1From 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...
2From 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...
3From 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,...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7From 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...
8From 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,...
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères With this you will receive the Boxes you desired of Mint Drops. They came by Mr Oswald’s Courier, who arrived this Morning. He has been with me, and tells me he has a Letter from Mr Secry. Townsend, acquainting him, that the King has consented to declare the Independence of America, authorizing him to make it the first Article in the Treaty,...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 4 September 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 , 396. Mr. Oswald’s courier being returned, with directions to him, to make the independence of America the first article in the treaty, I would wait on you if I could, to discourse on the subject: but as I cannot, I wish to see you here this evening, if not...
11From 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,...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 8 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office (three), William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress I have receivd the honour of yours dated the 5th. Instant, inclosing an Extract of a Letter to you from the Rt. Hon: Thos. Townshend, one of his Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State, wherein your Conduct in communicating to us the 4th Article of your Instructions appears to have been approved of by his...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr Barclay who will have the honour of delivering you this, will have that of laying before your Excellency his Commission from the Congress of the United States of America, appointing him their Consul General in France. Mr. Barclay being about to enter on his Consular Functions, I request your Excellency would in the usual manner,...
14From 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...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Baron Grantham, 11 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress A long & severe Indisposition has delay’d my acknowledging the Receipt of the Letter your Lordship did me the Honour of Writing to me by Mr Fitzherbert:— You do me Justice in believing that I agree with you in earnestly Wishing the Establishment of an honourable and lasting Peace; and I am happy to be assur’d by your Lordship, that it is the real System of the...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Mesny, 11 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received two Letters from you relating to some Books you put into my Hands some years since to be sent to America. A severe Indisposition has prevented my answering sooner. I sent one of the Bundles to Nantes, to be forwarded by some Ship from thence; and having never heard that the Books arrived, I suppose the Ship was lost or taken. I was thereby...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 13 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am oblig’d to you for communicating M. de Viemerange’s Letter, which I return. I wish you would continue your Application to the Marquis de Castries to provide Means for the Embarkation of the Goods: It is impossible for me to do it.— I believe Mr Jay did not suspect your knowing of Mr Rayneval’s Departure; he only wonder’d that you did...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Nicholas Servin, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 16 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Je viens de faire imprimer a Basle un ouvrage Sur La Législation Criminelle Auquel le Celebre Monsieur Iselin a joint des observations de Sa façon. Je Vous prie de permettre Que mon Libraire Vous en adresse un Exemplaire par la poste. C’est un hommage Que je dois a un des plus Grands hommes d’etat et des Scavans Les plus distingués de l’univers. J’ose...
19From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library Since those acknowledg’d in my last, I have received your Several Favours of Aug. 16. 20. & 26. I have been a long time afflicted with the Gravel & Gout, which have much indispos’d me for writing: I am even now in Pain, but will not longer delay some answer. I did not perfectly comprehend the Nature of your Appointment respecting the Refugees, and I suppos’d you...
20From Benjamin Franklin to [John Jay], 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just receiv’d the Enclos’d from Mr E. Bridgen of London. Please to return me his Letter. I long to finish my private Affair you are so good as to assist me in, & shall be glad to receive the additional Provisions you intended, that I may copy the whole, for I think my present Situation more hazardous than those about me seem to imagine. With sincere...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Lafayette, 17 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I continue to suffer from this cruel Gout: But in the midst of my Pain the News of Made [Madame] de la Fayette’s safe Delivery, and your Acquisition of a Daughter gives me Pleasure. In naming our Children I think you do well to begin with the most antient State. And as we cannot have too many of so good a Race, I hope you & Me. de la...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Pierres, 20 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Alice T. Bates, Los Angeles, California (1956) J’ai reçu, Monsieur, avec la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire, les 5 Exemplaires du Manuel d’Epictete en Grec, que vous avez eu la bonté de m’envoyer pour mes Amis et moi. Agréez je vous prie mes Remerciemens sinceres, pour ces Beautés Typographiques. On ne sauroit rendre un plus bel hommage à un Auteur: Epictete est ainsi...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Louis Giraud Soulavie, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, signed: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: American Philosophical Society (two), Indiana University I return the Papers with some corrections. I did not find Coal mines under the Calcareous rock in Derbyshire. I only remarked that at the lowest Part of that rocky Mountain which was in sight, there were Oyster Shells mixed with the Stone; & part of the high County of Derby being...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 26 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS , press copies of each LS , and transcript: National Archives I have just received your No. 15. dated the 9th of August, which mentions your not having heard from me since March. I have however written sundry Letters, viz. of Apl. 8th. & 12th. June 25th & 29th, Augt 12th and Sept. 3d, and sent Copies of the same, which I hope cannot all have miscarried. The Negotiations for Peace have...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Extract, 26 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives By letters from the Commissioners formerly, if you have them in your office it may appear to you that the Farmers general, soon after our arrival here, advancd us a million upon a contract for furnishing them with 5000 hhd. [hogshead] of tobacco which were to have been deliverd by Christmas 1778. Only three cargoes, on that account have been receivd by them. I have...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall: Extract, [September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: Library of Congress The Box you committed to the Care of Mr Bridgen was duly sent by him, & received at Ostend; but in its way from thence hither it has miscarried. I am taking pains to find out what is become of it. I hope it is not irrecoverably lost. Tho I have lost other things before which were coming to me, and think the Carriage between Ostend & Paris is by no means...
27The American Peace Commissioners: Commission for William Temple Franklin, [1 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
DS : Yale University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society The present document, penned by William Temple Franklin on October 1, was most likely signed by Franklin the same day. It was eventually signed by all the peace commissioners, but not without hesitation (on the part of John Jay) and outright hostility (on the part...
28Franklin: Discharge of Captain Fage’s Parole, 1 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Three copies: Public Record Office; ALS (draft) and copy: Library of Congress Being informed by Richard Oswald, Esqr., Minister Plenipotentiary. from His Britannic Majesty to treat here of Peace, that General Conway desires much to have an English Officer, Capt. Fage of the Artillery, absolved of his Parole, having occasion for his Service as Aid de Camp; and Application being made to me for...
29Preliminary Articles of Peace: First Draft Treaty, [5–7 October 1782] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete copy and copy: National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society (three), Public Record Office ; four transcripts: National Archives Articles agreed upon, by & between Richard Oswald Esqr. the Commissioner of his Britannic Majesty for treating of Peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America, on the behalf of his said Majesty on the one part, and Benjn....
30From Benjamin Franklin to John and Sarah Jay, 9 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Columbia University Library Dr. Franklin regrets exceedingly that his Health does not permit him the honour & Pleasure of waiting upon Mr. & Mrs. Jay, according to their obliging Invitation.— He hopes Mr. & Mrs. Jay will condescend to indemnify him for the Loss he sustains, by honouring him with their Company at Dinner on Saturday next.— The Dr. would be happy to see Mr. Murowe at the same...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard de Rayneval, 13 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society With this you will receive the Copy you desired of Mr Oswald’s Commission. I request your kind Care in forwarding the enclos’d Letter to Spain, by your first Courier. I have the honour to be with sincere Esteem & Attachment Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 14 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and transcript: National Archives I have but just received Information of this Opportunity, and have only time allow’d to write a few Lines. In my last of the 26th. past I mentioned that the Negociation for Peace had been obstructed by the Want of due Form in the English Commissions appointing their Plenipotentiaries. In that for treating with us, the Mentioning our States by their public...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris: Extract, 14 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: National Archives The three millions you mention previous to 1778 were two of them given & the third was an Advance on a Contract with the Farmers general of tobacco. Excerpted from a now-missing letter probably written in response to Morris’ letter of July 1 ( XXXVII , 568–72). An extract of BF ’s earlier response is above, Sept. 26. In Arthur Lee’s hand. During 1777 the...
34From 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...
35From 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....
36To Benjamin Franklin from Deacon M. Auer, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 21 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Rien n’est plus genereux, que l’Action, que Vous venez de faire, Monseigneur! La pauvre Veuve Hoeklin se croit heureuse. Elle a reçu un Billet que Son Excellence, Votre Beaufils aye accepté 200 Pound de Mons. Schneider a Germantown. Mons. Richard Bache a ecrit lui meme. Mais a cette heure nous sommes en peine. Permettez donc, je Vous supplie, de Vous...
37Preliminary Articles of Peace: Second Draft Treaty, [4–7 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
D and copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; two D and copy: Public Record Office; transcript: National Archives As new American and British negotiators were converging on Paris, Franklin’s isolation in Passy posed certain inconveniences. John Adams arrived on October 26 but, as he initially refused to call on Franklin, the latter was evidently unaware of his arrival until Matthew Ridley...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Townshend, 4 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; copies: Library of Congress (three), Public Record Office (three), William L. Clements Library, Massachusetts Historical Society I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me by Mr Strachey, and am much pleas’d with the Opportunity it has given me of renewing and encreasing my Acquaintance with a Gentleman of so amiable and deserving a Character. I...
39The American Peace Commissioners to Henry Strachey, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; copies: National Archives (three), Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives We have been honoured with your Favor of the 5th. Instant, and as our Answer to a Letter We recieved from Mr. Oswald on the same subject contains our unanimous Sentiments respecting it, We take...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 6 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): Library of Congress I wonder much that your Excellency has received no Letters by our Packet Boat. There were some for M. De Castries & M. de Segur. I enclose what News I have which is not in the News papers. Those will have informed you of the Unhappy Loss of the Eagle, and saving of the Money &ca. I am with great Respect Sir,...
41The American Peace Commissioners to Richard Oswald, 7 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS and three copies: Public Record Office; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress (three), Massachusetts Historical Society (three), National Archives, North Carolina State Division of Archives and History; press copy of copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives In answer to the letter you did us the honor to write...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 7 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: National Archives The Baron de Kermelin, a Swedish Gentleman of Distinction, recommended strongly to me by his Excellency the Ambassador of that Nation to this Court , as a Person highly esteemed in his own , purposes a Journey thro’ North America, to view its natural Productions, acquaint himself with its Commerce, and acquire such Information as may be useful to his...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Library of Congress The Congress disregarding the Proposals made by Sir Guy Carleton, and determined to continue the War with Vigour, ‘till a Peace can be obtained, satisfactory as well to the King as to themselves; (as will appear by their Resolves hereto annex’d) but being disabled by the great Deficiency in their Taxes arising from...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 10 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have examined the Captain if it might not be possible that he had left your Excellys. Letters in his Ship. He says that he certainly had no others for you than the Pacquets he delivered: But that there came with him as a Passenger, a Mr Forest, who was a Commis he thinks in the Office of the Secretary of the French Minister, and who left...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 15 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 13th. Inst, and I loose no time in forwarding to your Excellency the Orders you desire for the 4 English Vessels destined to pass between Dover and Calais; tho’ I am persuaded the Passports they are furnished with from his most Christian majesty; would have been sufficient...
46From 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...
47From Benjamin Franklin to François Steinsky, 23 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Museum, Prague J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre très obligeante que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 12. Septembre 1781, par la quelle je suis charmé d’apprendre que vous étez arrivé en bonne Santé chez vous. Une longue et pénible Indisposition m’a privé du plaisir de vous repondre plustôt et de vous remercier de l’élégant et beau Présent de la Nape à Caffé que vous avez...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Oswald, 26 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : William L. Clements Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two), National Archives, New-York Historical Society, William L. Clements Library, Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society; transcript: National Archives You may well remember that in the Beginning of our Conferences, before the other Commissioners arriv’d, on your mentioning to me a...
49From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Shelburne, 26 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Reprinted from Christie’s auction catalogue “Important Autograph Letters from the Historical Archives of Bowood House” (London, Oct. 12, 1994), p. 35. Mr Vaughan brought me some time since from your Lordship a Remedy you were so kind as to send me for my Gravel. I intended to thank you by him. He staid here much longer than I expected, and when he went it was so suddenly that I had not...
50The American Peace Commissioners to Lafayette, [27 November 1782] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Columbia University Library; copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society We have recd. the Letter you did us the Honor to write on the 25th. Inst. Our Country has had early & repeated Proofs both of your Readiness and abilities to do her Service. The Prospect of an inactive Campaign in america, induced us to adopt the opinion, that you might be more useful...