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,...