1To Benjamin Franklin from Mathew Carey, [before 20 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This brief undated note, Carey’s first extant letter to Franklin and the only one we know that either man sent the other during the year Carey lived in France and worked for Franklin as a printer, has bedeviled the editors of these papers since we first considered publishing it in Volume 31. The dating of this letter hinges on when Carey was actually in...
2Franklin: Proposed New Version of the Bible, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 308–9. It is now more than 170 years since the translation of our common English Bible. The language in that time is much changed, and the stile being obsolete, and thence less agreeable, is perhaps one reason why the reading of that excellent book is of...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Juppin, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mon papa lon ma priée de vous demander, si les papiers que je vous envoyes ont quelque valeur, si la personne a qui ils appartiennent peut esperer en tirer quelque argent, et sil ne faut pas ladresser a Mr Jay. Je vous presente mon papa, mes civilites, et amities et mes compliments a Mr votre petit fils. The Brillons’ former governess: XXVIII , 8n. Dated on...
4The Abbé Alessandro (Agostino) Beliardi’s Account of Franklin’s Remedy for a Cold, [1782 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Bibliothèque nationale M. Holcker a appris du docteur francklin qu’une petite cuiellerée à café de quinquinà jettée dans le fond d’un goblet où l’on verse un peu de lait pour Les bien meler ensemble, ensuitte remplissant le reste du goblet avec du lait, et en avalant un verre le matin à jeune, un autre en se mettant à table pour dinner, et un troisieme en se couchant, que çest un...
5Franklin and Jacques Finck: Agreement, [before 1 January 1783] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Le Mtre. d’Hotel entreroit le 1r. Janvr. 83. et agiroit en cette Qualité de concert avec le Cuisinier actuel pendant 2 ou 3 Mois pour se mettre au fait de la maniere de vivre de M. Franklin, ainsi que de la Depense que cette vie exige. Il aura des Gages à raison de 600 lt. par an. On lui donnera en outre une Gratification, Si on a lieu d’être content de lui,...
6Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1782 (Franklin Papers)
One new account begins during the period covered by this volume. XXXI. Jacques Finck’s Accounts of Household Expenditures, January 15, 1783–February 1, 1784: University of Pennsylvania Library, 81 pages. Jacques Finck, the new maître d’hôtel, remained in the Passy household until Franklin left France. He submitted two statements each month: an itemized list of groceries and household supplies,...
7Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1782 (Franklin Papers)
During the months covered by this volume, seven American seamen claiming to have escaped from British prisons, all but one of whose claims seem to have been legitimate, received financial assistance on Franklin’s order and signed promissory notes at Passy. They each received the same amount: 120 l.t. , or 5 louis d’or . Capt. Samuel Mansfield, who signed a promissory note on Aug. 25, brought...
8Editorial 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...
9Passport for Cartel Ships, [1782] (Franklin Papers)
Passy, printed by Benjamin Franklin, 1782. Printed form and AD (draft): American Philosophical Society Whereas an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain has been lately passed for the Exchange of American Prisoners; and in pursuance thereof, sundry Vessels are by that Government engaged as Transports to convey to America those Prisoners of War who have been confined in the Goals of England and...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, [1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Before you left America, I believe I mention’d to you the great Losses I had sustain’d from the Enemy, in my Household Furniture, Books, Debts from Persons who took Refuge in Howe’s Army &c. so that take all together, I am perhaps, as large a Sufferer, in Proportion to what I possess’d, as any one in this Town; nor would two thousand Pounds Lawf: Money make...
11To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Favier, [1782?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Mes malheurs ne vous Sont pas connus, et si l’on vous en a dit quelque chose, ce ne peut être que sous un paliatif. J’ai regret de ne vous en avoir rien dit dans le temps où je le pouvois, ou vous l’avoir donné par écrit et bien détaillé, ce tissu de miseres! Aujourd’hui on débite que vous m’avez renvoyé parce que je vous ai fait des torts, et cette...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Catherine de Ligniville Helvétius, [1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mon cher, ami je Comte vous avoire adiné mecredi, avec votre enfant, jespere avoire Mr. le Comte destin [d’Estaing] bonjour je vous embrasee de toute mes force, elle sont bien grande pour vous. Proposé a Mr. de chaumon de venire je ne lui donnerai que du rie, et de la gelée. Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur franklin I. Minis Hays catalogued this letter as...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy: Two Letters, [1782?] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai vu hier Mon Illustre Docteur a Versailles de belles Dames qui s’ont desoleès d’avoir èté Si Long-tems Sans avoir eu lhonneur de vous voir ce sont Made. Dangiviller et Made. De Flahaut cette jolie personne qui parle si Joliment anglois. Elles ont fait la partie d’aller vous demander du Thé Vendredy prochain à cinq heures du soir Et comme...
14To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Gabriel Bonnot de Mably, [1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society La personne dont l’abbé de Mably a eu l’honneur de parler à Monsieur jay, et qu’il vouloit aussi avoir l’honneur de recommander à monsieur franklyn, s’appelle Rochas, c’est un jeune homme âgé de vingt quatre ans, il est bien né d’une famille de riches marchands de Romans en dauphiné. Il y a trois ans qu’il est à Marseille pour s’instruire et se former au...
15To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbesse Marie du Saint Esprit, 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Le respect et La reconnoissance nous font également un Devoir de vous offrir nos vœux fasse Le Ciel que vous Jouissiez D’une santé aussy parfaite que nous Le Desirons. Nous Le Demandons avec ardeur. Daigné monsieur être persuadé De L’interest que nous y prenons. La Confiance que nous avons en votre Charité nous fait espérer La Continuation de vos bienfaits....
16To Benjamin Franklin from Balthazar-Georges Sage, [c. 1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Sage salue et Embrasse Monsieur francklin, auquel il envoye un ouvrage D’un de ses amis qui l’a prié de Lui offrir. La personne qui lui remettra Ce Billet est un medecin de ses amis qui accompagne Les princes de Carlath qui desirent avoir Lhonneur De Voir Monsieur francklin. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur francklin / De Lacademie des / sciences It is...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19Franklin: Proposed Article for the Definitive Treaty, [on or before 13 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Article proposed for Consideration. If War should hereafter arise between Great Britain and the United States, which God forbid, the Merchants of either Country then residing in the other, shall be allowed to remain 9 Months to collect their Debts and settle their Affairs, and may depart freely carrying off all their Effects without Molestation or Hinderance. And all...
20To 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...
21Notes for a Reply to ——— Stockar zur Sonnenbourg, [before 14 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania Different Men who have been present and Witnesses of a Transaction, often give different and inconsistent Accounts of it thro’ Defaults in their Observation or Memory. It is still more difficult for a Historian who writes of Affairs distant either in Time or Place, to come at the exact Truth. It is therefore no Wonder if some Errors have escaped...
22From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On August 15, Richard Oswald informed Franklin (at Passy) and John Jay (in Paris) that the official copy of his commission to treat for peace had arrived. It was identical in wording to the preliminary version that Shelburne had sent a week earlier. Jay had vigorously objected to that preliminary version on the grounds that it did not explicitly acknowledge...
23To Benjamin Franklin from William Bell, [16 August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Bells best respects waits on His Excellency Docr. Franklin and begs the Docr. to favour him with a passport to Ostend—Mr. Bell did not set off As he yeasterday intended, but will undoubtedly set off early tomorrow morning—therefore will be thankfull to have the pasport this evening. Should His Excellency have any commands Mr. Bell will be happy in...
24To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 16 August 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 , 394–6. Yours I received by Major Young together with the work of your veritable philosophe , which is full of humanity. I was not before that, at a loss where I should have looked for my veritable philosophe in the present actual scene of public politics....
25To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Loyseau, 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je viens de Lire des Lettres tres affligeantes de Mr. Le comte de Benyowsky. Il etoit parti dans La Confiance que Le congrés S’empresseroit a lui donner de L’employ, vous Lui aviés remis une Lettre dans Laquelle vous donnés de son caractère et de Ses talens Militaires L’opinion qu’il faut en avoir. Quelle est donc La cause de La conduite du congrés?...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 16 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Yale University Library I have lately received a letter from Tristram Dalton Esqr. of Newbury-Port, informing me that you some Time ago advis’d him of having obtain’d orders for payment of a Sum, for the loss sustain’d by the owners of the Brigt. Fair-Play; & that you would deposit it in my hands— Mr. Dalton desires me to give him some information...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Herbert May, Washington, D.C. (1963) I received your kind Letter by Dr Shuttleworth. It always gives me great Pleasure to hear of the Welfare of you and yours. As to my self, I continue as hearty as at my Age could be expected, and as chearful as ever you knew me, hoping ere long to see Peace and my Friends, whose continued Regard for me after so long and so thorough an Acquaintance...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Johnson, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Incld: Bills belong to an Industrious Black man who is with me. Shall esteem it a favour if your Excellency would Endorse or rather accept those Bills & send them to me.— In my last to your Excellency I forgot to mention to you that I took on board the Amazon Prize four Preists, Subjects of the King of Sardinia, who were going as Missionaries to...
29To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Puchelberg, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Il y a près d’un mois que Mrs. schweighauser & dobrée de Nantes m’ont prevenû, que le Congrés ayant pleinement approuvé les fournitures faites par ma maison à l’Orient pour la fregate l’Alliance, Capt. Landais a chargé Votre Excellence de me payer cet objet conformément au Compte des fournitures que j’en ai remis. C’est pourquoi Et comme je me trouve...
30To Benjamin Franklin from John Shuttleworth, 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library My Servt. will waite your leisure for the papers you are so good to give me and for any letter or letters you may please to commit to my care. Permit me once more to acknowledge your very great civillities and to assure you that I shall ever remember them with gratitude I remain Dr Sir Yr most obedt: Servt Addressed: Doctor Franklin / Plassy Notation:...