61To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Palmer, 12 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society In the beginning of August last, I took the liberty of troubling you with a few Lines by my Nephew, Joseph Palmer, Passenger on board the Mercury Packett; Since which I have heard nothing from him, or the Vessell.— I then mentioned the flattering hopes we had of Success at Penobscutt, but were sadly...
62To Benjamin Franklin from James White and Other Would-Be Emigrants, [c. 12 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The intriguing letter from James White, published below, is a sample of the appeals Franklin received between November, 1779, and February, 1780, for help in emigrating to America. We have dated it [ c. November 12, 1779] because on that day White sent a covering letter to an unnamed person in Amsterdam (Jean de Neufville, no doubt) asking him to convey his...
63To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 13 [November] 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je ne vous écrirai qu’un mot aujourd’hui mon bon papa, j’ai plusieurs choses indispensables a faire, moins agréables sans doutte que de causér avéc vous; mais le devoir avant tout, ou je ne serois pas la digne fille de mon papa: Oseroisje encore vous rappeller que vous m’avés promis de m’écrire, qu’il y a 16 jours que je vous ai quitté et que je n’ai entendu...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 13 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library This will be delivered to you by Mr Jeremy Allen a Merchant in this Town of Good Reputation, and of a very ancient and respectable Family among us, and for whom I have a particular Regard. He goes to Europe chiefly upon a Plan of Business, and I take the Liberty to introduce him to your Excellency, not only as my own Friend, but as one who has the highest...
65To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society His Excellency the French Ambassador at the Hague appeared to me to think so ill of sending letters by Post that I durst not venture to forward the within evidence against Captain Landais by that insecure conveyance, and I was unwilling to be at the expence of sending an Express, especially as I am not sure whether Captain Landais has or has not yet left...
66To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 14 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Friend and neighbour Mrs Wistar has been to request Mr Bache would write a few lines to introduce Mr. Ashton to you, as he is not at home I take that liberty, Mr Ashton has been in partnership with Mr John Gibson, and bears the Character of a very worthy good man, it will not be long before he will return and I hope will bring us the pleasing accounts of...
67Minutes 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...
68To 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...
69To Benjamin Franklin from François d’Ivernois, 15 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu deux fois l’honneur de vous voir à Paris, et je l’ai apprécié en Republicain; mais lors meme que je n’aurais pas joui de cet avantage, je ne m’en adresserais pas moins à vous. La liberté a des droits sacrés sur Monsieur franklin, et si ma patrie ne l’eut pas intéressé, il ne l’aurait pas choisie pour le berceau de son petit fils. Puisse-t-elle...
70To 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
71To 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...
72To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 16 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Library of Congress The enclosed letter wch I have received from the Commrs of Sick & Hurt requires no comment. I rejoice much that I have at length prevailed with the Admiralty to dispense with the tedious mode of exchanging only one hundred at a time. I now hope that we shall clear the prisons before the hard weather sets in. Be so good as to...
73To 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,...
74From 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...
75From 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...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, [after 18 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We doubt not butt your Excellence will be informd that Comodor Jones is gone to the Texel, and with the measures he hath here taken with the French Ambassador, who hath send his Secretarÿ down and Mr Dumas was acompanÿing Mr. Jones, we may hope and expect, that every thing there will be soon arranged, as what hath depended from us is gone down, and nothing...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Gustavus Conyngham, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the pleasure to enforme you that on the 3d. Instant with About 50 of our Unfortunate Country men broke out of Mill prison I brought 3. officers with me. I came by the way of London it being the safest, at London we meet with our Good friend Mr. Diggs Who did every thing in his power to serve me and all his Country men that Chance to fall in his Way....
78To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are here, from the Texel, since two days. All things are adjusted amiably. All possible care is taken by the Commodore & the Embassador for the Interests of the American crew, & for la safety of the prisoners. I am happy to give you the good news of Capt. Cuningham’s escape from the English prisons, & his arrival here. He will be soon with you. We are...
79To Benjamin Franklin from John Green, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yeasterday I hard of the Captn of the Alliance was suspended and that the Alliance would be without a Commander I begg Leave to offer my servis To Your Excellancy. I had obtaind a Leave of absence When in Philada. from the Honrbe The Marrien Commity To Make one Voyage in the Mercht. Servise and afterwards Return to that Board, I was taken on my way here and...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I find myself very happy to be in a country, from which I may write to you in full safety, and to acquaint you, that I intend ear long to pay you a visit at Passy. I set out to morrow for Holland, from where I will go directely to Paris. I had asked leave to remain in London till next spring on purpose to publish a second volum of the work I send you, and...
81To Benjamin Franklin from Geneviève Le Veillard, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous souvient il, Monsieur, d’avoir demandé a ce que vous appellez votre enfant, une petite lettre pendant son séjour a dreux? Il est trop bon a vous de vouloir bien quelle vous occupe d’elle; mais cest bien peu pour elle de ne pouvoir que vous écrire; car en concience elle aimeroit infiniment mieux vous voir et même vous embrasser, quoique vous disiez...
82To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 18 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We make bold with the inclosed Letters left to our care, to mention to your Excellency, that we have send last saturday by Expres the dispatches received from Passi for Mr. Dumas to the Texel; I went my self to the Hague, and those H. E. the Ambassador had received, caused him to write for the Comodor of the American Squadron, whome he had some conferences...
83From 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...
84To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 19 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The letter you favoured me with dated Octr. 2 never reached me untill the 15th. Currant therefore for the future I beg my letters may be addressed to Bridgen & Waller In London with a Small B just under the Seal and sent under cover A Monsieur Monsr. J: B: Hermans au Bureau de la poste A Anvers and though Antwerp is a little round about they will come safe....
85Francis Hopkinson to the American Commissioner or Commissioners, 19 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last of Sept 8th the following Setts of Exchange have issued from my Office Vizt. To the State of Connecticut Doll 25 Setts 12 Doll. No. 1655–1679= 300 50 18 1658–1707= 900 50 24 1658–1707= 1200
86To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 19 [November?] 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La vie de l’homme est bien courte, et pourtant il désire sans césse ce qui l’abbrége: enfant, il veut éstre grand garçon; marié il veut avoir des enfants; il ne les à pas obtenu qu’il désire les voir grandis ensuitte il désire leur établissement; plante t’il, il voudroit déja jouir de l’ombre de ses arbres; bastit il, dés la fondation de son bastiment il...
87To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 19 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress Jai lhonneur de vous envoyer, M, un mémoire qui m’a eté présenté par M. le Bon. [Baron] de Holzendorf; vous y verrez que cet officier forme quelques repétitions à la charge du Congres; je vous prie de vouloir bien les examiner, et si elle vous paroissent justes, je vous prie de les appuyer de vos bons offices....
88To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, 20 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Chaumont a L’honneur d’envoyer a S. Ex. M. Franklin unne Lettre et un Memoire d’observations qu’il vient de Recevoir et qui pouroient estre utils a M. Landais dont la Reputation Souffre de touttes les Relations mises dans Les gazettes. S. Ex. voudra Bien prescrire a M. de Chaumont L’usage qu’il peut faire ou doit faire de ces Lettres et memoires. Notation:...
89To Benjamin Franklin from James Jimison, 20 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I am a subject to the 13 United Colonies of America I think it very hard to remain in prison so long without being taken any notice of. I was born and brought up in Viginia and serv’d my time with one Mr. Reed a ship Wright on Queens Island at the mouth of Raperhanick River And has sailed out of that place and south Carolina until I had the misfortune to...
90To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Montgomery, 20 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Beg Lave to Refer your Eccellency to My Respects of the 2d Currt. Which Inclosed Copy of the Count de Floridablanca’s Letter to this Governour in My favour. And Since ’am Honourd by your Truly Esteemd of the 28th: Ulto. And ’am to Return you My Sincerest Thanks for the Attention you ware Pleased to Shew to my former Requests in your Interceeding with the...