31Editorial Note on Remedies for the Stone, 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Franklin received dozens of remedies for the stone during his stay in France, from friends and strangers alike. Most were unsolicited and many are undated. We have determined that most of the undated remedies were sent in response to later episodes; they will be noted in future volumes. The rest we describe here at their earliest possible date, following Franklin’s first attack. All of them...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Mattheus Lestevenon van Berkenrode, 26 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de Hollande, aiant appris hier a Versailles, que Monsieur Francklin se trouve incommodé, fait demander des Nouvelles de Sa Santé, et a L’honneur de L’assurer de Ses tres humbles civilités. Notation: L’Ambassadeur de Hollande. For BF ’s illness see MacMahon’s prescription of Aug. 23.
33To Benjamin Franklin from De Grasse, 26 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Comte de Grasse á l’honneur de souhaiter le bonjour á son Excellence le Docteur franklin; il le prie de vouloir bien prendre lecture de la lettre ci jointe et se charger de la Faire parvenir á M. le Président du Congrês, dont il ignore le nom. Notation: Le C. de Grasse 26. Aout 1782. The letter, dated Aug. 25, was written on behalf of Capt. Charles...
34To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 26 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Not having any thing particular to Communicate I have deferred too long paying my tribute of thanks for the Civilities I recd from you during my short stay at Paris— I saw the Minister soon after my Return, who was much upon the Fish to know why I paid you a Visit, I turned it off, by saying we had a long Acc’t to settle & that I flatterred myself my...
35To Benjamin Franklin from John Wright, 26 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having just heard of an Opportunity of conveying a letter I am unwilling to let it slip without acknowledging the rect. of thy very kind & acceptable favr. dated May 8 which afforded me much pleasure on many accots. particularly to observe that old Time who is silently making depredations upon the mental & bodily powers of all other mortals seem to have...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, [before 27 August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de Vous adresser quelques Billets d’invitation pour la seance publique de la société Royale de médecine, qui aura lieu le 27 de ce mois et dont elle Vous prie de Vouloir bien disposer. La Compagnie espére que Vous Voudrez bien honorer cette assemblée de Votre présence. Je serai en mon particulier infiniment flatté, si nous avons le bonheur de...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Pierre Colomb, 27 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, les deux Lettres que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 19 du mois dernier et le 19 du courant pour m’engager à vous procurer votre échange, ainsi que les moyens de retourner en Amerique rejoindre vos drapeaux. Je suis bien faché, Monsieur, de me trouver dans l’impossibilité absolue de vous accorder ce que vous me demandez. Les...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Juliana Ritchie, 27 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to thank you in all sincerity—for your great politeness in answering my letter— My poor suffering heart will ever retain a just sence of what I owe to your good nature & kind condesention in that proof of your pardoning my intrusions. Nothing but my state of anxiety—cou’d have induced me to break thro’ all rules of decoram, by impertinently...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Caleb Whitefoord, 29 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge If you know any thing of the Character of J. Miller late Printer of the London Evening Post, as to his Honesty, Sobriety, Industry, &c. you will oblige me by communicating it. Yours affectionately, Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Whitefoord / Hotel d’Orleans, Rue des / petits Augustins / à Paris BF knew John Miller as the former printer of the London...
40Joseph Wright to William Temple Franklin, [c. 29 August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I found at my return to Paris yesterday, that I am oblidged to be detained a Week longer, as every place was taken both in the Dilligence and Cabriole and there being no other Conveyance before then—and as I receiv’d your Packet this Morning perhaps your letter to Mr. Williams may require an immediate conveyance.— I return my sincere thanks for this...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous ècris ne voulant pas perdre courage de ce que vous ne m’ècrivez pas il y a longtems que je n’ai eu de vos nouvelles, les dernieres que J’ai eu etoient par Mr Pigott. Je vous prierai si vous ne pouvez m’ècrire a cause de vos affaires de me faire ècrire un mot par Mon cousin car Mr Marignac et moi Sommes fort en peine ne recevant point de vos...
42From Benjamin Franklin to the Marquis de Castries, 31 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives de la Marine If there is nothing improper in the Requests made by Mr Williams in the enclos’d Letter, I beg leave to recommend them to your Excellency’s favourable Attention. With great Respect, I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant Notation: R [Repondu] le 8. 7bre. 1782. / [audela ?] 1er 7bre v. la f. du même jour et la lettre ecrite à M Clouet BF...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [after August? 1782] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Arrivé hier au Soir Mon Illustre Docteur J’envoye Savoir de vos nouvelles. J’espere bien que vos douleurs de Goutte Se Sont bien calmées. J’ai recu un billet du Musée de M. Court de Gébelin où l’on me presse fort de vous engager à y venir aujourdhui où il y aura une assemblèe publique et des choses qui pourront vous interesser. Je Serois bien enchanté Si...
44Wine Cellar Inventory, [1–30 September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Etat du vin au 1er. Sept. 1782 Nombre des Bouteilles [ Total consumed ] Bierre de Paris { 83 20 18 vin de Champ. mouss. 24 Cidre 138 Eau de Vie d’andaye 24 Vin ordinaire
45To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Grant, Vicomte de Vaux, 2 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Serois-je asses malheureux pour que mes projets, qui m’avoient paru si honestes et faits pour estre goustés par vous, eussent pu vous déplaire, et que vous ne les jugiés pas dignes d’une reponse. J’y serois d’autant plus sensible, monsieur, que j’ay fondé sur cela m’est plus douçes esperançes. J’ay perdu une partië considerable de ma fortune a...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, 2 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr. Ridley has the honor to present his respects to Mr. Franklin.— The inclosed obligation was Sent Mr Ridley by Mr. Johnson for the purpose of procuring a Letter of Marque for a Vessel at Nantes— As Mr. Johnson is very pressing with Mr. Ridley to forward it, he will think himself obliged to Mr. Franklin if he will...
47Achille-Guillaume Lebegue de Presle to William Temple Franklin, 2 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A la reception de votre lettre, Monsieur, je me suïs assuré d’un Exemplaire de L’ouvrage de m Cavallo sur les Airs, que j’avois conseillé a un libraire de faire venir. Il est chez moi et vous pourrez le faire prendre quand vous souhaiteres. Jai aussi recu dernierement les planches qui manquoient a un magnifique ouvrage qu’on vend 25 guinées a Londres que mr...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 3 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete LS with complete press copy, LS with incomplete press copy, copy, and transcript: National Archives I have just received your No. 13 dated the 23d June. The Accounts of the general Sentiments of our People, respecting Propositions from England, and the Rejoicings on the Birth of the Dauphin, give Pleasure here; and it affords me much Satisfaction to find the Conduct of Congress,...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 3 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the honour of writing to you on my arrival in this Country thirteen Months ago per Mr. Price, Inclosing a Packet from Mr. Samuel Wharton, since when I have not had the pleasure to hear from you. I have now to inform you, that I have with much pain and trouble got a fine Ship built, capable of Carrying Twenty Nine pound Cannon, but at present...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Barclay, 3 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have return’d to Mr. Franklin the Papers relative to the Consular powers which he was so obliging as to send Me; and as he desired I wou’d Make My observations thereon, I shall trouble Your Excellency with a few lines relative to the third Article— was My opinion to have any weight, it shou’d be that the Consuls and Vice Consuls were left at liberty to...
51To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 3 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you very sincerely for the kind attention to my health & welfare signified in your favor of the 19th. Ult. My acknowledgements are also due for your condescensions to my Son lately at Passy. I am waiting now for permission to re-enter England & to embark at Falmouth for New York with a Passport for proceeding thence to Philadelphia which I have...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 4 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères With this you will receive the Boxes you desired of Mint Drops. They came by Mr Oswald’s Courier, who arrived this Morning. He has been with me, and tells me he has a Letter from Mr Secry. Townsend, acquainting him, that the King has consented to declare the Independence of America, authorizing him to make it the first Article in the Treaty,...
53From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 4 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 396. Mr. Oswald’s courier being returned, with directions to him, to make the independence of America the first article in the treaty, I would wait on you if I could, to discourse on the subject: but as I cannot, I wish to see you here this evening, if not...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 4 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je profite du départ de Mr. Brantsen, nomé Minre. Plenipo: de cette Rep., pour aller, dans un parfait Concert avec les Ministres de la Cour de Fce. & ceux des autres Puissances en guerre avec la Gde. Brete., traiter des Préliminaires d’une paix générale conjointement avec Mr. l’Ambr. de Berkenrode,— pour vous faire passer l’incluse, laquelle ayant lue, vous...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, [before 5 September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Grand’s most respectfull Compliments wait on Doctor Franklin & begs to be informed whether he approves being debitted of £55: for a former Invoice of Books of Messrs. Hohlenfeld & Embser at strasbourg & 9: for a late one from the same. Mr. Grand also craves the favour of an order for the £200 stg he sent to Mr. Wm. Hodgson in London the 18th of last...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 5 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; transcript: National Archives Having written to you lately, I should not again trouble you so soon were it not necessary to remind you, that your last letter is dated in March, since which there have been frequent arrivals from France— and since which too we have reason to beleive, the most interesting...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Oswald, 5 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office (three), William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress In consequence of the Notice I have just now had from Mr Jay of Your Desire of an Extract from my last Letter from His Majesty’s Secretary of State, regarding the proposed Treaty on the Subject of American Affairs, & my Authority in relation thereto, I take the liberty to send the same inclosed, which...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 6 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am just requested to pass through your hands the inclosed to Mr Jay I therefore hope for your pardon for the liberty I take it goes round by Antwerp and Consequently its arrival will be later than by the Usual conveyance Which, I am informed, will not be material; will you do me the favour to present my most respectful compliments to that Gentleman,...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 6 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society In a Letter I wrote you a few Weeks past, giving some general Account of our Affairs, I mentioned my Kinsman William Cooper, and Mr Leverett, who I then thought were Prisoners in England, since which they with many others of our Countrymen have happily arrived here. I have been suspicious that our late severe Disappointment in the West Indies by the Defeat...
60To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Mesny, 6 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library En 1778. Vous eutes la bonté de Vous charger d’envoyer en Amerique cent exemplaires de l’ouvrage de Mr. de la faye, et de me promettre de m’en faire payer icy le prix, aprés que la Vente en seroit faitte. J’ai eu l’honneur de Vous en demander des nouvelles il y a environ 15 jours, et aujourdhui je prends la liberté de vous retourner vôtre propre lettre...
61To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Claude Palteau de Veimerange, 6 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives de la Marine Vôtre Excellence a été informé qu’il a été embarqué à Brest, dans le courant des mois d’Avril et May derniers, sur les Navires L’ Achille , Le Maurice et la Marie-Therèse , divers Effets et Marchandises pour le service des Etats unis de l’Amérique Septentrionnale, dont j’ai eû l’honneur de vous faire remettre les Etats détaillés....
62To Benjamin Franklin from Vicq d’Azyr, 6 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania La société Royale de médecine à laquelle j’ai Communiqué le Billet qui m’a été ecrit en Votre nom, a été d’autant plus fachée, d’etre privée de la satisfaction de Vous posséder à sa séance publique que c’est une indisposition qui en a été la Cause. Elle m’a chargé de Vous témoigner toute la part qu’elle y prend et elle desire bien sincèrement qu’elle...
63From Benjamin Franklin to Castries, 7 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives de la Marine J’ay l’honneur de transmettre à V. E. la copie d’une lettre que je viens de recevoir de M. de Veimerange au sujet des avaries arrivées à un des Batiments de transports chargés des munitions destinées pour les Etats unis de l’amerique. Je pense qu’il est a propos que Votre Gouvernement ayant eté chargé jusqu’a present de ces sortes d’affaires, continue à les diriger,...
64From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 8 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office (three), William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress I have receivd the honour of yours dated the 5th. Instant, inclosing an Extract of a Letter to you from the Rt. Hon: Thos. Townshend, one of his Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State, wherein your Conduct in communicating to us the 4th Article of your Instructions appears to have been approved of by his...
65From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr Barclay who will have the honour of delivering you this, will have that of laying before your Excellency his Commission from the Congress of the United States of America, appointing him their Consul General in France. Mr. Barclay being about to enter on his Consular Functions, I request your Excellency would in the usual manner,...
66From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 9 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : British Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have just received the very kind friendly Letter you were so good as to write to me by Dr. Bonssonnet [Broussonet]. Be assured that I long earnestly for a Return of those peaceful Times, when I could sit down in sweet Society with my English philosophic Friends, communicating to each other new Discoveries, and proposing...
67To Benjamin Franklin from Lamarque, Fabre & Cie., 10 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Pour prouver à Votre Excellence qu’elle a daigné honorer de ses bontés de Négociants honnêtes qu’un évenément inattendu avoit mis dans la détresse & affecté la délicatesse, nous prenons la liberté, Monseigneur, de remettre à Votre Excellence un Etat des sommes que nous avons payé par le secours que nous a procuré M Gillon qui forme la moitié de ce que...
68To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 10 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): University of South Carolina Library I had the honor of addressing you under the 3d Inst. requesting you to procure & transmit a Passport for myself & family to go out of this Kingdom into England—this Morning I am advised from London that the proper document of leave to re-enter the latter, had been obtained & would be forwarded to Mr. Ginett...
69To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recvd the Catalogue of the Marquis de la Fayettes Cargo only last Night—and I now return it with marks & a note on the other side which I hope may answer your Purpose. I have been very uneasy on accot of your Illness but a Letter from Billy this morning has relieved me, & I hope by the Time you receive this you will be perfectly recovered. I am as ever...
70From Benjamin Franklin to Baron Grantham, 11 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress A long & severe Indisposition has delay’d my acknowledging the Receipt of the Letter your Lordship did me the Honour of Writing to me by Mr Fitzherbert:— You do me Justice in believing that I agree with you in earnestly Wishing the Establishment of an honourable and lasting Peace; and I am happy to be assur’d by your Lordship, that it is the real System of the...
71From Benjamin Franklin to Mesny, 11 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received two Letters from you relating to some Books you put into my Hands some years since to be sent to America. A severe Indisposition has prevented my answering sooner. I sent one of the Bundles to Nantes, to be forwarded by some Ship from thence; and having never heard that the Books arrived, I suppose the Ship was lost or taken. I was thereby...
72To Benjamin Franklin from ——— St. Clair, 11 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai ete favorisé d’une lettre de Monsieur Joly qui m’a fait part d’une conversation qu’il a eu l’honeur d’avoir avec votre Excellence a mon sujet. Les mesures que le Prince De Robecq prenait pour mon elargissement m’a fait croire qu’il etait inutile d’importuner votre Excellence davantage a cet egard: mais une lettre daté du Burau de la guerre dont on m’a...
73The Marquis de Lafayette’s Note Containing Vergennes’ Proposal, [11 September? 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AD and copy: Library of Congress Vergennes had advised the American commissioners against delaying negotiations over the issue of Oswald’s commission. As he wrote to La Luzerne, in politics one should yield on form when satisfied with the substance. Franklin agreed. When Jay continued to object, Vergennes and Lafayette proposed to him a solution that might expedite matters: having Oswald write...
74To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 11 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We beg leave to trouble your excellency respecting the departure of three Privateers—the Revolution, Buccaneer, & Cicero, the Property of Messrs Cabots of Beverly. These Vessells have lain long in Port, stopped by the Orders of the Commandant, & were sinking a very large Sum to the Owners, perhaps more than they Could well bear, having from 100 to 130...
75To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Dana, 2/12 September [i.e., 12 September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Mr: Livingston in a letter of the 22d. of May last, which I have lately received, writes me, “Your salary will in future be paid here, where your Agent will vest it in bills on Doctor Franklin quarterly, upon whom you will draw accordingly. I shall consider myself as Agent for all our foreign Ministers, and transact the business accordingly for you,...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 12 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In the present letter Lafayette confirms that Vergennes secretly sent Gérard de Rayneval to England for a meeting with Shelburne. Jay had heard this news on September 9, the day he and Oswald were forging a compromise about the language of Oswald’s commission. Suspecting that the purpose of Rayneval’s mission was to arrange a peace with France at...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Maccatter and Amy Kelly, 12 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We they undernamed, do take the liberty of acquainting your honour of the distress, and Situation of our husbands, whose names are Captain Edward Maccatter Captain John Kelly alias Grumbly, they had the misfortune of being Captured, the former was taken to London, the latter to Dublin, each of them has a property in the hands of a John Torris, who was...
78From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 13 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am oblig’d to you for communicating M. de Viemerange’s Letter, which I return. I wish you would continue your Application to the Marquis de Castries to provide Means for the Embarkation of the Goods: It is impossible for me to do it.— I believe Mr Jay did not suspect your knowing of Mr Rayneval’s Departure; he only wonder’d that you did...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 13[–14] September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): New-York Historical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I have nothing to add to mine of the 5th instant, but to congratulate you on the safe arrival of two Vessels from Holland, having on board the goods left by Commodore Gillon, & to present you in the name of Mr Paine with three copies of a late work of his, addressed to...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 13 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty to request that your Excellency will furnish me with a Commission, to Command a Letter of Marque , for Captain Thomas Bell, formerly Commander of the Luzerne, now of the Renette, bound from this Port to Philadelphia;— I must likewise trouble your Excellency for Copy of the Instructions, and Bond that is given on receiving a Commission,...