53451To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, 5 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : Historical Society of Pennsylvania La rèponse de Mrs. Le couteulx que vous avez bien voulu me communiquer n’est pas satisfaisante, en ce qu’ils ne s’expliquent point sur l’objet des fonds qu’ils ont à Monsieur Morris; ils se contentent de laisser entrevoir qu’ils en ont en disant qu’ils ne peuvent en faire d’autre employ que celui de les tenir à la disposition de Monsieur Morris Suivant...
53452From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 6 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have been honoured with several of your Letters, and we have talk’d of writing to you, but it has been delayed. I will therefore write a few Lines in my private Capacity. Our Negociations go on slowly, every Proposition being sent to England, & Answers not returning very speedily. Capt. Barney arrived here last Wednesday, & brought Dispatches for us...
53453Baron de Thun to Franklin and John Jay, 7 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Since at least March, when independence seemed assured, certain members of the diplomatic corps had wondered when Franklin would present his card, which would allow them to recognize him officially. Franklin explained that he would do no such thing until news of the ratification arrived. On July 2, prompted by Vergennes, the three American commissioners paid their...
53454To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 7 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society So peculiarly a good Opportunity as by the hands of your amiable Grandson, I could not let slip, without thanking you for the Favour of your Letter by Mr. Pigot. I am much obliged by those Terms of respect & Sentiments of Good-will you are so Kind to express relative to Me & Mine. I still wait the happy Issue. No material Alteration has yet happen’d in the...
53455William Alexander to Franklin and William Temple Franklin, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Betsey wrote you last week to ask a day when you & your son Can dine wt Madme de la Marke any time before the 20th— We have no Answer— You will oblige me by desiring your son to write— On recolection I address this to Him & beg He will drop me a line to st Germains— I am most faithfully Your & His Most obt hble s Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin...
53456To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you a gazzet that Came out on the 5 day of this month which Surprised me much after hearing So much Taulk about Giveing the amerricans Everey thing but Bringing the Shugers Directley from the west indies that they Should issue an order of Councel for there owen Ships onley. I have taken Care to Send two of the Gazetts one by Each Ship Bound to...
53457To Benjamin Franklin from Marcus Gerhard Rosencrone, 8 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; press copy of copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives Je n’ai rien eû de plus pressé monsieur, que de mettre sous Les yeux du Roi la Lettre que Vous m’aves fait L’honneur de m’ecrire ainsi que Le Projêt pour un Traité d’amitié et de Commerce qui L’accompagnoit. Le Roi a appris avec la plus parfaite...
53458To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Lloyd, 9 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You’ll please to let my situation beg your excuse for this trouble, the Gentleman to whom the enclosed is addressed I know not how to direct to, because my baggage is gone on for Calais & with it his instructions on this head. It being of moment to him, & your polite disposition will be a early conveyance— Had I it in my power to have reached Paris I was...
53459The American Peace Commissioners to Vergennes, 10 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Messieurs Adams, Franklin & Jay, Ministers of the United States for treating of Peace, present their Respects to Mr le Comte de Vergennes, & request he would be pleased to favour them with a Copy of the Offer made by the two Imperial Courts of their Mediation. Notations: juillet 10 / rep. le 31 Juillet 1783. Written by BF . At Versailles on...
53460To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Blagden, 10 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Blagden presents his Compliments to Dr Franklin, & begs He will do him the honour of accepting two papers printed in the Philosophical Transactions since the time Dr Franklin has received any of the volumes. That part which contains the Report upon the accident at Heckingham is not yet published. Dr B. has not forgot the commission he undertook to...
53461To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: E. Marie Lorimer, Melrose, Pennsylvania (1957) I am sorry to trouble you with my Difficulties, I know you have Friendship enough for me to be afflicted at my misfortunes, & I am doubly distressed by being the Cause of any uneasiness of mind to you; but I cannot avoid telling you myself what you must hear from others, because you might have a partial...
53462To Benjamin Franklin from James Price, 11 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having lately sent a Memorial to the controuler General of finance, praying that he would permit me to sell 180 Hogds. of Jamaica prize sugars, which is now stored at Bordeaux, on paying the same duties that french sugars pay, which memorial the farmers Genl. acquaint me must be recommended by your Excellency before it can be taken notice of. If therefore...
53463To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Churchill, 14 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Singular as this address may appear at first sight, I am sanguine to beleive it will not pass unnoticed by you: Though I have not at present the long-wish’d-for honor to be personally known (to a Gentleman, whose well-known abilities, and incorruptible integrity of character, recommended him to the confidence of the noblest association ever formed to stem...
53464To Benjamin Franklin from Gaetano Filangieri, 14 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Translation of ALS in Italian: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In order to keep the promise I made you, I am sending through the mail the third volume of my Works, and within a few days I shall send you the fourth. I beg you not to judge one without having read the other. Both those volumes make up the third book of my Works, whose subject is the criminal part of legislative science. Please...
53465Draft Letter from the American Peace Commissioners to Bariatinskii and Arkadii Markov, [before 15 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Around July 13, the American commissioners had been given to understand that mediation by the imperial courts was “a mere formality—a mere Compliment, consisting wholly in the Imperial Ministers putting their names & Seals to the parchment, & can have no ill effect.” On that basis, and believing that Vergennes was in favor of it, Adams drafted the...
53466Elias Boudinot to the American Peace Commissioners, 15 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives As Congress have not yet elected any Minister for Foreign Affairs, and knowing the importance of your Being fully informed of every public transaction relative to these States, I have concluded that you would not think it amiss to hear from me on the subject of the removal of Congress to this place, tho’ I cannot consider this communication as official but merely for...
53467To Benjamin Franklin from John Butler, 15 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In behalf of myself and other American Sailors who have been prisoners in England, I make bold to petition your Excellency, whose humanity and beneficence is known to all the World. There are three of us here who were taken on board the Congress Ship the Confederacy Captain Hardinge. We have been discharged some time, and after attempting to get a passage...
53468To Benjamin Franklin from Giacomo Francisco Crocco, 15 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS and press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society; three copies and transcript: National Archives His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Morroco did me the honour to appoint me to be the bearer of his Answer to the United Provinces of North America with whom he is willing to sign a Treaty of Peace & Commerce, & in conseqce. has already given orders to his captains of Men of Warr not to...
53469To Benjamin Franklin from John Coakley Lettsom, 15 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society John Lister, a respectable Friend (Quaker) has just informed me that he sets off for Paris tomorrow; and I embrace the opportunity of acknowledging the favour of thy Letter, inclosing one of Dr. Fothergills herein returned, tho’ I regret that I have not time by his sudden departure, of writing more fully in answer to thine. My Friend Lister will spend about...
53470To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Nolin, 15 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. De marbois Secretaire de L’ambassade de france en Amerique, me mande que mr Le cher. de La Luzerne désire des Graines potageres et me prie de Luy en envoyer un assortiment de choix. Il m’ajouté que Le Vaisseau le Vashington Caine. Barcley aborde au havre, que Ce navire est à vôtre disposition que Son Séjour ne Sera pas Long. Et que C’est une occasion...
53471From Benjamin Franklin to the Farmers General: Memorandum, [before 17 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of AD and transcript: University of Pennsylvania Library Copy of [Note given] to the Farmers General Mr Robert Morris, Merchant, of Philadelphia, is Superintendant des Finances of the United States. It belongs to him to make Provision for the [Payment of the Debt due from the States to the Farmers General]. Mr Morris is a Man of S[kill] in Business, great Activity, great Exactness,...
53472The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society, Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives We have the honour to inform you that we have just received from Congress their Ratification in due Form of the Provisional Articles of the 30th. of November 1782, and we are ready...
53473To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In case our friend Williams shoud not provide for Some bills drawn by Mr Bache of Philadelphia will You not think it proper to do it? They can hardly exceed 1000— If you think this proper—You shoud Write Williams to address the holders to you— My meaning in this is that you woud probably Chuse to save Mr Bache the dishonor & loss which is very Considerable...
53474To Benjamin Franklin from the Farmers General, [17 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of copy: American Philosophical Society Suivant le compte arrêté entre vous et nous, le 17. Novembre 1781, Il reste du à la Ferme Générale, sous le nom de David, une Somme de huit cent quarante Six mille Sept cent soixante dix livres quatorze Sols cinq deniers, et ce Debit, comme vous sçavés, est le restant d’un million que nous avons prêté aux Etats Unis, pour la valeur du quel ils...
53475To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: South Carolina Historical Society I have but this moment 1 o Clock PM been honored with your Letter of the 6th. Instant, it has been long in its Passage, I must endeavour to make more Expedition in complying with your wish to return as soon as possible to Paris. I had flattered myself with hopes of being free. As tis possible nay probable that I shall be with...
53476To Benjamin Franklin from John Wheelock, 17 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to your Excellency from the Hague, requesting a letter to Dr Price, & the favor to be informed, whether any thing had appeared in the circle of your acquaintance conducive to the furtherance of the Object of my attention. But likely my letter has not reached you, as I have heard nothing since. I beg, Sir, the honor to be informed whether or no, in...
53477From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, [before 18 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress Mr. F. submits it to the Consideration of Mr. Jay, whether it may not be adviseable to forbear, at present, the Justification of ourselves, respecting the Signature of the Preliminaries; because That matter is, at present, quiet here; No Letter sent to the Congress is ever kept secret; The Justification contains some Charges of...
53478The American Peace Commissioners to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; press copy of LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society, Yale University Library; transcript: National Archives We have had the honour of receiving by Capt. Barney your two Letters of the 25th. of March & 21st of April, with the Papers referred to in them. We are happy to find that the Provisional Articles have...
53479To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The time Draws near for my Leaveing this place I Expect whe Shall be at Graves End about the Second of august I find Capt Barney is arived in France and hope he has Brought Dispatchs for you Mr Bingham I understand has wrote you the Gazet I Sent you hope Got sauef to hand Mr Silas Dean is hear he paid me a viset and I find from him Self that he wrote Some...
53480To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 18 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères, National Archives J’ai recu M. la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 4 de ce mois ainsy que les pieces dont vous l’avez accompagnée, relativement au Secours extraordinaire que vous etes chargé par le Congrès de demander au Roi. Ma lettre du 5 de ce mois vous a deja instruit de l’impossibilité où etoit S.M. de deferer a...
53481To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Loring Austin, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Give me leave respected Sir to introduce to you my Brother Mr Benjamin Austin jr. & Mr Oliver Brewster (a young Gentleman of this Town who accompanys him on a Tour to Europe) who wish to have an Opportunity of paying their Respects to your Excellency & see that Country which has so generously exerted herself in behalf of America; & permit me to congratulate...
53482To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Two Letters, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society Having wrote you at large by the America that has lately sailed from Portsmouth, you will give me Leave to write this merely as an Introduction to my Friend Benjn. Austin junr. Brother to Mr Austin who carried to France the News of Burgoigne’s Surrender. He is a worthy Branch of a respectable Family; a young Gentleman of much good Sense, highly...
53483To Benjamin Franklin from Sousa Coutinho, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de Portugal a l’honneur de faire part a Monsieur Francklin que l’Assemblée que devoit etre chez lui sera tenue dorenavant chez l’Ambassadeur d’Espagne. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin / Ministre Plenre. des Etats unis / de l’Amerique Septentrionale / en son Hotel / a Passy. / de sousa./. Based on four similar notifications among BF ’s...
53484To Benjamin Franklin from the Ulster Volunteer Corps Committee of Correspondence, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At a meeting of the Comittee of Correspondence appointed by the Delagates of Forty five Volunteer Corps, assembled at Lisburn on the 1st. July Inst., held at Belfast 19 July 1783— Present— Leiut. Col. Sharman, in the Chair Major Burden— Captain Cunningham Captain Prentice Captain Moore Captain Crawford Leiut. Tomb and Mr. Robert Thompson, Ordered, that the...
53485John Jay: Account of Conversations with Franklin, 19 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Columbia University Library On July 19, the day after the American peace commissioners finalized their letter to Livingston, John Adams left for Holland, and Franklin and Jay, to judge by the present document, indulged in some moments of relaxed conversation. The thirty-eight-year-old Jay had been living at the Hôtel Valentinois with his family for more than a month, and Franklin seemed...
53486Poem on Presenting Franklin with a Walking Stick from the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, [before 20 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Printed by Didot l’aîné (1783): Yale University Library, University of Pennsylvania Library, Library of Congress This undated poem and Kéralio’s letter of July 20 written on behalf of the duchesse de Deux-Ponts (below), concern the gift reproduced on the facing page: a walking stick topped with a gold pommel in the shape of a liberty cap. The duchesse sent it to replace the walking stick she...
53487To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 20 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have been very credibly informed that The Count De Vergennes, & others at Versailles have lately expressed, great resentment against Me personally, which gives Me the greatest uneasiness, on Account of my personal Safety at Paris, where I wish To be, To adjust & Settle my Accts., the best foundation, for me to expect Justice from in other respects. I...
53488To Benjamin Franklin from Kéralio, 20 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Nôtre excellente Douairiere, mon respectable ami, Espere que vous aurés reçu avec votre bonté ordinaire la petite marque d’amitié qu’elle a cru devoir vous donner, après la perte que vous aviés faite de sa premiere canne. Plaignés la de n’avoir pu vous aller voir depuis long-temps; mais vous concevés toutes les affaires tous les embarras dont elle est...
53489To Benjamin Franklin from Graf von Schönfeld, 20 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ayant ordre de ma Cour de Vous presenter Mr. Thieriot de Leipsic et qui va se rendre à Philadelphie en qualité de Commissionaire du Commerce de Saxe, je Vous prie Monsieur, de vouloir bien me faire Savoir si je ne Vous generois point en me rendant chés Vous avec lui demain Lundy ou Mercredy dans la matinée. Agrées je Vous en prie Monsieur l’assurance des...
53490To Benjamin Franklin from Elkanah Watson, Jr., 21 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I beg leave to crave the Liberty of introduceing to your acquaintance Griffin Green Esqr. who has lately arrivd from America, & is nearly related to that Ilustrious Character Genl: Green— The respectibility of this Gentlemans character together with the information you may collect from him respecting the present state of affairs in America, will I presume...
53491Franklin’s Responses to the Maréchale de Beauvau’s Questions on Lightning Rods, [after 21 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society On July 21, 1783, Bethia Alexander wrote to William Temple Franklin with a request from the maréchale de Beauvau, who was desperate for Franklin’s advice on installing a lightning rod at her residence, the château du Val. Temple was to place before his grandfather the paper she enclosed. “Une reponse tres exacte” was to be written in the margin beside each...
53492To Benjamin Franklin from the Princesse de Chimay, [before 22 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Made. la Psse. de Chimay prie monsieur Francklin de diner au traitement que la Reine donne à Madame l’Ambassadrice d’Angleterre, chez Mr. le Marquis de Talaru Premier Maitre d’hôtel de Sa Majesté, mardi 22 juillet Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Francklin, ministre Plénipotentiaire / des Etats unis de L’Amérique Septentrionale / A Passy Laure-Auguste de...
53493From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 22[–26] July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS , press copy of LS , and transcript: National Archives; AL (draft): Library of Congress You have complained sometimes with reason of not hearing often from your foreign Ministers; we have had cause to make the same Complaint, six full Months having intervened between the latest Date of your preceeding Letters, and the receipt of those per Capt. Barney. During all this Time we were ignorant...
53494Recommendation for Pierre Sonnerat to the Royal Society, [22 July? 1783] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society M. Pierre Sonnerat, Correspondent of the Academy of Sciences at Paris, Member of the Academy of Lyons, well known by his Voyages to New-Guinea and China, where he was employed by the King of France for the promotion of Natural History, being desirous of Admittance into the Royal Society; we whose names are subscribed do recommend him upon our personal...
53495Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 22 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society Having Been Honoured With letters from Congress, it Becomes my duty to Consult You Upon a point Which they Have particularly Recommended— In the late preliminaries no time is Mentionned for the American Merchants paying their English debts— A Matter of Great Moment to our Merchants who Require at least three or four Years to Accomplish the Business— Upon...
53496To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Melville, 22 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lieut. General Melville presents his best respects to Doctor Franklin,—And, intending to set out, early in next week, from this place, for London, shall be very glad to receive, before Monday next, the letter which the Doctor mentioned his intention of Sending to Mr. Calder, by G. M. And any other letters or Commands which the Doctor may be pleased to honour...
53497To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 22 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ we can no longer call ourselves Fellow Subjects of the Same Sovereign, yet I hope we shall never forget that we are Fellow Labourers in the Service of Humanity. This gives a right to claim reciprocaly Good-offices. Now that you have in some degree settled the various Interests of great Empires, I hope you will find time to exert Yourself in the Service...
53498From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 23 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; copy: Sächsisches Hauptstaatsarchiv This will be delivered to you by M. Thieriot, who goes to Philadelphia by order of his Court as Commissioner of the Commerce of Saxony, in order to establish a Correspondence between the two Countrys, that may, it is thought, be greatly advantageous to both. We have all along had many well-wishers in that Electorate, and I...
53499From Benjamin Franklin to Schönfeld, [23 July 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Sächsisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Vous trouverés cy-joint les lettres que Vous m’avés fait l’honneur de me demander pour le Sr. Thieriot. Elles lui procureront, je n’en doute pas, cette reception et consideration qui sont dues à son Souverain ainsi qu’à son merite. Recevés, je Vous prie Mr., l’assurance du très parfait attachemt. avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d’etre Votre &a. Copie, de la...
53500To Benjamin Franklin from Miromesnil, 23 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Jai Recu avec bien de la Reconnoissance, Les constitutions des Etats unis de lamérique, que Monsieur Franklin a bien voulu MEnvoier. Je le prie de Recevoir mes Remerciements de Cette marque de Son attention. Je lirai avec attention ce Code qui fait une partie tres Interessante du Droit Public du monde, Et qui sera toujours un monument Insigne de La vertu de...