1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4“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...
5From Benjamin Franklin to [Jean-Baptiste] Le Roy, [after 18 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society M. Franklin requests M. Le Roy to tell him the Name of the present Governor of Dominique, who is the Husband of one of the Ladies where we din’d at Epinay.— Also the Name of the Gentleman at whose house we din’d, M. F. having forgot it— This note may well be linked to Christopher Baldwin’s letter of Dec. 18. Right after the conquest of Dominica by the...
6To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Pomponne Vincent, [after 8 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai pris deux fois la liberté de vous voir, pour savoir ce que vous pensiez des lettres, qui vous ont êté communiquées par le ministre de la marine; deux fois vous m’avez dit que vous n’aviez point achêvé de les lire, et vous avez fini par prendre mon nom et ma demeure. Comme vous ignorez, monsieur, les peines que je me suis donné pour tâcher d’obtenir la...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Marguerite Lecomte and Claude-Henri Watelet, [after 12 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde le comte et Mr Watelet ont l’honneur de faire leur compliment bien sinceres a Monsieur franklin et a Monsieur son fils sur le caractere honorable dont ils apprennent que Monsieur franklin est revetu. Watelet was a patron of the arts and the owner of a little island in the Seine, the Moulin-Joli, on which BF had composed the “Ephemera.” He and his amie...
8To Benjamin Franklin from James Smith, [between 27 December 1778 and 17 April 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society It is requested by Doctor Smith that the “Articles particularly a Dozen of Knives and Forks Some Table Cloths and Napkins wrapt up in a peice of Crocus” being from this discription contained in a Note delivered to him by Mr Loyd from Doctor Franklin part of the Baggage detained at Calis by the Custom House Officers and said to be left at Passy may be...
9Franklin’s Diary of Correspondence, [12 February-2 March 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Feb. 12. 1779:— 5 OClock Recd my Appointment of M. P. at this Court. Waited upon M. De Vergennes who not being at home I waited upon M. Renvalle, inform’d him of it. 13 Wrote Jona. Williams acquaing him with my late appt. cong Goods to be bought for Wm Green Esqr &c Wrote Mr Coffyn informg him of my nomination. Approving what he had done for the Prisoners....
10From Benjamin Franklin to [Vergennes], [after 14 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress M. Franklin se trouve dans une Position aussy facheuse que penible, & a la quelle les Circonstançes du Comerçe ajoutent beaucoup; en ce que le peu d’Envoys qui echappent aux Ennemis, ne lui parviennent pas, ou ne lui sont d’aucun Secours: Si ils sont en Tabacs, Les Fermiers Genereaux les reclament avec raison; & si ce sont des ris, ou tout autre Denrée, M. De...
11From 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.
12From 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.
13From 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.
14From 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...
15From 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...
16From 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Les Commandans et Intendans à Brest aux quels J’avois donné ordre de faire emprisonner les Matelôts qui se sont revoltés abord de la Fregate des Etats Unis l’Alliance me marquent qu’ils présument que ces Matelots ne pouvant être regardés simplement comme Prisonniers de guerre, et qu’ils doivent être mis dans des Prisons particulieres, que celle de l’arsenal est...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 14[-27] February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Self & children have all ways been a heavey tax upon you, but your grat & uncoman goodnes has carried you chearfully on under it, & we have all along Injoyed many of the comforts of life throw your Bounty we must otherwise have done without, it has pleasd God to diminish us fast & thereby your Expence & care of us you I doubt not Remember you had Ingaged...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28——— 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...
29Sartine 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...
30To 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....