1To Benjamin Franklin from James Adams, 3 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Necessity forces me to inform your Excellency, that I am one of the unhappy Number, now in confinement in this prison, for what they please to style a Rebel, I was master of the Contl: Sloop of Warr, the Providence, John Pick Rathborn Esqr. Commr. & was so unfortunate as to be rose upon, in a Brigg, a Prize, on my Passage for Boston, Capt. Calef the bearer...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 8 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inform your Excellency, that Congress, having judged it proper to appoint me to a new Mission in Europe I embarked on the thirteenth of November, at the Instance of The Chevalier de La Luzerne and Mr. Gerard, on Board the same Frigate that carried me to America. Soon after We got to Sea a...
3To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams and Francis Dana, [on or after 11 February 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Adams & Mr. Dana present their most respectful Complaments to his Excellency Dr. Franklin and wou’d acquaint him that as Mr. Adams had invited Company to dine with him on Sunday next, previous to his Excellency’s invitation, to dine with him on that Day, they cannot do themselves the honor of waiting upon him. Addressed: His Excellency Dr: Franklin /...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander John Alexander, 14 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I expected to have had the pleasure of breakfasting with you allongst with my Brother who is returned & to have beged the favour of you to have delivered the two Memoires Inclosed to Mr De Sartine & Mr De Vergennes which I mentioned to you on Sunday I am most respectfully Dr Sir your Most Obt Humble Servt Notation: Alexander A. J. 14. Dec. 1779. Apparently...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Allaire, 31 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Allaires respectfull Compl: to Dr. Franklin has sent him Edens Letters to Carlile. Begs his Acceptance of a Bottle of Old Madeira, wishes he had more, it should be his Service. On Feb. 4 Beaumarchais wrote to Vergennes that Allaire, “un Anglais plus que suspect,” had arrived in Paris the previous Saturday (Jan. 29). Beaumarchais had him followed for two...
6To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis d’Amezaga, [28 November? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. Le Ms. Damezaga fait dire à Monsieur de franklin, et à Monsieur son Petit fils, que Mr. Amelot dinne chès Luy demain Lundy 29 9bre. One of a series of dinner invitations beginning in April, 1779, from the marquis and his stepson Antoine-Jean Amelot de Chaillou, a high government official and president of the Académie royale des sciences: XXIX , 275,...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 12 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor of addressing your Excellency by two different Opportunities, which hope have reached your Hands; I am very sensible that your Excellency’s Attention is engrossed with important Concerns for your Country, yet permit me to express my Remembrance for Civilities received, by wishing you a long Continuation of Health & Happiness.— My late...
8To 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...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il faudroit que je fusse bien ingrat pour ne pas dans ce renouvellement d’année où même les plus indifferents temoignent de la reconnoissance vous temoigner combien je suis sensible à toutes les bontés que vous avès eues pour moi; je vous promets, Mon cher bon papa, que j’en conserverai toujours la memoire dans mon coeur et vous pouvés être assuré du...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 8 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the Request of my Friend Colonel John Mitchell, I take the liberty of introducing to your Civilities, the Bearer Mr: John Rainey, who goes to France upon a Commercial Plan, should he require your Advice, or Assistance in procuring passports to Holland or elsewhere, I beg leave to recommend him to you for them— The Family continue well and join me in Love...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache: Two Letters, 2 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself this pleasure, under different dates by the Frigate Confederacy, that sailed about a Week ago having on board Monsr. Gerard & Mr. Jay as Passengers— I now inclose you second Bills for another years Interest of your money in the loan office, amounting to 486 Dollars— I hope the safe arrival of the first Bills will render these...
12To 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...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, [25 December 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Bancroft presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin. He called to Communicate a Letter which he has just recd. from Mr. Ridley (in Maryland) mentioning that Mr. Jno. Adams is appointed to return to Europe to assist in any future Treaty of Peace, and that Mr. Lawrence (son I believe of the Late President) is appointed Secretary of Embassy at...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society One of the happiest days of my life, was that in which I was honored with your condescending favor of the 28th. ulto. for which I return you my most sincere and grateful acknowledgments. I had heared a few days ago, of the death of my revered God-mama from a Mr. Logan— I will not renew a grief which Time I hope, has abated, by saying more on so painful a...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, 8 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Ayant entendu dire, Monsieur, que vous preniez un hotel à Paris et par conséquent un Suisse; Le nommé Abbeg m’a demandé une Lettre pour Se presenter à vous, et vous offrir Ses Services, dans Le cas où ce bruit Serait fondé. Il m’a été recommandé par Mr Le Noir, et est parent de son propre Suisse dont il est très content; cela Serait d’un bon augure pour...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Beaumarchais, 1 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr De Beaumarchais a l’honneur de présenter Son respectueux hommage a Monsieur franklin. Il le prie de vouloir bien remettre au porteur de la présente les 56 lettres acceptées. Un peu de dérangement dans la Santé de Mr De Beaumarchais l’empéche d’aller lui mesme renouveller a Monsieur franklin les assurances du respect avec lequel il est le très dévoué...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To Benjamin Franklin from William Bingham, 28 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society No Event of material Importance to merit your Notice or Attention, has happened in this Quarter since the Date of my last— I have not been honoured with any of your Favors since your Residence in France, not withstanding the many official Letters that in the Course of public Business I have had occasion to address you— I am entirely ignorant of the...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Birrell, 29 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am Very Sorrow that I should be the means of putting You to the least trouble or inconveniency, but as My Situation is such as I shall endeavour to inform you, I thinck it is my duty to acquaint you of it. Sir, here is a Number of American Subgects that has been Prizoners of War from four to Twenty four Months, & by all appearence there is no more...
21To Benjamin Franklin from John Bishop: Promissory Note, 8 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two DS : American Philosophical Society Recived of Bn. Franklin Esqr: six louis d’ors. to assist me in returning to america, which I promise to Repay to the honble: the president of Congress, or his order. I have sign’d three notes of this Tenor and date Either of which being paid, the others to be null. An escaped prisoner from Plymouth, Mass.: Alphabetical List of Escaped Prisoners. Three...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 29 January 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Adams left Bayonne the 25th he makes only short Stages and will not arrive here before to morrow. The Confederacy is certainly foundered we should otherways have had some inteligence had she been Captured or put back it is upwards of ninty Days since she left the Capes of Delaware. Our Correspondence with the United States is cruely obstructed the...
25To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 13 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The arrival of Mr Jay Messrs. Girard and other gentlemen passengers on board the Frigate L’Aurore from Martinico at Cadiz releives the suspence we were under for the fate of the Confederacy you will undoubtedly have Letters by this days post from Cadiz. Don Gaston & Cordova would be united the 20th the active Barcelo sooner than fly run his vessels under...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 13 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honord by your favor of the 16th Ulto to Messrs Watts & Smith I shall be attentive to render this place to them agreable and particularly so thro’ your recommendation which I honor & revere. We are greatly disapointed by the intellige. receivd from Georgia notwithstanding I do not apprehend the effects so dreadful as painted. The English are greatly...
27To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 3 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Letters last post from Bilboa we are advised of the Arrival of a Vessel at that Port from Georgia the Inteligence they bring is very pleasing and being transmitted by many Houses of that City gives it Credit. A detatchment from Comte dEstaings Fleet arrived at Savannah took and destroyd the British Armd Vessels on the Coast and made prisoners at Beaufort...
28To Benjamin Franklin from [the Marquise de Boulainvilliers], [25 December? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Nous avons lhonneur de faire Mille remerciments a Monsieur franklin de son attention obligeante. Nous sommes dans linquietudes et dans l’impassiances la plus vive des nouvelles; nous suplions Monsieur franklin de nous en intruire quand il le poura et de venir bientot recevoir nos tandres homages; ma petitte accouchée qui vat a ravir me prie de dire a...
29To 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...
30To Benjamin Franklin from William R. Boyd et al., 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Humble Petition of the Mariners formerly belonging to the Patriote Captain Green. To his Excellency the Right Honorable Benjamin Franklin Prime Minister of the 13 United States of America. Sheweth That Your honours humble Petitioners as met with the Misfortune to be Cast Away and has lost the best Part of our Apparel Owing to the Vessel sinking so...