1Franklin et al.: Report to the Académie Royale des Sciences, 24 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
D : Académie des sciences, Procès-verbaux, CIII (1784), 90–5. M.M. Franklin, Le Roy, Coulomb, Delaplace et l’abbé Rochon, ont fait le rapport suivant. M. le Marêchal de ségur ayant envoyé à l’Acade. deux projets, pour armer de paratonnerres, les magasins à poudre de la ville de Marseille et mandé dans la Lettre qui les accompagnoit, que le Roi desiroit que la compagnie les fit examiner et en...
2From 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...
3Franklin 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...
4From 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...
5From 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,...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 15 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society We have lately received a Letter from the Secretary of Congress, of which I enclose a Copy, accounting for the Delay of the Ratification; & we have sent a Copy of it to Mr. Laurens, who being on the Spot can easily negociate an Agreement to extend the Term if necessary; but I imagine it can hardly occasion any Difficulty, since the Ratification will...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have the honour of acquainting Your Excellency, that an Express from Congress is at last arrived, with their Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. Inclosed I send Copies of the President’s Letter, the Recommendatory Resolution, and the Proclamation, together with three Letters for yourself. We have written to Mr Hartley, that we are now ready to make...
8Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you the following Acts of Congress relating to the formation of commercial Treaties &c Viz— N 1. Letter to the Ministers plenipotentiary at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid dated 17th. of October 1780— N 2. Instructions to the Ministers of the United States for making Peace with Great Britain dated May 30th. 1783 N 3. Instructions to...
9From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I have received the Letter your Excelly. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past. The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper,...
10Thomas Mifflin to Franklin and John Adams, 20 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I have the Honor to transmit to you an Act of Congress of the 16th. Inst: together with Copies of the several Papers to which that Act refers. I am with the Greatest Respect, Gentlemen, Your obedient & humble Servant In L’Air de Lamotte’s hand. The enclosed resolutions of March 16 (Hist. Soc. of Pa.; see JCC, XXVI ,...
11Continental Congress to the American Commissioners: Instructions, [7 May 1784–3 June 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society The instructions that follow established a new diplomatic commission to negotiate and sign a total of twenty treaties of amity and commerce with European and North African powers. Their creation was a long and contentious process. On October 29, 1783, Congress authorized the peace...
12Charles Thomson to the American Commissioners, 18 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have the honor of forwarding three comm[issions] which were not prepared in time to go by Mr Jefferson, [and] a duplicate of the instructions he carried with him. I [also] enclose a copy of the Journal of the last session of Congress as far as printed and a news paper containing the Ordinance for putting the treasury into commission and an act...
13Charles 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...
14Charles 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...
15David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, [9 April 1784] (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: National Archives; ALS (draft): Williams L. Clements Library I have received the honour of your Letter dated March 31. 1784 with the enclosures, wch. I have communicated to his Majesty’s Ministers. I have the Pleasure to inform you that the Ratification on our Part, is now making out, and that I have received orders to prepare for the Exchange at Paris with all convenient Speed....
16From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 26 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have received two Letters from you, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing and Language, and to read your dutiful Expressions of Respect and Love for your Parents, which is very commendable. My Grandson Benja. Franklin Bache, who is lately return’d from Geneva, answer’d for me your first Letter, and hopes you receiv’d it, tho’ you mention nothing...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 6 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Barclay, and requests he would peruse the enclos’d Letter of the Marquis de Castries, with the Resolutions of Congress respecting the Division of Prize Money; and favour Mr. Franklin with his Opinion. Mr F. also wishes to know whether there have been any Decisions upon a similar Case in America, or any...
18Commissioners to Investigate Animal Magnetism to the Baron de Breteuil, 22 May 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of L : American Philosophical Society Nous apprenons la mort de Mr. Borie. Il étoit un des Commissaires du Roi pour le magnétisme animal. C’est une Perte que fait la Commission. En le regrettant, nous pensons qu’il seroit nécessaire de le remplacer, et de completter le Nombre des Quatre médecins choisis par le Roi dans la Faculté. Nous Vous prions donc, Monsieur le Baron, de vouloir...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 31 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Voici, ma trés cher Amie, une de mes Plaisanteries serieuses, ou sourdes, que je vous envoie, esperant qu’elle pourra peutétre vous amuser un peu. Au quel cas, vous me recompenserez en me donnant, je n’ose dire un Baiser, car les votres sont trop precieux, & vous en étes trop chiche; mais vous me jouerez un Noel et l’excellent Marche des Insurgents—...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 8 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of AL : American Philosophical Society Je vous ai envoyé, ma trés chere fille, par Mr. le Roy, l’Avis à ceux qui veulent passer en Amerique, que vous m’avez demandé, & j’ai joint les Remarques sur la Politesse des Sauvages. Avec ce Billet, je vous envoye plusieurs autres petites choses, dont on a imprimé quelques Exemplaires dans la Maison, seulement pour nos Amis. Je vous demande...
21From Benjamin Franklin to [Madame Brouttin Mollien de Sombres], [after 4 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society That I am sorry I was not at home when she did me the honour of calling on me. That the Appointment of Consuls does not belong to me: but That whenever one is appointed for Dunkirk, I imagine it will be Mr Coffyn, who for seven Years past has constantly served the United States in taking Care of & relieving their poor Prisoners escaping from England &...
22From Benjamin Franklin to the Conde de Campomanes, 5 June 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I have received much Instruction and Pleasure in reading your excellent Writings; I wish it were in my Power to make you a suitable Return of the same kind. I embrace the Opportunity my much esteemed Friend Mr Carmichael affords me, of sending you a late Collection of some of my occasional Pieces, of which, if I should live to get home I hope to...
23From 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,...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Morellet and Drago, 13 July 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Notte en reponse à celle des Negociants Morellet et Drago. Dans tous et chacun des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique, Il y a des Tribunaux de Justice établis, qui sont également ouverts aux Citoyens des dits Etats, et aux Etrangers qui pourroient étre dans le Cas d’y avoir Recours. Les Affaires s’y decident, legalement et promptement. On conseille aux...
25To 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....
26To 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...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...