1Receipt for John Adams, 22 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
DS : Massachusetts Historical Society Reçu le Pacquet que m’a envoyé son Exe. M. Adams addressée a M. Livingston Notation: Receipt Dr. Franklin. for a Packet addressed to Mr. Livingston 22. Decr. 1782. WTF drafted the basic statement; BF added “addressée a M. Livingston” and “22 Decembre”. This packet contained JA ’s journal of the peace negotiations as well as several letters for Livingston....
2From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 3 November [i.e., December] 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I am perfectly of your Opinion respecting the Copy to be sent to Mr Dana, and shall have one prepared directly for that purpose. Is it not also a proper time for you to propose the Quadruple Alliance offensive and defensive, or at least defensive, which I think you once mentioned to me? For I apprehend this Peace may be so humiliating to England, that on...
3Draft of a Declaration to Be Made by the American Peace Commissioners, 2 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Two D : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Nous soussignés Ministres Plenipres. des Etats unis &a. Déclarons qu’en agréant et consentant a fixer par notre signature des articles qui avoient été discutés entre nous et M. Oswald muni de pleins pouvoirs a cet effet par S. M. le R. [Sa Majesté le Roi] de la grande Bretagne pour être inserés dans le futur traite de paix, nous n’avons eu...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Late last Night I received a Note from M. de Vergennes, acquainting me that it is very essential he should have a Conference with us, and requesting I would inform my Colleagues. He desires that we may be with him before Ten on Monday Morning. If it will suit you to call here, we may go together in my Carriage. With...
Transcript: New York Public Library Strachey’s return to Paris opened a new round of intensive negotiations which culminated in the signing of a provisional peace treaty on November 30. The present document is Strachey’s recollection of what he said to the American peace commissioners when he presented them with the British counterproposal to their second draft treaty. This meeting was held at...
6Francis 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...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society A long and painful Illness has prevented my corresponding with your Excellency regularly, but I paid the Bill you drew upon me and advised me of in your last Letter. Mr Jay has I believe acquainted you with the Obstructions our Peace Negociations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By the next Courier expected from London, we may be able...
8Henry Strachey to the American Peace Commissioners, 5 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft) and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two) Knowing the Expectation of the King’s Ministers, that a full Indemnity shall be provided for the whole Body of Refugees, either by a Restitution of their Property, or by some stipulated Compensation for their Losses, and being confident, as...
9Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 21 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Newberry Library; transcript: New York Public Library Since the Early Period When I Had the Happiness to Be Adopted Among the sons of America, I Ever Made it My Point to do that Which I thought Would prove Useful to Her Cause or Agreable to Her Citizens. After We Had Long Stood By ourselves, France did join in our Quarrell, and So Soon as Count d’Estaing’s departure Made My Presence...
10Philip Mazzei to the American Peace Commissioners, 2 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania What I am going to mention to your Excellencies will, I hope, apologize for the liberty I take of addressing myself to you. In January 79. I was appointed by the Government of Virginia to go to Europe to transact there some business of importance for the State. I was taken prisoner in coming, & did not recover my liberty ’till Novr. the same year. I...
11Richard Oswald to the American Peace Commissioners, 4 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and five copies: Public Record Office; LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library (two), Library of Congress, National Archives (two), North Carolina State Division of Archives and History; press copy of copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives You may remember that from the very beginning of our Negotiation for Settling a Peace between Great...
12From Benjamin Franklin to All Captains and Commanders of American Vessels, [16 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society, Biblioteca Estense of Modena, Italy To all Captains and Commanders of Vessels of War, Privateers and Letters of Marque belonging to the United States of America His most Christian Majesty having consented to the Proposition of the Court of London for renewing the Communication between Dover and Calais, and having to that Effect granted Pass-ports for a like...
13British Counterproposal to the Second Draft Treaty: Selected Articles, [19 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society When Henry Strachey arrived in London on November 10, the British Cabinet was summoned to review the second draft treaty. Shelburne urged the members to come to a “provisional agreement” with America. The King reluctantly agreed to accept independence, rationalizing that “knavery seems to be so much the striking feature of [America’s] Inhabitants that it...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chapin Library, Williams College; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some time since, and sent to your Father, the Samples you had sent to me of your Drawing, particularly the Copy of the Print of your Grand Father, which appear’d to be well done. I have also just now receiv’d your Letter written to wish me a happy New Year; but you should nevertheless have put...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache: Extract, 26 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania You will hear of the progress made towards a Peace from various quarters. It is not yet concluded, and perhaps it may be some time first. But as soon as it is, I hope to be permitted to return home, there being nothing that I more desire, than to spend my last days with my family & lay my bones to rest in America. Written on what is presumed to be the...
16From 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...
17From 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...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Barney, 5 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : United States Naval Academy Museum I receiv’d your Letter of the 23d. past duly by the Express. I was very glad to see the Minister’s Dispatches, as the Want of them had much delay’d our affairs. I have kept the Express hoping to have sent by him our final Letters. But the Answer of the Court being not yet obtained, & the time when we may expect it being from some present Circumstances...
19From 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...
20From 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,...
21From 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...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 26 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; extract: Library of Congress I have received several kind Letters from you, which I have not now before me, and which I shall answer more particularly hereafter. Your Grandson was well not long since, & I hear good Account of him. I hope his Improvements will answer your Expectations. We have taken some good Steps here towards a Peace. Our...
23From Benjamin Franklin to [Creutz], [13 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society M. Franklin etant obligé d’etre demain Matin à Paris pour Affaire ne pourra pas avoir l’honneur de recevoir chez lui M. l’Ambassadeur de Suede— Mais il aura celui de lui faire sa Cour sur les 11 heures—si toutefois cela est agreable à M. l’Ambassadeur. In answer to the preceding document: BF described this meeting in the Dec. 14 portion of his letter to...
24The American Peace Commissioners to Francis Dana, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS, AL (draft), and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: Library of Congress We have the Honour to congratulate you, on the Signature of the preliminary Treaty of Peace, between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, to be inserted in the definitive Treaty, when France and Britain Shall have agreed upon their Terms. The Articles, of which We do ourselves the...
25From 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...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Christophe Valmont de Bomare, 29 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library L’eloignement et une multitude d’affaires, m’ont empêché d’aller vous temoigner moi même, la part que j’ai prise à votre maladie et à votre retablissement— Je n’ai pû envoyer chez vous que mon domestique— Je vous supplie de ne pas douter du vif interêt que je prens à votre conservation et prosperité. Je vous prie aussi de presenter mes civilitez à...
27To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Ségur, 5 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress M de Ségur a L’honneur de faire à Monsieur franklin ses Remerciments du soin quil a bien voulu prendre de Lui faire adresser Les depeches de L’amerique septle. qui lui sont parvenues pour Lui; il le prie en même tems dagréer ses sinceres Compliments./. These had been brought by Capt. Joshua Barney of the packet General Washington; he arrived in Paris on Nov. 5: Barney...
28To 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...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua Barney, October [i.e., 6 November] 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Capn. Barney has the honor of assuring his Excelly. Doctr. Franklin of his most respectfull Comps. & wth. pleasure accepts his polite invitation to dinner on Saturday next Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Le Doctr. Franklin / ministre Plenipotentiare / des Etats Units de / L’Amerique en / son hotel / a Passy The day after Barney arrived in Paris with...
30To Benjamin Franklin from James Mathews, 19 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sir I have taken this oppertunity of wrighting These few lines to let you know the sewerahson [situation?] that i am in i belong to a meracahn ship belonging To the congres my ship left me behind i had the Misfortune of looseing my Cloathes the ship Left me at haver de grass and i went down to belone for to get a shipe and the comeserey Wou’ld not let...