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...