1To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe Valltravers, 6 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Valltravers’s best Respects wait on Dr. Franklin, and sends him the Memorial, he promised him, and Mr. Colinson, for their true Information about the Troubles At Geneva. He goes to Bath on Monday, and will call on his Return to Town. Valltravers was a shadowy, though well-meaning, figure who corresponded frequently with BF during the latter’s war-time...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe Valltravers, 20 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Valltravers presents his best Respects to Dr. Franklin, hopes He continues well, and begs the Favour of his kind acceptance, Perusal, and opinion of the enclosed Swiss Performance. For an earlier note from Valltravers, the wandering journalist and F.R.S., see above, XIV , 24. With that note and this one he enclosed material, not now identifiable, on the...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe Valltravers, 25 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Our predecessors’ introduction of Valltravers, at the time when he and Franklin were acquainted in London, called him “a shadowy, though well-meaning, figure.” Although he is still somewhat shadowy, we now know more about him. He was born in Berne in 1723 and died in 1814 or 1815. He came to England in 1750, was naturalized in 1757, and the next year married...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Rodolphe Valltravers, 2 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Rodh. Valltravers has called, to pay his Respects to the Doctor, and to enjoy a few minutes Interview, on several interesting Matters. Will do himself the Honor, to call again, as soon as the Doctor shall be pleased to signify by a Line, what Time may Suite his Convenience best to receive him? directed to his Lodgings in Town. Vs. Rüe et Hôtel de Berry, au...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 8 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Rodh. Valltravers presents his best Respects to Messieurs Franklin, and is requested by his Excellency Count d’Eyk, the Envoy of the Elector of Bavaria, who lives in the Rüe St. Anthoine Hôtel de Beauvais, not far from R.Vs., to intreat the Favor of their Company at Dinner, either on Friday, or Saturday next, at two o’Clock, if not otherwaÿs engaged. RVs.,...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Republicks of Switzerland have been treated with the same Contempt by the present Rulers of G. Britain as all other States and Républicks in Europe. A private Secretary to Mr. Norton has been these several Years, and during the whole Negotiation of the inclosed Treaty of alliance with France, the only Representative of his Brittish Majesty amongst us,...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Rodolph Valltravers, 10 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Just returned from a Tour thro’ the principal of our Cantons, I found all my Countrymen concerned for the Misfortunes of England and N. America. Is there no Means to prevent the Destruction of both? Yes, there is, please God! Let but a just, equitable, pacifying Mediator step between both, and reconcile them upon liberal, safe, and honorable Principles....
8To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These Lines will be conveyed to you by the Elector Palatine’s secretary of the ambassy, Mr. David, who setts out for Paris to morrow, and will, I hope, come safe to Hand. What has been the Fate of my 3. last Letters from my House, at Rockhau, near Bienne in Switzerland, written September 21t. and 26. and another the 9th. of last Month, I don’t know. If...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 10 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am not surprized, if my Letters, of Septr. 21t. and 26th. from my Seat at Roccall, near Bienne in Switzerland; of Novr. 9th. from Berne and Decr. 4th. from Mannheim have hitherto remained unanswered. I could not inform Your Excellency, how to direct to me; having been continually moving from Switzerland to Mannheim and from Mannheim to this City. From...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 15 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Letter of the 10th. instant mentioned a Book, which I begged your kind Acceptance of. It was: Simlerus de Rebus publicis Helvetiorum . That Book went off this morning, (without my Letter, brought by Mistake to the Post-Office,) by a Merchant of this Place, Mr. Benoit Charpin; recommended to the care of Monsr. Constant, Rüe de Gesvres, a la Tête noire, à...