1From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, July 26[–c. 15 August 1784] (Franklin Papers)
LS , copy, and transcript: Library of Congress I have received several Letters from you lately, dated June 16th. June 30, & July 13. I thank you for the Information respecting the Proceedings of your West India Merchants, or rather Planters: The Restraints whatever they may be upon our Commerce with your Islands, will prejudice their Inhabitants, I apprehend, more than us. It is wonderful how...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 15 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Katherine N. Bradford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1956) I received your kind Letter of July 22. I wish you had executed your Project of taking a little Trip to see me this Summer. You would have made me very happy,—and might have bath’d your Children here as well as at Southampton, I having a Bath in my House, besides the River in view.— I like your motherly Account of them, and in...
3Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In pursuance of the Orders of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to transmit to you the copy of a letter signed T. Gilfillan, dated London the 19 feby 1784 with a copy of an inspection roll of Negroes taken on board certain vessels at anchor near Staten Island on the 30 of November 1783, to be made use...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): Royal Society Willing as much as is in my Power to Clear the R. Society & myself from our share of the Charge of Illiberal treatment towards you with which I fear this Countrey may too justly be accusd, I take my Pen with no small Pleasure to inform you that I am instructed by the Council of the Royal Society to Present to you in their name...
5To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de la Morliere, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai des regrets infinis de ne pouvoir accompagner mon fils qui aura L’honneur de vous remettre ma Lettre pour vous engager à lui prêter vôtre attention sur la demande que je pense que ses services méritent; j’avois engagé Mr. Le Cte. D’estaing sur L’amitié qu’il à de tous temps pour moi de lui fournir, oú de lui procurer les occasions de Se distinguer; Mon...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania The renewal of our ancient correspondence and the receipt of your letters excited those sensations, which real friends feel on meeting unexpectedly after a long separation. As Mr Jefferson, who I hope is by this time safe arrived will explain matters to you and make you fully acquainted with the state of our...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should have called on you before my Departure if I had not been detained so long in Paris, that I expected to find you in bed and I was determined not to Stop myself ’till I came hither. The inclosed from my Father in Law will give you an Idea of his Business & Situation. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in about 15 days in the mean Time I remain...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 12 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans l’espérance que ma derniere, avec les incluses, est bien parvenue, voici No. 44 pour le Congrès, qu’il trouvera sans doute tres interessante. Je la recommande à V. E. pour la fermer & acheminer, comme aussi celle pour Mr. Van Berkel, & celle pour Mr. le D. de la V [Vauguyon]— Je présente mes complimens à Mr. Wm. Franklin, & suis avec grand respect De...
9Report of the Royal Commission to Investigate Animal Magnetism: Résumé with Extracts, [11 August 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Rapport des commissaires chargés par le Roi, de l’examen du magnétisme animal (Paris, 1784) The commissioners of the Faculté de médecine and the Académie des sciences—with the exception of Franklin—met in Paris on Wednesday, August 11, to sign the report of their four-month investigation. Franklin, unable to travel, had signed in advance, having received the pristine manuscript in a locked box...
10To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 11 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some days ago a Letter from the Cte de Campomanes in answer to the one which your Excellency put into my hands for him; As I had in prospect an occasion of sending it by an extraordinary Courier I have taken the Liberty to detain this Letter until the moment of the Departure of the Courier— The packet would have cost your Excellency an...
11From Benjamin Franklin to the Regents of the University of the State of New York, 9 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Columbia University Library; copy: New York Society Library I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me by Lieut. Col. Clarkson, respecting the Purpose of his Mission, viz Soliciting Donations in Europe for the University of the State of New York. Yours is the fourth American Seminary that since the Peace has sent Persons hither, or empower’d Persons here to make such...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Bailly, 9 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Bailly presente ses hommages a Monsieur Franklin. Il a l’honneur de lui envoier premierement la suite du registre. Mr Franklin voudra bien le lire et le signer a l’endroit où il est dit qu’il a signé. Secondement le rapport qui doit etre signé mercredi par les commissaires et presenté au roi vendredi. Mr Bailly le lui envoie aujourd’hui, afin que Mr...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Cain, Mark Collins, and William Jones, 9 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: American Philosophical Society; copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine We take The Liberty To address your Excellency on a Subject extremely interesting to us & many other persons concern’d in The Trade between This kingdom & The united states of america, The extention or diminution of which we will venture To Say depends...
14Certification of Bills, [8 August 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of DS and copy: College of William and Mary Library I do hereby Certify whom it may concern, that the following Certificates of Money, due from the Treasury of the United States of America, to the following Officers, have been by them lodged in my Hands, Viz:— Dollars To Major Genl DuPortail, { One dated 24 Novr. 1781. for 5,255: One dated 4 Novr 1783. for 9960: One dated 4 Novr....
15To Benjamin Franklin from Luke Ryan, 8 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society To Except of my gratefull acknowledgments and everlasting thanks, for beaing So good as to give me a letter of Recommendation to his Excellency the Marchal de Castries, may pease, unety, traffick, and freaindship, reaighn in your Undependent States of north America, to Compleat that great work, that you in your wisdom So happely begun; that through all...
16To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 22 July 1784[–6 August 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ever since the Termination of the unhappy Contest between Great Britain and America, I have been anxious to write to you, and to endeavour to revive that affectionate Intercourse and Connexion which till the Commencement of the late Troubles had been the Pride and Happiness of my Life. Uncertain, however, whether the decided and active Part I took in...
17From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 6 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Mr Bingham sent me last Night from Paris, your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th past, inclosing a Copy of one from Mr Jefferson. I had before sent you a Copy of one from the same to me, which I hope you receiv’d. I enclose herewith Copies of a Letter from Mr Thomson, some new Instructions, and one of the Commissions; the other two are in the same Words,...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Sears & Smith, 4 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society Upon Receipt of yours relating to your Cargo of Slaves at Martinico, I endeavour’d to inform myself what was the Law in such Cases, and I found that by an Arrét du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, of the 28th of June 1783, there is a Duty laid of 100 Livres per head on all Negroes imported in foreign Ships, and this Duty is granted and is to be paid as...
19To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 4 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I have not recd any letters from England—but I hear that a continuation of the Amern bill is passed. That is all the news that I hear— My leg has been very bad again. I now write in bed. I have been confined for these last four days almost entirely to my bed & mattrass. The pain now begins again to abate.— Your ever affecte Addressed: To Dr Franklin / &c &c &c / Passy...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, 4 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai L’honneur de vous envoyer, Monsieur, la permission, que vous desirez, pour que Le paquet de livres et gravures arrivé d’angleterre à votre adresse, Soit delivrarrivé à la douane à la personne Chargarrivée de le retirer, Sans passer à la chambre Syndicale. J’ai L’honneur d’être avec un respectueux attachement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 2 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. J. W. Williams, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland (1955) I received your Favour of the 12th past with the Pamphlet of Advice to the Americans, for which I thank you much; it is excellent in itself, and will do us a great deal of Good. I communicated immediately to Mr Dupont the Letter of Mr Turgot, thinking him the properest Person to consult on the Subject, as he has the Care of the...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 2 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ce paquet parviendra à V. E. dans celui de M. le Cte. de Vergennes, par le Courier qui porte à Mrs. les Plénipo: Hollandois la magnifique Epée destinée à Mr. De Suffren. J’espere que V. E. trouvera l’incluse pour le Congrès très-interessante, & digne par son importance de lui être promptement acheminée; ainsi que celle a Mr. Van Berckel, qui lui fera grand...
23To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 2 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr Paul Jones has the Honor to accept Doctor Franklin’s kind Invitation for Dinner on Wednesday the 4th. Instant Addressed: A son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin Ministre / Plenipotentiere des Etâts-Unis / en son Hotêl à Passy / près Paris. The Duke of Dorset was also among the “grande Compagnie” dining with BF on this date: BFB ’s journal, entry of Aug....
24To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Beyer, 1 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Une indisposition m’ayant empeché de vaquer a mes affaires depuis 8 a 10 jours Je n’ai pas pû m’occuper du portefeuil ni de mon instrument etant obligé de garder la chambre mais jespere que les premiers Jours de la Semaine le tous poura âitre fini j’aurai lhonneur de vous en faire part aussitot que Sa Sera pret. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un profond respet...
25Matthew Ridley to William Temple Franklin, 1 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will oblige me by getting an Order from the Minister to let my Baggage pass a Note of which you have underneath & also for the Furniture I propose sending to America— I shall have the pleasure of seeing you on Wednesday.—Capt: Hughes a Relation of mine is with me, if agreeable I propose bringing him; but should you wish it not so, or that there will be...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Etienne-Alexandre-Jacques Anisson-Duperon, dit Anisson fils, 31 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society M. Anisson a l’honneur d’assurer de ses devoirs Monsieur Franklin. Il est bien fâché de ne pas s’être trouvé chez lui, lorsque M. son fils lui a fait l’honneur d’y passer de sa part; mais il etoit a faire un voyage dont il est revenu hier au soir. Il aura le plus grand empressement d’offrir à Monsieur franklin l’exemplaire qu’il desire, de son ouvrage auquel...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 31 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai communiqué, M. à M. le mal. de Castries la lettre que vous m’aviez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire relativement à la mainlevée que vous aviez demandée des Saisies faites Sur les deniers provenans des prises de la fregate l’alliance. Ce ministre m’a fait la reponse dont vous trouverez ci joint la copie. Vous y verrez M la maniere dont il pense...
28From Benjamin Franklin to the Comte de Mercy-Argenteau, 30 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency an Extract from the Instructions of Congress to their late Commissioners for treating of Peace, expressing their Desire to cultivate the Friendship of his Imperial Majesty and to enter into a Treaty of Commerce for the mutual Advantage of his...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Mercy-Argenteau, [30 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; transcript: National Archives J’ai reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire ce matin, et je ne tarderai pas d’en transmettre le contenu à ma Cour. Les Sentimens de l’Empereur pour les Etats unis d’Amérique me font prévoir la Satisfaction, que Sa Majesté aura d’entrer avec eux dans des liaisons...
30Editorial Note on the Consular Convention between France and the United States, 29 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
The consular convention that Franklin and Vergennes signed on July 29, 1784, was based on the draft they had agreed to the previous December. Castries had initially objected to aspects of that draft convention, but his opposition had subsided by mid-February. There matters lay until May 31, when Franklin, prompted by the American consul, Thomas Barclay, wrote Vergennes that he was eager to...
31Franklin’s Journal, [26 June 1784–27 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AD supplemented by WTF ’s edited transcript: Library of Congress. Mr. Waltersdorff called on me, and acquainted me with a Duel that had been fought yesterday Morg between a French Officer, and a Swedish Gentleman of that Kings Suite, in which the latter was killed on the Spot, and the other dangerously wounded:— That the King does not resent it, as he thinks his Subject was in the...
32To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I embrace the opportunity, by Mr: Bingham, to enclose to your Excellency, Copy of a Letter from Mr: Jefferson, by which it appears that we are joined in some affairs which will give me the Occasion to visit Paris once more, and reside there for some little time at least. As Mr: Jefferson will not probably arrive before the latter End of August, and...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Harrison, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Assembly of this State have voted a Statue of our late worthy Commander in Chief General Washington, and have directed one side of the Pedestal to be filled with an inscription, the other three with the Dress are left for the exercise of the genius of your humble Servant & his Council, who are all too little acquainted with a business that requires such...
34To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 27 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I have thought it a long while that my Confinement has prevented my seeing you. I was in hopes to have had the pleasure of seeing you to day, but I was indiscreet in going out the night before last, wch has encreased the pain & swelling of my foot. My foot is again rather better than it was yesterday, but I am afraid to venture out to day. I hope still to see you on...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Campomanes, 26 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of LS in Spanish: American Philosophical Society I received the collection of miscellaneous published works by Your Excellency along with your esteemed letter of June 5 and the advice to emigrants to the United States of America: all by the hand of my friend Mr. Carmichael. The various writings, published at different times, reveal a statesman full of foresight and vigilance for...
36To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Barbançon, 25 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Que j’ai de plaisir à vous annoncer que des greffes de pommier Ananas que vous avez bien voulu me donner, l’une a parfaitement réussi! Je crois pouvoir vous assurer que, l’année prochaine, J’en aurai assez pour en faire part aux personnes à qui vous voudriez en donner; mandez moi, je vous prie vos intentions à cet égard. Je crains bien, Monsieur, que la...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 24 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je ne doute pas que la Lecture de l’incluse pour le Congrès ne fasse plaisir à Votre Excellence. C’est pourquoi je la fais passer par vos mains, Vous priant de la fermer & acheminer ensuite, avec celle pour Mr. Van Berckel, soit par le Paquebot de Port Louis à N. York le mois prochain, ou par Mr. Barclay, s’il sait une...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 22 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL American Philosophical Society Je ne suis point anguille comme le pretend monsieur votre fils mon aimable papa, et j’avois bien le projét decidé d’aller vous voir ce matin, mais mes enfans sont partis plus tard que je ne comptois, ma fille cadétte et moi avons eté plus sottes que je ne croyois, nous étions attristées, préocupées, et tout uniment nous reméttrons a dimanche le plaisir d’aller...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 22 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Addinell S. Hewson, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (1957) I received your packets of the 26th. of April and 14th of June, with the two little books, for which I thank you. They came to me very safe by the post and I do not grudge the postage. The Sepr. Vol. of l’ami des enfans, which completed the set, I also received, but I know not by what conveyance it came to Sutton, whence it was brought...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Please to send to Mr Barclay by the return of Colll Franks’s Servant, the two Bundles of Papers relating to the Ship Marquis de la Fayette, which lay on your Table near the Window in the Library, as we have occasion for them to explain some parts of that Business. I am most respectfully & affectionately Yours. they are the Papers you intended as materials...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 21 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this, Mr Lewis, is an honest tradesman, and an attendant at the Meeting-House in Newington-Green. I cannot resist his desire that I would give him a line to introduce him to you. He has always been a warm favourer of the American cause, thinks of you with veneration, and wishes just to See you. Any notice, therefore, that you may think fit to...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre du Calvet, 20 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophial Society Avec le vulgaire des grands, on ne parle guéres de comptes et de dettes, quoi que non personnelles et de pur office pour eux; beaucoup moins en vat’on jusqu’a en Solliciter avec Succés le payement auprés d’eux; leur fierté, leur délicatesse Se formalisent de ces details triviaux, et le peu d’intérest quils prennent aux bésoins étrangers, rend infructueuse...
43To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 19 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour of your Letters of the 27 of June and 4. July, and Should advise your Excellency to present the C. de Mercy, a Copy of the Instruction as you propose. By the Length of Time, We have been left without Information respecting foreign Affairs, and by other Circumstances, there are greater Divisions among our...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Andrew Huntington, 19 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society I ought to begin my request by asking pardon for troubling you—but I trust you will be pleased to pardon me when you are rightly informed of my case— In Octor. 1778. there was a large number of French Prisoners Released from confinement at New York, and Landed at this place in order to be sent to Boston— They were in the most destressed circumstances...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Mason Locke Weems and Edward Gantt, Jr., 18 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and transcript: Library of Congress On receipt of your Letter, acquainting me that the Archbishop would not permit you to be ordain’d unless you took the Oath of Allegiance, I apply’d to a Clergyman of my Acquaintance for Information on the Subject of your Obtaining Ordination here. His Opinion was, that it could not be done; and that if it were done you would be requir’d to Vow...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Percival, 17 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcripts (two) and incomplete copy: Library of Congress; copy: Lancashire Record Office I received yesterday by Mr. White your kind letter of May 11th. with the most agreable Present of your new Book. I read it all before I slept, which is a proof of the good effect your happy Manner has of drawing your Reader on, by mixing little Anecdotes and historical Facts with your Instructions. Be...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Ignaz Edler von Born, 17 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : College of Physicians of Philadelphia Un quelqu’un qui, attaché depuis le matin jusqu’au Soir a Son bureau, et privé presque de l’usage de Ses pieds, ne connoit d’autre delassement, que celui que les etudes peuvent donner, Vous offre une petite brochure, qui peut etre pourra Vous amuser dans des moments perdus. Agrées Monsieur cet hommage d’un inconnu, qui admire vos connaissances et vos...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Feriet, 17 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. De Feriet a L’honneur de faire mille complimens a Monsieur Franklin, et de lui apprendre que tous Les Verres sont arrivés en bon ètat. Le porteur de ce billet veut bien se charger de rapporter a versailles le Sécrétaire dans lequel L’harmonica était monté, et qu’il est nécessaire D’avoir ici pour accorder Les Verres. Dès que le tout Sera transporté ici,...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Michel-Augustin Thouret, [c. 17 July 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permettez que jaye L’honneur de vous adresser un exemplaire de mes recherches Sur Le magnètisme animal. Je desire que vous Le receviez comme une foible marque du respect et de la profonde Venération avec Lesquels je Suis, Monsieur et trés illustre confrere, Votre trés humble et trés obéissant Serviteur Though Thouret is here writing as the author of a work...
50Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 16 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives; copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In obedience to the order of the Committee of the States, I have the honor to send you copies of the papers relating to the brig L’Amiable Elizabeth a french vessel that was deserted by her Crew at Sea and was boarded and taken up by citizens of the United States and carried into St Johns in Newfoundland, where she was seized by...