361From Benjamin Franklin to Lewis Littlepage, 16 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 12th. Instant, requesting my advice, with regard to your going to Mr. Jay in spain. From the few Circumstances you mention, viz. that Mr. Jay had Once generously offered you his Patronage in America, that you have lately been in an ill state of health, and that you understand neither french nor spanish, I should think it most prudent for you to...
362List of Medals Awarded by the United States, 17 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Liste des Mèdailles accordées par Les ètats unis de L’amerique depuis Le Commencement de La guèrre jusqu’en 1780.—six medailles. Noms. actions années. son excèllence Le general wasshington pour La prise de boston 1775. son excèllence Le gènèral gates pour La prise de L’armèe de burgoyne à saratoga 1777. son excèllence Le gènèral wayne. blessè . pour La prise du fort...
363To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr de Chaumont informs me to day that the Furniture is to be reduced to 10.000 men & I shall conform accordingly. I informed you some time since that he desired me to draw on him instead of you, and I accordingly sent Bills for his acceptance, he writes me now that he waits for your decision, I beg you will let me have these Bills returned as soon as...
364To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 18 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief J’ai à répondre à l’honorée vôtre du 27e. Janv. Nous ne savons encore au juste ce que les Etats-Genx. résoudront quant à l’affaire de leur convoi saisi. Pour un si grand affront, voilà bien de la lenteur. J’apprends avec plaisir, de Mr. Jones lui-même, son arrivée à la Corogne le 16e. Janv. J’espere qu’il a fait quelque...
365To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee and Ralph Izard, 18 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Being desirous of returning to america we request that the Alliance may be orderd to convey us thither. We are induced to desire this not only from a regard to our own safety but also from a sense of the dishonor it woud reflect on our Country to have persons returning from the employments we have filled in her service, made prisoners in trading Vessels or obliged to...
366To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bennett Lloyd, 18 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I really am ashamed to be so very troublesome to my valuable and venerable Friend— but flatter myself He will excuse the liberty I take— knowing the importance of what I am about to mention, is to myself—. Agreeably to your kind advice last Spring, I have endeavoured to remain here until times wd. admit my taking my Family across the Atlantic with safety—...
367To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Merry, 18 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It was with the utmost Gratefull pleasure and Satisfaction that I received my friend Burton’s assurance of having deliver’d my letters to you & Captain Hawker into your own hand; & that you not only humanely promis’d your utmost care in forwarding that to Captain Hawker, but most pleasingly & obligingly gave me hope that I shou’d have it confirm’d from your...
368To Benjamin Franklin from James Mullin: Promissory Note, 18 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Passy, printed by Benjamin Franklin, 1780. Printed form with MS insertions in blanks, signed: American Philosophical Society In mid-February, probably in anticipation of the expected prisoner exchange, Franklin printed on his Passy press a quantity of triplicate forms to replace the handwritten promissory notes that he had issued to escaped prisoners. These forms lasted him until June, 1781,...
369From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 19 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; two copies: Library of Congress I received yours from Corogne of the 16th past, and from L’Orient of the 13th Inst. I rejoice that you are safely arrived in France, malgré all the Pains taken to intercept you. As to Refitting of your Ship at the Expence of this Court, I must acquaint you that there is not the least probability of obtaining it, and therefore I cannot ask...
370From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee and Ralph Izard, 19 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I received last Night the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, relative to your having a Passage in the Alliance. It was unnecessary to use Arguments with me, to shew the Propriety of that Measure. Mr Lee may remember that I mentioned it to him some Weeks since; and receiving no Answer I imagined he had other Views. The Ship is...
371From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 19 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am contented that as many of the Public Woollens go in the Alliance as Comme. Jones shall be willing to take on board, he being the best judge of the Quantity that may be carried, consistent with allowance of sufficient Room for the People, Provisions Water, &c. and shall write to him this Day accordingly; I shall also write to him to permit your taking your passage...
372To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 19 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I cannot Let M. Girard leave this Without a Letter for you altho’ probably he can give you much better Information of the States of Affairs here than it is in my Power to give. I did myself the Honor of writing to you from Cadiz and Informed you of M. Jay intentions of Sending me to this City, a Letter from himself which M. Gerard will deliver, will inform you of the...
373To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; copy: Yale University Library I have this Moment received your kind Favour of the 14 Instant, in which you ask me to explain the Reason and Utility of my drawing on M. de Chaumont on Accot of the Cloathing. This Arrangement does not originate with me Mr de Chaumont ordered me to do so, and as you refered me to him for the Detail of this Matter I...
374From Benjamin Franklin to De Chezaulx, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Mr. De Chaumont having had the whole Care of equipping and paying every thing relating to The little Squadron that sent the Prizes in to Bergen, I have constantly refered to him the Letters you have done me the honour of writing to me on that subject, and I believe he has answered them. I am nevertheless extreamly sinsible of the kind Care, zeal and Activity you have...
375From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas White et al., 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have but lately received your Letter of the 4th. of January. I am sorry you have been so long detained in that uncomfortable inactive situation. It has been partly occasion’d by hopes that the Court of Denmark would reconsider their proceedings and give us back our Prizes. If that had been the Case your stay might have been serviceable. If by the advices M de...
376To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I have received your Excellencies letter of the 16th.— I am exceedingly Sorry that the Alliance is not in the readiness that you Imagined.— I was in hopes to have sent for your Satisfaction the Certificate of the Master Builder here respecting the repairs that are indispensably necessary to render the Ship fit for Service;...
377To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Necker, 21 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress While Jonathan Williams, Jr., and Chaumont were trying to arrange the details of supplying the congressional order for army uniforms, and while Lafayette was working to procure the requested arms and ammunition, Franklin was experiencing frustrations of his own regarding the order for tools. There were no English-French dictionaries that included this kind of...
378To 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...
379From Benjamin Franklin to William Carmichael, 22 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I received with great Pleasure yours of the 25. of January, and shall write to you fully by the first good Oportunity. I cannot recollect the Name of the Correspondent you mention but I have ordered a Credit of 24000 Livres Tournois to be lodged in Madrid for M. Jay and you, which I suppose you will divide in Proportion to your Appointments. Inclosed are the...
380From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 22 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; two copies: Library of Congress It gave me infinite Pleasure to hear of your Excellency’s safe Arrival in Spain. I Knowing that the Confederacy had sailed the 28th of Octr., we began to despair of ever hearing more of her. I received your Advice of the Bill drawn on me for four thousand and seventy nine Livres Tournois, at sixty Days date, which I order’d to...
381From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Johnson, 22 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Enclos’d I send you a Copy of Some Resolutions of Congress that I have lately receiv’d. I request to know whether you purpose to undertake the Business; and if so, when you think you may be at Leisure to enter upon it. I have the Honour to be, with great Esteem, Sir &c. BF certainly sent a copy of the Sept. 29 congressional...
382From 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...
383To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; transcript: National Archives I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that I this day had M. Secondat the Kings Constructor to examine the Situation of the Alliance, and find him of Opinion that the Head and Cutwater can be Secured without bringing the Ship into port.— I shall not therefore think of heaving down, and...
384To 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...
385From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; copy: Library of Congress I request you would send me by the Bearer, my Grandson, the original Treaty of Alliance which I have a present Occasion to see. And if in assorting your Papers you have separated such belonging to the Publick as may be useful here, and are not necessary to you, I request you would send them also, either now or before you leave...
386To 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...
387To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Donaldson Cooke, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclos’d is a letter I recd. from Mr. Bache of Philadelphia in June 1778, and have never had it in my Power to convey it to you sooner— I have come over to Europe in order to receive a Legacy left my father by his sister Anna Cooke of this Place, which I’m apprehensive will cause me trouble before I gett it, as it lies in the Bank of England— Mr Bache...
388To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society According to the letter your Grand son wrote me last Morning I have obtain’d from the Ministry that the four thousand Compleat Cloathes would be Carried on Board of the frigatte that is ordered to Carry me to America— so that if they are at Rochefort, la Rochelle, l’isle d aix or l’isle de Rhé By the Second of the next month they will be taken on Board— I...
389To Benjamin Franklin from James Lovell, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two als: Massachusetts Historical Society, American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives; transcript: National Archives I forward the Gazettes to Boston for you, as usual without knowing when they will find a Passage from thence. Your Letter of Sepr. 30th and one from Doctor Lee of Decr. 8th. came to hand two days ago, your prior being May 26 recd. augst. 17th.— I hope you have got...
390To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 25 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this Instant honord with your favor of the 14 Curt. The petition of the poor American is perfectly true as there represented some days after his arrival at Bordeaux he was taken ill of the Small Pox, he applied to me to get him into the Hospital they are not receivd into the Hospital in that disorder which I told the poor man. He was with one of his...