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...
52761To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas Richard and Other Composers of Verse, 2 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Just as the Treaty of Alliance had inspired an outpouring of tributes in verse to Franklin and his fellow commissioners, so too the signing of the preliminary peace was the occasion for a profusion of couplets and stanzas honoring Franklin and the many other French and American heroes of the war. Franklin was sent poems in both manuscript and printed form....
52762To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Bachelier, with William Temple Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a longtems que je désire vous faire mon compliment sur la paix qui vient d’etre Signée entre L’Europe Et L’amerique, J’ai même a ce Sujet des observations qui peuvent vous intéresser. Comme Made. Bachelier désire autant que moy, vous faire Son compliment, nous nous proposons de vous demander a diner le jour qui vous conviendra le mieux de Vendredy ou...
52763To Benjamin Franklin from Gastellier, 3 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Recevés je vous supplie de nouveau mes actions de Graces trés humbles de l’honneur que vous m’avés fait en recevant la dédicace de mon foible ouvrage et surtout de la maniere beaucoup plus honnête que meritée avec la quelle vous avés daigné l’accueillir. Le souvenir d’un bienfait aussi précieux ne s’effacera jamais de ma mémoire et je puis vous assurer que...
52764To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Lacarre, 3 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Toute l’Europe a les yeux fixés Sur vous: Elle partage, avec les Etats-unis, Les vœux qu’ils font pour votre Conservation. Les Nouvelles publiques ont fait Mention que vous Etes ataqué de la Pierre: J’ai Eprouvé la meme Incommodité, Et J’ai Jetté, depuis le 24 Juillet dernier, à l’aide d’une Tisane, dont Je Joins ici la Recette, Environ 140 fragmens de pierres, dont...
52765To Benjamin Franklin from ——— St. Clair, 3 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am exceedingly mortified to trouble your Excellency upon this occasion but my necessity is really so pressing as urges me to it. In coming to Paris I entertained not the least doubt but your Excellency would have supported me in my application for a Dedomagement and I am very well convinced the Minister would have ordered me at least part of my loss which...
52766To Benjamin Franklin from August Friedrich Wilhelm Crome, 4 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardonnés qu’un Homme etranger et inconnu de Vous, se mele dans la Foule de Ceux qui s’empressent depuis longtems à Vous temoigner, Monsieur, le profond respect et la parfaite veneration que Vous Vous etes aquise dans le Monde par la sage Vigilance, et par la Constance inebranlable avec la quelle Vous avés travaillé si efficacement à briser les chaines d’un...
52767The Swedish-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, with Translation, 3 April [i.e., 5 March] 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) DS : National Archives, Svenska Riksarkivet; copy: National Archives; incomplete press copy of DS : American Philosophical Society; (II) translation and copy: National Archives This treaty, negotiated by Franklin and the comte de Creutz, Swedish ambassador to the French court, was the first pact signed by the United States with a nation that was not already an ally in the War of...
52768To Benjamin Franklin from Roze de Chantoiseau, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous m’aviés fait esperer que vous me feriés part de vos sentimens et observations Sur Le Tresor National, ou Banque Gle. de credit public dont jai eu Lhonneur de vous adresser Le Plan il y a près d’un mois. Votre Silence, Monsieur, me donneroit Lieu de craindre que votre Santé ne Se soit trouvée alterée Si je n’avois bien plus de raisons d’apprehender que...
52769To Benjamin Franklin from St. Clair, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour to write to your Excellency two days ago by the post but as I have not been honoured with an answer I take the liberty once more to importunate you but not being possesed of three sols to pay the postage I find myself obliged to be the carrier of it. I have now no other party or choice left if your Excellency does not furnish me with the...
52770To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having been just informd by your valuable Countryman Mr. Laurens that He had an opportunity of conveying a Letter to You I could not refuse myself the pleasure of telling You that the unalterable friendship & affection all my Family feel for You has of late been very much quickend by the Hopes of seeing You again & very shortly. Indeed We look upon You as...
52771To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Georg Joseph Vogler, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu l’honneur tant au Musée de Paris, dont je suis membre, qu’à Passi chez vous même, de vous expliquer quoîque bien faiblement ma Theorie nouvelle musicale ainsi que mon Instrument le Tonometre approuvè par l’academie des Sciences. Vous avez bien voulu m’accorder vos suffrages et encourager un auteur qui paroit pour la premiere fois en France. J’ose...
52772To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library The King has published an Arrêt suspendending the Payment of all Bills drawn by the Marine in America 12 months after the just time of their becoming due and I have 184. thousand Livres in that Situation. These Bills belong to a number of Individuals who are here & the Returns are Shipped, I have already paid the greater part...
52773Benjamin Vaughan to William Temple Franklin, 5 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mrs: Vaughan has ordered your glasses, and we will engage Major White or some earlier passenger, to take care of them as far as Calais. Major White has for some time past had your damping cases from Woodmason, and other articles; so that no censure will fix upon myself for delay. The gout has lately seized him, but I think he will soon be getting abroad...
52774From Benjamin Franklin to John Coakley Lettsom, 6 [or 17] March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Thomas Joseph Pettigrew, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Late John Coakley Lettsom … (3 vols., London, 1817), I , 171–2 of second pagination. I received your favour of September last. It found me labouring under a painful disorder, which continued long, and put me much behind-hand in my correspondence. I thank you for the valuable publications that accompanied it,...
52775To Benjamin Franklin from the Conde de Aranda, 6 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’ambassadeur d’Espagne ne pouvait point oublier l’invitation de Mr. Franklin pour samedi, il desirait meme le moment d’y concurrir avec la plus grande satisfaction. Mr. le chevr. del Campo profitera egalement de ses bontès. A l’egard du jeune Mr. Campos s’il etait de retour pour ce jourla, puisqu’il est atendu d’un jour a l’autre il sera bien flatè du...
52776To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 6 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few days ago on the Subject of our Ship to America craving your Advice & Assistance wh. I hope you will be so obliging as to favor me with a speedy Answer— I now inclose you the Draft of a Bill now in the House & which no doubt will pass into a Law, for restoring Trade betwixt this Country & America it is formed upon liberal principles & will...
52777To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 6 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; incomplete copy: South Carolina Historical Society Hitherto, since my arrival on this side of the Channel I have had nothing worth your attention, to offer, indeed five or six last days excepted I had been confined at Bath. Mr. Oswald said to me yesterday, he was going to the proper place for learning, whether he should be soon, or when required to attend upon the...
52778To Benjamin Franklin from Laval & Wilfelsheim, 6 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a 15. Jours que nous avons remis a Monsieur Grand le pere une Lettre pour votre Excellence qui nous est venue de Bremen. L’Amy pense qu’elle ne nous est pas parvenue, & nous en demande des Nouvelles. Nous supplions votre Excellence, de nous rendre le Service, & de daigner y faire une Reponse, le Courrier part deman. Nous avons l’honneur d’etre avec...
52779From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: National Archives I but this moment hear of this Opportunity, by which I can only send you a Line to acquaint you, that I have concluded the Treaty with Sweden, which was signed on Wednesday last. You will have a Copy by the first good Opportunity. It differs very little from the Plan sent me,—in nothing material.— The English Court is in Confusion by another Change of...
52780From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : New Hampshire Historical Society With this I send you a Copy of the last Contract I made with this Court respecting the late Loan of Six Millions, the Terms of the Loan and the Times of Repayment. It was impossible for me to obtain more, and indeed, considering the State of Finances and Expences here, I wonder I have obtained so much. You will see by the inclosed Gazette,...
52781To Benjamin Franklin from Antonio Francesco Salucci & fils, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’heureuse conclusion de la Paix, et l’Indipendence des treize Provinces Americaines, par la quelle ces Peuples fortunes ont à Votre Excellence des obligations Majeures, offrent à la Toscanne l’occasion, depuis si long tems desirée, d’entamer un Commerce des plus ètendus, et de former des Liaisons capables d’apporter le plus grand avantage aux deux Nations....
52782To Benjamin Franklin from Tourton & Ravel, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Leveillard nous ayant dit que vous seriés fort aise que M. Schutze de Berlin s’addressat a Mr. Bache pour les affaires qu’il pourroit avoir a Philadelphie nous avons lhonneur de vous addresser ci joint la lettre que le d. [dit] sr. fred: Gme: Schutze nous envoye pour le d. mr. Bache et nous vous prions de recommander a celui ci les interets de m....
52783To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 7 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La societé Rle. [royale] de medecine m’a chargé de Vous envoier les Billets cy joints pour sa séance publique qui aura lieu Mardi prochain; elle Vous invite à cette assemblée. Nous n’avons point eû lhonneur de Vous posséder dans la derniere, ce qui redouble aujourd’hui nos desirs et nos instances. La société s’est empressée de Contracter une association de...
52784To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Viau and ——— Vineau, 8 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Nous eumes L’honneur D’écrire, à Mr le Commissaire de L’Orient, le mois dernier au Sujet de nos Intérêts dans la frégatte la pallas, et voici sa réponse Môt pour Môt; La frégatte la pallas a été armé pour compte Des Américains, et la répartition des prises faitte par cette frégatte, n’a point eû Lieu Jusqu’à présent. C’est à leur Agent à paris, qu’il faut...
52785From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 9 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Privately owned Your Favour of the 25th past, is but just come to hand. I think with you, that the making you pay 23£ for our Passport is a shameful Imposition. Your Secretaries had 200 of us; in exchange for as many of theirs indeed; but we had no Occasion for a quarter of the Number; and those that were wanted we gave away gratis. There is no bounds to the Avidity of Officers in old...
52786From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 9 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Barclay, our Consul general, waits upon your Excellency with a Complaint of a gross affront and Injury offered to the Congress of the United States at L’Orient, by some English Merchants residing at Bourdeaux, to which I beg your Excellency’s Attention, and that you would order such Measures to...
52787To Benjamin Franklin from John Bourne, 9 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The esteem I have for America, permit me to lay before you, a few Remarks, which if they meet with your aprobation, the End will be answer’d, as America is become a new State, beware of Taxes Tax not her Land, let the Land and People be Free, encourage Agriculture do not Increase your Shipping too fast that may bring opulence to Individuals but Pride &...
52788To Benjamin Franklin from François de Launey de Fresney, 9 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: American Philosophical Society Les fournitures très-conséquentes qui m’ont été confiées pendant toute la Guerre pour le Service de la Marine du Roi, ne m’ont point distrait des expéditions particuliéres pour les différentes maisons Amériquaines, vos compatriotes, établies à Nantes et L’Orient; j’ai joui jusqu’à ce moment de Leur pleine...
52789To Benjamin Franklin from Graf von Schönfeld, 9 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Permettés Monsieur, que j’aie l’honneur de Vous adresser le Sr: Bidermann Conseiller de la Cour de Saxe. Il desire infiniment d’avoir celui de Vous faire sa cour, et de Vous consulter sur l’intention où il seroit d’établir quelques branches de Commerce entre l’Amerique Septentrionale et la Saxe. Comme ce Sont également les Sentimens de ma Cour, ainsi que j’ai eu...
52790To Benjamin Franklin from the Société Royale de Médecine, [before 10 March 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Vous êtes invité à assister à plusieurs expériences qu’on va faire en présence de MM. les Commissaires nommés par la Société Royale de Médecine. 1°. A celle d’un Vêtement qui peut rétablir la transpiration supprimée, en provoquer une abondante, & qui par-là peut obvier à bien des infirmités. 2°. A celle d’un autre Vêtement...
52791To Benjamin Franklin from Lafreté, 10 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. Gallard de Bayonne, dont je vous ai déja parlé mon cher Papa a des affaires interressantes à traitter avec vous. Cest un homme très instruit et un de mes bons amis j’espere que vous voudréz bien le recevoir avec bonté, et qu’il S’appercevra que vous avéz un peu d’amitié pour nous. Ma petite femme est à peu près dans le meme Etat. Vous lui avéz promis de...
52792To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 10 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This letter will be deliver’d to you by Mr Redford , a Gentleman for whom I have a great regard and who has my best wishes. He is going to Settle for life in one of the thirteen united States; and he has already Sent thither a part of his fortune. May I take the liberty to request your notice of him? Any assistance or information which you may be pleased to give...
52793From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, [11] March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: American Philosophical Society According to Mr Mazzei’s Request, Dr. Franklin has the honour to inform him that there is no Court at Versailles on Tuesday next, consequently that he shall not be there.— Dr. Franklin desires the honour of Mr & Mrs Mazzei’s Company at Dinner on Wednesday the 12th Inst.—at ½ pst 2 Made in 1952 from a private collection in Geneva. Mazzei wrote in his...
52794To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 11 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society There seems still an indecision in public affairs, as far as relates to ministry, but every body is glad to stand upon the clear ground of a peace; so that you need not fear that your treaty will be shaken. I find every plan I had heard spoken of, was in a great state of ripeness, when I arrived in London; and the grandest ideas prevailing about free trade,...
52795To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Brocklesby, 12 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to congratulate my ever respectable & honored friend on the events of late establishd between Great Britain & America, which naturally tend to restore both parties to their mutual good humor, & that common confidence in each other, wch the late fatal & ingloriously unnatural Contest had unhappily for this Country at least interrupted a...
52796To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 12 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society It is a long while since I have heard from you or indeed since I writ to you. I heartily congratulate you upon those pacific events which have already happened and wish to see all other final Steps of Conciliation succeed speedily. I send you Copies of two Papers which I have already communicated to Mr. Laurens the one called conciliatory Propositions in...
52797To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 13 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yesterday Captain Barney brought me your much esteemed Favor of 26th: Decr.— I hope we shall not be long ’till we hear that Peace is concluded on, it is an Event much wished for here, except by a few self-interested Individuals— Should you upon a Peace determine upon returning to your native Country; my inclination would lead me to pay a visit to...
52798To Benjamin Franklin from John Calder, 13 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I chearfully embrace this opportunity of writing to you, the rather, as the paper I write upon is to be the cover of a letter from a worthy old friend of yours & mine, who does not rejoice more sincerely or heartily than I do, in the honours & merit you have acquired by the services you have done to your country & the world. For the conveyance of this I am...
52799To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 13 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Nesbitt’s most respectful Compliments wait on Doctor Franklin, & requests that he will grant a Pasport for a Gentleman (a Mr. Bacon) who goes for England tomorrow. If Dr. Franklin has any Commands for England, Mr Bacon may be depended upon. Possibly the Bacon who received a passport the previous June: XXXVI , 379.
52800To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, with a Note by John Calder, 13 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Please to accept My Sincere congratulations for the Restoration of Peace , and the Natural rights of Mankind , in America . That all the Provinces may be Settled and Governed by Laws calculated for the Mutual benefit of every individual is the Ardent wish of Sir Your Most Obedient Servt Pray did the things contained in the bottom of the Clock-Case come Safe...