52831To Benjamin Franklin from Antoinette-Thérèse Melin Dutartre, 4 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Mon papa, voila encore mon abbé, pour qui vous avez eu des bontés; voulez vous en avoir encore? Et à ma consideration, écouter ses demandes? Voulez vous aussi recevoir l’assurance de mon amitié? Et voulez vous bien aussi ne me pas oublier en 83, comme vous avez fait en 82? Car ce pauvre arbaletre ne vous a pas vû! Je ne Suis pas en bonne santé, j’ai été...
52832To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I beg leave to reccommend to your kind Notice Mr Purviance son to a Respectable Merchant in Maryland. This young Gentleman proposes to make a Tour to Ireland with a View of reestablishing his Health & visiting some Relations. I shall be much obliged by your giving him the necessary passport, and whatever Civilities you may think proper to show him you...
52833To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, 5 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania La lettre dont vous m’avez honoré me demande mon Opinion sur celle qu’elle renfermoit de Mrs. Lecouteulx &c qui desirent scavoir si vous pouvez vous engager de leur fournir jusqu’à Deux Millions & demi pour les Achats de Piastres quils ont à faire pour M. Morris. Je ne puis ni ne dois avoir d’Opinion à ce sujet, mais pour fixer la vôtre, Monsieur, je...
52834To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Hillegas, 6 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Mr. William Wood of a reputable Family connected with your old Friend my Uncle Mr. Thomas Boude and the Newbolds in the Jerseys whom you have frequently heard of if not personally known to you— having an inclination to see the World as well as to do something with reputation to himself by endeavouring in the Commercial Way to increase his...
52835To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 6 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have before me your Letters of the 25th. & 29th. of June, 12th. August 3d. and 26th. September and 14th. October last — several matters contained in them have already been answered—and some others I am unable to reply to till Congress have decided on such propositions as I...
52836From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chapin Library, Williams College; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some time since, and sent to your Father, the Samples you had sent to me of your Drawing, particularly the Copy of the Print of your Grand Father, which appear’d to be well done. I have also just now receiv’d your Letter written to wish me a happy New Year; but you should nevertheless have put...
52837From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your kind good Wishes of a Number of happy Years for me. I have already enjoy’d and consum’d nearly the whole of those allotted me, being now within a few Days of my 78th.— You have a great many before you; and their being happy or otherwise will depend much on your own Conduct. If by diligent Study now, you improve your Mind,...
52838To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Yesterday which was your birthday —and which I allways keep in the most festive Manner in my power—Willy & Eliza invited their Friends to a little dance, and made about sixty young folks, as happy as twas possible for People to be in this World. My children quite in an extacy, even little Deby had her share in the beginning of the evening— I have not the least...
52839To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. your Dispatches last night Accompanied with the Money, which is all onbd & Shall Sail in the Morning if the Wind is fair, as it is at present— I am Sorry I could not carry the News of Peace as expected, But console Myself with its being effected very soon. I cannot help observing as you mention the Curosity of my pasport, the Name of the Ship and...
52840To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Grammont, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie instament de maccorder un quart d’heure daudiance particuliere au jour et a l’heure quil vous plaira mindiquer vous obligerez infiniment celui qui a lhonneur detre avec une respectueuse Consideration Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur Notation: Marquis de Grammont Paris 7 Janvier 1783 This Grammont may be the président of...
52841To Benjamin Franklin from James and Charles Hill, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When we were at Paris we took the Freedom to Call on your Excellency at Passe to request your Kind Assistance in giving us a letter of Recommendation to some Friends of yours in Philadelphia or Boston; and your Excellency was Kind Enough to Promise us; Provided you receiv’d a Letter from Doctor Percival of Manchester Certifying that we were the Men we...
52842To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-François Prost de Royer, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai point oublié le bonheur que J’ai eu de vous voir à Paris et l’accueil que vous m’avez fait. J’ai lu avec transport les premieres loix que vous avez donné à La Pensilvanie, et c’est à ce double titre que j’ai l’honneur de vous faire hommage des deux premiers volumes du Dictionnaire de Jurisprudence et des arrets . Je ne vous propose point, Monsieur,...
52843From Benjamin Franklin to David Barclay, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin … (3d ed., 2 vols., London, 1818), I , 123–4. I received yesterday your favor of the 27th past, which I immediately answer, as you desire to know soon my opinion respecting the publication of a certain paper. I see no objection, and leave it entirely to your discretion. I have had several letters from...
52844From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you sometime since 11 Pamphlets of the same kind with the enclos’d, supposing, as I had heard them well spoken of, that you who are so laudably attentive to the Education of your Children, might possibly find in them some Hints worth your Notice. I find the Work is to go on, and I will send you what comes out for the present Year, if you desire it. I...
52845To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the pleasure of writing you some time ago per a friend in which I informed you how much I was hurt to find that Congress had refused to comply with the agreement made here for the Exchange of Prisoners, I have not since then been favored with any of yours. This day I have been at the Secretarys Office again relative to the Exchange of...
52846To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 9 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous ecrire la presente laquelle vous Sera remise par le Sieur Thomas Connoly Americain Lequel a eu le malheur d’Etre pris dans le navire Le Blear Mc Clanaghan a Son Passage de L’orient a Philadelphie par un corsaire de Guernsey auquel endroit il a été conduit prisonnier. Il a trouvé le moyen de S’echaper & de Se rendre ici, & Comme il...
52847To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Please to read the inclosed Letters to Lord shelburne & Mr Vaughan then please to deliver them to Mr Vaughan if with you or forward them to him if not.— The subject appears to me worth a national Claim if you think so please to add a Line to my Letter to Lord shelburne, if you think an official Claim not consistent & you in...
52848From Benjamin Franklin to Filangieri, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri The Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me in August last, came to my Hands when I lay ill of two painful Disorders, which confin’d me near three Months, and with the Multiplicity of Business that follow’d oblig’d me to postpone much of my Correspondence. I have yesterday receiv’d a second Letter from you, and I now without farther Delay sit down to...
52849To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Don Galva of and from Salem arrivd at this Port Yesterday he saild from Salem the 1 December Mons De Vaudrieul with the Fleet remaind at Boston and from the report of the Captain would not sail before the later end of the month the french Troops were arrivd at Boston to embark on board the Fleet. The Indians have committed some fresh Crueltys on the...
52850To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress On the ninth Instant, from an Investigation of Mr. Grands Accounts, then lately received, I found that after making due Allowance for Loan Office Bills &ca. which might still come upon him, my Drafts (and those which I have directed) would exceed, by Something more than six Millions (exclusive of the Interest...
52851To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis-François Cadet de Vaux, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. Brongniart de l’académie Royale d’architecture a fait tirer Empreinte de la médaille destinée à consacrer l’union des Etats unis avec la france; il desire avoir l’honneur d’en présenter l’Epreuve à monsieur franklin. Je desire de mon coté avoir l’honneur de lui rendre mes devoirs, mais comme M. Brongniart et moi avons beaucoup d’occupations, chacun de...
52852To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Grubb, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Grubb presents his respectful Compliments to his Excellency Dr. Franklin, & requests him to grant him a passport for England via Callais. Mr. G. ill state of Health is the cause of the demand, & hopes his Excellency will in consequence, order one to be made out Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin. / Passy Notation: Mr. Grubb Paris 13th. Jany. 1783
52853To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received eleven little books for which I thank you. But why was there not one line with them? My poor mother was much disappointed, and I believe imagined that I did not speak truth when I told her there was no letter in the parcel. I know you will pay the tribute of a sigh for the loss of one who loved you with the most ardent affection. She lingered...
52854To Benjamin Franklin from William and R. Macarty, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr & Mrs. Macarty present thier most Respectfull Compliments to Doctr. Franklin, and are Sorry they cannot have the honor of Dining with him to Day, being Engage’d; having only this moment Recieved Doctr Franklins polite Invitation of the 11th. Addressed: Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Passy William Macarty’s wife joined him in Lorient in September, 1781:...
52855To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Independence National Historical Park; copy: Library of Congress I have received, in Addition to those already acknowledged, your Letters of the twelfth of August, twenty sixth of September, and fourteenth of October. I should therefore, regularly, have received two Copies of the Contract entered into on the sixteenth of July between you and the Count de...
52856To Benjamin Franklin from Servin, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai reçû qu’avant hier La Lettre Que Vous avez bien Voulû m’Ecrire le 16 novembre dernier. Ce retardement etonnant a fait Que mon libraire n’a pû Vous Envoier de Basle l’Exemplaire Que Je Vous ai prié d’Agréer. Mais j’irai a paris dans Quelques Semaines et j’aurai l’honneur de Vous presenter en personne Mon hommage. Je desire d’autant plus Qu’il Vous...
52857From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson: Extract and Note, [14 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
(I) Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; (II) press copy of AL : American Philosophical Society It was in the Beginning of October that you inform’d me, the Prisoners would be immediately sent over hither to be exchang’d. There were then in the French Ports several American Vessels in which I could have sent them. I fear that I shall now be obliged to send a Vessel with them,...
52858From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 14 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society I am much oblig’d by your Information of your intended Trip to England. I heartily wish you a good Journey, and a Speedy Return; & request your kind Care of a Pacquet for Mr Hodgson. I enclose two Papers that were read at different times by me...
52859Francis Dana to the American Peace Commissioners, 3/14 January [i.e., 14 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I was honoured with your favour of the 12th. of Decr: by the last post, enclosing a Copy of the preliminary Treaty of Peace between his Britannic Majesty and the United-States. I most heartily congratulate with you upon this great event, in which you have had the honour of so distinguished a part. I think that we ought to be, and shall be satisfied with...
52860To Benjamin Franklin from Sidney Lee, 14 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope the enclosed will meet with your Excellency’s approbation, and that I am not guilty of an impropriety in requesting of you the favor of transmitting it to his Excellency General Washington. I am Sr with great respect your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: His Excellency Benjamn Franklin Sister and principal heir of Maj.-Gen. Charles Lee ( XXII...