1To Benjamin Franklin from Le Ray de Chaumont, [after 8 January 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont a L’honneur de proposer a S. E Monsieur franklin d’aller faire unne visite ce matin a M. Le Comte Dorvilliers qui a Si Bien accueilli nos freres americains. M. franklin voudra Bien dire a quelle heure il partira Si la proposition luy Convient. When the comte d’Orvilliers ( XXVI , 236n), the recently retired former commander of the great...
2Definitive 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,...
3From 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...
4To 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...