52601To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, 17 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a des siécles Mon Illustre Docteur que je n’ai eu lhonneur et le plaisir de vous voir et je m’en ennuye beaucoup. Tous ces jours cy Jai voulu Aller à Passy mais incertain de vous y trouver j’ai differré Jusqu’a ce que ce tems des visites fut passé. Enfin pour etre plus sur de passer quelques momens avec vous jai cru qu’il etoit mieux de vous demander à...
52602To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society Il est essentiel, Monsieur, que Je puisse avoir l’honneur de conferer avec vous, avec M. Adams et avec ceux de Mrs. [Messieurs] Vos Collegues qui peuvent se trouver à Paris. Je vous prie en consequence, Monsieur, de vouloir bien inviter ces Mrs. à se rendre a Versailles avec vous Lundi avant dix heures du Matin. Il seroit bon...
52603From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society Agreable to the Notice just receiv’d from your Excellency, I shall acquaint Mr Adams with your Desire to see us on Monday before 10 aClock, at Versailles; and we shall endeavour to be punctual. My other Colleagues are absent: Mr Laurens being gone to Bath in England to...
52604To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 423–4. I cannot but in the most earnest manner and from recent circumstances, press your going early to Versailles to-morrow; and I have considerable reason to think, that your appearance there will not displease the person whom you address. I am of opinion...
52605From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Late last Night I received a Note from M. de Vergennes, acquainting me that it is very essential he should have a Conference with us, and requesting I would inform my Colleagues. He desires that we may be with him before Ten on Monday Morning. If it will suit you to call here, we may go together in my Carriage. With...
52606From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I should have been at Versailles this Morning as you desired, tho’ I had no clear Conception, from what you said to me, how my going could be of Use; but late last Night I received a Note from M. de V. [Vergennes] which postpones the Interview till tomorrow at 10 aClock. Your Brother tells me that you would have come out here to day if you had not imagined I...
52607To Benjamin Franklin from René-Georges Gastellier, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Recevés, je vous supplie, mes actions de Graces trés humbles de l’honneur que vous voulés bien me faire en recevant la dédicace d’un ouvrage qui vient d’être orné du sceau de la societé royale de médecine à la quelle j’ai l’avantage d’appartenir, votre nom à son frontispice sera un témoignage aussi flatteur qu’honorable pour l’auteur. Mademoiselle de fay...
52608To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable the Delagates of Virginia have applied to me for my Assistance in obtaining from France certain Arms and Ammunition said to have been furnished by the Court for that State according to an Agreement entered into between Mr. Harrison a special Agent appointed by the Legislature and Monsr....
52609To Benjamin Franklin from Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr vaughan, m’ayant dit que vous seriés Curieux de voir le nouveau métal qu’on vient de proposer au gouvernement, pour doubler les vaisseaux, je m’empresse de vous envoyer avec grand plaisir, le petit echantillon que j’en possède, que mr douët de la Boulaye intendant Géneral des mines a eu la Bonté de me donner, ainsi q’un des cloux qui doivent Servir a...
52610To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress B V: presents his most affectionate respects to Dr. Franklin, and is unfortunately so engaged to day, as not to be able to accept of his kind welcome. B V’s brother acted for the best, but not being privy to circumstances, misunderstood him.— Tomorrow evening B V will however call at Passy, unless inconvenient to his friend, and directed otherwise. Addressed: A Monsr /...
52611The American Peace Commissioners: Acceptance of the British Declaration of the Cessation of Hostilities, [20 January … (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives (three), Library of Congress (two), Public Record Office, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of copy: National Archives; transcripts: National Archives (three) When Franklin, Adams, and William Temple Franklin arrived at Vergennes’ office at ten o’clock on the morning of January 20, they learned that...
52612To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Julien Garos, 20 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Quil me Soit permis d’implorer votre protection pour un particulier françois d’origine Résidant depuis très Long-tems à philadelphie. Je vais, Monseigneur, vous mettre Sous les yeux les faits tels quils Se Sont passés, afin que vous puissiez Juger Si ce particulier peut tirer de la position où Il Se trouve tous les avantages quil paroit S’en promettre....
52613To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Millet, 20 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai lhonneur de Vous adressér cy joint Le Mémoire des Marchandises d’Epicéries que je Vous ait fournie, jespere que Vous Vouderez bien Employer Votre autorité pour Scavoir ce qu’est devenus Le S. duchemin Votre Me. d’hotel ne le connoissant point jaurais crû Manquer Si jeû refuses crédit Sachant que Les Marchandises etoient pour Votre consommation, et La...
52614Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
The following previously identified accounts cover the period of this volume: VI and VII ( XXIII , 21); XVII ( XXVI , 3); XIX and XXII ( XXVIII , 3–4); XXV, XXVII, and XXVIII ( XXXII , 3–4); XXX ( XXXVI , 3); and XXXI ( XXXVIII , 3). We offer here a summary of items that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but that provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life....
52615Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Seventeen escaped prisoners made their way to Passy and received financial assistance from Franklin during the period covered by this volume. Benjamin Ramsdell of Massachusetts, captured aboard the ship Three Sisters , received 96 l.t. on February 10. Thomas Moore was given 48 l.t. on February 23. Four men applied for assistance on March 9, each of whom received 24 l.t. They were Richard...
52616To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Gabriel de Messey, [after 20 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jay apris avec la mesme Satisfaction lheureuse nouvelle de la paye finie que selle de la liberté que nos hommes ont procuré au quatorze provinse de la Merique, Evenement qui Eternise a james la mémoire dun des plus grant homme de notre siecle en votre Respectable persone. Permette moi monsieur davoir lhoneur de vous an faire mon compliment, je doit set...
52617From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 21 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS and transcript: National Archives; press copy of ALS : Myron Kaller and Associates, Asbury Park, New Jersey (1991) I have just received your Letters of Novr. 9. & Decr. 3. This is to inform you, & to request you would inform the Congress, that the Preliminaries of Peace between France, Spain, and England were yesterday signed, and a Cessation of Arms agreed to by the Ministers of those...
52618To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Anne Le Page Fiquet, Dame Duboccage, [after 21 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Duboccage rend mille tres humbles graces a Mr. franklin; la Vision de Colomb donne une champ bien vaste a l’imagination du poëte et l’ange avoit Sans doute prévu qu’il naîtroit un législateur tel que le tres docte franklin pour donner la liberté, de bonnes loix et Beaucoup de gloire a son païs. Mde. Duboccage ne renvoie point l’imprimé en cas qu’elle...
52619To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Caffiéri, 22 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’europe entiere a Les yeux sur L’epoque à jamais memorable de La liberté de l’amerique, votre patrie Scait apprecier L’etendue de vos Lumieres, et combien vous ave contribué a La Rendre L’egale Des Roys—peutetre S’empressera t’elle de Transmettre a La Posterité Cette Epoque qui L’immortalise, par un Monument qui en atteste La Gloire, ou Rendre a vos...
52620To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gebhard and Other Favor Seekers, 22 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As usual, Franklin receives a steady stream of requests for favors of all kinds. The first of these, printed below, asks him to forward a letter. Four other letters request a similar favor. On March 29 Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben, writing in German from Cüstrin, begs Franklin once again to forward a letter to his son the general, and in return will pray...
52621To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Trout and Richard Davis, 22 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We hope you will pardon the Liberty we take in sending you these few lines, was it not on Account of your general good Character, and the Distress we labour under we assure you we should not be so bold; but thinking our Situation very hard and more than ever our true Countrymen met with since the Commencement of the present Hostilities, encourages us to be...
52622To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 23 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur d’Envoyer a Monsieur franclin deux Nouvelles Epreveuves de la medaille, en observant que La tete n’est pas encore au point de perfection ou elle doit etre, que Les Serpens que tient L’enfant Seront plus grands et plus Caracterisés; en outre Le graveur a mis intans , au lieu d’ infans et qu’il Corrigera Ce deffaut d’Ortographe— J’ai L’honneur...
52623To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Saint-Auban, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 23 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous etes au comble de la gloire, veullie le ciel que vous jouissies long tems de votre triomphe, les dieux vous ont bien privilegié en vous acordant autant de superiorité de genie, puisque vous vous etes aquis la plus haute celebrité dans les sciences sublimes, et que vous les avès apliquées a la conservation de lhumanité; vos vues se sont ensuite tournées...
52624To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache: Two Letters, with a Note from Richard Bache, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Coll Cambray, who we shall miss very much, is the bearer of this, he will tell you how all the Family do, I paraded all the Children to day on purpose for him to tell you how they look’d, and if he does not say they are fine and handsome, I know not were he will find his beauties—the news papers that came since Major Franks’ paket was made up I...
52625To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You may remember my Tears of Jan. 20. 1778. They are wiped off. They were made an Article of Scoffing in a Lr. to Lord Chatham published by Almon. My Congratulations on Peace attend you. I thank you again & again for your very kind & ready granting my Request of a Passport for our Labradore Ship. & for sending my Lr. to America wrote in your Room at Passy...
52626To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de La Touche, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Lespoir que jai eu jusqua ce moment que ma Sante me permetterait davoir lhonneur de vous presenter mon hommage respectueux et vous faire agreer mon compliment Sur la paix et la recconnaissance de lindépendance des etats unis ma empéché de vous remettre La lettre cy jointe qui ma été remise a londres par chr Sargeant votre ami. Me trouvant for incomodé et...
52627To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent and Marie-Anne-Pierrette Paulze Lavoisier, [24 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Mde. Lavoisier sont passés mercredy au soir ches M. francklin pour le feliciter Sur la grande revolution que son genie avoit preparée et qui vient d’etre affermie par la signature de la Paix. Ils Se proposoient de l’engager a venir diner avec eux lundi prochain 27 a l’arsenal. Ils auront un peu de musique apres diner et ils seroient bien flattés...
52628To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Perrault and Other Applicants for Emigration, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The number of people applying to Franklin for help in emigrating to America increases markedly during the months following the signing of the preliminary peace treaty. Those letters for which no responses have been located are summarized here, with Perrault’s letter published as a sample. Johann Philipp Breidenstein writes in Latin from Giessen on February...
52629Three Draft Replies to Applicants for Emigration, [between 24 January 1783 and 9 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (incomplete draft): Library of Congress; (II) and (III) AL (incomplete draft): American Philosophical Society Following the signing of the preliminary peace treaty, Franklin was inundated with requests for assistance from people all over Europe who wanted to emigrate to America. More than 30 are summarized in the headnote to Perrault’s letter of January 24, above; they represent only...
52630To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Smith, 24 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sur I take This Opurtunety to inform You Of the Onhapy Setuation of Our People Now in this Prison. I Must inform You that thay Are Entering Out of Prison Averry Day for the Wont of Close and Vitels for thare Are Sum of them that Have Ben Hear this Aight Monts And Have Not Had the Lest Asistance from Any Body. And thare is the french and Duch and Spanish...