31721To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 3 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I hope you are not so entirely involved in the troublesome business of the world Politic, as to have abandon’d entirely the world of Nature, whose laws, made by the supreme wisdom are as constant, and inalterable as its Legislator himself. It would, indeed, be hard to me to concieve, that a man, a Philosopher so often and so successfully employed in researches of the...
31722To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 20 December 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My last to you was the Beginning of November last, very short, as I was then taken with the Gout in my Hand, and could scarce write at all: I had just then received yours of the Middle of Sept. with the Invoice of the Goods you sent to Mr. Hughes of New-York: I immediately wrote to a Friend at New-York, as I was unable to Stir myself: They arrived just...
31723To Benjamin Franklin from Alice Freeborn, 4 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I hope your Excellancy, will Excuse the liberty I take, in beging your assistance, to relieve my Newphew, who is now Closely confin’d in Forton Prison in England— His Name is Isaac Allen son of my Brother William Allen and Grandson to the late James Franklin your Excellancies Brother— He in the early part of the present War, enterd the cause of his Country,...
31724To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Hancock, 30 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Reason I have Presum’d to take the Liberty To Address you, was to Inform you My Motive for Comming with M. Welsh Was By the Advice of many Friends To That Noble Cause you Are Engaged In, to Inform you of those Past Proceedings And Glad to have Your Instruction How to Act for The feauter [future]. Therefore As we Could not give your Honor Any Information...
31725To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 9 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very kind favours I duly received and should have answered them respectively, only that I waited in expectation of transmitting the sum then supposed necessary, trust however to your goodness to excuse the omission being at that time disappointed; your unparralell’d kindness in so readily complying with the request (through me) of the Assembly demands...
31726To Benjamin Franklin from William Hunter, [30 November 1757] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society If convenient, I should be oblig’d to you for three or four Hundred Pound Draughts on your Banker. My Sister wants one of Twenty Pound; for Marketting. Yours, Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin On Dec. 1, 1757, BF noted payments of £400 and £20 in accordance with Hunter’s request below. “Account of Expences,” p. 7; PMHB , LV (1931), 105. On another part of the...
31727To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 20 August 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Was very happy in recieving your lettre containing the explication of the stroke of lightning at Cremona, and an other, dated July 4th, which came to hand before yesterday. Recieve my most harty thanks for both these favours and particularly for your kindness of forwarding my lettre to mr. Sam. Wharton and joining to it an admonitory note of your own on...
31728To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Neave and Son, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with the greatest Reluctance that we trouble your Excellency with our Distress’d situation, but as it is likely to become Worse every day unless we can Obtain some Credit or releif, we hope you will excuse us.— When we had the Honour to see you last March, we beg’d the favor of you to Interfere so far between us & Mr. Wharton, that he might be...
31729To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Maseres, [1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Maseres presents his compliments to Dr: Franklyn and sends him two more copies of the collection of Quebec instruments and the draught of a toleration-act; of which he desires the doctor to transmit one set to his son, Governour Franklyn of New Jersey, and the other to Mr: Galloway, of Philadelphia, the speaker of the house of Assembly, with Mr: Maseres...
31730To Benjamin Franklin from [Philip?] Keay, [June 1782?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Keay presents his Respects to Mr. Franklin, & takes the liberty of enclosing the relation of the Accident at Philadelphia. The Person who mention’d it to Made. de Cheminot had seen Conductors upon the House, & had hastily concluded, that they had been put up previous to the accident, which they certainly were not— Madame de Cheminot presents her...
31731To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 1 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society John Adams arrived in Paris on the evening of Saturday, October 26, after a ten-day journey from The Hague. The first person he sought out the following morning was Matthew Ridley. Ridley gave him general information on the state of the negotiations, and filled him in on Franklin’s health: the Doctor was still weak and had ceased his custom of...
31732To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhem & Jan Willink, Nicolaas & Jacob van Staphorst, and De la Lande & Fynje, [30 November … (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society A Letter received of His Excellencÿ Robt. Morris Esqr. induced us to apply to your Excelly., Since we Satisfyed all the demands of Mr. Grand in consequence of the order of Said Mr. Morris, who was pleased to Say that he Should make no further disposal on us till he received our advice. We received a Letter of him dated 5 augt. that the armey being...
31733To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Grand, 9 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Moses Grimmel who called on me this day for the Money of 2 acceptances of yours to two Loan office Bills informed me of his misfortunes. The seizure of the £15000 in Bills he had about him endorsed in blanc is an Irregularity to be sure, but not deserving such an Important Loss. We could therefore prevent part of it if said Gentlman could inform us only...
31734To Benjamin Franklin from David Gregorie, 30 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am desired to lay before your Excellency the Subjoined vouchers to Establish a proof of the atrocious abuse made by Capt Edward Macatter Commander of the black Princess Privateer, of the Power vested in him by the United States of America. The paper No 1 is a regular Protest taken by John McIsaac master of the Brig the John, at Dublin the 13 July last and...
31735To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 21 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je profite de la Lettre que Mr. De Nle. vous écrit aujourd’hui. Autrement j’aurois différé d’un ordinaire, afin de pouvoir vous apprendre ce qui se sera passé aujourd’hui à Lahaie au sujet du second Mémoire de Sir J. Y.— Il y a grande apparence, que la résolution qui sera prise à ce sujet ne plaira guere à ce dernier. Les Libelles séditieux de la part des...
31736To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, [8 June 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld est chargé par Madame sa mere d’engager Monsieur franklyn à lui faire l’honneur de diner chez elle samedi 14. ou Dimanche 15. ou Lundi 16. à son choix; il est prié de vouloir bien amener Monsieur son petit fils à qui M[essieu]rs de Chabot ne veulent pas manquer de faire leurs adieux, et il est prié aussi de proposer à M. Deane le...
31737To Benjamin Franklin from Simeon Samson, 28 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society As Mr. Watson waited on your Excellency with the Dispatches I had the honor to bring for you from Congress I did not write you untill the 7 Inst: when the Mercury was Clean’d and Ready for the Sea then acquainted your excellency with the same and that I was waiting your orders which was my Instructions from the Honble. Navy board at Boston & not having the...
31738To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 7 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this is the Son of a widow (Mrs Curtauld) who belongs to my congregation at Hackney. He is going over to Am—ca not intending to return; and any notice that you may be so good as to take of him will be well bestowed and gratefully received. I rejoyce heartily in the Security which an object which has been long a favourite one with me, Seems...
31739To Benjamin Franklin from [William Parsons], 15 January 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania When I left Philadelphia and every Friend and Acquaintance that was dear to me it was with a View and, as I then thought, with a study [ sic ] Resolution to lead a quiet and private Life without even so much as thinking of publick Affairs, other than paying Taxes and Fines if any should be imposed upon me for not appearing if at any Time I should be...
31740To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : University of Pennsylvania Library Le Mis De la fayette a l’honneur de presenter Son Respect à Monsieur franklin, et comme il ne doit Voir qu’a onze heures la personne interessée dans la petite affaire dont il la Chargé hier, il pense que le depart d’aujourd’huy pourroit être differé jusqu’a demain au point du jour. Dès qu’il y aura une Réponse Le Mis De la fayette aura lhonneur d’en faire...
31741To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., [1 March] 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I wrote you some time since & sent under Cover a Letter to Mr Necker relative to the Freight Duty demanded on the Aurora but as I have not yet received any answer I take the Liberty of sending a Copy which I request you to send to Mr Necker, if the Original has not come to hand. The Payment of this Freight Duty will much affect this kind of Commerce, &...
31742To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Taunton, [1760?–1775] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hop you will pardin my fredom in writin to you, should be glad to have waited on you but never shall see you moer so bad with the stoan not abell to goe to the hall for my penshon but the treasourer is so Cind as to send it god reward him for it, I had a long winter never been out tell march with my breth nor abell to go to bed know mor then a child, and...
31743To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 30 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society After a long Weariness caus’d by not receiving Letters from any of my freinds. I write you to engage you or My Cousin to write me the state of your health. I have heard from Johonnot that our Good General Washington intend’s coming to France. I heard also from the Same that you have made medals for the Liberty of my Dear Country having Said Before Mr...
31744To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27(?) February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Letter was given me open by Capt Jno Foster Williams who is lately arrived here from Prison. As you may have the Receipt mentioned or an authentic Copy of it I think it my duty to forward this Letter and I hope in consequence 53 of our poor Countrymen will be liberated. I am as ever Yours most dutifully & affecty Notation: Williams Feby. 2....
31745To Benjamin Franklin from the Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne, 17 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Un Jeune homme, Monsieur, nommé Gelé m’a dit qu’il vous avoit offert ses services et demandé de l’employer en qualité de Secretaire. Quoique je ne sois point connu de vous, il desire que j’appuye sa demande de ma recommandation. Je ne connois point personnellement ses qualités et son merite; des personnes en qui j’ai toute confiance m’ont assuré qu’il...
31746To Benjamin Franklin from Chaumont, 14 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Si vostre Excellence etoit icy, Monsieur Le Docteur, elle verroit avec plaisir Le pavillon americain flotter sur des Vaisseaux franco-americains. J’espere que toutte Cette flotte Legere appareillera du vingt trois au vingt Cinq. Vous devriez venir luy donner vostre Benediction patriarchale, elle en auroit Bezoing, Car les officiers de L’alliance sont prest...
31747To Benjamin Franklin from Veuve Lalanne & fils, 23 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Vous futes informé de l’expédition que nous fimes, en Décembre dernier, sous les auspices et l’influence de M. Deane, de trois navires pour le continent des Etats-Unis de l’amérique. Un seul de ces batimens arriva à Edenton, le second perit entre le Cap Hatteras et Ocrecock, et le sort du troisiéme, que nous avons ignoré jusqu’à présent, nous a tenus dans le...
31748To Benjamin Franklin from [Duportail], [12 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer quelques nouvelles conditions que je desirerois entrer dans notre arrangement avec celles que nous avons ecrites hyer. J’en useray de même s’il me vient encore à l’esprit quelque chose d’important qui doive estre arreté d’avance entre nous. Comme il est juste que vous prenièz de votre coté les informations necessaires sur ce...
31749To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Sorin, 26 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde sorin a l’honneur de faire mil compliments a Monsieur franklin Et de le prier De vouloir Bien avoir la complaisance De vouloir Bien Donner une Demie heure De son tems a M. Desouches ami de Mde Sorin, et qui Desire on ne peut plus vivement jouir de ce Bonheur, Dont il proffitera pour L’entretenir d’objets de litterature qui peuvent l’interresser. Elle lui...
31750To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Martin, 14 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope the time is not at any great distance, when I may Shake of my Gouty foot and make you a Visit. Till that happy event Comes round I must pray leave to referr you to the bearer Mr. Nathl Dowse for all particulars relative me and mine as well as touching Himself. I am with Respect Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant Notation: S. Martin March 14 78...
31751To Benjamin Franklin from Anna Maria Clifton, 4 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society While all our Little World are congratulating each other on your safe arrival in France, Suffer me to assure you that none more Sincerely rejoices in it then I do. To know you are free from danger is an infinite satisfaction, to tell you so is a Pleasure I could not refuse myself. The danger with Which our Coast is surrounded would often have fil’d me with...
31752To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 21 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was much affected with your very friendly letter, and the advice which accompanied it. This I should have followed if it had depended upon myself. But not long after Ld. Shelburne told Dr Price, that I was of no use to him, and that he wished to fix me in an academy which he talked of establishing in Ireland. This being communicated to me, I replied,...
31753To Benjamin Franklin from Peter P. Burdett, [before] [10] June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer is Baron Steieben of whome I had the honor to write to you by the hands of a Friend about a month since. He is a Gentleman of Family, Merit and great experience, well known to some of the First Personages in Europe, and hereby gives you sir a strong proof of his Ambition to make the Acquaintance of Doctor Franklin in actualy performing a Journey...
31754To Benjamin Franklin from Penet, D’Acosta frères & Cie., 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania May it please your Excellency, as we are ready to expedite to North America a vessel call’d the Kensington, to accept our services you may commit your dispatches to the Care of Samuel Smith Commander of sd. vessel: And at the same time, We beg, you would forward us immediately a Commission for war; you will find here annex’d the usual obligation with its...
31755To Benjamin Franklin from George Walker, 5 February 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the honour of writing to you in the beginning of December to request your advice and assistance. Mr. Laurens, whom I saw on his return from Paris, told me I was not to wonder at your silence, for that your time was so taken up with matters of State, that your private friends must excuse you, nor impute to a seeming inattention to them, what...
31756To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 9 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The vessel I advised you arrived at Rochelle proved to be a Ship belonging to some Merchants at Baltimore. By Letters yesterday from Bilboa we are advised of the Arrival of two American Vessels at that Port from New England one of them a Brig from Salem took on her Passage a homeward bound Jamaica man estimated at Twenty five Thousand Pounds. The prize I...
31757To Benjamin Franklin from William Wilkinson, 8 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Herewith you will receive Two Letter which I was requested to deliver to You from Two of Your Friends in England. But My Stay here being rather uncertain I determine to forward them directly. At my Arrival at Paris I shall do Myself the honour of waiting of on You. In the Mean time I am very respectfully Sir Your most humble & obedt Servt Notation: Wm....
31758To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 14 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am still deprived of any of your favors, tho’ very anxious for your next Letters, having wrote you several, since the late happy Change, in the Administration of this Country. I now enclose you, the Sketch of an Agreement (if it meets yr Ideas) relative to the exchange, of the American prisoners, [ in the margin: in Agitation betwixt me & Mr Nepean under...
31759To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society M. de Chaumont has written to me consenting to the appropriation of the officers Cloathing to the public Accot agreeable to your desire and I have accordingly paid the amount of the Invoices £25970.6 by my 2 drafts on you—Viz. 23810.19.10 @ 10 days sight to the order of M Chaumont & 2159. 6. 2 @ do to my order both marked HO 25970. 6. 0 which please to...
31760To Benjamin Franklin from Philippe-Denis Pierres, 7 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser un Exemplaire Complet de tout ce qui est imprimé des Constitutions de l’amerique. Vous voudrez bien avoir la bonté de me faire part de votre détermination derniere. Je vous prie aussi de me faire savoir si vous avez écrit à Mr Le Garde des sceaux, & de m’envoyer la note des Exemplaires brochés ou reliés que vous desirerez. Je...
31761To Benjamin Franklin from the Burgomasters and Senators of Hamburg, 1 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Comme les Provinces unies de l’Amerique Septentrionale doivent principalement au merite distingué de Votre Excellence l’indépendance et la souveraineté, dont ils jouissent aujourd’hui, en vertu du traité, conclu avec Sa Majesté Britannique , nous prenons la liberté de feliciter Votre Excellence de voir couronné Son ouvrage. Nous avons addressé à cette même...
31762To Benjamin Franklin from Winchcombe Henry Hartley, 28 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 283–4. As I know how anxious my brother is to embrace every opportunity of expressing those sentiments of peace and universal philanthropy, which do you both so much honor, and of testifying his regard for yourself, I am sorry he is not returned to town...
31763To Benjamin Franklin from ———, [before 18 May 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AL or ALS : University of Virginia Library <[Before May 18, 1778 ], in French: You know about the prize, we believe, that the famous Cunningham, in the corvette the Vengeance belonging to Congress, made last December of the French ship Le Gratieux , Captain Augustin Letournois, bound from London to Corunna with a cargo of English manufacture. This Captain [Conyngham], believing that...
31764To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, [after 10 July 1780] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society J’ai été dans un état violent, et je suis excéssivement foible; quand vous voudrés me venir voir un moment, je vous recevrés avéc grand plaisir, mais de longtems je ne pourrai vous allér chérchér:/: Mon ami ma machine est foible, le sort m’a déstiné a souffrir, je souscris a cét arrést, n’y pouvant rien changér; je n’ai rien a me reprochér je fais de...
31765To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Frédéric Bedaulx, 16 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Bedaulx (1752–79/80) appeared in passing in the previous volume, as the carrier of a letter to Franklin from Nicholas Barker of Rotterdam. He was a Swiss soldier of fortune, the scion of an old family. “Je n’ay ni Seigneurie, ni titres a lui laisser,” his mother wrote to Franklin, “mais seulement une suit d’ayeux de noble et bonne race qu’il ne dementira...
31766To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes: Two Letters, 31 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; (II) LS and transcript: National Archives; L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères J’ai communîqué confidentiellement, M, à M. le Ct. de Mercy la notte que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de me remettre; cet ambassadeur pense qu’il seroit convenable que vous la redigeassies d’après la notte que j’y ai mise: je me...
31767To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 5 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very obliging Favour of the 4th. June came to hand within these few Days. My Friendship & Pride were both highly gratified by this Indulgence. I hope I shall always endeavour to merit your Esteem & the Esteem of all good Men. The Trust you have been pleased to repose in me does me Honour, & I doubt not but you may depend on the Exertion of my best...
31768To Benjamin Franklin from John Boylston, 24 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is [ with ] much pleasure I embrace this Opportunity of inquiring how you do on this Stormy and Tempestuous Ocean of existence where I think I see you continually at the helm, the Thunder ever rattling around your head, while you sit securely shrouded under your own intellectual rod of Fortitude and Truth and equally defy its impotence and rage. As the...
31769Boston Town Meeting Committee to Benjamin Franklin, 23 October 1769 (Adams Papers)
Printed: Franklin, Papers The Papers of Benjamin Franklin , ed. Leonard W. Labaree, William B. Willcox (from vol. 15), and others, New Haven, 1959– . , 16:222–224. For the circumstances of the committee’s appointment and its correspondence with Franklin, see the preceding document . Printed ( Franklin, Papers The Papers of Benjamin Franklin , ed. Leonard W. Labaree, William B. Willcox (from...
31770To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 15 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL : National Archives That in Consequence of our former information, we have accepted all those bills which hath appeared to us drawn on the Honourable Henry Laurens in Amsterdam, untill the receipt of those letters she hath favourd us with dated 4th and 6th instant, which came to hand by last Mail, we inclose the list of our Accept. How willing we might be again to go further, the...