1To Benjamin Franklin from Uriah Forrest, 10 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed came to my hands this day and as it appears to have met with rough treatment on it’s Passage I have done myself the Honor to put it under Cover. Shou’d there be any thing at this place which your Excellency can Charge me with that will be usefull to yourself or Our Country It will afford me real pleasure Being with all possible Respect Yr....
2To 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...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 15 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief Je continue d’adresser à V.E. [Votre Excellence] la Lre. cijointe pour le Congrè’s, vous priant, M, après l’avoir lue de vouloir bien la fermer & lui donner cours par premier Navire qui fera voile pour le Continent. J’ai tiré le 5 de ce mois sur V.E. le semestre de mon salaire échu le 30 Juin prochain, savoir come à l’ordinaire £2700 tournois à une usance à...
4To 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...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 7 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library A few days ago your Friend Mr. Alexander forwarded to me from Virginia your favor of the 2d: November accompanied with a packet for Dr. Cooper of Boston, which I shall forward to him by some private hand, to save expence of postage; having already found that expence from Virginia pretty heavy, for not withstanding your name was on the packet, as a frank, the post...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: National Archives I received a few Days since a Letter from Annapolis dated June 5th. in your handwriting, but not signed, acquainting the Commissioners with the Causes of Delay in sending the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. The Term was expired before that Letter came to hand, but I hope no Difficulty will arise from a Failure in a Point not essential, and which was...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Rosehill, 9 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reced. Your Obligeing Information Concerning Your Son, I am again to bege the favour of You to be so Good as to Informe me by the Return of the Post if there are Any Gentlemen of Note, belonging to the State of Virginia, at this time in Paris, & if there is, then Names, and Addresse.— Haveing a Very Conciderable Interest in New Jersey, I will do my self...
8To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gaspard de Bebiniere, 18 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Le Sr. Gaspard de Bebiniere Machiniste, a l’honneur de vous faire part qu’il fera aujourd’hui à cinq heures du soir dans le Jardin des Thuilleries, en présence de MM. de l’Académie des Sciences, l’expérience d’une nouvelle Pompe de son invention avec laquelle il monte à plus de 100. pieds un muid et un quart d’eau en 25. secondes avec la plus grande aisance,...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 28 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: University of South Carolina Library The 20th. Instant I had the honor of receiving your favor of the 12th. with Postscript of the 13th. by the hand of my Son, who will be the Bearer of this. I should have replied immediately, and at all hazards to my health have made a Journey to Whitehall, on the subject of Mr. Secretary Thomson’s Letter, which considering...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 27 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Inclosed I have the Honour of sending to your Excellency Copies of Papers contain’d in a Dispatch just receiv’d from Congress. The Affair of the Free Ports recommended to us, has been sometime settled: They are Dunkirk, L’Orient, Bayonne & Marseilles.— I wonder much that we hear nothing from Congress of their foreign Arrangements. This short Line from the...
11From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 30 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library Yesterday late in the Evening arrived here an Express from Congress with the Definitive Treaty ratified, which I enclose with the Resolutions, Proclamation, and the President’s Letter. The Congress anxious that the Ratification should arrive within the Term stipulated, dispatch’d it seems three Expresses, by different Vessels, with authenticated Copies. This...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Rosalie Filleul, [9 June 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde Filleul a l’honneur d’envoyë a Monsieur francklin, Ces trois derniers Volumes des mémoires du baron de tott. Elle prie de vouloir bien luy envoyë le journal d’aujourdhui 9. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Le docteur Francklin / en son hotel / a Passy The earliest possible date. Mme Filleul enclosed volumes that were first published in 1784; the only...
13Franklin and John Jay to John Adams, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society We received the Letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 10th. Inst, with the project of a Treaty that had been transmitted to you by the Baron de Thulemeier, which we have examined, & return herewith, having made a few small Additions or Changes of Words to be proposed, such as Citoyens for Sujets and the like, and intimated some Explanations as...
14To 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...
15To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Rochambeau, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Vcte. De Rochambeau a deja eu l’honneur d’envoyer L’année passée a Monsieur Le Docteur franklin Le premier volume du traité sur Les bois. L’auteur vient de lui addresser Le premier cahier du Second volume en le priant d’en faire passer un exemplaire a Passy. Il est enchanté que cette occasion lui fournisse celle de Le rappeller a son souvenir et de...
16To 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...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, 15 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress We take the liberty to inform your Excellency that in consequence of the Success of the new Loan, his Excellency John Adams Esqr authorised us to open for acct of Congress, we have become in the Situation to pay due honor to every disposal, we have hitherto advice, his Excellency Robt. Morris Esqr. Super Intendant of Finance has been pleased to make on us. We have the...
18To 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...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine La Sablière de La Condamine, 8 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’avois envoyé la petite rapsodie cy-jointe à l’auteur du journal général de france pour l’insérer dans une de ses feuilles pèriodiques, ce qu’il n’a pas jugé à propos de faire, je ne sçais pour qu’elle raison, ce refus me détermine à prendre la Liberté de vous l’addresser: ce n’est pas, monsieur, que j’attache la moindre prétention, ni la moindre...
20To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 10 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Rien n’est plus Vray, Mon Cher Et Venerable Docteur que la Guerison De Mr De Breget a Laquelle il Est impossible D’attribuer aucunne cause aparente que L’application Du Magnetisme. J’ay Eû ce Matin une Conversation a fond Sur Son traitement avec un De Ses amis qui n’a pas quitté Son Chevet Depuis le Commencement De Sa Maladie, Et qui m’a Confirmé, que...
21To Benjamin Franklin from William Livingston, 10 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I take the liberty of recommending to you Colonel Clarkson who is appointed by the Directors of the University of New York to solicit donations in some parts of Europe, for that Institution. In this capacity I do not recommend him to your notice; because my feelings as an American are really hurt by our turning mendicants in Europe, where I think our...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 18 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I received the favour of your Letter of the 15th. past by the Hands of Col: Harmar, who appears to be an inteligent, amiable Man, and I am only sorry his short stay here would not allow me to shew him all the Attention I could have wished, and that he really seems to merit. I have also been favoured with your Letter of the 3rd: Instant, mentioning the...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I intended Having this day the pleasure to See You, But am obliged to Stay Here for the Queen’s Concert, and Will do Myself the Honour to Call Upon You to Morrow Morning— Then I will lay Before You a letter I Have Received from mr. de Calonne— I am glad to Hear the Washington is Soon Expected, and Hope we May Get intelligences Before My departure which is...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis-François Cadet de Vaux, 29 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Cadet de Vaux présente l’assurance de Son très humble respect à Monsieur franklin. Sa commission pour la farine de Mays est faite, du moment ou Elle Sera arrivée, il en Sera prevenu. La cheminée poele réussit à merveille. M.M. le grand et molinos auront l’honneur d’aller en rendre compte à Monsieur franklin, un jour avec moi. M. Cadet prie Monsieur...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Chase, 28 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to introduce to Your Notice, Civility and friendship Mr. Moss, Son of the Bishop of Bath & Wells. This Gentleman is very desirous of being honoured with your Acquaintance. I am still detained here but shall certainly sail before the middle of next Month. I shall be happy to render You any Services in America. Mr Champion, requests his...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Leveux, 30 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay reçu la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 8 de ce mois. En consequence de vos ordres Je Joins a la presente le compte de mes Debours pour les prisonniers americains échapés d’angleterre depuis 1779 Jusqu’a ce Jour. Il Se monte a 1712.10. l.t. mes Debours pour les Effets de Mr Jay 9.15. 1722. 5 J’attendray vos ordres pour le...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Frecon, 29 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardonnez la Liberté que je prends de vous écrire; Auteur d’un traitté des changes de toutes le places qui négocient ou peuvent négocier avec la france, il manque á mon ouvrage de faire Connoitre au public la maniere dont la france pourrait changer avec les principales Villes des Etats unis de L’Amérique. Cette république, Monsieur, doit aux éfforts de...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; press copy of ALS : Library of Congress I received your Favour by Mr Bourdieu, and yesterday another of the 18th. per Mr Hartley, who also gave me the Gazette with the Proclamation. I am with you very little uneasy about that, or any other Measures the Ministry may think proper to take with respect to the Commerce with us. We shall do very well.— They have long...
29To 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...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, 2 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society In May, 1784, after a truce of two years’ duration, Franklin and his friend and landlord, Le Ray de Chaumont, finally agreed on what was owed to whom. Franklin had tried unsuccessfully to settle their accounts in the spring and summer of 1782, on order of Congress. After Chaumont refused to abide by the ruling of their mutually chosen arbitrator,...
31From 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...
32From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; press copy of ALS : Columbia University Library We duly receiv’d (Mr Jay & me) the Letters you did us the honour of writing to us the 27th of March & the 2d Instant. We shall transmit, as you desire, the Recommendation of Mr Browne to Congress; and enclos’d we send a Copy of the Treaty with Sweden. We expect Mr Hartley here very soon, to exchange the...
33To 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...
34From 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...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 12[–13] March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : South Carolina Historical Society; press copy of ALS and transcript: Library of Congress I received your kind Letter by Mr Cholet, with the Pamphlets and Newspapers; and since a Paper of the 5th which came under Cover to Mr Grand. I am much oblig’d to you for these Communications.— Your Sentiments and mine respecting the continual Drafts on Europe coincide perfectly. I have just received...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Childs, 12 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Pardon the Assurance I possess, in supposing, that while I take the Liberty of troubling you with a few Lines, your generosity will admit it.— I have wrote you not long since, but, Doubtful whether they have come safe to hand, I feel constrained here to make a repetition;—to express in terms the most grateful, the Singular & consequential services you have...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Philippe-Denis Pierres, 19 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie de permettre à Monsr. Baradelle l’ainé porteur de la presente de voir votre petite Presse. C’est un homme très habile & très intelligent pour toutes les pièces de mathèmatiques. Je serois bien aise qu’il prît le dessin des bandes, &ca.—parcequ’il pourra simplifier les masses de nos presses. Je suis persuadé que vous ne serez pas faché de parler...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Collinson, 22 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this Mr Thos Hill, a Gentleman with whom I have the pleasure of being intimately acquainted; visting the Continent from motives of Curiosity, and a laudable desire of extending useful Knowledge; I have requested that he will oblige me; by the transmission of my most respectful Regards to you; & personally to enquire after your Welfare and...
39To Benjamin Franklin from William Withering, [before 17 April 1784] (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 , 485–6. Believing the passing of the stone to be impossible, the extraction of it unadvisable, and that no known medicine can dissolve it, I shall turn my attention to such methods as will be most likely to prevent...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Le Maire de Gimel, [28 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je sens combien je Vous fatigue par mes demandes réitérées, mais comme dans tous les tems Vous avez eu des bontés pour moi, j’espere que Vous Voudrez bien encore m’apostiller ce memoire, l’etourderie du copiste m’ayant rendu inutile celui que Vous eutes la bonté de m’apostiller le 30 Maÿ dernier. Le ministre nattend plus qu’après cela pour prononcer sur ce...
41Franklin and John Jay to David Hartley, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: William L. Clements Library We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindred Travelling, had occasion’d a Delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number...
42To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Chadirac, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 1 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Attaché au Service de France, j’ay eu L’avantage de Consacrer mes jours à la défense des côtes de votre pays dans cette derniere guerre; je me suis trouvé à tous les Combats qu’essuia L’hermione Commandée par M Delatouche, entr’autres à celui qu’elle Soutint contre l’Iris, où j’eus Le malheur de perdre le bras droit. Arrivé à Paris depuis peu, je n’ai rien...
43To Benjamin Franklin from John Gardner, [c. 4 May 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I should hardly have presumed to have given this interruption to your important occupations had not an event taken place in which I find my interest and honour too deeply concerned to admit of Silence. I arrived here 5 Days since in the Ship Amity belonging to Messrs. Cabot of Salem in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, bringing a Cargo of Rice from...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 16 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honnor to address your Excellency on the 6th. inst, whereunto I beg leave to refer. This cheafly Serves to enclose a Copy of a letter I Just now received from my friend M. Bodin at Lille, to whom I wrote to enquire about the price of Bells. If that which was offer’d me here at 30 s. per pound all charges included, as mentioned in my Said letter,...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Milet l’aîné, with Franklin’s Draft of a Reply, and Other Applicants for Emigration … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Beginning in March, 1784, Franklin was able to send would-be emigrants copies of his “Information to Those Who Would Remove to America,” which he had printed in English and French versions. The draft reply to Milet l’aîné, which he wrote at the top of Milet’s letter and presumably gave to L’Air de Lamotte to translate, is our earliest evidence of his having...
48To Benjamin Franklin from the Regents of the University of the State of New York, 12 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Lieutenant Colonel Clarkson will have the honor of delivering your Excellency this Letter. His business in Europe is to solicit donations for the University of the State of New York. We have instructed him to consult with your Excellency on the most proper mode of effecting the Objects of his Mission And we flatter ourselves that notwithstanding the...
49To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé André Morellet, 16 [March] 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society On January 26, Franklin wrote a critique of hereditary nobility in general and of the Society of the Cincinnati in particular, couched as a private letter to his daughter, Sarah Bache. After keeping that essay secret for “some Months,” he asked Morellet to make a translation, which the abbé returned with the present letter. In response to the concern that...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Vicq d’Azyr, 15 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer le Rapport de Mrs. Andry & Thouret Sur les Aimans de M. L’abbé Le Noble, conformément a la Demande que vous avez bienvoulu m’en faire le 24 du mois dernier.— La Société R. de Médecine, à laquelle j’ai présentéce Billet que Vous m’avez adressé à ce Sujet, a été on-ne-peut-pas-plus flattée du Désir que Vous témoignez avoir de...