53551William Temple Franklin to Caleb Whitefoord, 7 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from W. A. S. Hewins, ed., The Whitefoord Papers … (Oxford, 1898), pp. 190–1. I have been so much taken up with Business since the rect of your Letter, inclosing me an Introduction to Mrs Hesse, that I have hitherto delay’d answering it. I have not however been deficient in complying with your request relative to that amiable and accomplish’d Lady: She has form’d with Mr Brillon not...
53552To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I beg to introduce to your kind regards one of my best respected friends, Mr Dugald Stewart, who though as yet little known out of Scotland, is one of the best known men in it. He stands in the very first class of their mathematicians & literary men. He has twice at a day’s warning taken up Dr. Adam Ferguson’s lectures in Moral Philosophy, & twice completely excelled...
53553Henry Laurens to the Other American Peace Commissioners, 9 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; two copies and transcript: National Archives; copy: South Carolina Historical Society Availing my self of your consent & recommendation I embarked at le Havre on board the Washington & Sailed from thence the 1st. Inst. On the 2d. at 9 o’Clo. AM. we were within six Leagues of Poole in Dorsetshire. The Wind being very favorable, I quitted the Ship, went on...
53554To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 9 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete AL : American Philosophical Society Having heard that you have been told at Paris, that Lord Shelburne had used foul play about the instructions for removing the troops from New York, I have only to state as a fact, that Genl. Gray in a letter I have in my possession addressed to Lord Keppel, requests to know on what means he may depend for removing the troops from New York, which...
53555To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 9 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent to Billy by this Post a Copy of my last Memoire to M de Vergennes, Supported by those of my Creditors who are of this Town & were of the Meeting, with Copies & Extracts of Several Letters I have received. I send also the originals of these Letters to prove the veracity of the Extracts. As they extend to matters foreign to the Subject and are too...
53556From Benjamin Franklin to Ann Hudson de Lavau, 10 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Letter dated the first Instant, which I should have answered directly, but had mislaid the enclos’d Letter from your Mother which you desired might be sent you. The Bills mentioned by Mr Beall, came duly to my hands and I have received the Money, Seventy-two Dollars. I imagined you were long since gone to America, am sorry to...
53557To Benjamin Franklin from A. C. G. Deudon, 10 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Lors de mon départ de Bruxelles, monsieur Bournons, de l’académie roÿale des Sciences de cette ville, m’a prié de vous faire parvenir la prèmiére partie de ses élémens de mathématiques, que voici; il m’a chargé en même-tems, de vous faire Connoître de Sa part, qu’il aura l’honneur de vous prèsenter les deux volumes Suivans, du même ouvrage, à mesure qu’ils...
53558To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 10 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress Mgr. Le Margrave rêgnant de Bâde me charge de vous prier de vouloir bien faire toutes les démarches qui dépendront de vous, pour avoir l’Extrait-Mortuaire du Sr. Adam Marggrander, né Sujet de ce Prince, et qui doit être mort noïé à Philadelphie. Ce S. Marggrander est parti pour Philadelphie, en 1774, avec un S. Gucker de Schreck, et il étoit emploïé à Philadelphie chéz...
53559To Benjamin Franklin from William Nixon, 10 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You will please to call to Mind that I presumed to inclose to your Excellency a little Book, which I published, Viz. Prosody made easy . The very polite Answer, which you returned, & your unexpected Liberality at so seasonable a Time can never be forgotten by me. The Mode of paying the Debt due by me to you was such a Proof of Politeness, Liberality, &...
53560To Benjamin Franklin from Pio, 10 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. de Pio a l’honneur de renouveller les assurances de son respect à monsieur franklin, Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de l’Amerique et de lui envoyer le 3me. volume des Oeuvres de Mr. filangieri avec une lettre du même, que Mr. de Pio a reçu hier de naples. Mr. de Pio est très flatté de pouvoir dire a Mr. franklin, qu’il y a actuellement un homme...
53561To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 11 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer Mr Grand Cannon is a youn Gentleman from Connecticut who passes through paris in his Way to London. He will have the Honour to pay his Respects to you, and I beg leave to introduce him to your kind Notice as a discreet, intelligent worthy young man, and deserving the Esteem of all his Friend; I have this knowledge of him from his...
53562David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 12 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Public Record Office, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society August 12 and 13 were of far greater diplomatic consequence than this exchange of formal letters about the birth of an English princess (the present letter and the commissioners’ answer of the following day) would suggest. On Tuesday, August 12, at the weekly meeting of ministers at Versailles, Franklin and...
53563To Benjamin Franklin from Sir James Nicolson, 12 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Sir James Nicolson presents Compliments to Doctor Franklin and is somewhat surprized to find out, only since his visit to the Doctr., that his Grandson had been received, out of respect to the Doctor’s great merit, by Lady Nicolson and that he had concealed her Ladyship’s portrait in miniature, under pretence of putting a glass to it. Sir James insists on...
53564The American Peace Commissioners to David Hartley, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office; copies: William L. Clements Library, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society We have received the Letter which you did us the honour to write on the 12th. Inst. and shall take the first Opportunity of conveying to Congress the agreable Information contained in it. The Sentiments & Sensations which the Re-establishment of Peace between our two Countries,...
53565To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Brongniart a L’honneur de présenter Son tres humble Respect a Monsieur franklin, et de le prier de lui faire Sçavoir Si il Se donnera la peine de passer chez Lui Ce Matin Mercredi, et a quelle heure, Comme m. Son fils le lui a fait espérer La Semaine derniere. Il S’agit d’aller ensuitte a L’Ecole militaire et aux invalides relativement aux paratonnere que m....
53566To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 13 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour by young Johonnott who unluckily arrived two days too late for the last Vessell to New England, we have now only one Opportunity & that is for Philadelphia and I will get him away with as little Expence as possible unless you direct otherwise; if he were to miss this Occasion it would be a long time before he could...
53567To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 14 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reach’d this Place the 11th, & waited the same Day on Mr Williams. He was kind enough to think of my Passage & sent Me to the Gentleman that fits out the Ship Le Comte D’Estaing, to agree for my Passage to Philadelphia, as there is no Vessel here bound to the Northward. The Price is 600 Livres.— Mr Williams thinks it exorbitant, & desires to know whether...
53568To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nairne, 14 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr Sikes of Paris has been so obliging as to undertake the care of delivering a Book to you. It is directions for using my Patent Electrical Machine which I hope before this you have received safe. There are some experiments in the Philosophical part, which I hope will give you pleasure, as they tend to confirm your Theory of Electricity. If it were...
53569To Benjamin Franklin from Pamphili, 14 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : Library of Congress M. Le Nonce a l’honneur de faire bien des complimens à Monsieur Franklin, et Se fera un devoir de faire passer par la premiere occasion à Sa Sainteté Le livre qu’il vient de lui envoyer./. Pope Pius VI. Doubtless the Constitutions des treize Etats-Unis de l’Amérique.
53570From Benjamin Franklin to François-Louis Teissèdre de Fleury, 15 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Courier de l’Europe , XIV (November 4, 1783), 290. This letter has puzzled editors for years. Its subject is the silver medal that Congress ordered Franklin to have struck for Lt. Col. de Fleury. Fleury himself delivered the congressional resolution to Franklin in early 1780 when he was on leave, but he was called back to America before Duvivier, the engraver, completed the...
53571To Benjamin Franklin from Berkenrode, 15 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress L’Ambassadeur de Hollande a L’honneur d’assurer Monsieur Francklin de Ses tres humbles civilités. Il S’acquittera tres exactement de La Commission en question, et fera parvenir a Leur adresse Le paquet qu’il Lui à envoié hier. Court un bruit ici, depuis 24 heures, de nouvelles reçues d’une rebellion dans Les troupes Americaines au nombre de 5000 hommes, aiant des bas...
53572To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 15 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; copy: National Archives I had the honor of your favor of the 7th. of March last enclosing the treaty between the United States and the King of Sweden, the ratification whereof has been retarded for want of nine States present in Congress. This Act has now taken place, and I am honored with the commands of Congress to transmit it to you for exchange, which I now have...
53573To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 15 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you a note some weaks ago to accompany the request of mr. Veinbrenner, which you allready had granted. His commissionary is allready gone to Hamburg and will set out with the first vessel for Philadelphia, waiting only for the introductory lettres you promish’d— Your last was dated may 16th, of Which I first recieved the copy. Reciev my thanks...
53574To Benjamin Franklin from John Jebb, 15 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Baynes the bearer of this Letter has conceived that I am honoured with a share of your confidence & friendship—& has sollicited from me an introduction to you. I am at a distance from him—and if I were to assure him that I had only the pleasure of being twice in company with you when in England, he might imagine that I underrated the nature of my...
53575To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Potts, 15 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of the conversation I had the honour of having with your Excellency last Wednesday, I beg leave to submit my thoughts to your consideration on the arrangements necessary to take place between the Post Offices of England and America in respect to the mode of establishing a regular correspondence with the two Countries and if they should meet...
53576From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 16 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that the English Ministry do not agree to any of the Propositions that have been made either by us, or by their Minister here; and they have sent over a Plan for the definitive Treaty, which consists merely of the Preliminaries formerly signed, with a short Introductory Paragraph, & another at the...
53577To Benjamin Franklin from Séraphin-Guillaume Hooke, Chevalier de L’Etang, 17 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le chier. de hooke Letang Mestre de Camp, attaché au Regiment de Berwick Irlandais Prie son Excellence Monsieur Franklin De Vouloir Bien Lui indiquer l’heure et Le jour ou elle pourroit Lui accorder une audience. Il a deja eu lhonneur De La voir et Desireroit Conferer avec Elle sur Les moyens De former un etablissement soit Dans La Virginie soit Dans La...
53578From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 19 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your Letter of the 14th. Instant, and am glad to hear of your safe Arrival at Nantes; it gives me Concern however to learn that you were too late for the Boston Vessel. If you had gone in the first Diligence after you came here, as I directed when I sent Lamotte with you to Paris to secure a Place for you, which you would not suffer him to do, you would...
53579To Benjamin Franklin from Madame ——— Düeil, 19 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Sont escellance cerapelles [se rappellera] sandoutte que le 14 juilliet jeus lhonneur dele voir apasÿ et deluy aufrir duvin de chanpangne de mont Creux [mon Cru]. Monsieur le Compte de Mallebois qui citrouva, voulleu bien asurré sont escellance que je meritté sas [sa] Confiance et vous Mordonnate devous adressé un pannier de 60 bouttelles jes choisÿ Cellecy...
53580To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Situation of the american Merchants in France is not the Effect of the ill Conduct of any one but a general Consequence of the Peace, and I believe there is no Exception. Mr Grubb is one of us, and with a full Intention as well as Capacity to pay all, intends to apply for Letters of Surseance to prevent any little Creditor arresting his Property as it...
53581To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Condorcet, 20 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’academie m’a chargé de vous exprimer toute sa reconnaissance pour le beau present que vous lui avez fait. Elle verra avec plaisir dans sa biblioteque ce premier monument de L’histoire d’un peuple auquel les sciences auront un jour tant d’obligation, et cet ouvrage lui rappelera La part distinguée qu’un des membres a eue, à la plus grande revolution...
53582To Benjamin Franklin from Caleb Davis, 20 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Liberty I take in Addressing your Excellencey and incloseing the within to your Care, is in Consequence of Mr. St. Johns request and information that he had obtained your permission for that purpose, and I most Ardently Wish the inclosed May reach him as it Contains information of Much importance for him to Know and Several Letters which have been Wrote...
53583To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Rochambeau, 20 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le vcte. de Rochambeau a l’honneur d’Envoyer a Monsieur le Docteur franklin un livre que Monsieur Telles Dacosta a fait sur les bois. Comme il n’a pas l’honneur d’estre connu de Monsieur franklin il a este requis de le lui faire passer. The general’s son: XXXIV , 205n. Dominique-Antoine Tellès d’Acosta (b. 1719), grand maître des eaux et forêts of Champagne,...
53584From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 21 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library; press copy of ALS and copy: Library of Congress I do not doubt but you have written to some one or other of your Colleagues since your Arrival in England; and as we have heard nothing from you, I thought it necessary by a Line to inform you that none of your Letters are come to hand. After making and sending over many Propositions of ours & of Mr. Hartley’s, and...
53585To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 21 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to furnish your Excellency a small Account, I think it was in the year 1781, of some articles shipped by your orders for Mr. Richd Bache of Philada.— In the Letter which accompany’d the Account I mention’d my intentions of drawing for the amount, which however never was done;— Your Excellency will oblige me greatly by ordering said Account...
53586To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 21 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society La societé Royale de medecine m’a Chargé d’avoir l’honneur de Vous adresser des Billets pour sa séance publique qui aura lieu le 26 de ce mois; elle Vous prie d’en agréer l’hommage et de Vouloir bien en Disposer. La societé toujours flattée lorsque Vous Voulez bien l’honorer de Votre Présence Vous prie d’assister à Cette séance. J’y Lirai l’Eloge de feu M...
53587Rose-Aimée Du Buc d’Enneville, the Comtesse de Choiseul-Meuse, and Jean-Baptiste Du Buc to William Temple Franklin, [c. … (Franklin Papers)
Printed announcement: American Philosophical Society Madame D’enneville , Madame la Comtesse DE Choisëul , & M. DU Buc , Intendant Général des Colonies, sont venus pour avoir l’honneur de vous faire part du Mariage de M. DU Buc-Saint-Olympe , leur Cousin-Germain, avec Madame DE Longpré
53588From Benjamin Franklin to Graf von Brühl, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office M. de Kempel, the ingenious Author of the Automaton that plays Chess, will have the Honour of putting this Line into the Hands of your Excellency; and I beg leave to recommend him to your Protection, not merely on Account of that wonderful Machine, but as a Genius capable of being serviceable to Mankind by more useful Inventions which he has not yet communicated....
53589From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr Carnes having informed me that my Application is necessary to his obtaining a Personal Safety or Sauf Conduite , in order to afford him the Time necessary to get the Consentment of his distant Creditors, to his obtaining Lettres de Sur-seances for the space of Six Months: I hereby request you would comply with his Request, not doubting but...
53590From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This Line will be presented to you by a very ingenious Gentleman, M. Kempel, inventor of the Automaton that plays at Chess. He has other Inventions in Mechanics of a more useful Nature, which he has Thoughts of communicating in England, if he can meet with Encouragement. I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities & Counsels, and am ever, with sincere Esteem &...
53591From Benjamin Franklin to John Whitehurst, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Descendants of the Rawle and Corning Families, Connecticut (2010) The Bearer, Mr Kempel, is the Creator of the Wooden Man who plays so well at Chess; but he is very ingenious in other Matters of more Importance, and has some useful Inventions to communicate to the Publick. I beg leave to recommend him to you Civilities, and to request your Advice to him, as to the Manner of making those...
53592To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Bruet, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Le cte de Bruet a reçû avec la plus grande sensibilité lexemplaire que Monsieur franklin a eu lattention et lhonnetteté de luÿ adresser il luÿ en fait mile remerciements et il seroit bien flatté de trouver les occasions de luÿ en marquer toute Sa reconoissance. Mde de Bruet fait mille et mille Compliments a messieurs franklin et ne pouvent etre plus...
53593To Benjamin Franklin from César Bucquet, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L(?): American Philosophical Society Après un travail assidu de plus de trente années Je Suis parvenu a perfectionner la Mouture économique et a la faire Connoitre dans les Provinces ou elle étoit ignorée. Ce fait est Constaté tant par des Procès Verbaux qui ont eu lieu dans Ces Provinces que par le Rapport des administrateurs de l’hopital Général de Paris. Par Mes procèdés Cet hopital épargne...
53594To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Deux-Ponts, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I put so much confidence in your Excellencys friendship to me, that I depend on your forgiveness, for the freedom I take, to beg of you the conveyance of the inclos’d to Chevr. La Luzerne which includes some Lines to my american friends. I shall be very particularly oblig’d to you for it and am with wery respectfull sentiments Your Excellencys Most obedient...
53595To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Royal Mail Archive This Morning Mr. Potts delivered to me your kind Letter of the 17th. Instant. I now inclose according to your desire without loss of Time a Copy of mine to you which you happen to have mislaid of the 25th. of June last, and I should be very much obliged to you for your opinion of the Matters therein as soon as it may be in your...
53596From Benjamin Franklin to Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, 23 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque de Genève Reflecting with Pleasure on the agreable and instructive Conversation you favour’d me with, when I had the Happiness of seeing you in London, I embrace this Opportunity of recalling myself to your Remembrance, & of requesting your Acceptance of a Copy of the American Constitutions. With great and sincere Esteem I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient and...
53597To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 23 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Two ALS : American Philosophical Society Having a Nephew (Mr John M. Pintard) connected with the House of Mr. John Searle & Co Mercht: in Madeira, who has earnestly requested an Introduction of this House to your Excellency, I do myself the honor of complying with his desire, as from my long Knowledge of the Character of Mr. Searle, I am certain any Services you can with propriety render the...
53598To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval: Two Letters, 23 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous mavez fait l’honneur de mecrire en faveur de Mr. Carnes; je pense que pour procèder en règle, il conviendroit que vous écrivissiez directement à Mr. le Cte. de Vergennes; ce ministre m’a parû disposé à accorder les lettres de Sauf-conduit à votre recommandation. J’ai lhonneur dêtre avec un sincere...
53599To Benjamin Franklin from the Conte di Scarnafiggi, 23 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society L’Ambassadeur de Sardaigne prie Monsieur Franklin de lui faire l’honneur de Venir Diner chez lui Jeudi 28. Août. R.S.V.P. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / En son hotel This is the first letter in our edition from the Sardinian diplomat who had served in London while BF was there in 1773, and whose connection to BF had hitherto been as an...
53600To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library Inclosed is an Acct: of the Expenses of Master Johnnott including his passage to Philadelphia amouting to £ 752 l.t. 2.— for which I have this day drawn a bill on you in favour of Messr: Laval & Wilfelsheim. It was not possible to get his passage at a Cheaper Rate, though extravagant & unreasonable all have been obliged to Submit. Another Lad of the Same age of...