1Editorial 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,...
2Editorial 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...
3From 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...
4To 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...
5To 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....
6To 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?...
7To 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...
8From 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...
11To 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:...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 17 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to introduce to your particular Notice and Friendship my Friends Mr Nat Barrett and Mr Frazer, the former of these Gentlemen is the son of an old Friend of yours and the Latter is particularly reccommended to me. Mr Barrett has many Letters for you, and I have given him the one you sent to me for Mr Paradise that Gentleman being returned to...
13To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Grasse, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress J’ai l’honneur de prier Votre Excellence, de vouloir bien m’indiquer le jour et l’heure, ou je pourrais avoir celui de vous Faire ma cour, ayant differentes choses a vous communiquer. Je serais charmé de Faire connoissance avec vous, et de vous assurer de vive voix de la sincerité des sentiments d’Estime et de respect avec lesquels je suis De Votre Excellence Le três...
14To Benjamin Franklin from John Swindell, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I in the most submissive manner beg leave to inform you, our Friends Henry Wilde and party are gone for Londonderry in order to embark for America; and herewith you will receive a full account of my abilities—in Machinery of which in the Cotton Branche & Wollen Manufactories have an inestimable secret;—and they wishing thro’ your-means to be accomodated...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 18 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed I believe is what you wished; and it is of the party’s hand writing. His account of himself may be natural, and it may be otherwise. But you of course will be the best judge. On Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock I shall bring the lady we spoke of to visit you, according to your kind permission.—The more I see of her, the more her appearance of...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 19 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I had the honour of receiving yours of the 7th Instant. The Account you give of your bad State of Health alarms your Friends. Mr Oswald informs me, that the Waters of Bath used to recover you effectually. And tho’ we are very sensible that if you could get well to America, you might be of great Service to the Publick, yet we think the Hazard is too great,...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Hardy, 19 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Beg leave to inform you that I am one of the unfortunate persons that was captured in the Confederacy Frigate and sent a prisoner from New York for England but by accident happened to put into Ireland, where I made my escape & arrived here in France a few Months past.— I expected to have taken passage for Philada, in the last vessel that sailed from...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-René Hilliard d’Auberteuil, 19 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je remercie votre excellence de m’avoir prêté l’histoire de l’administration de Lord North, je la lis avec soin et avec grand plaisir. J’ai à entretenir votre excellence d’un objet diferent. Mr. sobl negotiant et armateur à Bordeaux est à Paris ou il est venu exprès pour solliciter la commission du congrès, pour les fournitures et marchandises que les états...
19To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 20 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I begin this as I have done several of my former Letters with Advising your Excy that I have drawn on You a bill in favor of Messrs. Estevan Drouilhet & Co. for 2400 Livres Tournois at 90 days after Date, this Sum being the ballance of the Quarters Salary for which you permitted me to draw— The Cte. de Montmorin informs me that the King has been pleased to...
20To Benjamin Franklin from William Cheetham, 20 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With defference & respect I presume (thro’ the medium of my Friend Henry Wilde) to acquaint you that I am prevented by an unforeseen event of accompanying my Friends to pensilvania, But am resolved to follow (together with a number of other useful & well disposed Artisans) If it should appear from your Answer to the following Queries to be advantageous to...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 20 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Was very happy in recieving your lettre containing the explication of the stroke of lightning at Cremona, and an other, dated July 4th, which came to hand before yesterday. Recieve my most harty thanks for both these favours and particularly for your kindness of forwarding my lettre to mr. Sam. Wharton and joining to it an admonitory note of your own on...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Watson & Cossoul, 20 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania By request of Mr. Laurens we have prevailed on Capt. Hardy to make application thro’ your channel for the releif that his necessitys claim, as an unfortunate prisoner in the Service of our Country. As Mr. Laurens inguages himself to become responsible to indemnify you to the Publick, we Sincerely hope you will make the necessary advance as soon as...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 21 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous ecrire la presente, laquelle vous sera remise par Mr. Samuel Mansfield, Capitaine au Service des Etats unis de L’amerique; Lequel a été pris dans le brigantin Rizing States et conduit a Pool en Angletterre, d’ou il s’est Sauvé des prisons, il est arrivé ici manquant d’argent, comme il désire Retourner en sa patrie, je lui ai fourni...
24To Benjamin Franklin from John MacMahon: Prescription and Directions, [23–24 August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
(I) Press copy of ADS : Library of Congress; (II) ALS and press copy of ALS : Library of Congress During the third week of August, Franklin suffered a severe attack of bladder or kidney stones, accompanied by a pain in the hip that extended down his left thigh. The latter problem was generally (and erroneously) attributed to gout. Franklin would be confined to his house for nearly six weeks....
25To Benjamin Franklin from Margaret Stewart, 23 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was honored with Your Excellency’s; Letter of June 13; which I shou’d; have enswered, imidiatly but waited to Send You the doz; Copies, of My Brothers wrok, You did me, the honor to write for; but I have been so distressed by an expencive Law Suit; & a long illness that I have Not have it in my power to get them printed; as I am no Stranger to You...
26To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 23 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy, press copy of copy, and transcript: National Archives J’ai reçu, M, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de mecrire le 9 de ce mois, ainsi que le mémoire qui y étoit joint. J’ai communiqué cette piéce à M. le Mis. de Castries, et je ne doute pas que ce Ministre ne prenne en considération la demande qu’elle renferme autant que les...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copy: Yale University Library I beg leave to solicit your kindness in forwarding the inclosed to the Marquis de Castries and to add a Line in addition to my Request. You will see it is no Favour out of the common Line I therefore ask without hesitation. If I had 100 Tons of the public Stores here I could put them on board the Cato & land them in Boston...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 24 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Monsieur le Comte de Vergennes. He has search’d for the Boston Paper, in which mention is made of 4000 Troops being embarked at New-York, but cannot now find it. Thinks it may be in the Hands of M. le Marquis de la Fayette, and that it was dated about the Beginning of July. He sends inclosed a...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Gaetano Filangieri, 24 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of ALS in Italian: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your precious gift has finally reached me after many months, and I consider it one of the greatest prizes I received for my work. Your graciousness would have provoked a feeling of vanity in me had it not been prevented by my knowledge of the generosity of your soul. To show you my gratitude, I sent a few copies of my work to...
30William Withering’s “On Calculus Complaints”: Résumé, [after 24 August 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in William Withering, The Miscellaneous Tracts of the Late William Withering; to Which is Prefixed a Memoir of His Life, Character, and Writings (2 vols., London, 1822), II , 478–84. When Franklin fell ill, Benjamin Vaughan (then in Paris) sought medical advice from the eminent British physician William Withering, whose areas of research included “human calculi” or stones. Withering’s...
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...