421To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Yesterday which was your birthday —and which I allways keep in the most festive Manner in my power—Willy & Eliza invited their Friends to a little dance, and made about sixty young folks, as happy as twas possible for People to be in this World. My children quite in an extacy, even little Deby had her share in the beginning of the evening— I have not the least...
422To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd. your Dispatches last night Accompanied with the Money, which is all onbd & Shall Sail in the Morning if the Wind is fair, as it is at present— I am Sorry I could not carry the News of Peace as expected, But console Myself with its being effected very soon. I cannot help observing as you mention the Curosity of my pasport, the Name of the Ship and...
423To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Grammont, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie instament de maccorder un quart d’heure daudiance particuliere au jour et a l’heure quil vous plaira mindiquer vous obligerez infiniment celui qui a lhonneur detre avec une respectueuse Consideration Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur Notation: Marquis de Grammont Paris 7 Janvier 1783 This Grammont may be the président of...
424To Benjamin Franklin from James and Charles Hill, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When we were at Paris we took the Freedom to Call on your Excellency at Passe to request your Kind Assistance in giving us a letter of Recommendation to some Friends of yours in Philadelphia or Boston; and your Excellency was Kind Enough to Promise us; Provided you receiv’d a Letter from Doctor Percival of Manchester Certifying that we were the Men we...
425To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-François Prost de Royer, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai point oublié le bonheur que J’ai eu de vous voir à Paris et l’accueil que vous m’avez fait. J’ai lu avec transport les premieres loix que vous avez donné à La Pensilvanie, et c’est à ce double titre que j’ai l’honneur de vous faire hommage des deux premiers volumes du Dictionnaire de Jurisprudence et des arrets . Je ne vous propose point, Monsieur,...
426From Benjamin Franklin to David Barclay, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin … (3d ed., 2 vols., London, 1818), I , 123–4. I received yesterday your favor of the 27th past, which I immediately answer, as you desire to know soon my opinion respecting the publication of a certain paper. I see no objection, and leave it entirely to your discretion. I have had several letters from...
427From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you sometime since 11 Pamphlets of the same kind with the enclos’d, supposing, as I had heard them well spoken of, that you who are so laudably attentive to the Education of your Children, might possibly find in them some Hints worth your Notice. I find the Work is to go on, and I will send you what comes out for the present Year, if you desire it. I...
428To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 8 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the pleasure of writing you some time ago per a friend in which I informed you how much I was hurt to find that Congress had refused to comply with the agreement made here for the Exchange of Prisoners, I have not since then been favored with any of yours. This day I have been at the Secretarys Office again relative to the Exchange of...
429To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 9 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous ecrire la presente laquelle vous Sera remise par le Sieur Thomas Connoly Americain Lequel a eu le malheur d’Etre pris dans le navire Le Blear Mc Clanaghan a Son Passage de L’orient a Philadelphie par un corsaire de Guernsey auquel endroit il a été conduit prisonnier. Il a trouvé le moyen de S’echaper & de Se rendre ici, & Comme il...
430To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library Please to read the inclosed Letters to Lord shelburne & Mr Vaughan then please to deliver them to Mr Vaughan if with you or forward them to him if not.— The subject appears to me worth a national Claim if you think so please to add a Line to my Letter to Lord shelburne, if you think an official Claim not consistent & you in...
431From Benjamin Franklin to Filangieri, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri The Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me in August last, came to my Hands when I lay ill of two painful Disorders, which confin’d me near three Months, and with the Multiplicity of Business that follow’d oblig’d me to postpone much of my Correspondence. I have yesterday receiv’d a second Letter from you, and I now without farther Delay sit down to...
432To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Don Galva of and from Salem arrivd at this Port Yesterday he saild from Salem the 1 December Mons De Vaudrieul with the Fleet remaind at Boston and from the report of the Captain would not sail before the later end of the month the french Troops were arrivd at Boston to embark on board the Fleet. The Indians have committed some fresh Crueltys on the...
433To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 11 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress On the ninth Instant, from an Investigation of Mr. Grands Accounts, then lately received, I found that after making due Allowance for Loan Office Bills &ca. which might still come upon him, my Drafts (and those which I have directed) would exceed, by Something more than six Millions (exclusive of the Interest...
434To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis-François Cadet de Vaux, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. Brongniart de l’académie Royale d’architecture a fait tirer Empreinte de la médaille destinée à consacrer l’union des Etats unis avec la france; il desire avoir l’honneur d’en présenter l’Epreuve à monsieur franklin. Je desire de mon coté avoir l’honneur de lui rendre mes devoirs, mais comme M. Brongniart et moi avons beaucoup d’occupations, chacun de...
435To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Grubb, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Grubb presents his respectful Compliments to his Excellency Dr. Franklin, & requests him to grant him a passport for England via Callais. Mr. G. ill state of Health is the cause of the demand, & hopes his Excellency will in consequence, order one to be made out Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin. / Passy Notation: Mr. Grubb Paris 13th. Jany. 1783
436To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received eleven little books for which I thank you. But why was there not one line with them? My poor mother was much disappointed, and I believe imagined that I did not speak truth when I told her there was no letter in the parcel. I know you will pay the tribute of a sigh for the loss of one who loved you with the most ardent affection. She lingered...
437To Benjamin Franklin from William and R. Macarty, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr & Mrs. Macarty present thier most Respectfull Compliments to Doctr. Franklin, and are Sorry they cannot have the honor of Dining with him to Day, being Engage’d; having only this moment Recieved Doctr Franklins polite Invitation of the 11th. Addressed: Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Passy William Macarty’s wife joined him in Lorient in September, 1781:...
438To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society, Independence National Historical Park; copy: Library of Congress I have received, in Addition to those already acknowledged, your Letters of the twelfth of August, twenty sixth of September, and fourteenth of October. I should therefore, regularly, have received two Copies of the Contract entered into on the sixteenth of July between you and the Count de...
439To Benjamin Franklin from Servin, 13 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai reçû qu’avant hier La Lettre Que Vous avez bien Voulû m’Ecrire le 16 novembre dernier. Ce retardement etonnant a fait Que mon libraire n’a pû Vous Envoier de Basle l’Exemplaire Que Je Vous ai prié d’Agréer. Mais j’irai a paris dans Quelques Semaines et j’aurai l’honneur de Vous presenter en personne Mon hommage. Je desire d’autant plus Qu’il Vous...
440From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson: Extract and Note, [14 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
(I) Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; (II) press copy of AL : American Philosophical Society It was in the Beginning of October that you inform’d me, the Prisoners would be immediately sent over hither to be exchang’d. There were then in the French Ports several American Vessels in which I could have sent them. I fear that I shall now be obliged to send a Vessel with them,...
441From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 14 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society, Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society I am much oblig’d by your Information of your intended Trip to England. I heartily wish you a good Journey, and a Speedy Return; & request your kind Care of a Pacquet for Mr Hodgson. I enclose two Papers that were read at different times by me...
442Francis Dana to the American Peace Commissioners, 3/14 January [i.e., 14 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I was honoured with your favour of the 12th. of Decr: by the last post, enclosing a Copy of the preliminary Treaty of Peace between his Britannic Majesty and the United-States. I most heartily congratulate with you upon this great event, in which you have had the honour of so distinguished a part. I think that we ought to be, and shall be satisfied with...
443To Benjamin Franklin from Sidney Lee, 14 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope the enclosed will meet with your Excellency’s approbation, and that I am not guilty of an impropriety in requesting of you the favor of transmitting it to his Excellency General Washington. I am Sr with great respect your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: His Excellency Benjamn Franklin Sister and principal heir of Maj.-Gen. Charles Lee ( XXII...
444From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 15 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : G. T. Mandl-Trust, Nestal, Switzerland (2001) As Jonathan Williams, Jr., requested on January 9, Franklin appended this note to the letter Williams wrote to Shelburne regarding the mutinous seizure of his merchantman Trio . The vessel had been brought into Kinsale and was awaiting condemnation as a prize. The British government’s encouragement of mutinies on American-owned ships had long...
445To Benjamin Franklin from Léonard Appée, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Les Bonté que vous faite regallire [rejaillir] Sur un umbre [nombre] infinie De malhureux Et la justice Du congrés donc vous En nette [êtes] le digne réprésentant me fait prendre la liberté de vous adressé la présante pour imploré Votre protections, de plus Monsieur la justice de ma Cause me fait tout Esperé De Votre imtegrittée je reclâme dont monsieur 3...
446To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Curson, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have some time had in veiw the intention of fixing myself in Lisbon, for the purpose of transacting business for my countrymen,— This seems a favourable moment, if credit is to be given to the report, of that place being lately opend, to American vessels,— Am induced to think your Excellency will be acquainted with the truth of this; my reason for...
447To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous envoyer la copie d’un Mémoire qui m’a été adressé par les Srs. faure Donneau et Compagnie de Marseille propriétaire du Senaut l’Elégante. Vous avez déjà connoissance de cette affaire, puisque ces Négociants vous ont transmis leurs représentations sur cet objet, et vous avez...
448Bill of Exchange Drawn on Robert Morris, 16 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society Exchange for £4000. Tournois. At thirty Days Sight of this my first of Exchange, Second, Third and Fourth not paid, Pay to the Count de Langeron or order, the Value of Four Thousand Livres Tournois, in the current Specie of the United States, according to the then common Rate of Exchange, with or without Advice from, Sir, Your humble Servant We publish the...
449To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 17 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ay Eté Bien affligée de voir hier a ma porte Le nom de Mon Cher Et Respectable Docteur, je le prie D’Estre persuadé de mes Regrets Et Du Desir que j’ay depuis Longtems de le Voir Et de le feliciter De L’heureuse paix qui Va Couronner sy heureusement Et sy Glorieusement ses Voeux Et Ses traveaux; puisqu’il Vient quelques fois a paris je puis me flatter De...
450To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, 17 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a des siécles Mon Illustre Docteur que je n’ai eu lhonneur et le plaisir de vous voir et je m’en ennuye beaucoup. Tous ces jours cy Jai voulu Aller à Passy mais incertain de vous y trouver j’ai differré Jusqu’a ce que ce tems des visites fut passé. Enfin pour etre plus sur de passer quelques momens avec vous jai cru qu’il etoit mieux de vous demander à...