1From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Reed, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress A Gentleman from Holland, one of the Senators of Ziricsee, M. Van Noemer, being desirous of settling in our State, with his Family, and being well recommended to me, as a Person of Character, for Learning & Virtue, & likely to make a good & useful Citizen, I beg leave to present him to your Excellency, and to request for him those Civilities &...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Cradock Taylor, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 25th. Past, with Sundry Letters enclos’d from Mr. Fraser to you, and being now convinc’d that you are an honest American, and have not been a Volunteer in the English Service, I shall immediately endeavour to procure your Discharge. In the meantime, you may draw on me for five Louis d’ors, which I shall pay on sight of your Bill to assist you...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Anne and Paul Fenske, Rapid City, South Dakota (1981); copy: Library of Congress I received duly your several Favours of Oct. 18. 22. 25. 28. 29. & Nov. 2. Your Reasons for the speedy Depart of the Squadron, are good. I am glad the Affair of the Deserters is so well got over, as appears from your Extracts. I am exceedingly well satisfied with the Conduct of your Government and with the...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I wrote to you on the 15th past, since which I have not had the Pleasure of hearing from you. I have just received a Letter from M. De Sartine, of which the inclosed is a Copy. You will see in it that the Cruise is ended; and the Ship Alliance dismissed, with an Injunction that none of the King’s Subjects...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Charles William Blunt, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour by Mr. Luard and I am obliged to you for introducing me to the acquaintance of So agreable a Man. He has settled his affairs here, as I understand, to his satisfaction.— My services were not necessary this Court being well disposed to do what was requested. You may be assured however, that I did him no Injury.— You gave me great Pleasure in the...
6From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis du Chilleau, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Person who proposes to have the honour of presenting this to your Excellency, is Mr. Langford Lovel, a Gentleman of Excellent Character and much respected by all that know him, and as he has some Property in the Island under your Governement, I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s favourable Notice & Protection. With great Respect I am Sir, Your...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I thank you for your favours of Oct. 8. and 12. and for the news Papers. I wrote fully to our friend Mr. B. about the Coppers. I hope you will soon be freed from the Trouble you have with the Prisoners by their Exchange, I can now only add that I am, with great Esteem Dear Sir, &c. XXX , 490–4, 490n, 525–7. Edward Bridgen had sent two samples of copper for possible...
8From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS , copy, and transcript: Library of Congress I received your Favour of Oct. 26. containing Copies of sundry Letters you had before sent me, which you apprehended had not been receiv’d. For the same reason I send you herewith Copies of several I have sent to you. I am sorry my Proposition of Exchanging in Holland was not attended to. It would have prevented a good deal of Misery to those...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress I have received several kind Letters from you which I have not regularly answered. They gave me however great Pleasure, as they acquainted me with your Welfare, and that of your Family & other Friends: and I hope you will continue writing to me as often as you can do it conveniently. I thank you much for the great Care & Pains you have taken in...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Vaughan & Son, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour by Mr. Luard and would on your Recommendation have gladly rendred him any service in my Power but he has found no Difficulty in settling his affairs to his satisfaction. I rejoice to learn that you and all the amiable family of the Vaughans are well, which may God continue. I am ever, with great Esteem Gentlemen y. m. o. h. S. XXX , 512n.
11From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon: Letter and Printed Bagatelle (“The Whistle”), 10 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : The Rosenbach Museum & Library; AL (draft) American Philosophical Society; (II) Passy, printed by Benjamin Franklin, April, 1780 For once, one of Franklin’s bagatelles has left a trail of dated evidence long enough for us to follow it from first draft to the printing press. The piece, which has come to be known as “The Whistle,” was originally penned as an answer to the twice-weekly...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 10 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress My Answer to the Questions, contain’d in the Letter You have honour’d me with, must be very short. I can only Say, that I know nothing before [ about ] the Order you mention, and I now know nothing of the Reasons.— I can therefore give no Opinion having no Materials on which to form it. A Vessel from North America arrived at Cadiz reports that Count d’Estaing’s fleet...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Landais, 10 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Having not yet received from Commodore Jones, what he may have to offer in support of the Charges he makes against you, I find it proper to postpone for a few Days the hearing of your Defence, and I do therefore here by desire you to Stay in Paris till Monday next. When I hope the Hearing may take place. I am, Sir Your most obedient and most humble servant. Because...
14Minutes of the Landais Inquiry, [15–24 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
D (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library [November 15–24, 1779] Minutes of the Enquiry into the Conduct of Capt. P. Landais Present { B. Franklin Esqr M. Le Ray de Chaumont E. Bancroft Esqr. Monday 15th Nov. 79 Capt Landais was acquainted that the following Charges were made against him, viz 1st. Disobedience of Orders.— 2d Not coming in time to the Assistance of the Bonhomme Richard in...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 17 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 30th. past: I suspect that several of mine to you and Mr. H. have been stopped in the Post-Office here since the mail ceased going by Calais, for want of Being frank’d here, which I did not till lately know was necessary. I shall inclose you the next Post a Copy of one I wote to Mr. B. which by yours it seem he had not received. I sent Copies...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 17 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress A friend of mine in England, who has been servicable to me in negociating the Exchange of American Prisoners requests that I would endeavour to obtain the Release of one of his friends now a Prisoner in france. The Person is thus described John Stephenson of hull Master and Owner of the ship Sally; taken on the first of July, by a Lugger Privateer of Bretagne, named...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Giambatista Beccaria, 19 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Having sometime since heard of your Illness with great Concern, it gave me infinite Pleasure to learn this Day, from M. Chantel, (who did me the honour of a Visit) that you were so far recover’d, as to be able to make little Excursions on Horseback. I pray God that your Convalescence may be quick and perfect, and your...
18From Benjamin Franklin to J.C. de Berger, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress All the American Armies being arranged and full of Officers, a long time Since, in so much that many who have gone thither from Europe have been obliged to return for want of Employ, I cannot give the least encouragement to you or your Cousin to go to America with the purpose of entring into our service. I can only thank you for your good will to our Cause, and wish...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I imagine Capt. Cunnyngham will be at Dunkerque by the time you receive this. I desire you would furnish him with what Money he may want for his comfortable Subsistance while he Stays at Dunkerque. Inclosed I Send you a Complaint I received from some of the People of the Black Prince, and request you or Mr. Torris, would ease me of Such Trouble, I having really...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your Escape, out of Prison, which I first learnt from 6. of the men who broke out with you, and came to france in a Boat. I was then Anxious lest you should be retaken, and I am very glad indeed to hear of your safe Arrival at Amsterdam. I think it will be best for you to Stay awhile at Dunkirk till we see what becomes of the...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Ingenhousz, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 18th. and see with great Pleasure that you have been able to break the Enchantment that fix’d you so long in England, and have once more set foot on the continent with intent to visit Paris. You may be assured of meeting the Same kind Welcome at Mr De Chaumonts and I have besides a Bed &c. at your service if you Should rather chuse to be with...
22From Benjamin Franklin to [Pierre Delaunay?] des Landes, 23 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Not understanding well enough the french language and the technical Terms used in the Description of your Observatory, I cannot form, from the description such an Idea of its Situation and Circumstances, as might enable to me to Answer the Questions you propose to me. But as my Learned and Ingenious friend Mr. LeRoy, Member of the Academy of Sciences, is perfectly...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Montgomery, 26 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am glad to learn by yours of the 3d. Instant, that you are at length quieted in your situation at Allicant by the favour of his Catholic Majesty. I hope nothing will happen hereafter, neither on your part nor any other; that may give occasion to disturb you afresh and interrupt your Business. It is long since we have had any authentic News from america, We know...
24From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Yarnold, 27 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yesterday yours of the 25th. On your Arrival here, when you first mentioned to me your purpose. I gave to you and your friend my candid Opinion that your scheme of becoming military Officers in America could not Answer your Expectation, and I advis’d you to return to England and apply your selves to some Profession more likely to be advantangeous. I wish...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Beerenbroek, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Dr. Beerenbrock and acquaints him that Dr. Ingenhausz is not yet arrived at Paris, but is expected in two or three Weeks he having written from Brussels that Such was his Intention, as soon as he arrives Mr. Franklin will acquaint Dr. Beerenbrock.
26From Benjamin Franklin to John Dalton et al., 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Upon the Receipt of your Letter dated at Cudent the 11th. Instant, I immediatly apply’d to the Minister in your Behalf, who has given Orders that you Should be set at Liberty. You did not mention whether the Boat you came over in was one you hired, or that you took. If the Latter, you are at Liberty to sell the same and divide the Money among you to furnish your...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Jean de Neufville & fils, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour to write to me by the last Post, (it is without Date) and am glad to hear that Commodore Jones was so well fitted and ready for sailing. I hope he will arrive safe with his Ships in a good Port. I have wrote to Capt. Cunningham at Dunkerque, where he informed me he was soon to be.— The Letter you...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 28 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I return your Excellency many thanks for your favour in granting Liberty to Capt. Stevenson, and to the six americans who were taken up at Cudant . There is another American Captain named John Lock, now a Prisoner at Nantes who as I understand was taken in an English Whaling Vessel. Since his being in france he has contracted an acquaintance with a Melle. des Bois,...
29From Benjamin Franklin to the Baron de Holtzendorff, 5 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress You desire from me an Ansr. to your Demand in writing. I can give you no other than that I have so often given you viva voce viz that if there is any thing justly due to you from the Congress, your Demand of Payment should be made to them, and not to me, who have no authority to pay their Debts without their Orders. I have at your Request forwarded your Memorials to...
30From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives As the Arrangements that M. Le Duc de la Vauguyon, Ambassador of the King in Holland, must make with the States General, for the free Departure from the Texel of the French and American Vessels assembled there, may require that the English Prisoners taken in Merchant Ships, and at present on board the Alliance,...