46521To Benjamin Franklin from Harmon Courter, 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the Pleasure to in forme You Of Our Safe Arivle At Boston After A passage Of 7 Weaks and 2 Days. We had Nothing but Contrary Winds the hole Passage. The Capt. And All his Officers have Yoused Me Very Well. Our Armeyes Are in good Sperits. The Nuse is that Admiral how and All his Ship Crue Are Lost in A gale Of Wind. This Day I set Out for Congres....
46522To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Gellée, 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Votre philosophic, Monsieur, vous fait refuser les titres Dûs a vos vertus; et je croirois vous manquer en vous en donnant. Je recois une Lettre de mon fils dans laquelle il m’annonçe qu’il a eû l’honneur de vous presenter son respectüeux hommage jeudy dernier. Je ne puis que m’applaudir en Lui voyant assez de fermeté d’ame pour avoir conçu de Lui même...
46523To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I can not Expres to you the Joy your two Leters of Decr. 22 and febr. 28 which both came to hand at won time has given me, and the News that Accompanied them to Every friend of America. A report of yr Death, and the seeming Delays of France had made many a Hart to tremble, but thank God I hope now we may be restored to Peace on our own Ecqutable terms...
46524To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The inclosed Letter was given me by Capt. Cumstock who has lately escaped from Prison. Capt. Cumstock as well as Mr. Chandler who is arrived from Paris are in want and I shall give them both such necessary assistance as I have hitherto given to our unfortunate Countrymen. The former of these Persons has continental loan office Bills for the amount of about...
46525The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 6 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Messieurs Franklin, Lee and Adams present their respectful Compliments to his Excellency le Comte de Vergennes, are extreamly sensible of his good Offices in obtaining the King’s Orders relating to the Presentation of Mr. Adams to his Majesty on Friday next, and will do themselves the Honour of waiting on his Excellency on that Day agreable to his...
46526Franklin’s Inventory of His Linen, etc., 6[–11] May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Account of Linnen &c. taken this 6th of May 1778 Shirts of No. 13 5 “ odd ones 4 “ of No. 12 6 “ of Do. at the Wash query 4 5 “ of Do. on my Back 1 “ of Do., dirty
46527To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 6 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The inclos’d just arriv’d from London into Mr. Genet’s hands are by him immediately dispatch’d to his Honour Benjamin Franklin and accompanied with Mr. Genet’s most humble duties. Addressed: M. Benjamin Franklin député du Congres / Americain A Passy
46528To Benjamin Franklin from [Jean-Baptiste Le Roy], [6 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Voulez vous bien mon Illustre Docteur que je vous demande deux choses dans ce billet, dans l’impossibilité ou j’ai été de vous les demander tous ces Jours cy que je comptois vous aller voir. La premiere ce que vous dites de la dedicace du Tableau de l’histoire de la Hollande aux treize etats Unis et si vous consentez que l’Auteur la mette à la tete de cet...
46529To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel-Antoine de Lorthe, 6 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai eu l’honneur Monsieur d’aller chès vous à Philadelphie, et de suivre avec Mr. Roger vos expériences d’Electricitè. On ne peut pas avoir fait d’aussi grandes decouvertes dans cette Sçience, sans ètre Géomètre. Dans cette Idèe je prens la liberté de vous demender vôtre avis, sur les ouvrages sous ce ply, que j’ay l’honneur de vous faire remêtre. Je suis...
46530Dumas to the American Commissioners, 7[–15] May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief <The Hague, May 7[–15], 1778, in French: I showed your letter of the 30th to the Grand Facteur, who urged me to delay presenting your communication to the Grand Pensionary; Vergennes had written that it was premature and might be construed as French pressure. I disagreed but had to comply. May 8: The Grand Pensionary was told...
46531To Benjamin Franklin from Reinier Arrenberg, 7 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Il y a deja longtemps que mon ami le reverend Mr. Sowden vous a repondu sur l’affaire des Bibles Angloises, que vous avez dessein de faire imprimer en Hollande, en effet de quoi je lui ai donné une preuve de Non-parel caractere de Haarlem, et prié de vous communiquer, que ayant moi même une imprimerie, je pouvois facilement imprimer ces Bibles et que Mr....
46532To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Sarsfield, 7 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On m’engage, Monsieur, a vous recomander le Sieur Tessier Chirurgien qui desire de passer en amerique. Il imagine que son metier Le met au nombre de ceux que Le Congrès vous a mis dans le cas d’engager au service des Etats unis. Les personnes qui m’en ont parlé et en qui j’ay une confiance entiere, ont tres bonne opinion de ses talens et de sa conduitte....
46533To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 7 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your small Letter in answer to mine. Thank you for the good news of our allyance with France. Hope the other Powers of Europ will follow their example that we may get rid of the Tirant and Tireney of Britian. The menover of Lord North in his Late speach and the mock Act of Parlement together with the Commissioners is all of a Peace and will I...
46534Antoine-François Quétant to William Temple Franklin, 7 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you the English original of the Conscious Lovers which you seemed to be desirous of. I wish it may ascertain your favour to the french translation and also to the further scheme which I intended to promote by it. Let me be so bold as to offer here to your Grand father My respectful hommage and make you remembered of your promise of coming to dine...
46535John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Bordeaux, May 8, 1778: Vessels from Georgia have arrived with news that a shipment of specie had been landed from Havana; the state’s currency is greatly inflated. Friends in Cadiz write that the government is making it difficult for them to sell Conyngham’s prizes, and ask whether the ships might be addressed to me; what am I to tell them? I assume from your...
46536William Lee to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Worthington C. Ford, ed., Letters of William Lee . . . 1766–1783 (3 vols., Brooklyn, N.Y., 1891), II , 429–30. I have been detained here longer than was intended by a personal application from one of the King of Prussia’s ministers. I have now received an answer from Berlin, which informs me that his Majesty chooses for the present to decline acknowledging the Independency of...
46537Thomas Simpson to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy : American Philosophical Society <Brest, May 8, 1778: After the capture of the English warship Drake , Capt. Jones appointed me to take her to Brest. I enclose a copy of his instructions. On May 5, while she was in tow, he ordered me to cast her loose and—so we all understood—make my own way to port. We were chased by a brig, tried to rejoin the Ranger , and did so early in the...
46538To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gléyo La Chesnaÿe, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Comme je suis à la veille De partir pour l’amerique anglaise, et que vous avez bien voulu m’honorer Desja De votre confiance, j’ai pris la liberté De vous offrir mes services. Je commande un brigue De 200 tonneaux et tres bon marchant. Si vous avez quelque ordre à me donner pour ce paÿis soyez assuré, Monsieur, que personne ne pourait les suivre avec...
46539To Benjamin Franklin from Feutry, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Un heureux hazard m’a fait enfin rencontrer, dans une vente publique, L’exemplaire, ci-joint, que je cherchois depuis plus de 15 mois, et dont l’édition étoit épuisée il y a fort longtemps; Je vous supplie de vouloir bien en recevoir l’hommage, et le placer a coté de mes autres foibles oeuvres. Dans ce choix d’histoires, Monsieur, sous le voile de...
46540To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Rïou, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La crainte que Le Capitaine John Paul Jones n’aye pas le moment de vous ecrire par ce courier J’ay L’honneur de vous Doner avis de Son arrivée en ce Port ou Il a amené une fregatte du Roy D’angleterre armé de 20. Canons qu’il a pris a La Mer apres une heure et Demy de Combat sanglant. J’ay L’honneur D’etre avec un Profond Respect Monsieur Votre tres humble...
46541To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts Board of War, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We are honord with yours of the 17th February and made happy in being acquainted by it of the Alliance lately formed between his most Christian Majesty and the united States of America, in which, considering our Scituation, that young Monarch hath evidenced a dignity of Mind, which will be of more lasting honor than can be conferrd by a Crown....
46542La Rochefoucauld to William Temple Franklin, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis bien reconnoissant, Monsieur, de ce que, au milieu des importantes occupations que vous avez il vous soit resté quelques momens pour vous souvenir de moi. Je voudrois bien mais je ne l’espere pas être le premier à vous apprendre la rentrée ici de votre brave capitaine Jones après plusieurs expeditions brillantes et ramenant une frégate Roiale de 20....
46543To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Bertin, [before 9 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mde. Bertin prie Messieurs Francklin et Lée de luy faire l’honneur de venir diner chez elle Samedy 9 May 1778. Addressed: A Monsieur/ Monsieur Francklin / a Passy. She was the niece by marriage of Henri-Léonard Bertin, former comptroller general of finances, and was said to have had considerable influence at court. John Adams, who acquired a high regard for...
46544To Benjamin Franklin from Monsieur and Madame de Lafreté, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. et Mad. De Lafreté ont passé hier chez Monsieur Francklin, pour avoir l’honneur de le voir, et lui proposer de venir diner demain dimanche à surênes avec Monsieur son fils, et Mr. Adams. Si ces Messieurs ne le peuvent pas ils sont priés de le faire scavoir aujourd’hui ou demain matin, et de choisir eux mêmes un jour dans la semaine prochaine. Addressed:...
46545Franklin and John Adams to Monsieur and Madame de Lafreté, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Messrs. Franklins and M. Adams are extremely sorry that they were not at home when M. and Mad. de la Freté did them the Honour of calling at Passy. They are engag’d to morrow and every day next Week: but if it should be convenient to M. and Made. de la Freté, they will do themselves the Honour of dining at Suréne on Monday the 18th. Instant, which is the...
46546John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 9 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; AL : American Philosophical Society, United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: National Archives <Brest, May 9, 1778: I arrived last night with the British warship Drake , and will soon give you an account of the cruise. I have almost two hundred prisoners, but there is danger they may be surrendered without an exchange. I plan to refit the Drake as fast...
46547To Benjamin Franklin from S. and J.-H. Delap, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS or LS : American Philosophical Society We take the Liberty of forwarding you inclosed two Letters that have come to our Hands for you. Two French Vessels have arrived here within these few Days from Charles Town South-Carolina. Do not learn by them there was any thing new. We have the Honor to be with greatest Respect Sir Your most obedient and humble Servants Addressed: To / The Honorable...
46548To Benjamin Franklin from Deucher, Riedÿ & Co., 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We understand that there is a Ship belonging to Bordeaux that is arrived to Bilbao from Virginia, which has conducted there a Member of the Congress, together with a Pilote, and hearing that this Gentleman intends returning to his Country with the Pilote by the first and good opportunity; there is here a very fine Fregate called the Bergere Capt. Saujon...
46549To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I’ve just receiv’d your kind favour of April 28. by which you let me know the paper I wanted is not yet publish’d. I’m afraid there is a mistake Since that very same paper came last night to my hands by a way which I made no great dependance on. I was to take the liberty of informing you of it that you might not be at the trouble of procuring a Copy. I...
46550To Benjamin Franklin from La Blancherie, 9 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Vous me trouverez bien ingrat de n’avoir pas encore été me mettre à vos pieds et vous témoigner ma reconnoissance. Une multitude d’occupations m’a dérangé jusqu’à présent et m’a privé du plaisir que j’aurois eu à remplir ce devoir. Je vous prie, Monsieur, d’en croire ces protestations et tous les regrets que j’en ai. Je me dédomagerai au premier moment en...