1Chaumont’s Memoir on the Dispute between Jones and Landais: résumé, [after 24 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library <[after November 24, 1779], in French, under the heading “faits entre M. Jones et Landais”: Jones and Landais have been locked in bitter dispute since the Bonhomme Richard collided with the Alliance during their first cruise from Lorient; Jones’s slowness in convening a council of war to terminate the quarrels between Landais and the officers of the...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 19 January 1780 (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’h. de mécrire le 15. de ce mois. Comme La distribution de celle du Congrès qui y étoit jointe, ne presente aucun inconvenient, je l’ay addressée à M le Noir, pour qu’il y mette Son permis. J’ay prié en même tems ce magistrat d’en faire le renvoy à la personne que...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 3 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Mes dernieres sont du 25, 28, 29, & 31 Oct. & 2 Nov. Celleci ira demain par voie de Rotterdam. Voici copie de la permission de mettre à terre les blessés prisonniers de la commission expediée par le Commodore en conséquence au L. Col. Wuibert; & de la convention entre les Commodores, Américain & Anglois. Notre Ami m’a...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 5 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Yr. Favour of the 29th. is just received, & the packet for the Commodore will be forwarded this very night, as were formerly yr. other Letters for the same, & for Capt. Landais without any Loss of time. The Commodore is not yet quite ready to sail. They say it will be so in the week to come; & then the day depends from the...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Johnson, 29 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am much obliged by your kind attention in sending me from time to time the American newspapers that have come to your hands. Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements. I have the Pleasure now to acquaint you that tho’ my application at your Request for arms or a Loan of money for your Province in particular was not attended with success the Opinion here being...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Th.M. Laënnec, 10 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le corsaire des états unis le prince noir a conduit au port d’audierne sous le département de l’amirauté de quimper un Brigantin anglais dont il S’etait emparé. M. Diot Dèpositaire du corsaire a du prevenir Votre excellence de cet èvenement. Mais les officiers de nôtre Siege qui ont Scellé la prise et interrogé les prisoniers aïant omis de vous adresser une...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Beccaria: résumé, 16 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; four drafts: American Philosophical Society <Turin, December 16, 1779, in Italian: Mr. Chantel gave me your very gracious letter and told me about the audience— most gratifying to me—with which you honored him. I am sorry that for the present time I do not have the energy I could wish to thank you properly in writing. To make up for it, I shall try...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben: résumé, 11 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Cüstrin, February 11, 1780, in German: I have received and thank you for your letter of November 21. I am sad to announce that my dear wife has been taken by God at age 73. Please forward the enclosed letter to my son.> Or Küstrin, on the Oder. For BF ’s letter, actually Nov. 27, see XXX , 617–18n. Mary Dorothea von Jagow (1706–80) married the senior von...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges: Two Letters, 15 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; (II) ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearer of this Letter, Mr Fabroni, has obligingly given me an oppertunity to send the inclosd to You.— He is a young Gentleman of distinguishd worth from Italy, and has been some time travelling with His ingenious Friend & Companion Mr Fontana. They mean to spend a few days at Paris on their return...
10To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 8 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot imagine what has prevented my hearing from you for these two month relating to the Cartel. I therefore send you a copy of a letter from the board of Sick & Hurt to me of Novr 15 1779 wch is the place where we left off & where we stick now. I wish I cd expedite things but it is not in my power. You see where the matter has been Stopt these two...
11Parabole Contre La Persécution, [after February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Printed by Benjamin Franklin, Passy [1780]: Yale University Library Franklin had never intended that his pseudo-chapter of Genesis (1755), later known as “Parable Against Persecution,” be published. The piece, which he had printed on a slip of paper and hidden in his Bible, was a private joke; his now-legendary recitations were a harmless hoax meant to provoke and amuse the company. When...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 16 [November] 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je vous assure mon bon papa que je méttrai toute mon attention a ne pas trop donnér pour les siffléts; s’ils n’ont guérre couttés a ma bourse, ils ont couttés chérs a mon coeur et votre léttre me prouve bien plus encore que mon éxpérience et mes refléctions, que j’ai souvent payés bien chérs de mauvais sifléts: j’ai cru par éxemple que lorsque j’aimois on...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 28 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have received your Favour of the 22 Instant with the Judgement of the Mifflins Prize Goods, and Mr Coulougnac’s Proposals about furnishing Cloth &c. Agreeable to your desire I have conversed with him and find that he realy can furnish at good Prices, but he has no great Quantity by him at present. I have taken some Patterns...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine: Two Letters, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 13. de ce mois, celle que vous avez écrite à l’agent des Etats unis à l’Orient et je me suis empressé de lui faire passer le Commissaire de la Marine dans ce port. Je doute qu’elle soit arrivée assez promptement pour que cet Agent ait remis au Capitaine du Navire Anglois...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I have acquainted Mr Chaumont that I approved of his accepting the Bills, and that I would provide for the Payment. I observe they are drawn at 2, 3, & 4 Usances.— As to the Cloathing. If the Congress had only demanded so many Suits, without giving particular Directions, we might have taken our Friends Opinions, and let...
16From 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,...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Lee, 1 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pursuant to an Order given by you, to Mr. Jones, in consequence of a Letter I presumed to write you, I entered On board the Bon homme Richard as Secretary, to Mr. Jones, the 19th. day of March last, in which Employment, I continued ’till the 1st. day of August with an Assiduity approved by all; when Copying a Memorandum for Mr. Jones, and not having it...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Jenings, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I Know not, whether your Excellency has received a Copy of the King of Great Britains Speech to his Houses of Parliament, and as it will be at least a Matter of Curiosity, I take the Liberty of inclosing One herewith.— It was brought to Ostend by a Pilot of Dover. Give me leave to inform your Excellency, that I have been in this City about two months,...
19From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It is some time since I procured the Discharge of your Capt. Stephenson. He did not call here in his Way home. I hope he arrived safely, and had a happy Meeting with his friends and family. I have long postponed answering your Letter of the 29th. of June. A principal Point in it, on which you seemed to desire my Opinion, was the Conduct you thought America ought to...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 25 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society How favourable matters stood here in regard to the American Comodor, we had the honour to mention to your Excellence; we convey however to night to Mr. Dumas a copey of the last resolution taken by the states in this respect during the Absence of the French Ambassador from the Hague; of which however we hope he will prevent the effect; it contains the same...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Baron Friedrich Melchior von Grimm, 20 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Dartmouth College Library Le Baron de Grimm, Ministre Plénipe. du Saxe Gotha prend la liberté de recommander aux bontés de Monsieur Franklin le porteur de ce billet, Monsieur Loehr de Leipzig, jeune voyageur très instruit et très aimable. Il ne croirait pas avoir rempli l’objet de son voyage, s’il quitait ce pays ci sans avoir eu l’avantage de voir et de connaitre Monsieur Franklin. Le...
22To Benjamin Franklin from William R. Boyd, 5 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I who is Confind here send these few lines to inform you how I came to be Confin’d. On the 18th. Octr. I Desartd from a Merchantman in Loriont call’d the Breton after sarving four months in the said ship. When I came to Nantz I ship’d with Capt. Smith being in hopes to get to my Natural Country. Likewise 4 more came with me from the said Ship and having a...
23To Benjamin Franklin from George Mitchell, 6 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Excellency will I hope pardon the Libbertey I take in troubiling yough with a letter but As it is of Sum consequence to mee I hope Your Excellency will look over it in a more feavourable light. I have a Brother at Boston who has oft wright for Mee to Gover to him and Except of part of his Fortune which I have often tryd for Since my detention In france...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 30 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I Receiv’d only the 15th Decemr. the copy of a letter from Capt Jones to your Excellency, dated on board the ship of War Serapis, at anchor without the Texel Octor. 3d. 1779 (but not certifyed by your Excellency, as you did me the honor to tell me you wou’d do) of which letter you told me the copy was in a newspaper. I beg to know in which, for I had never...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Phillip Mazzei Esqr is lately arrived here from Ireland after having been captured on his passage from Virginia hither, and long confined by the Enemy. He tells me he is charged with public Business of an important Nature on the Subject of which he is ordered to consult with you. Being under some Embarrasement on accot of the Refusal of the Merchant on whom...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 12 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Archives de la Marine On the 23d. day of September 1779 in Sight of Flamborough Head on the East Coast of England I discovered a Fleet under British Colours and made the Signal for Chase with the necessary preparation for Battle.— The Bon Homme Richard of 40 Guns which I then commanded in Person came up with and Hailed the largest Ship of the fleet. The...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 20 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your favour of Nov. 11. inclosing Capt. Samson’s Receipt for the Packets & Bills of Lading. This with your subsequent of Nov. 27. containing your accounts are now before me. I approve of your Charitable Care of the sick man Edward Slade and the poor Girl. Please to inform me if you know, how they came in to Europe. Is the Girl incapable of doing any...
28To Benjamin Franklin from ——— La Hure: Bill for Clothing, [15 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
DS : University of Pennsylvania Mémoire Pour Monsieur franklin Pere Du 19. fevrier 1779 La façon d’un habit Complet de drap de Vigogne 17 l.t. fourni 3 aus. drap de Vigogne à 90 l.t. 270 ” ” 4. aus. ¾ Satin pour doubler à 8.5 39 3 9 ⅞ toille de Coton pour défaut
29To Benjamin Franklin from Le Ray de Chaumont, [after 8 January 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont a L’honneur de proposer a S. E Monsieur franklin d’aller faire unne visite ce matin a M. Le Comte Dorvilliers qui a Si Bien accueilli nos freres americains. M. franklin voudra Bien dire a quelle heure il partira Si la proposition luy Convient. When the comte d’Orvilliers ( XXVI , 236n), the recently retired former commander of the great...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Marie Del de Sanlecque, 16 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Il m’a été assûré que vous desiriés vous procurer des caracteres pour l’Impression. C’est d’après cette annonce que je prends la Liberté de vous offrir ce qui me reste de fontes. 1º En une fonte de petit Romain-Romain pezant 415. L 2º en une de cicero-Romain pezant 711. 3º en une autre de cicero-Italique pezant 260. En tout 1386 Ces trois fontes, Monsieur,...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Landais: résumé, 9 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Paris, January 9, 1780, in French: Please certify to be a true copy the following extracts of J.P. Jones’s letter to you dated the Texel, Oct. 3, 1779. I am sorry to trouble your excellency again but thinking it necessary, I hope it will be granted.> Landais gives a French translation of several sections of Jones’s letter, beginning with “When the Fleet...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Marc Le Fort, 23 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society N’aiant receu aucune reponse à la lettre que nous primes la liberté de vous adresser pour le Sr. Ante. Gautier et à touttes celles que lui avons ecrit par cinq voyes differentes, nous prenons derechef la liberté de recourir à vos Bontés et Vous prier de faire passer lincluse à la Virginie à quelque personne sure pour etre remise au Sr. Gautier. Nous avons...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Sartine, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have immediately given, and send inclos’d, the Order to Capt. Jones, which your Excellency has done me the Honour to demand of me. I have received a Letter from Mr Dargent, Deputy of Trade for the Province of Picardy, enclosing a Memorial, which I beg leave to submit to your Excelly’s. Consideration. With the greatist Respect I am. Y. Excelly: m. o. & m. h. S. We...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library The last Post from Bordeaux brought me my Letters from america brought by Mr Adams and among them I recvd one for you which you have inclosed. I likewise inclose you a Letter from Capt Manly who is now in Mill Prison, it is addressed to Mr William Bradford but that Gentleman being now in america & having desired me at his...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [before 7 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Library of Congress This letter is one of the many fragmentary or undated Vaughan manuscripts which have challenged our editorial skill. Although we include it here, as belonging to the general period before Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces was published, it was most likely written just after Christmastime, 1776, when Vaughan arrived in Paris bearing an early...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bennett Lloyd, 3 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received The Letter you did me the honour of Writing to me The 8th. past. This is the first good Opportunity I have had of answering it. All the Circumstances you mention considered, if you think you can have leave to pass by New York I see nothing amiss in your attempting it and I heartily wish you a prosperous Voyage. As to Conveyances from hence, they are very...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 26 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I risque a letter in the common post in order to forward you the Kings Speech— I wish it had been couchd in terms more likely to produce the blessings of Peace. His Majestys Speech &ca Novr 25. 79. My Lords & Gentlemen I meet you in Parliament at a time when we are calld upon by every principle of Duty, and every consideration of Interest, to exert Our...
38To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Auzoüer, 21 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien Mortifié de ne point recevoir de réponce a la lêtre que jay eu lhonneur décrire a votre éxcellance, il y a environ six semaine; par laquelle je vous supliois de vous rapeller que dans le Courant de jeuillet 1778. Mde dauzoüer dont le nom de famille est o caroll proche parante de Mrs o caroll de marillane vos amis a eu ainsi que moy lhonneur de...
39From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan: Two Versions, 24 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) Two AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society; (II) ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Your intelligent Friend has I think been misinformed. It does not seem to me at all probable, that Propositions of Peace are coming to England from America. You began the War, and it belongs to you to propose putting an End to it, which you will do when you think...
40From 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...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Amherst College Library I have not at present any Public Money in my hands; and all that I can expect will be necessary to pay Congress Drafts, and other indispensible Orders and Engagements. I have the honour to be, with very great Respect Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant Addressed: To / The honourable Arthur Lee Esqe. / Paris. / [ in another hand: ] a lhotel notre Dame /...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 17 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am afraid the Commn for the purchase of the Books &ca. will take me so much time as to make you suppose I neglect it, but they are old & by so many authors that I find it difficult to collect them. They shall be forwarded as soon as possible— The Accot agt. Capn. Gustavs —— was forwarded the 11th Int. I mentioned to T——e what you requested— He got the...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 12 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur, de vous prevenir que le Paquebot Anglois l’heureux armé en Parlementaire vient d’arriver au Port de l’Orient, et comme le nombre des Prisonniers qui sera remis en Echange au Capitaine de ce Batiment ne sera pas égal à celui qu’il a apporté en France, J’ai pensé que vous pourriez profiter de cette occasion pour renvoyer en Angleterre les Prisonniers...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honour of writing to your Excellency on the 6 inst, whereunto please to be referred. Agreable to my promise, I here inclose the two Bonds respecting the privateers Black Prince Capn. Patrick Dowlin and the Black Princess Capn. Edwd Maccatter, Sign’d by Mr. Riviere l’ainé, of Gravelinnes, and Messr. John Francis and Charles Torris of this place,...
45To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I had the pleasure of writing to your Excellency on my arrival at Corogne.— Having refreshed my people and shunned a Gale of Wind in that Port I Sailed again the 28th. Ulto.— I took a turn to the Westward of Cape Finistre in hopes of intercepting some of the Enemies Ships, but without Success, and meeting with Mr. Haywood in...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Arnold-Barthélemy Beerenbroek, 27 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr Beerenbroek presents his Respects to Dr Franklin; begs the favor to be informed if Dr Ingenhousz is in Paris, & desires to know his address. Dr Beerenbroek has just received a Letter from London in which it is mentioned that Dr Ingenhousz has left London lately, & that he is gone over to the continent; he will therefor be much obliged to Dr Franklin if he...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Digges, 9 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am without any of your favors since that by Mr. Luard, & my last to you are of the 9th. & 17th Decr. I wish to have some other name than that of Franklin to direct to, & put under cover to Monsr. Grand; as it will pass better in the Post Office, & be more secure in point of my personal safety—in one of my late letters I mentiond that of B: Forbes , as a...
48From 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...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 10 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Your kind Letter of May 30. 79. came to my hands but a few days since, by Dr Ingenhausz, who has also brought the Milk pot. The Copper Vessel I received long ago. I hear that your Affairs are settled to your Satisfaction, on which I congratulate you with sincere Pleasure. You end your Letter with this endearing Expression of Friendship, “ I wish we...
50To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The arrival of the Governor Livingston & Mary fearon calling me to Nantes preventing my having the Honor of receiving your favor of the 4 Inst. to yesterday. I esteem the pleasure of congralating you on the safe arrival of Mr Jay and the other Passengers per the Aurore Frigate from Martinico a circumstance of moment in the present critical situation of...