1Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1779 (Franklin Papers)
One new account begins during the period covered by this volume: XXIV. Jonathan Williams, Jr.’s Account with Franklin for Officers’ and Soldiers’ Clothing, January 7, 1780, to May 31, 1781: National Archives, 44 pp. This seems to be a complete accounting of Williams’ expenses incurred in procuring and shipping the congressional order for military uniforms and other supplies. The first two...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Franz Anton Mesmer, [before 1 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’aurai l’honneur de vous recevoir avec le plus grand Empressement ainsi que Madame de Brillon, le jour que vous indiqués. Je Regretterai de ne pouvoir donner à cette dame toute la Satisfaction qu’elle desire, mon harmonica n’étant point monté et ne pouvant l’être d’ici à ce têms. Je Serai flatté si je peux vous mettre à même de reconnoitre la Réalité et...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Reed, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress A Gentleman from Holland, one of the Senators of Ziricsee, M. Van Noemer, being desirous of settling in our State, with his Family, and being well recommended to me, as a Person of Character, for Learning & Virtue, & likely to make a good & useful Citizen, I beg leave to present him to your Excellency, and to request for him those Civilities &...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Cradock Taylor, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 25th. Past, with Sundry Letters enclos’d from Mr. Fraser to you, and being now convinc’d that you are an honest American, and have not been a Volunteer in the English Service, I shall immediately endeavour to procure your Discharge. In the meantime, you may draw on me for five Louis d’ors, which I shall pay on sight of your Bill to assist you...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Me voila donc réduitte a vous écrire mon bon papa et a vous dire que je vous aime; il étoit plus doux sans doutte de vous le laissér lire dans mes yeux; comment vaisje passér les mercredis et les samedis—point de thé, point d’échécs, point de musique, point d’éspérance de voir, d’embrassér mon bon papa—il me semble que la privation que j’éprouve de votre...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jean Haag and Other Favor Seekers, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Money, as usual, was at the core of most requests addressed to Franklin in the course of this volume: outright pleas for financial help or inquiries for clarification of the American currency system. Jean Haag, whose letter is published below, needs money to get back to Charleston. A painter who gives his name simply as Paul writes on December 29 to ask for...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je reçois, Monsieur, la lettre que Vous me faittes l’honneur de m’écrire, et je donne sur le champ des ordres pour que le sr. smith soit observé avec la plus grande exactitude. Je charge même l’officier de police de se rendre chès vous pour vous prier de lui procurer les details qui pouraient lui être nécessaires, et prendre vos ordres. Je suis avec un...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 1 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Dumas left us last week, as he told us his presence should be required at the Hague from whence we gott his advice how to supply Mr Landay with money for his voyage to Paris, agreable to the orders of Your Excellency. At the same time our homme d’affaires at the Helder mentiond some matters to us we thought best to look into ourSelfs, and have arranged...
9To 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...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Cashinberry et al., [2 November 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Humble Petition of several of the private Men of late belonging to the Brig Cabot Sheweth That your Petitioners have now been in Captivity three years the 22nd October last in the former Part of our Captivity we were Prisoners in Ireland along with Mr. George Thayer and after being in Ireland nine Months we were brought to Mill Prison were we still...