91To Benjamin Franklin from Chevalier Gilles-Jean Barazer de Kermorvan, 19 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous faire part de la délivrance heureuse de notre reine, elle est accouchée aujourdhuy a onze heures quarante deux minutes, d’une fille, on s’etoit trompé pendant une heure sur le sexe, soit par l’excès de la joye ou par l’embarras d’annoncer une fille, on a annoncé un dauphin au peuple. La reine a etè en travail depuis deux heures et...
92To Benjamin Franklin from Mounier & Denis, 19 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nous prennons la liberté, de nous adresser a vous, pour vous enformer que notre Navire Neerlants Welvaart M. [Maitre] Cornelis Thomasse Wesseling parti de Leverpool avec une Cargaison pour Naples & Salerno en Italie, chargé pour Compte Italien, ä eté pris par les Americains, qui l’ont emmené avec eux, en Nouvel Angleterre en Amerique, comme nous avons eté...
93To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since writing you the 3d Instant, M Montieu has voluntarily offered to take all my Affairs on himself. He wants no Security he says for my probity, but only in Case of my Death, for which he says he will take my Drafts on you at 18 or 20 months date that you may see him paid from my Effects, these Bills he does not expect you will ever be obliged to pay, if...
94Franklin and John Adams to William Temple Franklin: Instructions, 20 November and [20–21 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ADS : Cornell University Library; copy: Delaware Historical Society Instructions to W T. Franklin You are to go by the shortest Road to Dieppe, and make all the Dispatch possible. At Dieppe enquire for Mr Baron, Merchant there, and take his Advice whether to go off to the Ship, or to acquaint the Captain with your Arrival send him the Letters you have for him, and desire him to...
95From Benjamin Franklin to Le Baron, [20 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I thank you for your readiness to serve Capt. Prince. His Bills for moderate Supplies will be honour’d. The Bearer is my Grandson. I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities. I shall answer the rest of your Letter soon. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedt humble Servant In WTF ’s hand. Dated on the basis of the following document.
96From Benjamin Franklin to “Job Prince,” 20 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I have just received yours of the 18th Instant. My Grandson, William T. Franklin, who is the Bearer of this, and will have the honor of delivering it into your hands, sets out early tomorrow morning for that purpose. He is my private Secretary, and is a Young Man of Trust & Discretion, to whom you may safely confide, what you have to communicate to the...
97Dumas to the American Commissioners, 20 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief; copy: National Archives <The Hague, November 20, 1778, in French: Returning here, I learned from our friend that the Provincial Assembly by majority vote has resolved against providing convoys and in favor of the Admiralty’s advisory. Amsterdam has inserted a formal protest, which it demands be published, because the...
98Thomas Middleton to the American Commissioners, 20 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Three LS : American Philosophical Society I received Two Bills of Exchange drawn by Francis Hopkinson on you for Interest due to me on Money lent the Publick, & having had the Misfortune to loose these drafts I advertized them as you will see by the enclosed paper which however has not produced a return of the Bills & lays me under a Necessity of Troubling you to request that you will not pay...
99To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Christophe Valmont de Bomare, 20 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a bien longtemps que je n’ai eu l’avantage de vous rendre mes devoirs. Depuis que nous avons diné ensemble chez Made. de chaumont, c’étoit dans les premiers jours de mai, j’ai été à chantilly, où j’ai passè tout mon été à faire un cours de physique et d’histoire naturelle à S.A.S. mademoiselle de Bourbon-condé. Me voilà de retour à Paris, je voudrois...
100From Benjamin Franklin to Le Baron, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I write this Line per Post just to acqt you that your Letter relating to Capt Prince is received, and that a Person in our Confidence, as desired by him, sets out this Day for Dieppe with Answers to your & the Captain’s Letters, and will probably be with you soon after your Receipt of this; of which it would be well to give the Captn. Notice, that they may...
101John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 21 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, November 21, 1778: The Inspector of Artillery visited the port yesterday to inspect M. Bertin’s cannon. On the basis of appearance alone, their quality seems good, but this must be confirmed by testing. I herewith enclose a list indicating their specifications. Other cannon belonging to the same company made from the same mold can be procured...
102To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just wrote to you by Mr Duncan Ingraham Junr. upon some public Affairs— I beg Leave in this, lest he might be oblig’d to destroy that, should he meet with an Enemy just to mention him to you as my Friend, for whom I have a great Regard— He goes to France on a Plan of Business in his own Vessel: as he is a Stranger there he would be glad to be...
103To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Dubois, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez que je mette sous les yeux de V.E. une feuille du journal de Lorraine, où j’ai inséré un petit morceau de Poësie, qui a aumoins le mérite de ne vous être pas indifférent. Vous y verrez qu’aux extrémités du Royaume les François parlent de votre République ainsi qu’ils en parlent à Paris, avec la même estime et le même intérêt. Je ne croi pas...
104To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In a party writing against the Rockinghams I See this assertion— Washington told the Congress, on the capture of Burgoyne’s army that now was the happy time to treat . As I don’t recollect having seen it till now, I intend to give the author the Lye. Be so kind as to let me know wether I can do it without my self injuring Truth. I am with great respect Your...
105To Benjamin Franklin from Jesse Taylor, 21 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a memorial the Substance of which may already Reached you, in a personal Interveiw with Sir Edward Newenham who promised before he Left Ireland that when he would have the honour of Waiting on you to Lay before you our Wishes— We thought Best in the Body of our memorial not to mention any names to the memorialists, Least your Excellency would...
106To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pickerin, 23 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I Assume the Liberty of Writing you per this Post, advising you that Capt. Jones has impos’d on himself the dignity of a Continental Officer, and thereby securing all Desserters from American Vessels. to the great Prejudice of the United States. As I humbly Conceive it a matter of great Consequence to suffer such Unnatrual & Illegal...
107To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 24 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Voici encore une affaire que je ne puis confier qu’à vous seul. La lecture des copies ci-jointes vous mettra au fait de tout. L’affaire m’a paru si délicate, que je n’ai rien voulu faire sans l’avis de G—— F——, qui l’ayant aussi trouvé telle, a cependant approuvé que j’en donnasse un Extrait à notre ami, tant pour voir ce...
108To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 24 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies: Massachusetts Historical Society The memorandum you were pleased to entrust me with relative to the Manuscripts in the hands of J Massey, I sent to my Friend in London, desiring him to apply to Massey about them.— I have a Letter from my Friend by this days Post adviseing me he had made the application, and was told they had been disposed of...
109The American Commissioners to Jean-Joseph Carié de Montieu, 25 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We had the Honour last Night of your Letter of the 22d, and should be glad to oblige you with the four Ancres you mention, but large Anchors are So Scarce in America and our Countrymen are So distressed for Want of them, that We hope you will excuse Us upon this occasion, as We are about Shipping them home imediately....
110The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 25 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) : Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies, National Archives In Answer to your Letter of the Seventeenth Instant, We desire you would Ship to America, all the Goods belonging to the united States, of any Sort.—and consequently to write for no more Workmen, but dismiss, immediately, all that remain if any. We can give you no Directions about the Articles “entreposed” for the...
111To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, [25 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society Le Roi a fait éxpedier, Monsieur, des Passeports pour quatre Batimens anglois, qui doivent venir d’un port Etranger à Dunkerque. Il est également necessaire de les mettre à l’abri d’insultes de la part des Corsaires Americains et je vous prie de m’adresser à cet éffet quatre lettres ostensibles ou passeports, dont ils puissent...
112From Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, 26 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours last Evening, with the Copies enclos’d, and am now more certain than before that the whole is a piece of Roguery. As when you receive this, it will be 10 Days since his quitting the Road of Dieppe, if he has not return’d in that time, it is probable he will not return at all; so we would have you return hither without waiting longer for...
113From Benjamin Franklin to Leveux, 26 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An English armed Cutter has lately been off Dieppe, and pretending to be an American, has cheated our Friend there out of some Refreshments, &c. and having got the Names of our Friends in other Ports, he may play the same Game all along the Coast. I send you this Notice that you may be upon your Guard— I requested you some time since to receive & forward to...
114From Benjamin Franklin to Valmont de Bomare, 26 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : George MacManus, Inc., Philadelphia (1988) Immediately on the Receipt of your Note of the 20th Instant, I made your Proposition to Madam de Chaumont by her Son, she accordingly appointed Wednesday the 25th, which was yesterday, when I expected to find you at Dinner there, and settle with you the other two Points. I imagin’d she would have written to you, she thought her Son had done it,...
115To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis Cadet de Vaux, 26 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme Je conçois tout le prix de Votre tems, J’ai l’honneur de vous prévenir qu’il suffira que vous veuilliés bien vous rendre, demain vendredi, ches Mons. du Bourg, entre midi et une heure, au lieu de 11 heures, comme nous en Etions convenus; l’acte qui a lieu ce jour là n’étant pas assés Intéressant, pour que vous l’honoriés d’un bout à l’autre de votre...
116To Benjamin Franklin from Solomon de Monchy, 26 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme j’ai l’honneur de vous être connu, non seulement par les conversations, que nous eûmes autrefois pendant votre séjour ici avec Monsr. Le Chevalier Pringle notre ami commun; mais encore par votre qualité de Membre correspondant de la Société Batave de Philosophie expérimentale de cette ville, dont je suis Directeur; à la sollicitation de mon Gendre...
117Franklin and John Adams to Arthur Lee, [27 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Pierpont Morgan Library Dr Franklin and Mr Adams present their Compliments to Mr Lee, and request that the Journey to Versailles may be postponed to Sunday at 8 O Clock in the Morning for several particular Reasons besides the bad Weather.— Addressed: The Hon. Mr Lee / Chaillot Endorsed: F. & Adams Notation: Recu La Lettre une de mieur a pré [une demi-heure après] que Monsieur Leé a etté...
118To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 27 October [i.e., November] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum If Mr. Amiel had attempted my life I could not have been more surprised than I have been this day by his telling me that “it is your advice to Mrs. Amiel that he should immediatly proceed from hence to Nantes in order to take passage with her for America”—because “he may possibly...
119To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, 27 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si je n’étois pas obligé d’aller demain à Versailles, pour y rendre compte de ma mission, je me serois rendu chés vous dimanche prochain et c’eut été avec un vrai plaisir que je vous eusse renouvellé l’hommage de la vénération que je vous dois et de mon entier Dévoument. Je m’acquitterai de ce devoir Le plutôt qu’il me sera possible. Vous vous Doutés bien...
120To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Noeufville de Brunaubois-Montador, 27 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Il me parait indispensable, Monsieur, d’avoir l’honneur de vous faire part d’une petite versification qui vient de m’échapper. J’y ai parlé de vos affaires pour parler des nôtres, ce qui est tres naturel, étant réciproquement naturalisés. Comme je regarde dans cet indigénat le fruit de vos soins, on vous en doit les honneurs: et je me figure que vous ne pouvez de...
121From Benjamin Franklin to [Mary Hewson], [after 27 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I am sometimes apprehensive that my not Writing to you, may give you some Pain: but I have fear’d on the other hand that my Writing might subject you to greater Pain. Yet I cannot forbear desiring to know how you do from time to time, & wishing that you should know my Love for you & yours continues unchang’d and unchangeable. I have also great...
122Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter informing me of the Alteration of your Intention, not having reached my House till some time after the Hour you had appointed for setting out for Versailles, I was gone before it arrived. I informed Count Vergennes, that you were coming, & we waited till 5’ O’Clock under no small Embarressment, especially myself, to conceive what detained you....
123The American Commissioners to Gentlemen at Nantes, 27 [i.e., 28] November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We are desired by the Ministry to inform ourselves as precisely as possible, at what Time the Vessells bound to America will be ready to Sail.—it is Said that upon a former Occasion the Convoy was obliged to wait a long Time, an Inconvenience that it is wished may be avoided upon this occasion. We beg your earliest...
124John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 28 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, November 28, 1778: We are without interesting intelligence. Because of their heavy losses the merchants here must reduce their exports, to the detriment of the United States. Only three small cutters belonging to Virginia have sailed in the past three months. A 24-gun vessel of Beaumarchais & Co. sails to join their Fier Roderigue and Drake at...
125John Gilbank to the American Commissioners, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing to you the 17th. inst. but having reced no Answer take the Liberty to inform You that the Ship I expect to go in to America is expected here hourly—Mr. Livingstone being arrived by Land to day. Without your compliance with my former request I cannot go with him in which Case I can’t think any blame can fall on me. Capt. Joiner is...
126To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Necker, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Je ne perds pas un moment à vous envoyer l’ordre de liberté du nommé Douglass arrêté pour Cause de Mendicité. Je vous serai très obligé de donner vos Ordres pour qu’il puisse retourner au port dans lequel il doit s’embarquer, sans se mettre dans le cas d’être pris une seconde fois. Je profite avec le plus grand plaisir de cette occasion pour vous renouveller les...
127From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 29 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Library of Scotland; transcript: Library of Congress I have heard nothing from you lately concerning the Exchange of the Prisoners. Is that Affair dropt? Winter is coming on apace. I understand that your charitable Contribution is near expended, and not likely to be renewed. Many of those unfortunate People must suffer greatly. I wish to have a Line from you, informing me what...
128To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis D’Aussigne, 29 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Quelqu’un voudrait acheter des effect des etats unis de L’amerique, il voudrait sçavoir, si ces effect sont payable sur le lieu méme, ou en france, et à qui il faut s’adresser pour cette paye des interrets qui sont accordé pour le retard. Je serais bien aise que vous voulussiés m’instruire des moyens qu’on emploÿe en pareil cas. J’ai L’honneur D’estre très...
129To Benjamin Franklin from Henri-Maximilien (Henry) Grand, 29 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La Personne qui se trouve dans les Circonstançes desagreables que mon Fils a eu lhonneur de vous representer Dimanche dernier, desire infiniment vous entretenir sur le même Sujet, esperant qu’apres vous avoir satisfait sur ses Sentimens & sa façon de pençer, vous voudrez bien lui faire participer, par vos Conseils, a l’Encouragement & l’amitié que vous...
130To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon: Four Letters before November 30, 1778 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; (III) and (IV) AL : American Philosophical Society We are grouping together four letters from Madame Brillon, three of them unsigned and none completely dated, which appear to be interrelated and to precede her letter of November 30, below. Fragile as it is, we offer here a chronological reconstruction based...
131The American Commissioners to Sartine, 30 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives In Answer to your Excellencys Letter of the Twenty fifth of this Month, We have the Honour to inclose, four Papers, with Blancs to be filled as your Excellency may have occasion. These Requests being all the Protection in our Power to give, We hope will have the desired Effect and We have the Honour to be &c In JA ’s hand.
132To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 30 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Voici mon chér papa une léttre du voisin qui vous trouve bien bon de lui avoir écrit, la léttre qu’il m’écrit ne parle que de sa reconnoissance; il vous aime, vous connoit vous apprécie si bien, qu’il deviendroit mon ami par la maniére dont il vous rend justice s’il ne l’étoit depuis bien longtems par ses qualités pérsonnelles. Nous avons été hiér chés mr...
133To Benjamin Franklin from Le Baron, 30 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay vu arriver icy Monsieur votre petit fils avec grand plaisir, j’aurois desiré qu’il eut eu plus de succés de son voyage, je crois maintenant que le prétendu Corsaire la Concorde ne paroitra plus, au surplus il n’aura tiré aucun fruit de sa supercherie. Monsieur franklin devoit me laisser une lettre pour remettre au prétendu Capitaine Job Prinse sil...
134To Benjamin Franklin from Francis-Geron Masseure, 30 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May it Please your Excellency I have Taken Liberty of Righting these Few Lines and hope they will find your Excellency well and am Very Sorow to in form your Excellency of My sad Misfortune of Falling into the hands of the Enemy on the 9 Day of Sepm. as I had a packit on Board from his Excellency Partrick Henry of Virginia which was to have been Dispatcht....
135Franklin’s List of Books Lent, November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Books lent To Mr Le Roy, Adair on Heat Count. Montfort Priestly on Education Abbé de la Roche two Geneva Pamphlets Swedish Ambassador—Carver’s Travels On the last page of his Cash Book (Account XVI, XXVI , 3), BF began to keep a record of the books he was loaning to friends. Despite the November, 1778, heading, later publication dates of some of the works...
136To Benjamin Franklin from John Williams, [November 1778?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the last Letter I had from Boston I am informed that my Brother had received upwards of £450 that was Due to me on a Bond Debt—and my Wife mentioned that she supposed my Brother had remitted part of that sum to me by the same ship, but I have not yet received any Bills from him since those he sent under your cover, and my Business has been greatly...
137From Benjamin Franklin to Genet, 1 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I sent some Boston Papers, (as late as the first of October,) last Week, to Mr Vergennes. I suppose you saw them. They contain particular Accounts of the great Harmony between Count D’Estaing’s Fleet & the People of the Country. I never heard of Gen. Washington’s writing such a Letter as you mention, and therefore I believe the Story to be false. I have the honour to...
138Sartine to the American Commissioners, 1 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives J’ai reçu, Messieurs, les quatre Recommandations que vous avez bien voulu m’adresser pour des navires Anglois, et je vous prie d’en recevoir mes remercimens. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec beaucoup de Consideration, Messieurs, votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur Nov. 30.
139To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Meunier, 1 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je m’empresse a mettre sous vos yeux le Mémoire de M M Risteau de Bordeaux; peut-être que leurs moyens vous paroitront assez puissants pour que vous determiniez le capitaine Macknil a finir une affaire qui dure depuis trop longtems. J’ai cherché, Monsieur, a mettre de la conciliation dans cette affaire; mais je n’ai pas été assez heureux pour trouver ceux a...
140Dumas to the American Commissioners, 2 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, December 2, 1778, in French: Enclosed is the resolution I promised, which deserves to be published in both English and French. I hope for good news from America before the Provincial States [of Holland] reassemble in ten to twelve days. The London Evening Post of November 26 reports Clinton has been roughly...