52711To Benjamin Franklin from Alleyne Fitzherbert, 14 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr Fitz-Herbert presents his Compliments to Dr Franklin & has the honour of transmitting to him herewith a letter which he received Yesterday evening by a Courier from England. Notation: Fitz-Herbert.
52712To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Perret, 14 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay l’honneur de Vous envoyer cy joint, les grosses des procedures qui ont etés faites par M M. les officiers de l’amirauté de nantes relativement aux Prises, le tartare, la Kitty; la Sally, l’anteloop, & la Betzy; je Supplie Votre Excellence de Vouloir bien m’en accuser la réception, & elle obligera sensiblement celui qui a l’honneur d’estre avec un...
52713To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., [14 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Vaughan has the honor to present his respectful comps. to Dr Franklin. Inclosed is a letter from Mr Hodgson, which Mr V received this morning, & forwards early, as he imagines Dr Franklin may wish to answer it by Mr Storer, who sets off tonight at 10 oClock for London. Respecting News, Mr Vaughan has the pleasure to inform Dr Franklin, that Lord Surry is...
52714To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Bissy, 15 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je Benit mille et milles fois Le ciel qui nous donne Cette paix, et je Le Benit dauptems plus de bon Coeur, quelle corone manifiquement vos glorieuses et justes enterprises. Veulle ausi le just Ciel vous faire vivre Longeus années, pour Le Bonheur et Les delisses de vos chers, braves et interpides patriotes a qui je soite touttes sorte de biens et La gloire...
52715To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, [15 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr Grand presents his respectfull Compliments to Doctor Franklin, and takes the liberty of inclosing his Letters for Mr Morris, with the Sketch of the one, about which Mr Grand had the honour to converse with Doctor Franklin; & which proves so much more necessary that Mr Adams has declined in his usual manner* to Sign the Letter for Holland, which had met...
52716To Benjamin Franklin from George William René Macarty, 15 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je voudrois étre plus agé pour Sentir le bonheur de L’Independance de mon pays, en partie duë a vos soins, et vous exprimer en mon particulier ma reconnoissance comme tout Bon Américain doit Le faire, j’es pere par La suite pouvoir m’acquitter de ce devoir. Comme j’ai oublié l’adresse de Mon Papa, J’ose vous prier de vouloir bien lui remettre ma lettre, Je...
52717Jonathan Williams, Jr., to William Temple Franklin, 15 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The americans here do not understand the 23d Article of the Treaty, & I request you will as soon as may be do me the Favour to explain, whether, By the Canary Islands is meant only the Latitude of those Islands, & thus on a line of Latitude, Ships may in one month be in Safety in any Longitude if not to the Southard of the Canaries; or whether it is meant...
52718From Benjamin Franklin to [American Merchants in France], [after 15 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ADS : Library of Congress By the 22d Article of the Preliminaries of Peace between the Kings of France & Great Britain, signed the 20th of January 1783. it is agreed that all Vessels should be restored that might be taken In the Channel & North Seas 12 Days after the Ratification of the Articles. Thence as far as the Canaries, whether in the Ocean or Mediterranean, after one...
52719To Benjamin Franklin from J. Torris & Wante, [before 16 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La Conclusion heureuse de la Paix nous determinant à faire l’expedition d’un Navire pour Philadelphie afin d’y déboucher les objets considérables que nous avons fait acheter à Morlaix, à Brest, & dans les autres ports de la Bretagne, provenant des diverses prises faites par Les Differents corsaires de notre Sr Torris, & votre Excellence nous ayant...
52720From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 16 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Barclay Giddings Johnson, Jr., Watertown, Connecticut (2001) The within is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress, which I forward to you, lest you should not have receiv’d it by any direct Conveyance. Your Appointment to this Service gives me great Pleasure, as I am sure your Execution of it will be of great Use to the United States. I hope therefore that as soon as you have expedited the...
52721To Benjamin Franklin from J. Torris & Wante, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 16 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons appris par Mrs. Maussallè & Bertrand L’acceuil Obligeant dont Vous les avez honnoré, et la promesse que vous Leur avoit faite de nous addresser un passeport du Nombre des cent que vous attendez de la Cour de Londres, avec une Lettre de Recommandation pour la maison de Messrs. Bache & Shée à Philadelphie, la multitude d’Armement qui Se fait Tant...
52722From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 17 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives It is a long time since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. I hope however that you and yours continue Well. The Bearers, Mr. President Wheelock and his Brother go to Holland on a Publick spirited Design, which you will find recommended by many eminent Persons in America. I beg leave to request for these Gentlemen your civilities and best Counsels, as...
52723To Benjamin Franklin from Herman Heyman’s Sons, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 17 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Satisfaction, that we Observed by the Publick papers the Declaration of Independence from Great Brittain to the United States, a Situation which we Have heartily wished to the latter for many Years past, and by which means our Country, will be now abel to enter in the most frindly & advantageous Alliance with the same; to convince the...
52724To Benjamin Franklin from Loyseau, 17 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon intention en vous demandant des Renseignemens pour envoyer avec quelque Sureté des aciés dans Le continent de L’amerique, a d’abord eté d’ouvrir un débouché de plus a La Manufacture a la quelle je m’interesse, mais encore je me Suis proposé d’offrir aux etats unis un Moyen d’avoir a Mellieur Marché qu’en angleteré des aciers dont ils doivent faire une...
52725To Benjamin Franklin from Roze de Chantoiseau, 17 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Oserois-je vous offrir et vous prier de vouloir bien aggreer L’ouvrage que vous m’avés parû desirer. C’est une foible esquisse d’un Projet mieux conçu que des circonstances particulieres ne m’ont pas permis d’executer, pour me livrer tout entier au Plan bien plus important que jai eu lhonneur de vous adresser il y a environ huit jours et que d’autres...
52726Alleyne Fitzherbert to the American Peace Commissioners, 18 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two copies: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a packet containing one hundred passports for American Vessels which I have this moment received by a Courier from England. I take this opportunity of acquainting you that a proclamation was issued out in the King’s Name on the 14th Instant, making known the cessation...
52727To Benjamin Franklin from Christopher Baldwin, 18 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Look my dear Sir at the place from whence this letter is dated— have you forgot it? I am sure you have not.—have you forgot the many pleasant hours you have passed here? No, you have not. Have you forgot your throwing oil on the Pond near me, and instantly smoothing the troubled Water—impossible! But a far, infinitely far greater object rises before me! Tis...
52728To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Etienne Bertier, 18 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je prends trop d’interet a vôtre victoire complète sur les ennemis des insurgens, victoire de laquelle vous êtes de ma connoissance le principal auteur, pour ne pas vous en marquer ma joye. J’ay vu le commencement, la continuation, et la fin de cette guerre par votre sagesse; et l’on peut dire que vous êtes l’auteur d’un peuple nouveau. Je remercie le...
52729To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Buchan, 18 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You was entitled to a Civick crown on my account a great many years ago when at the University of St. Andrews you gave a turn to the carreer of a disorder which then threatned my Life. You have since that time done so much and Heaven has at last been pleased to bless & to Crown your endeavours with so much success that Civic Crowns of a more importent...
52730To Benjamin Franklin from Reichsfreiherr von Weinbrenner, 19 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Liberté du commerce des états unis de l’Amerique étant fondée, les sujets de notre cour ont aussi l’envie, de tenter un commerce droit avec ces Provinces heureusses et abondantes en plusieurs Articles pour notre bésoin, et il ne leurs ÿ manque que la connoissance des maisons de toute la solidité, auxquelles ils se pourroient confier. A ce sujet je prends...
52731The American Peace Commissioners to Alleyne Fitzherbert, [20 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We have recd. the Letter wh you did us the Honor to write on the 18th. Inst, together with the Passports mentioned in it. His britannic Majesty’s Proclamation of the 14th. Instant has our entire approbation, and we have the Honor of transmitting to you, herewith enclosed, a Declaration perfectly correspondent with it. It appears to us important to...
52732The American Peace Commissioners: Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, 20 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ADS and AD (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives By the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain: A Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea, as Land, agreed upon between His Majesty the King of Great Britain and the United States of...
52733To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 21 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The important contest between America and Great Britain being finally decided, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of making you my sincere felicitation upon it. Condemned as I am to humble fortunes, I am aware that there is an impropriety in my concerning myself with the affairs of states and empires; but while I invade not the Politician’s province, and...
52734To Benjamin Franklin from John Fottrell, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing you About Sixteen Months ago per Mr DeClerck; the Subject whereof was for advice of a Draft on your Excellency for a Trifling Sum advancd to one Mr Robeson: I only mention this Circumstance to facilitate your recalling me to mind, and you was So Kind sir at that time to give him a List of Such articles as were then most In Demand...
52735To Benjamin Franklin from Triol, Roux & Cie., 21 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le 12e. Avril 1781, vous eútes la bonté de nous écrire pour nous assurer que vous enverriez au Congrès copie de notre lettre du 4e. du même mois, & que vous le prieriez d’en prendre le contenu en considération. Depuis lors, nous attendions à ce sujet quelques nouvelles de Mr. Oster, Vice Consul de France à Philadelphie, qui avoit été chargé de nos effets...
52736To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 22 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I This moment made up my Packet for america Sent by a old faithful Servant of Doct Franklin Sons: from New Jersey of govonr Franklins— This man is Sent off to america from his master who is now Lodging in Suffolk Street no 16 where he Sd. govonor has undertaken to pettition in aid on behalf of all the tories together with the famous of that Partie— His late...
52737To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I inclose you a Letter I have received from Mr Dalton of Newbury, you will see by it that he is in hopes another Application will procure a greater allowance from Government for the Brig Fairplay. I have promised (not with a view of having ⅙ of the Property) to write you once more though it does not appear [ to ] me likely to...
52738To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé André Morellet, [24 February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous m’avez promis que vous me donneriéhés moi avec mr. le chevalier de chatelux. Vous devez cette complaisance (car c’en est une) à son amitié à la mienne et aux desirs de toute ma petite famille. Il faut absolument que vous me donnies ou samedi ou lundi de la semaine prochaine et que vous me fassies savoir votre reponse demain matin en venant à paris, ou...
52739Contract between Louis XVI and the United States, Signed by Vergennes and Franklin, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Archives Nationales, National Archives; two copies and transcript: National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Contrat entre le Roi et les Treize Etats Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale, passé entre M. le Cte. de Vergennes et M. Franklin, le 25. Fevrier 1783./. Contrat entre le Roi et les Treize Etats-Unis de l’Amérique Septentrionale. La paix rétablie entre les...
52740To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Full of Impatience to recieve a letter from you in order to know the state of your health & whether you consent to my having a wathch as I Desir’d by my Last, I write yo the present Letter, to ask again that Favour and repeat to you that I have not reciev’d the Parcel of Books mention’d in your Letter of the 7 Jan. 1783. I have receiv’d Lately a letter from...
52741To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Beaujeu, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Daignés agrèer la foible production d’une mûse Séptuagenaire! J’avoüe mon insufisance pour L’èxpréssion du Sentiment Relatif à une matière aussi Riche qu’intèrèssante; mais, mon admiration pour le heros de l’amerique, et ma vènèration pour votre Excèllence, ÿ suplèront à ce que J’éspère. J’ai encore Monsieur, une grace éssentielle a vous dèmander; c’èst de...
52742To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter reports what proved to be a fatal setback to American hopes that Britain would adopt liberal trade policies toward the United States or would include such provisions in a revised final peace treaty. In the early morning hours of February 22, after an all-night debate, the House of Commons voted to approve the provisional peace treaties but...
52743To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Penn, Jr., 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you continue to enjoy perfect good health, it woud give me great pleasure to hear from you & have that confirm’d to me, I myself was not quite Well for a few days before I left Paris which prevented me from calling upon you to take leave of you, but your Grandson was with me & I desir’d him to apologize for me, which I dare say he did in a proper...
52744To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The return of Mr White enables me to send you some of the articles you asked of me to procure. You will find the list inclosed, and in my next I will try to send you a bill of my disbursements, both now & formerly.— Mr Franklin’s glasses will be forwarded by Mr Storer, or earlier, if an opportunity offers. They would have gone now by Mr White, had I...
52745To Benjamin Franklin from Clemens August Haxthausen, 26 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez votre Eccellence qu’un inconnu etrencher [étranger] vous Présenter ses hommages en occasion du glorieux paix que votre Eccellencé avez fait pour gloirs immortell du serenissime Republique des Etats unies en Amerique, et de votre Eccellencé; et quoi jai eu toujour ete un admirateur du heroisme qu’enflame le coeur de votre Eccellence et des touts...
52746To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 26 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will have recieved my last, by which I asked you leave to dedicate my work, now, as I hope, under the press, to you— I am rejoiced to be informed by the chancerie of the Court, that, according to an advise of Count de Mercy to Prince Kaunitz, you are certainly to come here. Since that time I am courted by many more Gentlemen and Ladies to present them...
52747To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 27 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Translation: reprinted from Alexandre-Marie Quesnay de Beaurepaire, Mémoire, statuts et prospectus, concernant l’Académie des sciences et beaux-Arts des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, établie à Richemond … (2nd ed., Paris, 1788), pp. 22–3. Avec cette Lettre, vous recevrez un projet pour une Académie Française qui doit s’ériger ici; c’est un plan fort étendu, & qui fera honneur au Monsieur qui l’a...
52748To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Saint-Martin, 27 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les affaire venant de changer de face a levenement De la paix, je L’honneur de vous demander de quelle façon Les officier attaché a larmée des treize proveinse unie de lamerique seront traité, j’i est esté Employé En soixante seise Comme Lieutenant Collonel Est n’est discontinué mon servisse que depuis pres de deux mois que je suis arrivé En france pour...
52749To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 27 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai deja eû l’honneur, M. Il y a quelque temps de vous demander des eclaircissements Sur les moyens les plus propres à établir Solidement des relations de commerce entre la france et les Etats unis. Voicy le moment de S’en occuper et je vous prie de vouloir bien me faire part de votre opinion Sur cet objet qui doit etre d’un interêt...
52750To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Valentin Embser, 28 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La paix glorieuse, que l’Amérique vient de conclurre, doit remplir de joye tout honnête homme, par la preuve éclatante, que par le courage & la fermeté, appuyés de la sagesse & de la prudence, la vertu triomphe des ennemis les plus puissans. Je joins mes voeux les plus ardens à ceux de l’Amérique pour les jours précieux de l’Illustre Franklin, dont le nom...
52751To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 28 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write this to congratulate You on the Establishment of your Country As A Ful & Sovereign Power taking it’s equall Station amongst the Powers of this World. I congratulate You in particular as chosen by Providence to be a principal Instrument of this Great Revolution: a Revolution that has stronger marks of Divine interposition superceeding the ordinary...
52752To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Roberdeau, 28 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot hardly refrain my concratulation although the great Event of peace has not been announced here. From experience of your good offices betwixt my relations & myself, permit me to ask the favor of an immediate conveyence of the inclosed. I am Sir Yr. most obt. huml. Sert Addressed: His Excellency / Doctor Benjamin Franklin / at the Court of France...
52753Answers to “The Claim of the American Loyalists,” [during or after February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library In the latter part of February, 1783, William Franklin and the other Loyalist representatives who had submitted a petition to Parliament at the beginning of the month published a pamphlet entitled The Case and Claim of the American Loyalists Impartially Stated and Considered . The first section, “The Case of the American Loyalists,” reviewed the...
52754“Apologue,” [during or after February 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 309–10. When William Temple Franklin published this piece (for which no manuscript survives), he placed it among the undated bagatelles, noting only that it was “written at the period of, and in allusion to, the claims of the American Royalists on the...
52755To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, 1 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Ma Santé Monsieur ne ma Pas Permis d’aller vous faire tous mes Compliments Sur la Conclusion de Votre très Grande ouvrage. Vous Connoissé Monsieur, Les Sentiments que Je vous aÿ vouë, dépuis que Jai l’honneur de vous Connoître, Les Circonstances ne Sonts Pas faite Pour les diminuer. Jai pour amis Intime un homme qui dans un ouvrage, qui và paroître, qui se...
52756To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Lafreté, 1 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon ami M. Gallard de Bayonne, est chargé, mon Cher Papa de vous voir, et a beaucoup de choses à vous dire; Je vous prie, ou Monsieur votre fils, de me faire savoir le jour et l’heure où il pourra avoir l’honneur de vous voir à Passy. Vous me feréz plaisir de le recevoir avec bonté, et l’écouter avec attention. Il est fort instruit, et entrera avec vous...
52757From Benjamin Franklin to Caroline (Charlotte)-Bertrande Chapelle de Jumilhac-Cubjac Bertin, [after 1 March 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Madame Bertine, and acquaints her that he long since gave the Recommendatory Letter and Passport desired, to the Portuguese Ambassador, who had before demanded the same thing: and that the Letter receiv’d thro’ her hands from M. le Baron de Jumilhac shall be duly attended to. He begs leave to assure M. Bertin of...
52758From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, [2 March 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Mazzei and acquaints him that some unforeseen Business will prevent his being at Versailles on Tuesday; He thinks too that there will be no Court, it being Mardi-gras. Who arrived in Paris around the beginning of February and spent most of the year in France. He returned to Virginia at the beginning of December:...
52759To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas-Toussaint Le Moyne, dit Des Essarts, 2 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous supplie D’aggréer Le Volume que j’ai L’honneur De vous Envoyer. Il Renferme une Cause qui Doit vous interresser, celle Du paratonnerre De st. omer . Tous ceux qui sont capables De sentir Le prix Des Bienfaits Du Genie, Vous Doivent De la reconnoissance. J’ai saisi avec plaisir L’occasion De vous offrir L’hommage De La mienne. Ce sera une jouissance...
52760To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-André Gargaz, 2 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’aprobation que vous donates, l’anée derniere, a mon projet de Paix perpetuéle, me persuade réelement que vous avez travaillé beaucoup, et trez utilement, pour faire faire la Paix dont on a signé les preliminaires a Londres et a Versailles (selon que j’ai apris par le numero 9 de la Gazete d’avignon) et que vous voudrez bien encore prendre la peine de...