1From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12[–16] October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 4th. Instant. I have never known a Peace made, even the most advantageous, that was not censured as inadequate, and the Makers condemn’d as injudicious or corrupt. Blessed are the Peacemakers , is I suppose to be understood in the other World: for in this they are more frequently...
2From John Adams to Ferdinand Grand, 12 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favours of September 14 and 28th. but, by reason of an Amsterdam Fever, which they call an Introduction to the Freedom of the City, have not been able to answer them untill now. The article of L2411: 9s: 9d, which Mr Dana requested your Father you to pay me, arose in this manner. Mr Dana was here, bound to Paris and was Suspicious that he had not cash enough to bear his...
3To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 12 October 1781 (Adams Papers)
I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 4th. Instant. I have never known a Peace made, even the most advantageous, that was not censured as inadequate, and the Makers condemn’d as injudicious or corrupt. Blessed are the Peace makers , is I suppose to be understood in the other World: for in this they are more frequently cursed. Being as yet rather too much...
4From Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [12 October 1781] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you two days since My Dear Betsey, but as I am informed by one of the Gentlemen at Head Quarters that there is an opportunity for Philadelphia, I embrace it with that pleasure which I always feel in communicating with you. You complain of me my love, for not writing to you more frequently, but have I not greater reason to complain of you? Since I left Kings ferry, I have received three...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 12 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Je reçois hier au soir la precieuse Lettre de ma chere fille, datée à Lyon le 6e. & je renvoyois tout de suite celle qui a été incluse pour Made le Veillard. Vous vous plaignez de nous que vous n’aviez pas de nos Nouvelles. C’est que nos Lettres sont envoyées à Nice, pour vous rencontrer là, ou j’espere que vous serez bientôt, afin d’y vous reposer aprés les...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Foulke, 12 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As a child of Science, & a person who owes to you a protection & numberless attentions during my Stay at Paris which will do me profit & honor all my life—I feel toward you more than that duty & veneration which would be due to a natural parent for such obligations— Those advantages afforded me by the many learned & honorable acquaintances wh. which your...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 12 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having occasion to be absent a few days on business, I gave orders to reply to the Letter you honor’d me with of the 14th Ulto: & concluded untill this day, it had been duly answer’d.— My surprize & vexation was extreme to find it had not. One of the Packets for America, I have forwarded by the Ship Anne, Captain Josiah, who sail’d the 3d Inst., the other...
8Certification of a Deed, [12 October 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society I the underwritten do hereby certify, that the within Writing appears to me to be a genuine Deed, being in all the Forms customary in Philadelphia, where it purports to have been executed. Based on a certificate d’Autun himself had drafted in French for BF to use as a model. It began by asserting that the signature of John Miller, “un des Juges de paix pour...
9[Diary entry: 12 October 1781] (Washington Papers)
12th. Began our second parallel within abt. 300 yards (& in some places less) of the enemys lines and got it so well advanced in the course of the Night as to cover the Men before morning. This business was conducted with the same secresy as the former & undertaken so much sooner than the enemy expected (we should commence a second parallel) that they did not by their conduct, & mode of...
10General Orders, 12 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Trenches Tomorrow Major General Marqs de la Fayette Brigadiers General Muhlenberg & Hazen The Marquis de la Fayette’s division will mount on the trenches tomorrow. The superintendant of the Deposit of the trenches is requested to have the quality of the Saucissons Fascines and Gabions brought to the Deposit accurately inspected; to reject such as are not fit for use, and Report the...