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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To Benjamin Franklin from the Conde de Sousa Coutinho, 20 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania L’Ambassadeur de Portugal a l’honneur de faire ses compliments à Monsieur Francklin, et de rapeler à son souvenir le passeport et lettre de recommendation en faveur du Pere Patrice Ôcleary qui se dispose a passer en Amerique relativement à la succession dont il lui a parlé il y a quelque tems: L’Ambassadeur de Portugal auroit été voir lui même Monsieur...
7To Benjamin Franklin from [Christophe-Claire] Danyel de Kervégan et al., 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Le Régisseur des Octrois de cette Ville veut contraindre les Négocians de L’amérique Septentrionale établis à Nantes, à lui payer, sur les Tabacs qui leur sont adressés vingt sols par quintal comme droguerie , au lieu de trois sols par fardeau de 150 livres pesant comme marchandise prohibée; Il s’est élevé un procès à ce sujet, parcequ’il se trouve une...
Printed invitation, signed, with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society L∴ R∴ L∴ des Neuf Sœurs, Est convoquée pour le Lundi 23 du 10e mois D∴ L∴ D∴ L∴ V∴ L∴ 5782, en son local, rue Coquéron, à 5 heures précises. On traitera des Lectures et autres objets relatifs à la solemnité de la fête St. jean et à celle de la prochaine loge de rentrée qui, aura lieu le même jour . Vous êtes prié...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society What excuse can I make for delaying to answer so kind so wise so delightful a Letter as I recievd from my ever honour’d Friend two Months ago? I spent the Summer at my Diocese, where I heard but little & could find no channel of correspondence. The Consequences of Ld Rockinghams Death I doubt not, were sooner & more circumstantially known to You than to me:...
10To 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...
11To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 19 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I take the opportunity of Mr Laurens going to Paris to transmitt one line to you, only to express to you my constant & affectionate remembrance of you, in your public character, & as a private friend; And my sincerest wishes for your personal health & happiness, and for success to all your pacific Counsels. The report wch prevails at present on this side of the water,...
12From 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...
13The 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...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 21 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS and L : University of Pennsylvania Library; transcript: National Archives Congress a few days since passed the enclosed Resolution No. 1. by which they have added Mr Jefferson to the Commission for concluding a peace; the established character of this Gentleman gives me reason to hope, that his appointment will be very acceptable to you, and the other Gentlemen in the Commission, I have...
15From 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...
16Editorial 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,...
17To 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...
18Franklin’s Sketch of Articles of Peace, [between 10 and 13 December? 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: South Carolina Historical Society That there shall be a firm & perpetual Peace &ca. A Renunciation on the Part of the K. of G. B. of all Claim or Pretention to the Government or Territory of all or any of the United States, ceding all Claim to the Lands, or to the Right of Preemption of any of them from the Natives, included in the Boundaries, Viz. That all his Troops shall be withdrawn...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Laurent Josselin and Other Applicants for Emigration, [on or before 5 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
L : University of Pennsylvania Library Many of the applicants for emigration during the period covered by this volume claim solid technical skills or commercial experience which they hope to exploit in some fashion in America. Laurent Josselin, whose letter is printed below, is an expert surveyor and civil architect. On November 27, M. des Rosières writes from the château de Vincennes on...
20To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 12 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr: Adams presents his Compliments to his Excellency Dr: Franklin, & requests the honor of his Company to dinner on Monday the 16th. inst. at 3. oClock. Addressed: Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin. / Passy In the hand of Charles Storer. JA issued a nearly identical invitation to WTF ( APS ). Fitzherbert, Oswald, and Laurens attended JA ’s dinner, among...
21To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Putnam, 30 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having this day negociated to Mr. John Augustus Byrne of this City the four Bills as undermentioned the first & second of which I have heretofore transmitted to you, & not being advisd by your Excellency of their Acceptance or payment I think it proper to mention the 1sts. of sd. Bills are accepted in your hands. Mr Byrne remitts them to his Banker Mr....
22To Benjamin Franklin from George Walker, 1 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An old friend will excuse this familiarity of address to the Minister. I found by Mr. Wharton of Philadelphia, when he did me the honour of a visit at Calais, that I was still alive in your memory and good opinion; and that you were content with the excuses I had made you thorough him for my silence. Circumstances however seem now to be approaching, which...
23To 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...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Chalut and Arnoux, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Les abbés de Chalut et Arnoux ont lhonneur d’assurer Monsieur franklin de leur attachement respectueux, et de lui demander s’il n’y auroit point d’indiscretion de le prier de leur preter les deux premiers Volumes des memoires de la Chine. Si leur respectable ami peut leur rendre ce Service, les deux abbés Le prient de le leur faire sçavoir, et ils feront...
25Joseph 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...
26From Benjamin Franklin to William Lee, 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: University of Virginia Library, Virginia Historical Society (two) I receiv’d the Letter you did me the Honor of writing to me the 7th. instt., inclosing a copy of an order of Congress with a copy of a Letter to you from Mr. Secretary Livingston, & informing me, that you had in consequence drawn on me for £46196..19 [ i.e. , 46,196 l.t. 19 s ] payle. to your order the 12th. April next....
27To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, 21 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Je viens d’Etre informmé que votre Exelance est Continuellement assailli de la part de mes Creantiers qui nont ny pretantions ny droits meme de L’interompre a Ce Sujet. Cette Conduite Est ausi enprutande que mechante puisque je les ài prevennuë que mes engagements nav’oient rien de Comun avec Votre Exelance, et que Ceux a quis il est Düe pour L’Etat de...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Williams, Moore & Co., 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Pennsylvania Library Nous avons l’honneur de vous remettre cy joint les procédures des mis en Regle par L’amirauté de Vannes, ausy que La Reconnoissance de Monr Le Commandant de nôtre port des prisonniers que nous lui avons Livrés. Nous Sommes avec Respect Monsieur Vos trés humbles & trés obeissants Serviteurs Endorsed: Williams & Moore 21. Octr. 1782. Signed by James Moore....
29To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Ridley, [23 December 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ridley presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin & begs the honor of his Company at Dinner on Wednesday the 25. Currt.— M R begs Leave to inform Dr. Franklin it will be a Christmas dinner &, the principal dainty a Round, of Beef Addressed: A Son Excellence / Son Excellence Monr. Franklin / a Passy The only year that Dec. 25 fell on a Wednesday during...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 23 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lest by some accident I should miss the opportunity of travelling with the courier, I sit down just to tell you that I am prepared to depart the instant I hear the commission is sealed, which by the Chancellor having been at Buxton has been for some days delayed. I have got together the different articles committed to my care to procure, and shall not...