53701To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 7 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld fait bien des Complimens à Monsieur Franklyn et à L’honneur de lui présenter la traduction de ses remarques sur les Sauvages qu’il a cherché a rendre le moins imparfaite qui lui a été possible; il est bien faché que le mauvais tems l’empêche d’aller la lui présenter lui même et savoir de ses nouvelles dont il demande souvent à...
53702To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [7 January 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous êtes trop bon mon Illustre Docteur de penser comme cela à moi. Lobservation que vous m’avez envoyée est vraiment Intéressante. Je Suis tout à fait honteux que vos Voeux pour moi ayent prévenus ceux que Je voulois Vous porter pour votre conservation au Comble de la gloire, où vous étes arrivé, il n’y en a point d’autres à vous faire. La rigueur de la...
53703Morellet to William Temple Franklin, [8 January 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le mauvais tems me prive depuis bien longtems du plaisir de voir et votre respectable papa et vous. J’en attens la fin avec bien de l’impatience. J’ai recû votre reponse au sujet de l’affaire que m’avoit confiée mr. le cardinal de rohan et je la lui ai communiquée. Il remercie Mr. votre pere de cet eclaircissement. J’ai pris cette occasion de lui rappeller...
53704To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste-Charles Lucas Despeintreaux: Résumé, 9 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society ⟨Paris, January 9, 1784, in French: Until now, I had always thought I would spend the rest of my days in France, despite the negative aspects of the regime. The revolution carried out by your brave citizens has inspired me. Word of your actions and those of your countrymen, and of your austerity and simplicity, induce me to want to live among such men. Your...
53705To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 9 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Nationaal Archief La Dépeche ci-jointe étoit prête à partir pour l’Orient, sous couvert de Mrs. Barclay, Moylan & Ce. afin d’être acheminée au Congrès par le Paquebot du Port-Louis, ou autrement, lorsque la réflexion, que son contenu interessant pourroit vous être agréable, m’a fait prendre le parti de la faire passer par vos mains, avec priere de vouloir...
53706To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Hopkins and James Manning, 9 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): Brown University Library Influenced by your Promptitude in promoting the great Interests of Society, and especially by your predilection of Your native Country, discovered by that early and decided Part which you took in its Favour, and which has been Continued by Such unparalleled Success through a Life protracted far beyond the Common Bounds...
53707To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, January 10–14, 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing you Sometime ago a few lines, which I hope you received. As I never forget my good friends, although they may be at many other parts of the world; I am glad of embracing every opportunity of enquiring after their health & happiness & as I have a very great regard for your’s, on account of the great friendship that has subsisted...
53708To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Charles-Julien Luce de Lancival, 11 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Quoique je n’aye l’avantage de vous connoitre que de nom, avantage dont je ne puis me prévaloir, puisqu’il m’est commun avec tous les peuples de l’Europe, je dirois presque du monde entier, je prends la liberté de vous envoyer le foible essais dune Muse encore au berceau. C’est etre temeraire, je l’avoue, et jai besoin d’indulgence mais c’est a un grand...
53709From Benjamin Franklin to von Blome, 12 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Reproduced in Charles Hamilton Auction Catalogue No. 49 (May 6, 1971), Lot 162. The Underwritten Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of France, acknowledges the Receipt of the official Representation sent to him the 21st of November by his Excellency the Baron de Blome, Envoy Extraordinary from his Danish Majesty at the same Court, respecting...
53710From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 12 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Library of Congress I duly received the Letters your Excellency did me the honor of writing to me the 24 of Octr., and the 3d of December past, respecting the Arrest of our Arms & Ammunition by the sieur Puchelberg, accompany’d by Copies of the Letters of M. Le Marquis de Castries and M. Chardon, and a Paper of the said...
53711To Benjamin Franklin from François-Simon Defay-Boutheroue, 12 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS American Philosophical Society L’accueil dont votre excellence honore ceux qui cultivent les sciences, m’enhardit à vous supplier d’agréer un exemplaire d’un ouvrage de ma Composition, intitulé La nature considérée dans plusieurs de ses opérations, ou Mémoires et observations sur diverses parties de l’histoire naturelle, et d’en faire passer un autre à l’illustre sociéte de philadelphie,...
53712To Benjamin Franklin from John Shaffer, 12 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You was Kind Enough to honour me with your Protection in Righting to Monr Breteuel to have me sent to america wich has made an Impretion upon my gratitude wich I canot Express, the last line you honoured me with you Say you will Not medle aney farther with my affairs, to Whom Sir Can I adress my self to but you who is our Protecteur Natural, Monr. Beaumont...
53713To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Lafreté, 13 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Il y à longtems, mon Cher Papa que je n’ai eû le plaisir de vous voir, Je ne suis plus de ce monde depuis la perte affreuse que j’ay faite, et J’evite autant que je peux les occasions de montrer ma triste figure. Cependant dès que le tems sera un peu plus traittable J’irai vous faire une petite visitte à Passy. Voici une lettre que j’ai recû, d’un de...
53714To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Maupin and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, 13 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The offers that Franklin receives during the period covered by this volume can be divided into three broad categories. The first includes authors who send copies of their works, some in the hope of winning Franklin’s support for the projects described therein. Among these individuals is the viticulturist Maupin, whose letter is printed below. The second...
53715From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Lathrop Coit, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: Johns Hopkins University Library Dr. Franklin requests the honour of Mr. Coit’s Company at Dinner on Sunday the 18. Inst The favour of an Answer is desired. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Coit. chez / Mr. Carter / Hotel d’Angleterre / Rue des Filles St Thomas. Endorsed: Doctr. Franklin’s Billet to Dine Daniel Lathrop Coit (1754–1833), a merchant of...
53716Thomas Mifflin to the American Peace Commissioners, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copies of copies: South Carolina Historical Society, American Philosophical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives This day, nine States being represented in Congress, Vizt: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, together with one Member from New-Hampshire, and one Member from...
53717To Benjamin Franklin from Cadet de Vaux, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Ce 14 Janvier 1784 Mr Cadet De Vaux a l’honneur de presenter son respect à Monsieur Frankelin, et il le previent que la farine de Maïs est actuellement a Paris; il se propose sous le bon plaisir de Monsieur Frankelin de lui faire parvenir cette Farine a Passy par la voiture de l’homme qui apporte les eaux. Notation: Cadet de vaux 14 Janvr. 1784.
53718To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Eléonor Dufriche de Valazé, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous demander une Entrevue, pour avoir celui de vous remettre un Exemplaire du livre intitulé loix pénales que je viens de dédier à Monsieur frere du Roi. Je vous prierai d’En faire passer un Exemplaire au Congrès d’amérique. J’ai la glorieuse Espérance de Contribuer à la perfection des loix de ce pays. Je suis avec un profond Respect,...
53719To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This lettre will be delivred to you by the Countesse de Fries, a lady, to whose family I am obliged for their constant kindness and civitilities towards me. Her Husband, one of the richest and the most respectable men of Europe, establish’d here in the most extensive banking business, a protestant and a Republican, being a Swish born; being very desirous of...
53720To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Edward Newenham, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Can a few Lines compensate the trouble of opening this Letter? It is to convey the sentiments of a whole family in wishing you & your Worthy Grandson many returns of the present Season—you have not, in the Extensive Dominions from the Bay of Fundy to the Missisippi, more sincere, warm or Impartial friends than Lady Newenham & the Colonels of the Liberty...
53721To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received Your letter of 13 Septr. with the papers enclosed and have taken Steps to procure the Intelligence wanted. I have written to our old friend Reuben Haines who I take to be the person meant by Mr Heintz a brewer in Market Street with whom Marggrander is said to have lived to obtain the necessary certificates respecting him and have directed...
53722Thomas Mifflin to the American Peace Commissioners, 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives This day nine States being represented in Congress viz. Massachusets, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, together with one Member from New Jersey and One from New Hampshire, The Treaty of Peace was ratified by the unanimous Vote of the Members. This being done, Congress by an unanimous vote ordered a...
53723To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 15 January 1784[–4 February 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I recd. on the 4th instant the Letter which your Excy did me the honor to write me the 15th Ulto., The kind assurances which it contains of your constant esteem and affection have removed from my mind an uneasiness which had oppressed it for a long time— Until I was led to think that by some means or other your friendship for me was diminished, It was always a...
53724To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Je n’ai qu’un instant de reste pour vous informer, que Mr. Adams est arrivé de Londres, & reparti hier pour Amsterdam d’où je l’espere de retour dans peu de jours. J’espere aussi que l’incluse arrivera assez à temps pour être acheminée s’il se peut avec ma précédente au Congrès. Je suis avec mon respectueux dévouement, De votre Excellence le très-humble &...
53725To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday nine States being for the first time since October last represented, Congress immediately took up and ratified the definitive treaty with the unanimous consent not only of all the states represented but of every individual Member in Congress. And that it might reach you with the greatest dispatch they immediately sent off col J Harmar with the...
53726To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Georges Treuttel, 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Votre Excellence est déjà instruite de l’Almanac Américain qui a été entrepris à Berlin: je m’empresse d’avoir l’honneur d’être le premier à Vous en présenter un & à Vous en faire hommage au nom du libraire entrepreneur le Sr. Spener qui est de mes amis. La beauté, Monsieur, dont il a exécuté ce petit ouvrage, sans enchérir sur le prix, qui n’est que de...
53727To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer en original une lettre qui m’a été ecrite par un Sr. Schaffer qui se dit Lieutenant Colonel de la Milice des Etats Unis, et qui est actuellement détenu dans les prisons de la Conciergerie dans l’attente du Jugement d’un procès criminel qui s’instruit contre lui au Chatelet...
53728To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 15 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you Will excuse me, for the Liberty I take in adviceing you, of the Town of Franklin, & how it Came to be thus Named, a part of the people of Wrentham Wh. Town was too Large, a parish of 40 years Standing prefer’d a petition to the General Court 1778 at the Very time, that we or they, heard that you was Assassinated, in Commeration [commemoration] of...
53729From Benjamin Franklin to Ingenhousz, 16 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library; copy: Library of Congress I have this Day received your Favour of the 2d Instant. Every Information in my Power respecting the Balloons I sent you just before Christmas, contain’d in Copies of my Letters to Sir Joseph Banks. There is no Secret in the Affair, and I make no doubt that a Person coming from you would easily obtain a Sight of the different Balloons of...
53730To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, the Chevalier de Villefranche, and the Chevalier de Rochefontaine … (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. L’Enfant, de Villefranche et de Rochefontaine Se sont presentés pour assurer Monsieur le Docteur franklin de leurs devoirs respectueux, à leur arrivée d’amerique— The wording of this note, written on a half-sheet of paper, leads us to suspect that L’Enfant had not yet called on BF , though he had been in Paris since the middle of December; see the...
53731From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 17 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; press copy of LS : Library of Congress I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 15th. Instant, inclosing one from a certain Schaffer, who calls himself Lieutenant Colonel of the Continental Militia, requesting that you would cause to be restored to him a Bill of Exchange for 60 Dollars, that has my Name on...
53732To Benjamin Franklin from John Charretié, 17 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je suplie Votre Excellence de vouloir bien recevoir mes excuses si je n’ai point eu l’honneur de vous aller faire ma cour à Passy pendant le séjour momentané que j’ai fait à Paris et à Versailles. Les ordres du Ministre ont causé mon départ précipité sans me permettre cette satisfaction dont j’etois si jaloux. A mon arrivée ici, je n’ai point manqué de faire...
53733To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 17 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Colo Harmar the Bearer of this Letter is just arrived from Annapolis charged with the Definitive Treaty Ratified by Congress with which he is to proceed for Paris in order to deliver the same to the Ministers who negotiated the Treaty, that the Ratifications may be exchanged— Congress have directed me to supply Colo Harmar with...
53734To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Toustain-Richebourg, 17 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La société patriotique-Bretonne formée dans la presqu’île de Rhuis, unie sous les auspices de Leurs altesses Royales Monsieur et Madame au premier musée françois, et de la quelle j’ay l’honneur d’être membre et inspecteur-correspondant, m’accorde la flatteuse commission de vous donner avis des hommages rendus dans sa solemnité du 17 7bre dernier aux grandes...
53735To Benjamin Franklin from Anton Georg Eckhardt, [18 January 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Partial copy: American Philosophical Society Comme j’ai pu remarquer, Monsieur, par les Papiers publics votre attention pour la Decouverte si distingué de Monsieur Montgolfier (que je languis infiniment de connoitre), Je puis vous informer que depuis les Experiences que nous avons faites ici les premiers de la Machine Aerostatique qui ont eu le plus desirable Succés (par le procedé même de...
53736To Benjamin Franklin from François-Louis Teissèdre de Fleury, 18 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. de fleury desesperé de partir de paris, sans avoir L’honneur de préndre Congé, de Mr. Le docteur franklin, à L’honneur de L’assurèr de son Respèct. Il le prie de vouloir bien Rénfermèr dans son prémiér paquèt pour Le congrès; Les Léttres qu’il prènd La Libertè de lui adressèr pour les faire parvenir en amérique. Comme elles sont tres importantes pour...
53737To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Chase, 19 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On Fryday last I had the Honour to receive your letter of the 6th. Inst., for which be pleased to accept my thanks. The temporary loss of the Papers gives Me no other Concern, that what arises from the Remembrance that your Illness was the Cause of the Accident. I am glad to hear of your Recovery, & sincerely wish You may never again be afflicted with the...
53738To Benjamin Franklin from Herman Heyman, Jr., 19 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the satisfaction to lay before Your Excellency by the Letter I took the Liberty to address your Excellency the 31 July last a Plan of a Glass-manufactori which I intended to Establish in one of the United Provinces of Nord America for Your Consideration; and beg’d most Humbly from your Excellency the Favor to grant me your Skilful Advise on that head,...
53739To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Feriet, 21 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je crois, Monsieur, avoir trouvè ici Deux maisons entières qui pouraient Vous convenir; elles ont toutes deux des jardins, mais L’une rèunit a ce qu’il me semble, tous Les avantages et les agrèmens qu’il est possible de se procurer a versailles; elle est neuve, et n’a point ètè occuppèe quoiqu’elle soit bâtie depuis quelque tems; Les embellissemens ne sont...
53740To Benjamin Franklin from David Gallwey & Co., 22 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr: Barclay Consul General laid before your Excellency le Comte de Vergennes letter to the underwriters on the american ship Nancy Capn. Sewell saild from Philadelphia for L’orient the 16. March 1783. In Consequence of said letter of which annexed is Coppy The underwriters have summond us at the Court of Admiralty to pay the premio of...
53741To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 23[–27] January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Nationaal Archief Dans l’espérance que vous avez bien reçu, & eu la bonté d’acheminer mes précédentes pour le Congrès, & notamment mon No. 37 du 18e. Dec. au 8e. Janv., & mon Postcrit du 15e., en voici un autre & dernier du 16e., que vous voudrez bien lire, fermer & acheminer pareillement. Je suis avec tout le respectueux dévouement qui vous est connu, De...
53742To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 23 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd your favor of the 26th Ultimo & have been endeavouring all in my Power ever Since to find out the Value of the two Ships you mention, but hitherto I have not been able to succeed, I find these Ships were released by the Court of Denmark, but so long a Time has elapsed, that those who did the Insurance cannot easily turn to the Acc’t indeed the Union...
53743To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Antoine Houdon, [before 24 January 1784] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous prévenir que je dois couler une statüe en bronze: Si cette opération d’un moment peut intérresser votre goût et votre curiosité; je vous prie de me faire celui de vous rendre à onze heures précises du matin 24 de ce mois au lieu indiqué par l’adresse ci-incluse. J’ai l’honneur d être Monsieur Votre très humble et très obeïssant...
53744To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 24 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society Desirous of doing all in my Power, to Save Mr Morriss Bills, I determined to go to Amsterdam, and accordingly, Sett off, the Beginning of this Month from London, in a Season too rigorous for Pleasure.— At Harwich we were obliged to wait Several Days for fair Weather, whcih when it arrived brought Us little Comfort as it was very cold And the Wind...
53745To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Bird, 24 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having the honour of your Protection to establish the fabrication of woolen Cloth in the United states of North america (and the same time I gave You the patterns of Cloth, Cazimear, Ratteen, &c which I manufactur’d in france) For the completeing of the same, and according to my promis, I take the liberty to give you a detail of what I am Capable of...
53746To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 26 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to transmit you herewith a peice written in America against the Cincinnati and a News Paper containing the Institution of that Society.— I pray you when you write on that Subject to Monsieur Gerard to present to him my respectful Compliments. I am affectionately Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant Notation: Paul Jones, Jany. 26....
53747From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 26 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript, AL (draft), and press copy of LS : Library of Congress Franklin had been aware of the Society of the Cincinnati since at least mid-December, when Pierre-Charles L’Enfant arrived in Paris to deliver George Washington’s letters and begin the work of establishing a French branch. A week after L’Enfant’s arrival, however, Franklin still knew nothing specific about the organization and...
53748To Benjamin Franklin from Feriet, 27 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress J’ay vû, Monsieur, Le Sr. Rollin qui a èté très incommodé de sables et de graviers; comme il n’a point ète sondé, et qu’il prètend cette opération fort dangereuse, il n’est point sur S’il avait La pierre en gros ou en détail, mais ce qu’il y a de certain, c’est qu’il est extrêmement soulagé, qu’il peut vacquer Librement a ses affaires et a son service, et que le remède...
53749To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 28 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: William L. Clements Library I am requested by Mr Dempster whom you must probably know by Parliamentary reputation to introduce to your acquaintance the bearer of this letter Dr Ross who proposes to settle in America as a Physician. I have no other acquaintance with him than thro Mr Dempster’s means but he appears by his conversation to be very ingenious and...
53750To Benjamin Franklin from John Coakley Lettsom, 28 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write this at the request of my friend & Countryman Thornton, a Student of medicine, & a young gentleman of fortune from Tortola; who has, like every other person of sentiment & ambition, a fond desire to know Dr. Franklin, & I have taken the liberty to request his delivery of this letter— I think he will make a distinguished character; he has at present...