511To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 24 [February 1779?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai été bien malade mon chér papa, et je suis encore bien souffrante et bien foible, j’ai ce qu’on appélle, maladie de nérfs: mal dont on ne peut s’empeschér de voir les efféts, et dont je crois qu’on ignore encore les causes puisqu’il n’y a aucuns remédes connus, et qu’on en est a l’éssai pour les palliatifs: on dit que ce mal provient d’une grande...
512From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me yours of the 19th & 20th inst. I receiv’d also yours of the 16th per M. Bory to whom I shall on your Recommendation shew every Civility in my Power. I return accepted your two Drafts of 12000 Livres each as also the Congress Draft for 300£. I think our People mad to give such a Price for Madeira. I hope the Bordeaux you send will be so good as to...
513From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank your Excellency for the Appointment of a frigate to escort the Ships from Nantes to the Isle of Aix, and the Assurances of Protection to our Vessels who may join the Convoy there. Our Frigate the Alliance, is order’d to prepare for returning immediately to America. If your Excy. should think fit to send some Dispatches by her, they may probably go safe, as she...
514From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duely receiv’d yours of the 18, with Advice of your Drawing for 58407 l.t. 14 s. 0 d. as the Ballance of your Acct with the Commrs. I shall accept your Bills when they appear. In settling M. Williams’s Accounts, M. Lee insisted on having all the Vouchers in support of each Article produced here. How far this is agreeable to the Customs of Merchants I know not, but...
515From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes: Two Letters, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (incomplete draft) and copy: Library of Congress; (II) ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress The first of these letters represents one of Franklin’s few imprudent acts as a diplomat. His congressional instructions had ordered him to seek French help in attacking Quebec and Halifax, but here he...
516To Benjamin Franklin from Henrÿ Dubois, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les offres gracieuses que votre Excellence a daigné me faire lorsque j’eus l’honneur de la voir dans mon voyage de paris au mois de mars dernier, me donne la Confiance de lui marquer que jusqu’a présent je n’ai pas été assez heureux de trouver l’occasion de lui être utile; sauf celle d’aider M. Wallisch et Mr. hancock, de posmoute, en les recommandant a M....
517To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Gridley, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having been informed of your Intentions, to appoint a Consul for the United States of America to reside in France. My own observation from the various difficulties that have frequently happen’d since my stay here, between the Masters & Marriners in the American Trade, and other matters, make it highly Necessary in my opinion, such appointment should take...
518To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roux, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’est à Mr. Le coeur, mon ami, et au précepteur de m. votre petit-fils, que j’ai l’obligation d’avoir pu vous voir et vous communiquer quelques papiers qui peuvent être utiles au public. Je vous prie instamment, Monsieur, de me faire le plaisir de remettre à Monsieur Necker le Mémoire intitulé Plan d’un Nouvel Etablissement patriotique et désinterressé &c....
519To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr De Sarsfield Envoye Savoir des nouvelles de Monsieur franklin. Il est tres faché de ne pouvoir pas aller s’en informer lui meme mais cela lui est impossible. Il a Lhr De l’assurer de Son Sincere Attachement. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin Ministre / plenipotentiaire des Etats reunis / d’Amerique / A Passy The year that Feb. 25 fell on a Thursday.
520From Benjamin Franklin to Patrick Henry, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I had the Honour of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of March 3. 1778, by Capt. Lemaire, acquainting me that your State had desired Mr William Lee, your Agent, to procure a Quantity of Arms, & military Stores, and requesting me to assist him with my Influence in obtaining them on Credit. Being glad of any Opportunity of serving Virginia, & showing...
521From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Paulze, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress A french Ship the Bergere, Capt. Huas, is arriv’d at L’Orient, Laden with 300 Hogsheads of Tobacco from Maryland. Our Agent there was oblig’d to give one half for the Freight of the other. I have sent Orders to deliver our Part 150 Hogsheads to your Agents at L’Orient; and I enclose a Copy of the Letter we have receiv’d, that you may see the quality of the Tobacco. I...
522——— McLaughlin and ——— Creery to Franklin and John Adams, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Conductors of the americans States I take the Liberty of writing to your Honours of my Distress’d Situation in the french troop in Berwicks Regemt. now lying in penbeff which I by misfortune Engag’d into by the perswations of some fellows in Bourdoux who inticed me from the Boston frigat which came into Bourdoux april last command’d by Captain tucker in...
523Sartine to the American Commissioners, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Messieurs, avec la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 2. de ce mois, celle qui y étoit jointe et le mémoire du Sr. Darrel. Je suis surpris des Difficultés qu’il a éprouvées à l’Occasion de la Désertion de ses Matelôts; et je m’occuperai des Moyens d’y remedier a l’avenir. Il sera plus facile de le faire lorsqu’il y aura des Consuls des...
524To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Louise and Jean-Baptiste-Jacques Elie de Beaumont, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Mad. Elië de Beaumont ont l’honneur de presenter leurs hommages a Monsieur franklin. Mr. Elië de Beaumont n’a pu aller les luy rendre chez luy, parceque ses affaires ne luy en ont pas laissé le moment, il le supplië de l’excuser, et le prië de luy faire l’honneur ainsi que Monsieur son petit fils, de venir diner chez luy mardi prochain 2. mars. Mad....
525To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ma Lettre ci-jointe, du 23, étoit fermée, & alloit partir, lorsqu’on m’apporta vos deux Lettres des 11 & 19, & le feuillet ci-joint de la Gazette de Leide. Autant que la faveur des vôtres me fut agréable, autant celle que vous verrez dans ce feuillet, marquée d’une croix, me fit de peine. Elle fut pour moi un coup de foudre. Cela fait déjà, & fera encore,...
526To Benjamin Franklin from Landais: Two Letters, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Having received a Letter of the 13 Inst. from my Surgeon Mr Windship, whom I sent Express to you, Intimating to me that my Crew is to be compleated with French Seamen, that I am to go from hence to Port L’Orient to be refitted & Careen’d, & from thence to America. Upon which, I beg leave to observe to your...
527To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 26 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, M., la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 25. de ce mois. Je profiterai avec plaisir du départ de la frégate l’Alliance pour faire passer des dépêches en Amérique; J’espère que vous voudrez bien m’informer d’avance de l’epoque fixe à laquelle elle devra partir. Je crois devoir vous...
528To Benjamin Franklin from François Bordot, 27 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The french frigate Courageuse is now off l’Isle-day, with an English Six and twenty gun Privateer, which she took few days ago about these Coasts. The fight is reported to have been desperate; but the particulars, and loss of People on each Side, are not yet known here. I have the honour to be with great respect, honourable Sir, Your most obedient & most...
529To Benjamin Franklin from William MacCreery, 27 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I lately took the liberty of writing to the Honorable Mr. Adams concerning the difficulty which the North-American Merchants have hitherto met with in shipping Salt at this Port; and their being considered as Strangers in fixing the Port Duties on their Goods and Merchandise; whereas by the treaty of Commerce they ought to be upon the same footing with the...
530To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Marchant, 27 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope that you will Exkus my a wrighting To you and I hope that youre honner will Not be afronted at my Not aquanting him of my Comming here But I Receved a Letter that If I wood Com to Dunkirk I shold have the Command off a Prvereter and thinking It a Bad time of the yeare for to goo upon the American kost I consented for to Com Back and found for to Be...
531To Benjamin Franklin from Paulze, 27 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous remercie de l’attention que vous avés eu de m’informer de l’arrivée à l’orient du navire francais la Bergere chargé de 300 B. de tabac du Maryland pour le compte du Congrès et des ordres que vous avés donnés à vos agens de nous faire delivrer moitié de ces tabacs. Je viens, Monsieur, d’ecrire au Directeur de l’orient de recevoir les Tabacs, qui nous...
532From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of the 22d and thank you for the Information of the Arrival of the Tobacco Ship. If the Cargo belongs to the States, it is to be deliverd immediately to the Agents of the Farmers general residing in the Port. I am, Sir, &c.
533From Benjamin Franklin to Taverne Demont Dhiver, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am honor’d with yours of the 22 Inst. applying for two Commissions. I should have a Pleasure in complying with your Request; But it is not in my Power, till I shall have receiv’d fresh Orders from Congress. I have the Honor to be, Sir &c.
534From Benjamin Franklin to Hamelin, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress M. Belton is gone from hence to Flanders, But propos’d to be back in five or six Weeks. I know nothing of his Debts & cannot be accountable for them. But when he returns I will press him to pay you & do what I can to obtain the Money for you. I am, Sir, &c. In answer to his of Feb. 21.
535From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Johnson, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am honor’d by yours of the 23d inst & thank you for your kind Congratulations, which are very obliging. If you have & can send me the Bill of the Duties Demanded expressing the kind of Goods &c, I will try if any thing can be done in the Affair; for besides Considerations of Duty, an opportunity of serving you would give me Pleasure. With great Esteem I have the...
536From Benjamin Franklin to Jean de Neufville, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Western Reserve Historical Society; copies: American Philosophical Society (two), Library of Congress On February 19 Franklin told Dumas he had begun discussions about a new American loan in the Netherlands. The present letter hints at their difficulty. Almost two years later Franklin described for John Adams what had transpired. Jean de Neufville had proposed that in exchange for a loan...
537From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d your favor of the 23d, & thank you for your kind Congratulations & good Wishes. I am told that Saltpetre is now worth 14s. I desire you would get as good a Price for it as Possible for the Benefit of the States, & sell it immediately, remitting Bills to me for the Amount. I know not well the Circumstances of the Prize sent in by the Alliance and therefore...
538To Benjamin Franklin from the Prince de Conti, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je suis convenu, Monsieur, avec MM. de Vergennes et de Sartine qu’ils me feroient delivrer les Passeports necessaires pour envoyer en toute seureté le né [nommé] Riotto mon Piqueur qui va me chercher en angleterre des chevaux et des chiens avec un palfrenier. Je vous serois tres obligé de vouloir bien y joindre le votre pour le mettre a couvert de tous les...
539To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I but just now receiv’d the Extreem favour you honor’d me with the 16th. Instant, by which I learn that you have apply’d to the french Minister of the Navy, to concilliate his advice & yours upon the conspirators, for the mode of trying them, the sooner the better, being a great burthen & guarded between decks where they suffer much for want of air. Your...
540To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Rousseaux with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je me suis fait Lhonneur de vous Ecrire trois lettre sans avoir eu aucune de vos reponce au sujet de ma part de Prisé et appointemant. Je crois monsieur que cest une chose qui a ette trop bien Gagnié pour que je les perdre non seuremant [seulement] ce que jay Gagnié mes [mais] ausy mes Effet que jay perdu etant a votre service et vous croy trop juste pour...