveloper & La lui faire parvenir. Si en Pareille ou toute autre...
52310To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On the 3d. Instant I received from the French Embassador Your Excys. obliging favor of the 11th. Ulto. I should have done myself the honor of answering it the Same day by Mr Clonard the Bearer of Dispatches from the Chevalier de La Luzern & General Rochambeau, Had not my whole Time been taken up in Copying letters to Mr Jay which I was afraid had been...
52311To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je continue de profiter des bontés de S.E.M. l’Ambassadeur, en vous faisant parvenir la présente par le Courier qu’il expédie ce soir. L’Escadre du Texel est sortie enfin, & sera maîtresse à son tour dans les mers du Nord, à moins que les Anglois ne détachent une portion de la leur, suffisante pour faire rentrer dans la coquille les Hollandois. Dans ce cas...
52312To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley: Memorandum, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 385–6. To a person who no longer thinks of American dependence, what disadvantage can there be in making its independence a fixed article (whether the treaty succeeds or no) instead of making it a first article of the treaty, and so to depend on the success...
52313To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Virginia Historical Society I am advised that Robt. Morris Esqr. The Superintendant General of Finance for Congress, has directed you to pay me, what is due to me from Congress out of the first money that came into your hands. I am now to request that you will please to inform me whether you have, or have not recd. such directions from...
52314To Benjamin Franklin from Séqueville, [before 9 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Printed form, signed, with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Le Roi ne verra point Mardi prochain 9 — du mois, Messieurs les Ambassadeurs et Ministres étrangers. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur francklin Ministre / Plenipte des Etats unis de / L’Amerique Septentrionale / A Passy / Desequeville Below this line BF wrote “Juillet 82”.
52315From Benjamin Franklin to the Continental Congress, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library From the Knowledge I have of Mr Young, by his Conduct while in my Family, writing in the Secretary’s Office, and waiting the Arrival of Mr. Lawrens then expected here; I esteem him a Person of Virtue and Merit, and I recommend him and his Account to the Consideration of Congress, not thinking myself authorised to discharge it without their Order; tho’ to assist him...
52316To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London 1817–18), II , 386. I have the honour to inform you, my dear Sir, that Mr. Grenville’s express is arrived this morning by way of Ostend. The gentleman is gone to Versailles. I fancy he will wait upon you, and will be much obliged to you, to let me know what your opinion...
52317From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 386. In this letter Franklin reports the most important British political development in the course of the peace negotiations, the replacement of Rockingham as prime minister by Shelburne. This permitted Shelburne to take full command of the negotiations....
52318To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I beg to introduce to your acquaintance My friend Mr Benjn. Savage, a young Gentn., born in South Carolina. By some accident or other, his friends have chosen the wrong side of the question, though he has relations very warmly contending on the right side. Politics however do not much warp his mind, which is as candid a one almost as I ever knew; and...
52319To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I wrote you the 26 June relative to the affair of Mr Springer & his Comrades at Brest. I since hear the prize is condemned to the admiral which tho’ I think an unlawfull proceeding may turn out well enough for the admiral in these Cases always gives up the Prize to the Captors. The proceedings of the admiralty at Brest are I...
52320Excerpts from Chaumont’s Revision of His Account with Franklin, [9 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having agreed on July 7 to submit his accounts to arbitration, Chaumont quickly altered his claim. The account he submitted on July 9 was a revised version of what he had initially given to Franklin, published above under the date of [before April 26]. He dropped items 3, 14, and 15, all of which Grand had ruled against in his report of May 7. The three...
52321Franklin’s Private Responses to Chaumont’s Revised Account: Two Drafts, [after 9 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) AD (draft): American Philosophical Society Tho’ in his first Acct he had charg’d a Draft made on me by Mr Williams for 240,000 Livres as being pour le montant du fret du Vaisseau le Marquis de la Fayette, and had signed a Receipt in full accordingly, yet in this second Account he charges 294,800 livres as the montant of that Freight. Which is an Overcharge of 54,800 Livres. He...
52322From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London 1817–18), II , 387–88. I received your favour of the 26th past by Mr. Young, and am indebted to you for some preceding. I do not know why the good work of peace goes on so slowly on your side. Some have imagined that your ministers since Rodney’s success are desirous of...
52323From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Kaller’s Historical Documents, Inc., New Jersey (2002) I have before me your several Favours of June 7, June 17, & July 9. The Box sent to Mr. Bowens at Ostend is also come to hand. It contain’d a Dozen 4to Vols. of my Writings, and a Number of Pamphlets which you have been so good as to chuse for me; but the Remembrancers, & Registers bought for me by Mr Young, and left by...
52324To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-André Gargaz: Proposed Letter from Franklin(?) to Louis XVI, [c. 10 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania When fifty-two-year-old Pierre-André Gargaz arrived at the gate of the hôtel de Valentinois, probably toward the end of May, 1782, he cut an unusual figure. Having served a twenty-year sentence on the galleys at Toulon for a murder he maintained he did not commit and now branded as a convict, Gargaz walked from the south of France to Paris carrying a...
52325To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I am far from meaning [to] trouble you with letters of recommendation for English Travellers. The bearer of this, Dr Stokes, is a promising young man, who will think himself happy in getting only a sight of you, and in this I hope you will have no objection to indulge him. I have given him letters to other persons, who, I hope, will shew him such...
52326To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Major Sherburne who will deliver this has already several Introductions to you, I cannot however let him go away without adding my assurances that I think him a Gentleman worthy of your Friendship & Civility & I therefore request you will honour him with your particular notice. I am as ever most dutifully & affecy Your Addressed: His Excellency / Doctor...
52327To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Young, 10 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am exceedingly sorry that Your Excellency gave yourself the trouble to answer my Paper. I did not expect an answer. I was perfectly satisfied with the reasons given for not paying the whole of the Account when I had the honor of waiting on Your Excellency, and only committed to writing what I would have said before I heard those reasons my...
52328Franklin’s Thoughts on Privateering and the Sugar Islands: Two Essays, [after 10 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library; (II) Copies: Library of Congress (two), Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library We print these two essays after July 10, 1782, because they elaborate themes addressed in Franklin’s letter of that date to Benjamin Vaughan (above). There is no question that...
52329From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 11 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : partially reproduced in Christie’s auction catalogue, “Important Autograph Letters from the Historical Archives at Bowood House” (London, Oct. 12, 1994), p. 34; William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 388–9. In mine of yesterday, which went by Mr Young, I made no mention of yours of May 11. it not being...
52330From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 12 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Public Record Office (two), Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library I inclose a Letter for Lord Shelburne, to go by your Courier, with some others of which I request his Care. They may be put into the Penny Post. I have received a Note informing me, that, “some Opposition given by his Lordship to Mr Fox’s decided Plan...
52331From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 12 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress Mr Oswald informing me that he is about to dispatch a Courier, I embrace the Opportunity of congratulating your Lordship on your Appointment to the Treasury. It is an Extension of your Power to do Good, and in that View, if in no other, it must increase your Happiness, which I heartily wish: being...
52332From Benjamin Franklin to Margaret Stevenson, 12 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had a Line lately from Mr. Theobald, which gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me that you and Polly had both got well thro’ the Influenza. I had been apprehensive for you particularly, as it is more dangerous to us old People. It is now very rife at Paris. I have had it rather favourably, and, Thanks to God, continue hearty, recollecting but now &...
52333To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 13 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Since my last in which I acquainted you with my having rec’d the £200 got by mistake into my namesakes hands in Aldersgate —&c—I have recd your esteemed favor of the 14th Ultimo— I made application immediately for the two Men on board the Conquistador & was promised that if there, they shou’d be discharged & sent in the next Cartel Vessell— The...
52334To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 13 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I most Ardently wish for the hour, that I shall be able to pay my personal respects to your Excellency and thank you for the repeated and unmerited favors you have conferred upon me; Lady Newenham, who accompanies me to Paris & from thence to Neuchatel & Rome, is equaly desirous to pay her respects to that Great & Respectable Character which she has...
52335To Benjamin Franklin from Guy(Gui)-Jean-Baptiste Target, 13 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de présenter mes respectueux hommages a Monsieur Franklin, et de lui adresser un ouvrage anglois que M. de Crevecœur me charge de lui faire parvenir. Je dois des remercimens a M. de Crevecœur de m’avoir procuré L’occasion de me rapeller au Souvenir de Monsieur Franklin et de Lui offrir Lassurance de mon dévouement et de mon respect Notation:...
52336To Benjamin Franklin from William Jones and John Paradise, 15 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Paradise and Mr. Jones present their grateful respects to their inestimable friend Dr. Franklin, and beg leave to trouble him with the enclosed letter for Aleppo by the way of Marseilles, requesting him at the same time, if he has not had leisure to write the letters, with which he kindly intended to favour them, to send them by the post directed to...
52337From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 15 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Facsimile: Reproduced in Charles Hamilton Auction No. 57 (New York; April 20, 1972), p. 28; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I take the Liberty of introducing to your Acquaintance, two of my particular Friends, members of the Royal Society of London, Mr. Jones & Mr. Paradise. You will find them men of Learning & Ingenuity, and have great Pleasure in conversing with them. I recomend them...
52338From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I was in great Hopes when I saw your Name in the Commission for treating of Peace, that I should have had the Happiness of seeing you here, and of enjoying again in this World, your pleasing Society and Conversation. But I begin now to fear that I shall be disappointed, as I was in my Expectation of your Company, when I first undertook the Voyage hither.— Mr....
52339From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 15 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : New-York Historical Society I have just received your No 11. dated the 22d. of May. This Line serves chiefly to recommend to your Civilities two of my English Friends, who will probably pass through Philadelphia in their Way to Virginia. As they are lately from London, they can give you a good Account of the State of Parties there, and the general Disposition of the Nation respecting...
52340To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Mildred, 16 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My friend Richard Vaux being on his Voyage to America and intending to pass thro’ France, I take the liberty of introducing him to thee as a Gentleman and a particular freind of mine. Any Civilities shewn him Shall esteem as confer’d on my Self and Should he have occasion for Cash if thou wilt do me the favour to Supply him to the Amount of One hundred...
52341Contract between Vergennes and Franklin, 16 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives Nationales; DS , two copies, and transcript: National Archives Contrat entre le Roi et les Treize Etats-Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale, passé entre M. le Cte. de Vergennes et M. Franklin, le 16. Juillet 1782. À ce Contrat sont annexés les Pleines-Pouvoirs des Plénipotentiaires respectifs. Contrat entre le Roi et les Treize Etats-Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale. Le Roi ayant...
52342Franklin: Statement Concerning the Dutch Loan, [after 16 July 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Musée de Blérancourt Etat des reconnoissances fournies au Trésor Royal par M. franklin, et relatives à l’emprunt d’hollande de dix millions. Savoir: l.t. 18 juillet 1781. 800,000 " " 29 octobre id 600,000 " " 4 xbre id 816,000. " " 8 fevrier 1782. 500,000 " " 12 mars id 500,000 " "
52343To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Norbert d’Artus, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : American Philosophical Society Je prends la liberté de vous adresser un memoire Relatif au Sr Penet. Linteret que je prends à ce jeune homme depuis sa plus tendre enfance et mon attachement pour son honnette famille me font ressentir l’amertume de son malheur. Instruit des Causes qui ÿ ont donné lieu, j’ose m’adresser à votre Excellence dans une pleine conviction de sa justice et de...
52344To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of receiving your Excellencys of the 5th which I shoud have acknowledged by return of post, but I defer’d doing it for some days, in order to examine my situation and to endeavour to fill in some method of getting away the remainder of the public goods without being further troublesome to your Excellency. I have not hitherto made great...
52345To Benjamin Franklin from Sally Beckwith, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The inclosed Letter which I regret exceedingly not having in my power to deliver in person, I onely had the pleasure of receiving yesterday, its detention has been owing to a long and dangerous illness of the Gentleman to whose care the Paquet was adressed in which it was contained. The Friendship Mr Strahan has ever testified for our Family & that in...
52346To Benjamin Franklin from the Loge des Commandeurs du Temple, 17 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society A La Gloire du grand Architecte de Lunivers. d’un lieu éclairé ou regnent le Silence, la paix et La Charité La Loge reguliere des Commandeurs du Temple Seante A Lorient de Carcassonne. Lan de La V∴ L∴ 5782 et Le. 17e. Jour du 5me. mois Au Trés Digne Tres Vertueux et Tres Respectable Frere Franklin Ministre des Etats unis de L’amerique au pres de La Cour de...
52347To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 18 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have recd yours of the 18th, but not that per Mr Young, I immediately set about procuring you the necessary Information Relative to the Marquis de Fayette & inclosed you have an Acc’t of the Wine & Salt as per Catalogue for Sale which I hope will be fully Satisfactory— if any thing further I mean Oath & Notarial Certificate shou’d be necessary, please...
52348To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Colomb, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Voila deux ans et demy d’Ecoulés depuis mon depart de l’amerique Septentrionale, sous le congé qui me fut acordé par le Congrés avec la faculté de venir rejoindre mes drapeaux lorsque Les Circonstances me le permetroient, et que ma Santé Epuisée par les fatigues du service penible que J’y avois fait pend’ 3 ans, et de la dure prison que J’y avois soufferte...
52349To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Dr Shuttleworth informed me that he intended going to Paris in order to consult you upon some American business of his own, and desired an introduction from me. He attended Mr Hewson’s Lectures, and as he has dined several times at our table you probably may have seen him. He was in Maryland with Mr Eden. I am highly delighted with the importance I am...
52350To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 19 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I wrote you yesterday, in which I acquainted you that I shou’d go to the Secretary’s Office, in order to have the pacquet, which I had made up for you, forwarded by a Courier if any was going. I accordingly went & saw the Earl of Shelburne who entered into a Good deal of Conversation about you & Peace, protested & vowed in the fullest manner & in the...