391To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 25 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les deux imprimés ci-joints vous feront connoître que vous avez été ponctuellement obéi. Je vous félicite de toute mon ame de l’heureuse arrivée de nos dignes amis Mrs. Jay & Carmichael. Ce dernier m’a fait la faveur de m’écrire; & je prends la liberté de vous adresser une réponse pour lui, ne sachant de voie aussi sure pour la lui faire tenir.— Je lui fais...
392To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 25 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I am honored with your Excellencies letter of the 19th.— I feel your reasons for Urging frugallity, and as I have not hitherto been among the most extravagant Servants of America so you may depend on it my regard for you will make me particularly Nice in my present situation. It will give me very great pleasure to be able to...
393To Benjamin Franklin from Franklin and Samuel Wharton: Memorial to Congress, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives This memorial from Franklin and his long-time partner in western land ventures Samuel Wharton recapitulates the history of their efforts to establish a legitimate title to lands they had purchased in the unsettled area south of the Ohio River. Their enterprise originated in 1768 as an attempt by a group of Pennsylvania merchants, the “suffering traders,” to obtain land...
394From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Digges, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I comply’d readily with your late Recommendations, placing faith in the Declaration of the Parties, that the Transaction was bonafide intended, for the Purpose mentioned, getting home their Property. If this should be extended to cover an illicit Trade, it will when discovered effectually put a Stop to such Operations. I see by some thing in a late paper from that...
395To Benjamin Franklin from Fleury, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Marquis De la fayète goes to america, & I Remain behind him, with grief, but determined to follow him.— I writte to Congress, & general wasshington, to ask a prolongation of furlough; if you did not think improper, to interfere by your friends, or by writting to congress, in my favour, I could expect they would grant to me, what the king of france, has...
396From Benjamin Franklin to Fleury, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am sorry you were disappointed in meeting me at Versailles. In all your Billets except that of yesterday you omitted mentioning where you Lodged, otherwise I could have acquainted you that I should not be at court on the Day you Expected me. I suppose you will acquaint the Congress or General Washington with your Reasons for desiring a Prolongation of your furlow....
397From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just received your favour of the 11th. Instant. I am much oblig’d by your immediate Application to The Board of sick and hurt after the Receipt of mine of Jan. 20th. and Very glad to hear that another Cartel is soon to sail from Plymouth with 100 Americans. The English Prisoners to exchange for them, will be ready at morlaix.— And I am authoriz’d to repeat what...
398From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bennett Lloyd, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have just receiv’d your favour of the 18th. Instant. I had before answer’d another that contain’d much the Same matter. I hope that Answer is come to hand before this time. I can now only repeat, that your present Circumstances and those of your family well considered, I must approve of your endeavouring to get home in the manner you find safest and cheapest . And...
399From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Wren, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your great attention to the wants of our poor captiv’d Countrymen, and your kind and charitable Care of Them in their sickness and other Distresses; I have often heard spoken of by such as have escaped and pass’d thro’ this Place, in the strongest Terms of grateful aknowledgements. I beg you to accept among the rest, my sincere and hearty Thanks, and my best Wishes...
400To Benjamin Franklin from John Williams, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I am exceedingly obliged to you for the Trouble you have taken in informing my Nephew of the enjurious Report, of my being in England, a Creature to Administration. Could I have Submitted to such an infamous Character, I might have received considerable Rewards from the Ministers of England before I left it, instead of lossing what I had been acquiring...