14501To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-François-Paul Grand, [after 17 December 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de prèsenter à Monsieur Le Docteur franklin, mes Sentimens Respectueux. Mon Père me Charge de lui tèmoigner combien il regrette d’être privé d’avoir l’honneur de l’aller voir par une fluxion cruelle qui depuis plusieurs jours le Tourmente, & aussi la nuit. J’ai aussi l’honneur de vous remercier Monsieur de l’interêt que vous avez eu la bonté...
14502To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Pastoret, 19 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La faveur que j’ai d’etre membre comme vous de la loge des neuf sœurs m’enhardit a vous demander une grace. C’est au sujet de la place de vice consul des etats unis à dieppe. Je prens le plus vif interêt à un négotiant de cette ville, plein de talens et d’activité, qu’on nomme M. dupuis. Je desirerois qu’il put mériter de votre part cette marque d’estime,...
14503Sousa Coutinho to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 22 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, December 22, 1784, in French: I received your letter and the plan of a treaty it enclosed, which I will forward to the court at Lisbon. ⟩ Published in Jefferson Papers, VII , 580. The commissioners’ letter was dated Nov. 30 (above). The Portuguese court returned no answer until the fall of 1785, when it was prodded again by Sousa, himself responding to a...
14504To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander John Alexander, 22 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honour to Inform you of the different steps I had taken to bring about an Accomodation with my Adversaries, & as I was long ago fully determined to make great sacrifices for Peace I have been for some time pretty sanguine of Obtaining it. Even last night I have a letter from my Nephew which mentions that the Friends of the parties had met, that my...
14505To Benjamin Franklin from André de Tronquoy, 22 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de tronquoy président tresorier de france, logé hotel de la paix rue de richelieu a paris, a l’honneur d’assurer de Son réspect Monsieur de francklin Ministre plenipotentiaire des etats unis de l’amerique Septentrionale. Il le prie de vouloir bien luy indiquer jour et heure, ou il pourra Se transporter chés Monsieur de francklin, pour y conférer avec luy,...
14506To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Tabb Bolling, 24 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the opportunity by the first post after having presented the letter of recommendation you were so good as to procure me for this town, to inform you of the reception I met with from it, and to thank you for your friendly attention to me during my short stay at Paris. I left that town the Monday after I received your polite note, and after a very...
14507To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington, 24 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This address will be accompanied with an application from Mr Andrew Huntington requesting your Aid in order to obtain a ballance due to him for monies he advanced, to relieve Some French Troops in distress, at the request of Mr Holker, then Consul; The loss is great to Mr Huntington more than he can well Sustain, & he thinks it extreemly hard that he Should...
14508To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Moore, 24 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to Inform you the Printing Press I have sent to M. le Chevr Holker should have sent it sooner but could nod get a ship before this, which is the Adventure John Damon Master the Custom Huse expences &c are 7 s. which you are Indepted to your Most Humbl servant Addressed: Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique /...
14509To Benjamin Franklin from François-Louis Bayard, 26 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous exposer combien le traitté que Sous vos auspices Je fis avec les Etats de Georgie m’a été préjudiciable, je ne puis tirer aucun Secours de Millions en papier de ce pays. Pour terminer un Arrangement avec mes Creanciers je vous Supplie Monsieur de Recommander le Memoire cy inclus a Monsieur Le Baron de Breteuil.— Je ne puis Monsieur...
14510To Benjamin Franklin from François-Félix Nogaret, [December 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous vous souvenez de nos conventions. J’ai l’honneur de vous faire passer une note que nous avons reçue. Dans la Reponse que vous me ferez La grace de m’adresser, Je vous Serai obligé de mettre à La fin Je vous prie de vouloir bien Mr communiquer ma Lettre aux membres de la R ∴ L ∴ Ecossaise du Patriotisme, et de lui temoigner mes regrets ainsi que Le...
14511Drawing and Description of a Boat for Fishing Parties on the Delaware River, [1784?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society The person who inspired Franklin to think about the design of small craft for use on rivers was, it seems, Julien-David Le Roy. By the early 1780s, when the architect began discussing his ideas with Franklin—including improvements to hot-air balloons—he was deeply absorbed in trying to design boats with sails, masts, and hulls that would allow for more...
14512To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne de Bourdic, [1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Son excellence daignera telle Se rappeller dune femme qu’elle a Comble de bontes a passi et qui a eu lhonneur de La voir asses Souvent pour etre autant ladmiratrice de Ses vertus que de Ses talents; elle Conserve avec Soin La medaille qu’il lui donna Cest Le gage precieux d’un Sentiment dont elle Shonore et dont elle jouit; elle a porte avec elle Le petit...
14513To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Mirabeau, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 1 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permestes monsieur que je me rappelle dans lhonneur de votre souvenir et que je vous renouve le dans le commencement de lanné les voeux que je fait pour vous cest une hommage qui vous est due a tant de titres par a venerattion que vous vous attires de tout ce qui vous connoit et que je vous rand avec empressement. Oserais je vous demander une grace pour un...
14514From Benjamin Franklin to Bedtinger, 2 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS , American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire pour solliciter la Place de Vice Consul des E.U. de l’Amerique au Havre, pour le sr. Dupuis.— Il m’auroit èté infiniment agréable de remplir vos Vues à cet égard s’il avoit dependu de Moi; mais Je n’y puis rien. M. Barclay notre Consul Général est seul autorisé a faire...
14515From Benjamin Franklin to Glier, 2 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Galerie Frédéric Castaing, Paris (2016); L (draft): Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire au sujet d’un nommé Thomas Dunlop, se disant Americain:— Et Je vous dois des Remerciements pour le soin que vous en avez pris le supposant tel.— Mais par le Compte qu’il a rendu de lui meme, Je soupçonne très fort, qu’il est ou Anglois, ou...
14516To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Joseph de Mayer, 2 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je viens, monsieur, vous faire une priere: cest de vouloir bien m’indiquer chez qu’el libraire je trouverai à paris, le recueil des constitutions fedérales des insurgens. Ce livre que je demande inutilement, m’est necêssaire, dans le moment, et j’ai cru devoir enfin vous prier, ou de me le procurer en lecture, ou de me donner des moyens de m’en rendre...
14517To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 2 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mariamne has made me a new Years Present of a very fine Girl, both mother & Child are in a fine way & I am in hopes the Scheme of Nursing will Succeed. Accept my hearty good wishes for as many returns of this Season as you yourself desire, I don’t know how many that is, but I hope at least it will not interfere with your Dixenniel Custom for at least twice...
14518To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Antoine Roucher, [before 3 January 1785] (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation, signed, with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society L∴ R∴ L∴ des Neuf Sœurs, est convoquée pour le Lundy 3 du iieme. mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5784, en son local, Hotel du Musée, rue Dauphine, à Onze heures précises. La Séance Académique Sera remplie par les ff∴ Du Paty, Marnésia, Pastoret, Roucher, De Cubières, Lantier et Le Changeux, Et Sera Suivie d’un Banquet. Vous...
14519From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 3 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin … (2nd ed., 2 vols., London, 1817), II , 455–7. I received your kind letter of December 1, from Bath. I am glad to hear that your good sister is in a fair way towards recovery; my respects and best wishes attend her. I communicated your letter to Mr. Jefferson, to remind him of his promise to...
14520From Benjamin Franklin to Mayer, 3 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Biblioteche Civiche e Raccolte Storiche, Turin I have just receiv’d the Piece, entitled, Asgill, &c. which you have been so good as to send me. Please to accept my Thanks, together with the Book of our Constitutions, which I send herewith. I am, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant Mayer was one of the several writers producing fictional renditions of the Charles Asgill story...
14521To Benjamin Franklin from Mordejay Delamar, 3 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Notwithstanding the grief I withold when misfortunes befalls my fellow Creatures and the Supreme Being is pleased to punish us with Prudence we must Resign to his pleasure. Also I must Acqt. you by ordr. of His Imperial Majesty of Morocco that the Brig Betsey from Philadelphia bound to Tereneffe taken on the Barbary...
14522To Benjamin Franklin from Henri Fizeaux & Cie., 3 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous avons l’honneur de vous informer qu’ayant acquite les interets á 5 p% sur un Capital de f. 51,000—Emprunté pour Le Compte des Etats unis, nous nous en remboursons aujourd’hui sur M. Grand de Paris, en [ecus?] 1857.19. —á 3 usances faisant au change de 53⅛ en B f. 2466.15—lesquels réduits á l’agio de 103⅜ forment les susdits arrérages de f. 2550. Nous...
14523To Benjamin Franklin from Du Calvet, 4 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçue le 28 de decembre par penny post la lettre que Votre Excellence m’a fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 14 d’octobre dernier. Si cette lettre est partie de passy par la voie directe de la poste, il n’est pas difficile de deviner la cause, qui la prolongeé Si ong tems Sur la route, avant de parvenir jusqu’a moi; les Soupçons et la malice du despotisme...
14524From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 9 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS and AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I received your Letter of the 29th. past with the State of the Interest Money claimed by the Department of Finance as due the 1st. Inst, the Account of your Advances for the United States, and a Copy of the Letter of Messrs. Willink & Staphorst offering you by Order of Mr. Morris 400,000 Livres the Sum due...
14525To Benjamin Franklin from Chiappe, 10 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of ALS in Italian: National Archives; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The enclosed is a copy of the original forwarded to Your Excellency by route of Dar-al-Beida and Cádiz. Now I must inform you of the arrival at this Court of the Captain in question, having occurred the 17th day of last December, whose name is James Erwin of Philadelphia, Commander of the...
14526To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Hare, 12 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The kindness & indulgence you have ever shewn me & which have been the chief pride of my life encourages me to trouble you on this occasion when I very much want your friendship & advice— Mr Franklin will have told you of my marriage with Mr Hare, but I had no opportunity of informing him of our future plans & it is on that subject I wish to consult you— Mr...
14527John Jay to the American Commissioners, 14 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and two copies: National Archives On the 21st. Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived.— The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business— Congress...
14528To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Chabert, 14 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Mis. de chabert chef d’Escadre a l’honneur de prévenir Monsieur Franklin qu’avant de donner à l’impression pour le volume de l’histoire de l’académie des sciences de 1783 un mémoire dans lequel un objet qui l’interesse se trouve traité, il a à coeur de le ui lire; il prie pour cela Monsieur Franklin de vouloir bien lui mander si, sans le derranger, il...
14529To Benjamin Franklin from the “Chevalière” d’Eon, 14 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La personne qui aura l’honneur de vous remettre cette lettre, est Mr. Falconnet avocat de grande reputation, et mon ami particulier. Il m’a dit qu’il avoit à vous Communiquer une affaire, qui concerne les interêts de vos etats reunis; Vous pouvez prendre toute confiance en lui, comme à un trés galant homme & en cette qualité je ne doute pas que vous ne lui...
14530To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 14 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send this inclosed in a lettre to Dr. LeBegue by a privat hand, only to inform you, that I continue in good health, and to make you remembre how much I desire to hear from you. I was in hopes, that, now your country enjoys the happiness, that has been the object of your desires, you would spend the remainder of your days in Philosophical leasure, as you...
14531To Benjamin Franklin from [Fortunato Bartolomeo de Felice], 15 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Permettez qu’un admirateur depuis 35 ans aumoins de vos grands talens vous adresse la lettre ci jointe, elle servira de preface a quelques idées que j’ai mises par écrit ces jours passes et que je viens de donner à l’imprimerie. Un personnage distingué de la Haye m’envoya il y a 6 semaines les Observations de M. l’Abbé de Mably, sur les differentes...
14532To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de La Rouërie, 15 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The ponctuality of america in her engagement with us having impressed our hearts with gratitude & respect, we have wished to communicate and fire theses sentiments in every honest Breast in our Country—we have thought that, by publishing the inclosed paper—we would, in some measure, attain our purpose—I send it to your Exellency for your approbation, and as...
14533To Benjamin Franklin from Tronquoy, [after 15 January 1785] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress J’ai ecrit a Bordeaux dans votre intêret comme j’ai eu l’honneur d’en convenir avec vous. Ci joint les copies de mes lettres, ensemble la reponce que j’ai reçu. Par le courier de demain j’ecrirai encore pour qu’on employe la voye la plus prompte pour l’expédition qu’on doit me faire. Je m’emprésserai de vous faire passer le Remede des que je l’aurai reçu avec...
14534To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Beyer, 17 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Les bontés dont vous daignés m’honorer m’enhardissent à prendre la liberté de vous informer que MM. de l’académie m’ont fait dire de me rendre à leur assemblée de mercredi prochain, avec l’instrument dont je Suis l’inventeur. Comme je ne fais aucun doute, Monsieur, du plaisir que vous aurés à apprendre le Jugement que ces Mrs. auront porté Sur la...
14535To Benjamin Franklin from James Erwin, 17 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Tis with the utmost Grief I acqt. you the Accident which as befallen me at my Departure from Cadix bound to Tereniffe but unfortunately taken by one of the Emperor of Morroccos Cruizers and carried to Tangier were my Vessel lays. Obliged afterwards myself & people with many fatigues to proceed to Morrocco to the Emperor with whom I spoke to and...
14536To Benjamin Franklin from Henri Fizeaux & Cie., 20 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Pott & Cie. de Lausanne nous ont fait parvenir Suivant vos ordres un ballot de Livres, en nous en recommandant l’expedition ulterieure à M Thompson à Philadelphie, ce que nous ne differerons pas d’executer, si vous ne nous en ordonnés pas autrement, nous prierons ensuite M. Grand de nous rembourser de nos frais, présumant que telles Sont vos...
14537The American Commissioners to Thulemeier: Résumé, 21 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives ⟨Passy, January 21, 1785: We have received your letter of December 10. We assumed that the principles contained in the draft treaty, which we sent to you, would answer the request made at the end of your letter of October 18. According to Articles 2 and 3, the citizens and subjects of each power may visit all the coasts and countries of the other and reside and trade...
14538Pio to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 22 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, January 22, 1785, in French: I gave the king your letter of September 27, 1784, offering to conclude a treaty of amity and commerce. He has authorized me to assure you that nothing would give him greater pleasure. His Majesty has lately opened and established a free port at Messina in Sicily, open to all nations, as the enclosed edict will show. Moreover,...
14539To Benjamin Franklin from Gioanni Francesco Viglione: Résumé, 22 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania ⟨Turin, January 22, 1785, in Italian: Most illustrious and honorable Professor, I send you my work in the fervent hope that you will enjoy such a first effort, and forgive the many mistakes in printing. Drawing on the fundamental principles of your theory, I have dared to slightly disagree with you and Professor Beccaria in my own experiments and...
14540To Benjamin Franklin from John Walter, 23 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By your Grandson I had the Honor to transmit you a Copy of the first Letter in the Alphabet in the Mode I pursue in printing, which I hope came safe to Hand, though the Rect I am not honor’d with an Acknowledgemt. of. Several Books having been issued from my Press on various Subjects among the rest Adams on Electricity & the first Volume of a Series of...
14541Thulemeier to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 24 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨The Hague, January 24, 1785, in French: The king has authorized me to transmit to you some observations on the counterproject of the treaty of commerce, which you sent me on November 10 and which a Dutch courier delivered on the twenty-sixth. An express courier charged with dispatches for the Dutch ambassador at Paris provides me today with a safe and swift...
14542From Benjamin Franklin to Georgiana Hare, 25 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Your Letter of the 12th Inst. came duly to hand. I congratulate you & Mr Hare on your Marriage, & wish you every Felicity. I will answer your Enquiries as well as I can. The Cultivators of Land are a respectable Part of our People in Pensilvania, being generally Proprietors of the Land they cultivate, out of whom are chosen the Majority of our Magistrates,...
14543To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Archambault, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 25 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. Mottin de la Balme, aprés s’estre retiré de l’Etat Major de la Gendarmerie avec rang de Capitaine de Cavalerie, avec l’agrément du Ministere passa en amérique pendant la Guerre qu’elle á Soutenue contre l’Angleterre, avec titre de Colonel, et la permission d’emmener avec lui vingt cinq volontaires. Le General Wasingthon le fit inspecteur Général de toute...
14544To Benjamin Franklin from Ann Ourry, 27 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I did myself the Honor of Writing to You by a Similar opportunity about two Years ago, but am certain that letter never reach’d you, for exclusive of the long friendship that subsisted between You & my Dear Father, & the kind attention You were so good to shew my Mother, & me in my Childhood, I know the Unfortunate have a claim on Your humanity that...
14545To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 28 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Doctr. Franklin & sends him some newspapers received from America, which when he shall have perused he will beg the favor of him to send to mr. Adams. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. Franklin / Ministre plenip. / des etats unis d’Amerique / á Passy
14546From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 1 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received duly your kind Letter of Oct. 21. and another before with some of your excellent Pamphlets of Advice to the United States. My last Letters from America inform me that every thing goes on well there; that the new elected Congress is met, and consists of very respectable Characters with excellent Dispositions; and the People in general very happy under...
14547From Benjamin Franklin to John Walter, 1 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from John Walter, An Address to the Public, by J. Walter, Shewing the Great Improvement He Has Made in the Art of Printing, by Logographic Arrangements … (London, 1789), p. 14. I received by my grandson, the copy of your mode of arranging the first letter in the alphabet, which is very curious, and I am much obliged to you for it;—please to accept my hearty thanks.— I have since...
14548The Conte di Scarnafiggi to the American Commissioners: Résumé, 2 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, February 2, 1785, in French: Having informed my court of the letter you wrote to me on September 22 of last year, notifying me that you were authorized by the United States of America to negotiate a treaty of commerce with His Sardinian Majesty, I hereby inform you that the king will be pleased if United States ships use the free port he has at Nice,...
14549To Benjamin Franklin from Madame ——— Düeil, 6 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les bonté dont Madame adelaide honnore ma familles mayant atire a versalles pour luy faire des remercimant jesperé profitté de Ce momant pour avoir lhonneur de vous faire ma Cours et vous demandé vos hordre [ordres] pour du vin de chanpangne ayant lieux desperé que vous avés esttes Contans de Celuy que jay heut lhonneur de vous fournir au moy daout quatre...
14550To Benjamin Franklin from Esprit-Antoine Gibelin, 7 February 1785 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Augustin Dupré began making sketches for a Benjamin Franklin medal in 1783. The obverse was straightforward: it would show Franklin in profile, with his undressed hair falling about his shoulders. One preliminary sketch ringed the portrait with a legend identifying him as minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America. The final version, struck in...