61To 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...
62To 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,...
63From 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...
64From 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...
65To 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....
66To 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...
67To 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...
68To 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...
69To 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...
70To 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...
71To 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...
72From 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...
73To 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....
74Francis 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
75To 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...
76To 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....
77To 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:...
78To 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...
79To 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...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Sayre, 21 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer, Capn Hodgson, wishes to be known to your Excellency, & may want some assistance, in his way to America— He will explain his Situation particularly Capn. Grenel, who comes with him, also merits any aid & civility that can be due to our best Friends. Give me leave to request, once more, that the Comn. for a Letter of Marque may be sent by the...
81From Benjamin Franklin to J.C. de Berger, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress All the American Armies being arranged and full of Officers, a long time Since, in so much that many who have gone thither from Europe have been obliged to return for want of Employ, I cannot give the least encouragement to you or your Cousin to go to America with the purpose of entring into our service. I can only thank you for your good will to our Cause, and wish...
82From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I imagine Capt. Cunnyngham will be at Dunkerque by the time you receive this. I desire you would furnish him with what Money he may want for his comfortable Subsistance while he Stays at Dunkerque. Inclosed I Send you a Complaint I received from some of the People of the Black Prince, and request you or Mr. Torris, would ease me of Such Trouble, I having really...
83From Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your Escape, out of Prison, which I first learnt from 6. of the men who broke out with you, and came to france in a Boat. I was then Anxious lest you should be retaken, and I am very glad indeed to hear of your safe Arrival at Amsterdam. I think it will be best for you to Stay awhile at Dunkirk till we see what becomes of the...
84From Benjamin Franklin to Ingenhousz, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 18th. and see with great Pleasure that you have been able to break the Enchantment that fix’d you so long in England, and have once more set foot on the continent with intent to visit Paris. You may be assured of meeting the Same kind Welcome at Mr De Chaumonts and I have besides a Bed &c. at your service if you Should rather chuse to be with...
85To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 22 [November] 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu ce matin votre seconde léttre mon bon papa, je n’ai pû lire sans attendrissement que vous aviés été malade; consérvés vous! Le bonheur de vos amis, le repos, la gloire de l’amérique l’éxigent: j’irai vous rétrouver jeudi vingt cinq, je compte arrivér pour disnér, vous diraisje le plaisir que j’aurai a vous revoir, non cela se sent et ne s’éxprime...
86To Benjamin Franklin from Claude-Mammès de Pahin Champlain de La Blancherie, 22 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Accablé des affaires qui sont la suite des vacances, et de celles que la reprise de mon travail occasionne, Je n’ai que le temps de faire recommander à votre protection et de vous prier de couvrir de votre œgyde, l’Etablissement qui en est l’objet; ayant lhonneur de vous remercier infiniment de tous les témoignages que vous lui en avez déja donné, et dont je...
87From Benjamin Franklin to [Pierre Delaunay?] des Landes, 23 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Not understanding well enough the french language and the technical Terms used in the Description of your Observatory, I cannot form, from the description such an Idea of its Situation and Circumstances, as might enable to me to Answer the Questions you propose to me. But as my Learned and Ingenious friend Mr. LeRoy, Member of the Academy of Sciences, is perfectly...
88To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 23 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society The redress of some grievances under which the American Prisoners at Forton laboured, called me this morning to the office of the Commissioners for Sick & Hurt. During the Time of our Subscription I have had frequent occasion to attend them & in the main have found them Men disposed to act as fairly & openly as cou’d well be expected & I cannot but...
89To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 23 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May this serve for an introduction with your Excellence for Capn. Moses Grinnell, who saild many years from Boston to our consignment in the employ of Colonel Isaac Sears; and now had the misfortune to fall into the Ennemy’s hands on the Coast of Schotland. He saw here both Comodor Jones and Capn. Cunningham. Your Excellencys directions to procure him or...
90To Benjamin Franklin from Sartine, 24 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress J’ai reçu, Monsieur,avec la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 17. de ce mois par laquelle vous me demandez la liberté du Sr. John Stephenson Captne. du navire anglois la Sailli et prisonnier à Angers. L’intérêt que vous prenez à ce prisonnier m’engage a donner des ordres pour qu’il soit mis en liberté. Le Sr. Cradock Taylard Americain pour lequel...