53351To Benjamin Franklin from John Calder, 28 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Calder presents his respectful Compts to Dr. Franklin, & begs leave to remind him, by favour of his particular friend Mr P. Elmsley, that there was a letter sent, or to be sent to the Hotelle D’Espagne for L. G. Melville which has never come to the hands of Dr. C. who takes this favourable opportunity to inform Dr. F. that now after his having been for...
53352To Benjamin Franklin from Cambray, 28 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay l’honneur de Vous écrire pour le même sujet qui fit une partie de notre entretien il y a deux jours. Je suis très occupé d’obtenir de l’avancement de la Cour; Mr. le Marechal de Segur est on ne peut pas mieux disposé en ma faveur; j’ay réussy particulierement à mettre Mr. le Cte. de Vergennes dans mes interêts, je dois lui être présenté par Mr. le Mis....
53353Response to a Memorandum of Sabatier fils & Després, [c. 29 August? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
D : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Apostille proposée par Monsieur Le Docteur Francklin Sur le Mémoire de MM. Sabatier fils et Desprez. Jepense que MM. Sabatier fils et Desprez dirigent Irrégulierement Leur demande Sur moy qui n’ayant jamais eté partie dans le marché dont il Sagit, et n’ayant pas dû m’attendre à La répétition de La somme qui en est L’objet, n’ait fait aucune...
53354David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 29 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives As the day is now fixed for the signatures of the Definitive treaties between Great Britain France and Spain I beg leave to inform you that I am ready to sign the Definitive treaty between Great Britain and the united States of America...
53355To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 29 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress J’ai rendu compte à M. le Cte. de Vergennes, Monsieur, de la difficulté que fait Mr. Hartley de signer à Versailles et ce Ministre m’a chargé de vous mander, que rien ne devoit vous empêcher de signer à Paris mercredy prochain, Jour designé pour la Signature des autres Traités; mais il vous prie d’indiquer à M. Hartley 9. heures du...
53356The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 30 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of copy: National Archives The American Ministers Plenipotentiary for making Peace with great Britain, present their Compliments to Mr. Hartley. They regret that Mr. Hartley’s Instructions will not permit him to sign the Definitive Treaty of Peace with America at the Place...
53357From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 30 August[–2 September 1783] (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Society; press copy of LS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Library of Congress During August, while Etienne Montgolfier was conferring with the Académie des sciences, working on his new balloon, and pursuing his business interests as a papermaker, his competitors were scrambling to figure out how they could safely generate the 900...
53358To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Duplan, 30 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous étes trop grand dans toutes vos demarches pour avoir oublié les Esperances flatteuses que vous nous donnates de bouche en 1778 . Qu’étant honorés de vôtre presence, vous Souscrivites Monsieur pour un Exemplaire de nôtre Enciclopedie 8°. en 36 vol: de discours, & 3 de planches, comme conste la lettre cy inclus que nous avons l’honneur de vous mettre...
53359To Benjamin Franklin from Pierres, 30 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer l’Exempl. in 40. pour le Grand Duc de Russie. Je vous renvoye aussi l’Ex. in 80. que vous m’aviez fait passer. Je suis avec un respect infini, Monsieur, Votre très humble & très obeissant serviteur Notation: Pierres 30 Août 1783. Grand Duke Paul of Russia, whom BF had met in the summer of 1782: XXXVII , 311–12, 316, 445–6.
53360To Benjamin Franklin from Philipp Thieriot, 30 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je crois de mon devoir de vous prevenir que je suis sur mon depart pour Philadelphie. Je serai tres flatté, Monsieur, si vous vouliés bien m’honnorer de vos ordres. Tout ce que vous daignerés me confier sera soigné avec la plus grande exactitude. S’il n’arrive pas de contretems imprevu, je partirai sans faute Jeudi prochain en huit; de maniere que l’honneur...
53361From Benjamin Franklin to Elias Boudinot, 31 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS , press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives; copy: University of South Carolina Library After a continued Course of Treating for 9 Months, the English Ministry have at length come to a Resolution to lay aside for the present all the new Propositions that have been made & agreed to, their own as well as ours; and they offer to sign again as a Definitive Treaty the Articles of Novr...
53362To Benjamin Franklin from Octavie Guichard Durey de Meinières, 31 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Illustrioux Legislator of your Country, I Would be Very obliged to you, if you Would and Could give me, the book, of the Constitution, translated by M. de la Rochefoucault. Some body told me, that it is not Sold. I Should be lofty to have it of your hand, and gratefull to you for your Kindness, my dear Neighbour, loved and revered by your most humble...
53363From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Durey de Meinières, 31 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I send with great Pleasure the Constitutions of America to my dear & much respected Neighbour, being happy to have any thing in my Power to give that she will do me the honour to accept, and that may be agreable to her. I am, ever, with sincere Esteem, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately Which she had requested in the letter immediately above. BF ’s...
53364Notes on Establishing a Packet Boat Service to and from New York, [c. 31 August 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society American Postmaster at New York to receive and distribute all Letters brought by the Pacquets of England & France To give Receipts for the Amount, & keep an Account with each Settle & pay every three Packets Allow’d for dead, return’d or missent Letters.— All preceding Postage of Packet Letters to be paid on both sides before they are sent forward by...
53365To Benjamin Franklin from Thérèse Aerts, August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La confience que vous inspire à toutes les personnes qui ont l’honneur de vous connaitre m’enhardit à recourir une seconde fois à vos bontés. Ma reconnoissance ose vous rappeller Monsieur La lettre que vous m’avez fait la grace de m’écrire en datte du 28 Aout 1782. Le Sentiment en est profondement gravé dans mon Coeur. Cette lettre a fait Longtêms mon...
53366To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Caffiéri, 1 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Aÿent appris votre indisposition j’ay eté pour avoir lhonneur de vous assurer de mes Civilité, j’ay appris avec Satisfaction que votre Santé alloiest beaucoup mieux, je vous en filisite. Permette de vous Reiterée mes instance et vous prier Monsieur de vouloir bien vous Resouvenir de moy Dans le Cas que le Congrés Des Etats Unis de L’amerique fit elevér quel...
53367To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 1 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed note and bill of exchange of 150 florins on Messrs. Goll & Verbrugge at Amsterdam are delivred to me by his Excellency Count Chotek chanchellor of Bohemia and Austria, one of our first Noblemen, and, what more is, a true Lover and encourager of Sciences; deserving therefore very highly your attention in fulfilling his desires, by sending the...
53368To Benjamin Franklin from Lewis Littlepage, 1 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Littlepage presents his most grateful & respectful thanks to his Excellency doctor Franklin for his polite & friendly acquiescence in Mr Littlepage’s request of being sent with the definitive Treaty to Congress, but as Mr Jay has declared himself decidedly in favor of Mr Adams’s Clerk, Mr Littlepage request’s his Excellency not to take the trouble to...
53369From Benjamin Franklin to Ingenhousz, 2 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. James A. de Rothschild, England (1962) Inclos’d I send you a Copy of a Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, concerning the Ballons that at present occasion much Conversation here. I imagine that if you make one, and fill it with inflammable Air, you will contrive to fire it by Electricity when it is up, and by that means match in Report the Thunder of Nature. To morrow is to be signed our...
53370To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 2 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: William L. Clements Library I find that the Answer wch I received in form from the American Ministers to that note wch I transmitted by Mr Adams, runs, that they will come to my Lodgings at Paris, tomorrow morning, for the purpose of signing the Treaty in Question. Mr Adams and Mr Jay understand it so and propose to come. Upon so great a Crisis...
53371Definitive Treaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain, 3 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two), Public Record Office; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two.) Early on the morning of September 3, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and William Temple Franklin rode into Paris carrying four official copies of the treaty that would end the War for American Independence. Joined by Adams,...
53372From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 3 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society This Line is just to acquaint you that the Definitive Treaty between England and the United States was signed this Morning at Paris, and the others are suppos’d to be sign’d at the same time at Versailles. I shall write to you fully in a Day or two. With great & sincere Esteem, I have the honour to be Dear Sir, Your most Obedt & most humble Servt...
53373To Benjamin Franklin from the Committee of the Sufferers in Falmouth, Casco Bay, 3 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From a consideration of the great attention and regard you have shewn to the just Rights of Human Nature, as well as the benevolent Character you sustain, among the People of America whom in a very eminent Station you represent, we are induced to transmit to your Care the inclosed Address— It comes from Men who have suffered exceedingly, not only by the...
53374David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and press copy of copy: National Archives; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office It is with the sincerest Pleasure that I congratulate you on the happy Event which took Place Yesterday, viz., the Signature of the Definitive Treaty between our two Countries. I consider it as the auspicious Presage of returning...
53375The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 5 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: National Archives; copies of draft: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the Honour to write yesterday. Your friendly Congratulations on the signature of the definitive Treaty, meet...
53376From Benjamin Franklin to Charles James Fox, 5 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society I received in its time the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me by Mr. Hartley: And I cannot let him depart without expressing my Satisfaction in his Conduct towards us, and applauding the Prudence of that Choice which sent us a Man possess’d of such a Spirit of Conciliation, and of all...
53377From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 6 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, William L. Clements Library (two), Library of Congress (two) Inclosed is my Letter to Mr. Fox. I beg you would assure him, that my Expressions of Esteem for him are not mere Professions. I really think him a Great Man; & I could not think so, if I did not believe he was at Bottom, and would prove himself, a good One. Guard him against Mistaken Notions...
53378To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier Du Ponceau, 6 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Depuis que je suis arrivé D’amerique avec L’armée de Rochambeau, Je n’ai point reçu de nouvelles de mon frere qui est employé à philadelphie dans les affaires étrangeres. Tout m’engage à croire que mes lettres ne lui sont pas parvenues Sans doute parceque j’ai employé de mauvais moyens. Jose prendre la liberté Monsieur de lui en addresser une sous votre...
53379To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 6 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’implore Mon Cher Docteur Votre protection pour un Malheureux Matelot attaché au Service D’un Batiment americain Et que des Circonstances Malheureuses Et la Difficulté De s’Expliquer font Detenir injustement Dans une prison Cruelle je Gemis pour mon paÿs qu’il Soit possible qu’il y ait Des Malheureux de Ce Genre mais Enfin sauvons Celuy Cy Si nous Le...
53380To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I beg of you not to forget your letter to Mr Fox:— The purpose of my journey to England will be to do the best in my power for things & persons & particularly for my friends.— If you have any other private letters, send them to me. I will deliver them. I hope likewise be personally charged with the answers. I am better this morning and shall certainly set off...
53381From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley: Two Letters, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Copies: Library of Congress (two), William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) Copies: Library of Congress (two), William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, Public Record Office The enclosed Letters to you and to Mr. Fox were written before I saw you yesterday. On my return home last night I found despatches from Congress which may remove the...
53382The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachussetts Historical Society, Library of Congress We have the honour of transmitting herewith enclosed an Extract of a Resolution of Congress of the 1. May last, which we have Just recd. You will perceive from it that we may daily expect a Commission in due Form, for the Purposes mentioned in it, and we assure you of our Readiness to enter upon the Business, whenever you may think...
53383From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your kind Letter of the 9th past. I am glad that the little Books are pleasing to you and your Children, and that the Children improve by them. I send you herewith some more of them. My Grandson Bache has been four Years at School at Geneva; and is but lately come home to me here. I find Reason to be satisfied with the Improvement he has made in his...
53384To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte d’Angiviller, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. D’angiviller est bien flatté de pouvoir procurer à Monsieur francklin la facilité de voir plus commodement les beautés du sallon. Il doit prendre interêt au succès des arts, ils sont faits principalement pour consacrer à la posterité les hommes et les actions illustres et celebres, monsieur francklin a bien quel ques droits sur eux. Mr. D’angiviller a...
53385To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Castries, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress J’ai l’Honeur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer les pieces qui m’ont été adressées par M.M. De Bellecombe et De Bongars Commandant et Intendant à St. Domingue, relativement à la prise du Bateau le St. Thomas, arrêté sous Pavillon Danois par le Corsaire Américain la Lady Gréen, dans le mois de février de l’année derniere, et conduit au Port de jérémie où il a été vendu. Les...
53386To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin West, 7 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I could not deprive myself the pleasure of convaying these few lines to you by my friend Mr. Dagge, he means to see you, and has been so Obliging to promis he would give this letter to you; I told him the jurney he was about to take, I almost envyed, as I should be happy to see you once more; Your friends hear have been flattering themselves with the...
53387To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 8 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Packet directed for yourself I received a few days ago, from Cape Francois; the other Packet for the Compte de Barbençon, Mr. Bartram requested me to forward to your care— We have had several Arrivals lately from France, without the pleasure of a Line from you, Mr. Williams writes me however that you are well; we would rather have this...
53388To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Jackson, 8 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The unfortunate Chas. Jackson whom his kind Friend Dr. Franklin Remembered one of the happiest of Mortals when possessed of the dearest most amiable lovely & best beloved of Women, now full at heart with sorrowful Reflection on his Loss, yet full of regard & esteem likewise for his real Friend, gladly embraces the opportunity this moment afforded him of...
53389To Benjamin Franklin from Neufville & Cie., 8 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society His Excellency John Jay Esqr. having given us his address at passy, we beg leave to put a letter under Your Excellencys Cover, requesting in case said Gentleman Should be moved from thence, you Will please to cause it to be forwarded, and as we Have not had the honour of addressing you since the Change of the firm of our House we pray you to observe that it...
53390To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself this pleasure yesterday; and late last Evening, the Washington packet brought us your acceptable favor of the 27th. July, with several pleasing inclosures from Benny, whom you had with you at Passy, a circumstance, he seems much to be delighted with— Mr. Vaughan, (your old Friend) and his family arrived here yesterday, they have taken up...
53391To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Friends the Vaughan Family are now under our roof, the pleasure we take in entertaining every body that you love and that loves you, make us happy in their Company, they are come to settle among us, and what little I have seen of them promise a very agreable addition to our Society— My letter to day on their account will rather be short as I have a...
53392To Benjamin Franklin from Bariatinskii, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le Prince Bariatinskoy a l’honneur de remercier Monsieur franklein de la communication, qu’il a bien voulû Lui faire du Traite de Paix. Notation: Bariatinskoy 9. 7bre 1783— The next day, Bariatinskii sent Empress Catherine II two gifts from BF : a Libertas Americana medal with its explanation ( XXXIX , 549–55) and a copy of Constitutions des treize Etats-Unis...
53393To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Princeton University Library; copy: National Archives Being by Accident at this City and an Opportunity offering, I do myself the Honor of enclosing a duplicate of the Ratification of the Treaty with Sweden, the original of which I transmitted some time since, but not having the Copy of the Letter attending it by me, I am prevented from sending duplicate of it, unless this...
53394To Benjamin Franklin from Pierres, 9 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer la Copie du Traité, la Composition est faite & l’Epreuve est à moitié lüe. Je vous fais passer par le porteur Bezout { 1. arithmetique … 2. l.t. 15. 1. Géométrie … 3. 15. 1 algébre … 4. 15. 1. Mécanique 2 vol. 9. 10. 20.
53395The American Peace Commissioners to Elias Boudinot, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society On the third Instant, Definitive Treaties were concluded, between all the late belligerent Powers, except the Dutch, who the Day before settled and signed Preliminary Articles of Peace with Britain. We most sincerely & cordially congratulate Congress and our Country in general, on this...
53396From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have received a Letter from a very respectable Person in America, containing the following Words, Viz “It is confidently reported, propagated, and believed by some among us, that the Court of France was at bottom against our obtaining the Fishery and Territory in that great Extent in which both are secured to us by the Treaty; that our Minister at that...
53397To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Rousseaux, 10 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je metois fait l’honneur de vous Ecrire de dunkerque au Sujet de mes appointemant et part au prize que nous avons fait Sur vottre fregatte du Congre lexemton Cape. henry Jonson pour que vous ayé la Bonté de massister de quelque Chose Etant Sans aucune resource. Jesperre Monsieur que vous vouderez Bien massister je crois monsieur que je ne vous demande rin...
53398To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society By the second week in September, Etienne Montgolfier was ready to offer members of the Académie des sciences a preview of the balloon he had constructed. He had been aided in this effort by Jean-Baptiste Réveillon, the wallpaper manufacturer, who put his expertise, ingenuity, and workforce at Montgolfier’s disposal. As the Ministry of Finance had now assumed...
53399From Benjamin Franklin to Montgolfier, 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace Mr. Franklin remercie monsieur de Montgolfier de son attention et se rendra a l’heure prescripte pour voir l’experience a laquelle il veut bien l’inviter. See the preceding document.
53400From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Quincy, Sr., 11 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Storer told me not long since that you complain’d of my not writing to you. You had reason; for I find among your Letters to me two unanswered, viz. those of May 25, and Dec. 17. 1781. The Truth is, I have had too much Business to do for the Publick, and too little Help allow’d me; so that it became impossible for me to keep up my private...