1From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 19 August 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3. but that you mention to have wrote per Mr. Balfour, is not come to hand. I forwarded the Pacquet inclos’d in that of July 23. as directed; and shall readily take care of any other Letters from or for you, that pass thro’ my hands. The Post between this Place and Winchester was established for the Accommodation of the...
2The Pennsylvania Committee of Safety to George Washington, 17 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress The Committee of Safety for this City and Province, being informed on saturday last, that a Ship from Cork had come up to Gloucester with some passengers, Officers of the Ministerial Army, and a Quantity of Cloathing for that Army at Boston, immediately sent down Capt: Bradford with thirty Men to take those Officers prisoners, and at the same time an Armed Boat, to...
3From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): New York Public Library I am much obliged by your kind Care of my unfortunate Letter, which at last came safe to hand. I see in it a Detail of the mighty Force we are threatned with; which however I think it is not certain will ever arrive; and I see more certainly the Ruin of Britain if she persists in such expensive distant Expeditions, which will probably prove more disastrous...
4From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 22 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Kunstsammlungen der Veste Coburg The Bearer, Mr. Joseph Belton some time since petitioned the Congress for Encouragement to destroy the Enemy’s Ships of War by some Contrivances of his Invention. They came to no Resolution on his Petition; and, as they appear to have no great Opinion of such Proposals, it is not easy, in the Multiplicity of Business before them, to get them to bestow any...
5From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 8 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Congress having appointed Mr. Adams, Mr. Rutledge and my self, to meet Lord Howe, and hear what Propositions he may have to make, we purpose setting out to-morrow, and to be at Perth Amboy on Wednesday morning, as you will see by the enclos’d, which you are requested immediately to forward to his Lordship; and if an Answer comes to your hands, that you would...
6From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress The Bearer, Monsr. Dorcet, is extreamly desirous of entring into the American Service, and goes over at his own Expence, contrary to my Advice (as I apprehend you have already more foreign Officers than you can possibly employ) and without the smallest Expectation given him by me of his obtaining a Place in our Army. This at least shows...
7From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 2 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS and AL (draft): Library of Congress As I see that the Congress has resolved upon raising 3000 Horse for the ensuing Campaign I hope M. de Cenis the bearer of this Letter, may be of great Use in forming some of the Troops, as he is acquainted with that Service, having been a Captain of Dragoons. He goes over at his own Expence, without the least Encouragement or Promise from me, which indeed...
8From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Count Pulawski of Poland, an Officer famous throughout Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defence of the Liberties of his Country against the three great invading Powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia, will have the Honour of delivering this into your Excellency’s Hands. The Court here have encouraged and promoted his Voyage, from an Opinion that he may be highly...
9From Benjamin Franklin to [George Washington], 11 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress I do every thing in my Power to discourage foreign Officers from going over to enter into our Service, knowing well how difficult it is to place them, to their Satisfaction and the public Utility, particularly as most who apply are unacquainted with our Language. The Person who will have the Honour of presenting this Letter to your Excellency, M. le Baron de...
10From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington: Two Letters, 13 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy of each: National Archives The Person who will have the Honour of delivering this to your Excellency, is Monsieur le Baron de Frey, who is well recommended to me as an Officer of Experience and Merit, with a Request that I would give him a Letter of Introduction. I have acquainted him that you are rather overstock’d with Officers, and that his obtaining Employment in your Army is...