1To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Saint-Lambert, [after 1 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous n’aurés peutetre pas connu sous le nom de mäer, L’officier dont je Vous ai parlé, ce nom est celui de la famille, mais il porte chès Vous le nom du chevalier de Villepré, il est lieutenant colonel au service des etats unis il est actuellement a nante ou il doit s’embarquer incessamment pour boston. La grace que Mr. de Tressan Vous demande c’est que le...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Chaumont, [after 11 February 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives On vient de m’apprendre qu’un Banquier de Paris a reçu samedy une lettre de son correspondant de Londres qui lui marque qu’il s’est formé dans cette ville un parti contre le Roi et le Parlement. Ils s’appellent Kepellistes du nom de Kepel, ou les Blancs parcequ’ils portent une grande cocarde blanche aux quatre coins de laquelle sont écrits ces mots: vive Louis XVI...
3To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Mercier, [before 10 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
D : University of Pennsylvania Library In the spring of 1777, the commissioners had contracted with Mercier to repair the arms which they had purchased from Montieu. By the summer of 1778, Jonathan Williams, Jr. had become so suspicious of Mercier’s bills that he ordered the work stopped and refused further payments. Mercier, unable to justify his accounts to Williams, then turned to the...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, [before 20 July 1781] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La Société Royale de Medecine m’a chargé de vous adresser un certain nombre des Pieces qui ont été distribuées dans sa derniere séance publique, avec un Rapport concernant les sepultures de l’Ile de Malthe, et imprimé aux fraix de L’Ordre. S’il vous est possible de faire parvenir quelques-unes de ces Pieces en Amérique, Nous vous en aurons beaucoup...
5Note on Marginalia in Benjamin Wilson, Further Observations upon Lightning, [after 25 May 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Wilson’s attack on Franklin in 1773, in Observations upon Lightning , had produced a rebuttal from William Henly before the Royal Society. Wilson counterattacked and, when the Society declined to publish his paper, printed it as a second pamphlet, Further Observations upon Lightning; Together with Some Experiments … (London, 1774). He sent Franklin a presentation copy, dated on the title page...
6Memorandum on Chatham’s Plan of Conciliation, [on or after 1 February 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress On January 29 Chatham left with Franklin the conciliatory plan that he introduced as a bill in the House of Lords three days later, and the American studied and copied it. At the end of his copy is the following memorandum on the rejection of the bill. The above Plan was offered by the Earl of Chatham to the House of Lords, on Wednesday Feb. 1. 1775, under the Title of...
7Marginalia in a Pamphlet by Josiah Tucker, [on or after 22 December 1776] (Franklin Papers)
MS notations in the margins of a copy in the Library of Congress of [Josiah Tucker,] A Series of Answers to Certain Popular Objections, against Separating from the Rebellious Colonies, and Discarding Them Entirely; Being the Concluding Tract of the Dean of Gloucester, on the Subject of American Affairs (Gloucester, 1776). These are the first marginalia by Franklin that deserve extensive...
8Extract from Two Purported Letters by Franklin, 27 July [i.e., after 11 August] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Samuel Hazard, ed., Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania ... (16 vols., Philadelphia, [1828–35]), VI , 37. We are extremely skeptical about both these extracts. The date of the first is certainly wrong, because Hodge was not arrested until August 11. Although Hayfield Conyngham, Gustavus’ cousin, may have received advice from Franklin, we have no other evidence of contact between...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Berington, [after 13 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I feel myself much disappointed in not having found you in Paris, as I had expected. Business, which brought me hither, renders it impossible for me to call on you at present. If I can steal a few hours before my return, I shall with pleasure wait on you. Our friend Dr. Priestley was so obliging as to recommend me to you. I send you his letter with his two...
10Franklin’s Notes for Replying to Two Letters from Ralph Izard, [on or after 1 February 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society This is a rare example of Franklin’s thinking on paper for his eye alone. Some of the notes are now beyond understanding and the meaning of others can only be conjectured; but what he is thinking about is clear: how to answer Izard’s letters above of January 28 and 30. All of his few identifiable references, down to the word “Personals,” are to the first...
11From Benjamin Franklin to R. Parsons, [on or after 12 August 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I did truly tell Capt. Hickey as you mention that I had never given Mr. Parsons the least Encouragement to go to America. Your good Opinion of your Husband, which is very natural and laudable, induces you to think there is some Mistake in this, and you express your Doubt in these Words, “ If IN REALITY he has never had any Countenance from you ,” &c....
12From Benjamin Franklin to [the Marquise de Lafayette], [after 21 September 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Wherever it is in my Power, I should certainly pay the greatest Respect to the Recommendation of Madame de la Fayette, but it is absolutely impossible for me to do what is desired for this M. Rolandeau. He was an Officer in the American Service; he left his Regiment without Leave and came to France. If he would return there it should therefore be at...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [after 18 February 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mon Illustre Docteur J’espere que votre goutte est dissipée je le souhaite beaucoup au moins et que nous ayons le plaisir de vous voir demain un mot seulement pour que je puisse compter sur le plaisir de vous avoir ainsi que Monsieur votre petit fils adieu Mon Illustre Docteur on ne peut vous etre plus passionnément attaché que je vous le suis pour la vie...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [on or after 25 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Bancroft presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr Franklin & sends him inclosed the desired Passport. Addressed: To the Hon’ble / Dr. Franklin / Passy On March 24, a Wednesday, BF had issued an American passport for the vessel London Packet . See Bancroft’s letters to WTF , one of March 20 and the second printed under March 21. The present letter...
15Franklin: Proposed New Version of the Bible, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 308–9. It is now more than 170 years since the translation of our common English Bible. The language in that time is much changed, and the stile being obsolete, and thence less agreeable, is perhaps one reason why the reading of that excellent book is of...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Juppin, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mon papa lon ma priée de vous demander, si les papiers que je vous envoyes ont quelque valeur, si la personne a qui ils appartiennent peut esperer en tirer quelque argent, et sil ne faut pas ladresser a Mr Jay. Je vous presente mon papa, mes civilites, et amities et mes compliments a Mr votre petit fils. The Brillons’ former governess: XXVIII , 8n. Dated on...
17The Abbé Alessandro (Agostino) Beliardi’s Account of Franklin’s Remedy for a Cold, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Bibliothèque nationale M. Holcker a appris du docteur francklin qu’une petite cuiellerée à café de quinquinà jettée dans le fond d’un goblet où l’on verse un peu de lait pour Les bien meler ensemble, ensuitte remplissant le reste du goblet avec du lait, et en avalant un verre le matin à jeune, un autre en se mettant à table pour dinner, et un troisieme en se couchant, que çest un...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Anne Le Page Fiquet, Dame Duboccage, [after 21 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Duboccage rend mille tres humbles graces a Mr. franklin; la Vision de Colomb donne une champ bien vaste a l’imagination du poëte et l’ange avoit Sans doute prévu qu’il naîtroit un législateur tel que le tres docte franklin pour donner la liberté, de bonnes loix et Beaucoup de gloire a son païs. Mde. Duboccage ne renvoie point l’imprimé en cas qu’elle...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Caroline (Charlotte)-Bertrande Chapelle de Jumilhac-Cubjac Bertin, [after 1 March 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Madame Bertine, and acquaints her that he long since gave the Recommendatory Letter and Passport desired, to the Portuguese Ambassador, who had before demanded the same thing: and that the Letter receiv’d thro’ her hands from M. le Baron de Jumilhac shall be duly attended to. He begs leave to assure M. Bertin of...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Jeremy Bentham, [after 10 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): University College, London C Afran This book (if ever it should reach your hands) was written for the use of leading men: nor to any but leading men has it been sent. As such a copy of it comes to you. My notion of you is such that if there be any thing good in it, you will not fail making a good use of it for the benefit of those for whom you act. If at this or any more distant...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [on or after 20 March 1775?]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): Yale University Library This fragment is now bound, in a volume of Franklin’s correspondence with Shipley, as a postscript to the Bishop’s holograph copy of his letter below at the end of June, 1775. But the paper is larger than that of the copy; it has been folded, as the copy has not; and it is addressed and has the remnants of a seal. The conclusion is inescapable that it...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, [after 7 March 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With the most hearty Love and confidenc in your Friendship, Mr. S has deservedly Recomended himself to his Contry and to your Service. Things now are in a fare way of Coming into a Self preserving and Self Cure way . They will now with a littel of your assistance soon work their own way . The Spirit of honest Englishmen seem to git the art of thinking...
23“The Petition of the Letter Z”, [after 12 February 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Along with the official letter of appointment as sole minister plenipotentiary, Franklin also received from Lafayette’s hand several private letters from Philadelphia, dated October 21 and 22, 1778, which bore disturbing news: Ralph Izard, throughout their months of bitter controversy, had been secretly airing his grievances against the elder commissioner in...
24From Benjamin Franklin to [de Reine], [after 12 July 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Les suffrages que vos vers ont obtenus, Monsieur, vous asseurent de leur bonté, je voudrois savoir assez le françois pour sentir tout leur mérite et je vous remercie de l’honeur que vous m’avez fait de me les envoyer; j’ay reçu ce que vous aviez chargé Mr. Brisson de me remettre et j’accepte le ris du thibet a balles noires que vous m’offrez; je ne veux...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, [after 28 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Will yoúr Excellency give me leave to transcribe at the foot of the present the latest important news we gott here from the Continent if she knew it already, She will excúse ús Zeal from the pleasúre we natúrally felt on the Arrivall of two bottoms from oúr frends in those qúarters, we have seven Sail in oúr harboúr and some more are dayly expected; may we...
26Parabole Contre La Persécution, [after February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Printed by Benjamin Franklin, Passy [1780]: Yale University Library Franklin had never intended that his pseudo-chapter of Genesis (1755), later known as “Parable Against Persecution,” be published. The piece, which he had printed on a slip of paper and hidden in his Bible, was a private joke; his now-legendary recitations were a harmless hoax meant to provoke and amuse the company. When...
27To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Rochon, [after 27 October 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. L’Abbé Rochon est prié instament de demander à Mr. Franklin, si l’Eclipse du Soleil vue totale à Penobscot a été observée à New-York ou à New-Cambrige, dont nous ignorons icy les observations à la Reserve de celle de Penobscot qui seule â été envoyée à l’Academie. On a besoin de celles de New Cambrige ou de New-York. On Oct. 9, the newly formed American...
28To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Tott, [after 6 March 1780] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. De Lafayette en partant pour L’amerique m’a Confié La Surveillance dune gravure qui represente Le general Washington, et Je crois ne pouvoir mieux repondre a Ses Vües qu’en madressant a vous pour Le choix et le titre des Bils qui presentent La partie historique, faites moy la grace de m’indiquer le moment ou je pouray aller Vous Consulter a cet egard...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, [after 17 April 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Veillard souhaite le bonjour a monsieur franklin et le prie de vouloir bien luy faire dire s’il peut le prendre en passant pour aller ensemble diner chéz mr. de Malesherbes, et si monsieur Jones y viendra aussi, mr. de Malesherbes ayant chargé monsieur franklin le petit fils de l’y engager. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin ministre plenipo- /...
30To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Golowkin, [after 12 April 1781] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je vous souhaite un tendre bonjour mon cher Papa, et vous prie de me prêter pour quelques instants le recueil des Romances de J.J. Rousseau. La chaleur excessive, des inquiètudes sans nombre, des affaires m’onts empechès tous ces jours ici d’aller vous dire combien je vous aime tendrement, c’est ainsi mon cher Papa, que je vous embrasse. Addressed: à...
31Account of the Contents of the 34 Boxes of Printing Letters, &c Cast at Passy, 27 January 1781[–21 June 1785] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Account of the Printing Letters cast at Passy and contain’d in the 34 Boxes, which are marked in small Figures with a Pen on the Side of each Cover or Lid. viz BF wrote this title on the cover sheet he established for the inventory. Below it, in ink now badly faded, he wrote: “Note: there are [ illegible ] Boxes [ illegible ] / 2 of Great Primer cast by...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 15 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed Your Excellency will find a Letter from a Canadian who Requests I would Recommend Him to You— While I was with Congress, I wrote a public Letter Stating the Case of the Citizens of that province who Had Assisted us and were not paid— I Hope a Committee was Appointed to Consider the Affair— So far as Respects Mr. Calvet, I need not See the Lady, But...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 15 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In reply to your favor of the 5th: instt. I send you the Extract from the English translation of Kæmpfer’s history of Japan Vol. 2nd. Book 5. c. 6. p. 444–5, as follows. “The candles brought in at night, are hollow in the middle; the wick, which is of paper, being wound about a wooden stick, before the tallow is laid on. For this reason also the...
34The American Commissioners to Thulemeier, 14 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress We had the honour of receiving your letter of Janry. 24. covering a translation into French of the Draught of a treaty proposed between His Majesty the King of Prussia & the United States of America, together with answers to the several articles. We have considered them with attention, & with all those dispositions to accomodate them to...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 14 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft), press copy of L , and transcript: Library of Congress Among the Pamphlets you lately sent me, was one intitled Thoughts on Executive Justice. In return for that I send you a French one on the same Subject, Observations concernant l’Execution de l’Article II de la Declaration sur le Vol. They are both address’d to the Judges, but written as you will see in a very different Spirit....
36John Jay to the American Commissioners, 11 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives, Massachusetts Historical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (three) On the 7th. of May 1784 Congress was pleased to resolve “that Treaties of Amity and Commerce be entered into with Morocco, and the Regencies of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli, to continue for the Term of ten Years or for a Term as much longer...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Charles de Butré, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Je viens de lire avec un attendrissement inexprimable les lettres d’un cultivateur américain, elles me confirment dans ce que j’avois toujours pensé Sur la fausse description faite de ce paÿs par l’abbé Raynal historien peu véridique Sur les principaux points de Son histoire politique. C’est une Suite variée des tableaux les plus touchans et les plus...
38To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay: Two Letters, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Library of Congress; AL (draft) Columbia University Library; copy: National Archives; (II) LS : American Philosophical Society You will perceive from the enclosed Resolution of Congress which passed Yesterday That you are permitted to return to America as soon as convenient. This Circumstance must afford great Pleasure to your Family and Friends here, and I am persuaded you will...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Lorenzo Manini, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eté tres sensible à l’honneur de vos bontés, Monsieur, et je Vous en marque ma satisfaction par la version, que j’en ai fait moi même. Ce compliment passe la regle ordinaire, il Vous convient, agréez-le, Monsieur; et si j’ai reussi, procurez moi d’autres occasions d’augmenter, s’il se peut, vôtre celebrité en Italie. Vos Constitutions auront leur tour...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 8 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai communiqué M. a M. le Mal. de Castries la nouvelle note que vous m’aviez fait l’honneur de me remettre relativement à la Contestation qui S’etoit elevée a Nantes entre le Contre maitre et le Capne. du navire americain La marianne. Ce ministre vient de me faire la reponse dont je joins icy une copie. Vous y verrez, M. les raisons qui...
41From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 5 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I received your kind Letter by my Grandson. I thank you for the Civilities you show’d him when in London. I hope to get home this ensuing Summer. I shall have an old Acct. to settle there with the Family of our Friend Hall. There is a particular Article of some Importance, about which we were not agreed, but were to be determined by your Opinion. It was the Value...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 5 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yesterday your kind Letter of the 23d past, with a Pacquet of Books and Pamphlets. I am much oblig’d by your friendly Attention in sending them. I have as yet only had time to run over the Thoughts on Executive Justice. They have given Rise to some Thoughts in my Mind on the same Subject, which perhaps I may communicate to you in my next. I am...
43Thulemeier to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 4 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨The Hague, March 4, 1785, in French: The orders of the king, which I have now received, enable me to respond more fully to your last letter, which I acknowledged in my letter of February 11. His Majesty is convinced that the establishment of one or two free ports would be useless, after the very apt remark by the American plenipotentiaries that Articles 2 and 3...
44To Benjamin Franklin from James Partridge, 3 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The packet sent me for Mrs Barry shall be taken care of, & this letter for Governor Pownal as it relates to her affairs I shall deliver my self & shall be glad if he can say any thing that may be advantageous to the good little Woman. My Niece & I return you our warmest thanks for your polite wishes on our journey & for the many Civilities shew’d us at your...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Windisch-Grätz, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est avec le plus grand plaisir du monde, que je vois par l’obligeante reponse dont vous m’honnorez Monsieur, que vous approuvez mon déssein; mais je Suis bien Surpris, que les exemplaires, que j’ai eu lhonneur de vous addresser ne vous Soient point parvennus. Le paquet a été fermé Sous mes yeux, et la ettre, que j’ai eu lhonneur de vous ecrir Se trouvoit...
46From Benjamin Franklin to James Partridge, 2 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Reprinted from Christie’s, Fine printed books and manuscripts including Americana (December 16, 2004), lot 384. Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Partridge, & begs his Care of the enclos’d Letter to Govr Pownall now at Marseilles, it relating to the Affairs of Mrs Barry. Mr F. takes the Liberty Mr Partridge was so good as to allow him of sending a Packet to his Care for Mrs...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Library of Congress The above is Extract of a Letter I wrote you in Septr. 1782. I had been misinformed as to the Receipt of the Box at Ostend. It had it seems been put on board a London Ship which was to touch at Ostend for Imperial Papers; but was not landed there, The Ship being bound to the West Indies, carried it thither, where it has lain till lately that a...
48Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society ⟨March 1, 1785: Mr. Jefferson sends Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin his notes on the treaty with Prussia. When Mr. Adams has perused them, he should send them to Dr. Franklin. Mr. Jefferson proposes a meeting at Passy on Thursday [ March 3 ] at 12 o’clock. He sends “the Prussian propositions, mr. Adams’s & Dr. Franklin’s notes, & the former project & observations...
49To Benjamin Franklin from John Coakley Lettsom, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society The enclosed is a rough sketch of a few data, which I mean to enlarge, as soon as I am informed; of the certainty of these data. May I request the favour of a line; which shall be confidential. I have a copy of the enclosed, which need not be returned. I have desired my frd, Des Gesnettes to wait upon thee for any commands; in order to take off any trouble of...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Baron von Grimm, 28 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Bon. de Grimm, Ministre Plénipe. de Saxe Gotha, prend la liberté de recommander aux bontés de Monsieur Franklin les porteurs de ce billet, M. Landolt de Zurich et Son Mentor, M. le Chanoine Neckerman de Coblence. Ces deux voyageurs ne peuvent Se résoudre à quiter la France, Sans avoir rendu leurs hommages à Monsieur Franklin. Le Bon. de Grimm Supplie...