1Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts (Franklin Papers)
The following accounts, identified in previous volumes, cover the period of this volume: VI and VII ( XXIII , 21); XVII ( XXXVI , 3); XIX and XXII ( XXVIII , 3–4); XXV, XXVII ( XXXII , 3–4); XXX ( XXXVI , 3). We offer here a summary of items that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life. Account XVII (Franklin’s Private...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 1 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Académie Nationale de Médecine, Paris I should be very happy to be present at the Reading of your Eloges of Messrs Sanchez & Hunter; but my Indisposition, the Stone, makes it extreamly inconvenient to me to use a Carriage on the Pavement, or to be confined long in a Room, so that I cannot have the Pleasure you propose to me so kindly of meeting the Society whom I highly respect, on...
3From Benjamin Franklin to William Withering, 1 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Vaughan communicated to me a very ingenious & judicious Letter (as it appear’d to me) written by you on the Subject of calculous Complaints & the Remedies that had been propos’d for them. You were so good as to say that if I would send you a state of my Case, you might perhaps be able to point out some Plan of Proceeding that would be serviceable. I...
4Franklin’s Case, [c. 1 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
D and incomplete press copy of D : American Philosophical Society The Patient is now in his 79th. Year. When a Young Man he was sometimes troubled with gravelly Complaints; but they wore off without the Use of any Medecine, and he remained more than Fifty Years free from them. In the Autumn of 1782, he had a severe Attack accompanied with what was thought to be a Gouty Pain in the Hyp, and...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Bachelier, 1 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: American Philosophical Society Vous êtes invité de la part de Monsieur le Lieutenant général de Police, et du Bureau d’Administration de l’Ecole royale gratuite de Dessin, d’honorer de votre présence la distribution des grands Prix et Maîtrises, qui se fera aux Tuileries, Cour des Princes, Galerie de la Reine, le 8. du present à 5. heures précises. Je...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Johnson Clarke, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Permit me again to take up the pen (after many years being deprived the pleasure of writing to You) to inquire after your health, and to give You some account of myself since I last wrote to You. I have long wish’d for a proper opportunity to pay my Duty to You, even at this distance and yesterday Mrs: Woolford call’d to inform me a Relation of Hers was...
7To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : Library of Congress, William L. Clements Library; transcript: National Archives Will you be so good as to transmitt the enclosed to Mr Jay. I am sorry that we are going to loose him from this side of the atlantic. If your American ratification shd arrive speedily, I might hope to have the pleasure of seeing him again before his departure. As soon as I hear from you of the arrival of...
8To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this, George Livius Esqr, is a many years friend of mine, and one whom I very much Love, as He is going to Paris, I am very glad of the opportunity of calling myself to your Remembrance, and of sending you an extract of the last Appendix to the Monthly Review, which is in one of your Branches of usefulness. I beg you to recieve my worthy...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Leveux, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 2 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ay reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire le 21 du mois passé, & Je saisis avec le plus grand empressement cette occasion de vous etre bon a quelque chose. J’ay exibé de Suite aux employés des fermes du Roy l’ordre de M. de Calonne. Ils en avoient recu un pareil en consequence les couteaux & fourchette & deux Serrures appartenant a Mr...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Eléonor Dufriche de Valazé: Résumé, 3 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society ⟨Paris, Hôtel d’Orléans, March 3, 1784, in French: I have one more thing to tell you, not wanting to take more of your time in person. I had the honor of giving you two copies of Loix pénales; you accepted one, and promised to send the other to Congress. That book alone will not achieve its aim: it calls for a new penal system, but does not specify the...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Françoise-Dominique Brouttin Mollien de Sombres, 4 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Jai eu lhonneur Monsieur de vous adresser un memoire pour M. Morel de dunkerque, mon parens. Il y a deux mois en joignant mes prieres aux siennes. Depuis jai eu celui de vous écrire et de vous prier Monsieur de vouloir me mander Sil pouvait ésperer quelque chose? Afin de lui en rendre compte; privé de l’honneur de votre reponce jai etté a passy pour avoir...
12To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Vergennes, 4 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Archives du Ministére des affaires étrangères J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’écrire le 26. du mois dernier en faveur du Sr. Williams votre Neveu. J’ai le plus grand desir de vous prouver le cas que je fais de votre recommandation; mais pour que je puisse mettre sous les yeux du Roi la demande que le Sieur...
13From 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 &...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 5 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I received the Letter which your Excellency did me the honor of writing to me, respecting the Necessity of producing legal Proof of the Arrangements made with the Creditors mention’d in Mr. Williams’s State of his Affairs. I am much obliged by the Attention you are so good as to afford this Business...
15To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, [5 March 1784?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Count sarsfield hoped to receive today the Collection of Some of those little pieces which mr franklin had promised to him & which he had forgot yesterday. He cannot help writing again about them to mr franklin. He is So much the more impatient of receiving them that he is very near his departure for the Hague. He Desires mr franklin never to forget his most...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Paul Strattmann, 5 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur, de vous envoyer le catalogue de la bibliotheque de M. le Duc de la Valliere, et de vous prier, d’en disposer éntiérement à vôtre plaisir; les feuillets des vacations, que j’ai joint au tome premier, vous indiqueront les numeros des livres, qui viennent d’être vendus; si j’etois assez heureux, de pouvoir me ranger au nombre de vos serviteurs,...
17To 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...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Leveux, 8 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien reconnoissant, Monsieur, de la peine que vous avez bien voulu prendre pour retirer de la Douane de votre Ville les Effets appartenants à M. Jay, et Je vous prie d’en recevoir mes Remercimens, ainsi que pour tous les Soins que vous avez eu des Prisoniers Americains échapés d’Angleterre. Je serois bien aise de recevoir votre Compte afin de vous...
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 Samuel Vaughan, 8 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An unwillingness to encroach upon your time unless for an object of importance has hitherto witheld me from congratulating you on the late glorious Revolution, in which you have borne a part so conspicuous as to entitle you not only to my gratitude but that of every present & future Inhabitant of these States. The liberty of the Country Secured, I ardently...
21From 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...
22To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Thruffé and Other Favor Seekers, 9 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society During the period covered by the present volume, Franklin continued to receive a steady stream of letters asking for favors, most of them from people he did not know. We summarize them here, beginning with those individuals seeking help with financial predicaments ranging from temporary indebtedness to outright poverty. A particularly dramatic appeal for...
23To 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...
24From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 11 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : Library of Congress; copy: William L. Clements Library I received duly your Favours of Jany. 28. and March 2.— I find Dr Ross to answer the Character given of him by Mr Dempster, and shall give him the Letters of Recommendation desired.— I have wondered at the long Delay of the Ratification; but a Letter I have just receiv’d from the Secretary of Congress explains it to me....
25From 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...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This will be delivered to you by Dr. Ross, who is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Distinction in England, and who, after travelling over a great Part of the World, wishes to fix himself for the rest of his Life in America. You will find him a very ingenious sensible Man, and be pleas’d with his Conversation: and you will therefore excuse my requesting for...
27To 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...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Nicola Victor Mühlberger, 13 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sans avoir l’honneur d’Estre personellement Connue de Vous je prend la Liberté de Vous adresser la présente. Je Suis Mühlberger de Dresde Negotient que vôtre Complaisançe a bien voulu a la requete de nôtre Embassadeur Monsieur le Baron de Schönfeld a Paris accorder la recomandation de Mr. Robert Morris Intendent des finances en avril dernr. de quoi je ne...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Anne Ogle, 13 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Sam: Ridout, my Grandson, purposing to pass a few weeks at Paris previous to his leaving Europe—wishes to have the honor of paying his respects to your Excellency. I therefore take the liberty of using this method for introducing him— I am Sr. your most Obedien Servant Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire / des Etats...
30From 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...
31To 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...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Morellet, 16 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Your Sentiments and mine, my dear Friend, are exactly the same respecting the Imprudence of showing that Paper; it has therefore, tho’ written some Months past, never been communicated to any one but your self, and will probably not appear till after my Decease, if it does then. You see how much I confide in your Friendship and Discretion. The...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, 16 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Monsieur gosséc qui vous reméttra cétte léttre, mon cher papa et auqu’el je prends beaucoup d’intérest a déja eu l’honneur de vous voir, ou monsieur votre fils l’année derniére il vient de négotier des papiers que vous avés trouvés bons, et compte repasser incéssament en amérique ou il a été déja employé, il voudroit avant son départ avoir l’honneur de vous...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Morellet, [after 16 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Voilà Monsieur la copie de la traduction que vous aves lüe avec les retranchemens que nous sommes convenus d’y faire. Je crois même que vous féres encore bien d’en retrancher encore les deux endroits que j’ai renfermés entre des lignes. Vous saves avec quelle facilité on saisit icy toutes les occasions de nuire. Pour moi je voudrois avoir tous les jours des...
35To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 17 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I recd yours of the 11th Instant as also a preceeding Letter inclosing Dr Wrens Diploma, which I forwarded to him immediately, as I have also that to Dr Withering & shall discharge the Draft in his favor when presented— Church Bells are sold by weight ½ [1s. 2d.] per lb. or £6..10.8 per Cwt. [hundred weight] when wanted, the weight of the Tenor Bell must be...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will forget me quite, my dear old Friend, if I do not write to you now and then. I still exist, and still enjoy some Pleasure in that Existence, tho’ now in my 79th Year. Yet I feel the Infirmities of Age coming on so fast, and the Building to need so many Repairs, that in a little time the Owner will find it cheaper to pull it down and build a new one....
37From Benjamin Franklin to La Condamine, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; LS : Bakken Museum I receiv’d the very obliging Letter you did me honour of writing to me the 8th Inst. with the Epigram &c. for which please to accept my Thanks. You desire my Sentiments concerning the Cures perform’d by Comus, & Mesmer. I think that in general, Maladies caus’d by Obstructions may be treated by Electricity with Advantage. As to the...
38From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Mazue, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of the 27th. past, proposing the Cultivation of the Vine in America. Our People conceive that it is yet too early to put such a Project in Execution. Labour is too dear there, and the Culture of Wheat more profitable & certain; in Exchange for which either directly or indirectly, we can procure the Wines of Europe. I cannot...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 19 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans la supposition que vous avez plaisir de lire de temps à autre une relation fidele des affaires ici, je continue de faire passer sous vos yeux mes Lettres au departement, au lieu de les envoyer directement d’ici à l’orient; & aussi parce que cela me procure l’occasion de me rafraichir dans l’honneur de votre souvenir, & de vous faire agréer les...
40Thomas 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 ,...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Franklin Case, 22 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Altho I am but a Child of Eight years of age And you Dear Sir to me Intirely unknown I make Bold to Send you these few Lines to Inform you that my Parents Informs me that I Receivd one part of my Christian Name in honour to you and to manifest their Regard for you as a friend to america my Native Country and In order to Shew the Great Regard I have for your...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Case, [22 March 1784] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Do hereby Certify to you that the name Signd is in the proper hand writeing of my Daughter who has Long been Desirious of writeing to your Honour. She is a fine Beautifull Child of fine witt and Exceeding apt to Learn more So than any one of my Children to the amount of 11 which I have had born to me. From Sir your unknown friend Addressed: To Doctor /...
43To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Marquis de la Fayette was so obliging as to translate and enforce my two last Letters, which I had the honor to communicate to you of the 6th. and 13th. Current, to the Marechal de Castries, on the subject of the Prize-money due to the Officers and Men who served in the Squadron I commanded in Europe. But, from a Letter written the 29th. of May 1780...
44From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me this Morning respecting the Settlement of Charges incurred in Holland, &c. Be so good as to send me a Copy of the Letter written by Mr. de Sartine, which you mention. On Sight of that I shall immediately give you an explicit Answer. With great Esteem, I am, Sir, Your most obedient & most huml Servt Addressed: A...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library After the Storm which has agitated the Royal Society since Christmas with no Small degree of Violence We have drop’d into a flat Calm. It seems as if the debates have exhausted the annual supply of genius or at least skimmd off the Cream of it as nothing very interesting appears either in Presence or Prospect. The best papers we have had is Dr. Blagdens...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 24 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Partridge, one of the principal Merchants at Leghorn, and who is universally esteemed for his knowledge and virtue, will have the honor to present you this letter. As he takes Paris in his way to England, I wish to introduce to you a Gentleman of his merit, and who has long been a warm and sincere friend to me and my little family. As his stay upon the...
47From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 25 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; copies: Archives Nationales, Library of Congress, National Archives I return herewith the Papers you communicated to me yesterday. I perceive by the Extract from M. de Sartine’s Letter, that it was his Intention all the Charges which had accru’d upon the Serapis & Countess of Scarborough should be deducted from the Prize-money payable to the Captors, particularly the...
48From 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...
49To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 26 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I have received yours of the 11th instant. I am to inform you in answer that it is not thought necessary on the part of Great Britain to enter into any formal convention for the prolongation of the term in wch the ratifications were to be exchanged as the delay in America appears to have arisen merely in consequence of the inclemency of the season. There will be no...
50John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have the Honour to inclose a Letter from Mr Edward Browne of Ostend and another from Mr De Berdt.— Mr Browne was introduced to me in London by Mr De Berdt, and appears to be an accomplished Person well acquainted with the Language Laws and Commerce of the Place where he is.— If your Excellencys judge proper, I should be obliged to you if you would...