1To Benjamin Franklin from John Abercromby, 11 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay eu L’honneur de vous ecrire ilia trois cemaine pour optenier de vous un pasport pour sortire de france pour man retourné che moi a charlestown. Je cere [serais] parti a presant si javais receu un pasport de vous mai aparaman que les grand safair [affaires] dont vous aitre ocupé maura fait obliet, je vous prie pour la ceconde fois Monsieur de ne pas...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Abercromby, 24 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay L’honneur de vous ecrire pour vous demandes une paspor pour man retournes chez moi a charlestown j’ay heu L’honneur de vous fair ma reverance il ya peupre 3. cemaines don je vous informi que je vene daitre fai prisonier par des corcers grenesai, pour vous donair une melieur ides de moi je suis celuis qui vous a dit que javais perdu 12 maisoin dans...
3To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Adamoli, 22 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez qu’au lieu de me reclamer de quelquun pour vous prier d’une grace, j’aie l’honneur de vous presenter une piece de vers à laquelle les sentimens que vous avez inspirés ont donné sujet. Ce moien de recommandation ne sera gueres puissant aupres de vous, Monsieur, J’en conviens, vous êtes trop accoutumé aux éloges et trop sûr de les obtenir. Cependant...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Akin, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I make Bold to Rite these Lines to Let you know my Condition about Eighteen months ago I was taken in a Ship from Bedford in Dartmouth Bound to Bourdaux By an English frigit and Carred into porchmouth where I was put in prison I Staid there Six weeks and then I made my Escape to London where I found a gentelman that had Lived at Nantucket and there I Staid...
5To Benjamin Franklin from François-Louis Allamand, 20 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le caractère de franchise & de probité dont Vous faites profession, & que votre Nom méme semble promettre, me fait esperer que vous voudrés bien repondre nettement & precisement aux Questions suivantes 1° Un Peuple est il autorisé devant à secouer le joug de son Souverain pour un interet fort leger en comparaison de ce qu’il Lui en coute, & du peril où il...
6To Benjamin Franklin from the American Prisoners at Dinan, 15 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Petition of the under Subscribed Americans Confined in Dennant Castle—Humbly Sheweth, That your poor Petitioners, Imboldened by your Destinguished Character for Justice, and well known Zeal for our Countrys cause, Once More, Beg leave to lay our Circumstances before you, Being of Opinion our Former Petitiones Unfortunately Miscarryed—as We never...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte Amiel, [15 November? 1778] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Most assuredly my good Sir you will look upon me extremely importunate in again troubling you with a Letter, I will allow, and acknowledge ’tis very presumptious in me a poor weak Woman to take the liberty of writing to such a sensible Man as Doctor Franklin; but alas the Subject is too interesting for me to forbear taking up my Pen, as my timidity prevents...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte Amiel, 10 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs Amiel and the Miss Alexanders unite in best Compliments to Doctor Franklin, assure him they were not a little disappointed at his not going with them to the Play last Thursday Sen-night; or at least not sending them word whether he would, or would not, now the only way to make amends for this, is to do them the honor of Dining with them to Morrow, and...
9George Anderson to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library I had the honour of addressing You the 20th October last, the purport of which was to inform You of my situation at that time, and the treatment of a Certain Gentleman, to the Americans that are brought here— At present I beg leave to give You an exact relation of what has transpired in this place, respecting the said...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Anisson-Duperon, 28 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society C’eût été avec bien du plaisir que j’aurois cherché à procurer de l’occupation au jeune Américain pour lequel vous vous intéressez; votre recommandation auroit été pour moi le plus puissant motif pour faire quelque chose qui vous eût été agréable. Mais l’ignorance absolue où est ce jeune homme, de la langue françoise, est un obstacle insurmontable, à toute...
11To 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...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few Lines this day by Major West a particular Friend of mine— Count Mumford does me the honor to take charge of this— I beg leave to introduce him to your acquaintance & civilities— I have formed a commercial connection with Mr. John Shee of this place, under the firm of Bache & Shee, I shall esteem it as a particular favor, your recommending...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write and write and write again and again to you, but I cannot hear whether or not my Letters, any of them, ever reach you— It is now many months since we had the happiness of a Line from you— Not long since, I wrote you a very long letter Via Baltimore by the Brig Saratoga, but I find she is carried into Newyork, the Captain of her is come here & tells...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 17 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I did myself the pleasure of writing a long letter to you very lately, but am afraid it is taken as I beleive many of yours are, I am unwilling to think you neglect us, tho Mr Ingersolls coming from France without letters from you has given me great uneasyness, he lodged too in the same house with little Ben, and not a line from him, I hope soon however to be made...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Jno. Badger, 15 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hop Youl. not taik it a mis my not waiting on yu. pursonally with this my humble Request my afaiers Requiers my departeur for Lyons Emedeaitly Your most obedean & houmble Servant Addressed: Monsieur / Monsieur franckling Envoyés / des Provinces unies de Lamerique / En son hotel a Passy Pres paris / A Passy We know only what he says about himself in his...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Christopher Baldwin, 18 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am sure my dear Sir you will be much surprised at receiving a letter with my name at the bottom; but when you cast your eye on the Place from whence its dated, I think it will bring to your mind a Place at which, and friends with whom, you have passed some pleasant hours. We often think & talk of em and long for their return. Mrs. Baldwin, from the...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [1778?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you a Letter which came to my hands last Evening & wh. needs no Comment from me— Mr. Grand commissioned me to desire that you would this Evening favour him with something which is to be sent to Amsterdam & wh. he shall have an opportunity of sending early tomorrow Morning— Not finding you at home I am constrained to execute my Commission in this...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Barker et al., [16 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, do depose & say, that we escaped from Mill Prison, near Plymouth, (in England,) on the twenty eighth day of December last, and repaired to Cawson, near Plymouth, & entered on board a certain armed Lugger, called the Dolphin, having previously agreed among...
19To Benjamin Franklin from James Barnett, Jr., 9 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Being in immediate want for the Sum of thirteen hundred & thirteen Livres 8 Sols, which I have received of Mr. Osborne an English Gentleman who resides in this Town, & having given him a Bill upon you for the said Sum, which I beg you will pay upon Sight & Charge the said Sum to my Acct. I received a Letter from my Lieutenant who informs me he has entered 20 good Sea...
20To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Beaulieu, 16 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Quoique la grande question qui a divisé dabord et qui sépare aujourdui la mère et les enfans ne soit pas trop de la compétence d’un monarchiste je ne puis m’empécher de dire tout bas et Salva majestaté regia que s’il ÿ eut une guerre légitime aux yeux de La philosophie cest celle dont vous etes l’apôtre, je dirai qu’il ÿ a une contradiction manifeste entre...
21Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais to the American Commissioners, 13 February 1789 [i.e., 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society M. Peltier duDoyer mon Correspondant de Nantes m’a fait signiffier une assignation à lui donnée en votre nom, aux fins de delivrer à votre Procureur, la foible cargaison de ris et d’indigo venue pour moi de Charlestown, sur le Navire la Thérese que Mr. Peltier a vendue par mon ordre et dont il m’a fait passer les fonds. Surpris de cette attaque, j’ai chargé...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Beaumarchais, [13 February 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Je demande bien pardon à Monsieur Franklin, si les procédés de M. Lee m’obligent à me retrancher dans la Rigeur de mon droit. Je n’en ai pas moins pour Mr. Franklin tout le Respect que son âge, son Etat et ses grandes Qualités inspirent; et je m’honorerai d’être toute ma Vie de l’homme respectable, du Ministre d’un Republique à laquelle je me suis voué, et...
23Thomas Bell to the American Commissioners, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sailed from Philad. the 6 of Sept. I Recd. no Letters from the Committe of Congress. The privet Letters I Recd. from Mr. Deane and the Honbl. Richard Henery Lee & Mr. Carmichell as to the dispatches for the Court of France I Recd. them from Monsr. Gerard as to Aney Other Letters I Recd. non— Gentln. I shall Sail Shortly for Philad. If you have Aney...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bell, 4 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Expect to Sail for Phila’ in 12 or 15 days if You have Any Letters to Send You may depend on my Care of them. I had the pleashur of Living, in Manheim at Mr. Morris for 5 or 6 Weeks Whare Mr. Beach & family Was Thay Ware All Will in July Last When I left them Mrs. Beach Wold not Go to Philad till Octobr. on Account of hir daughter for fear of hir Health...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Pierre Bérenger, 12 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardon si je vous écris encore: il ne s’agit plus d’un sujet sur lequel votre silence m’a appris à me taire. Cinq jeunes gens partent pour l’Amerique où je voudrais pouvoir les suivre: je les connais à peine de nom; mais ils sont Genevois, & ce nom est toujours cher à mon coeur; ils partent avec l’agrement de leurs Parens; leurs ressources les rendent...
26To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bevos, 28 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the only document among Franklin’s papers that alludes to his participation in the Masonic ceremony held on November 28 by the Loge des Neuf Soeurs to honor Voltaire’s memory. Coming, as it did, in the footsteps of the August 25 commemoration by the Académie française of the philosopher, the celebration was an act of defiance flying in the face of...
27William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 5 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to inform You that the Count D’Estaing arrived here with the Fleet under his Command the Beginning of last Month. Admiral Byron, with 14 Ships of the Line, had been cruizing off Boston Harbor, watching the Motions of the French Fleet; but, the Day previous to its Departure, a violent Storm arose, which cast the Somerset ashore on Cape Cod,...
28William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 10 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A glaring Act of Injustice has been done to some American Seamen in this place, which calls aloud for Redress & Retribution.— These unfortunate Men, to the Number of 18, had been carried Prisoners into Great Britain, &, having escaped from their Confinement, repaired to Plymouth, where a Number of armed Cruizers were fitting out.— They entered into the...
29William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 6 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Singular Omission on the part of the Minister has been the Cause that several Articles of the Treaty of Commerce entered into betwixt his most Christian Majesty & the United States of America, & operating to the Advantage of the American Commerce, have not been enforced here—the General not having as yet received a Copy of the Treaty with Orders for the...
30John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 9 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honor’d with your favor of the 30th Ulto accompanying four Passports for our Ships and for which I am obliged to you. I have had no Letters the two Last posts from Nantes but suppose our Vessels are ready for Sea. No Arrivals yet on this Coast from America nor any intelligence Interesting. I have the honor to be with due respect Sirs Your most Obed...